Katsuya wandered over to his sister who was sitting in front of their window staring at the night sky. In her hands was a bracelet with red and green beads.
"You sure you want to do this?" Katsuya asked as he sat down in front of her and she bit the bracelet in half.
"Positive" Sakura nodded, "No one will ever know. I'll keep the bracelet as if I need it. But you need protection too."
"It's not that big of a deal Sakura" Katsuya shook his head.
"Yes it is Kaye" she insisted as she placed one of the red beads on a piece of tough string, "As long as you have this, it'll be more protection for you" she tied the necklace around his neck, "After all you did sacrifice yourself for me by making that silly wish."
"I had to" Katsuya replied, "I mean I wanted to."
"Mama and daddy must never know" Sakura whispered, "As long as you can control it they never will."
"I can" Katsuya nodded, "I can control it as long as I am not angry or as long as it doesn't rain too hard, I can control it."
"Okay" Sakura nodded, "Let's go to bed now before mama comes in and sees that we are not asleep."
"All right" Katsuya agreed and then held onto the necklace that was around his neck, "Thanks for this Sakura."
"No problem" she nodded as she took his hand and lifted him up, "It's the least I can do for what you did for me."
They both walked over to their beds and soon Sakura fell fast asleep but Katsuya remained awake staring at his hand and then the bead that hung around his neck.
"I know it was foolish of me" he thought, "But if I hadn't wished for it then Sakura would be the one who would be suffering right now. But still, I wonder who that lady was that granted my wish to take Sakura's place with the spirit of the cursed cat of the Zodiac" he said to himself as he finally closed his eyes and fell to sleep himself.
(Next Scene)
Yuki sat in his kitchen quite patiently reading the paper. Takara was fast asleep in her bassinet so he smiled to himself. Suddenly the phone rang and he picked it up.
"Hello. Oh Haru. Thank you for calling me back. He'll be here soon. No I have no idea. I will be. Don't worry about me. This may be the answer we have been waiting for. I'll call you back as soon as I have the information. Stop worrying. I can handle this on my own. Goodbye" Yuki clicked off the phone and sighed.
He knew that Haru had his best interest at heart, but Yuki was quite certain that when his mysterious visitor arrived that the intentions of Jinto would become much more clearer. Earlier that week he had received an anonymous phone call from someone who claimed could help him with the situation and rather then ignore it or get anyone else involved, Yuki had decided todeal with it himself even though on this particualr day he was not only watching his daughter but Tohru's twins as well. As he once more turned to his paper he heard the doorbell ring and got up from the table, feeling his heart beat slightly. Would the person on the other side of the door be able to help him? He wasn't quite sure but still very determined to find out the answer so he turned the knob and opened the door quite surprised to see none other then Riku Miyoshi standing at his front door.
(Next Scene)
"Riku Miyoshi?" he replied slowly.
Riku nodded and bowed his head.
"Thank you for agreeing to see me."
"Of course" Yuki nodded a bit warily, "Come on in."
"Thanks" Riku nodded looking over his shoulder and then walking into the house, "At least no one followed me."
"Followed you?"
"Yea. I've got the feeling, that I am being watched all the time too now."
"Watched? Watched by who?" Yuki sat down indicating that Riku should do the same, which he did.
"We'll get into that later, first of all I got to tell you it's a real relief that you agreed to see me."
"Why wouldn't I? I mean I didn't even know who you were. I don't normally agree to meet strangers but you sounded desperate."
"I am. And I would have gone to Tohru or Kyo, or even my family but I couldn't think of anyway they could help. You see, I'm afraid. I'm afraid of what he's going to do next."
"Who?"
"Tai. He's crazy. He's absolutely out of his mind."
"Okay. You told me on the phone that the information that you can give me has to do with my question about Jinto."
"Oh it has everything to do with it" Riku nodded, "You see this Jinto guy that you have become acquainted with is nothing but a pawn in Tai's scheme."
"A pawn?" Yuki's eyebrows rose slightly as he listened.
"Yea. He told me so himself. He set Jinto up with some Kagura Sohma, I take it that she is your relative?"
