Book Three: The New Generation

Chapter One: Family Reunion

The many combinations of delicious aromas filled the Sohma kitchen that afternoon as a tall short mahogany hairedfifteen- year oldboy was standing at the stove bent over a skillet cooking the last dish of the day. As he hummed a little tune that was stuck in his head another mahogany haired teenager strolled into the kitchen covertly and was about to grab one of the rice balls on the counter when he playfully smacked her hand away.

"Hey!" Sakura Sohma grimaced as her twin brother Katsuya gave her a very steely gaze.

"That is for the guests" he replied back.

"It's just one rice ball" she shrugged.

"Yes, and then it will be two rice balls and then three rice balls. Oh and then four rice balls. It's never just one with you."

"Okay Mr. Crabby" she frowned pretending to pout slightly and then turning back to him with her most convincing smile, "Just one?" she pleaded.

"Okay" he relented, "One. But just one. I worked really hard on those."

"Thank you" she grinned in victory, "Little brother."

"I told you I hate it when you call me that."

"But you are my little brother" she said again as she munched on her snack, "You will always be my little brother because I will always be two minutes older than you."

"Maybe so" Katsuya agreed with a nod of his head, "But at least I am taller now."

"Oh that's so mean" she frowned again and then snatched another rice ball.

"Sakura!" he shouted in loud protest, "I said one!"

"Sorry" she grinned again as she skirted out of the kitchen before he could hit her with a nearby potholder.

"Uh!" he threw up his hands and went back to his task.

Just at that moment the twin's mother Tohru walked into the room after Katsuya had been grumbling.

"Is it me" Tohru replied, "Or did I hear some angry noise in here?"

"It's not just you mom" Katsuya managed to smile, "Sakura just stole another rice ball."

"Well you know you're sister" Tohru continued to smile since she was used to it.

"Yea. I know her. It doesn't make it any better though."

"Mhm. She only does it because she knows it gets on your nerves."

"I know."

"Well. I think despite that we still have more than enough for everyone today."

"Yea" Katsuya nodded.

"Thank you for all help."

"Ah it's no problem. You know I love doing stuff like this."

"Mhm. But now I need you to help your Uncle Yuki out back. After all everyone is going to be here in about an hour."

"Okay" Katsuya said handing her the cooking chopsticks and headed for the back door.

"Is your father home yet?" she called as he opened the door.

"Um, I don't think so." He replied.

"Okay. I guess I'll send your sister to get him soon."

"Sure" Katsuya agreed as he walked out the door.

Meanwhile in the backyard Yuki was setting up several tables. Since Machi's death ten years ago Yuki had been living with Tohru and Kyo all of Takara's life. It was always such a comfortable home to him and his daughter, and Tohru and Kyo were always so helpful that he had never felt unwelcome or felt the need to leave any time soon. That afternoon the entire Zodiac family was gathering in Kyoto for a mini family reunion. Staring from behind a tree on the left side of the yard a bright eyed ten year old watched the teenage boy as he entered the yard. Her aquamarine eyes shined as she saw him and the wind blew lightly through her medium length slate grey hair. She was dressed in a cute little green dress, with bunnies that decorated the front of it, since it was her Zodiac animal. Her earrings that she wore in her ears were also green but they were studs. As Katsuya arrived in the middle of the yard he didn't know what hit him. In one second he was lying on his back with the ten year old lying on top of him.

"Hi Kaye!" she smiled cheerfully.

Katsuya chuckled and then rose up slightly.

"Kara. You surprised me."

"Sorry" she replied as she helped him up, "But that's just what I wanted to do."

"Well you succeeded. I have to go help your dad now."

"Okay" she nodded.

"Takara" Yuki said turning around with a gentle smile on his face as well, "Why don't you go help your Aunt Tohru in the kitchen?"

"Kay."

"Don't forget to change your clothes too. You're filthy," he added.

"All right" she nodded again running inside.

"That girl" Yuki shook his head but still smiling, "She's just like your sister was at that age. But she is definitely "Your girl".

"No Uncle Yuki" Katsuya replied, "She's yours."

"Maybe so. But she's yours too" Yuki nodded, "That little girl absolutely adores you."

"I love her too," Katsuya admitted as he began to set up chairs.

"So" Yuki replied as he finished the last table, "School starts up again next week?"

"Yep."

"How do you think that is going to go for you?"

