The four teenagers and the little yellow dog stood in silence until Reiji moved slightly forward hardly believing what he was hearing.
"Nakagami? As in?"
"That's correct" Seitarou nodded, "He's my father."
"You mean was your father?" Akito replied.
"No, is my father. Ichirou Nakagami is very much alive."
"That's impossible" Reiji said after looking at Sakura confused, "Everyone knows he was murdered two months ago along with."
"Jinto Tikeda" Seitarou finished, "Yes, that's true. His murder that is."
They stared at him equally stunned as he continued.
"The fact of the matter is, is that Jinto Tikeda was the only one who was murdered in that incident. He was becoming far too talkative and threatening. My father's murder was just played out."
"Oh I get it" Reiji nodded with a frown, "Now it all makes sense."
"What makes sense?" Akito replied confused as Sakura shook her head in agreement.
"Don't you get it?" Reiji said, "Tai Ushida didn't want to be held responsible or blamed for Jinto Tikeda's murder so he planned out an elaborate scheme to make it look like two murders not one had been committed so thenit would like to someone else such as the police that someone was after him and all the suspicion would be dropped. It was a cover-up for Jinto Tikeda's death."
"Very good Sohma" Seitarou grinned smugly, "So now you know my father is alive. Unfortunately he's retired."
"And you're here to carry on his work?" Sakura frowned angrily.
"Not exactly" Seitarou frowned slightly, "Mr. Ushida just asked me to do something for him. Personally I don't do anything that is not worth my time, unless the rewards are beneficial to me," he added sinisterly.
"Okay I get that" Reiji nodded his head furiously, "But what I don't get is, if you are here for Ushida, the information obviously what you're here for is ours. What does Stephanie have to do with any of it?"
"What indeed. You're a smart guy Sohma. Why don't you figure it out? It should be painfully obvious to anyone who has been watching me as much as you have and who understands how my mind works. But since you Sohmas apparently know nothing about me, I'll explain. I did come down here to gain information pertaining to you Zodiac members. But when I arrived I had a problem, how would I gain it? The answer to that came quite simple on my very first day of school when I bought my school supplies."
"Wait a minute" Sakura interrupted him, "You kidnapped Stephanie to get the information out of her?"
"She would be the obvious choice" he nodded slowly continuing to smile at them, "One she was dating a member of the Zodiac. Surely he would have told her everything I need to know."
"Why you bastard! How dare you involve her in something like this!" Reiji said clenching his fists, "Besides there is a flaw in your plan. You kidnapped the mayor's stepdaughter. How stupid are you?"
"I admit that there were some obstacles in the way, but I also knew that if you Sohmas figured out it was me and that it had something to do with the Ushida family, that you wouldn't say anything to the police or the mayor. I was home free."
Akito and Sakura looked at each other and he sighed.
"He's right" Akito replied, "We wouldn't be able to say anything. Not if it would jeopardize our family."
"That still doesn't make it right" Reiji replied clenching his fists even more, "Why her? You could have gotten the information out of any of us. Why did you have to take her?"
"Why do you think?" Seitarou grinned menacingly.
"Oh no" Reiji's eyes became wide as the realization hit him, "How could I have been so stupid. You creep! If you lay one finger on her I'll."
"You'll what? Hit me? Come after me? You're not the one I am expecting to come and rescue her."
"What do you mean by that?" Sakura asked as Angel growled.
"I only came by here for one reason" he held up a slip of paper, "And that is to give you this" he flicked it and Reiji caught it in midair.
"What is it?" Reiji said staring at it.
"It's a phone number. A private number. I want you to give it to Katsuya."
"Why?" Reiji eyed him suspiciously.
"I want him to have the information. Perhaps the two of us can get together and discuss the situation further. Besides" he turned his back on them, "He should be fully healed by that point. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if he can move a bit right now. Until we meet again Sohmas" he began to walk away with a chuckle.
"Wait!" Reiji called out making him stop and look over his shoulder.
"Yes?"
"You have to swear you won't do anything to hurt her until you do have your meeting with Kaye?"
"I don't make any promises" Seitarou grinned as he turned his head once more and walked away.
Reiji frowned even more as Akito and Sakura joined him at his side.
"Now what are we supposed to do?" Akito replied.
"Exactly what he said," Reiji said looking down at the slip in his hand, "We give this piece of paper to Kaye."
"I don't like that guy" Angel finally spoke up.
"Me neither sweetie" Sakura agreed, "Me neither" she added as Akito and Reiji nodded in unison with identical frowns.
(Next Scene)
Unfortunately when they arrived back at the main house Hatori wasn't allowing anybody except Kyo and Tohru to visit Katsuya. In fact he asked them to return the next day much to their disappointment. Before they departed for the afternoon, Akito was asked to keep the secret about meeting Nakagami until Kaye could be told first and he disapprovingly agreed.
Meanwhile at the Nakagami residence Seitarou once more walked into his room where this time his entire desk minus the computer had been torn into. Stephanie was passed out on the bed, obviously from exhaustion from her tirade, but despite the mess Seitarou was smiling at her as he brushed his hand over her hair.
