(In this chapter parts of the dream sequence are going to be put in regular text so you can tell the difference to where Stephanie is speaking. Just so you know!)

Chapter Seven: Story Time

On Sunday morning Katsuya and Stephanie walked together to the Sohmas main house. On this particular day all the adults were gathering for another family meeting and Katsuya, Reiji, and Sakura were in charge of keeping the other kids busy. Reiji had suggested an afternoon of games and music and Kaye as an added bonus had talked Stephanie into telling the kids a story based on her dreams. His theory was although most of the kids were small; their input might help in the long run. She agreed but told him that the story would only last as long as her dreams had been, which up to this point had occurred for only six nights now, some with very little information. After the games and some music everyone gathered under the large tree and Reiji placed a chair in the front of the group. Takara, Hitomi, and Krysta were all sitting next to each other while Rika sat nearby with little Takuto on her lap. Raiu was on the other side sitting next to Krysta's younger brothers Mitao and Mikado and talking about the outcome of the games that they had played. Next to them Daisuke and his older sister Kanako sat, with the young teen holding Tora, Takuto's baby sister in her arms. Akito also sat in a chair close to where Sakura and Reiji were standing near to Kaye who was talking to both of them. And finally Angel and Naoko were sitting in front giggling away until Stephanie appeared. The younger children clapped as she sat down and then Daisuke spoke up.

"I thought you were going to tell us a story Stephy" he replied, "But I don't see a book."

"I am going to tell you a story Daisuke. But this story doesn't need a book. All you need is your imagination."

"Oh goody" Naoko grinned, "I like using my imagination."

"I'm glad" Stephanie said as Reiji also smiled, "Well my story begins a long time ago. Right around here in fact."

"Does the story have a title to it?" Krysta asked.

"Not really. But you can make one up. Where was I? Oh right. A long time ago, during the feudal era. Many wars broke out between the Ushida clan."

"BOO!" all the kids yelled.

"And the Sohma clan."

"YEA!" they cheered.

She laughed as she continued.

"Around this time" she replied and then began to tell the contents of her first dream, "Once all the children were gathered together they retreated to their hiding place and tried to decide what to do next."

The Children were fast asleep. Only Rentatsu and Suzuna remained awake.

"We can't go on like this" Rentatsu replied, "We have to get help."

"How?" Suzuna asked.

"One of us has to head towards the east and seek out the lord's aid, while the other has to lead the children towards the west."

"What's in the west Rentatsu?"

"In the mountains father told me resides another part of the Sohma clan. Descendants from the lord I've been told. Everyone will be safe there behind the walls. I will head out tomorrow morning towards the east and you must head to the west with the others."

"You can't go on your own Rentatsu."

"I have to Suzuna. I'm the oldest son. It's my duty to protect all of you, now that father is gone."

"I see. But."

"It's for the best Suzuna. For all of us."

"So the next morning as planned they parted ways, Rentatsu in one direction and Suzuna and the children in another. No sooner were they out of the village when they suddenly saw that the Ushida clan's soldiers were pursuing them once more. For hours upon hours they ran, hiding wherever they could and on the fourth day they finally reached the mountains, exhausted and more scared then they had ever been."

"I'm tired Suzuna" her younger sister replied.

"I know darling" Suzuna nodded, "I'm tired too. But we must keep going. We're nearly there. I can see the mountains."

"You don't look so good sis," Taka said.

"I'm all right" the pale faced girl answered, "Come on" she took her younger sister's hand.

"At that moment they heard horses once more and feared the worst. Suzuna told the children to duck and as she crouched over the eight of them, shielding them from view the horses stopped. She was a bit afraid to look back but did, and saw to her surprise a young man looking down at her with a concerned expression."

"Are you okay miss?" he replied.

At this moment Yamato wandered over and stood close by to listen.

"Suzuna was relieved to see that the Captain did not wear the uniform of an Ushida Soldier."

"Forgive us sir" she replied standing, "But we thought you were someone else" the children gathered around her, "The Ushida clan" he frowned slightly, "We have been trying to get away from them for days. Our village was attacked by them you see and we have come here to the west in search of the Sohma clan castle. We are all that's left."

"I see," he said kindly.

"Could you please tell us which direction to take? I."

"She couldn't finish, for she had fainted from exhaustion."

"Suzuna!" all the children cried.

"Oh no" Angel replied, "What happened to her?"

"She's tired" Stephanie said.

"I got a question" Daisuke replied fixing his cap.

"Yes Daisuke?" she looked his way.

"What do these people look like? How are we supposed to imagine it?"

"Well why don't you guys tell me what you think they look like?"

"I think Rentatsu looks like my big brother" Rika replied.

"What makes you think that Rika?" Stephanie smiled at her accuracy.

