Akito smirked from under his bangs, keeping his head lowered as he seemingly studied the bird upon his finger. "I think it is time she returns back to Japan. She has spent enough time over there." He glanced out of the corner of his eye at Hatori, who gave a slight nod, not daring to counter what Akito was saying. "I want to see her, to tell her myself the good news. Arrange for her to come here"
Hatori gave another nod "I do believe her spring break is coming up in two weeks, I will have her flown here during that time." The god felt irritation in him that he would have to wait for his orders to be brought to fruition, but he stamped it down, knowing as the god of the zodiac's he should be forgiving. "That is fine. I will even give her to the end of the semester before I require her to move back, to finish out her year." Everything in the god's tone said "See how benevolent I am."
Hatori felt it wise to not point out that she only had one year left of college and nodded again. "Thank you. I will call and make arrangements and I agree to not say a word to her about why she is being summoned home."
Akito dismissed the Sohma physician and Hatori rose and quietly exited the main house, returning to his office. He sat and pondered which to do first, get her a plane ticket or call her. He sighed and decided on the ticket first so that when he called her, she would have her flight time. Thankfully she was not going anywhere already for spring break, but had planned on staying at her college. He called and quickly made arrangements for her fly to Japan, first class.
Once that was done, he hung up, dug out his personal phone book and found her number. He quickly dialed it and was greeted by a female voice with a New England accent. He sighed, knowing it wasn't her and spoke in formal English. "May I speak to Kaiya Sohma, please?"
The woman on the other line was silent for just a second and then agreed she would get her right away.
Kaiya's PoV
Ever have one of those days that is just going to perfect? You just know something is going to come along and burst your bubble. Today is one of those days. For one, I passed my quizzes in two of my classes and then Seth Darnold asked me out for coffee this evening. I am not sure why I knew it was bad news when the phone rang, but I just stared at my roommate, Sasha, as she answered the phone and felt a cold chill down my spine. She listened for a moment, an unreadable expression on her face and then nodded, even though the caller could not see the head movement. "I'll put her right on."
She glanced at me and handed me the phone. "Who is it?"
She shrugged; once again showing her phone answering skills required some refining. "Not sure, some guy. Sounds foreign."
I sigh, knowing there are very few foreign guys that would call me, and all of them ending in the name of Sohma. I take the phone from her and great the caller in English, just in case.
"Hello?"
"Konnichiwa, Kaiya-chan."
I smile slightly, my body relaxing and I respond "Konnichiwa, Hatori-san." He politely asks me how my studies are going and I respond in kind. I can feel the curious gaze of my roommate I speak rapidly in a language she barely understands past Konnichiwa and Hai. We move past the pleasantries and he gets down to the real reason of the call. "I am afraid I must inform you that your presence is required by Akito."
I sigh and rub my hand over my eyes at this. "When?"
"I have your tickets being sent by overnight. You leave the first Saturday of your spring break and will return the following Saturday." I sigh again, louder this time.
"Thank you, Hatori-san." He is silent and I speak the question, already knowing what the answer will be. "Can you tell me why Akito-sama wishes to see me?"
"No, I am sorry. He has requested that he reveal that to you." I nod, knowing he can't see it. "When will I meet with him?"
"I was thinking on Monday, first thing. Get your meeting with Akito out of the way and let you enjoy your vacation in Japan a bit more fully for the rest of the week. I have a feeling Kagura will be occupying much of your time."
I chuckle at this mention of my twin. "Only if she is not hovering over Kyo-kun." The dragon chuckles on the other end and I smile at the laughter. "Don't worry, Kaiya-chan. I will be present for your meeting with Akito and you will not be staying at the Sohma Estate for most of your visit. I am going to have Shigure or Ayame house you for the week."
I smile a bit, sadness in my voice "Thank you, Hatori-san. I will also get to meet Honda Tohru this visit, won't I?" He affirms my statement and I smile. We speak on the matter a few more minutes and he informs me he will set up my housing arrangements although I will be spending the first night at his house, until after my meeting with Akito-sama. I mention that I would like to be the one to tell Kagura of my visit, or better yet, to let it be a surprise to her. He agrees to this plan and says he will inform Shigure and Ayame to keep my visit very hush hush. We hang up the phone and I set it down with a sigh and glance at my nearly bouncing roommate.