"Same old, same old" Katsuya said wearily.

"Things didn't change much last year did it?"

"Nope" Katsuya replied bitterly, "Considering all the Valentines day chocolate I got the month before vacation started" he said as he shook his head, "And I guarantee it will be no different this year."

"Well hang in there" Yuki grinned, "It will be something you get used to. Soon it will be so common to you that you won't even notice it."

"I certainly hope so. I mean granted it's not as bad as when you were in high school, meaning there is no fan club for me yet. But I just don't understand what they see in me."

"Well I can tell you that. You're smart. A gifted athlete. Good looking."

"And aloof right?"

"Mhm. That's the most important. The fact that you are not interested makes you even more attractive. Believe me I know."

"Gee I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you here with your years of experience. And Sakura is no help."

"Well that's what I am here for. I think we're done out here."

"Yea" Katsuya nodded, "Well thanks for the talk Uncle Yuki, it helped."

"You're welcome" Yuki said also nodding and then patting his shoulder "Well I am going in to get ready because they will all be here, including my brother" he added wearily, "In about an hour."

"Right" Katsuya chuckled slightly at Yuki's lack of enthusiasm about Ayame, "I'll be in soon. I'm just going to finish up these chairs."

Yuki smiled and then departed the backyard. As he entered the back door he saw Tohru putting all the food onto large platters.

"Do you need any help Tohru?" he asked politely.

"No I think I got it. With Katsuya's help this morning every thing got done in time."

"Yes. He's a good kid. Who all is supposed to be here?"

"Uh everyone I believe except for Kagura and Yamato."

"Well that was a given, but still a good thing I think" he looked into the backyard and glanced at Katsuya briefly with Tohru completely unaware.

"Mhm" she nodded obliviously and then he walked past her towards the bathroom after she thanked him for his help.

(Next Scene)

Katsuya came into the kitchen a few minutes later. Tohru had also gone to get ready so he began to clean up around the sink. Takara came into the kitchen and stopped, grinning with her hands behind her back, now wearing her father's favorite blue dress.

"Kaye" she replied.

"Hey there cutie pie" he grinned as he turned around, "You look cute" he bowed and she curtsied.

"So do I get it now?"

"Absolutely" he nodded, "I saved this one for you my fair lady" he handed her one of the rice balls as he squatted down so he was face to face with her.

"Well thank you my good sir" she curtsied again.

He chuckled as Sakura came into the room at that moment and saw the transaction. She immediately became indignant.

"And how come she gets one for free?" she replied crossing her arms.

"Because she doesn't steal them" Kaye shot back.

"Why don't you just admit you play favorites?"

"Okay. I do" Katsuya nodded standing back up, "I got to get ready. Until then my fair maiden" he did another bow dramatically.

"Sir knight" Takara curtsied one last time while Sakura rolled her eyes.

As he moved pasther she eyed him with an unfair expression in her eyes and then she turned to her younger cousin.

"Why do you guys play that ridiculous knight and princess game?"

"Because it's fun" Takara answered back finishing off her rice ball.

"Aren't you getting a little old for that?"

"No" Takara answered simply and then skipped off, as Sakura stood there totally confused by the whole thing.

Meanwhile in his room Katsuya got dressed quickly and walked over to his mirror to look at his reflection. As he looked at it Sakura stuck her head through the door.

"You got a minute?" she replied.

"Depends," he said, "What do you want?"

"I just wanted to talk to you about school on Monday."

"Okay. What about it?"

"Well I hope you realize that it is going to be just like it was last year."

"Yea. So?"

"Well I was thinking maybe this year, you could do something about it."

"Such as?"

"Such as maybe taking one of these girls up on their offer."

"No way."

"Come on Kaye" she saidwhining a little, "How do you think it makes me look that my brother is the most eligible catch in our school and he doesn't even go out on dates."

"Well I am sure you will learn to survive."

"What is with you? Some of these girls are nice."

"Yes they are" he admitted, "They are pretty. They're smart. Athletic. All the things a guy could possibly want."

"Okay. Then what's wrong?"

"I just don't see what's so big about the dating thing" he replied sitting on his bed putting on his socks, "You like doing it. I don't."

"But what I don't get, that if this is your opinion aboutthe girls at school."

"Most of them" he interrupted her, "Mariko Kuonji is not really high up on my list because she is too obsessed."