"Because he's brave just like Reiji. That's how I see him" she looked back at her brother.

"Well gee" Reiji blushed slightly.

"Okay. Any other suggestions?"

Within moments the children had accurately described Taka, the little girls and Suzuna exactly as Stephanie had seen them.

"But what about the Captain?" Daisuke said.

"Yea, what about him?" Raiu repeated.

"Well, how about I continue and then you can decide. Because you're gonna be seeing lots more of him."

All the children agreed and she went on.

"With the soldiers help and the kindness of the Captain Suzuna and the children were taken to a safe place. Four days passed until the exhausted girl reopened her eyes and she saw thegentle face of a woman staring back at her."

"Huh?" she replied, "Where am I?"

"Just relax dear" the regal woman answered, "You're safe and sound behind the walls of the Sohma clan."

"The Sohma clan?"

"That's right. Our Captain brought you all the way here."

"Where are my family?" she sat up suddenly in fear.

"It's okay" she pushed her back down onto the pillow gently, "All the children that came with you are fine. Lie back down. You've been asleep for four days. You must be very tired."

"Yes. We tried so hard to get here. Forgive but who are you? May I ask?"

"Of course. My name is Takara. Takara Sohma."

Suzuna's eyes became wide.

"You mean, you're the Queen?"

"I see you recognize the name" Takara laughed lightly, "I thought I knew your face. You must be a member of the Kim family."

"That's right, but how did you know that?"

"Because of this" she held up a pendant with a family crest engraved on it, "You had it on you."

"That's right" Suzuna nodded, "Rentatsu gave it to me before he left."

"Who dear?"

"My younger brother. Oh forgive me your majesty. I forgot to tell you my name. I'm Suzuna Kim and I am honored to meet you" she bowed her head.

"Likewise. And you were saying?"

"Oh yes. My brother. Rentatsu is fourteen and he went in the direction of the east. Our village was attacked by the Ushida clan and everyone was taken" Takara frowned slightly, "So my brother went to seek the aid of the lord in the east."

Takara sighed sadly.

"I'm afraid he would have gone for nothing."

"Huh?"

"Oh my dear. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but my brother Yotaro, the lord in the east was killed recently by the Ushida clan."

"Oh your highness" Suzuna gasped, "I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

"It's all right" Takara patted her hand, "It was a terrible loss but don't you worry. Your brother won't suffer the same fate. I will send the Captain of the guard immediately to find him."

"Thank you your majesty" Suzuna nodded as Takara clapped her hands and in came the same soldier who had rescued them.

"Akihito" the Queen replied, "I have another mission for you."

"Of course" he nodded coming into the light allowing his dark brown eyes that were twinkling and his long blond hair that was tied back to be seen, "Oh I see you're awake" he smiled at Suzuna, "Welcome back my lady" he bowed his head.

"Thank you. But you don't have to be so formal with me" she said back.

"That's nonsense my dear" Takara replied to the girl, "You are of noble blood."

"Huh?"

"Your father was a Kim correct?"

"Yes your majesty. His name was Mitao. Mitao Kim."

"I know. An old friend of mine too. My brother Yotaro granted him that town after the first war. Therefore he is of noble blood and so are you. Akihito you must find Lady Suzuna's brother who is headed towards the east."

"Of course. It would be my honor. I shall return with your brother Lady Suzuna" he bowed his head.

"Thank you" she said softly and then he nodded and departed quickly.

"Do not fret my dear. My son will locate your brother" the Queen replied.

"Your son?"

"That's right. Akihito is the oldest prince and the future ruler of the lands in the east. He's very handsome isn't he?"

"Yes your majesty" Suzuna replied with a nod as Takara smiled, "Quite."

"So he's a prince?" Hitomi interrupted.

"That's right. And a very good man."

"But she said the oldest" Raiu spoke up after, "Does that mean that there are more?"

"I'm getting to that. Three more days passed with still no sign of her brother, but Suzuna had gotten her strength back so on the fourth morning she rose from her bed and began to explore her new surroundings. She met up with her brother and sisters along with the other children and they were delighted to see that she was all right. The queen had informed her a few days ago that all the children but her own siblings had new homes to go to within the walls of the city, while she and her family would remain within the palace for the queen had taken a shining to her and without her knowing it was planning to put her in and her eldest child together. Later that same day she strolled about the grounds and came upon a small courtyard where another young man was practicing shooting with a bow and arrow. She paused for a moment while he was shooting, but he missed the bulls eye by a few inches."

"Damn" he muttered.

"If you aim more in the other direction" Suzuna spoke up, "You might be more successful."

He turned and stared at her for a moment and then turned back to the target preparing another shot. This time he aimed in the direction that she had suggested and it landed dead center in the bull's eye.

"It worked" he smiled, "You were right."

