Kaiya's PoV
Supper at Shigure-chan's house was lots of fun. The infamily fighting was lessened somewhat, I am very pleased with the influence that Tohru seems to have upon my cousins. Haru and I decided later that evening to get together the next day for lunch and I am picking him up at the Sohma estate.
We walk towards the downtown area and are sitting in a restraunt, chatting about Kyo and Yuki getting along better when I sense the familiar presence of Chichiri. Not too long after that, Tasuki's aura gets within my range and I once again wonder why I am so intune to the teacher. This confuses me but I force my attention back to my cousin as our conversation moves from Yuki to him. As I am talking, I sense Chichiri and Tasuki enter.
"So, Haru. I heard something about you destroying your classroom." He glances up at me and I sense his sadness. "Yeah, I was dating Rin for awhile and we had broken up. It eventually just got to me and I went Black." He glances up and I nod at him, understanding in my eyes. "She made me feel like I wasn't good enough for her and that made me so angry. You would think that she would realize how important it is for us to stick together." I nod again and sigh, leaning back. "Did I ever tell you about my foster parents?"
He glances up over his food and shakes his head, I sense Chichiri and Tasuki a few tables away, but ignore their presence in light of helping my favored cousin. "Since I was 8, I have been... bred, I guess you can say, to marry a zodiac member. I am not sure if this was their wish, or Akito's."
His voice lowers and he leans forward. "They knew?" I nod and take a bit, chewing and swallowing before I continue. "My foster mother's grandmother was a Zodiac. She said that it was my duty as a Sohma and a neutral to marry a Zodiac and reproduce. They raised such a fuss when I applied for colleges. I got no help from Sohma house at all for my education, I still received my allowance, but I went to Princeton on scholarship."
I know Chichiri and Tasuki can hear us in the quiet diner as I feel their surprise at this revelation, however Haru is simply nodding. "I had heard that. I felt very proud of you, of course Kagura was very vocal about your achievements to us." He grins at this and I return the smile.
I sigh and lean back in my chair, my meal done. "I was very surprised when Hatori was able to get my transcripts from Princeton, via my foster parents. I would have thought that they would claim they couldn't get them or some such nonsense."
Haru nods calmly, also leaning back, his plate as clean as mine. "Well, Hatori is a zodiac. Maybe they thought it was his wish you finish college. Besides myself, you are closest to him after all." I give a thoughtful nod, not realizing that they would think there was more to Hatori and myself then our friendly relationship. "I have never thought of it that way."
Our check is delivered and I snatch it before he can, a common game between us and we smile at each other as we stand. I turn and catch his hand, dragging him towards Chichiri and Tasuki.
"Haru, I want you to meet one of my teacher's from this summer, who is also a friend of mine, and his boyfriend. This is Houjun and Genrou."
Hatsuharu takes the news they are lovers calmly, him being in love with Yuki after all. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I take it this is Ri-sensei?"
I nod and Tasuki and Chichiri smile. "Been talkin' about us to your family?" I nod at Tasuki's question. "Houjun, Genrou, this is my cousin Hatsuharu." Pleasantries are exchanged and then I explain that I must get going and we leave the two to their meals.
As we walk out, I cast one last glance and exchange a smile with Chichiri, who is watching me as Tasuki talks. "Do you like him?"
I glance at Haru and smile "Who?" "That guy, Houjun. You seem interested in him, you barely mention the others alone, but talk about Houjun alot. And then last night, you were going on about that guy, Dokun."
I sigh. "I don't like Houjun that way, but I do admit that he and I seem to have a connection. However, I do think Dokun is cute. He and I have alot in common, although I just met him the other day. Did I really talk about him that much?"
Haru laughs as we cross a street. "Kaiya-chan, you talked of little else last night." I sigh, knowing it is true, I'm attracted to Chiriko. There is just a freshness about him that draws me, especially after the darkness of Sohma House and the Zodiac. "I guess I did. I didn't realize it till now."
The conversation moves back towards Tohru as we walk towards Sohma house and we discuss her influence on the Zodiac, including her acceptance of Kyo's true form. I have never seen this form myself, but I know of it's existance and what it is suppose to look and smell like. As much as I love Kyo, and all my cousins, I am glad deep down that I have not seen this side of him. That prospects frightens me, for I know what I would need to do if I ever did see it.
