Not wholly unexpected Kyo was very angry about what had happened to his son and didn't speak for several hours, which was very unlike him. Kaye stayed home for a few days after that to recover and Tohru tended to his every need. That is except when Stephanie came to visit or Sakura helped out along with Takara. But the biggest thing the Sohma estate was talking about was something that was occurring over the next few weeks. At first Yamato didn't even make an appearance and then all of a sudden the servants around the main house were talking about his sudden change in behavior, baffled completely by it. And even Shigure and Hatori had to admit there was something different about the boy. Of course Kagura was the only one who knew why that was and kept it to herself. After all since Stephanie had her talk with Yamato he and his mother had become closer then ever. Hatsuharu brought the news about him one night and Reiji just shook his head.
"It'll never last" he scoffed.
Like Katsuya, Takara had also not returned to the main house because of the possibility that Yamato might do something else, and word hadn't reached to their household quite yet about his sudden change. But despite the fears of Kyo and Takara Stephanie had told Katsuya everything that had happened and he was a bit baffled himself. His actions in the room with Stephanie didn't sound like Yamato to Kaye at all and he wondered if she had told him everything. He was thinking about this very thing when Tohru came into his room after the phone had rung. He was almost completely healed at this point and was very excited because it was the first day he was actually going to get out. In celebration of his release Sakura and Reiji had planned a picnic in the park with Stephanie, Takara, and a few other members of the Zodiac.
"What's up mom?" he asked.
"That was the main house Kaye," she said slowly.
"And?"
"Well Yamato wants to see you."
"I thought you knew my feelings on that mom" he replied averting his eyes as he searched for some socks in his drawer.
"I do. But Kagura is the one who called. And needless to say Katsuya I figured I should tell you anyway."
"Aunt Kagura? He's never asked her to do it."
"I don't think he asked her to. I think she's asking for herself."
Kaye was silent as his mother looked at him with a sad look in her eyes.
"It's really your decision son. But I think you should at least think about all the options."
"Okay" he nodded, "I will" he added as she smiled and departed.
Katsuya sat on his bed and pondered his mother's words. He thought about Stephanie's words also and then finally stood up and nodded his head to himself.
"Sakura!" he called, "Come here! I need to talk to you!"
(Next Scene)
Kyo meanwhile was tacking up a new announcement on the board when Kunimitsu approached him.
"Excuse me, Master Kyo."
"What's up Kunimitsu?" Kyo said.
"You have a visitor at the front desk."
"Visitor?"
Kyo followed Kunimitsu to the front and saw a tall brunette with dark eyes but recognized him at once.
"I don't believe it" he grinned, "Hiroshi Tikeda."
"Hello Teacher Kyo" the young man said shaking his hand.
"Wow" Kyo replied, "Look at you. Look how tall you are. Last time I saw you, you could barely reach my knee."
"I know" the man chuckled, "But it's good to see you. I'm glad to see you're back in business," he said indicating the building they were standing in.
"Yea. Well you know I couldn't stay out of business that long."
"I figured as much."
"What are you doing down here? How are your father and Takei? Boy he must be pretty tall now too."
"Oh they're both fine. Takei's in his second year of college now. I'm just down here visiting with my uncle."
"Your uncle?"
"Yea, he's lived with us a pretty long time now. He moved in when his wife threw him out. I don't know all the details. Anyway he found out his son lives down here so he's come for a surprise visit."
"Oh well that ought to be interesting."
"Yea I told him I would let him handle that and that I would go explore Kyoto. And a visited one of the local dojos this morning and found out that you had one, so here I am."
"Wow. You still into Martial arts?"
"Oh yea. I'm in fact planning on becoming a teacher."
"Really?"
'Mhm. After I finish college of course. But since I am here now, I was wondering if I could take you to lunch?"
"I would be honored" Kyo nodded with a grin.
"Great."
"I just have to talk to my assistant for a moment and then we can go."
"Okay" Hiroshi nodded as Kyo pulled Kunimitsu aside and spoke to him.
