Part Two:
"What do you mean it's not?" Hitomi asked.
"Well the queen was a little disappointed with the outcome of her match" Stephanie went on, "But when she discovered that Suzuna was in love with her youngest son, she was thrilled and at once set the plans in motion preparing for the wedding, for he would become the lord in the west and needed a queen also. But a dark cloud would befall all of them. And it happened only a week before the wedding."
Suzuna stood in the fields outside the walls with her two handmaidens gathering flowers for an upcoming banquet at the castle.
"You shouldn't be out here my lady" one of them spoke, "This is our job."
"I don't mind. Besides I haven't been outside the Sohma walls for some time" Suzuna answered back.
"But it's too dangerous" the other said.
"I'm not afraid. The castle is not too far away. We'll finish up here and go soon" she reassured them.
"But coming their way was a most unwelcome sight. On horseback were several soldiers and their flags bore the crest of the Ushida clan.
"Oh no!" all the kids exclaimed.
"Oh no is right. They galloped towards the women and at once the three of them dropped their baskets and began to run towards the Sohma walls. Suzuna urged the other two women forward much to their protest, but soon the horses overtook her while the others escaped to the inside of the walls. The Captain of the Ushida clan, that was wearing a mask that covered everything but his eyes and mouth ordered the men forward and within seconds she was placed upon a horse and carried off into the direction of the Ushida clan's land.
"Those jerks" Raiu muttered angrily as Mitao and Mikado nodded in unison.
"What is she going to do?" Angel cried holding onto Naoko's hand while Akito leaned in closer to hear.
"Well at that moment the two handmaidens had reached the castle, informed Akihito and Ashitaka about the attack. Right away along with Rentatsu they both leapt to their feet to go and rescue her. Even though the queen insisted that it would be a bad idea for her younger son, Ashitaka could not be swayed" Stephanie looked at Kaye briefly and he smiled, "Because he loved her so much. Meanwhile the Captain of the guard led Suzuna into the palace where she would meet the leader of the Ushida clan for the first time" Stephanie shuddered a little.
The Captain entered the throne room with the girl and pushed her forward. Suzuna stood in front of the leader who was sitting smugly in his chair dressed all in black, his dark hair tied back and his ice blue eyes flashing.
"We found this girl on the outskirts of the Sohma clan's land" the Captain replied in a soft teenage voice, "She's dressed in royal attire" he indicated her fancy kimono.
"So she is" the leader nodded with a grin, "That leads me to believe that she is the one who is engaged to the great Akihito Sohma."
"What?" she said perplexed at his wrong guess.
"That is who you are?" he stared at her directly, "Isn't that rightmy lady?" he stood up, admiring her looks as he moved closer, "We saw the notice about it recently in a village we attacked of theirs. So you must be her. There is no princess in that family after all. So it has to be true. In fact my men went all that way just to retrieve you."
"Why?"
"Naturally because we're the Ushida clan, and I told them to. For I am the leader of this illustrious clan" he said pompously, "And my name is Koji Ushida."
"I know who you are. I've seen you before" she frowned.
"Oh? How is that possible, when I do not believe that I have seen you before?"
"About three years ago you rode with your soldiers through my village and my father, the elder told you to leave" the Captain's eyebrows rose slightly, "I was only thirteen then, but I remember you."
"Your father. Ah!" Koji smiled remembering, "Now I remember. You must be one of the children that escaped from that village months ago. And if you're the elder's daughter, than you must be Suzuna?"
"Huh?" she looked up startled, "How could you possibly know that?"
"Your father mentioned you before he died."
"What? You killed him?" she said angrily.
"He refused to join my army, so I had no choice. Besides the Kim family are loyal to my enemies."
"You monster! How could you do something like that? He was an old man," she cried.
"Old. But still very strong" Koji moved around her, "I could have used his skills but he was stubborn about it. So you escaped to the Sohma's land did you? And now you find yourself engaged to one of them. The future lord of the east. You've done really well for yourself. Your father would be proud."
She gritted her teeth furiously as he moved back in front of her.
"However the wedding will never take place, I'll make sure of it."
"He'll come for me" she replied referring to Ashitaka.
"I'm counting on it. That way I can wipe out the next lord and have nothing to worry about. In the meantime you're just going to have to remain with me. I'll make Tsukasa your personal guard."
"Huh?" she looked to her left as the Captain removed his mask and his long brown hair came tumbling out and she could see his dark hazel eyes.
"He will look after you" Koji finished.
"Yes sire" Tsukasa nodded.
