The next morning Katsuya awoke far long before his cousin, who was snoring away in the bed next to him. He yawned and stretched as he stood up from the bed and walked over to the dresser to put on his clothing for the day. After getting dressed he walked downstairs and saw that his mother was in the kitchen making a fresh kettle of tea.
"Good morning mom."
"Good morning sweetheart" Tohru smiled when she saw him enter, "Did you sleep well?"
"Yea. As well as one can when they're not in their own bed."
Tohru chuckled and then turned to him seriously.
"Katsuya, I'm glad you're up early this morning. I was wondering would you like to take a walk with me, like we used to when you were a little boy?"
"Sure" he nodded and the two of them walked out of the kitchen and towards the door.
From where he sat on the back porch, Kyo smiled behind the paper he was reading as he heard the front door close.
(Next Scene)
Tohru and Katsuya walked under the trees, the dew dripping from them because of the morning and the grass also a little wet because of the dew. They stopped in a small wooded area and Tohru gazed around her, sighing contently.
"I love it up here" she replied breathing in the fresh air, "I still remember the first time I saw this place."
"Oh yea?"
"Mhm. I was just your age and I had never been to a lake before. You can imagine my excitement when Shigure offered to bring me here along with your father and Yuki."
"I'm sure."
"We had a wonderful time" she smiled, "And even when Ayame showed up things became interesting."
"I imagine so" Katsuya grinned as he thought about his uncle.
"Kaye. Memories are precious things. During that time I was always a little worried that I would lose my memories of all the Sohma's. I had not known Akito that long and I wasn't sure of what his opinion was of me."
"Why do I get the feeling like you're going somewhere with this mom?"
"Because you're a smart boy. I just wanted to ask you something. You've been with Miss Kamiya for six months now."
"Mhm. That's right."
"She knows all about the Zodiac curse and from what Sakura tells me she even knows about the secretive part of yourself."
"She does" he nodded.
"Well a mother has to wonder. How does my son feel about that same girl?"
"To tell you the truth mom" Kaye smiled, "I love her. I love her more than anything."
"I was hoping you'd say that" Tohru smiled back happily.
"Huh?"
"I have something for you Kaye" she replied facing him, "Something I've been saving. I wanted to give it to you on your birthday but the timing didn't seem right" she pulled a small box out of the pocket of her dress, "So I'll give it to you now."
She handed Katsuya the small box and he stared at it confused.
"Are you asking me to marry you mom?" he teased.
"No" she giggled, "Open it."
"Okay" he nodded and seeing what was inside once he opened it, stared at the object even more confused.
"I don't understand."
"This Katsuya" Tohru began, "Is a promise ring. In fact it's the very promise ring your father gave to me when we first started going out. I've been saving this for you so that one day, no matter when it comes you'll give this to the person that you intend to spend with until the remainder of your days."
"Mom. I can't take this" he replied in astonishment.
"You're not taking it. I'm giving it to you. I always knew I would give it to my son if I had one. Whoever she may be Kaye, this ring will belong to her. Whether it may be Miss Kamiya or not, I want you to have it."
"I don't know what to say. This is just far too much" he closed the box, "Thank you mom" he embraced her tightly.
"You're welcome" she nodded as she held him, "My boy."
(Next Scene)
The rest of the morning as the day before, the group stayed down by the lake. Reiji and Katsuya had gone back to start lunch in the middle of the day, while Sakura remained down at the lake with Stephanie, pointing out the remaining members of the Zodiac minus one that had come down themselves.
"Okay" Sakura replied, "You see the one with the blond pigtails and the big brown eyes?"
"Mhm" Stephanie nodded as they sat on the bank that was in the front of the water.
"That's Angel Sohma. She's Aunt Arisa and Uncle Kureno's daughter."
"Who's the little one with her?" Stephanie asked.
"Oh" Sakura grinned, "That's Naoko Sohma. She's Uncle Ayame and Aunt Mine's daughter."
"She's adorable. But she's dressed so fancy."
"Well that she gets from her father."
"What about the little boy that's with them with the baseball cap on?"
"That's Daisuke Sohma. He's Kanako's younger brother."