We enter Sohma Estate and I walk Haru as far as Hatori's house, where we say our good byes and he continues on the one walk he won't get lost on, as he lives only two doors down from Hatori. I enter the house and knock on Hatori's office door. Myojuan is inside, I can tell from his aura, even out here. Hatori calls out, enter, and I poke my head in. "Hatori, I'm sorry, but can I ask you a question? Hello Myojuan."
Mitsukake smiles and greets me as Hatori stands and moves towards me. "Is something wrong?"
I shake my head at him as I enter and Mitsukake stands to leave. I wave our mutual friend back into his seat. "It's ok if you hear this Juan, I don't mind." He sits back and Hatori frowns. "What is on your mind, Kaiya-chan?"
I frown. "During my lunch with Haru today, the conversation came around to they way my foster parents raised me and their aversion to my schooling. I was curious as to how you convinced them to send you my transcripts, let alone acquire them from Princeton to do so." My hard stare at my older cousin causes him to uncharacteristically squirm in his seat and I nod. "I thought so."
He sighs and looks at Mitsukake before continuing, weighing his words carefully. "I was not pleased with Akito's decision to force you to return here with only one year left till you got your bachelor's. I did use my influence to convince them that I personally wanted you to go to school and gain an education." While his words sounded strange to outsiders, Kaiya caught his meaning and sighed in defeat. "So, now my guardians are under the impression that you and I..." I let that hang and he nods slightly. "There was no other way, Kaiya. You must know this."
I nods, looking thoughtful. "Hai, I know, Ha'ri, I just wish that it hadn't come to that." Mitsukake clears his throat and both Sohma's look at him. Kaiya cracks a grin. "Messed up, huh, Mits?" He casts her a glance at the use of his nickname, but nods. "I thought Tasuki's family was bad, those women just smother him, your family..." His voice trails off and he gestures helplessly. I smile at him, as does Hatori, we understand where his comment was heading and he was correct.
I sighs and stands, bowing to both men. "I'm sorry I interrupted you two. I just had to know for sure." Hatori gives a nod. "I'm glad we cleared that up then, Kaiya." I give my cousin a hug and then hug Mitsukake on impulse too. "See you two later, NO DA" I almost yell the last phrase, mimicking Chichiri, causing Mitsukake to chuckle and Hatori to look confused. I leave as Mits is explaining to the sea horse that "no da" is the catch phrase of another of our friends and I hear him say "You met him earlier, the one with blue hair." I frown at the thought that Chichiri met the Sohma doctor but shrugs at my uneasy feeling and head home, preparing to clean my temporary apartment in anticipation of my move into the dorms in a few weeks.
(Seishi PoV)
Chichiri waits for his fellow Seishi and Miko to gather a few nights later at his apartment. After examining Hatori and Hatsuharu's ki's and doing some research discreetly, he thinks that he is one step closer to solving the mystery of the Sohma family.
Once they are gathered he sighs. "I don't know if we should inform Kaiya of this, no da. I have thought about it and think that members of her family are possessed. She is not possessed herself, but her ki and aura are very unusual. There is something strange about that family, but I don't think it affects everyone, no da."
Mitsukake frowned. "Strange how?" Chichiri weighed his words carefully. "I still get the impression of possession. Various Sohma's I saw at the estate were not affected, but your friend Hatori is, no da. So is the cousin I met that day, Hatsuharu and the two from the street. It's very strange though, watching their ki around her, the little blonde boy..." Chiriko pipes up "Momiji"
Chichiri nods "Yes, Momiji, he and Ayame's aura's were more restless before they came into contact with Kaiya. Something about her seems to calm the being possessing them. The spirits in them aren't evil, but I don't believe they are passive. They must affect their lives somehow. I just don't know if Kaiya is going to be affected by this."