"So? Who was that?"
I stand and cross to my closet, opening it and reaching into the far back for my garment bag that houses my formal kimono's and my common kimono's. I pull them out as I answer. "That was my cousin, Hatori. He is the Sohma family physician."
She chuckled, watching me with interest. She has, to my knowledge, never seen my kimonos and has asked to see them many times. "So, what did he say?"
I glance at her and smile at her tone. "I am going to Japan for spring break. The head of my family has requested a meeting. I cannot refuse him, I'm afraid."
She studies me. "I can tell you don't want to go." I shake my head and unzip the bag, pulling the garments out, still wrapped in plastic. I pull out my formal kimono and study it, before deciding it could use some cleaning. She watches me, in awe of the garments and I stand, zipping them back into the bag. "I should have these dry cleaned."
"But you haven't worn them, why do you need them dry cleaned?"
I smile slightly as I pull my shoes on and grab a light jacket. "Because Akito-sama will find fault if they are not perfect."
Her eyes widen "Akito-sama? Head of the house?" I nod at her question and glance at the time. "I have enough time to run these to the cleaners before I am to meet Seth at the coffee shop. If for some reason he shows up here before hand, tell him I had to do an errand and I will meet him there as planned."
She gives a nod and I wave good bye, stepping out of the dorm.
I encounter Seth as I come down the stairs and he smiles at me. "Where ya going?"
I point to the garment bag and sigh. "I have to take these to the cleaners. Care to join me; we can get coffee when I am done there."
He gives a nod and gentlemanly takes the bag from me and we chat easily as we walk. We enter the cleaners, where an older Japanese couple runs the counter. I bow politely to them and they return the bow. I take the bag and pull out the kimonos, Seth's eyes growing wide. I switch to Japanese, which I know this couple speaks and we discuss the level of cleaning for my formal kimono and they nod their understanding and say they will be ready in a few days. After receiving my ticket, I slip it into my purse and Seth and I step out onto the sidewalk and turn towards the coffee shop. He breaks the silence.
"Kimono's?" I nod "Yeah, they are such a pain to wear. I am going to Japan for spring break and my family is very formal, so I have to take the kimonos." I sigh and he glances at me. "I knew you had Japanese blood in you, but didn't realize you were a citizen."
I give a nod "Yes, my head of house felt that it would be a good learning experience for me to grow up in the United States and bring some... how did he put it... culture to the Sohma house." My voice sounds dubious of this and Seth catches it.
"I take it you don't believe him." I nod "I don't. Akito-sama is a very manipulative person. I believe there were other reasons for me coming here, but that is besides the fact. I actually don't mind. I do miss my sister and my parents, but we stay in contact and Kagura visits every summer."
"Kagura?"
"My twin sister."
The date goes smoothly and we see each other a few more times before I leave for my week in Japan. By the time I leave, Seth and I are officially a couple. I arrive at the airport, Seth having driven me there and helping me get to security. We are both surprised that I am flying first class and he whistles low. "Wow, great of your cousin to get you first class. I can't even get my cousins to get me a soda without them complaining."
I laugh at this and we walk through the lower section of the airport, holding hands and chatting softly. As we part outside of security, he gives me a chaste kiss and wishes me a good vacation. I promise to let him know when I make it safely to Japan and he says he will be here waiting when I return in a week.
I make it through security and am already in the air when the warm feeling his words bring leaves me and is replaced by trepidation for what awaits me in Japan.
The flights are relatively quiet in first class and I spend time talking to my seat mates, both older women also flying alone. I can tell they are impressed when they find out that I am top of my class at Princeton. My seat companion for the main flight to Japan is also impressed by my traditional manners and when I tell her my family name, she says that she is not surprised that I am that polite, as she has had dealings with the Sohma's before. I graciously take her praise of my family name and house and make a point to speak to Shigure of it; he will definitely get a laugh from that.