(Next Scene)
"Are you sure about this Kaye?" Sakura asked a little worried at the front door while he put on his shoes.
"Yea I'm sure."
"But what makes you think that this is such a good idea?"
"I don't know" he shook his head, "I just got a funny feeling that everything is going to be all right."
"Dad's not going to like this."
"I'll be fine" he insisted as he stood up, "I'll meet you at the park later" he opened up the door and left while Sakura stared at the door extremely unsure of the outcome that would befall her brother.
Katsuya hurried to the main house feeling more at ease then he ever had when going to the place. He entered the gate and since no one was around he headed for the main building and entered in. Hatori was on his way back from Yamato's room when he stopped in the hall, stunned at Katsuya's presence.
"Katsuya? What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see Yamato" he indicated the direction down the hall.
"Everything all right?" Hatori asked with a look of concern on his face.
"Yea. Everything is all right. I'm just about healed."
"Well, all right" Hatori nodded with a slight frown, "Let me know if you need anything."
"Okay" Kaye nodded back and began to walk.
"Katsuya" Hatori called.
"Mhm?"
"He's very somber today, so don't expect too much."
"Okay" Kaye nodded again with a quizzical look as he once more started to walk and Hatori walked in the opposite direction, "Yamato not say anything?" he thought, " That's not possible. Even if he's sick in bed he always has something to say."
Kaye arrived at Yamato's door and was just about to knock when Kagura appeared.
"Aunt Kagura?" he replied.
"Oh I am so glad that you decided to come Katsuya. This will make Yamato very happy."
"Then he didn't ask for me?"
"No. I did. I requested yourpresence. He has talked about you ever since that day. You're not regretting coming here?"
"No" he shook his head still stunned.
"Good" she smiled in relief, "Well let's go in. He's very tired today," she added, "So it's probably going to be a short visit."
"All right" Kaye nodded as she opened the door and the two of them entered in.
They walked over to where Yamato was sitting at his table and reading a book. Kagura stood in the front.
"Yamato sweetie" she said as he looked up slowly, "Katsuya is here to see you."
"What?" his eyes became wide but somehow gentle as Kaye moved forward and knelt down on the floor, "Katsuya?"
"I'll leave you two alone" Kagura replied moving over to her door and exiting the room.
For a few moments Yamato said nothing. He simply turned his face away much to Kaye's surprise. While he was waiting Kaye surveyed his surroundings and noticed that there were many things different about the room. The curtains were open so that the room was now filled with light instead of it's usual gloomy darkness. On the table was a new place setting that Kaye was certain Yamato had gotten rid of a long time ago. Finally Yamato turned to him and picked up the teapot.
"Would you like some tea?" he asked so suddenly.
"Huh?" Kaye looked at him confused.
"Tea" Yamato held up the pot, "You don't have to sit over there. Why don't you come and join me."
"Okay" Kaye nodded slowly completely stunned.
For as long as he could remember nobody was allowed to sit at the table with Yamato except for Kagura. As he sat down he noticed how delicately his cousin poured the tea and then handed it to him.
"Thank you" Kaye said slowly.
"You're welcome" Yamato replied back politely.
Something even more new Kaye thought. Politeness just for the heck of it? He took a sip of his tea as Yamato poured himself a cup and then took a sip himself. Then he placed his cup back down and looked at Kaye directly.
"So what brings you here Katsuya?" he asked.
"Uh I. Uh" Kaye said, "I'm not even sure."
"I thought you said you were never coming back."
"Look Yamato I was upset. I mean could you blame me?"
"No" Yamato replied much once again to Kaye's surprise, "I don't blame you at all. I did a horrible thing and didn't even think about the consequences."
"Uh" Kaye said back stunned, "Okay. I have to ask."
"Mhm?"
"What's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the politeness. The pouring of tea. Letting me sit up here. You've never done that."
"I've never done a lot of things that I should have" Yamato nodded, "But I'm trying hard to rectify that."
"Rectify what?"
