Tsukasa stood behind the tree quietly as Stephanie and Sophie walked past on their way to the park. He watched them both carefully and glanced around at the surrounding area. When he saw that his cousin was nowhere in sight he gave a heavy sigh of relief as he slowly looked up at the sky. He knew that the girls were meeting Katsuya and Sakura at the park as they had previously decided to do. But his conversation the night before last with Seitarou had put him more on edge then before. When he saw that they had arrived at the picnicblanket and that Katsuya was indeed there, he pulled away from the tree, with one more quick glance and then strode away heading for his apartment. From where he stood Kaye saw him depart and frowned slightly but Stephanie saw his expression so he at once reverted back to his usual smile so as not to worry her.
As he walked slowly back home Tsukasa stuck his hands in his pockets and sighed again. Seitarou's smug face kept coming back to his mind and he shook his head out of frustration as he arrived at his front door and placed the key into the keyhole. He turned the knob and entered in. The entire place was dark so he flipped on a switch, activating the nearby lamp, and sidestepped a pair of sneakers he had worn on Sunday to do his shadow protecting. He walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator casually but then closed it with a slam resolutely. Then he walked to his room where he collapsed onto the bed face forward into his pillow. After which he rolled onto his back and placed his hands behind his head and frowned, but it was more of a worried expression which furrowed his eyebrows as he stared at the ceiling.
"He's wrong" he thought, "Seitarou can't possibly be right about this. He's just trying to distract me," he said to himself as he went over the events of Sunday evening.
He had been on his way home after another day of protecting Stephanie when Seitarou had pulled up in his red truck requesting an audience with him. Even though he refused his request, he still accepted the invitation to the mansion that night, and despite his apprehension he had agreed and walked into the main hall at exactly seven o'clock.
"All right I'm here" he scowled at Seitarou with his arms crossed as his cousin sat at his table with a cup of tea before him and more on the table for his guest.
"Well sit down cousin" Seitarou replied in a friendly sort of tone, "And we'll get started."
(Next Scene)
Tsukasa paused for a moment searching Seitarou's face for any sign of betrayal and then sat down reluctantly.
"Can I offer you some refreshment?" Seitarou asked politely.
"No thank you" Tsukasa saidtrying to restrain the tenseness in his voice.
"Okay then" Seitarou sighed contently, "Suit yourself. I suppose you're wondering why I asked you here tonight?"
"Gee you think?" Tsukasa answered back sarcastically, "Just tell me what you want and then I got to go."
"Why do you have such venom in your voice Tsukasa?" Seitarou replied, "When I am prepared to offer you an answer to one of your problems."
"What makes you think that I would want your offer?" Tsukasa said angrily, "No, what makes you think I would ever take an offer from you?" he changed his wording.
"We're family aren't we? And family is supposed to look after one another isn't that right?"
"We're family" Tsukasa grinned slightly, "But not by choice."
"I'm sorry?" Seitarou frowned a little, "I don't think I understand. You'd rather ally yourself with the Sohmas? The enemies of our forefathers then ally yourself with your own flesh and blood?"
" No. I'd rather ally myself with someone I can trust" Tsukasa shot back.
"Trust? You can trust me?"
"Where have you proven that?"
"Where have I not proven it?"
"You're unbelievable" Tsukasa stood up and turned his back clenching his fists, "Do you honestly think I don't know all that stuff that you pulled? Did you think I wouldn't figure it out?"
"Stuff? Oh you mean all those things in the past" Seitarou grinned, "Why do you hold such vengeance towards me though? After all it was all that sluts doing anyway."
Tsukasa jerked his head up and his eyes burned as he turned his head to look at Seitarou.
"What did you just say?" he hissed.
"You heard me" Seitarou replied, "I didn't do anything to her that she didn't want done."
"You take that back" Tsukasa said through gritted teeth, "I know Molly, she would never do something like that."
"Maybe you don't know her as well as you think you do."
"I suppose all the lies about me weren't told by you either?" Tsukasa replied back.
"I have nothing to say."