"Kanako?"
"Oh yea" Sakura suddenly frowned, "She's someone I really don't care for. We've never liked each other."
"How come?"
"Oh. It's always been that way" Sakura sighed, "But my dad thinks it's because she's the rat and I'm the cat."
"Is that really such a big deal?"
"Well maybe. That's the way he used to be with my Uncle Yuki."
"Huh?"
"You know? Because they're the former cat and rat of the Zodiac."
"But they seem to get along so well."
"They do now" Sakura giggled, "But when they were our age I heard that you couldn't put those two in a room together before they started fighting."
"Really?"
"Oh yea. They were notorious for it."
"I see. Sakura" Stephanie replied, "Who's that boy with Takara, Hitomi, and Krysta?" The tall one with the well groomed hair?"
"Oh" Sakura grinned even more, "That's Raiu Sohma. He's Uncle Hatori and Aunt Mayuko's son."
And as if sensing them talking about him, Raiu walked over immediately.
"Good afternoon ladies" he said flamboyantly with a bow, "Would you like to see a magic trick?"
"Not now Raiu" Sakura shook her head, "But I would like to introduce you to somebody. This is Stephanie Kamiya" she held out her hand, "She's Katsuya's girlfriend."
"A pleasure to meet you" Stephanie bowed her head.
"The pleasure my dear lady is mine" Raiu replied handsomely and took her hand, kissing the back of it, "If there is anything I can do for you fair lady, all you have to do is ask."
"Raiu. Get out of here" Sakura couldn't help but smile as she told him to leave and he took off running.
"Well isn't he the little charmer," Stephanie laughed.
"He's eleven" Sakura rolled her eyes, "But that's the snake for you. Just like Uncle Ayame does things over the top."
"And I take it that your Uncle Ayame was the former snake?"
"Mhm. You got it. Anyway as I was saying before Raiu showed up, Kanako is the rat. Her younger brother is the cow. You can tell by his black and white hair."
"Cow?"
"Mhm. If you noticed my Uncle Hatsuharu also has black and white hair. It's his natural hair color."
"He's Reiji and Rika's father right?"
"Mhm."
"What about little Naoko and Angel."
"Oh they're the monkey and the dog. The last member of the Zodiac isn't here right now due to the fact that he is so young."
"Oh."
"You'll probably see him tonight. Oh no" Sakura suddenly frowned again.
"What's wrong?" Stephanie looked concerned as she turned her head.
"Akito and Kanako are here."
Sure enough coming down to the lake the two teenagers spotted Sakura and at once walked over.
"Oh no" Sakura sighed standing up, Stephanie following suit, "They're coming over here" she whispered.
Akito and Kanako stopped in front of the two girls and Sakura crossed her arms.
"Sakura" Kanako replied in her deep voice.
"Kanako" Sakura said avoiding her eyes.
"You're looking well I see" Kanako replied barely getting the words out.
"So are you."
"Ahem!" Akito interrupted, "Wouldn't it be proper for you to introduce us to your friend" he said eyeing the outsider.
"Oh of course" Sakura nodded, "Akito. Kanako. This is Stephanie Kamiya. She's Katsuya's girlfriend."
"What?" Kanako's eyes became wide.
"Stephanie my cousins. Akito and Kanako."
"Oh. It's a pleasure to meet you" Stephanie bowed her head as Kanako and Akito did the same.
"His girlfriend huh?" Akito replied, "And how long have you been seeing each other?"
"About six months" Stephanie said surprised at his question.
"You don't sound like you're from Japan."
"Akito" Sakura replied angrily, "Don't be rude."
"No. Sakura" Stephanie held up her hand, "It's all right. I'm not Mr. Sohma" she continued, "I'm from America."
"America?" his eyebrows rose as he looked at Kanako.
"Mhm. I moved here about seven months ago. I met Katsuya and Sakura the first day of school. My mother remarried a Japanese man you see, who is the mayor of Kyoto right now."
"I see. And you know about the Zodiac curse?" he asked another question making Sakura frown in suspicion.
"Mhm. I know everything" Stephanie nodded.
"Well" he began but then spotted Reiji and Katsuya coming back, "I have to go."
