Chapter Eight: Passing down a Tradition
June 8
Katsuya stared at the ring in the box and once more snapped it shut with a sigh. Sakura walked in behind him as he opened it once more and then closed it just as quickly with another sigh.
"You know you've been debating for awhile to give her that thing."
"I know" he nodded sadly.
"Well when are you going to give it to her?"
"I don't know" he shook his head placing the box onto his dresser and walking over to his window, "I'm not sure if I am even gonna give it to her."
"How come?" Don't you love her?" she asked surprised.
"Of course I do. It's just" he replied hesitating as he closed his eyes.
" It's just what?"
"I don't know how I feel about asking for something like that. Asking her to be with me even though it would be an unknown future. One filled with definite sorrow and unhappiness."
"You don't know that for sure. But" Sakura said as she sat down on the bed, "I do understand where you're coming from. After all when you love someone that much, you're always worried and concerned about their future."
"When you love someone?" Kaye replied confused with a raise of his eyebrows, "How could you possibly? Wait a minute. Sakura" he said staring back at her as she smiled, "Are you?"
"Yes" she nodded, "And I have been for a long time."
"But who is he?"
"Stephen."
"Stephen? Stephanie's brother from America, Stephen?" he replied astonished.
"Mhm. We have been keeping in contact with e-mail and letters. And just recently I told him how I felt. And he felt the same."
"But to do that you would've had to tell him."
"Yes" she nodded, "He knows. Mom knows too. I told her."
"Why didn't you tell me?" he said, "I thought we tell each other everything."
"I thought it would be kind of weird for you, you know? Him being her older brother."
"Well I admit it is a bit strange" he sat down next to her on the bed, "But do you really love him?"
She nodded.
"And he's okay with everything?"
"He wasn't at first, but he is now. That was months ago. But now it's okay and we can even hold each other. He's gonna talk to Stephanie about it tonight."
"That would be good for her to finally have someone else on the outside to talk about it. Well" he sighed but smiled, "I'm happy for you Sakura."
"Really?" her eyes became wide with relief.
"Of course. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy. Besides you have been very supportive of me. How could I be any less of you?" he wrapped his arms around her with another smile.
"Thank you Kaye" she said as she embraced him back.
(Next Scene)
Stephen walked to his sister's room and knocked lightly on her door.
"It's open!" she called, "Stephen" she smiled as he poked his head through.
"Hey you got a minute?" he asked her with a grin.
"Sure" she nodded, "Come on in."
He walked into the room and over to her bed where she was sitting.
"So what's up?"
"Well, um" he said, "Hmm. I don't really know where to begin."
"Okay."
"Well" he scratched the back of his head, "Sakura and I saw each other a couple of hours ago."
"Mhm. You guys are getting awful close."
"Yea. I'd say even more that. You see we just told one another that we love each other."
Stephanie looked up surprised as he sat down.
"Love each other?"
"Yea."
"Really?"
"Uh huh."
"Wow. I just thought that you liked each other, I had no idea you felt that far."
"So are you surprised?" he chuckled.
"A little. But I'm happy for you too" she smiled.
"But there's more."
"More?"
"Yes. We can hold each other now" he raised his eyes knowingly making her gasp a little.
"You mean that" her eyes became wide as he nodded looking directly at her; "You know?" he nodded again.
"Yes. Sakura showed me months ago. When I was here for that one week in April."
She was silent for a moment and he placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Don't be alarmed sis. I'm okay with everything. In fact I really think it's part of her charm" he chuckled again, "I'm only sorry that you had to go through this all by yourself for so long."
"It's not been that bad. In fact it hasn't been bad at all. Nothing has happened or anything to me because I know. And probably nothing ever will. But if you love Sakura as much as you say you do, how can you be together when you're so far apart?"
"I admit it hasn't been easy" he sighed, "But she's still in school and so am I, so I have to stay in Chicago a little longer. However I do have every intention on spending my life with her."
"But the real question is, where will you spend it? Chicago or Kyoto?"
"Well that's obvious. I would never want her secret revealed to anyone in the United States. Plus I don't want to take her away from her family. My family's here anyway. The one's I really care about."
"If that's the case, you would have to live here. Are you okay living in a foreign country?"
"If she's here, it's worth it. Also as an added bonus, you're here too" he leaned his forehead against hers lovingly.
She smiled and then embraced him tightly.
"Congratulations big brother."
"Thanks Steph."
(Next Scene)
Later that evening Katsuya went in search of his father. He went to the backyard and climbed the ladder that led to the roof a little.
"Pop! You up there!" he called.
"Come on up!" Kyo called back.
Kaye climbed the remainder of the ladder and saw his father sitting contently on the roof just like always.
"Can I talk to you?"
"Sure" Kyo nodded, "Come on over" he added with a smile.
