The wind blew harshly that morning as Hayoto Ushida rose from his bed. He yawned and stretched as he stood from his bed and walked over to his window glancing out of it. Suddenly the phone rang on his bedside table and he walked over to pick it up.
"Hello. Oh good morning father. I understand," he replied in a bit of a nervous tone, "We will. I promise," he added, "Okay. Yea, I'll see you on Sunday" he said hanging up the phone, sighing, and wiping his brow.
He got dressed quickly and walked out into the kitchen where his younger brother Takechi was just finishing up his breakfast.
"What's up Bro? Why the long face?"
"That was father on the phone."
"And?"
"He said he'd be arriving by train at twelve o'clock and that we'd better not miss him."
"No problem. We'll just drop the little runt at his friend's house and then we'll go do it."
"You make it sound so simple" Hayoto replied with a frown crossing his arms, "Have you ever met this guy Takechi?"
"No" his brother looked up in surprise, "Have you?"
"Yea. Once. He's a mean piece of work."
"Worse then father?" Takechi scoffed.
"Oh he's up there. Wait till you see for yourself."
"I still wouldn't worry about it" Takechi shrugged standing up, "We'll handle it. We know where to find the Sohmas today. We'll just take him to them."
"What guarantee do we have that He will be there?"
"We don't really. As far as I know father said that Tikeda was going to handle it, his own way. So stop worrying" he moved past his brother's concerned expression to go change his clothes.
As promised the Ushida brothers did pick up Jinto Tikeda at the train station. After a quick goodbye to his nephew, Hayoto drove Tikeda through the streets of Kyoto, him very anxious to see his son, Yamato. When they arrived at the park it was only mid afternoon so they sat down on benches waiting for Jinto Tikeda's instructions on what to do. Finally as the sun was setting and the Sohmas were packing up to leave Jinto nodded and the three of them moved towards the unsuspecting group.
So here they were now. Katsuya stood on Yamato's right, next to Sakura while Reiji stood on his left close to Akito. Behind them Stephanie remained seated. Takara and Sophie had been requested to take Hitomi and Krysta away from the area until things could be settled and they willingly obeyed, steering the other two towards the lake. Stephanie and Rika watched the scene with much confusion and trepidation as Hayoto and Takechi smiled annoyingly atStephanie and Sakura, who was frowning greatly at the older of the two brothers.
"Father?" Yamato replied.
"Hello Yamato" Jinto smiled, "It's been a long time."
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you of course. Why are you not happy to see me?"
"He ought not to be" Reiji replied defending him.
"Keep your mouth shut shrimp" Hayoto ordered with an angry sneer.
"I'd rather not" Reiji retorted clenching his fists, "What are you two Neanderthals doing here anyway?"
"We're his backup" Takechi said indicating Jinto.
"Backup for what?" Kaye asked.
"Yea. What are you guys up to?" Sakura replied angrily.
"Outspoken. The both of you" Jinto said to the twins, "Just like your father. I shouldn't be surprised. Or your mother for that matter. She has quite a big mouth too."
"Don't you dare talk about my mother that way" Kaye warned.
"Why? What are you going to do little boy? Are you going to hurt me too like the monster you are?"
"Kaye" Reiji shook his head as the Ushidas chuckled at Katsuya balling his fists furiously.
"What are you talking about father?" Yamato asked completely confused.
"Oh you didn't know?" Jinto started while Stephanie stood up and moved closer to Sakura, "That your precious Katsuya is nothing more than a monster."
He chuckled as Reiji gritted his teeth and Sakura looked at her brother as he lowered his head in shame, while Yamato stared at him still quite confused.
"You never told him?" Jinto continued, "How like you to keep it a secret."
"Shut up!" Reiji shouted, "Just shut your mouth! You don't know what you're talking about! Kaye don't listen to him!"
At this moment Hayoto strode over to the shorter boy and punched him in the stomach making him gasp for air as he collapsed to the ground. Rika ran over to him and held him tightly tears piercing her eyes.
"Big brother!"
"Thank you Mr. Ushida" Jinto replied as Yamato's eyes widened at the sight before him of Reiji gasping on the ground, "What's wrong Yamato?" he asked when he saw his son's face, "I thought that you would be pleased."
"Why would I be pleased about that? You just had them hit an unarmed member of my family."
