Yuki stood in front of the temple greeting everyone as they arrived. Standing on one side of the courtyard most of the Sohma's had gathered and were talking amongst themselves as on the other side Machi's family both on her mother's side and father's were wondering about all the mysterious family that stood close by. Standing beside Yuki was Kakeru who was introducing him to members of the Manabe family. From where she stood Tohru watched him as he bowed his head politely to each and every one and she could see in his eyes the strain of having to make all the preparations for the funeral himself. In fact his daughter Takara had been staying with Kyo and Tohru most of the week so Yuki could handle it.
Close by Ayame and Shigure walked with each other and Ayame couldn't take his eyes off his younger brother.
"You should go talk to him" Shigure replied.
"What would I say? I mean I've already seen him today."
"Aya" Shigure said gently, "Perhaps now is as good as time as any. It's been so long since you and Yuki have talked."
"This is true" Ayame nodded a little nervously.
"Then go" Shigure pushed him forward slightly, "I will talk to you later."
Ayame cautiously walked over to Yuki who told Kakeru that he needed to take a break so he asked him to take over. Kakeru nodded and Yuki walked over to the large tree that was located in the courtyard and leaned against it. He was surprised to see that Ayame was approaching.
"Yuki" Ayame replied.
"Brother" Yuki said, "What is it? What do you need?"
"I was actually kind of wondering if there was anything that you need. And I also wanted to talk to you. Can we take a walk?"
"Uh" Yuki replied a bit hesitant at first but then nodded with a small smile, "Sure. I need a break from all this anyway."
"Okay" Ayame nodded and the two of them left the courtyard while from afar Shigure smiled to himself.
(Next Scene)
"What did you want to talk to me about?" Yuki asked as they walked down a part of the temple where the crowd was notgathering.
"Well I suppose mostly I just wanted to see how you are."
"I'm okay."
"Really?"
"Yea. I mean this part is the hard part, seeing all her family. And I have never met even half of them. But besides that Machi did go peacefully and the way she would have wanted."
"That's good" Ayame nodded, "And you and Takara? What are you going to do now?"
"I don't know" Yuki shook his head, "I have been offered to go and live with Tohru and Kyo for awhile and I am considering it."
"That's great. At least you won't be alone" Ayame smiled.
"It will help to have her there. Tohru I mean."
"Yes. Well I agree with you on that. She's always managed to make you smile little brother. Yuki, I hope you don't think that you can't come to me when you need to talk. I want to be there for you too."
"Why? I mean you don't have to. You have Mine and whatever future family comes along. You don't need to worry about me."
"You're my brother" Ayame replied seriously, "And I always worry about you. I'm always thinking of you. Someone has to Yuki. Our mother doesn't. Father is no longer living."
"So you have taken this burden upon yourself?"
"No" Ayame shook his head, "Whether you believe it or not, I care about you and I am your older brother, so I believe that it is my honor to look after you. I don't expect you to forgive me for my past transgressions but I want you to know that if you ever need my help don't hesitate to ask me. Please. I want to know when you need help, and if I can I will find a way to give you what you need."
"Brother" Yuki said slowly quite surprised at his touching and serious nature all of a sudden.
"You know before father passed away, he spoke of you quite highly."
"He did?"
"Oh yes. He said when you were born he was quite happy. Mother wasn't happy with either one of us because of the curse and to be honest she wanted a girl. Father is actually the one who named you. Did you know that Yuki?"
"No."
"He named both of us. He once told me that he'd wish he'd spent more time with us. He said that he did spend time with you once and never forgot it."
"What?"
"He told me that you were about three years old and had come out to help him in the garden. Of course mother showed up soon afterwards, but he said that those precious twenty minutes he spent with you, meant so much to him. And even that time he spent with you at the New years party, no matter how few minutes it was because once again you were interrupted by mother, he felt sorry."
"Sorry?"
"Sorry that he never got the chance to see you grow up. He said you had grown up into a fine young man and I agreed with him. I used to tell him about all your accomplishments at school and he was quite proud of you."
"Father" Yuki said feeling the tears enter his eyes, "I had no idea he felt that way."
"He wanted to tell you, but I think he was afraid."
"Afraid? Of what?"
"He didn't know you know. He had no idea that mother sold you to the main house. To Akito. He came back from his business trip and found out about it, and by then, it was too late. The deed had been done. I think a part of him felt guilty because he couldn't protect you better than he did."
Yuki shook his head.
"I see."
"I wanted to tell you before, but we hardly see each other. I'm sorry. This is probably not the best thing to talk about at a funeral."
"No" Yuki shook his head, "Actually, believe it or not. This bit of information has made me happy. I never knew how our father saw me and to know now that I made him proud. That he was proud of me, gives me great comfort."