"Then neither do I" Tsukasa nodded turning his back on him again, "Goodbye Seitarou."
"Incidentally" Seitarou said as Tsukasa moved forward, "Why do you care now about someone like her when you have moved on?"
Tsukasa stopped dead in his tracks but didn't look back.
"Care to explain that one?" he replied back angrily.
"I mean why do you care about Molly when it is clearly obvious that you have gotten over her?"
"I don't see what you're getting at?" Tsukasa said as he spun around once more, "What are you talking about?"
"Don't think I haven't noticed what you have been up to lately. It seems you're always around now. Making sure I stay as far away from her as possible. Miss Kamiya I mean. Or do you call by her first name?" he added smugly as Tsukasa's eyes became furious again, "Stephanie. It really is a lovely name."
"Seitarou" Tsukasa managed to spit out, "I am going to give you one final warning before I go. Wherever she is, I will be. To protect her from you or any one else connected with the Ushida or Nakagami line."
"Hmm. So I guess my suspicions have been confirmed. You have got a thing for Sohma's girl."
"What?"
"Just admit it Tsukasa. You're in love with her" he smiled sinisterly on the last line and then chuckled, "Which makes you absolutely pathetic."
"You're wrong about that" Tsukasa retorted.
"I don't think so. I ought to know. I too have those same feelings."
"You wouldn't know love if it hit you in the face. I've stayed to long already" Tsukasa turned his back one final time, "Stay away from her or else Seitarou. You don't wantme to deal with, trust me," he added as he opened the door and walked outside.
Seitarou leaned back in his chair with a huge grin and nodded satisfactorily to himself, next to him a familiar small book with leather bindings.
Tsukasa sighed once more as he fought to suppress the memories of the night at the mansion, but deep in his heart he wondered if this was in fact one of those times that Seitarou had been accurate on how he truly felt. He sat up and pulled his pillow close to him. I mean he knew that he enjoyed spending time with her in the library and talking about the dreams and even at school they were on very good terms. He thought about her medium length brown hair and her soft brown eyes that twinkled when she smiled. Her smile. He leaned back down placing the pillow behind his head and smiled himself as he pictured her smile. Then he shook his head out of such foolishness and berated himself as he placed the pillow over his head.
"This is not happening," he told himself over and over, "This is crazy. I can't be. I can't really be… in love with her."
(Next Scene)
Later that evening Stephanie was placing her boom box back inside after an evening of another song for the neighborhood, which Kaye, Sakura and Raiu who had joined them all stayed to listen to. Sophie wandered into her sister's room and smiled.
"Raiu said he enjoyed the song" she replied.
"He's a sweet kid" Stephanie grinned as she sat down on her bed.
"Can I talk to you about something?"
"Sure" she patted her bedspread and Sophie sat down, "What's up? You and Raiu are doing okay right?"
"Oh yea. It's been lots of fun. Takara and Krysta are very happy. We haven't said anything at school yet, but he says I'm his special girl."
"That's good to know" Stephanie chuckled, "Because you are."
"Thanks. Steph, I want to know something. Something's that's been bothering me for awhile."
"Okay" Stephanie nodded concerned a little by the note of seriousness in her sister's voice.
"Well, it's about everything that happened to you two months ago. I'm sorry but unlike mom and Keiichi I don't think that you have no idea what happened? I think you know who kidnapped you but for some reason you have to keep a secret. And I think I might know what that secret is" Sophie continued as Stephanie became instantly worried.
"Sophie" she began.
"Just hear me out. You see Raiu told me something today. And I think it applies with you too" she looked up with a knowing look.
"Sophie" Stephanie replied slowly, "Did Raiu tell you about, the Zodiac curse?"
"Mhm. He told me that he changed himself into that snake I saw to see if I liked snakes. I thought that was really romantic" she blushed slightly.
"I see."
"You're not mad that I knoware you?"
"No" Stephanie took a deep breath, "To be honest I'm rather relieved."
"Stephen knows too doesn't he? Because he is going out with Kaye's sister?"