"It was nice meeting you" she bowed again.
"Let's go Kanako" he moved quickly away with heras Reiji saw them both depart and frowned himself as Katsuya and he joined the girls.
"Hey" Kaye grinned, "What's going on?"
"Nothing" Stephanie replied embracing him, "Sakura was just introducing me to everyone."
"Oh okay" Kaye nodded, "Well lunch is ready so let's head back. Raiu is in charge of watching the other kids."
"Okay" she nodded back and the two of them walked away while Reiji mover closer to Sakura.
"Hey Cherry" he replied using her old nickname, "What did those two want?" he asked.
"I don't know" she shook her head, "But it was obvious that Akito was fishing for information."
"Man" Reiji crossed his arms, "I wonder what He's up to now?"
(Next Scene)
After leaving Kanako, Akito headed directly to Yamato's room. He knocked on the door and Yamato called him in.
"Master Yamato" Akito replied timidly as he stuck his head through the door.
"Ah" Yamato grinned, "Akito. I've been expecting you. Come on in."
Akito obeyed, walked over, and knelt down in front of the table once more.
"So what can you tell me?"
"Her name is Stephanie Kamiya. She's been going out with Katsuya for six months now."
"Six months?" Yamato replied surprised, "What else?"
"She's an American. She's been here for seven months, since her mother married some Japanese guy who's mayor of Kyoto now. She speaks pretty good Japanese for being here only half a year."
"And she knows about the Zodiac curse?"
"Yes. She knows everything."
"How is it that I wasn't told about this?" Yamato said out loud but more to himself.
"I found that out too" Akito spoke up making the other turn to him again, "I overheard a conversation between Uncle Shigure and Uncle Kyo. Uncle Kyo mentioned that they sent a letter to the main house about four months ago about this whole situation."
"I never received such a letter" Yamato replied, "I should ask my mother about it right away. Well done Akito," he added as the boy stood, "Oh and one more thing?"
"Yes sir?"
"What was your overall impression of her?"
"She seemed nice. Hardly pretty though. She sort of reminded me of Aunt Tohru."
"Katsuya's mother?" Yamato frowned slightly.
"Yea. Exactly like her."
"I see. Very well Akito. You may go now."
"Yes sir."
"I will see you tonight" Yamato replied as he arrived at the door.
"Do you want me to inform everyone that you will be attending the banquet now?"
"No" Yamato shook his head, "Keep this to yourself for the time being. I prefer it to be a surprise."
"As you wish sir" Akito bowed and then departed.
Yamato frowned again as soon as he left and then stood up, crossed the room to a nearby door, and opened it. On the other side of it Kagura sat crocheting.
"Mother" Yamato replied softly as he came over.
"Yamato" she said surprised, "I thought that you were going to take a nap before tonight. You don't want to be in a weakened condition. You know what Hatori."
"Mother" he interrupted snapping, "I'm fine. Have you been keeping my letters from me."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Apparently I did not receive the letter about the outside girl who knows about the Zodiac curse."
"Outside girl?"
"Yes. Katsuya has a girlfriend."
"Oh" Kagura said, "Yamato I haven't been keeping your letters from you" she replied honestly.
"Then it must have been him again" he said sourly, "I thought you talked to him about this."
"I did. But is it really such a big deal?"
"Of course it's a big deal! He's undermining my authority!"
"Do not raise your voice with me Yamato" she warned raising her eyebrow.
"Forgive me mother" he nodded calming down, "But this makes me very angry. He's not in charge anymore. He hasn't the right."
"All right. I'll speak with him again."
"No. Don't worry about it" he patted her shoulder as he walked past her, "I'll do it."
"Yamato" she said as he moved towards the door.
"You're right about that nap. I am tired."
"All right" she nodded, "Sleep well."
He closed the door behind him and Kagura sighed as she returned to her crocheting.
"Oh. He is so much like his father."
(To be continued..)
Authors Note: Ah! It became too long again! I mean we didn't even get to the surprises or sunrises. Oh well! Another two- parter for you guys! But don't worry I will finish this one as well as the last chapter of the week! See ya!
Next Part: Party time!