"You do have quite the fire in you don't you?" he whispered, "No matter. You didn't do any real damage. As if I leave anything that important out for youto destroy. Well" he sighed walking over to his chair and sitting down, "Let's hope that boyfriend of yours calls soon, then I can up the ante" he grinned menacingly once more.
(Next Scene)
The next morning Sakura and Reiji went to see Kaye early. He was already awake and surprisingly was well enough to finally sit up. They explained everything they had searched and ended with the appearance of Nakagami. Kaye sat up even more.
"Let me get this straight" he replied, "Naoki is really Nakagami?"
"Mhm" Sakura nodded.
"Yea" Reiji said angrily.
"And he's got Stephanie to obtain information about us?"
"That's what he says" Sakura replied with a sad nod.
"Well" Kaye replied a bit hesitant, "You know how to get to that place don't you?" he asked Reiji.
"I got a feeling it won't be as easy as all that Kaye, but he did give us this" he pulled out the slip of paper from his pocket, "To give to you."
"What's this?" Kaye asked.
"A phone number where you can reach him."
"He willingly gave you this?" Kaye said suspiciously.
They nodded their heads.
"Believe it or not he did" Sakura replied.
"Did he say why?"
"He said so the two of you could discuss the situation further," Reiji said crossing his arms.
"Can you get me a phone?" Kaye asked.
"Sure" Reiji nodded uncrossing his arms, "I'll go see if I can find one"
he dashed out of the room.
Sakura stood at her brother's side amazed at how fast he was recovering. She could see his old strength returning to his eyes as he clenched his fist silently. Soon Reiji returned with the phone, which he had managed to take without anyone noticing.
"Here you go man," he said as he handed it to him.
"Thanks" Kaye nodded holding onto the slip of paper,"Okay Mr. Nakagami" he replied under his breath, "You want me, you got me" he dialed the number and listened impatiently.
(Next Scene)
Stephanie sat across from Seitarou her arms crossed as they both heard the phone ring on his desk.
"Hello" he replied as he picked it up and then immediately grinned, "Why hello Mr. Sohma" he said as her eyes became wide and she listened, "I was wondering if I was going to hear from you soon. All better are we?"
"This isn't a call of pleasantness!" Kaye spat, "My sister informed me that you're the one who has Stephanie right now."
"That's correct."
"Well I want you to release her. No I demand you release her! You want information about us? Fine! I'll give it to you. Let her go! She has nothing to do with this!"
"That's where I disagree. However if you're willing to discuss this further with me, I suggest we do it in private."
"What?"
"How are you Sohma? Well enough to get out of bed?"
"So, so."
"Then this is what I suggest. You meet alone with me and we will discuss the situation together, tonight. I say that the best place would be just outside of town. Do you know the hill that overlooks the entire city of Kyoto? The one with the large tree on top?"
"I know of it."
"Meet me there at midnight. And come alone."
"All right. I'll be there."
"Alone Sohma. I can't stress it enough how important it is that you do come alone. We wouldn't want any mistakes after all."
"I understand" Kaye replied angrily, "I want to talk to her" he demanded, "Is she there?"
"I'm afraid that is quite impossible. Until thenMr. Sohma" Seitarou said as he hung up the phone with a smug grin and turned his eyes onto the young girls terrified face, "That was your boyfriend. We're going to meet tonight."
"Meet for what purpose?" she asked scared.
"That's my business. Your business is to fill out that information" he stood up from his chair.
"I don't think you hear correctly" she replied angrily, "I will not now, nor will I ever give you that information. I refuse! You got it!"
"And I don't think you grasp the severity of the situation that you're in, Stephanie" he walked over and placed his hands onto her armrests leaning his face closer to hers, "Now that your boyfriend has called, things are going to get a lot tougher around here."
"What do you mean?" she said staring back at his eyes like cold ice behind his glasses.
"I mean, I've grown tired of these games" he replied seriously leaning down even further and kissing the stunned girl roughly on her lips, to which she tried to push him away.
As he pulled away she stared back with eyes more terrified then he had ever seen them. He walked towards the door as she could barely move.
"I'm gonna be out for the remainder of the day up until the time when I meet him at midnight. If I return tonight and that thing" he pointed to the clipboard, "Is not filled out. You will regret it" he opened the door, "It's time I took a different approach with you" he said staring back at her with a frown, "And believe me it will not be pretty. Enjoyable for me, yes. But for you? You won't ever consider defying me again. Just keep that in mind sweetheart!" he finished dangerously slamming the door behind him, leaving the terrified girl trembling with absolute fear.
(Next Scene)
Later that night at the main house Reiji and Sakura were preparing to help sneak Kaye out for the meeting. After his phone call they had brainstormed for about an hour trying to decide the best approach to do it. In the end they decided that it was going to take the combined efforts of Sakura, Takara, and even little Naoko Sohma to pull it off. Reiji, despite Seitarou's warning was going along with Kaye due to the fact he still needed support for his injuries. Around ten o'clock Naoko came over with Takara, after having snuck out of the house. She helped Sakura into the boyish wig that she had borrowed from her father's collection that resembled Kaye's haircut to a T. Sakura was to take Kaye's place that night while Takara would stay at her side in case someone should show up.