"Oh I get it. Well all I got to say is I'm disappointed in you Yamato. You turned exactly like I thought you wouldn't" he moved forward, "A wimp. You're supposed to be the head of the family," he continued as Yamato's eyes became placid, "And yet you let them stand on the same standing as you. How pathetic. Must be your mother's influence I suppose."
"No sir" the young girl nearest Sakura spoke up as the wind blew around her hair, "I'm afraid I am the one who convinced your son contrary wise to what you taught him" Stephanie replied.
"And you are?" Jinto's eyebrows rose a little at her appearance but then he shook his head, "Never mind. Yamato you let a little girl tell you what to do. What kind of man are you?"
"I am a man" Yamato finally found the courage to say something since Stephanie had spoken up for him, "But I'm not one like you father. Now tell me once and for all. Tell me why you are here and then leave."
"Well how rude of you Yamato. I told you why I am here. I came to see you."
"Well you have" Kaye spoke up this time lifting his head angrily, "And I think he asked you to leave."
"Honestly" Jinto shook his head with a sinister smile, "You Sohmas don't know when to shut your mouths" he belted Kaye in the stomach hard.
"Kaye!" Sakura screamed as she and Stephanie rushed forward, "You monster" she seethed upwards at him as Stephanie held her boyfriend.
"I the monster? I don't think so."
"Father! Stop it!" Yamato replied, "Stop it. What do you want?"
"Simply this" Jinto nodded to the two Ushidas and they moved closer to the girls as they helped Kaye up slowly, "I want you to come with me Yamato. Right now so we can have our talk in private."
"Uh?" Yamato's eyes became wide again as Akito shook his head, "I uh" he hesitated.
"Don't do it Yamato" Kaye replied in a strained voice as he pushed himself from the girl's grasp and tried to stand on his own, "Don't give in to him."
"Boys" Jinto said and the Ushidas moved even more forward, "If you don't come with me right now Yamato, then we'll take these two instead" he snapped his fingers and the two brothers grabbed Stephanie and Sakura.
"No! No! Let go!" the girls screamed as Yamato shook his head in fear.
"Father stop!" he finally called as the girls screamed some more and the people who were left in the park started to watch the scenario in either amusement or horror.
"Will you come with us then? Willingly?" Jinto asked once more.
"Yes. If you don't hurt anyone anymore" Yamato nodded, "I'll go with you."
"Master Yamato" Akito replied with a worried expression.
"It's okay Akito" Yamato said, "I'll be back as soon as I can" he moved forward and the Ushida brothers were about to let the girls go when a deep voice spoke up from behind Jinto Tikeda.
"Excuse me. But is there a problem here?"
(Next Scene)
Jinto Tikeda and the Ushidas looked behind them as the person approached them his blue-green eyes burning with anger. At the sight of him Sakura's eyes became wide immediately and Stephanie smiled happily in relief.
"Who the hell are you?" Jinto said furiously.
"It's not important who I am" the young man replied, "But what is important is that you guys are violating Kyoto law. Especially since one of you two creeps" he stared at the brothers, "Is holding onto the mayor's stepdaughter. And that creep better let her go before I kick him in the face."
Takechi at once released Stephanie and she ran to Katsuya's side while Sakura hit Hayoto in the gut and also ran over to her brother.
"Now. I'll ask again" the young man continued, "Is there a problem here?"
"No. Just a little bit of family business" Jinto said.
"Oh family business huh? Funny it looks like you were about to kidnap those girls or this young man here" he indicated Yamato, "If he didn't do as you told him too."
"What are you a cop?" Jinto asked.
"I might be. And even if I'm not now, I'm gonna be."
"I'd like to know who you are?" Jinto demanded, "And why you think you have any business here?"
"Okay. I'll tell you who I am. My name is Stephen Kolodziejski. And that little girl right there" he pointed to Stephanie, "Is my little sister. And you know what that means?" he smiled menacingly as they stared at him stunned, "That means that I am also the stepson of the mayor and I'm in very tight with the police and any other law enforcement in Kyoto. In fact you're looking at a future cop right now. So if you fellas don't want me to call the police with my cell phone here" he held it up, "I would just move along and go back to wherever it is you came from. And if you think I'm bluffing. I'm not. I don't bluff," he added seriously.