"Mhm he knows.
"But no one else?"
"Only people who know about the Zodiac curse."
"So is that the reason, why you didn't say anything?"
"Yea" Stephanie nodded, "The reason I was kidnapped was because of that. But Kaye saved me. And I have been safe ever since."
"Because Kaye is one also?"
"Yes. He is. In fact most of the Sohmas that you have met are one."
"Oh. Takara?"
"Mhm."
"And Krysta and Hitomi."
"Yep."
"Wow. How many are there all together?"
"Fourteen. Kaye is the Tiger. His sister's the cat. Takara is a Rabbit and Krysta is a horse. You know about the Chinese Zodiac?"
"Mhm. Raiu told me all about it. How it works. But because of what happened will that bad man come back?"
"Actually" Stephanie hesitated slightly, "He's already back."
"He is?" Sophie replied worried.
"Mhm. He's actually my age. He's in my school. But don't you worry. I have a body guard that watches out for me."
"Body guard?" Sophie's eyes became wide.
"Well not so much a body guard, but more a shadow protector" Stephanie smiled a little.
"Oh. Is it the one we always seem to be running into?"
"Yea."
"Wasn't he the guy who was at the library that you were running away from?"
"Well we're okay now. It was just a little bit confusing there. Sophie" Stephanie said, "I was wondering, now that you know about all this, how would you like to accompany me to the Sohma main house next Sunday?"
"What for?"
"Well you have been asking me lately about what I am doing at the library all the time. Wouldn't you like to find out what?"
"Okay" Sophie nodded, "Then I can see Raiu" she exclaimed.
"That's just what I was thinking" Stephanie grinned as they both embraced.
(Next Scene)
On Sunday afternoon the children once more gathered in front of the large tree to hear the next part of the story. As before Shigure had come to listen, but this time with Ayame and Hatori as an added bonus. Raiu and Sophie sat cozily next to each other as Stephanie sat down in her chair and the kids clapped.
"Okay. Good afternoon you guys. Are we ready for the next part?"
"Yea!" all the kids cheered as Ayame clasped his hands together.
"This is so exciting" he exclaimed.
"Calm down Ayame" Hatori instructed.
"Yes Aya" Shigure added, "You won't be able to hear if you act like that. And believe me it's worth it to listen. Oh hello Yamato" he grinned as the teenager came out and sat down next to them.
"Good afternoon" he grinned slightly back as Akito sat down at his feet and then they both turned to the young girl in the front.
"All right" she began, "Who wants to recap us? Yes Naoko" she smiled as the little girl who was wearing two shiny purple ribbons in her pigtails held up her hand.
"They had just begun their journey to the east and were attacked by the Ushida clan" Naoko said in her sweet voice as her father beamed at her.
"Yea" Daisuke grinned, "And then that Nakagami rescued Suzuna and he carried her to the east himself. The last we left off he went away."
"That's right" Stephanie nodded, "Good remembering. Okay. When Suzuna arrived at the palace she was greeted by her frantic family along with Akihito who was very glad that she was perfectly safe. After informing them that her rescuer had disappeared some time in the night and that she had made her way alone to the palace she shut herself in her room for some much needed rest. But despite her fatigue her mind kept coming back to the mysterious Nakagami and his true intentions when it came to her safety. After all she had never heard of anyone who only helped someone they hardly knew for no reason whatsoever. But hadn't he said the first time that they met, that he knew her already, and hadn't he said the night before that he had his own reasons for his actions. With all these thoughts in mind, Suzuna gradually fell fast asleep."
"Days turned into weeks. Weeks into months. Akihito had become the new lord in the east and had successfully gathered enough men to create an army to protect his people from the onslaught of Ushida clan attacks. He himself had every intention on going to battle soon and was more determined then ever to give it another try on his affections for the young girl. So one moonlit night he found her in her favorite spot in the garden and approached her.
"My lady" he replied softly.
"My lord" she bowed her head as she rose from the ground, "I'm sorry. Should I not be out this late?"