"I'm not proud of what I have become Katsuya. It took a lot to open my eyes and realize that I became exactly what I never wanted to."
"I don't understand?" Kaye shook his head.
"I promised myself a long time ago that I would never become the way my father wanted me to."
"Your father? That guy?"
"Yes" Yamato nodded bitterly, "It wasn't my mother who taught me to be this way. From the time I could talk my father drilled it in my head. You are the head of the Zodiac. You are the one who is in control. The others are supposed to do as you say. Don't let them give an inch and all that nonsense. When he was thrown out of the family I swore to myself, even if I was only six years old that I wouldn't behave that way, but I did" his face fell.
Kaye's own face took on a somber expression as Yamato sighed heavily.
"Every year I just got worse and worse and I didn't see anything but myself. I didn't care. I only saw my own pain. I don't expect anyone to forgive me for it either. But you have to allow me at least" he looked in his eyes directly, "To tell you how truly sorry I am Katsuya" he said with tears in his eyes, "I mean I can't take back what I did. All I can do is ask you to forgive me, even though I know you probably won't."
"Yamato" Kaye sighed, "Before I tell you my answer, I need to know something from you."
"What? Anything?"
"Why did you pick me? Why did you single me out from all the other members?"
Yamato smiled.
"The first time I saw you, I had entered the gates of the main house with my parents, and you were playing with your sister and Reiji, and it looked like you were having so much fun. I wanted to know you so when I requested my father he agreed, but on one condition."
"What was that?"
"He told me that I wasn't to allow you to be equal to me. Meaning I would take on a more dominant role and make you feel less worthy."
"And you did?"
"I had no intention on doing so, but yes I did."
"I see" Kaye stood up and sighed again, "Yamato, I don't know about forgiving you so easily but a part of me, a big part of me, feels somehow, I don't know how that you really have changed."
"I'm trying to. Slowly. It hasn't been easy. I could use help. But I can promise you this; I won't ever strike you again. I can't strike anyone anymore. I don't have the heart. My heart has been lifted and cleaned of every bad blemish thanks to Miss Kamiya."
"Stephanie?"
"Mhm. She talked to me that day like I needed to be. Firmly but honestly. She told me things that I never believed true, but more importantly when she found out about the conditions of my curse she cried for me."
Katsuya stared at him surprised at him.
"Nobody's ever cried for me like that before. My mother didn't do it because she didn't want me to be sad. I wouldn't obviously let any of you do it."
"I don't think, that any of us would have believed that you would. Yamato why didn't you ever tell anyone that you were in pain or that you even thought about things this way?"
"I don't know. I honestly didn't think anyone would care. I truly thought all of you just wanted me to dead."
"That's crazy" Kaye shook his head, "I can't speak for everyone, but I may not have liked some of the things that you did however I most certainly didn't hate you."
Yamato raised his eyes in surprise.
"Really?"
"Of course not. I'm bigger than that Yamato" Yamato nodded, "And if you really need help and you're sincere about this, then I would be glad to help."
"You would?"
"Mhm. And I accept your apology" Kaye smiled happily, "On one condition."
"What's that?"
Kaye walked over and took his hand gently.
"You're coming with me to the park today."
"Huh?"
"We're all having a big picnic and I would like for you to come. It's for me anyway."
"I don't know about that Katsuya" Yamato shook his head.
"I insist. You're looking much better."
"They won't want me there."
"Maybe not at first. But give it a chance. What do you say?"
"Well if you really want me there."
"I do" Kaye said helping him to his feet and the embracing him tightly, "I really do."
Yamato was surprised butembraced him back and then nodded slowly.
"Then I would be happy to. Do you think Akito could come too?
"Absolutely. The more the merrier."
(Next Scene)
It only took Yamato a few moments to get dressed and then the two boys were off to the park, stopping by to pick up Akito who was quite surprised at the invitation and Yamato's appearance but willingly followed them. When they arrived they could see the blankets had already been set up and Sakura and Stephanie were setting out all the food that Kaye had prepared along with some that Stephanie and Reiji had also brought.
