Stephanie struggled desperately to get untied from the pole. Just moments ago Seitarou had left the room after telling her something else that had irritated her.
"That, that creep. What am I going to do?" she thought remembering what he had revealed.
(Flashback)
"And you're just going to show him all this so he'll transform now?" she said.
"That's what my intentions are" he nodded, "And with this last piece, that being accomplished will be in the bag."
"I don't see how that's possible. He'll probably transform before that because of the previous videos. Aren't they more revealing?"
He chuckled humorously.
"You would think so" he replied walking over and standing behind her making sure that the rope was tied tight enough, "It's difficult to say. But I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. I didn't do anything" he whispered in her ear and pulled away.
"What?" she said stunned as he picked up the tape.
"That last piece of video footage is the only real thing that I have done to you this entire time."
"But you said that."
"I know. But the question that you should be asking yourself is why did I do that? I wanted you and the monster to believe that I have done something that bad to you, that's why. Him so he'll get angry enough to transform and you so you'd be afraid of me and quite vulnerable when I had to put the final touches onto my video."
"You mean I'm?"
"Yes" he nodded and she felt a sense of relief in her heart, "You're still whole. For now."
"What do you mean by that?"
"The sun is setting" he looked towards the balcony, "I'm sure they will be arriving very soon and I have to get ready."
"You're just gonna leave me tied to this pole like this?"
"I think so. It'll be over in a matter of moments. And when I have my victory I'll come back and really get the job done. After all there is only so long a man can wait to have a woman" he opened the door carrying the tape, "Don't you agree?" he asked with a sinister smile as he closed the door behind him.
(Back)
She closed her eyes remembering his final words and then shook her head determinedly.
"There's no way" she said to herself, "That I am gonna be stuck like this and let him carry out his plan. I've got to get out of here" she began to struggle in the ropes once more.
(Next Scene)
Meanwhile Katsuya buttoned the last button on shirt and stared into the mirror with a look of determination on his own face. The sun had just set and the stars were starting to come out. Sakura came into the room as she saw him take a deep breath.
"Kaye" she replied slowly.
"Hmm?"
"Um, I think it's time."
"Yea" he nodded turning around.
"By the way, I have something for you" she said moving forward a little.
"Huh?"
"Reiji found it next to you when we were looking for you at the temple. Here" she handed him the object and he stared at it in his palm with a slight frown on his face.
"The promise ring" he looked up and she nodded.
"Mhm. When you find her you can give it back to her again."
"Thanks Sakura" he pocketed the ring in his pants and then grabbed a piece of paper off his desk, folded it, and placed it into the breast pocket of his shirt.
"What's that for?"
"Not important. I got to get going."
"All right" she said and then moved forward embracing him, "Please be careful."
"Sakura I'll be fine" he reassured her, "Pop will be with me and the others too."
"I know. But I am still worried."
"Don't worry" he replied pulling away and placing his hands onto her shoulders, "Besides this will all be over in a matter of hours. I will succeed and I will bring her home."
"I know you will."
"You just concentrate on taking care of mom tonight."
"Okay" she agreed and then the two of them walked into the hall where Takara was pacing the floor nervously.
"Hey princess" he knelt down with a smile when he saw her concerned expression.
"Please be careful tonight Kaye" she said, "And watch after my daddy."
"Of course."
"Well there's a vote of confidence" Yuki replied teasingly as he and Kyo entered the hall.
"Daddy" she rushed over to him and hugged him tightly, "Must you go tonight?"
"It's all right Takara" he patted her head gently, "I'm just gonna help Kaye out, that's all" he squatted down to look at her directly, "And you help Sakura out with your Aunt Tohru tonight, you understand?"
"Mhm" she nodded sadly.
"Good girl" he added kissing her forehead and standing back up.
"Speaking of which" Kaye replied, "Where is mom?"
"She's in our room" Kyo said, "I told her it would be best not to see us off in her condition. But she wishes us luck anyway."
"Well let's get going" Kaye replied opening the door and staring back at his sister who was trying to give him an encouraging smile.
"Good luck Kaye," she said.
