"Miss Kamiya! Miss Kamiya!"
Stephanie's eyes fluttered open as she felt the person gently shaking her. She looked up groggily into the face of Sara who stared back at her with a very worried expression.
"Sara?"
"Oh thank goodness" Sara replied with a relieved smile, "I've been trying to wake you up for the past ten minutes."
"What happened?" Stephanie said as she sat up, "Where are we?"
"No idea" Sara shook her head, "All I can tell you as that we're probably in the most boring room we have ever been in" she added as Stephanie stared at the grey walls allowing her eyes to come into focus, "I came to just fifteen minutes before you did."
"I see. Where's Tsukasa?" Stephanie suddenly exclaimed looked around her frantically.
"I don't know. He wasn't here when I woke up. He's probably in another room."
"Oh. Do you have any idea what happened?"
"My guess is that the Angel of death is behind this" Sara said standing up and crossing her arms.
"The Angel of dea.. you mean Seitarou Nakagami?"
"Mhm. Only he could do something this devious. Well" Sara replied, "Well now's the time we should figure out how to get out of here."
"But we have no idea where we are."
"You do make a valid point" Sara nodded, "And as far as I can tell this place is pretty much locked up tight. I tried the door earlier."
"You know these walls are more than just grey," Stephanie said getting to her feet, "From the feel of them" she placed her hand on the wall that was closest to her, "They're almost the same material as you would find in a safe."
"Safe?"
"You know like you'd find in a bank. The real tight security kind. Only we're inside it."
"No way" Sara frowned, "I guess there is no way out of here then. Those places are hard to get into."
"Yea plus I don't think we're getting out of here by ourselves. We need to find out who's done this first. And find out where Tsukasa is and if he's okay."
"Yea you're right" Sara nodded again as they both heard the large door click open and Sara moved in front of the other girl clenching her fists and frowning as if she was going to attack the person who was just about to enter.
Seitarou Nakagami appeared in the doorframe with a smug grin.
"It is you" Sara replied, "I knew it."
"So nice to see you again Sara" Seitarou said back continuing to smile, "After all of these years."
"Hmph" she scoffed, "I can't say the same."
"I trust that you both slept well, but your presence has been requested. Take them" he ordered the two guards who stood outside with him, who at once walked into the cell and each took a girl roughly by the arm.
"Take your hands off me you big monkey!" Sara shouted thrashing in his grasp while Stephanie tried to remain calm as they pulled them from the room, "Let me go!"
"You would be wise to not struggle Sara" Seitarou replied looking back over his shoulder as they moved down the hall.
"Where's Tsukasa?" she demanded, "What have you done with him?"
"Hmm. You'll see soon enough."
(Next Scene)
Meanwhile at the Sohma main house Hatori covered Tohru up with a blanket as she lay in the hospital bed while Kyo and Yuki stood by the bed's side.
"She's all right Kyo" Hatori assured him, "I think she was overwhelmed by what was going on."
"And the baby?" Kyo said his voice more worried then normal.
"The baby is perfectly fine."
"Oh good" Kyo sighed in relief.
"I will stay here and take care of her along with Mayuko. Kagura has offered to stay as well."
"Speaking of which" Yuki said, "They've decided who's gonna go. Several of the parents are waiting in the main hall as well as Miss Kamiya's brother, who has insisted on going."
"Mhm" Kyo nodded taking a brief moment to lean down and kiss his wife's forehead, "I'll be back as soon as I can" he whispered over her, "With the kids. I promise."
Then he and Yuki moved from the room and headed to the main hall. There along with Stephen, Hatsuharu, Hiro, Momiji, Ritsu, Kandis, Akito, Kureno, Arisa, Ayame, and Shigure all waited to depart. Rebecca, Mine, Andie and her two boys, Rin, Rika, Kisa and baby Tora, and Sophie were all remaining behind and wished them luck at the front entrance, while they in turn promised to return with all the kids.
Yuki, Kyo, Hatsuharu, Stephen and Momiji hurried to the van they were riding in and after some debate it was decided that Haru would not be the one to drive since it was clear that he was on the verge of turning black. Kyo offered to drive despite the fact that was very furious himself. They all agreed and hopped in.
"Buckle up everybody" he said as he climbed into the driver's seat next to Yuki who was riding shotgun, "Cause I don't plan on going slow" he added with a frown as he started the engine.
(Next Scene)
Stephanie and Sara were led to an open area of what they could now see that they were located inside a rather large warehouse and Stephanie felt sure in her own head that it was the very same warehouse that Kaye had told her about. The area had several computers propped up on immaculate desks that were all connected together as if they were now stationed on an army base, with leather chairs that were swiveled in all different directions. Seitarou walked to the front of them as the men who had taken their arms moved back behind them, releasing their arms at once.
"Okay Nakagami" Sara replied, "What's this all about? I asked earlier where Tsukasa was? Where is he?"
"Why don't you see for yourself" he indicated with his eyes and another smug grin as they looked to their right and gasped.
Lying on the ground covered in several bruises Tsukasa was gasping himself as two other men in suits hovered close by him.
"Tsukasa!" Stephanie exclaimed making him raise his head up in surprise and then frown suddenly.
"What have you done to him?" Sara added angrily.
