Chapter Fourteen: A Confession

Tsukasa closed the door behind Stephanie and she walked slowly into his sitting room, picking the seat that she had sat in previously and sat down just as slowly as she had moved.

"Well" Tsukasa began, "Can I get you anytea before we start?"

"No thank you" she shook her head.

"Are you sure? I mean I have been to the store" he moved towards the kitchen.

"Tsukasa" she said seriously, "You promised."

"Right" he nodded and then moved towards his own chair, "Well okay. I take it since you're here that the dreams are over?"

"Yes" she nodded back, "It ended last night."

"I see. And what do you feel about it?"

"Well to be honest I am very confused" she replied placing her hands in her lap, "Especially with that last part. It was so cryptic it had to be a clue of some kind."

"How fairly intuitive you are" he grinned slightly, "I believe you're right. Okay" he stood back up and placed his hand on top of the bookcase that stood behind his chair, "Now that you've had the final dream I have to tell you something."

"I know" she nodded.

"All right here it goes" he took a deep breath wiping his hand casually across his lips, "I haven't been completely honest with you."

"What?" she looked at him surprised.

"I mean about why I am here" he turned to face her.

"You haven't?"

"Not completely, no. I wanted you to have all the dreams before you found out the truth. The truth is I did have the dreams, only months ago" he sat back down as her eyebrows furrowed a little, "After that I started having different dreams. Dreams about a time and place I couldn't quite pinpoint at first. But I believe, I mean I did at the time, that it took place some time before the other dreams. Before the Great War. Before the death of the lord in the east."

"Okay. And what happened in these dreams?" she said slowly.

"I wasn't in them, but I could see a strange man walking in a dark cavernous type area. I'm not even sure what it was" he shrugged, "And there was this blue light."

"Blue light?"

"Yea. A bright blue light. Almost a bunch of blue lights thrust together. Different shades of it. Unfortunately I never got to see what it was. When I told my grandfather about that dream that was when he became serious. He believed that my two different dream schemes were leading me down the same path somehow. So I did research. I looked up all the history of the Kim family. The Nakagami family. But it wasn't enough so my grandfather suggested I come to theplace where I could get better answers and that was here. Like I said before I had no idea that I would find someone who looked like someone in the dreams. That came as a complete surprise to me. But when I told my grandfather about you he suggested that I hook up with you and try somehow to find out the truth of it together."

"Your grandfather suggested it?"

"Yea. So that's the truth."

"The complete truth?" she asked a bit wary.

"Well, as far as I know yea. Every bit of information that I have been gathering for the past two months, and back home are in this journal" he held up a medium sized maroon book, "I even wrote down all the details of my dreams as they occurred."

"So that's how you could keep up with them?"

"Yea. But I was also surprised to see that when I came here I began to have them again. Like a recurring dream. Have you ever had one?"

"No" she shook her head, "The only type of dreams I've had even close to that are the ones I have been having."

"Oh. Well like I said I've written everything down. Our research. My research. Everything."

"And what have you come upwith?"

"Huh?"

"Well these dreams must mean something."

"Oh. Oh that. Um" he sighed a little, "I believe they do, but it is rather complicated."

"I can understand it" she insisted.

"I know you can" he reassured her, "I wasn't going to say that you couldn't. Anyway, the end of the dream" he paused, "You want to know what Rentatsu was warning Tsukasa about?"

"Well to some degree, yes."

"Okay. We've already established with your information" Tsukasa opened his journal and took out his glasses, "That the Sohmas did try to attempt to solve the curse about twenty five years ago?"

"Yes."

"Okay" he turned page, "And they were unable to because Ushida had a loophole."

"But what is the loophole?"

"Well that's the thing. We know based on what the cat journal says that Kiyoshi Sohma discovered that love was a way to solve the curse, but only temporary, which he didn't know that much. Now the Sohmas attempted to solve the curse, but I don't think they're capable of doing it."

"What do you mean?"

"Um. I don't think that a Sohma or an Ushida by themselves can solve the curse."

"Then who can?"