"Yes. She's my cousin. But why would he do that?"
"To get her back" Riku said as Yuki shook his head as if he didn't understand, "Apparently he found out about your little trick on him when you asked her to, I don't understand all the details but."
"Let me interrupt you for a moment" Yuki replied, "Let me see if I can guess, he found out that Kagura was used in our ploy to make him back off of Tohru and wanted revenge?"
"Yea. Something like that. Although he didn't know how to use her until later on."
"Okay. Go on."
"Well he discovered through his source that the curse from your family had somehow been lifted,well at least temporarily lifted as he put it. So he hired this actor he found at her college to basically play the part of the loving boyfriend and then the loving husband and father."
"He paid this man to marry Kagura?" Yuki replied a bit angry now.
"Yea. Basically he paid him to help bring back the curse. Now Tai said it was a complete surprise to him that their son ended up as the head of the Zodiac but he wasn't worried about it, he was actually thrilled. He said he couldn't have planned it better."
"I get it now" Yuki nodded, "It all makes sense. Where he came from. Why he behaves the way he does. He's following orders from Ushida."
"Mhm. Even the order that has been issued for the Zodiac members to come back to Tokyo. But don't be fooled. Tai's goal isn't complete domination of the Sohma's. At least not yet."
"Then what is his goal?" Yuki asked crossing his arms, "What is he doing this for?"
"Ultimately the only thing he wants is Tohru."
"What?"
"That's what he said, he's doing all of this to get her. The trip up to Tokyo is just another part of his plan. It's easier for him to capture her if she is up there."
"So he's found another elaborate way to bring her up there without us suspecting anything?"
Riku nodded hanging his head slightly.
"And in the process in a way he is trying to find a way to dominate over us. Using our curse. What else can you tell me?"
"I'm the next part of his plan."
"What?"
"He wants me to kidnap her kids, and then he has someone else dealing with her. Either way he's gonna have Tohru and her kids brought to him. I can't go through with this anymore. I didn't know what else to do. I don't want to be a part of it. Can you help me? You're the only who can?"
Yuki considered his words and eyed him a little suspiciously and then smiled as a thought came into his head. He stood up and stared at the other man directly.
"Can you wait there for a few minutes?" he replied.
"Sure."
"I'll be right back."
"Where are you going?"
"To get someone" Yuki said, "Watch my daughter over there for me. I am going to get someone who can tell me whether you are telling the truth or not."
"You mean you don't trust me?"
"I'm afraid I can't be sure whether you are telling me the truth. But I don't see a car outside, which means you didn't drive here, so you won't have anywhere to run."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"I hope not" Yuki nodded as he strode over to the door and walked outside, "I'll be back in a minute."
Riku nodded back and then placed his hands together. A couple minutes later Yuki did return with Katsuya and Sakura right behind him. Katsuya moved towards Riku who raised his head in confusion.
"Is this the one Uncle Yuki?" Katsuya asked.
"Yes" Yuki nodded as Riku stared at Yuki as if he was mad.
"I thought you said you were going to get someone who could tell I was lying" Riku replied.
"He is the person" Yuki said, "He may be a child but he can read a person like a book. I've told him a little about what you have told me. I'm gonna ask you another question and he is going to watch you. Okay Kaye?"
"Mhm" Katsuya nodded as Riku still felt thoroughly confused.
"Okay. Riku. This thing that Tai wants you to do,when is it to occur?"
"A couple days after they come up to the main house" Riku said, "Are you really sure that they should be listening to this?" he asked staring at Sakura and Katsuya a little afraid.
"Oh yes. I think that Sakura and Katsuya just might be the answer to your problem."
"What?"
"I'm watching them for Tohru and Kyo. These are Tohru's kids" he added, "You guys" he said to the twins, "This is your mother's cousin, Riku."
"Cousin Takao's brother?" Sakura replied.
"Mhm."
"The one who works for Ushida?" Katsuya added.
"You see Riku they are very bright for their age. It could have something to do with the Zodiac I don't know."
"They're members of the Zodiac?" Riku said even more nervously, "And they're Tohru's kids."