"You're amazing Yuki" Ayame almost cried, "Going through all this and yet you are still so strong. That's one of the things I admire about you more than anything. You are the strongest person I know."
"No brother" Yuki shook his head once more, "I'm not. There is someone stronger" he looked toward the courtyard that they were approaching once more, "And it's the one person that has gotten me through this terrible ordeal more than anyone" Yuki looked in Tohru's direction and he saw her smile as she talked to Kisa and Rin.
"Yes" Ayame agreed, "You're right about that" he nodded, "She is the strongest person."
"And without her" Yuki added as they arrived back to where Kakeru was waiting, "We wouldn't be the way we are today."
(Next Scene)
Soon after the celebration of Machi's life began. Yuki had decided that mourning her death at a party was just ridiculous so instead he wanted to have a celebration of her life instead and everyone couldn't agree with the decision more. Even though most of Machi's family remained somber the Sohma and the Kuragi family celebrated in ways that Machi would have approved of. Kyo and Hatsuharu gathered with the children and organized some games they could play. The women along with Tohru put out all the food and began serving everyone. Mr. Kuragi eventually along with Kakeru played along with the children. Soon afterward Yuki wandered over to Tohru who offered him a glass of punch.
"Looks like everyone is having a good time" Tohru replied as he smiled and thanked her for the cup.
"It's just the way Machi would want it. No tears. Just all her family having the time of their lives celebrating hers."
"Mhm. Although I dare say her mother's side of the family don't seem too thrilled. They left already."
"Well they're traditionalists. Before she passed away Machi told me this is what she wanted. I'm just giving her what she wanted. Besides I shouldn't mourn that she is gone. I should be thankful that I had her in my life, like you said. I was so blessed. Celebrating her life would be a much more better use of my time then cursing my fate that I no longer have her in my life."
"Yes" Tohru nodded, "It doesn't mean you can't mourn for her, but it shows that you have let her go and are ready to move on with your daughter. What's wrong?" Tohru asked suddenly seeing Yuki's face turn into a confused one.
She looked in the direction he was staring and saw that Kagura was entering the area along with her husband Jinto. Kyo rose from the ground as Haru moved closer to him.
"What the hell is he doing here?" Kyo replied angrily as Haru shook his head with an angry frown.
Jinto and Kagura strode into the center of the party while the Sohma's moved in closer. Most of the party seemed to be surprised at the appearance of the couple. Yuki stepped forward and bowed his head politely to the two of them.
"Welcome. I'm glad you could come."
"Yuki" Kagura nodded, "We're so sorry for your loss."
"Thank you."
"Kagura" Jinto said a bit abrupt.
"Oh right. We need to talk to the Zodiac members and their parents."
"Right now?" Yuki raised his eyebrow as Kyo crossed his arms.
"It's kind of important" Kagura nodded, "It will only take a moment."
"I think we can do that" Akito said stepping forward a little because he had heard, "We can all gather inside for the moment. That's all right, right Yuki."
Yuki nodded and then the Sohma's followed Akito inside with their families. Yuki whispered to Kakeru that they had a family matter to deal with for the moment and if he wouldn't mind taking over once more. Kakeru nodded but stared after his brother-in-law curiously as he departed, veryenticed to knowwhat was going on.
(Next Scene)
Once inside Jinto stood in the middle with Kagura at his side while the others were around them like acircle. The kids were sitting on the floor nearby listening to the conversation. Akito was also in the center and looked directly at Jinto.
"What is this all about?" he asked with an angry frown, "It's rather rude of you coming all this way, to a funeral for whatever purpose it may be."
"Can't be helped. I come on behalf of Yamato" Jinto answered, "He sent me here."
"What did he send you here for?" Shigure asked speaking up.
"Yamato feels that it is time for a change."
"What kind of change?" Hatsuharu replied as Kyo stared ever more angrier atthe other man.
"My son feels that the Zodiac members as they are now, are too far apart. Being that your children" he pointed to Yuki and Kyo as Tohru walked over to the twins to comfort them, "Are in Kyoto. And the other one is up at the Hot Springs with you" he stared at Ritsu and Rebecca who just looked at each other quizzically.
"Your point?" Kyo said, "What do you mean by that?"
"He wants the Zodiac members to come back to the main house, your son in particular."
"My son?" Kyo replied his eyebrows rose as Tohru listened intently, "What does he want Katsuya for?"
"He's taken a personal interest in your son. Don't ask me why. But he wants every one of them. All your children who aren't close enough to the main house to come."
"No way" Kyo said shaking his head, "My children aren't going anywhere. This is their home. And I don't care if your son has taken a personal interest in mine. He's not going anywhere."
"I'm afraid you won't have a choice in the matter" Jinto smirked.
