Katsuya packed his bag sadly as he watched his sister close her suitcase with a sigh. She sat on her bed with a grimace and crossed her arms.
"I can't believe we have to do this," she grumbled.
"Cheer up Sakura" Kaye replied as he sat down next to her, "It won't be for long. After all if Uncle Yuki's plan works we'll be back before you know it."
"Yea. But still" Sakura said in a hesitant voice, "I don't feel good about this."
"I don't either" Kaye replied putting his arm around his sister, "But it's gonna be okay. Mama will be with us."
"Yea" Sakura nodded standing up from the bed with a slight smile, "Let's finish packing Kaye."
(Next Scene)
Meanwhile in the kitchen Tohru was packing some snacks for the trip up to Tokyo for the twins. Her bag had been packed the night before and was sitting by the front door. Kyo was leaning against the wall with his arm crossed as he watched her somber expression.
"I'll be up there in another week" he said slowly making her turn her head.
"Okay."
"I just have to finish this weeks classes and then close down the dojo for a little while. That should take about a week a think. When do you leave?"
"In a couple more minutes" Tohru replied, "Hatsuharu and Yuki will be here with the van" she zipped up the bag of snacks, "I have to go make sure the twins are ready."
"You know what?" Kyo said moving away from the wall, "I'll handle that. I need to go say goodbye to them anyway."
"All right" she nodded running the water over that morning's dishes.
Kyo walked down the hall and entered the twin's room where he saw that they had finished packing and Katsuya was putting on his favorite baseball cap. He smiled as he came over.
"Hey guys" he knelt down.
"Daddy" Sakura said sweetly.
"Okay, I will meet you guys up at the main house on Friday. Until then I want you both to be on your best behavior for your mom."
"We will daddy" Kaye replied as Sakura nodded tearing up.
"We'll miss you" Sakura embraced him tightly.
"Oh I'll miss you too princess" Kyo said gently as he embraced her and then pulled away, "If anything bad happens, you be sure to tell your mom right away. Okay? No secrets."
"Okay daddy" Kaye nodded, "No secrets."
"And Kaye" Kyo added.
"Mhm."
"You're the man now, so I want you to look after Sakura and your mother."
"I will."
"I'm counting on you."
"I'll do it too daddy" Sakura replied not wanting to be left out.
"I know you will" he smiled, "All right you two, big hugs" he held out his arms and the two of them hugged him back tightly, "I love you guys."
"We love you too" they nodded pulling away and then after hearing Tohru call them, they each grabbed their bag and ran out into the hall where she was waiting.
Soon enough the van pulled up outside and Yuki opened the door to let the twins in. Tohru gave Kyo one long last kiss goodbye and then climbed into the van. Kyo waved as the car departed with his beloved family, wishing that he could be with them as they made their trip back to their old hometown. But since he couldn't, he sighed and placed his hands in his pockets as he walked over to the dojo to begin the day's work.
(Next Scene)
It was close to afternoon when they arrived at the main house. There had been a lot of traffic on the road and to be honest Haru was taking his time getting there. He was still very disturbed about the whole situation with Jinto, but finally gave into Yuki's insistence that they get to the main house, stating that it was a waste of time and totally pointless to keep dawdling.
Finally Hatsuharu drove in through the back gates and parked the van near the other Sohma cars. Tohru woke up the twins gently and all of them climbed out. Kandis was standing near by and the twins immediately ran over her to give her a hug.
"Welcome you guys" Kandis said cheerfully, "Did you have a good trip?" she added as she stood up to embrace Tohru.
"It was all right. The twins slept most of the way since they got up so early."
"Well we have your rooms all prepared for you. Even one for you too Yuki."
"Uh actually" Yuki interrupted, "I'll be staying at Hatsuharu's for awhile."
"Oh okay" Kandis nodded, "I understand. Well come on you two" she took each of the twins hands into her own, "Let's get you settled in."
"Kay" they agreed and Kandis walked with them into the main house with Tohru right behind them carrying her bag.
Kandis led Tohru to her room and then said she would see her for tea in a bit. Tohru nodded and then Kandis took the twins to their room, which was right next door. The twins entered the room and stared at the surroundings. Then they looked back at their aunt who laughed at their expressions.
"I know it's not much now, but you can do whatever you want with it. I hope you two enjoy, I'll see you later" she replied as she closed the door.
"Thanks!" Kaye called out as Sakura flung her bag onto the bed, "Well I guess we're going to be sleeping here for awhile."
"I guess so" Sakura nodded, "But still I don't like this place."
"I don't either" Kaye agreed, "It's creepy and too dark in this room."
"Well likemama says" Sakura suddenly smiled walking over to the curtains and opening them up, letting in the bright sunlight, "Let's put some light in this room."