"No it's all right" he said gently, "You can do as you like. I just wanted to talk to you."
"Oh?"
"Yes. We have been here for several months and I have been so busy to ask you if you like it here."
"Oh. Well it's wonderful here my lord. We lack for nothing thanks to my lord's hospitality and we are eternally grateful" she bowed her head.
"I'm glad. But I was simply asking what you thought. Do you like it here?"
"Me? Of course. It's beautiful here" the wind rustled her hair softly and his heart skipped a beat.
"That's great" he smiled then he took her hand, "Suzuna."
"Hmm? Yes my lord."
"I know I can never take the place of Ashitaka in your heart, but I believe in mine that I simply can't continue going on without you like this. And even though I am going against my own better judgment, I must ask. Do you think it's possible, for you my lady to open your heart enough again, for the likes of this lonely lord?"
"Akihito" she said surprised even though she knew it would happen, "I. What do you mean?"
"I mean, I want to marry you Suzuna. I want you to bemy lady. My wife. I'm asking you to marry me. Please my lady. Will you?"
Suzuna paused and then looked up into his eyes staring at the honesty in them. She remembered her brother's words from months ago, and rather then disappoint him or her father she slowly nodded.
"Yes, my lord" she replied, "I would be honored."
"Thank you" he kissed her hand happily, "I promise to protect you for the rest of my life" he embraced her and she held him back.
"But even though she had promised, she still felt a pain in her heart, wondering if she was doing the right thing. She knew of course that Ashitaka would want her to be happy, and really it wasn't her feelings for him that was holding her back but something else, although she couldn't pinpoint what it was. Anyway, two days later the news was announced throughout all the towns, and Ushida furious with the outcome of things, sent his best men to the east, to retrieve what he believed what was rightfully his. Against the wishes of her brother, Suzuna would often ride outside the castle walls, along with two handmaidens and two soldiers that Akihito had commissioned to go along with her. On this particular day, it was windy, and a storm was about to brew."
"My lady" one of the handmaidens replied, "We should head back. It's going to rain soon."
"I know" Suzuna nodded in agreement, "I just wanted to bring back some flowers to my sister who isn't feeling very well" she said gathering the bouquet together.
The soldiers who were standing close to the trees as the women gathered the blossoms suddenly heard a horn and grabbed for their swords. Within seconds Ushida's men were upon them and the women were ordered onto their horses. Suzuna and the two handmaidens had just mounted when the soldiers were outnumbered, but as it seemed that they wouldn't escape another rider appeared, clad in grey and wearing a very familiar mask. Suzuna gasped when she saw him charge against the other riders and signaled the women to ride. They obeyed as he did his best to take out the Ushida clan with his sword. The women rode until Suzuna pulled back and saw the rider in grey head into the woods, so she turned her horse and followed.
"My lady!" the handmaidens called but she did not stop her horse.
Her horse's feet pounded the ground as she rode. She looked ahead of her trying to spot the rider in grey but didn't notice that a stray Ushida clan rider was following her. Try as she might she couldn't outride him and soon he was riding beside her trying to stop her horse. She closed her eyes in fear but then a horse flew over both of them and the rider in grey was right in front of them his sword brandished. He charged the Ushida rider driving him off and then turned to the woman beside him.
"Come on!" he shouted and then the two of them rode deeper into the forest.
"The rain began to fall as they finally arrived at a small cabin that was unoccupied. They jumped off their horses just in time and ran inside. The rider in grey closed the door behind them and removed his mask."
"What did you think you were playing at?" he said angrily to her as she removed her cloak, "Following me. You could have gotten yourself taken."
"I'm sorry. I just had to see if it was you that's all" Suzuna replied.
"Well it was foolish" Tsukasa huffed, "Honestly where would you be if I wasn't around to protect you?"
"I know" she nodded, "I know you're right. But I couldn't help myself."
"You are one strange girl" he shook his head grinning slightly, "Well no use bellowing over things that have happened in the past. This rain isn't going to let up any time soon. We're stuck here for awhile" he moved over to the side and began to place wood into the fireplace, "Good thing I got matches" he lit one and threw it, "Otherwise it would be freezing in here."