Kaye walked over carefully and sat down next to his father.
"So what's on your mind son?"
"Well, I was just wondering, when you gave the promise ring to mom" he began.
"Mhm?"
"How did you know it was the right time to do so?"
"Oh that. Well it was just a feeling. We'd known each at least three years at that point. We'd already admitted how we felt about each other. And even though it was our first date, I still felt it was the right time."
"But weren't you a little hesitant due to the fact that you'd be offering her an unpredictable future? Filled with sorrow and unhappiness?"
"Of course I was" Kyo nodded, "But then I thought that if I didn't do it, I would lose her. Let me ask you this Kaye. Don't you think she's worth the risk?"
"Yes. She's worth everything."
"Can you imagine someone taking her away from you?"
"That's too terrible to imagine" Kaye frowned slightly.
"What if you had never met her? What if you never had her in your life to begin with, or lost her?"
"I don't honestly think I could go on living."
"Then you've got your answer. Don't worry about the future son" he placed his hand on Kaye's shoulder, "Everyone has an unknown future. Nobody knows what's going to happen. True there will be sorrow and unhappiness but, and this is most important, there will also be unforgettable happiness and unimaginable joy. Just keep that in mind and forget all that other stuff, and you'll find your way."
"Okay" Kaye nodded with a smile, "Thanks pop. I think I understand now."
"Good. Hopefully you have an even clearer idea of how you're going to do it also."
"Not only that. I think I've figured out when I'm gonna do it."
"When is that?"
"July."
"July?"
"Mhm" Kaye grinned looking at the moon that had risen, "Definitely July."
(Next Scene)
"Definitely July" Seitarou replied with a grin as he and Souichirou sat in the sitting room looking over a ton of paperwork.
"Hmm? July?" Souichirou said confused.
"Yes. July is the perfect time" he smiled menacingly, "For the prey to be caught into my web."
(Next Scene)
July 18Katsuya buttoned the last button of his blue shirt and looked at his appearance in the mirror. Then he picked up the small box on his dresser and placed it into the pocket of his pants. Takara came into the room with a smile.
"You ready to go Kaye?" she asked eagerly.
"Just about" he nodded, "How do I look?"
"Very handsome" she nodded approvingly, "I hope you have a good time tonight."
"Thanks princess" he grinned, "And you look after Kyoko and my mom okay?"
"Mhm. Will do. I will look after my aunt and my little cousin."
For in actuality the Kyoko at the moment they were referring to was the baby that was to be born in November. Tohru and Kyo had discovered only two months before that they were having another girl and had decided to name her after Tohru's mother this time.
"So where are you taking her?" Takara asked as they walked into the hallway.
"That's my secret. I'll give you all the details when I come home. Be sure to look after the cat as well."
"Mhm. I will."
"All right. I got to get going" he replied opening the door, winking briefly, and then closing the door behind him as Kyoko the cat walked into the hall and rubbed against the little girl's legs.
"Kyoko" Takara replied picking her up as she scolded her, "What are you doing out of bed? You're as bad as Aunt Tohru you silly kitty" she giggled and carried her back into the sitting room where her bed was located.
(Next Scene)
Meanwhile Seitarou walked into his sitting room where his brother was waiting, a cake box on the table.
"Are you ready to go?" he replied.
"Uh sure."
"Now don't forget what you're supposed to do. Rough him up a little bit. Not so much that he won't recover in a matter of days."
"Oh yea" Souichirou nodded with a grin, "I know what to do."
"Good."
"But one question?"
"Mhm" Seitarou rolled his eyes slightly.
"What's the cake for?"
"For later. Let's go. You drive."
"Okay" Souichirou nodded and the two of them walked outside where the sun was just setting.
(Next Scene)
At the Kamiya residence Kaye arrived and Sophie entertained him in the hallway as Sam and he talked a little. Soon Stephanie came down the stairs in a beautiful short- sleeved green dress.
"Wow" Kaye breathed in when he saw the dress, "You look incredible."
"Thanks. You look good too" she smiled.
"You guys have a good time" Sam replied holding open the door.
"We will" Kaye nodded, "Oh and thank your stepfather again" he winked.
"I will" Sam nodded as he closed the door.
"Thank my stepfather for what?" Stephanie asked perplexed.
"You'll see" he grinned, "Come on birthday girl" he replied holding out his arm which she took, "The night's awaiting."
(Next Scene)
Kaye drove his truck to the part of Kyoto where the temples were located and parked the vehicle near one in particular. He opened his door, climbed out of his seat, and walked over to open her door and help her out. Then he took her hand and they walked to the stairs that led to the temple. As their figures disappeared another truck, red this time pulled up.
"Do we go?" Souichirou replied.
"Not yet. There's another way to get up there. Besides we'll give the two little lovebirds some time" he smiled smugly, "Before we separate them."