The others nodded, having discussed this before. The only reason they were even investigating it was to make sure that it wouldn't harm their friend. Chichiri, in particular, seemed overly protective of Kaiya, although he hid it well from the girl herself. Unbeknownst to the others, Chichiri and Tasuki had argued about her a few days before summer classes ended. Tasuki had felt jealous and threatened of Kaiya's seemingly influence on Chichiri and he had said that she was familiar to him, almost the way Kourin and Hikou were, but he couldn't place who she was to him. It took a little convincing on Chichiri's part to convince his lover that he only had brotherly feelings for Kaiya.
"Brotherly"
The group stopped talking around him and all turned to the magician, who sat in shocked silence as he finally realized how he knew her aura. "Chichiri? What's brotherly?"
Chichiri glanced at Tasuki's worried face and suddenly began to laugh. "I just remembered where I know Kaiya's aura from, no da."
The group scooted closer, all ears. "Hikou and Kouran weren't the only ones to die in that flood. I had a sister also. I think Kaiya is my baby sister, Laila. She was 3 years younger then me but I adored her."
Tasuki was the only one that knew Chichiri had a sister back then, the rest looked shocked. Finally Miaka spoke "Well, how do you know for certain?"
Chichiri frowned "I can do a spell to release some of her memories of me from then, no da. Or just let it go." He looked a bit disappointed at this last suggestion and Tasuki sighed. "Why don' ya let her decide if she wants memories of her past lives back or not?"
Chichiri turned towards the bandit as if seeing him for the first time. "That's a great idea, Tasuki, no da." He leaned over and kissed the amused bandit before smiling broadly at the group.
(Kaiya's PoV)
Well, school has started and my roommate, while not Sasha, is very pleasant. We get along well, although we haven't done more then talk in our room. She seemed very surprised when Tasuki showed up the first day, along with Nuriko, a upcoming interior designer, carrying the last of my belongings. Apparently my new group of friends is well known around campus and that I hang out with them is unusual, being I'm new here.
I go to my first class, an advanced history course that Chichiri teaches me. I have begun to notice lately that he and the others have become more protective of me. I am not sure what to make of these latest developments, but let it slide for now. Chiriko is sitting at the front of the class and I smile as I head down to sit with him. "Good Morning, Chiriko."
He smiles in pleasure at me and I feel my heart turn over. Chichiri enters the class and approaches Chiriko and myself. "Kaiya, I want to talk to you after class, do you have a moment?"
I give him a nod and Chiriko smiles as class starts. It flies by, the discussion interesting and fast paced. I come to the conclusion at the end of the class that I will enjoy this course. I wait as the class files out and Chiriko waits with me. He apparently knows what Chichiri wants to speak to me about.
I am shocked when the blue haired teacher begins to talk about past lives. "Do you believe in past lives, Kaiya?"
I blink and nod "Yeah, I do. Why?"
He sighs. "Have you noticed a connection between us?" I nod at him, surprised he would realize it too. "I have. I thought it was my imagination though."
He grins, as does Chiriko. "Well, the rest of us remember a past life where we were all friends. But I just realized where I knew your aura from. I think you and I were siblings in a past life." I glance at him, then Chiriko. Two of the smartest people I know are telling me that they think I shared a common past life with at least one of them. My first reaction is to scoff at their claim, but something within me won't allow this.
"Well, if it's true, how do I remember my past life?" Chichiri grins "I can unlock it for you, no da." I give him a disbelieving look and Chiriko nods. "Hai, he can do it. Not right now, but later."
I nod slowly, contemplating this in my mind. I finally decide that there is nothing to lose by this and agree to have my past life returned to me. Arrangements are made to meet at Chichiri's house in two days time and Chiriko and I leave to attend our next classes. I sense that not only is Chichiri pleased by this, but so is Chiriko.
A FEW DAYS LATER!
I'm nervous as I sit crosslegged on Chichiri's living room floor. The others are here and I breathe deeply as Chichiri, holding a shakujou chants softly. I feel a barrier of protection erect around us and I relax a bit. This man knows what he is doing. He begins to chant again and the magic touches me and I relax completely, not fighting the intrusion as it surrounds my being and enters me. My mind slowly unlocks and distorted images come to me. I close my eyes against the sudden, pressing headache and try and make any sort of sense of the images. The first that I grasp is one of Chichiri. I know him as Houjun though and like he said, he is my brother. I also realize what the name Chichiri means and my eyes fly open and I stare at him and then the others. Realization is fast in coming and I am flabbergasted. "Suzaku Seishi and the Suzaku no Miko?" The group nods to me, smiling at my apparent memories and I am in shock.