"Good idea" Kaye chuckled, "Sakura. Hey" he stood up with a huge grin, "When we're done unpacking, let's go find Reiji and play."
"Yea!" Sakura exclaimed with a nod and her own smile, "That's a good idea, Kaye!"
(Next Scene)
The first day went by rather smoothly at the main house. Yamato and his father had been informed of their arrival but so far had caused no problems. Yuki woke up early on Tuesday morning, and found himself staring out Hatsuharu's front window. The night before he had told Haru all about the visit from Tohru's cousin Riku, and the plan he had in mind. Hatsuharu was a little wary of the idea, but finally agreed when he heard that Tai Ushida was involved with the whole Jinto thing.
Meanwhile at the main house Yamato was having a discussion with his father. He had decided that today was the day he was going to spend some quality time alone with Katsuya and informed his father that no one was to disturb them. Jinto readily agreed with the idea and got rid of all the servants, while Yamato put on his best kimono and walked out of his room in search of his younger cousin.
At that same moment lying in his bed, Katsuya felt someone suddenly shaking him and opened one of his brown eyes grumpily.
"Wake up Kaye!" Sakura replied happily.
"Uh!" Katsuya grumbled, "Sakura what do you want?"
"It's morning silly" she giggled, "Boy you are just like daddy when you wake up."
"Not funny" he said putting his pillow over his face, "Go away."
"Come on sleepy head" she pulled at his pillow, "Mama says it is time for breakfast. So! Wake! Up!" she yanked even harder on the pillow.
"Uh! Sakura! Cut it out!" he sat up finally rubbing his eyes, "I'm up already."
"Good" she placed her hands onto her hips satisfactorily, "And don't forget, mama says to make the bed."
"I know. I know," he grumbled even more as he climbed out of bed, yawned, and began to take off his pajamas.
He quickly put on his tee shirt with the orange cartoon cat on it, his jade pants, and his white and teal tennis shoes, made up his bed as neatly as he could, and then followed his sister out the door.
"Tag! You're it!" she shouted tapping him lightly on the arm.
"Hey!" he protested with a laugh and yell, "That's not fair Sakura! Come back here!" he chased after her.
(Next Scene)
She giggled as she ran ad Katsuya couldn't help but laugh as he chased her down the many halls. Suddenly Sakura stopped short quite caught off guard. Kaye saw her standing still and wide eyed and also stopped.
"What's the matter Sakura?" Kaye asked as he saw what she was staring at.
Coming towards them was Yamato, his short blonde hair glistening as the sunlight from some open windows hit it, and his dark brown eyes glaring quite furiously at their game.
"Yamato" Sakura replied slowly.
"Get out of my way" Yamato said rudely, "I'm not here to talk to you."
"Huh?" Sakura looked at him a little bit confused.
"I came for your brother" he said moving forward and snatching his arm, "Let's go."
"Ow!" Kaye said and Sakura ran over trying to take him from Yamato's grasp.
"Hey!" Sakura replied, "You can't take him now, it's time for breakfast. Our mama said so."
"Well I don't care what your mama said" Yamato said with a sneer, "He's coming with me now, so get lost you filthy little monster!" he spat.
Sakura dropped her hands and her eyes widened in even more shock. Kaye had heard enough. He wrenched his arm away from Yamato and stood in front of his sister.
"Don't call my sister that!" he shouted back, "I won't let you."
"Excuse me" Yamato raised his eyebrow questionly.
"I won't let you call my sister names" Katsuya replied, "It's not nice. Sakura is right. We have to go to breakfast now. I will see you after. I promise."
"I don't think you understand" Yamato said beginning to get angry, "When I want you now, you come now" he moved closer to his face.
"But I can't" Kaye said terrified by Yamato's dangerous eyes.
"Are you defying me?"
"Huh?"
Before Kaye could say anything more, Yamato had struck him across the face and he fell to the ground. Sakura cried out and ran to her brother as he tried to get back.
"Kaye? Kaye are you okay? How could you do that?" she asked the tears falling down her face as she stared at the other boy, "You mean bully."
"Sakura" Kaye said suddenly in a whisper.
"Huh?" she looked down at him as he tried to catch his breath.
"Go. Go now. I'll be fine. I'll go with him."
"But Kaye" she moved away a little shocked by his words.
"Just go" Kaye stood up wobbly on his feet and Sakura could now clearly see the handprint across his face, "I'm okay. I'll see you later."
Sakura looked at her brother and then looked at Yamato. He smirked at her and she hung her head, turning around and running away sobbing uncontrollably as she ran down the hallway.
"That's better" Yamato said, "Come on" he took Katsuya's arm roughly and dragged him down the opposite end of the hall.
(Next Scene)
Reiji Sohma wandered over to the main house after he finished his breakfast but was astonished to see Sakura sitting in the front crying her eyes out.