"Don't shift too much" Naoko replied when she finished, "Oterwise the wig will come off" she said in her cute little voice.
"Thanks Naoko" Sakura grinned climbing into bed while Kaye in a corner was putting on a jacket that Reiji was helping him into.
"You're welcome. When Angel told me about that bad man. I wanted to help."
"You better get back to the house before Uncle Ayame sees that you're missing" Reiji replied, "It's a good thing we did this on a night when Aunt Mine is out. He's so clueless."
"Yea" Kaye chuckled, "Skedaddle little one" he urged her and she nodded as she departed with a smile.
"Okay" Reiji sighed as they both came over to the bed, "So how is this going to work?"
"Sakura is going to take my place in the bed," Kaye explained, "Until I return. It's probably going to take at least an hour or so."
"Don't worry about it" she shook her head, "I can handle it."
"And I'll be here" Takara spoke up.
"Okay princess" he patted her head, "You need to stick around here until I get back. Keep away anyone who gets suspicious."
"No problem. My dad already thinks that I am here with Sakura taking care of you."
"Good. Well I guess that's everything."
"Come on Kaye" Reiji hissed, "Akito says he's gonna help us get out."
"Akito? Akito jr.?"
"We needed someone else to help out" Reiji insisted with a slight frown, "Yamato still doesn't know anything about this."
"Okay. You gonna be all right?" he asked his sister concerned.
"Kaye. Go! I'll be fine," she said pushing him away, "Hurry."
He nodded and Reiji and he left the rook cautiously while Sakura and Takara looked at each other nervously, not sure whether things would be fine or not.
(Next Scene)
Reiji drove Kaye's truck close to the spot where they were to meet. Then they switched sides since they were a half hour early.
"We sure are out here pretty far" Reiji commented as he settled in his new seat.
"Now I know the windows are tinted" Kaye began staring out his own, "But try not to be seen."
"Check" Reiji nodded, "But are you really going to be okay on your own?"
"I'll be fine" Kaye reassured him, "I'm actually doing a lot better."
"Well it's ten minutes till. Maybe you'd better get out there."
"No" Kaye shook his head, "I'll wait till he drives up" he added with a frown.
Sure enough five minutes later a red truck pulled up close by. Reiji frowned this time.
"Well I'll give props to Angel" he replied, "That truck Is a new model."
"Wait here" Kaye whispered and the climbed out slowly.
He closed the door just as abruptly as Seitarou climbed out of his truck with a smug grin.
"Well I see you managed to make it" he replied.
"Cut with the pleasantries" Kaye said with a frown his eyebrows furrowed, "What's this all about?"
"Come on up to the tree and we'll discuss it" Seitarou indicated with his head.
"Fine" Kaye huffed as he followed him up the hill.
They stood under the tree and Kaye crossed his arms.
"So what is this information that you want?"
"Are you saying that you're willing to give it to me?"
"If you let her go, then yes."
"I'm afraid it's not as simple as all that" Seitarou said, "I'm still waiting to see if she'll crack. So far she has needless to say been quite, button-mouthed."
"That's my girl" Kaye smiled slightly.
"But she will give me that information. I guarantee it."
"What information?" Kaye said exasperated.
"Information about you and the other Zodiac members."
"So in other words information that I could easily give to you?"
'True you could. But it wouldn't be as much fun for me" he grinned menacingly.
"Damn you! Why do I got the feeling that that's not all you're after?"
"Because you're fairly intuitive. I'll admit to you Sohma I've had my eye on her since the very beginning. That she knows about the information that I am seeking is just the icing on the cake" he added as Kaye frowned even more, "But I can see that you are quite determined to get her back" he began to circle around him, "So I'll make a deal with you. Rather a proposition."
"Go on?"
"I will be returning home tonight and I will be expecting her to have already filled the information out. But knowing her I doubt it will be. My proposition to you is this. Two days from now I challenge you to try and rescue her yourself" Kaye's Adam's apple went up a little, "You can bring as many people as you want. Create an army. For it is quite the security system to get past. If she hasn't revealed the information to me in that time, when you arrive at the top, you will give me the information when you arrive" he stood in front of him once more, "Do you accept my challenge?"
"Two days from now?"
"That's correct."
"What assurance do I have that you won't harm her or torture her in any way until then?"
"You don't. That's just it. And I won't make any promises."
"Nakagami" Kaye replied seriously, "Maybe you won't but I will. If I find when I get there that you have touched her inappropriately or hurt her in any way I will kill you. That's my promise to you."
"Well that ought to be interesting" Seitarou replied without flinching, "So do you accept?"
"Nakagami. I'll take your challenge. And I will beat it!"
"We'll see about that" Seitarou grinned menacingly as Kaye frowned furiously at him.
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Okay here's the next one! I will write the next tomorrow. See you then!
Next Chapter: Gathering of the Soldiers
Kaye begins to gather the people he will need during his rescue of Stephanie. Meanwhile Seitarou ups the ante on his intense persuasion to her to gain his information. See how next time!