Stephanie hurried as fast as she could to the Sohma's residence and when she arrived Sakura was waiting for her at the curb.
"Sakura" she replied out of breath, "Thank you for meeting me."
"You sounded so urgent on the phone" Sakura said with concern on her face, "What's going on?"
Stephanie gave her a brief description of what had happened and Sakura's eyes became wider and wider at what she was hearing.
"And now I'm afraid that he's gonna" Stephanie finished.
"How do you know?" Sakura replied.
"He had this really weird look on his face and a very strange tone to his voice. I've never heard him like that before."
"Okay" Sakura nodded understanding her fear, "I will go and find Kaye" and she began to move away but Stephanie stopped her by taking her hand.
"No wait. I'm coming with you."
"But to find him I am going to have to go to the main house" Sakura began to protest.
"Sakura. I am going with you. I insist. This is all my fault anyway," she said with a determined look.
"Well" Sakura replied hesitating, "All right. But let's hurry."
"Right" Stephanie nodded and the two of them dashed towards the main house without a moment to spare.
(Next Scene)
Meanwhile Katsuya had arrived at the main house and completely walked past Reiji despite his questioning looks. He found Takara sitting outside Yamato's room waiting. She looked up with a smile when she saw him but soon after her face fell as she saw his expression.
"Kaye?"
"Hey little one" he replied gently, "Listen do you mind if I go in first this time?"
"Okay. But you know how Yamato is not going to like it."
"I'm only going to be in there for a few minutes anyway" he said walking to the door.
"What's the matter Kaye?" she asked as he opened the door abruptly.
"Don't worry about it" he replied back, "I'll be back soon" he closed the door behind him as Reiji came into the hall.
"What's going on Kara?" he asked.
"I have no idea," Takara said with shrug of her shoulders.
As Katsuya stood back near the door, he could see through the darkened room, Yamato sitting peacefully at his table. He looked towards the back as Kaye moved slowly before him.
"Katsuya?" Yamato replied in surprise, " What are you doing here? You're supposed to go last."
"Sorry Yamato. Today I have to change the protocol" Kaye said with a hint of anger to his voice, "Control it" he told himself, "You can do this."
"I beg your pardon?" Yamato raised an eyebrow.
"You know I knew you were a lot of things. And I was okay with that. But what you did today totally surpassed anything I thought you could possibly do."
"She told you didn't she?" Yamato said back with a slight frown.
"Did you think that she wouldn't?" Kaye's voice got louder.
"Don't you raise your voice at me?" Yamato warned him.
"I'll raise my voice as much as I want to" Kaye kept his voice at the same high pitch, "How could you? How could you do such a thing? Do you have any idea what you have done?"
"I don't have to justify my actions. I did what I did for your own good Katsuya."
"Don't give me that" Kaye shook his head as his whole body shook, "You did what you did for yourself. Let's be honest, all the things you have ever done have been for yourself. And yet you're sitting there with no remorse on your face and I shouldn't be surprised. I only came this afternoon to tell you one thing."
"And what's that?" Yamato said standing up.
"I'm not coming back" Kaye replied seriously.
"What?" Yamato said stunned at his decision.
"I'm not coming back" Kaye repeated, "Ever. To the main house."
"You can't be serious?"
"I am serious" Kaye frowned, "I'm dead serious. I want nothing more to do with you Yamato. You can beg. Plead. Insist. Demand. Threaten. But I'm not coming back. Not if you're the one asking me to and not if someone asks on your behalf. You crossed the line this time and I'm not going to let you get away with it."
"You're certain" Yamato replied taking a step forward and now also shaking so badly before the boy in front of him, "That is your decision?"
"I can honestly say that I am positive about my decision. You will not be seeing me ever again."
"Well then" Yamato said softly, "I only have one answer for you."
In one split second he had moved forward quickly and punched the stunned boy directly in the stomach so hard that it made him crumple to the floor.
"DO YOU THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH DISOBEYING ME!" Yamato shouted slapping at every part of his body even harder, "HOW DARE YOU EVER MAKE SUCH A PRESUMPTION! NOBODY HAS EVER SPOKEN TO ME IN SUCH A WAY AND I WON'T ALLOW IT!" he continued to strike at the boy, "THE PAIN WILL CONTINUE UNLESS YOU AGREE TO LEAVE HER!"
"I can't do that," Kaye said in a hushed whisper and shaking his head even though he was in immense pain, "I won't do that. If you make me choose between the two of you, I will always choose her."