"Hey Cherry" he replied cheerfully as he came over but then suddenly his face became sad when he saw that she wouldn't lift her hands from her face, "What's the matter?"
Sakura continued to cry and the only words that Reiji could understand was "Kaye".
"I'll go get your mom okay" he said gently and then dashed into the main house, heading for the kitchen where he was sure to find Tohru.
Sure enough he located her by the stove, waiting patiently for the twins to show up to eat their breakfast. Kandis was also in the room sipping some tea as she sat at the table.
"Aunt Tohru!" Reiji called out as he ran into the room breathlessly.
"Reiji?" Tohru said in surprise as she came over, "What's the matter?"
"It's Sakura. I can't get her to stop crying. Something is wrong" he replied catching his breath.
"Sakura is crying?" Tohru replied her eyes becoming wide, "Take me to her right now."
"Mhm" he nodded and then Tohru and Kandis followed him outside where Sakura was still in a flood of tears.
"Sakura" Tohru knelt down and embraced, "What's wrong sweetie? Why are you crying?"
"He. He. He" she stammered through her tears, "Kaye."
"What about your brother?" Tohru asked frowning slightly, "Where is he?"
"He is with Yamato. He hit him."
"He what?" Tohru said in a gasp.
"He hit Kaye!" Sakura suddenly shouted crying even more.
"I see" Tohru stood up frowning even more and looking angrier than Kandis had ever seen her.
"Tohru?" Kandis replied.
"Kandis. Take my daughter into the kitchen and help her clean up her face" Tohru strode from the area.
"Where are you going?" Kandis asked as Sakura stopped crying and she and Reiji watched her mother.
"To get my son back" Tohru said over her shoulder determinedly, walking into the front doors of the main house.
(Next Scene)
Tohru walked down the halls of the main house and was surprised to find Kagura standing in the halls near her son's room.
"Kagura?"
"Tohru? What are you doing here?"
"Where's your son?" Tohru demanded seriously.
"He's in his room" Kagura replied her eyes wide. She had never seen Tohru with such an angry expression either.
"Which one?"
"That one?" Kagura pointed in front of her, "But I wouldn't go in there if I were you."
Tohru didn't listen. Instead she opened the doors with a loud bang. From over where he was sitting, Katsuya looked up in surprise.
"Mama?"
Tohru walked over and scooped him up in her arms cradling him gently. As she turned Yamato became enraged and began shouting at her back.
"Hey! You put him back down you stupid woman!"
Tohru continued to walk until she finally reached the hallway where Kagura was standing with her hands pressed firmly together. Yamato followed Tohru the whole way, continuing his shouting tirade. He grabbed onto her skirt and started pulling it back.
"I said put him back!" he yelled, "Put him back or you'll be sorry!"
Tohru stopped and sighed. Then she put Katsuya down on the floor and looked at him straight in the eye.
"Katsuya" she replied, "I want you to go to the kitchen and have your Aunt Kandis look at your face. I'll be there in a minute."
"But Mama" Katsuya" stared a little warily at Yamato who was clenching his fist behind Tohru's back.
"Go now" Tohru ordered.
"Okay" he nodded and then dashed down the hall.
"Hey!" Yamato screamed almost sounding hoarse, "You come back here!" he started to run after him but Tohru stood in front of him, "Get out my way you stupid woman!"
"Listen" Tohru, said softly making him quiet down, "I don't think you want to fight me Yamato. And I'm sorry I spoiled your fun. I understand that you want to spend time with Kaye. But there are rules. And one of them, is you will not hit my son again."
Yamato stared at her as she frowned slightly and Kagura continued to watch wide-eyed. Tohru squatted down so that she was eye level with him.
"I have no problem with you spending time with him, but I must be notified first and I think it would be best if I were present during those times. I know you don't understand because you're just a child yourself. But if you ever hit my child again, you won't be allowed to see him."
Yamato gritted his teeth as she said the final lines.
"Have I made myself clear?"
Yamato stared angrily at her and then stormed back to his room, furiously shutting the door behind him. Tohru sighed again and then stood up, turning her back. Kagura wanted to say something, but she just didn't know what to say. Instead she watched sadly as Tohru walked down the hallway towards the kitchen to tend to both of her children who had been emotionally and even physically scarred that day.
(Next Scene)
Jinto came home that evening only to hear from his irate son all that had occurred with Tohru and Katsuya. After promising Yamato that he would handle it, he went in search of Tohru, his fists clenched and extremely angry at her lack of cooperation. Kandis was once more sitting in the kitchen with Akito and Aki when he entered about ready to hit something.
"You seen Tohru anywhere?" he asked furiously.
"Excuse me" Kandis looked up as Akito also looked up from his paper.
"I'm looking for Tohru. Where is she?"
"Is there something wrong?" Akito asked standing up.
