Whilst The Sakura Blossom Blooms

Chapter Three

All but Kayl stared at Hatori in shock. If Akito wanted her to stay at the Main House, let alone see her, she must play an important piece in this never ending chess game.

"B-but why? Does he want her memory erased?" asked Yuki. Kayl shot them a look of question and shock. This Akito person could erase people's memories?.

"I'm not sure, but he says it's imperative that I bring her immediately." His gaze never left the small, fragile frame of a person that was Kayl. She just glared at him, as if to say 'Just what's so interesting?'. He turned away. "Go pack your things, we're leaving now."

Kayl scoffed, turning on her heel and heading up the stairs. They all watched her leave. Hatori looked out the window.

I wonder what it is that Akito knows about this? He thought to himself. The head of Sohma House could be quite cunning, despite his mental condition.

Kayl hadn't even had a chance to unpack her things, since she had only been there for a few hours. Still, Hatori hadn't expected her down for a while, so she changed into her clothes from yesterday, they were washed and dried from the downpour she had sat in. She sat herself at the foot of the bed, laying back and staring at the ceiling. She started thinking about the look on everyone's faces at the mention of that name. Akito. She wondered what it was about this man that struck such fear, such anguish in their auras. Especially around Yuki did she feel an inner pain. A deep seeded pain, possibly from a trauma of his past. Was it caused by this man? And why did he wish to see her? Her thoughts were shattered by a voice.

"Miss Kayl?" She shot up to look at the person in the doorway. It was Shigure.

"Yes?" She questioned. "What is it?"

Shigure walked over to the cot and sat down next to her. He sighed softly and looked over at her. A look of concern was in his eyes.

"When you go to see Akito..." He paused for a moment. "I just need to warn you. He doesn't take lightly when people find out about the Sohmas. If you were anyone else, he would probably have had your memories erased before you could even react, but there's something that you have. Something that he might need. He'll probably try and break you, hurt you. Akito will do anything to get his way. I want you to promise me that you'll try your best to avoid him. I have a sense that you'll be a part in the lifting of this curse." He smiled warmly at her, but his eyes were sad. She could tell she'd be in danger the moment she reached the Main House.

"...I promise." she said gently. He smiled again.

"Well, that's a relief for me. Come on, I'll help you get your things in the car." Before she could say anything, he already had her bag and had left her room. She sighed softly and followed him out.

They had all said their goodbyes and she got in the car. Before Hatori pulled out, Tohru came running to the side of the car. Kayl rolled down the window and looked at her.

"Yes?" Kayl enquired. Tohru leaned her head in the window.

"Be safe Kayl." She smiled warmly at her. Kayl rolled her eyes, in a non sarcastic way.

"You have no idea how many times I've been told that." Tohru giggled softly and backed up. They all waved as Hatori drove off with her.

The car ride was none too comforting. It was too silent. Kayl tried her best to ignore it, staring out the window at the passing scenery. Hatori was interested by the girl. So silent, so small and delicate. It was difficult not to stare at her. Some people would probably pity her, even without knowing what the problem was. He finally broke the silence.

"So, what's your name?" Kayl looked at the front mirror.

"Kayl Sumizome..." she replied placidly. Hatori paused for a moment. Sumizome...that name sounded so familiar. He knew it was something important, but he couldn't put his finger on where he had heard that name.

"Sumizome...interesting name. Doesn't it mean darkness or something?" he bespoke. She stared directly at his eyes as she stared into the mirror.

"Yes...that is interesting isn't it?" she replied in an emotionless tone. Hatori directed his eyes back to the road. There was another awkward silence that lasted til the end of the car ride.

Hatori opened the door and helped Kayl out of the car. She went to the trunk and got her bag, they walked to the gate. This was the first time Kayl entered the gate to the Main House, and, most likely, she'd never come back out. She looked around in awe. The Sohma Estate was enormous. It was almost like an ancient castle that she had seen in textbooks. High roofs with blue tile, their own personal stream and garden, and dozens of people walking around. Many people turned to look at her. Many started whispering to each other in groups. Kayl's eye slightly twitched at the sharing of secrets. She absolutely loathed it when people kept things about her from her. This was no problem, she could just as easily read their minds and find out just what they were talking about. She moved nearby, keeping herself well hidden in the shadows, giving them the impression she had left. Her eyes radiated with a purple aura as she penetrated their minds.

Do you think the rumors are true? I don't know, they must be if Akito went out of his way to bring her here. She's so strange looking, who is she? Why does she look so peaked? She's ugly, isn't she? Skinny little girl, she can't be that old. What could she possibly be good for? Do you think she can break the curse? No, not in that condition, lest she kill herself.

Some of the comments stung, but Kayl brushed them off. So, Akito thought that she could break the curse, eh? That's something new. She snuck out of the shadows, where she was confronted by Hatori.

"I'll show you to your room." He drawled. Kayl shrugged and followed him off.