"Tsukasa" she said slowly.
"Yea."
"Have you really been around all this time?"
"What?" he looked back.
"You said you would always be around. Have you really been watching me all this time?"
"I didn't lie about that" he nodded, "Here put your cloak back onnow" he wrapped it around her, "It'll be freezing otherwise."
"Thank you. You know, when I'm in the village, I would sometimes look for you to see if you're out there."
"You don't have to do that. Besides you should be concentrating on other things not me."
"I can't help it. You fascinate me."
"What? I'm hardly fascinating."
"No but you are. Mostly because I don't understand why you do it."
"I told you, I have my reasons."
"That's not good enough for me anymore. I know you said in the past, that you know me, but I have been trying to figure out how that is possible."
"Suzuna."
"Please. You have to tell me. Show me the courtesy of that much at least."
Tsukasa sighed.
"You really want to know?" he turned around and faced her.
"I wouldn't ask if I didn't."
"All right. I'll tell you, but you're not going to remember."
"Try me" she sat down.
"Okay. I know you because I know your father. Knew your father," he corrected himself.
"My father?"
"Mhm. My parents and my family used to reside in your village a long time ago. We weren't rich or well to do. In fact we were the poorest people there. But your father allowed us to stay. My father and brothers often did odd jobs for your father around the town. I was too young back then."
"How old were you?"
"Nine."
She nodded and then realized.
"The flowers."
"Huh?" he jerked his head up in surprise, "What did you say?"
"The flowers" she repeated, "A long time ago,I met a small dirty faced boy with a kind heart and he helped me home when I tripped and swollen my ankle. Before he left he handed me a bouquet of flowers."
"So you do remember."
"That boy was you wasn't it Tsukasa?"
"Yea it was. That was the first time we ever met" he nodded, "Your father sought me out after that and asked me how I found you because no one ever could" she smiled slightly, "You were even trouble back then" she giggled, "I told him and he was impressed, so he asked me to do something for him that no one could."
"And what was that?"
"Look out for you. Since I always knew where you were. At least I did until we were taken."
"Taken?" she said sadly.
"The Ushida clan found out our last name, which is Nakagami and they at once took us into their realm, no questions asked. Just we had to go. That was the day I became a member of the Ushida clan, because of my last name. But I didn't forget you or your father. I couldn't. When I found out that Koji had killed him, my anger towards the Ushida clan began. And then to have you kidnapped, that was the last straw. I had promised your father to look after you and I never forgot that" he looked at her directly.
"Tsukasa" she said slowly, "Thank you."
"It's no big deal" he stood up, "It's just who I am now. Nothing. A nobody. A shadow and nothing more."
"And is your promise that you made to my father the reason why you protect me so diligently?"
"One of the reasons" he admitted.
"One?"
"The less you know the better" he lowered his head and his brown hair hung in his eyes.
"But. I don't understand" she stood up.
"You're not supposed to understand, because if you did then everything would make sense."
"What?"
"My lady. I have but one mission, and that is to return you to your fiancée no matter what" he added, "That's all you need to understand."
"Tsukasa you have never been anything but honest with me and so kind. I must ask something else of you."
"What?"
"I want to know if you think that I am making a mistake?"
"Huh? A mistake in what?"
"Am I making a mistake in marrying Akihito Sohma?"
"I don't see how" he bent down and fumbled through some blankets that were on the floor, "You were engaged to him before."
"No I wasn't" she shook her head and he looked back.
"What?"
"It wasn't Akihito I was engaged to, but his brother Ashitaka Sohma. Your lord was mistaken."
"Ashitaka Sohma?"
"Mhm. But he died because of a wound he had received when he came to rescue me. He didn't survive."
"I'm sorry. But why do you want to know if I think you should marry the lord."
"Because you're the only friend I have like this. I can't talk to my brother about it because he's all for it. And I can't talk to any of my handmaidens because they will just say that I am nervous."