"Then suffer the consequences" Yamato's eyes burned angrily as he struck him once again.
(Next Scene)
Reiji could hear the screams of pain coming from behind the door and as Sakura and Stephanie arrived he had a very worried expression on his face. Akito appeared in the hallway at the same time and frowned at the presence of the outsider.
"What is she doing here?" Akito said accusingly.
"I don't know" Reiji shrugged, "I'm not sure. Sakura?"
"Well, it's a long story" she replied.
"Where's Katsuya?" Stephanie asked interrupting in a rushed voice.
"Uh" Reiji stammered.
"He's in there" Takara pointed at the door, "With Yamato."
"Okay" Stephanie nodded, "Then I am going in too."
"No you're not" Akito replied grabbing her arm as Sakura whispered briefly in Reiji's ear and then he sprang into action.
"Get your hands off of her Akito!" Reiji demanded taking the boys arm, "Let her go in there."
"But" Akito protested but she had already flung open the doors.
Much to her horror she didn't see what she thought she would see but something much worse. Yamato was hovering over Katsuya who was crouched at his feet bleeding profusely all over his face, and holding onto his injured shoulder.
"STOP IT!" she screamed and in one motion she dashed forward and stopped Yamato's left hand from smacking Kaye once more.
"What do you think you're doing?" he looked back at her stunned and still quite furious.
"Please Yamato" she said, "I beg of you to stop it. Don't punish him for something I did. I can't bear it."
Yamato saw the earnestness in her face and despite himself took a step back as she let her grasp of him fall. She fell onto her knees and patted Kaye gently on the head.
"Katsuya" she replied slowly as she embraced him softly, "I am so sorry" she whispered, "I am so sorry that you had to endure all of this because of me. I should have never told you what happened. I know I promised you, but I simply can't let you be hurt like this anymore" she stood up as his eyes became wide at the realization at what she was saying, "I think it would be best if I left now and maybe that we don't see each other anymore" she added as she turned her back on him hiding her tears, "Goodbye Kaye."
"Don't" Katsuya reached his hand out and grabbed her hand stopping her in the process of walking, "Don't go. Because that would be a worse punishment then anything I received this afternoon."
She looked back, the tears settling in her eyes as he looked up at her. Yamato and the others looked on stunned.
"I don't want you to go. That's not what this was for. And to be honest it was worth the pain."
"Kaye" she began to say.
"No, please listen to me. This has been a long time coming. I've wanted to do this a long time now. I never had a reason to before. But I know I can't think of a better reason then defending your honor."
"Katsuya" her eyes became wide as he stood up slowly and pulled her closer to him in an embrace.
"It doesn't matter to me if the world doesn't approve because I have never truly been this happy. And it's all because of you. Without you in my life I would be bitter and empty and I hate to say it but life would not be worth living. I'm sorry you had to see this and that you felt that the best thing for you to do would be to leave because it's not. I don't want you to go. I choose you over Yamato. I've already told him so" he held her tightly, "Come on. I'm not returning to this place so let's leave now."
"Okay" she nodded as she supported him on her shoulders.
Yamato watched a little as they moved towards the door and then finally spoke up.
"So I suppose you should congratulate yourself on your victory" he said bitterly and a bit angrily, "Miss Kamiya."
Stephanie stopped for a moment and stared back at him. Then she turned to the door where Sakura and Reiji were watching.
"Reiji" she replied, "Sakura, come and get him please."
They nodded and rushed over taking Katsuya in their arms. He looked back at her with a look of concern on his face.
"Steph what are you?" he began.
"Don't worry" she replied with a smile as they moved out and Takara closed the door.
"What do you think you're doing?" Yamato asked in a raised voice as she walked back over, knelt down, and stared ahead in silence, "Get out! I don't want you in here!"
She still said nothing. She just continued to stare straight ahead as he went on with his tirade.
"Do you think that you can just sit there silently and I'll just tolerate it! Get up! Get out!" he shouted but she was unmoved.
She simply closed her eyes as he began to tear things apart around the room and throw things from off the table towards her. A few things grazed her but still, she did nothing.
"Move damn you! I'll call someone to get you out of here!" he warned, "Move! GET OUT!" he caught his breath and then stared back at her angrily because she still hadn't done as he asked, "Why aren't you saying anything?"
"What do you want me to say Yamato?" she replied somberly finally talking, "I'm simply giving you what you wanted all along don't you see? A chance to talk to me in private with no one else to bother you."