"Yea! Good luck!" Takara added with a wave and the three men grinned as they left the safety of the house and entered into the unknown possibilities of the night ahead.
(Next Scene)
When they arrived outside Hatsuharu and Reiji were waiting in one of the Sohma cars, so Yuki climbed in with them while Kyo and Kaye climbed into the Kaye's truck. Since Reiji knew the way he drove leading the way and Kyo followed. Finally they arrived outside the large gate of the estate. As they climbed out of their cars Kyo and Yuki grimaced slightly.
"Now doesn't this feel familiar" Kyo replied still frowning.
"Very" Yuki nodded.
"Nakagami lives behind there?" Hatsuharu asked.
"Sure does" Reiji nodded, "And if you think these gates are big, you should see the inside."
"Well how do we get in?" Kaye said as up above them a camera watched them from atop the gate.
Inside Seitarou grinned menacingly as he turned to his brother.
"They're here" he replied, "Prepare your men. It's party time."
Souichirou nodded with an enthusiastic smile and then departed as Seitarou crossed his arms satisfactorily.
"It'll all be over soon," he thought to himself.
As the Sohmas stood outside the gate wondering the best way to enter in Reiji finally noticed the camera. During the time that they were all staring at the medium sized device, the large doors suddenly swung open, admitting them in.
"I guess this is his way of saying come on in?" Kyo said placing his hands onto his hips.
"More than likely" Haru nodded.
"Lead the way Reiji" Kaye replied and Reiji nodded entering the doors first.
But as they all arrived inside Reiji stopped abruptly.
"What's the matter?" Kaye asked.
"It's different" Reiji said, "I don't remember this being here before" he pointed.
"Oh man" Kaye grimaced as he saw what he was talking about and the others moved forward.
In front of them was a whole bunch of red beams that were being shot onto the ground like a force field, each beam changing it's direction every few seconds.
"Lasers" Yuki replied slowly looking up and seeing the device on a nearby wall.
"Not only that" Reiji said, "Look."
After the set of laser beams a huge maze of hedgerows had been erected, sure to be full of definite traps.
"Should have known that he wasn't gonna make this easy."
"It doesn't matter" Kaye shook his head, "You still know how to get to the house from here right?"
"Through a maze and a bunch of laser beams? I don't think so."
"Hold on boys" Haru interrupted seeing the frustration on both of their faces, "Let's take this one step at a time."
"What do you have in mind dad?" Reiji asked.
"Well for starters, let's deal with the laser beam problem" Haru began, "We're not going to get to the maze till we do."
"That's true" Kaye nodded.
"Mhm."
"It seems to me that we have to send someone through there" Kyo replied, "To turn it off. The box is right just beyond the beams."
"Yep" Haru agreed with a nod of his head.
"But who could do that?" Yuki said as both Kyo and Haru looked at him seriously, "Why are you both looking at me?"
"You're the best option Yuki" Haru replied.
"No way!" Yuki protested.
"Come on you damn rat" Kyo retorted, "You've got better balance then me and Haru put together."
"I. All right maybe that's true" Yuki agreed with a frown, "But even if I could get through those things there's no guarantee that I could turn it off once I got over there. How would I do it? I don't know the code."
"Code?" Reiji suddenly looked up, "Oh. Maybe this'll help" he pulled a small piece of paper from his pocket.
"What is that Reiji?" Kaye asked.
"Akito handed me this before I left the main house. He said that he did some research on it and that if there would be some kind of security system hooked up it would be on this paper" he opened the sheet and they looked at it.
"What do you know it's right there" Haru pointed and then looked back at Yuki.
"Go to it you damn rat," Kyo replied, "Now you have nothing holding you back" he held up his fist with a grin.
"I guess I don't" Yuki said a sigh as he took a step forward, "Here goes nothing."
"Now watch the master boys" Haru grinned as the boys stared in awe, "And learn."
Just as Haru and Kyo predicted Yuki moved expertly through and under the many moving beams. Kaye and Reiji were simply astonished at how good he was that when he finally arrived at the end without a scratch on him, their mouths were completely wide open.
"Well done Yuki!" Haru clapped, "Perfectly executed just like always."