It was really dim when they entered the hallway, only lit by the of the rooms behind the sliding doors. Her feet made a loud squeaking noise when they stepped upon the wood underfoot. She was led silently down the large hall. On passing one door, she felt a horribly strong aura in the room behind it. It was a mix of angst, vehement fury, with hints of sadness and fear. It hit her right in the face, creating a lilliputian migraine, and causing her to grab her head. She made a small, pathetic noise from the sudden lurch. Hatori turned to look at her.

"Something wrong?" he questioned. She looked up at him, masking the pain she felt in her head.

"No, it's nothing...who stays in that room?" She pointed to the door with the unbelievably painful aura.

"Oh, that is Akito's room. Yours is right across." He pointed to the door behind him. She moaned bitterly.

Hatori opened the door for her, and she walked in onto the tatami mats. They made a rustling sound under each footfall. She made her way to the bed and plopped her bag down upon it. It was a fairly normal room, with a sliding door that lead out onto a small porch in the garden.

"Akito requested that you came to see him at least fifteen minutes after you arrive. You have eight minutes. I will send someone to remind you when the time comes." Hatori left, the door sliding shut behind him.

Kayl sighed a bit in relief. With the door closed, her migraine wasn't as painful. She decided that she should probably dress a bit more appropriately for the occasion. She zipped open her bag and pulled out her father's kimono. It wasn't that showy, but it was enough. She quickly changed, running her fingers through her hair for any knots. When she finished, she decided to go have a look out onto the porch. She carefully slid the door open and walked out into the beautiful view. There were at least five sakura trees in view, with a small river running by and little birds darting in and out of the petals. She leaned on the fence and looked around. She paused. For a moment, just for a split second, she thought she saw a girl. Around her age, she had long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She was dressed entirely in blue, but what she couldn't tell. For as rapidly as she was spotted, she was gone. Kayl blinked, and shook off the feeling of familiarity she had with this girl. Suddenly, there was a small knock at the door opening. She whirled around and saw an old woman, with grey hair all up in a tight bun and a light pink kimono.

"Master Akito is waiting for you." Kayl nodded, and stepped out into the hallway. Almost immediately she was hit with that migraine again.

She groaned softly, and quickly masking her pain once again, she slid the door open and walked inside. She looked around. The room was dimmer than the hallway, only the light pouring from the open porch door allowed her to purview where she was. She looked to the porch door and was surprised to find a boy, not much older than herself. He was laying down in the doorway, his head propped up by his hand. He had plum tinged hair that was uneven in some places. He was wrapped in a white kimono with a pink kimono in accompaniment with purple trim wrapped around that. His visible arm and parts of his neck were extremely pale, even more so than she. The closer she walked, the stronger the aura became. She felt faint. Was he where the animistic feeling came from? She knelt down before him, wondering if he even realized she was there. There was a long silence.

"So, you actually came?" said Akito. His voice was very soft and calm. It was somewhat eerie.

She paused before speaking. "Yes. I have." She tried her best to sound confident, but she was a little frightened. He was too calm. He snorted.

"You sound frightened...why is that?" He scratched a nail across the wood. "Don't be shy. I don't bite." His voice was droning. She was silent, she didn't know what to say.

"I've heard that you have something special about you, am I right? What was it...oh yes. You can actually embrace those that are cursed. Am I correct?" he questioned.

"Yes..." she replied delicately. He sat up straight. She looked over at him to see that he was standing up. She quickly averted her eyes to the floor.

He slowly walked over to her, standing in front of her. Her heart throbbed greatly within her chest. What was he doing? A blanched slender hand lifted to her face and stroked her cheek gently. His fingers ran under her chin and lifted her head to face him. She stared at him. The first thing about him she noticed were his eyes. Slanted, half lidded eyes that bore into hers. They were a dark teal color. He had sharp, intelligent features. Simply, he was beautiful. She hated to admit it too. He smirked.

"My, what a cute girl you are..." He ran his fingers through her hair, he kept his hand in her hair for a few minutes.

Suddenly, with a violent jerking motion, he grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the ground. She yelped out in pain as she hit the ground. She went to sit up, but almost as suddenly as he threw her, he pinned her to the ground. She gasped out at the sudden force. His face was contorted into that of sick pleasure. He leaned his face next to her ear.

"I wouldn't get too cocky, girl. There is nothing you can do for them. Whatever you came to offer won't work. The only reason you were brought here is through Ha'ri's reasoning. He thinks you can actually do something, the fool." His voice was low and threatening. His personality had completely changed.

The nearness of his body made her head cry out in anguish. The pain she had felt before was almost tenfold now. She winced in great pain. She wanted to use her power to push him off, since her body was too weak, but she couldn't focus. He sneered at her menacingly. He got off her, stood up, and glared down at her.

"Get out of my sight..." he growled. She at once got up and stumbled out the door, locking herself in her new room.