Reiji walked over to the nearby sitting rock and hopped on. He placed his legs onto the rock crossing his feet as he sat down. He sighed a little as Kaye walked towards him and leaned against the rock. He too sighed and Reiji looked at his cousin directly.
"Okay" he began, "So what's on your mind Kaye? Is this about the outcome of the story thus far?"
"No" Kaye shook his head certainly, "But it is what made me think about it."
"Think about what?"
"Is there a reason why" Kaye said hesitating a little, "Everyone seems to think that I can't protect Stephanie on my own?"
"Huh?" Reiji's eyes became wide.
"Well in the past there was you and now it's Mr. Nakagami."
"Tsukasa?"
"Yea."
"So you've seen him?"
"Just last week. He was leaving the park, and I know he was watching her and waiting until someone was around to watch her so he could go" Kaye frowned.
"Well that's a good thing isn't it?" Reiji replied as Katsuya looked at him as if to continue, "I mean he believes that you're still strong enough to look out for her, so he wasn't needed."
"That's not the point though" Kaye crossed his arms, "Sometimes I just feel like you guys think that I'm inadequate because I am in love with her or something."
"I don't think that" Reiji shook his head, "And I doubt he does either."
"How are you so sure?"
"I just know. Besides I only help you because of the oath we made. It's not like I am trying to steal your thunder or anything."
"I know that. I still feel that way though."
"Is that all?" Reiji asked seriously closing his eyes, his face forward.
"Hmm?"
"I mean, that's not all that's bothering you is it?"
"What makes you think that?"
"I can tell Kaye" Reiji said, "And I've got the feeling that maybe you feel uncomfortable for another reason."
"And what reason would that be?" Kaye turned his face away slightly.
"Maybe a part of you is afraid that Mr. Nakagami is falling for your girl" Reiji replied.
"Huh?" Kaye's eyes became wider at his suggestion, "Do you think he is?"
"It's possible" Reiji shrugged, "Who knows. I don't sense any bad intentions on his part however."
"This cannot happen" Kaye shook his head, "I won't let it. I already got one Nakagami problem, I don't need two."
Reiji sighed heavily.
"Kaye" he began, "I don't think you have a problem with Tsukasa Nakagami."
"You don't?"
"No. Look I am going to be brutally honest with you."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I am going to tell you something that you haven't probably figured out on your own. So here it goes" he took a deep breath, "Kaye you have something great. You have someone you love and cherish. That's a special gift so it's natural that you want to protect it. And she is worth it. She's beautiful, smart. She's got a good personality. And best of all she loves you for who you are. There isn't a man alive who wouldn't give for something like that."
"I know that. I know how special she is."
"I hope you do. But I have got a question for you."
"Okay. Shoot."
"Do you think that it's not even a remote possibility that another guy could see her charms and not be enchanted by them? Do you think that you're the only person who could possibly fall in love with her? If you do then you're a fool. She's a rare person indeed and like I said before, very much worth it."
"Reiji" Kaye said slowly.
"Before I told you that I was going to be brutally honest, so here it is. Kaye, when I first knew her. My first few months here in Kyoto I too found myself drawn by her. I found her features attractive. Not just her looks but her personality too. But it was really only a brief thought. I would never hurt you in that way or her. After awhile those feelings subsided. I still care for her a great deal, but it's more of a brotherly or friend love now. I think all of the guys in our family think of her that way to some degree. My point is, Kaye I am your best friend. The closest person in the family to you next to Sakura you told me, and even I have felt these things. If Tsukasa Nakagami does feel this way about her, what does that mean? I'll tell you what it means. It means nothing. Because like me I don't believe he would do anything like that. He's not like his cousin. He's very different. Seitarou Nakagami I didn't trust at the get go, but as for Tsukasa the moment I met him, actually met him, I knew that we could trust him. Believe me, if he has feelings for her, he's keeping it to himself, and even if he does reveal it to her, it doesn't mean that you're going to lose her" Reiji stopped and took another deep breath and then looked at his cousin, "Kaye. You're not mad at me are you?"
"No" Katsuya shook his head and faced his cousin, "You're right I shouldn't be so foolish. Of course there are going to be other guys who will be attracted to her. I mean after all there's a whole school of girls who are still attracted to me."
"Mhm" Reiji chuckled lightly.