"Mhm. That's right. Well Kaye what's the verdict?"
"Huh?" Katsuya looked at him confused by his words.
"I'm sorry" Yuki grinned sheepishly, "I mean what do you think."
"Well" Katsuya replied, "I don't think he's lying. He's on our side and it's very clear that he's scared."
"Why are you so scared?" Sakura asked sitting casually beside him.
"I found myself in a situation I can't get out of" Riku stammered at her forwardness.
"Why?" Katsuya replied sitting down on the other side.
"I just have."
"Well maybe we can help you get out of it," he suggested.
"That's exactly what I was thinking," Yuki grinned, "Right on the mark Kaye."
"Huh?" Riku looked at Yuki quizzically.
"Riku. If you want out of this mess I can help you, but you have to help me."
"Sure" Riku nodded, "What do I have to do?"
"Listen to me carefully. At every word I am going to say from this point on" he leaned forward, "You two also" he added.
"Okay Uncle Yuki" they agreed with a nod of their own as he began to tell them the plan.
(Next Scene)
Yuki led Riku back to the door while Katsuya and Sakura helped themselves to a snack. Riku stared in awe at the two of them as Yuki opened the door.
"Are you sure they can pull this off? They're just kids."
"They can" Yuki nodded, "With your help. Anyway this is the only way to make Tai Ushida cease his trouble making for good."
"How do you figure?"
"Trust me. You follow the plan exactly as he wants you to. If there is one thing that I know about Tai Ushida, isas long as he thinks he is winning there is always a way to catch him off guard. I will tell my cousin Kyo about this when the time is right. I don't feel right about this" Yuki said looking back at them with a sad expression, "About making Tohru and the twins bait but I have no choice."
"We could tell Tohru" Riku said.
"No. It's got to work out this way. Otherwise Ushida will just run and try something else later down the road. Just go through with what he asked. The twins will play their part. They love their mother; they won't let anything happen to her. Meanwhile I will prepare on my end and if you go through with this and don't try to back out of it I guarantee that we will do all we can to make sure you won't have to deal with him either. I even will help you and I am sure Kyo will to find a way to reunite with your family."
"Okay" Riku nodded, "I will. If it's the only way. But how can I get in touch with you to give the exact time when it will happen?"
"We will meet one last time, the day before it happens. I am going to give you a number where you can contact me. I have to go back up to the main house too" Yuki scribbled it down and handed it to him, "But this number will be safe and secure. We'll plan on meeting then."
"Okay" Riku said a little worried.
"Until then sit tight. I'll be in contact with you as soon as I can."
"Thanks again" Riku nodded with a smile, "I have to go before he realizes that I am gone. So those are Tohru's kids" he smiled even more as he watched them laugh, "They're beautiful. My brother wasn't kidding."
"No. He was right" Yuki nodded, "Good luck to you" he held out his hand and Riku shook it before departing.
Yuki closed the door and walked into the kitchen and patted Katsuya on the head.
"Hard to believe that he's with that Ushida guy" Katsuya replied.
"He seems so gentle and kind," Sakura added.
"Good observation" Yuki nodded, "But sometimes we adults get into situations that we can't get out of without help."
"That's where we come in right?" Katsuya asked.
"Mhm. If you two are ready?"
"We're ready" Sakura said holding out her fist, "We may be small but we're still Sohma's and as daddy says Sohma's don't give into an Ushida."
"Wise words" Yuki grinned embracing her, "Very wise words indeed."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Okay that's it for this week! Only four more chapters to go till Book Two is done! See you all next week!
Next time on Curse Renewed:
Chapter Nine: Return to Tokyo
Tohru and the twins return to the main house only to find out things are very different then before, and yet not different with many scary incidents occurring making history seem to repeat itself. See you then!
And
Chapter Ten: Ushida's Trap?
Tai Ushida sends Riku out to kidnap the twins while Yuki in the background is controlling the situation from his end. Will his plan backfire or will he, Kyo, and Hatsuharu get to Tohru and thetwins before it is too late? Find out next time!