"You're not a bad shot," she said coming over.

"Where did you learn to do that?" he asked.

"My father taught me. He was one of the finest archers in our town."

"So I've heard" he nodded his brown eyes focusing on her features.

"Huh?"

"I know who you are. The whole castle is talking about you. You're Lady Suzuna right?"

"That's right. Suzuna Kim" she bowed her head, "And you are?"

"Ashitaka. Ashitaka Sohma."

"You're one of the princes too?"

"Uh huh. Although you probably never heard of me" he bowed his head and his medium length mahogany hair fell over his eyes, "I don't get out much."

"How come?"

"I get sick a lot."

"Do you have some kind of incurable disease?"

"Not exactly" he shook his head, "But it's something like that."

"Oh. I've met your brother."

"Yea. He's the greatest. He's gonna be the leader of the Sohma clan very soon."

"And what about you?"

"More than likely" he took off his quiver, "I'll take care of this region for as long as I can" he replied cryptically, "Like I said I don't get out much. I've never really ridden a horse or been outside the walls before either. My mother is very protective of me" he coughed a little, "But I feel fine today."

"Well in that case. If you don't mind that is, would you show me around here, within the walls? You do know the area don't you?"

"Uh sure" he nodded, "It's my first day out for awhile. I can show you."

"Thank you."

"The two of them walked side by side neither of them knowing that their meeting would change their lives forever. Soon Rentatsu was found and reunited with his family, telling them all about the brave heroics of Akihito who now he regarded as a great lord. Suzuna spent a lot of time with Ashitaka over the next few weeks. They talked about their lives and their family, spent sunlit afternoons with small picnics, and cool evenings staring at the stars. As for the queen's wishes Akihito was informed of them and thrilled with the idea for he had also taken a liking to the young girl. Soon Ashitaka became ill once more, because of the winter winds and since she couldn't see him, Akihito began his courting of her, while she worried about her dear friend, who in fact was becoming a lot more to her than just that. The leaves began to change and soon it would be spring. Akihito was set to take over the family line and his mother more than ever was pushing the marriage to happen with even Suzuna now so much to the point that she was dreading the day when Akihito would ask her. For in her heart there was only one person that she wanted to be with. And that was Ashitaka. Now that the cold winds had died down, he had gotten better and they began to spend time together once more, finally confessing how they felt. She told him of her fears and he said that the best thing to do would be to tell the truth; neither of them really knowing that, that time was drawing near. One month into spring Akihito approached her in the garden to discuss the future."

"Suzuna" he began.

"Yes your highness?"

"I can't tell you how these last few months have felt being by your side."

"I have enjoyed them too sire."

"I will become the lord in the east very soon. And I will have to leave here."

"I know. You're going to be a wonderful lord. My brother is anxiously waiting to serve you."

"I am fond of him too. Which is why I have asked him and he has agreed."

"Agreed? To what?"

"Going to the east makes me lord, but not a complete one. Suzuna" he took her hand, "My mother has suggested something I agreed with and so does your brother. She says it's time to take a bride."

"Oh?" she nodded knowing fully well what was coming.

"I can't think of anyone I'd rather have at my side more than you Lady Suzuna. Please would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"Oh you're majesty" she said sadly, "I admit that I was afraid that you were going to ask me this."

"What's wrong? Aren't you happy?"

"Any girl would consider herself lucky to be with you sire. But I'm afraid I can't accept."

"Why not? What's stopping you?"

"The truth is, I love someone else."

"Someone else?" he asked as she stood and turned her back to him, "Do I know him?"

"Yes. I'm afraid you do sire. For I am in love with your younger brother, Ashitaka."

"Ashitaka?" he said surprised.

"Yes for many days we have spent time together. Even on the days I spent time with you. We have grown to love each other quite deeply."

"I see" he replied slowly, "Ashitaka is it?"

"I'm so sorry" she said turning to him.

"Why? You couldn't have picked a better man" he smiled a little.

"What?"

"Suzuna I am disappointed. But you love my younger brother and he means a great deal to me too, because I have never seen him as happy as I have seen him lately, and now I think I understand why. You brought the light into his life. You took away the darkness."

"Then you're really okay with this?"

"Yes. If it's him, then I'm okay with it."

"Thank you Akihito" she smiled with tears, "You're a good man."

"Aw. What a nice guy" Takara said.

"Wasn't he?" Stephanie agreed.

"So now she and Ashitaka can live happily ever after right?" Angel replied.

"Aw. I knew this was going to turn into a boring love story," Daisuke complained.

"Actually" Stephanie said seriously, "It's not."

"Huh?" they all said as the teenagers listened intently as she went on.

(To be continued..)

Authors Note: Okay I got the first part done! See you later for the second part!

Next Part: Continuing the story…