"The Zodiac curse was caused by Aya Sohma and Hayoto Ushida equally. Without her knowledge though he placed another piece to it that only the Ushidas know about. If it took two people to makethe curse then it's going to take both of their blood to end it."

"I don't think I understand" she shook her head.

"It's simple. A person who is a Sohma or an Ushida by itself can't solve the curse. Only a person who has both Sohma blood and Ushida blood in them is capable of that."

"But that's impossible. They're mortal enemies. They would never have joined together for such a union."

"Ah but you're forgetting one crucial point, the end of the dream."

"What about it?"

"In the end Rentatsu told Tsukasa to protect the child that he and Suzuna would have. Now I did some digging into both of my family backgrounds. The Nakagami's are actually descendants of the Ushida clan and the Kim's are descendants of the Sohma clan."

"Then you would have both the Sohma and Ushida blood in you" she finished.

"Not only me. But you as well."

She stared at him stunned as if he was joking but his eyes held such seriousness that she didn't argue with him.

"I think I'm ready for that tea" she said slowly.

He nodded understand completely and walked into the kitchen as she pondered what he had just said.

(Next Scene)

Stephanie sipped her tea slowly as Tsukasa waited patiently for her to speak again. Finally she placed her cup down and raised her head.

"Why are you assuming that I am one as well?" she asked him.

"Well I was very baffled when I first met you. To find out you were an American, I guess that's what confused me the most. But my grandfather said that's irrelevant when it comes to the past. So I did some research on your past. On your ancestors and I discovered that you are descended from the Nakagami/Kim line as I am."

"How did you find that out?"

"I pulled up your family tree, on the internet."

"Against my wishes?" she said softly.

"I'm sorry. I had to be sure. Once I discovered thetruth I was going to tell you but only after you finished the remainder of the journey. At least the first part."

"The first part? You mean there's more?"

"There's got to be more" he insisted, "I don't think I came here for nothing. Or that it's a mistake thatyou got involved in it either. Remember I said that the Zodiac curse can be solved by a person with the blood of Sohma and Ushida together."

"Well that makes sense now" she nodded, "Why Rentatsu, asked him to take care of their child? Their child would be in danger if the Ushida's knew that."

"They existed" he finished.

"Right. So either you or I can solve the curse?"

"Or another person."

"Who?"

"My cousin Sara. She too has experienced the dreams and knows about everything."

"Is she a Nakagami too?"

"No she is a Kim. But she's from the same line."

"Oh. And does she look like someone from the dreams."

"Yes" he nodded, "You saw her towards the end."

"Saki."

"Saki Himura" he nodded again, "She's anxious to meet you. She lives up in Tokyo but she can be down here at a moments notice."

"And then what? What happens after that?"

"I'm not sure. I mean I know that the three of us are capable of solving the Zodiac curse. The only problem is I don't know how. I mean I don't know the method for doing it."

"Oh. Do you think there is a way to do it?"

"There has to be. Otherwise my entire theory on this whole thing will go down in flames."

"Theory?"

"I'm not entirely sure if I'm correct about the blood thing. But it seems to be the only thing that seems to make sense. And it is the only thing that connects us to the dreams besides that there is a person that looks like each one of us."

"It sounds like a good theory to me. So how do we start?"

Tsukasa paused again and then cleared his throat.

"I think, according to my research, that another Sohma was able to find the cure for the Zodiac curse, only he never got the chance to say it. He wrote it down in a journal though."

"A journal?"

"Yea, however some time after he died, the journal disappeared."

"Who was the person? Were they cursed?"

"Yea. In fact, believe it or not, the person who did find out was one of the first Zodiac members not unlike Kiyoshi Sohma. His name was Yotaro Sohma and he was the first rat of the Zodiac. I know according to my grandfather" he continued as Stephanie pondered the name, "That the Sohmas have an archival place where they keep all their journals but Yotaro Sohma's journal is not amongst them. I believe that sometime before he died it was stolen and then he was killed. This way no one would find out about the cure."

"You said Yotaro Sohma right?"