"That was before. I don't mean now! What would be the point!" he turned his head, "Just get out! You're not welcome here! You got what you wanted, so get out and leave me alone!"
"You're mistaken Yamato if you think that I am even remotely happy about any of this."
"Huh?" he stared at her once more.
"I haven't won anything. I don't think of this as a victory. Instead, the way I see it, nobody won. I should have never told Kaye about what happened today but I couldn't handle it on my own. What you did spurred old memories up. Memories I have tried to forget."
"Memories?"
"Mhm. I was almost raped twice in my life" his eyes became wide at this information and immediately his face fell in guilt, "And it's not like you did anything like that but you have to understand how it made me feel. I'm sorry for whatever trouble I caused you today because of it, though."
He was silent for a few moments and then turned his back on her bitterly.
"I don't need your apology. Nor do I want it. What does it matter anyway? Katsuya is not coming to see me anymore. He made that perfectly clear. They're all just waiting for me to die anyway."
"What?" she said confused.
"Don't act so surprised. They all can't wait for me to die."
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't you know who I am? I am the god of the Zodiac. I carry the core of the curse on my shoulders."
"I know that, but what does that have to do with anything?"
"Because of that" he emphasized, "I am going to die young. Sooner than later. That's right," he continued at her surprised look, "I will die because of the curse. That is my burden."
She shook her head as the tears formed in her eyes.
"That can't be true."
"It is true. How do you think that makes me feel? How would it make you feel? Being told ever since the day you were born that you're gonna die young. That you are never going to have the things that the others will. Like a life or even a future. And I know they are all just waiting. Waiting for the day for me to die so they can have me out of their lives."
"I'm sure that you're mistaken Yamato" she cried, one tear slowly falling down her face as she stood up, "I don't believe that's how they truly feel."
"Are you crying?" he replied in surprise when he saw her face, "Stop crying! I don't like to see people cry!"
"I'm sorry but I can't help it. I'm sad and when I'm sad I cry."
"Why would you cry for someone like me? You hate me."
"No I don't" she shook her head.
"Yes you do. You said so."
"No I didn't. I never said that. I may have called you a few things but it doesn't mean that I hate you. Or that any of the others hate you either. I probably shouldn't have said so much that day. I apologize."
"I can't believe you don't hate me after what I've done."
"What can I say Yamato? I am not one who hates anyone. Even those boys who in the past tried to rape me, I can't hate them either, or really think ill of them. Hate is not something I can do. I have never met a person I couldn't forgive. Everybody deserves a second chance. Even you. And like I said I don't believe that Kaye and the others hate you as much as you think they do."
"Of course they do" he retorted, "After everything I have done to them. All the suffering I put them through. Why shouldn't they hate me? They all want me to die."
"No that's impossible."
"Why do you keep saying that?" he replied a bit exasperated.
"Because like me I believe that they will be sad when you go, "They'll be very sad."
"You think so?" he said in a surprised whisper.
"They will. You are a part of them. You will always be a part of them. Didn't you say that the Zodiac members are connected? You will be a part of them even after you die. But now you are not dead. You are alive Yamato aren't you? At this moment you're living. You have more then enough time to change if you want."
"It's too late for that" he shook his head.
"It's never too late" she walked over and stood near him, "Take it from someone who knows. It's never too late to change your behavior."
"I can't," he said falling to his knees, "They'll never forgive me. And why should they? I don't deserve it. I've been horrible to them. I wouldn't forgive me" he began to cry; "Besides I wouldn't know how to be anything else. I've been this way for far to long. They can never accept me. They won't understand."
"Yes they will" she nodded, "Maybe not at first. But they will eventually. You will have to earn their trust. A person can always forgive. And Yamato if you do change then they will respect you like you want. If you respect them they will respect you and want to be around you. Not because you tell them to, but because they want to, on their own free will. And trust me you will be much happier and you will like yourself much better for it."
"I can't" he cried loudly, "There's just no way" he lowered his head.
"Believe in yourself" she whispered wrapping her arms gently around him, astonishing him greatly.
"Don't" he shook his head, "Don't hold me. I don't want your pity and sympathy."
"Yamato I am not letting go and I want you to know that I have never wanted anything more from you then the chance to be your friend."
His eyes became wide once more and then he held onto her as he sobbed in her chest.
"Let it out" she whispered quietly, "Let out all your pain and suffering. Cry until you can't cry anymore. I'll continue holding onto you."
He nodded and just cried as he had never before. On the other side of her door Kagura watched astonished at the scene and cried herself happily.