"Granted she is the craziest of the bunch. But what about the rest of them."

"Sakura. Why does this bother you so much?" he said with a huff as he stood up from his bed.

"Because I don't want to see you end up alone. I mean you spend most of your weekends playing prince and princess with a ten year old."

"So?" he walked over to his window with a frown.

"Or sticking your nose in a book. Or cooking in the kitchen with mom."

"So again? Those are all things I like to do."

"Yes but this is the time of your life when you are supposed to be experiencing relationships."

"No" he shook his head, "That's what you want to do. Not me."

"But why? What are you afraid of?"

"Well for one thing there is that little thing called the "Zodiac curse" he emphasized.

"So? That has never stopped me."

"Well I am not as creative as you are. Knowing me, I would transform. Besides" he shook his head, "None of those girls do anything for me."

"Well they're never gonna do anything for you if you never go out with them."

"Sakura" Katsuya sighed, "Please try to stop setting me up. I am not going to change my mind. I don't think I am the type of person who tries people on to see how they fit."

"Then what are you looking for?"

"I don't know" he shrugged, "But I do know that I haven't found it yet."

"All right" she finally relented, "If you want to go through the same ordeal this year."

"Look Miss Nosy. I appreciate the sympathy but you should be going to get pop now."

"Okay" she nodded as he turned back to the window, "See you later."

He nodded back and then stared out the windowpane some more.

"Something" he muttered, "But what is it I am looking for?"

(Next Scene)

Sakura walked over to the dojo and opened the front door. She found her father Kyo sitting in one of the practice rooms in deep meditation so she walked over quietly and sat down next to him. Kyo smiled and then placed his hand on top of hers.

"Hi" he replied.

"Hi" she grinned as they remained still.

"Your mother send you over?"

"Yea the party is starting soon, so she wanted to make sure you were ready in time."

"I will be" he grinned some more and then sighed, "Well that's enough meditation.

"Good" she smiled back and then embraced him, "Did you have class today?"

"No" he shook his head, "Or I would have asked for your assistance. I just had to get ready for next week."

"Okay."

"Well let's go home" Kyo replied standing up as she did, and wrapping his left arm around her, walking out the door.

(Next Scene)

The party started at exactly an hour later. Everywhere you looked in the large spacious backyard there was a Sohma. All the adults were congregated in the center of the yard, while Sakura and Katsuya passed out drinks and appetizers. In one corner of the yard Takara was playing with Krysta ad Hitomi since they were all the same age. Krysta was the oldest child of Momiji and Andie being that she had two younger brothers named Mikado and Haruko. She had a very bubbly personality like her father and had the same blond hair that lay at the top of her back. Her sky blue eyes twinkled as she laughed and spun around with the other two girls. Hitomi who was Shigure and Aoko's only child on the other hand had long black hair that was always pulled back in the middle with a ribbon and blue eyes. Her personality was not much different then the previous boar of the Zodiac, which to Shigure's chagrin caused his house to have some broken piece of property or another.

On the other side of the yard the younger kids were watching as Raiu Sohma who was eleven perform a magic trick. Raiu was Hatori and Mayuko's son and the snake of the Zodiac. Therefore he had bright green eyes and short silver styled hair, which he kept to perfection. Just like Ayame he was very flamboyant and loved to be the center of attention. Sitting around him wereseven kids, three of whom was six and one was two. The first six year old was Angel who was the only child of Kureno and Arisa, one of Tohru's dearest friends. She was a cute little girl with blond pigtails and big brown eyes. She was usually the quiet one compared to Naoko who was the six-year-old sitting right next to her. Naoko was Ayame and Mine's little girl and she looked like her mother to a T with the glasses included, except for her Jade green eyes. Her light brown hair was of medium length and she always has two fancy ribbons tied in it. Like her father she liked to dress to the nines and really prided herself on her appearance. The last six year old in the group was Daisuke Sohma, the youngest child of Ritsu and Rebecca and the younger brother of Kanako. He had the same blue eyes as she did but like the other cow's before him he had the black and white hair, which he always kept tucked under a baseball cap. Thenext member in the group was two-year-old Takuto Sohma, the youngest member of the Zodiac and Kisa and Hiro's only son. With his short hazel hair, cute golden eyes, and sweet personality especially when he was being a big brother to his baby sister Tora he was by far the cutest of the bunch. The other kids were of course Mikado, Rika, and Haruko the only children who were not members of the Zodiac.