I have slept on and off during the long flights and am semi rested when I arrive in Tokyo and file off the plane. I get through customs and arrive downstairs to find Hatori and Shigure waiting for me. I hear Ayame somewhere close by and wonder why the three friends decided to pick me up, but I don't comment. They smile at me and I am embraced by Hatori and Shigure before Ayame makes his dramatic entrance and sweeps me into a warm embrace. Yes, I said embrace. This was the real reason I was exiled to the United States. I am what is called a neutral in my family. I am the twin of a zodiac member and not one myself. Currently I am the only neutral in the family, but there have been others through history. I am immune to the curse, or maybe something in me cancels it out, like when Zodiac members hug each other. Either way, the members have always hugged me as much as possible, which caused a lot of jealousy in Akito, hence my forced exile at the age of 8 to the United States. If rumors are to be trusted, my exile was the last choice for Akito, but that is too dark to get into.
The trio show me that they are truly pleased to see me and escort me out to the car, chattering to me and each other as they tease each other as only good friends can. I smile in contentment as I listen to them. I am driven to Hatori's house and I am shown to my room for the night. We eat a light meal together and I excuse myself when it is done to go rest, for tomorrow I meet with Akito.
I wake in the morning and quickly shower then have breakfast with Hatori. A woman comes to help me into my formal kimono, I know she is a Sohma, but I don't know her name. She doesn't speak to me as she helps me dress and when I am properly dressed, she bows to me and leaves. I sigh and rearrange my hair to a more traditional fashion and then pad my way towards Hatori's office, where I know he is waiting for me.
As I enter, he glances up and down my form. I see the approval for my attire in his eyes and he smiles slightly. "Very good. I see nothing wrong with you today. Let's not keep Akito waiting."
He stands and I follow him to the front door, where we slip our shoes on and we walk towards the main house. We are shown in and not kept waiting long before Akito-sama enters the room.
I bow low to him and feel the satisfaction from Hatori at my behavior. The god sits and speaks as I am bowed to him. "I am glad you arrived at my summons. I must say though that you did keep me waiting, and I almost forgot what I summoned you for." I feel irritation rush through me at his words, for he knows as well as I do that I was not responsible for my mode of getting to Japan. And I know he would not have forgotten why he summoned me. I tamp down my irritation and murmur an apology to him. This seems to appease him, my submissive state and he smiles as I lower my eyes again. "I have called you here to tell you that I am putting an end to your exile. I am requiring your permanent presence in Japan come the summer time. I am graciously allowing you to finish this semester of school at that silly little college you attend in America."
Anger sweeps through me and I close my eyes, keeping it hidden to not give him the satisfaction of seeing my anger and upset at this forced move of his. A few seconds pass and I am able to calmly thank him graciously for allowing me to return to my homeland. I feel the anger roll off him now and smirk inwardly. It brings me pleasure to know that my seemingly easy acceptance annoys him. He wanted me to scream and beg, to be allowed to remain in the United States. He stands and walks from the room, his parting words ordering me to remove myself from his sight.
I stand and meekly follow Hatori out of the house and back to his office. We safely make it inside and slip off our shoes. He turns and gazes at me. "Ok, go ahead."
I immediately start to curse and rant. Hatori listens patiently as I let out my anger and when I am spent he asks if I feel better. I nod and he gestures towards his office. "Change into something more comfortable and then meet me in my office and we will discuss your options." I give a nod and storm up to my room. I pick up my phone and call out to Seth's phone. His sleepy voice calms me some and I smile and greet him. He wakes up a bit more.
"Hey, you are in Japan then?"
"Yeah, I made it here last night and didn't get a chance to call. I'm sorry." He chuckles softly. "No problem. When do you meet with the head of your house?"
I sigh audibly "I just got done with that. It was first thing this morning."
"Well, how did it go?"
I am silent for a long time. "He did not physically attack me, but that is about as good as it got. I will explain more when I get back. I really have to go, Hatori wants to talk to me."