"But Reij if you felt like this, does that mean your feelings for Sara have resided?"
"No" Reiji shook his head, "But I also know that I'll never see her again and the prospect is lonely. And I do also know that someday I'll find someone like Stephanie for myself so I am not worried. And you shouldn't be either."
"I'm not anymore" Kaye patted his shoulder happily.
"But if it bothers you that much, maybe you should talk to him about it."
"Do you really think I should?"
"You have every right to. You are her boyfriend."
"I'll think about it. Thanks for the talk Reij. It helped."
"That's what I am here for" Reiji nodded jumping off the rock, "We should get back. They'll be looking for us."
Katsuya nodded back and then the two of them left the waterfall and returned to the others who were still waiting for them in the courtyard.
(Next Scene)
The early winds of winter began that week and Reiji wrapped his scarf tightly around his neck as he entered the music store on Friday afternoon. He had ordered two new cds and was on his way to pick them up. He walked out of the store and saw a purple ribbon fly past him so he reached his hand up to snatch it. He stared at the ribbon when he heard the light sound of someone running up behind so he turned his head as he saw the girl. Her hair was long and brown and her eyes a deep brown that shone hazel as the afternoon sun hit them. She was wearing a school uniform that he recognized from Tokyo and as she stepped forward, it wasn't the only thing that he recognized as she smiled and reached her hand forward.
"Thank you so much" she replied as he handed her back the ribbon, "The wind blew it off. It was nice of you to catch it for me."
"Uh" he stammered slightly, "No trouble."
"Are you a local?" she asked as she placed it back into the left side of her hair.
"Uh. Yea" he nodded slowly still stunned, "You?"
"No. I am just here for the class trip. Speaking of which I got to get going. Thanks again!" she called as she ran back to her group of friends that were waiting for her.
Reiji stood still dumbfounded until he slowly turned around and began to walk home thinking about the familiar girl.
"That couldn't of been" he thought to himself, "Could it?"
(Next Scene)
The cell phone rang next to Katsuya's bed and he fumbled in the darkness to reach it acknowledging his clock, which read two thirty a.m.
"Hello" he replied groggily into the phone, "Reiji" he sat up, "You do know what time it is don't you?" Kaye yawned, "Now" he complained, "Okay. If it's a matter of the future. I'll be right there" he clicked the phone and slowly stood up from the bed pulling on his pants.
He walked down the sidewalk quietly till he arrived at the park, the beat of his sneakers on the sidewalk the only sound in the entire area. Reiji was sitting on a bench and stood up at once as he walked over with another yawn.
"All right I am here. What's your big emergency?" he sat down on the bench.
"First of all I am sorry for getting you up so early" Reiji began.
"It's after two thirty in the morning" Kaye complained, "I'm never gonna get up for school tomorrow."
"We don't have school tomorrow anyway, which is why I took the risk."
"Oh yea. Because of all the school trips down this week from Tokyo. Okay what is it?" Kaye yawned again.
"It has to do with the school trips actually."
"You dragged me out of bed for that?"
"No, no. Hear me out. Something happened this afternoon."
"This afternoon? And you couldn't tell me this, this afternoon?" Kaye replied irritably.
"I couldn't get a hold of you. And I simply couldn't wait any longer. I had to talk to you."
"All right. What is it?"
Reiji took a few minutes to explain everything and then paused for breath. Katsuya scratched the back of his head and then spoke.
"Are you sure? I mean it could have been anybody. There are lots of girls with brown hair and brown eyes."
"Granted but it wasn't that I saw. It was her smile as she came over. I'll never forget that smile."
"Sara? Your Sara?"
"Uh huh" Reiji nodded, "I'm sure of it."
"Well what did you say?"
"I didn't know what to say. I froze up."
"Did she recognize you?"
"Now way. There's no way she would remember me. I erased her memory remember."
"Oh yea. Well want do you want to do?"
"I want to see her again. Kaye will you come with me?"
"To where?"
"Just into town."
"Oh Reij you know how much I hate town" Kaye whined.
"It's just in the tourist district. That's where they'll be."
"And then what?"
"I don't know. I'll talk to her."
"And try to make her remember you?"
"No not necessarily. Just talk to her. Will you come with me, please?"
Katsuya sighed heavily and then turned to him.
"What time?"