Chichiri crouches before me and I am smiling suddenly into my brother's familiar face. "That is a very disconcerting experience." He gives a nod "Hai, no da. Do you remember now?"
I nod "It's slowly coming back to me, little details, but I remember the larger part. I take it you survived the flood then, Houjun?" He nods to me and I smile slightly. "I am glad that you went on and lived. I think I have the rest of you to thank for that." I look at Tasuki and my smile is watery as tears flow down my face. "I also realize that it was probably you, mostly, that healed him and his heartache."
Chichiri frowns at me. "You know what happened with Hikou and Kouran?" I nod "I saw you and Hikou on the banks of the river and had ran back to town to get Kouran to help stop the two of you when the flood hit." Chichiri nods at my words "They are together in this life, I will have to introduce you to them later." I smile at his words and he is hugging me suddenly and I feel peace and calm in my soul to be reunited with this brother I loved and admired so much.
We spend the evening conversing and I learn about the quest to summon Suzaku. I cry with Nuriko's death but feel my heart break over the thought of Chiriko dying in such a fashion. There is also laughter and I learn how Tasuki healed my brother's heart. My eyes show him my gratitude and he winks at me to show his acceptance of it.
I smile at Chichiri again. "Houjun-chan, this also explains why I have always been sensative." He smiles and nods and Chiriko leans closer towards me, as he sits besides me, "What do you mean?"
Chichiri chuckles "My original family was very sensative and at the point of the flood, Kaiya was more aware of things then I was, my powers did not flourish and grow till after I started my journey's and began training with Taitsukun, no da." I nod to this "He use to tease me about it too, saying I should be the one with the symbol upon my knee." My reincarnated brother and I smile fondly at each other.
The others smile at the obvious joy flowing between Chichiri and myself. Talk flows long into the night with much laughter.
A FEW WEEKS LATER!
I find myself studying hard over a long weekend in preparation for some upcoming tests, Taka and Houjun's classes. I feel comfortable that I know the material for my brother's class, but it's the textbook from Taka's that has me deep in study. I'm alone in my room, the roommate out for the weekend with friends when I am abruptly pulled from the material by a knock on the door.
I glance up and smile at the familiar ki on the other side of the door. "Come in."
The door opens and Chiriko's smiling face peeks in at me. "Hi Kaiya. Want a study buddy?"
I groan and set my book down on the bed, marking my spot. "Actually Chiriko, I'm really in the mood for a study break. Maybe after some coffee we can study together?"
The youngest seishi smiles at me and nods. I can sense happiness radiating off of him and wonder about it. "That's fine." I give a cheer at his words and flip onto my stomach, searching under my bed for my boots. "I don't know why I keep putting my boots under here. I always end up having to search for them." I toss one boot onto the open floor of my dorm room and keep searching for the other. I can feel Chiriko's eyes on me the whole time until right before I straighten, the other boot in my hand. "So, are you studying for Houjun's class or Taka's?"
I put on my boots as he replies. "Taka's actually. I feel comfortable with Chichiri's class and the information there." I nod to Chiriko's words as I grab my jacket and the two of us leave the dorm. "Yes, but we must not forget to review the information anyways." We grin at each other "Better safe then sorry."
As we move out of the dorm building, towards the direction of the coffee shop, I sense my brother and look up to see him watching us. I give him a small wave, catching his return motions before I redirect my attention towards Chiriko. Our walk to the coffee shop continues on with us discussing general topics.
CHICHIRI AND TASUKI!
Chichiri smiles as his sister walks off with his youngest seishi brother and lowers his hand.
"Who are ya wavin at?" He turns from the window and smiles at his lover's sprawled position on the spare chair in his office. "Kaiya and Chiriko."
Tasuki's eyebrows rise. "Really? Kaiya and Chiriko huh? Do ya think there is something there?"