Katsuya made his rounds serving the appetizers and offered some rice balls to the younger group and then departed to the other side of the yard, but not before he congratulated Raiu on his new trick. He moved across the yard till he came to a spiky black haired boy who was still quite short for his age of fifteen. Reiji Sohma, Hatsuharu and Rin's oldest child was wearing a red tank top and his black stud earring was glistening in his ear. He smiled as Katsuya walked over and offered him some food.

"Having fun Reij?" Katsuya grinned back as he stopped next to him.

"Oh you know it" Reiji nodded, "This stuff is great" he smiled again as he finished the appetizer, "You outdid yourself this time Kaye."

"How do you know I did it?"

"I just know" Reiji replied and then frowned in the direction of the other two teenagers in the area since Sakura had walked inside to assist her mother, "I can't believe they actually came. I thought they would try to get out of it at least."

"Ah they're family" Katsuya shrugged, "What can you do?"

The two they were referring to were Kanako and Akito Sohma, the most disagreeable members of the Zodiac family. They still wore the same sour expressions as they had since they were children. Kanako's brown hair had gotten longer and Akito's sideburns were more prominent. Akito was also taller than Reiji now, which made Reiji hate him even more. They continued to frown and talk amongst themselves as he turned back to Katsuya.

"So how's Kyoto doing?"

"Good as always."

"Feel like going for a walk? It's kind of stuffy in here."

"Sure" Katsuya nodded, "Let's go," he said leading the way out the back door.

(Next Scene)

Katsuya led the way down the sidewalk with his cousin right beside him in deep thought.

"So are you glad that He didn't come?" Reiji asked.

"More like relieved. But I figured he wouldn't come anyway."

"Still haven't told your mom and dad yet?"

"Nope. And I'm not going to. You saw how pop freaked out the last time. It's not that important anyway. I live in Kyoto. I only have to see him once a year."

"I wish I lived in Kyoto. It would certainly make things easier and a lot less dull if you and Sakura were there" they stopped and sat on a nearby bench, "Speaking of which I was talking to her earlier."

"Oh boy" Katsuya started to roll his eyes.

"She gave me the update on your dating habits. What's up with you man?"

"I don't know. I'm just notinterested."

"Ah. Well that's okay. I mean you're not going to end up alone Kaye."

"Are you saying that you have been on dates?"

"Yea."

"How is that possible? I mean no offence but you are" Katsuya tried to find the right words.

"Short" Reiji answered for him.

"Well yea."

"Hey what can I say, being a Sohma it's not uncommon for the girls to be attracted to us, I mean you're a prime example."

"Shut up."

"Besides" Reiji chuckled a little, "I go on more dates then guys half my height, so I guess height really doesn't matter."

Katsuya chuckled himself and then smiled.

"Whatever makes you happy man."

"I mean I know we're cursed Kaye, but luckily for me Yamato doesn't give a damn about me. He doesn't care what I do or how I live?"

"Well he does care about what I do"

"And is that the reason why you're not doing it?"

"Well it's one of the reasons."

"What's the other one?"

"The Zodiac curse" Kaye said simply.

"Yea. I can handle it. Your sister can handle it."

"My curse Reij" Kaye replied interrupting him seriously.

"Oh" Reiji looked up realizing, "That."

"I just don't think that there is anyone out there who will be as understanding as my mother was with my father."

"Yea. I guess. But if that's all you're afraid of that seems pretty minimal to me. I mean there are people out there who will understand. I mean I haven't told anyone about it yet, but still."

"I know there is. I just haven't found her yet."

"Well what are you looking for?"

"I don't know yet. But when I do, I'll know" Kaye grinned and Reiji nodded his head dropping the subject completely with a chuckle.

"You're a true romantic Kaye."

"Thanks" Katsuya smiled and then theysat in silence before talking again, this time about the new school year.

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Hey you guys! I am back! Hope everyone had a wonderful last weekend of summer! Okay on to the next chapter and that ought to do it until next week. Hope you liked it, oh in case some of you are wondering about the newcharacter I am going to introduce in the next chapter you will have to find out in the next Authors note! See you there!

Next Chapter: New Student

The first day of school arrives and Katsuya's endless moments of girls asking him out begins. But this day is different. Today may be the very day he finds what he's been searching for. See what happens next time!