"Where are we going?" Stephanie asked.
"Don't you recognize this place?" he replied as he led her by the hand gently.
"Hard to tell in the dark. Wait a minute" she stopped when she saw the water and many bridges, "Are we?"
"Yes. We're in Daigoji temple. You pointed it out that it was your favorite when I first brought you here, remember?"
"But I thought these places are off limits at this hour?"
"I had your stepfather do me a favor, with your brother's help of course" they stopped in front of a large blanket decorated with plates, candles, and food.
"Oh wow. You did this all for me?"
"Well it is a very special occasion."
"But it's just my birthday."
"Just your birthday? I wouldn't minimize it."
"This is incredible. Let me guess, you did all the cooking?" she added as she sat down.
"Only the best for my girl" he said sitting and lighting the candles as she smiled, "For you my love" he handed her a glass of wine.
"Thank you" she nodded, "This is wonderful."
"Happy birthday" he grinned and they clinked glasses.
"Thanks. You know I feel really guilty now. I only gave you a watch for your birthday."
"Are you kidding? I love this watch" he held up his arm, "It's the best present that I have ever received."
"You're just saying that" she shook her head with another smile.
"No. I mean it. Now let's eat."
"Okay" she nodded as he began to dish up their plates.
They ate the meal and then sat down next to each other, gazing at their surroundings.
"This place is amazing at night" she commented.
"It sure is" he nodded, "Did you get enough to eat?"
"Oh yes. I couldn't eat another bite," she giggled.
"Well, then in that case. I think it's time for your present."
"What? Do you mean this wasn't my present?" she said surprised.
"No way" he shook his head as he reached into his pocket, "This wasn't enough for you."
"Kaye" her eyes softened as a red truck drove up closer and closer without their knowledge.
"Here" he handed her the box.
She looked at the box and then up at him.
"Open it" he replied gently.
She opened the box and stared at it's contents in surprise.
"It's a promise ring," she said hardly knowing what to say.
"It's not just any promise ring" he took the ring from the box, "It was my mother's promise ring. My father gave her this ring when they first fell in love. Throughout all the trials and tribulations that they had to face it was a reminder of their unwavering love toward each other. My mother passed it down to me so that one day I would give it to the person I intended to spend the rest of my life with. And now" he took Stephanie's left hand, "And now I ask you, Stephanie Kamiya will you accept this promise I give you tonight. That one day I will replace this ring with another. Even though the future may be unknown."
"Yes" she nodded certainly with tears in her eyes, "I will Kaye."
He placed the ring on her finger with a smile and then the two of them kissed.
"NOW!" Seitarou shouted.
(Next Scene)
When they pulled away they heard a screeching of tires and Kaye pulled Stephanie away from the oncoming vehicle, the both of them closing their eyes. In the next instant a cloud of dust had surrounded them and they began to cough. Kaye felt Stephanie pulled away from him with a scream of his name and when he went to go after her he felt someone hit in the stomach. As he collapsed to his knees someone hit him on the back of the head this time and then began to strike the remainder of his body, until he lay face down on the ground.
"That's enough Souichirou!" someone called in a hissing voice, "Drop this on the ground and let's go" he handed him the ring and Souichirou placed it next to Kaye's unconscious body.
Then the truck drove away leaving Kaye motionless muttering one thing.
"Ste" he said slowly, "phanie"
(Next Scene)
When Stephanie awoke she found herself lying in an unfamiliar room. As she removed herself from the bed she looked around her confused at the computer desk near a door and saw a balcony, so she at once ran out to it to find out where she was. Immediately she recognized the familiar view even though it was night and her eyes became wide as she heard a lighter behind her and goose bumps crept up her spine.
"Happy Birthday to you" a familiar voice sang as she turned her head slowly, "Happy Birthday to you" her eyes became even wider as she saw him the candlelight flickering around his face, "Happy Birthday dear Stephanie. Happy Birthday to you" he grinned menacingly behind the cake that was lit and sitting on his desk.
"Mr. Naoki" she replied slowly.
"Blow out the candles" he said, "And make a wish."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey guys! It's been a long day so I am going to do the next chapter tomorrow along with another. Sorry to leave you on a cliffhanger but you'll get the next chapter tomorrow! See you then and I hope you enjoyed it!
Next time on Curse Renewed:
Chapter Nine: Captured
When Stephanie and Kaye's disappearance becomes known Keiichi immediately dispatches the police. Meanwhile Reiji and Sakura come upon Kaye at the temple and return with him to the main house still fully unaware of what happened to their relative. At the same time Stephanie finds out the real identity of Seitarou and his true purpose for being down in Kyoto. Don't miss a minute!
And
Chapter Ten: Big Brother's Concern
Stephen comes back into town after hearing of his sister's abduction and implores Sakura to help. Find out what happens!