Chichiri shrugs and sits in his desk chair, putting his effort into grading once more. Tasuki settles back and watches the monk work for a time, well, all of about 2 minutes before he gets bored. "That would be nice if they hooked up."
Chichiri glances up, brow wrinkling, trying to move his mind from grading to what Tasuki was saying. The bandit elaborates "Kaiya and Chiriko. It would be nice if they hooked up."
Chichiri smiles at this, bending his head over the papers again. "Yes, it would be nice if they hooked up, no da. I find Chiriko to be a more then acceptable suitor for Kaiya." He holds his smirk back at Tasuki's gaffaw's, knowing just as well as his love, what his sister's reaction to that statement would be if she had heard it. However, serious mahoghanny eyes rise to meet Tasuki's. "We should let them develop their relationship without any interference, no da." Tasuki easily catches the seriousness in his love's eyes and nods. "I'm all for that. How about we do some developing of our own relationship?"
Chichiri glances up and smirks at his love. "Sounds good, say tonight, my place?" Tasuki grins and nods eagerly. "I'll see you tonight then love." With that the brash redhead stands, leans over the desk to kiss his lover good bye and then leaves in a flash. Chichiri just grins and goes back to grading, determined to get it out of the way and off his mind before nightfall.
KAIYA'S POV
An hour later finds Chiriko and myself firmly planted in my room, studying together. At least I'm trying to study. I know it now, Haru was right, I really like Chiriko, and definately more then just a friend. Oh man, Sasha would say I have it bad. To have him stretched out on my floor, reading his notes outloud to me, checking if they match what I have, it's very distracting.
The phone rings, interupting Chiriko's rich voice and I bite back a curse. I sigh as I push my way up and lean for the phone, clicking it on as I settle back. "Hello?"
"Hi Kaiya-kun. What are you up to?"
I smile as I recognize Hatori's voice on the phone. "Hi Hatori. I'm having a study session with a friend. We have tests next week."
I catch Chiriko's smile and slightly confused look as I playfully wink at him, Hatori continuing on. "Ah, I was curious if you would be willing to help me out with a favor today? I need to go to the docks and pick up a vehicle for a friend, but no one else with a license is able to help today and I am hesitant to ask Shigure. I would need you to drive the vehicle back to the main house for me."
I sigh and glance down at my books. "Well, if my friend can come too, so we can do some studying on the drive there and he can read the notes outloud on the drive back, then sure. That is if it is ok with him too." Hatori chuckles over the line, knowing me well enough that I never asked my friend before I said this. "Well, ask him."
I lower the phone a bit and lean down. "Want to go on an errand with my cousin and I to pick up a friend's vehicle? He needs someone to drive it back to my family's main house." Chiriko nods at this. "Yes, that should be fine. We can study on the way there and then let me read outloud to you on the way back."
I confirm that we'll go with Hatori and find out that he and Momiji, whom he is watching, will be in front of my dorm in 30 minutes. I hang up and relay this to Chiriko, who leaves to go grab a few things from his dorm room. This gives me time to change into something more appropriate, especially since I am going to be seen near the main house of the Sohma Estate.
I had already gathered my books, after changing and then fixing my hair, before Chiriko knocks on my door and the two of us move towards the front of my dorms to wait for my cousins.
The drive to the docks is mostly soft murmuring from the back seat where Chiriko and myself study together, Momiji and Hatori mostly listening or watching the two of us. Momiji often questions us about what we are studying. I find this more helpful then disruptive, I know if I am taking time to explain things to the rabbit, then I will retain and recall the information easier during the test. I feel Hatori's watchful eye on me at moments during the ride and catch him regarding Chiriko and myself with a serious expression once or twice.
Hatori and I go into the port office to take care of paperwork for the vehicle we are picking up, Momiji and Chiriko following us around. Hatori is somehow able to keep me from seeing what vehicle we are getting until it is delivered to us outside. I think I must have given Chiriko an amusing sight. I'm sure my eyes bugged out and my mouth fell open at the sight of the large Ford F-150 super crew cab, bright yellow, when it was driven into the parking area and stopped right in front of us.
Then, if that didn't shock him, the sight of me shrieking and practically glomping Hatori would. I hear a faint hum of happiness from Momiji, who goes on to tell my friend "That's her truck, from the United States. Hatori had it arranged wtih her foster parents to have it shipped. It was a secret."