"Hey Kaye" Reiji smiled when he saw him but then frowned when he saw the other two boys.
"Hey guys" Kaye said as Yamato and Akito moved forward, "Sorry we're late" he added as Sakura and Takara stared at the whole thing stunned, "Hey" he smiled as Stephanie came over and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"Hey. Akito. Yamato welcome."
"Thanks" Akito nodded not really sure how to react.
"Hello Miss Kamiya" Yamato bowed politely.
"Ah ah" she said shaking her head with a smile.
"Oh right. I mean good afternoon, Stephanie."
"That's more like it" she smiled again, "Well we have plenty to eat so come on over and dig in" she pulled Yamato by the arm and Akito followed behind, "Yamato that's my younger sister Sophie" she pointed out the little girl with pigtails, "Sophie this is Yamato Sohma."
"Hello" she greeted energetically.
"Hello" he nodded back as he and Akito sat down and Reiji along with Sakura pulled Katsuya aside.
"Kaye" Reiji replied with a frown, "What's on going on man? What are they doing here?"
"Look. Aunt Kagura called me over to the main house this afternoon to see Yamato. He completely apologized for everything that happened."
"He did?" Sakura said surprised.
"Yea. I was completely baffled too. Guys he asked me to have tea with him. At his table. Now how often does that happen?"
"Almost never" Reiji shook his head, "But still, you trust him?"
"Reij I don't know how to explain it. But he was completely different with me today. We talked for about an hour, but all he did for the whole time was apologize and admit that he was wrong. He even brought up Uncle Jinto" Kaye lowered his voice, "And during all that he was crying. I have never seen him cry before."
"I don't think anybody has" Sakura was the one who now shook her head as she stared at Yamato sadly.
"And in that moment, I felt so sorry for him. I mean consider, it's true the things he did was terrible."
Reiji made a noise that he was irritated.
"But have we ever considered that maybe he suffers too. I mean guys he's the god of the Zodiac. That's a terrible burden for anybody. I bet more than anything he's scared. He's scared to die young and the one thing he did tell me is that he is certain that everyone wants himto die" Sakura and Reiji looked at Kaye with surprised eyes at this news, "Now does that soundlike someone who is even remotely the way Yamato was? I mean look at him" he glanced at Yamato who was actually smiling as he talked with Stephanie and Sophie, "I've never even seen him smile before. Not like that."
"Well I guess," Reiji shrugged, "But I still don't trust him completely."
"I'm not sure if I do either" Sakura said looking down at the ground.
"I know. But give him a chance. Everybody deserves a second chance don't they?"
Sakura smiled at her brother placing a hand on his shoulder and then nodded. Reiji nodded halfheartedly and then they joined the group. Yamato was even friendly with them as much as he could be. In fact he even spoke to Sakura and asked for her forgiveness much to her surprise. Later when the sun started to set Reiji was playing his guitar while everyone sat around listening. As they slowly began to clean up the trash a person approached the group and as Sakura turned around she dropped one of the blankets that she was folding.
"Sakura what's the matter?" Kaye asked and then gasped which made Reiji, Akito, and Yamato come over at the commotion.
Akito and Reiji stood still stunned as Yamato moved to the front and stared wide- eyed at the man before him. As he stood there Stephanie and the other members of the Zodiac watched the scene with worried interest since two other people had arrived much to Sakura's chagrin. Hayoto and Takechi Ushida waited patiently as the older blond haired man approached the other blond headed youth.
"Hello Yamato" Jinto Tikeda replied to his son, "It's your father."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Did any of you guess who the visitor was going to be? Well in tomorrow's chapteryou will see how he got to Kyoto and even more. Hope you enjoyed it! One more chapter to go until the end of the first Curse Renewed series!
Next Chapter: An Outside Angel
Jinto and the Ushidas attempt to take Yamato away but help comes from an unlikely source. Find out who on the last chapter of book three!