Well, this is my longest chappie so far and it's also the conclusion to the history of Hatori, Rin, Hana, Megumi, and Hiro. The actual plot hasn't even really begun yet, don't worry, it's definitely not even near the end! LOL. :)

Chapter 13

Satsuki gave birth to Megumi "Hanajima" three years later. Hatori discovered that Megumi also had a power, one that involved the ability to curse a human being. Saki's power we evolving as well and becoming a problem because she didn't know how to control it. Hatori now lived alone with Rin, being provided for by Kagura's parents during the school year. One breaks he would work. He knew now what he wanted to do. He wanted to be a doctor, help people the way his parents had never helped him. The sixteen-year-old was about to finish high school but he knew he would never accomplish his dream because it required college, which he couldn't afford to go through. He had Rin to provide for. Rin was now seven and evolving into a creature Hatori could hardly control. He saw extreme levels of hatred raging within her, especially whenever the names of Saki and Megumi were mentioned. Hatori couldn't blame her but the level at which she felt this strong emotion was much too much. She had an uncontrollable tongue but then at times she wouldn't breathe a word no matter how much you pressured her. Rin was just unreadable; you never knew what she was thinking or how she would react. She, unlike Hatori, had no friends and preferred her life that way. Kagura tried to be her friend but Rin wouldn't accept it. Satsuki was pregnant again, right after Megumi was born. She had always wanted three children and since her first two didn't count anyway she was ready for her third. Miroku thought it was a bit sudden but didn't object. The couple was now twenty-eight with Satsuki pregnant with her fifth child. She was so excited, and it filled Miroku's heart with joy.

"Saki, you've been extremely quiet, is anything the matter?" Miroku asked his six-year-old daughter as he cradled the sleeping Megumi, who had just turned one, in his arms.

"No," she replied plainly, not turning at look up at the man.

"Are you excited about Mother having another baby?" he asked. It was a poor attempt at keep her talking because the silence was driving him crazy. Saki shrugged.

"I guess," she replied.

"Miroku!" came a piercing cry. Miroku started in his seat, causing Megumi to wail as he awakened. Saki sighed and held out her arms as her father plopped the baby into them and rushed off to find his wife. Her cry hadn't been reassuring. As he rushed into the room is fear was confirmed for lying on the bed was another animal, a baby lamb.

"Oh, Satsuki," he sighed, his breath slowing and becoming more natural as he moved to the side of her bed, his arms wrapping around her shoulders.

"I thought we had finished with the Zodiac," she whined, tears of hatred welling up in her eyes.

"No," Miroku said, shaking his head. "There's one more, the tiger, due to be born next month."

"Well, at least he's cuter than the other tow," she sighed. "Oh, Miroku, what'll we do?"

"Send him to Hatori," he suggested as Satsuki nodded in agreement.

"W-we'll have to name him first," she said shakily.

"How about Hiro?" Miroku asked.

"The name for 'hatred.' I never thought I would be naming my child 'hatred,' but under the circumstances I find it very fitting," Satsuki said. "Hiro, Hiro Sohma."

"Rin, are you not even going to come look at your brother?" Hatori asked as he turned from the cradle to look at Rin who was sulking in the corner.

"Oh, you mean, welcome him into the family? Willingly, Hatori," she said sarcastically, rising from her chair slowly and joining Hatori by the crib. "Welcome to the house of Sohma, Hiro, my dear younger brother, welcome. Would you like to hear what this family will provide for you? Well, first of all you will be raised by your older brother, not your mother or father mind you, but your brother. You will meet Akito shortly and be berated by him as long as he lives. You will never know your mother and father or your two siblings who were chosen over you. Good luck finding a wife since you can't even hold her in your arms; even if you could, Akito would never permit it. So, by all means, welcome, my dear younger brother, to the Sohmas."

"Are you quite finished?" Hatori asked sternly. She nodded, her eyes burning with hate. "Good, that's quite enough." Rin looked up at her brother for a split second before storming out of the house. He sighed as he watched her tear off into the woods, looking back down upon Hiro with a small grin.

"Unfortunately, Hiro, she forgot to add the fact that you're related to her," he added.

"I assume you want me to erase their memories," Hatori said stiffly as he looked from Satsuki to Miroku.

"Why else would we come?" Miroku retorted.

"Are there any risks?" Satsuki asked at the same time. Hatori decided to answer his mother, ignoring his father's degrading comment.

"None in the actual process, however, the connection they hold to me, Rin, and Hiro could trigger memory lapses if they ever come into contact with any of us. This is not guaranteed but just a warning. These special powers they have also increase this possibility," Hatori explained.