By this point, I am now dancing around my truck, happy. I stop in front of Chiriko, who has a very amused smirk on his face, his eyes light with laughter, directed at me. I grin and hug him impulsively, pleased when he holds him back as I chirp, Miaka fashioned "My truck, Chiriko!"
I pull back to see him grin and nod. "I see that. It's a nice surprise from your cousin." I glance towards Hatori and my smile grows more. "Thank you so much for going thru the effort, Ha'ri."
The Sohma doctor just smiles slightly and says it is no big deal as he waves the keys in my face. I barely remembered to grab my books from the back of Hatori's car before Chiriko and I are off. I rev the big truck to life, rolling down the windows to let the stale air out as FX radio station catches a popular country son. The air is filled with the sound of blasting Trace Adkins and another joyous cheer from me as Chiriko and I leave the dock area.
I feel Chiriko watching me as I sing along with the song from the radio, smoothly merging the large vehicle into traffic, settling in for the drive back. As soon as Honky Tonk Badonkadonk ends, I turn the radio off, roll up the window and smile to him. "Ok, where were we on the studying? If you could read outloud, that would be great."
I catch his stare and smile slightly. "What? We need to study Chiriko!"
He grins at this. "You are truely unique, Kaiya-chan. One moment you are hyperly celebrating at getting your truck back and the next you are in study mode and ready to go over school work." I grin as I drive, my eyes on the road. "Well, just because my truck is here doesn't mean I can't keep my grades up, ne?"
Chiriko grins and starts to read outloud from our notes, filling the cab of the truck with his voice for the next hour until I pull into the parking lot of a restraunt. He glances up, surprised, when I put the truck in park, having been involved in his reading. "What?"
I grin and shut the truck off. "Supper. Time for another study break, beside, your voice is sounding hoarse." He clears his dry throat and nods, following suit as she climbs from the truck. "Why such a large vehicle, Kaiya?"
I walk around it and smile at the truck as I do so. I am sure he sees the sadness in my eyes as I answer him. "I had a neighbor growing up in the United States that I was particularly close to. He passed away about 2 years ago, right after he bought this truck. His daughter paid it off and then signed it over to me. Her father had left her instructions to do this. My trucks name is Big Jim, by the way."
I grin, lightening the mood of our conversation as he opens the door for me, an act that sends a thrill of joy thru me. "I'm sorry for your loss, Kaiya-chan." I glance at him, reading the pain in his eyes and take his hand in mine, squeezing it softly. "Thank you, Dokun."
He blinks as I walk past him, the hostess gesturing for us to follow her. "You almost never call me Dokun." I look back "I know. But, it doesn't mean I won't use your given name. I just prefer to call you Chiriko."
He looks confused by this. "Why?" I sigh as we sit and then glance at him, feeling the truth isn't that weird. "Not long after my awakening, I was talking to Houjun and had mentioned that i didn't know how to address the rest of you now, especially Miaka. He was quite adamant that I not think of the 8 of you as people better then myself. That I continue to think of you all as I did before, including calling you by your seishi names. I'm not totally comfortable using your seishi names, but I'm working on it, as I know he is correct."
Chiriko smiles "So, you call us by our seishi names in an effort to humanize what we were?" I flush and look away. "Something like that."
The youngest seishi smiles at me. "You don't seem to have a problem claling Tasuki by both his names though, and you almost never call Chichiri by his celestial name anymore."
I grin, ducking my head to look at the menu. "Well, Tasuki is too brash and hotheaded to think of him as a great warrior. Plus, he is dating Houjun and they were together in their last life too, so he is practically my brother as well. Houjun, well, he's just Houjun. I always knew he was Chichiri back then and it didn't bother me. He was my brother, I knew he was human, but I also knew he was capable of great things. But you really can't feel all that in awe about someone's mystical powers and their role in saving a country when youhave memories of that person putting frogs in your bed just because you annoyed the heck outta him in your attempt to follow him and his friends around."
I glance up and giggle at Chiriko's shocked face. "Chichiri really put frogs in your bed?"