"All right" Jinto held up his hand certain that he wanted no more trouble with the law then he already had, "We're going" he pulled Hayoto on the arm, "I'll see you later Yamato" he added as they walked away.
"Oh and one more thing Blondie" Stephen replied to Takechi, "If I ever catch you touching my little sister like that again I will kill you."
"Right" Takechi nodded as he and Hayoto left in a hurry behind Jinto.
"Weren't you the one who said that this was going to be simple?" Hayoto hissed.
"Shut up" the younger one said back rolling his eyes.
Stephen watched as they departed and then turned to the still stunned group.
"Is everyone all right?"
"Stephen" Stephanie replied happily as she ran to embrace him, "What are you doing here?"
"I got here a day early" he shrugged with a smile, "Katsuya are you okay man?" he asked.
"I'm fine" Kaye nodded with a smile, "Thanks."
"No problem. Seemed like you needed some help."
"Uh yea. Oh Yamato" Katsuya turned to the other boy next to him who was looking at him in concern with sad eyes, "This is Stephen. Stephanie's older brother from America. Stephen this is my cousin Yamato. That's Reiji and Akito," he said also pointing to the other two boys.
"A pleasure to meet you" Stephen held out his hand which Yamato gratefully took warmly.
"Likewise" Yamato nodded, "Thank you very much for all your help."
"You're welcome. Nice to meet you two too" he added as Reiji and Akito moved closer to meet the stranger.
"Hello" Akito bowed his head politely and then took his place at Yamato's side.
"Hey" Reiji held out his hand and they shook, "That was something you did back there."
"Aw it was nothing" Stephen blushed.
"Are you really going to be a police officer?" Kaye asked as Stephen glanced at Sakura briefly.
"No" Stephen said, "An acting major actually."
They all laughed as he went on.
"I was just walking in the park because I heard my sister's were here from Sam and I happened upon your little problem. So I thought I'd assist you, considering my sister was involved."
"My hero once again" Stephanie hugged her brother with a sweet smile.
"Well we are truly indebted to you" Yamato replied with a wane smile, "If you don't mind Akito. I would like to go home now."
"Of course" Akito nodded and then the two of them departed without Yamato not even questioning Katsuya on what his father had meant about him.
"Well I got to get back too" Stephen said, "I'm glad to see you guys are okay."
"Are you kidding" Reiji grinned liking Stephanie's brother more and more, "We're Sohmas. We always bounce back."
"Okay" he turned to sister, "You all right?"
"Mhm."
"I'll see you at home?"
"Okay" she nodded as he too departed winking secretly at Sakura as he left.
As the others began to finish the cleaning Sakura turned briefly to her brother.
"I'll be right back okay?"
"Sure" he said with a nod not really sure where she was heading.
(Next Scene)
Stephen walked slowly up the street until he heard the sounds of pounding feet behind him so he turned around. Sakura paused to catch her breath as he stared back at her.
"I'm glad you stopped" she replied.
"Are you?" he smiled.
"Yea."
"I'm sorry I didn't say anything to you. I thought it might be a little awkward."
"That's okay and you're right it would have been. You showing up like that was a bit too surprising for me to say anything back anyway."
"Yea."
"Thank you again for what you did back there" she blushed lowering her face so he couldn't see the pink in her cheeks.
"It was nothing" he shrugged it off, "I just don't like jerks like that."
"I hear from your sister that you're quite infamous for rescuing people who are in trouble like that. Almost like an angel."
"Uh" it was his turn to blush, "Yea. Sort of" he scratched the back of his head nervously.
"Are you in town long?"
"About a week. Like I said I came a day early. Classes for college don't start for another two weeks so I took some time off."
"Well then maybe I'll see you around."
"I hope so" he nodded.
"Really?"
"To be honest, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since I left."
"But that was last Christmas."
"I know. But it's true. In fact I couldn't stop thinking about you so much that I looked up your name to find out what it meant. Cherry blossom" she smiled, "And then I couldn't rest until I knew what a cherry blossom looked like. And then after that I had to know what it smelled like. What it felt like. It's quite a beautiful flower. Not unlike you."
"Thanks" she blushed again, "I've also thought about you."
"You have?"
"Mhm."
"Why? I was such a jerk to you. I kissed you without your permission."