"What?"
"None of you will" Jinto said addressing the others.
"What do you mean?" Akito replied angrily, "No choice."
"If you refuse Yamato's order then we'll just have to take your children by force."
"You can't do that!" Kyo said shouting angrily as Haru moved closer with him wanting to donothing less of hitting him.
"I can and I will. I have been given permission, or rather Yamato has been given complete control to carry out any action having to do with any members of the Zodiac."
"What proof do you have of that?" Hatori interrupted quieting down the other parents who were shouting furiously at Jinto.
"This is my proof" Jinto held up a heavy piece of paper as Kagura turned her head somberly.
"Give me that" Akito said snatching quickly from his grasp and reading it, "This is from the elders."
"That's right" Jinto nodded with a smirk, "I know that you of all people knows what this means" he replied as Akito raised his shocked eyes from the paper.
"I do. It means we have no choice but to take our children to the main house" he said slowly but loud enough for everyone to hear.
"No!" Kyo shouted as the rest of the adults stared at the man furiously and shook their heads in agreement.
Katsuya and Sakura looked at each other a bit scared as Tohru rose from the floor and walked over to where Kyo was holding his fist out.
"I will not" Kyo continued, "Subject my children to the same cruelty that I had to suffer. My children are remaining here, with us."
"You have nothing to do with it" Jinto said snidely.
"Come again?"
"It's your children that must go to the main house. Not you. You can remain here; they're the ones who have to go. Whether there are taken by you or I have to come down here and take them myself they are going."
"No" Tohru suddenly said making everyone turn their eyes on her in surprise, "My children aren't going anywhere without me."
"Tohru" Kyo said slowly as she moved forward and stood directly in front of Jinto.
"There is no choice you say. So there isn't. But my children will go with me if that is the case. I won't send them alone. I refuse to."
Everyone continued to stare at her for none of them had seen her speak up to anyone before in this manner.
"You say that your son has taken a personal interest in mine? Well all right then. I'm fine with that, as long as I am there when he is with him."
"That is not for me to determine" Jinto began but Tohru raised her eyes seriously to him.
"Listen to me. My child will not suffer at his hand, and if it comes to that I will be forced to take my children back. To bring them back here. I won't hesitate. Just as long as you know that, we will be fine."
"She's right" Kyo said coming over to her and placing a hand on her shoulder, "What my wife says is true. We'll go along with your little summons, for now. The twins will go to the main house, but one. If I hear about one incident where your son has hurt my son or my daughter, I'm taking them back."
"That goes for us too" Haru replied as the rest of the Sohma's nodded their heads in agreement.
Jinto was at a loss for words so he took Kagura's hand and then pulled her to the door.
"Your words mean nothing to me" he said over his shoulder as Akito through the paper back at him, "You will all comply. Or at least your children will. Let's go Kagura" they departed with a yank of her hand.
"Bastard" Haru spat under his breath, "Is there really nothing else we can do?"
"I'm afraid not" Akito shook his head, "This summons is an order from not only them but from the elders too. I know better than anyone that once an order is issued you can't refuse. Ritsu and Rebecca will have to bring their daughter to the main house" he looked at them as Ritsu held onto Rebecca who was about in tears, "And Yuki, Kyo, Tohru, you're children must be brought as well. I'm sorry about this Yuki" Akito added before departing the room with Kandis who was quite angry herself, "This isn't what I had expected, although I had thought that he might try something like this. Unfortunately for me" Akito clenched his fist, "I am no longer in a position where I can do anything about it" he walked out of the room and the older of the former members of the Zodiac dispersed the group. Kyo and Tohru left soon afterwards leaving Hatsuharu alone with each other.
(Next Scene)
"This is complete bull!" Haru shouted throwing a can at the wall, "I can't believe he can do this!"
"Haru" Yuki said slowly, "Don't go black on me just yet."
"Huh?" Haru looked over at his cousin, who despite everything he was really calm, "Yuki? What's with you?"
"So that was him? That was the one I heard about. I remember meeting him but now I saw him for what he truly is."
"Yuki you're scaring me. What's going on in your head? You seem happy about this."
"I'm not happy. But I am satisfied."
"Satisfied? About what?"
"I may be able to get answers now" Yuki said a bit cryptically, "All I can tell you is that from here on in, I am going to do whatever it takes to strip away this Jinto's mask" he replied determinedly, "I assure you of that."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey guys! One more chapter for this week to go. Oh and I wanted to tell you that again I've decided to change the title of the next chapter then what I had originally, or in actuality I am adding a chapter and moving the next one up. So see you later!
Next Chapter: A Good Piece of Information
Yuki is now more determined then ever to find out who Jinto is and he gets the answer from the last person he ever thought he would. Find out who next time!