"So you want my opinion?" he asked confused.
"Yes. Do you think I am making a mistake?"
"Uh" he stammered, "I'm not sure I'm the best person to ask this" he stood back and placed his back to her.
"Why not?"
"I'm just not. Trust me."
"But I really want to know what you think" she moved closer to him.
"Suzuna please don't ask me this question. You're making it so much harder" he closed his eyes.
"What?"
"Look, I'm no expert but really I am not the best person, to ask."
"You've said that, but you haven't explained why."
"Because I may not give you the answer that is the right one."
"How do you mean?"
"I mean I might let my feelings get involved with my answer."
"Feelings? Tsukasa" she said slowly.
"It doesn't matter. It wouldn't matter. You are about to be married to a lord and I have to be a shadow. That is all I am good for now, but I can't say there isn't a little part of me, that will tell you no."
She was silent as he turned to her.
"The idea of another man being with you, when all I can do is watch it does make me hurt a little, but then I think that you're better off where you are."
"Tsukasa are you saying that" she began but he nodded and then turned back around.
"Yea" he said softly as the rain picked up outside, "I am in love with you. I always have been. And that is my true intention on protecting you" he stopped when he felt her arms around him, "Don't" he tried to remove her, "Please let me go."
"I don't want to" she shook her head as she leaned her head into his back, "I don't want to let you go. Tsukasa I have thought of nothing but you and that night we spent togetherfor several months now. The truth isI asked you your opinion because I wanted you to stop me from making this mistake. That's why I followed you."
"No" he turned around and looked at her as he placed his hands on her shoulders, "It's not a mistake. You have to marry him. He's what's best for you. I am no good. I'm an outlaw. You could never be happy with me."
"Shouldn't I know that."
"Suzuna. You have to go back. I'll never forgive myself if you give up all that happiness. Even though I love you, knowing that you will be there, gives me comfort. Please understand."
"So I have to go back?"
"You have to. You gave your word. You promised him. Look at me" he held up her head and could see the tears settling in her eyes, "Don't cry" he said gently, "I'm always going to be around. Make no mistake about that. But you and I can never be together my love. It's not possible."
"I'll love you anyway" she fell into his arms, "No matter what. I will go back and do as you have requested, but I will love you in my heart above everyone else for as long as I live."
"Suzuna" he whispered.
"Just hold me. Let me feel what it's like to be held by the man I love just once."
He nodded and continued to hold her as the rain continued.
"Soon after the storm stopped and Tsukasa rode with Suzuna back to the front of the forest where they parted ways once more. Both of them sure of their love for each other, but unsure of the outcome of the future" Stephanie sighed, "To be continued" she replied and the kids wiped some tears from their own eyes and clapped.
She stood up from her chair and glanced around her. Sometime in the end of the story Katsuya and Reiji had disappeared from the area. Before she could go and go and look for them though, Sakura asked if she wouldn't mind helping with refreshments so she resigned herself to go and look for Katsuya later when she had finished.
(Next Scene)
Reiji found Kaye out back near the trickling waterfall staring at it somberly so he approached it cautiously.
"Hey Kaye" he said slowly.
"Hey Reij" Kaye answered back.
"Need to talk?"
"Oh yea" Kaye nodded turning around with a frown, " Now more then ever."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Grrr! This winter has been so bad for Stephy! I swear with all the kids getting sick around me and my sinuses I've been sick too much this year. Anyway here is the chapter that was Supposed to come out last week. I can promise you this, that even if I am sick, I will finish this book this week, so God help me! Hopefully this long chapter will quench your thirst until then. See ya all later!
Next Time on Curse Renewed:
Chapter Twelve: Unexpected Encounter
A class trip arrives in Kyoto and Reiji bumps into somebody he never thought he'd see again. Find out who next time!
And
Chapter Thirteen: The Dream Comes to an End!
As the title entails the final piece of the story comes out and Stephanie confronts Tsukasa with his purpose. All will finally come to ahead in this chapter! See what happens next time!