"Oh Yamato. My poor boy."
(Next Scene)
After ten more minutes of crying Yamato pulled away from her slowly and she looked down at him with a gentle smile.
"Feel better?" she asked.
"Yes. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Well I don't want to leave you but I must go and see if Katsuya is okay" she stood up.
"Wait" he replied, "Can't you wait a minute? I want to ask you something."
"Sure."
"You really do love him don't you?"
"Yes I do. With all my heart" she nodded smiling once more.
"Then" he looked up a bit tired from crying, "I am happy" he smiled genuinely, "I am sorry. For everything. I didn't understand and I still have a lot of issues to deal with in my own past."
"I accept your apology" she nodded again, "I know you're gonna be okay from now on Yamato. And if you ever need to talk, I'm available."
"Thank you. I appreciate it. Would you do something for me since you are going to see Katsuya?"
"Mhm."
"Would you tell him that I am sorry for this afternoon?"
"I'm afraid that is something you are gonna have to do by yourself Yamato. I think it will have a much greater impact if you do."
"But he doesn't even want to see me anymore. How can I?"
"Give it a little time. You'll know when it's the right time to approach him again" she said as she walked to the door, "Well goodbye for now."
"Goodbye" he nodded, "Miss Kamiya."
"Stephanie" she replied looking back at him.
"Huh?"
"All my friends call me Stephanie. I'd like you to do the same. Yamato" she smiled.
He smiled back and nodded again as she departed. She walked to the room that Katsuya was in according to Sakura's directions and found that Hatori had already patched him up. He expressed his surprise of how she didn't have a scratch on her and was about to say something more after their embrace when Kagura showed up asking if she could talk to Stephanie in private. Stephanie agreed and followed her out into the hall to speak with her.
"Miss Kamiya" she began.
"Yes?"
"My name is Kagura Sohma. I'm Yamato's mother."
"Oh. Well it's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Sohma" she bowed her head, "I don't think we got the chance to meet each other at New years."
"No. I wasn't around much. I am thrilled to meet you though."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"Miss Kamiya I can't tell you how indebted I am to you for what you did for my son today."
"But how did you?"
"I have a room on the other side of that one door closest to his table. And I heard everything. I can't thank you enough Miss Kamiya."
"Please don't" Stephanie shook her head, "I only did what I felt was right in my heart. It was obvious to me that he needed someone to talk to. Cry even. I was just giving him the chance to."
"Well whatever you did, you certainly were able to reach him in a place that no one ever has. Thank you again" Kagura said with tears in her eyes, "I must return to him now. But I just wanted to give you my appreciation" she hugged her tightly, "You dear, dear girl."
"You're welcome Mrs. Sohma" Stephanie replied stunned at the hug and then they pulled away, "He really is a good person at heart."
"Thank you" Kagura whispered one last time and then departed, "Tohru was right" she thought as she moved back towards her son's room, "All he needed was someone strong to talk to. To confide in. Someone on the outside."
Stephanie paused in the hall for a moment and was about to go back in Kaye's room, when she spotted Akito standing at the other end of the hall staring at her stunned. She nodded with a smile and then went back inside the room. Akito stood that way until his father approached him.
"Akito" Akito replied.
"Father."
"Is everything okay? I hurried over as soon as I could when I heard the news."
"Everything is fine. That girl was able to calm Yamato."
"What girl?"
"Miss Kamiya. Katsuya's girlfriend."
"Did she?" his father said back as he gazed at his son's averted face.
"Yea. Somehow. I'm going home. I'll see you later" he moved past.
"All right" Akito nodded but shook his head with a knowing smile as his son left the main house and headed home.
(Next Scene)
When Akito arrived home he went straight to his room. He walked over to his bed and saw on his bedside table the book he was often reading. He fingered the cover and then a flood of memories came to him as he lay on his bed. He remembered the day he had met her alone at the park and she had commented on his book. He remembered working on the project with her in close vicinity almost every afternoon. And he even remembered the day she had given him the Valentines Day chocolate. He smiled as he thought about all these things and then rolled over closing his eyes contently as he saw her face in his thoughts.
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey guys! Done today's chapter! Hope you liked it! Unlike Akito, Yamato isn't going to remain a jerk forever because they are much worse jerks down the road, trust me! Two more chapters to go!
Next Chapter:An Unexpected Visitor
Now that Yamato has decided to turn over a new leaf and change his ways an unwelcome person comes into town and the Sohmas have to prepare for their next encounter with the Ushidas once more. See what happens next time!