"Thanks" Yuki called back, "Uh oh" he said with a frown.
"What's wrong Uncle Yuki?" Kaye asked.
"I don't have the code" he replied a little panicked.
"Oh no problem" Reiji said, "I'll get it to you" he squatted down and began to fold the paper several times.
"What are you doing Reiji?" Kaye replied.
"Trust me" he said and then lifted up the newly constructed paper airplane, "Perfect. Here it comes Uncle Yuki" he sent it flying out over the beams and Yuki caught it in the end.
"Good job son" Haru patted his shoulders.
"Thanks dad. Nice to know that all my years weren't wasted learning how to make those things."
"Well it was good thinking" Kyo added as Yuki examined the paper and turned off the power to the beams.
As soon as he finished the four of them ran over and thanked him.
"I knew you could do it" Haru replied.
"Thanks" Yuki nodded.
"Well Reiji" Kaye said, "Where to now?"
"I guess" Reiji replied a bit hesitant, "We go through the maze."
"Then let's hurry. We don't have any time to lose" Kaye rushed forward with the others right behind him, all of them entering the dark maze of hedgerows.
(Next Scene)
At that same moment Stephanie was still trying to remove herself from the pole. She was certain that Kaye and the others had arrived by that point.
"I've got to hurry," she told herself, "I can't let him hurt Kaye" she gasped, "Come on" she urged as she pulled.
(Net Scene)
Kaye ran through the maze until he came to a fork, making his stop with a halt.
"Oh boy" he replied as Reiji stopped beside him, "Now which way do we go?"
"Um" Reiji looked around him, "The house is located directly in the center. It's hard to say which direction to take to get to there though."
"Well in any event" Haru replied, "It looks like we're gonna have to separate after all."
"Huh?" Kaye and Reiji said together, "What do you mean?"
"Well look it goes into two different directions."
"Haru's right" Yuki nodded, "It would be more lucrative for us to go in separate ways."
"But" Kaye began.
"They're right son" Kyo nodded, "You're the one who has to ultimately make it to the top anyway. We have walkie talkies in case something goes wrong remember?"
"Yea" Reiji agreed, "But."
"Look, you two take that direction" Kyo pointed to the right of the two teenagers, "And we'll take this direction" he pointed to the left, "If you have any problems just call us on your walkie talkie" he handed it to them, "Remember" he patted his son's shoulder, "The most important thing is getting her back. At all costs" he added with a smile.
"Yes" Kaye nodded determined, "I know you're right. Let's go Reiji" he replied heading into the right hand direction with his cousin close at hand.
"Do you really think it's wise to let them go on their own?" Haru asked.
"Yea. No matter what happens we can slow down what's in their way. Come on" Kyo said leading the way into the left direction.
Yuki and Haru looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders, and then dashed after him.
(Next Scene)
Reiji and Kaye walked through the maze all the while looking for a sign of the house.
"Something's not right" Reiji replied.
"What is it?"
"We should have encountered some kind of trap by now. This is way to simple."
"Do you hear that?" Kaye suddenly said grabbing Reiji's attention.
"Huh?"
"Listen."
They both perked up their ears at the whirring sound that was coming towards them.
"It sounds like some kind of motor" Reiji replied slowly.
"No it's metal. And it's coming from directly above us" Kaye said, "No" he replied his eyes getting wider, "It's heading straight for us."
They both looked at the bushes to their left as the sound came closer.
"Look out Reiji!" Kaye jumped onto him knocking him to the ground.
"Ahh!" Reiji shouted as the two of them landed in the dirt while above them a couple of scythe like weapons moved across the row of hedges trimming them haphazardly, "Whoa that was close."
"Too close" Kaye nodded as they got to their feet, "We're gonna have to be more careful from now on."
"Yea" Reiji said a bit out of breath, "No kidding."
Meanwhile on the other side of the maze, Yuki was also catching his breath as Kyo and Haru examined the row of arrows that had been shot at them only seconds before, jammed into the bushes.
"Well I'll say this much for that little punk" Kyo replied picking up and arrow and snapping it into two, "He sure doesn't mess around."
"I'll say" Haru nodded.
"Come on" Yuko said, "Let's keep going."