"Yes. But it wasn't such a bad thing. To tell you the truth, I liked it and no one had ever kissed me before that."
"Get out of town."
"It's true. I've been on many dates but I never let a guy kiss me on the first date."
"Good to know" he grinned, "It was my first kiss too."
"Then we have that in common" she smiled, "I have to get back."
"Okay. See you around?"
"Maybe" she said teasingly with a smile as she turned her back and walked back to the park.
He smiled once more as he shook his head and then headed in the direction of his house.
(Next Scene)
"Jinto Tikeda?" Kyo repeated stunned.
"Um, yes pop" Kaye nodded a bit irritated now, "We've already said that twice."
They were gathered in the sitting room with Yuki, Takara, and Tohru discussing the afternoon's events.
"Jinto Tikeda?" he replied again.
"Yes daddy" Sakura nodded, "It was him."
"He really was there," Takara added.
"I don't believe it" Kyo shook his head, "What the hell was that bastard doing here?"
"I don't know Kyo" Yuki shrugged, "Maybe stirring up trouble."
"But what was he here for? What purpose" then he realized, "Oh hell! I'm so stupid. Why didn't I see this before?"
"What is it Kyo?" Tohru asked concerned as he sat down.
"They have the same last name."
"Who does pop?" Kaye said.
"This afternoon I had a visitor. Damn rat do you remember that student of mine, back in Tokyo, Hiroshi?"
"Hiroshi was here?" Yuki replied astonished.
"Yea. He came by to take me out to lunch. Hiroshi's last name is also Tikeda."
"What?" Tohru and Yuki said together.
"He mentioned that he came down here with his uncle who was coming to see his son. Why didn't I put two and two together?"
"There is no way you could have known dad" Sakura replied walking over and rubbing his shoulders affectionately.
"What do we do now?" Takara asked looking up at her father.
"Well one thing's for certain" Yuki replied, "If Jinto Tikeda is back on the scene, it's time for another family meeting."
(Next Scene)
The meeting took place on a Sunday morning. Everyone had gathered in the main house conference room to discuss the situation. When it was over Katsuya went in search of Stephanie at the park where he found doing her usual drawing.
"Hey" she replied as he sat down and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"Hey."
"How did it go?"
"Well it was long and informative. Yamato didn't want to talk me though. Not yet. He's still worn out from the whole thing."
"Oh."
"But the family is certain of one thing. We're gonna be on our guard from now on."
"Is it really that serious?"
"Yea" he closed his eyes and sighed, "Everybody's going to have to be careful. Who knows what's going to happen in the future now?"
"Oh Kaye" she placed her head on his shoulder, "The one thing you can count on though, is that I am going to stay by your side through it all."
He smiled and kissed her on the top of her head.
"Thanks sweetie."
(Next Scene)
A tall teenager was working out on a treadmill when the phone on his desk rang. He stopped the machine, wiped his brow with a towel, and then picked it up.
"Hello. Oh yes sir. Good to hear from you. No, I'm ready. Yes sir. I can leave by tomorrow morning. And thank you sir. Goodbye" he hung up the phone and smiled quite menacingly.
(To be continued…)
Authors Note: Okay you guys that's it for series one! I hope you guys liked it and will continue reading when the next series is put on!
Thanks to:
Fdiw,Devilduckyboy,pie108,SenkoHondaSohma,Eyternuslemures,
Alucordsgirl3, Dark Reister, keyzz, Aidan storm, and umeboshi for all your great reviews!
To my fans who have loyally stuck with me this long:
Dark Inu fan, LycheeandArika and Miki, Menganesgreer24, Minumiro, Hermionezclone, scarlet moon angel, Tsuki Mizuno, Shuchi's lover, crazyloverofboys, and lilorangeneko, you guys all rock! Thanks!
And to my most avid readers a special thanks:
Otaku mom, aznanimeaddict, and crazyanimefangirl, you guys have been with me since the beginning and I really enjoy your feedback! I hope you will continue to love my stories and I hope to see you in the next series!
Finally a special thanks to my favorite fan: My little e-mail sister Andie. You still are one of my favorite characters and I am so glad that you are enjoying the story! Lots of love!
Thanks again also to all my anonymous viewers as well!
See you all again on November 2nd for series two! Until then God bless!