Seth agrees that we will talk when I return and we hang up. I quickly change into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and then swiftly rehung my kimono and put it back in my garment bag before going down to see Hatori.
I knock on his door and apologize for my tardiness. He smiles and waves me into the seat across from him and passes me a schedule. "What is this?"
He sighs. "I knew when I made the ticket arrangements for you that he would say this. I have been gaining interviews with colleges here. Your adoptive parents obtained your school records from Princeton and faxed them to me. These universities have waived their entrance exams due to your current work at Princeton. You have interviews with them this week. Those are your interviews. The rest of the time is yours to do as you please."
I stare at the colleges, and realize other then Tokyo U, the top schools of the city are giving me interviews. I smile at him and feel tears in my eyes. "Thank you, Hatori-san."
He nods and gestures for me to sit. "You are going to sleep at Shigure's for the week. Shigure talked with Tohru and you will bunk with her. I think you will enjoy her company, she is an amazing girl. If it doesn't work out, let me know and Ayame will let you stay at his place."
I nod and he rises, "Let's gather your bags and get you out of here, I am sure you are ready to get away from the estate."
I nod again and we retrieve my bags, leaving for Shigure's.
I am settled in quickly at Shigure's house onto a spare futon in Tohru's room and Hatori leaves as Shigure retreats into his study to finish work on his current book. I glance at the clock and realize that it is almost time for Yuki and Kyo to get out of school, along with the mysterious Tohru Honda. I inform Shigure I am going to meet my cousins at their school. He reminds me that they are not aware I am here and I smirk at him, matching his expression as I say "Perfect." He informs me that Kagura will be joining us for supper and I smile at the thought of seeing my sister again as I leave the house.
Have I ever mentioned that Kagura and I are identical? I know what my appearance will do to Kyo before he realizes it is me. I am not being totally mean to him, I dress quite differently then my sister, but I know he will still freak out a bit before he realizes this. I am counting on Yuki to figure it out first and knowing Shigure, he didn't give Tohru more information about me then that I was a Sohma and knew of the curse. This should be interesting.
I arrive at the school as the bell starts to ring releasing the students. Some of the departing students give me curious glances as I don't look much older then them but no one stops to comment to me. About 10 minutes later the doors open and I smile as Yuki, Kyo, Momiji and Hatsuharu emerge with a girl among them that I only can assume is Tohru. I smirk and start my approach, keeping my pace even. Haru sees me first and smiles a joyous smile. He knows instantly who I am. Momiji takes a bit longer and Yuki instantly realizes it is me and not Kagura. Tohru looks happy to see me, although a bit confused, she probably thinks I am Kagura, as she doesn't know me. However, the reaction I am waiting for finally happens. Kyo looks up and sees me. Panic enters his eyes and I joyously call out. "KYOOO", a perfect imitation of my sister. And he freaks. "No, It's Kagura." He tries to run back into the building and Yuki grabs the back of his school jacket and keeps him in place as I laughingly approach.
He turns to me and cringes as I reach them. "Oh, Kyo. Aren't you glad to see me?"
He stops and stares at me and then takes in my clothing, finally realizing the truth.
"Kaiya?"
I nod, grinning wildly and Haru launches at me and grabs me in a large hug, swinging me around joyously. "I knew it was you from the beginning." Tohru lets out a small squeak as I am hugged by the others and I smile at her. "You must be Honda Tohru."
She nods and stutters. "You look just like Kagura."
I grin at her "Kags is my twin sister. I'm Sohma Kaiya. It's a pleasure to meet you."
I bow and she follows suit, the guys chuckling as we both straighten and start walking back to Shigure's house. "So, Kaiya?" this comes from Haru, who has his arm around my shoulders comfortably. Did I ever mention he is my favorite cousin? "How long are you here, when did you get here and why didn't you tell us of your visit. Or more importantly, why didn't Kagura tell us you were coming."