"Uh huh."

"Why does that sound so familiar?" she scratched her head.

"It ought to. For he was the lord in the east who was killed before Akihito took over. He was princess Takara's brother."

"No. I know that. I mean I have heard it in this day and age. Or seen it" she trailed off as she thought.

"Seen it?"

"Where was it? Tsukasa this journal it would have been pretty old right?"

"I imagine so if it was one of the first."

"Sort of in the same design as the cat's journal."

"Yea."

"I think I've seen it."

"Seen what?" his eyes became wide.

"The journal."

"Where?" he jumped up.

"It was during that week that I was held captiveby your cousin. I remember now, he had the book on his desk."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I remember because I trashed his desk and was very careful not to tear it. I just knocked it off."

"Okay, we'll get back to trashing his desk in a minute" Tsukasa joked, "But it said Yotaro Sohma?"

"Yotaro Sohma was in bold letters on the top. In old Kanji. And underneath it said the first rat's journal."

"That's got to be it. And Seitarou has it?"

"Mhm. At least he did when I was there."

"We have got to get that journal?"

"Why?"

"Why? Because it'll help us to solve the Zodiac curse and maybe prove my theory. If only there was a way to get it back" he began to think.

"I'm sure there is" she nodded, "Oh my" she replied surprised as she saw his clock, "Is it that time already?"

"Oh wow. It's late."

"I got to get home" she stood up.

"I tell you what, I'll walk you back," he said.

"All right" she nodded and then the two of them walked out of the door together.

(Next Scene)

They were somewhat silent as they walked. Tsukasa was thinking of ways to retrieve the journal from Seitarou while Stephanie was pondering everything that they had discussed. She turned to the boy beside her catching his attention.

"Tsukasa."

"Mhm" he nodded.

"So is the reason that you decided to protect me because I too carry the same blood as you?"

He stopped in his tracks, his back to her and she saw his shoulders slump a little.

"One of the reasons" he replied.

"One?"

"It's the main reason actually" he began to walk again and stuck his hands in his pockets, "I didn't wantSeitarou to find out the truth. Besides I know he's up to something."

"How do you know?"

"He was meeting Ushida the other day remember?"

"Oh right. I had forgotten about that" she nodded as they arrived at her gate.

"Well that doesn't happen very often. I think something's going to be happening very soon."

"But what could that be?"

"I don't know" he replied turning to face her, "But something. I can feel it."

"I see. So then you and I and your cousin would be in terrible danger if they found out the truth?"

"Most likely" he nodded, "But I don't think even Seitarou knows why I am here yet, and I'd like to keep it that way."

"He's got to be suspicious about why you're protecting me."

"No doubt. But he's got his own theories on that. I'm not worried. I'm still two steps ahead of him. And he's not going to find out about you either. He may suspect meor my cousin but you he would never guess."

"I suppose that's true. Tsukasa" she replied, "I really wish you wouldn't risk yourself like this."

"I don't mind. I consider it an honor."

"Honor?"

"Yea" he nodded and then sighed heavily, "I just can't deny it anymore. I've tried to but even I know there's only so long that you can deny the way you feel."

"Feel?"

"I'm in love with you, you know" he said and her eyes became a bit wide, "Don't be alarmed. It's nothing you did. I just became this way. I enjoyed spending time with you and I also know that I'm an idiot. A complete fool. So I told myself that I would protect you and that it would be the least I could do."

"Tsukasa" she said sadly.

"Please don't. I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because it's okay" he smiled, "I am just glad you're happy and Katsuya is a wonderful guy. He really deserves you. And I'm happy for you both. I just sometimes curse my owndamn luck that I didn't meet you first."

"Oh Tsukasa" her eyes became even sadder, "You know someday, some girl is going to be lucky to have you."

"Yea" he nodded.

"And when that times comes, I hope that I can meet her."

"You got it" he nodded, "I got to go. We got school tomorrow."

"Mhm. Tsukasa this isn't going to make things awkward between us is it?" she asked a bit worried.