"We don't plan on either of them ever coming into contact with any of you, so I wouldn't worry there," Miroku spat at his son. Hatori wished he could say that it didn't hurt, but only wished; it would always hurt.

"When would you wish me to erase their memories?" he asked, unable to look either of his parents in the eye. He had no choice; this had to be done, well, according to his parents. The few, brief memories those children had of him would be completely erased, never to return. It pained him so much he could barely stand it; he was seventeen and hadn't had to erase anyone's memories yet; he had prayed that he never would, but of course this was necessary. Why would Hiro suddenly disappear? Saki would certainly remember her mother's pregnancy and no one knew what Megumi would remember, especially with his power, so they'd better just erase that period of time in his memory to be sure. He understood; he hated whose memories he was erasing.

"As soon as possible," Miroku replied as Satsuki nodded in confirmation. Hatori sighed heavily.

Hiro Sohma looked nothing like his brothers or sisters, nor did he act like them. It was very easy to connect Hatori and Rin, and if you had known, Saki and Megumi. Hiro's different looks and attitude were mainly due to the Zodiac. He was the sheep, which affected his hair color, naturally. It was a very light brown in contrast to Hatori and Rin's black hair. He was also an extremely outspoken boy whereas Hatori and Rin were very reserved. Even though Rin had her moments where she would lash out in a fierce rage, Hiro was just overly sarcastic and constantly talking. Because of this Hatori had a hard time raising him. At the same time he was searching for a job, having just graduated from high school. However, Rin, in an act of unselfishness, for once, told Kagura's mother about Hatori's desire to be a doctor, and she absolutely insisted o putting him in college to help him accomplish his goal.

"Hatori, I'm not arguing with you anymore; this discussion is over; you're going to college and you are going to be the best doctor in Japan!" Kagura's mother exclaimed.

"I highly doubt that, Mrs. Sohma," he said with a weak chuckle.

"Hatori Sohma!" she snapped at him threateningly. He sighed and nodded, knowing it was hopeless. Maybe Kagura wasn't the way she was just because of her Zodiac sign; her parents seemed to fill in the gaps.

Rin was "forced" to raise Hiro regardless of her protests because Hatori was attending medical school. At age twenty-four Hatori was an expert and opened his own medical office. Then Kana came into the picture. After his ordeal, to say the least, with Kana, Akito limited him to using his services for the family, mainly himself since he was constantly sick. Life went on. Hiro learned of his parents and siblings through Rin, which had not been Hatori's plan, but because he wasn't there to stop her he had no say in the matter. Hiro's anger grew just as Rin's had, tucked away in a little corner of his brain. Rin was slowly growing further and further away from the family, just as soon as Hiro was old enough to watch out from himself. Akito's wrath was unleashed and at the age of eighteen she suffered injuries that could have been fatal when Akito pushed her out of a second story window. Her whole body was covered in scars and gashes at first, though she was making impressive progress; they were barely noticeable anymore. Her relationship with Hatsuharu had been a roller coaster ride and was currently out of order. She loved him too much for words but she wouldn't get close to him; she wouldn't let Akito hurt him because of her.
The seahorse on the bed disappeared and Hatori's bare body came into view. Hana started and squirmed away, immediately turning her face.

"Sorry," he whispered.

"I-it's okay," Hana breathed as he clothed himself. Her voice was shaky and her cheeks were drenched in tears. When Hatori placed his hand under her chin and turned her face so he could see it she found his face was just as tearstained. A fresh flood of tears came over her as she looked into his face and she pulled away, head in her hands, weeping her heart out. She wanted nothing more than to cry in his arms, to try to find a way to express her sorrow yet deep love that had grown for him as he had told her their story.

"Saki," Hatori said softly, placing a hand tenderly on her back. He could feel her quivering and it tugged at his heartstrings. She pulled away after a moment.

"P-please, my friends call me Hana, I'd prefer that," she said. He looked at her confusedly, wondering what she meant by it. She saw the questioning look on his face and realized his confusion. "I only meant that my first name is so silly, and I detest alliterations. If my real name is Saki Sohma, I prefer Hana Sohma. 'Hana' forces me to remember where my last name truly comes from. Besides, it sounds the most like your name, Hatori; it has two meanings." Hatori looked at her, astonished. This was the first time he had been told that someone else desired a relationship with him, except for Kana and that didn't count, not anymore, because she didn't remember it, nor was there a chance that she would ever say it again.

"H-Hana," he breathed as if trying it out to see how her like it. It was perfect. Tears filled both of their eyes again, his from joy and hers from sorrow.

"What happens now?" Hana asked, afraid that her memory would have to be erased again.

"I'll never erase your memory again, Hana, don't worry," he said. He knew exactly what she had been thinking. She sighed, so relieved.