"Hope the boys are all right" Haru replied as they started their trek again.
"Oh I'm sure they're fine," Kyo said reassuringly, "Otherwise we would have heard from them by now."
(Next Scene)
After the incident in the hedge maze Kaye and Reiji were much more wary of oncoming things and were able to sidestep a few more obstacles including some more scythe like machines, arrows, and swinging axes.
"Nice of him to build us a fun house to get through" Reiji replied out of breath once more.
"Of course Reiji. Otherwise it wouldn't be very interesting" Kaye added sarcastically as he caught his breath next to him.
"Yes" Reiji nodded and then looked up astonished, "I can see the house!"
"What?"
"There it is," he pointed and the two of them ran towards it.
But when they arrived at the stairs a tall muscular twenty something man stood in their path.
"Sorry boys. Can't let you pass" the man replied.
"Who the hell are you?" Reiji demanded.
"Who me?" he pointed to himself confused.
"Do you see any other hulking moron standing in our way?" Reiji replied sarcastically.
"Is that a trick question?" he scratched his head.
"Boy we got a bright one here," he whispered to Kaye.
"Tell me about it. What my cousin wants to know" he said to the man, "Who are you and what's your purpose here?"
"Oh that. My name is Souichirou Nakagami."
"Nakagami?" Reiji replied stunned.
"Let me guess" Kaye began with a frown, "You're the guy who beat me up the other night?"
"Yea. That's right. That was so much fun too. And now I get to see if you're as good as a fighter as your reputation."
"Well maybe I am. Especially when I am not being surrounded by smoke gas or being hit from behind."
"Take your best shot" he held out his fists.
"Reiji get behind me" Kaye ordered, "I got a score to settle with this creep. I'll handle this" he got into his fighting stance as Reiji moved behind him.
Souichirou was the first to charge Katsuya so he jumped out of the way and side swept him with his leg. Souichirou fell to the ground but he got up quickly. He swung his fist out which Kaye blocked, but he noticed something.
"This guy is really strong" he thought, "It's taking all my strength just to hold him back, "Hang on Stephanie. I'm coming."
(Next Scene)
On the other side of the maze Yuki, Haru, and Kyo were also in combat with the remaining men from Ushida's group. Yuki and Haru each had one while Kyo was handling two on his own. Soon the four men were down and the three of them were taking deep breaths.
"Well that was some much needed exercise" Haru replied with a satisfied grin, "That sure felt good."
"Look there's the house!" Yuki suddenly pointed.
"Come on!" Kyo shouted running ahead.
(Next Scene)
Meanwhile Kaye was also catching his breath as Reiji came over, knelt down since Kaye was kneeling.
"Kaye you're never gonna get to her in time. Let me take over."
"But Reiji you can't do martial arts as well as I can" Kaye protested as he eyed the other man who was waiting for him to stand.
"It doesn't matter. I can handle him on my own. You've got to get to her now."
"Mhm" Kaye finally nodded, "I'll go."
"Good. Find her Kaye. At all costs."
"One more thing before I go" he lowered his voice, "Once I get there. How do I find her?"
"Oh that's easy. More than likely he's got her in that room of his."
"What room?"
"The room he wouldn't allow anyone to go into the last time I was there. It's just next to the balcony that leads off of the sitting room."
"Okay. Thanks Reiji. HereI go!" he shouted leaping over the astonished brother.
Souichirou turned to go after him but Reiji got in his way as Kaye dashed up the first flight of steps.
"Where do you think you're going big boy?" he replied, "I'm your opponent now."
As he began to fight he thought of his cousin.
"Good luck Kaye. Remember, she's counting on you."
(Next Scene)
Katsuya arrived at the top and paused at the door, taking a deep breath. Overhead the skies became cloudy and in the distance he could hear thunder.
"Oh great" he thought closing his eyes, "This couldn't have come at a worse time. Oh well. Time to face the inevitable" he opened the door slowly and walked into the dark house.
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: I know. I know. I am so late with this. But don't worry I will finish this book tonight. See you in the last chapter of Book One!
Next Chapter: The Monster of the Curse Reappears
See ya!