"I need to talk to her, now where is she?" Jinto demanded.
"I think she's in the hallway garden" Aki spoke up.
"Aki" Kandis replied quite shocked.
"Well I think she is" Aki retorted.
"Thank you" Jinto replied and then stormed out of the room, as Kandis stood up.
Akito shook his head and placed a hand onto her shoulder. "You stay. I'll go."
"I'll right" she nodded sitting back down as he departed the room, "Aki you shouldn't have said anything" she said turning to her son angrily.
"But mom" he replied a bit drolly, "Aren't you always saying to be honest with adults."
"Yes but" Kandis tried to retort, but realized it was quite pointless at this point.
Jinto stormed into the room where he found Tohru brushing some flower petals out of the fountain that was in the center of the room. She turned around only to see his blonde hair standing on end, and his blue green eyes flashing angrily.
"Jinto" she replied slowly.
"Did you or did you not take your son away from my son today? Hmm?"
"I did."
"Why did you do that?" he demanded.
"I did what I had to. Your son hit mine and called my daughter a monster."
"So?"
"So? Well I am sorry" she shook her head angrily back, "I thought I made it perfectly clear back in Kyoto how things were going to go when it came to my son. I would be present during the times when your son wanted to spend time with Katsuya. But instead your son went in search of mine, practically dragged him back to the room, insulted my daughter, and then hit my son when he tried to defend his sister. I will not tolerate it."
"You don't have a say in the matter Mrs. Sohma" he said icily as he moved closer toward her his eyes becoming wide.
"I don't have a say in the matter? Well I am sorry I disagree. That is my child. He is not your son's property. My children were born free and happy and they will remain that way. I don't care if we have to live up here, nothing is changing in that matter."
"You don't seem to grasp any of this do you? Or the seriousness of what you have done?"
"Listen, I have known the Sohma family longer than you, and I have watched one of them go through the same thing that your son wants to put mine through. I won't let it happen. I refuse. If you have a problem with that, well then I am sorry. You should have taught your son better manners. If he wants an audience with my child again, then I am going to be present" she spoke seriously as Akito approached the room, "And if he doesn't like it or you don't like it, then that is just too damn bad" she added.
"Listen little girl" he took her arm roughly, "I don't think you know what you are playing at."
"Let her go!" Akito commanded coming from out of the shadows, "Right now Jinto. Or are you going to stand up to me too?" he crossed his arms.
Jinto snorted slightly as he frowned and through Tohru's arm from his grasp. He moved back slowly heading for the door as Akito eyed him.
"You'll understand. One day you will all understand who the boss is around here now" he pointed directly at Tohru, "Especially you."
"Good night Jinto" Akito replied making Jinto depart the room in a huff and Tohru take a deep breath, "Are you all right?" he asked coming over.
"I'm fine" Tohru nodded, "Thank you Akito."
"I don't think I have ever heard you speak that way to anyone before, let alone get that mad."
"I haven't" Tohru shook her head, "I have never said something like that to anyone. Nor have I ever been this angry" she shook a little.
"Well if anyone deserves to, it's you Tohru."
"Thank you" Tohru nodded, "I am going to go for a walk outside in the garden. Watch my kids for me" she moved toward the door.
"Of course" Akito agreed as she left the room, and he finally sighed and shook his head angrily at the fact that there was nothing he could do about the current situation.
(Next Scene)
Yuki wandered into the garden that night after he had heard about the incident at the main house. Akito had told him where to find Tohru so he braced himself as he searched for her. He soon found her on the garden bench, about close to tears.
"Tohru" he said gently as he stood next to her.
"Yuki" she replied, "I'm so glad you're here."
"Of course" he said sitting next to her and taking her into arms, "You're shaking" he replied a bit shocked, "Are you all right?"
"I'm scared Yuki" she admitted, "I'm so scared right now."
"It's okay" Yuki nodded, "I am here. I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you. All right."
"Mhm. Would you just hold me for now?"
"Uh huh" he nodded again, "I will."
As he held onto her Yuki couldn't help but be thankful that they were soon to be rid of Jinto Tikeda. He had received a call earlier from Riku informing him about when to meet him. The next day Yuki planned to meet him, and as he embraced his "younger sister" a great sense of relief swept over him as he realized that the awful situation would soon be over.
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey you guys! This chapter turned out to be pretty long, so I will write the next one tomorrow! Hope you enjoyed it, and oh if you're even a little disappointed by Tohru's sudden disposition change, just remember she's a mom now, and her kids are the most precious things to her. I think all parents feel that on some level and they do things differently when it comes to their children. I like the way she stands up to him personally, since no one else seems to do it much around the main house. Anyway see you all tomorrow! Three more chapters to go!
Next Chapter:
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 the twins before it is too late? Find out next time!