The guards took Suzuna to her quarters while Tsukasa remained at his leaders side.
"Lovely girl" Koji replied as he sat back down, "What do you think Tsukasa?"
"Hmm?"
"Future queen material" he smiled menacingly.
"Whatever you say sire" Tsukasa answered but in his heart he felt differently.
"Hold on a minute!" Raiu interrupted.
"Mhm. What is it Raiu?" Stephanie said looking towards him.
"Is this Tsukasa an Ushida too?"
"No as a matter of a fact, he's not. Can I continue?"
"Sorry" he blushed.
"That's okay. I don't mind. Now let's see. Oh yes. Suzuna remained trapped behind the Ushida walls for five days hopelessly staring out the windows during the day and torturously being bothered by the Ushida clan leaderat night. On the sixth day news spread throughout the Ushida castle that Sohma horses had been spotted making the lord depart with as many of his best soldiers, leaving Tsukasa in charge of Suzuna. Around lunchtime he came once more carrying a tray to her room with a deep pain in his heart."
Tsukasa entered the room and brought the tray over to the table.
"I brought you your meal my lady" he replied softly.
"Take it away. I don't want it," she said not looking from the window, "I don't want anything your lord offers in hospitality."
"Suit yourself" he sighed then he noticed her clothes, "What happened to you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are your clothes torn like that?"
"Why do you care" she lowered her head.
Tsukasa sighed again and then left the room his heart hurting even more. Slowly closing the door behind him he leaned against it and frowned slightly. Then he nodded his head determined and moved down the stairs where his men were guarding in the corridors.
"Captain" they replied in unison.
"I want everyone stationed towards the gates" he ordered, "Every guard that is here within the palace. The time has come when the lord told me to do this."
"Yes sir" the nodded and then went to gather the others prepared to carry out the task that he had commanded.
"That takes care of them" he told himself, "Now for the hard part."
He moved back towards Suzuna's room and opened the door abruptly.
"Did you forget something?" she said turning around.
"Yea. You."
"Huh?"
"I'm getting you out of here."
"What?"
"Don't ask questions. Come on!" he pulled her hand and ran out the door.
"But I."
"He led the astonished girl down many pathways, corridors, and secret staircases. Finally they reached the outdoors and she could see the castle far behind her."
"Where are we going?" she asked a bit frightened.
"Just trust me. Come on!" he urged her with a yank of her hand.
"They ran through the tall grass for miles it seemed until at last they arrived at a large tree where he stopped and let go of her hand to catch his breath."
"Okay. This is as far as I can take you. If you keep heading in that direction" he pointed to the right, "You'll eventually reach the mountains. It's a short cut."
"But why did you do this? Why did you help me?"
"Because I couldn't stand what was happening to you. Not to you of all people. It was eating me up. I can't explain any more than that. You should go."
"What about you?"
"I'll be fine. Now go before it's too late" he pushed her forward.
"Wait. Can I at least know the name of my rescuer?"
"Tsukasa" he replied, "Tsukasa Nakagami."
"WHAT!" everyone exclaimed.
"Thank you Tsukasa. I'm Suzuna Kim."
"I know. I've known you for a long time. Now hurry" he pushed the confused girl again and then ran in the opposite direction, "And good luck!" he called as he ran.
"Still confused Suzuna ran all the way in the direction that he had said. Finally exhausted she once more found herself rescued by the brave Captain Akihito Sohma. But when she arrived at last at the Sohma's castle her brother greeted her with most distressing news."
"I'm so glad that you're safe Suzuna" Rentatsu replied as they pulled away from their embrace.
"I'm fine. But where is Ashitaka?"
"Um" Rentatsu hesitated looking at Akihito, "The thing is."
"Where is he Rentatsu?" she said worried now.
"I'm sorry Suzuna. He's not well. He's been wounded badly."
"Oh" she gasped and headed at once for Ashitaka's room.
"But when she arrived there she saw what her brother had meant. For lying in his bed was the young prince with his grieving mother nearby."
"Ashitaka!" Suzuna ran forward, "My love. I'm here" she took his hand.
He opened his eyes slowly and tried to smile.
"Suzuna. You're all right," he said softly.
"Yes, I'm fine. Your brother brought me back."
"That's good. I'm sorry I couldn't get to you in time. I'm afraid I'm not as strong as the others are. I've always known that but I wanted so badly to save you as a man. My body just couldn't handle it and I got careless. An arrow struck me."
"It doesn't look like it hit a vital spot. We can heal you."