"Huh?"
"Well it's about two fifty in the morning" Kaye said looking at his watch, "I just want to know how much time I have left to sleep before I come and pick you up."
"Oh. Ten o'clock."
"Okay" Kaye nodded standing up, "I'll be there."
"Thanks Kaye. This means a lot to me."
"Don't sweat it. Now I am going back to bed. I'll see you in about seven more hours."
Reiji grinned and shook a little in anticipation.
"Oh and Reij."
"Hmm?"
"You better get some sleep too. You don't want to see her again all baggy eyed" he grinned as he walked away.
"Thanks" Reiji smiled back and then headed back towards the main house.
(Next Scene)
The next morning as planned, Katsuya picked Reiji up at the main house and they headed for the tourist section of Kyoto. He could tell that Reiji was very nervous so he smiled quietly to himself and allowed his cousin to gather his thoughts. They parked the truck and then walked towards the temples.
"How will you know when you find their group?" Kaye asked leaning on a fence.
"I know what their uniform looks like" Reiji replied a bit distracted as he gazed around the area, "It's kind of white and light blue. The girls wear light blue skirts."
"Okay" Kaye nodded, "Do you want me to stick around or do you want to do this on your own?"
"Well I can't walk around by myself now can I? That'll look pretty dumb," he added still looking around.
"All right. Then I'll stick around" Kaye shook his head with a small smile.
They walked around the temples for an hour till they stopped for lunch. As they sat at the table Reiji sighed heavily.
"I guess I am not going to find her today."
"We can come back tomorrow," Kaye suggested.
"Maybe it's not meant to be."
"Now that's not my cousin talking" Kaye replied, "Not the guy who always encourages everyone to go for their dreams. We'll stick around here a little longer today and if we can't find her, then we'll come back tomorrow."
"Okay" Reiji sighed with a nod in agreement.
But despite their best efforts everywhere they looked were too many schools and to find just one was almost impossible. Finally exhausted from the search Reiji said he was ready to go home. As they walked back to the car a slight wind blew and as he turned his head slowly he saw the purple ribbon flying towards him once again. As he caught it, the girl appeared once more frantically looking for her ribbon. Reiji stared at her surprised as she approached him once again.
"Thank you" she replied as she walked over but stopped, "Wait a minute. You're the boy from the other day."
"Yea" Reiji nodded and then looked at Kaye who smiled with a cross of his arms.
"We just keep running into each other don't we" she smiled, "It's like it was destiny."
He nodded and then turned back to Kaye.
"Um."
"I'm going. I'll see you in the car" Kaye grinned and walked away leaving the two of them alone.
"Oh here" Reiji handed her the ribbon.
"Thanks" she placed it back into her hair, "I guess I am not used to the winds here in Kyoto."
"Oh you get used to them," he said slowly.
"Have you been here long?"
"About a year ago. I used to live in Tokyo."
"Really. I thought you looked kind of familiar."
"Huh?"
"I kept trying to remember your face last night when I was telling my friends about you. What's your name, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Uh Reiji Sohma" he bowed his head.
"Sohma huh? Nice to meet you" she bowed her hair, "I am Sara Takawa."
"I. Oh" he stopped, "It's nice to meet you."
"Say. I'm here for another day, but I have somewhere to be right now. I was wondering would you like to meet me here tomorrow and you can show me around? I mean as a local?"
"Yea. Sure" he nodded happily, "I would be honored to."
"Great. I'll meet you here."
"Okay" he nodded again.
"Goodbye Mr. Sohma" she smiled as she departed with a wave.
"Goodbye" Reiji waved back and his heart leapt at his awesome luck.
When he climbed into the truck Katsuya turned to him with a grin.
"So did you get to talk to her?"
"Better than that" Reiji smiled, "I have a date with her tomorrow."
"See didn't I tell ya!"
"Yea. I shouldn't have doubted you either Kaye. I won't ever again."
(Next Scene)
Sara got off the bus and walked along the row of apartments carrying a small slip of paper that she kept glancing at as she looked at the numbers. Finally she arrived at the one she was looking for and walked over to knock on the door. From inside the person ran to the door and opened the door in surprise.
"Sara?" Tsukasa replied with a smile.
"Hello cousin Tsukasa" she grinned back, "Well I'm here."
(Till Next Time)