I giggle a bit at him. "Well, I am here till Saturday, I got here last night and my coming was a surprise and Kagura still doesn't know, but I will warn you, Kyo, Shigure invited her for supper." He cusses at this and the rest of us laugh at him. I notice with pleasure that Yuki and Kyo seem friendlier towards each other and make a note to question Haru about it later, as he is the expert on all things Yuki.
Tohru finally speaks. "Kaiya-kun? What zodiac animal are you?"
The guys' chuckle and I grin at her. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm not a member of the zodiac."
She goes pale and swirly eyed at this news and the guy's chuckle at her, knowing this is typical Tohru behavior. "It's basically this, Tohru-san. I am Kagura's twin sister and whenever a member of the zodiac has a twin that is not a member of the zodiac, that twin is what is called a neutral. Something about me cancels out the effects of touching a zodiac member of the opposite sex. Maybe it is a small bit of Kagura's curse rubbed off on me, the good part anyways, but that is how it is. I can hug the members of the zodiac with no problems, but am not a member myself."
She is quiet as she digests this and Yuki turns the subject to my schooling. "How is Princeton, Kaiya-chan?"
I grin at him, although pain lingers in my eyes. "It is fine, Yuki-chan. I am top of my class again." Haru grins more and squeezes my shoulder. Tohru blinks at me. "Are you in your first year of college, Kaiya-san?"
I shake my head "No, my third." She blinks. "But Kagura-san is in her first year, right?" I nod at this. "Yes, Kagura is in her first year, but I skipped some grades in elementary school and then graduated a year early from high school. I took a year off actually before going to college. I would have already graduated by now if I hadn't done that." I shrug at this and Shigure's house comes into view and on the front landing is Kagura, waiting for us. I shrug out of Haru's arm and rush towards my sister, who is laughing and crying as she catches sight of me. As we hug, I see Shigure smiling on his doorstep at the sight.
"Ah, such a beautiful sight. Twins reunited at last. It's so emotional." Kyo glares at Shigure and makes his escape into the house, hoping to get past Kagura as she is preoccupied with me. It almost works.
I spend a joyous evening with my family and Tohru, laughing and listening, as well as telling my own tales from college.
My visit passes quickly and Shigure's house is always full of people. The others are suitably angry with Akito's interference, but we all agree that there is nothing we can do and we must make the most of this situation.
I go to my interviews and they seem to go well. A few of the colleges I rule out almost immediately as they would have me redoing half of my credits and I wouldn't be graduating for another 3 years. I leave Japan to return for the last few months of the semester hoping that this will all work out.
Seth is waiting to great me and I am happy to see him, although the excitement is dimmed knowing that I will be parted permanently from him in a few months. We discuss this over dinner my third night back and we agree to keep seeing each other until I leave.
The semester flies by and quickly comes to an end. I pass my classes, once again the top of my class and I get acceptance letters into most of the schools I interviewed with in Tokyo. I spend time thinking on them and narrow my choices down to two. Both require me to redo only two credits, which is easy for me. I can arrange to take those classes in the summer.
I get Hatori's advice on which college to accept and then go with his suggestion. I quickly send in my acceptance and receive my packet a few weeks later. I sign up in time for summer classes to cover the two credits and then settle in to enjoy my remaining time at Princeton.
Before I know it, my dorm is packed and my belongings are being shipped to Tokyo. Sasha and Seth are with me constantly now, and I am feeling a bit smothered, but tolerate it as I know I won't see them again, or at least for a long time. They, on occasion, curse Akito's name. I find amusement in this.
Finally the day comes and I am leaving to return to Japan. I am accompanied to the airport by carloads of friends, coming to wish me good bye. My parting with Seth is bittersweet as we kiss for the last time and as I head towards security, I see him hugging Sasha as she cries. She has been my roommate since freshman year. Suddenly I hope that they will get together, they would be good for each other. I grin and they fade from my sight as I head onwards, towards a future that I have come to accept. Maybe I will find the one I have been missing in Japan.
(Kaiya is my character and the whole "Neutrals' thing is just something I thought up. I hope this makes sense. The FY gang will be joining us shortly. Be patient. In fact, they will come in next chapter.)