"That's just it," he continued as his mother cried even more, "This act has made my body weaker. I've lost a lot of blood and I'm afraid that I'm dying" Suzuna shook her head as the tears fell from her eyes, "I have to tell you something. Something I should have told you before. I had every intention on telling you about this before we got married, but things got in the way that prevented it" he coughed hoarsely.
"Save your strength," she whispered.
"No, I want you to hear this. Do you remember I told you when we first met that I get sick all the time?"
"Yes."
"I don't have a disease. But my family is under a curse and I possess what is known as the core of it. I was never meant to live for very long Suzuna. Somehow meeting you prolonged my life and I was able to live just a little bit longer. I'm sorry my love. I should have told you sooner. But I always knew that I would die young so I am not afraid. I am glad though" he touched her cheek and felt the tears wet his palm, "That I was able to see you one last time."
"No" she cried.
"I love you Suzuna. And I always will" he spoke even more softly as he closed his eyes, "You have given me a life more meaningful than I ever thought possible and now I can die knowing that I am no longer surrounded by darkness and despair. Instead I am entering the light. So thank you, my love" he whispered as one last tear fell from his eye.
"Ashitaka?" she said, "Ashitaka" she felt his cold hand, "ASHITAKA!" she screamed as the rain began to fall.
The children had tears coming out of their eyes and Kanako wiped a few from her own as Stephanie struggled to finish the story.
"With that the young prince, carrying the core of the Zodiac curse died peacefully with his love at his side" Stephanie sighed, "To be continued" she concluded.
"What!" some of them exclaimed as Katsuya stood in silence, "You can't end it there."
"Yea what about revenge against the Ushidas?" Mitao shouted.
"Sorry you guys. But next time I promise to finish the next part for you. I think it's time for a snack anyway."
"That's a good idea" Reiji nodded, "You've got to be tired from all that talking anyway. Let's give her a round of applause" he started clapping.
Everyone clapped and then jumped up for the snack that Sakura and Kanako were starting to hand out. Stephanie moved towards Katsuya and saw his somber expression.
"Katsuya is everything all right?" she asked him.
"Um. Not really" he replied back.
"Come on" she took his hand, "Let's go to the waterfall and talk about it" she led him out of the area.
(Next Scene)
They walked to the waterfall behind the houses and stopped. Katsuya moved forward placing his back to her.
"So what is it? What's bothering you?"
"He died."
"Yes. And?"
"He looked like me right, and he died?"
"What do you mean Kaye?"
"When my mother had those dreams the characters looked a lot like them. And from your story I'd gather that it's the same thing. I mean the lord of the Ushida clan, he looks like Seitarou Nakagami doesn't he?"
"Yea" she nodded.
"I could tell by your expression. But the one who looked like me died and that scares me a little."
"Kaye. It's all right" she placed a hand on his back, "To be honest I don't know what's going to happen next. But it has nothing to do with us. It's all in the past."
"History repeats itself" he replied bitterly.
"I'm not worried about that. I'm just trying to find out what the dreams are about. You're the one who suggested the story anyway."
"I know that. And you're a damn good story teller too" he smiled at her.
"Thanks" she smiled back and walked around to embrace him, "It's going to be okay. I have a feeling that even though he's gone, he's still going to be with her."
"I know that's true. Because that's how I would feel in his shoes."
"Hmm. Just be grateful. We're not having problems like they are."
"That's true" he repeated, "And I hope it stays that way" he nodded.
(Next Scene)
Tsukasa walked out of his bathroom that evening as his cell phone rang and he walked over to pick it up.
"Hello Tsukasa Nakagami" he replied.
"Well, I'm surprised that you're actually using that name, cousin" a familiar voice said on the other end.
Tsukasa's eyebrows rose as he frowned.
"Seitarou. What the hell do you want?"
"Oh nothing much, except to inform you that I plan to catch up with you when I come into town next week. See you then" he chuckled and then hung up the phone.
"Wait! Huh? Damn it!" Tsukasa said, "This is not good" he shook his head, "This is not good by a lot."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Okay I am done for this week. Unfortunately I didn't make it in time to put the two parts of this chapter up because of the scheduled upgrade to the site, so I have put it up now. Hope you liked them and I will see you next week for the last six chapters of Book Two!
Next time on Curse Renewed:
Chapter Eight: The Return of Seitarou
You guessed it! Seitarou is back and this time he intend to help carry out the Ushida's ultimate plan with Tsukasa on his side he hopes. See what happens next time!
And
Chapter Nine: Why Do You Protect Me?
Not telling!