"No" he shook his head, "Because I have felt this way for a long time. You just know now. There's no difference. But if you'll just allow this pathetic loser to love you and protect you the way I have been I think that will be more than enough."

She grinned sweetly.

"I think I can do that. See you tomorrow!"

"Bye" he waved slowly as he departed.

She watched him leave and then walked into the gate. Tsukasa was just past the trees when he caught the eye of another boy who eyed him slightly as he stopped.

"Reiji?" he replied surprised.

"Hello Nakagami" Reiji said softly.

(Next Scene)

"What are you doing here?"

"It's Sunday night. I often stop by to hear her sing. Stephanie I mean. Have you heard her sing?"

"No."

"She's got a great voice."

"So then, I suppose you heard everything just now?"

"Yep" Reiji nodded.

"And I guess you want to hit me?" he winced.

"Nope."

"Huh?" Tsukasa looked at him stunned.

"How can I hit someone who was just so honest with his feelings?"

"But, you're Katsuya's best friend. Isn't it your duty to protect what is his?"

"It is normally, when it comes to people who are untrustworthy. And if you were that type of person rest assured that your face would be in the ground right now."

"Wait a minute, you trust me?"

"I trusted you in the beginning. I knew the moment we met that we could trust you. Unlike your cousin who I didn't trust at all. And I don't think that you're the type of guy who will steal her away from Kaye. That's not your style. Why don't you just consider this as Rentatsu approving of Tsukasa Nakagami" he eyed him slowly.

"I see."

"So you love her, big deal. You think that you're the first. She's one of a kind. I won't tell Kaye what I heard only because I know that you're not going to do anything."

"Okay. Thanks Reiji."

"Don't mention it" Reiji grinned pulling away from the tree, "Well I guess she's not going to sing tonight, since she was late."

"Incidentally what are you doing here?" Tsukasa asked as he joined him on the sidewalk.

"Kaye and Sakura were worried about her. So since I volunteered to bring home her sister I said I'd stick around and find out if she is okay. But she is so I can go home now. Huh?" Reiji blinked as a car blew past and then parked close to the curb honking it's horn.

As Tsukasa and Reiji stood there the tall brunette climbed out of her car, her purple ribbons perfectly placed in her hair. Reiji blinked his eyes again as he saw Sara appear.

"Sara?" he replied slowly.

"Hmm?" she looked his way, "Reiji Sohma what are you doing here? I swear we do meet in the most odd of coincidences."

"You know each other?" Tsukasa replied.

"Uh huh" Sara nodded, "He was my date the other day."

"Wait a minute" Reiji interrupted them, "You know each other?" he repeated.

"She's my cousin" Tsukasa said.

"She's also a Nakagami."

"No she's a Kim. On her mother's side."

"That's right" Sara nodded, "Listen Reiji I'd love to catch up but my cousin and I have our own catching up to do. So" she said as she steered Tsukasa towards the other side of the car, "I got to go. But maybe we can talk later in the week? After all that's how long I will be here."

"Uh sure" he nodded as Tsukasa and she climbed into the car.

"Catch ya later!" she winked as she closed the door and Reiji waved goodbye still stunned.

"Boy I must say" Tsukasa replied as they drove away, "You got some timing."

"Well I haven't heard from you in a week. So I figured she must have been done by now. Has she finished?"

"Yea. I just told her everything tonight."

"Great! So what's the next step?"

"The next step? The next step my dear Sara, is to find the Zodiac Stone," he replied definitely as they drove closer to his apartment.

(To be continued…)

Authors Note: Yea! I finished it! Well Book two is done. Book three will be started on Feb 21! See you guys then. Oh and if some of you are wondering I did use the title of the Zodiac stone based on another one of my stories only it's going to be very different. See you all later and I hope you enjoyed the update!

Next Time on Curse Renewed:

Book Three: The Zodiac Stone

Tsukasa, Stephanie, and Sara join forces to protect the lives of the Sohmas from the Ushidas and the curse that has plagued their family for thousands of generations. Will they succeed? You'll have to read to find out!