"Seitarou" Tsukasa replied angrily through gritted teeth, "I told you not to involve them in this. This is between you and me."
"So it would be if you would only cooperate and tell me what I want to know. But now you've left me no choice. I'll have to ask them" he moved closer to the girls.
"Leave them alone, Ahh!" he screamed as one of the men hit him once more.
"Poor Tsukasa" Seitarou said sarcastically, "You really want to do things the hard way don't you?" he asked as the girls watched everything practically horrified.
"Stop this Nakagami" Sara replied clenching her fists once more, "This isn't right."
"Then perhaps you would be willing to tell me what I want to know?" Seitarou said turning his eyes on her.
She frowned back at him as Tsukasa strained himself to be heard once again.
"Sara" he replied through gasps of pain, "Don't. Tell. Him anything."
"Well?" Seitarou said completely ignoring him, "I am going to ask you two the same question that I have been trying to ask Tsukasa for the past hour."
"Oh and what's that?" Sara asked crossing her arms.
Seitarou held up Yotaro Sohma's journal and she lowered her arms.
"Hey! How did you get that?"
"How I got it isn't really the issue here. What I want to know is why Tsukasa and Miss Kamiya" he glanced at her briefly but she averted her eyes, "Went through all that trouble to take it from me."
"Hmm" Sara grimaced.
"Why is it so important to them? A couple of outsiders? I don't suppose you've got an answer to that Sara?" he asked her slowly touching her arm.
"Go to hell!" she replied back wrenching her arm from his grasp.
"I see" he smiled moving over to Stephanie, "And what about you Miss Kamiya? Surely you must know something since you were involved. Quite a stirring performance I must say. I was rather impressed and very surprised that were so subservient to Tsukasa and yet with me you were so resilient."
"Leave her alone Seitarou" Tsukasa warned.
"Then you should have known right then and there" Stephanie replied closing her eyes, "That what you were seeing wasn't real."
"You're quite the little actress. However that doesn't explain why you did it? What's so special about this book anyway?"
"What makes you think that I will tell you if they wouldn't?" she said back defiantly.
"Hmm. I think I can convince you to change your mind" he snapped his fingers and the man behind Sara moved forward.
"Ow!" Sara screamed as he pulled on her long hair, "That hurts! That's my hair you know! Let go! Ow!"
Stephanie's eyes became wide as the two men behind Tsukasa began to beat on him once more and he winced on the floor trying to suppress the pain.
"Tsukasa! Sara! No! Please stop this!" she cried out.
"Then you'll tell me?" Seitarou turned back to her.
Stephanie lowered her head in hesitation the tears stinging her eyes slightly because she wouldn't let them fall.
"Stephanie" Tsukasa said in a small voice as the man let go of Sara's hair and she held onto it.
"I guess I have no choice. Just don't hurt them anymore."
"Agreed" Seitarou nodded satisfactorily, "Tell me."
"We needed the journal to verify Tsukasa's theory."
"What theory?"
"For several months now Tsukasa and I have been doing research on the similar dreams we've been having. Dreams that have been leading us down the path of finding out how to break the Zodiac curse."
"Go on" Seitarou raised an eyebrow a bit surprised.
"We found out by reading the journal that the only people who can break the curse is a person containing both Ushida and Sohma blood in them. Based on our dreams it was revealed to us that two people who were descendants of the Sohma and Ushida clan came together in love. Thereby passing on the heritage and the blood that could break the Zodiac curse. Once reading the journal it confirmed everything we had researched."
"I see. No I don't" he shook his head, "I can understand why Tsukasa and his cousin are involved now that you've told me this. But why you Miss Kamiya? Why would you be experiencing the dreams as well when it is clear that Tsukasa and Sara are the ones who contain that blood?"
"To be honest I asked that question myself. But I found out that distantly, I too carry that blood line."
Seitarou's eyebrows rose even more and then he smiled widely.
"Oh I get it. Now it all makes sense. Why you have been so protective of her Tsukasa" he replied moving over to the boy who was still lying on his stomach but staring up at him with an angry scowl on his face, "You were afraid that I might find out about it. And here I thought you were in love with her."
"Go to hell!" Tsukasa spat repeating what Sara said earlier.
"I must say I am thoroughly proud of myself. Without knowing it I was able to capture the very three people who could prevent the Ushida's plan from going smoothly tomorrow night."
"Damn you, you bastard!" Tsukasa shouted.
"It's amazing how well you're doing after that beating. Of course we can't rough you up so badly, otherwise he won't be able to recognize you."
"Huh?" Tsukasa's eyes became wide as from out of the shadows he could hear footsteps approaching. His eyes became wider as he saw the man who now stood before him.
"Hello father" Seitarou replied, "Glad you could join us."
(Next Scene)
Stephanie stared at the dark haired man with hazel eyes, as Tsukasa got to his feet a bit wobbly.
"This is Seitarou's father?" she thought, "That means he's Ichirou Nakagami."
Ichirou Nakagami moved past the two girls and stopped directly in front of the boy who was staring back at him with hatred in his eyes.
"Hello Tsukasa" he replied, "It's been a long time."
"Hmm. Not long enough" Tsukasa spat.
"Still stubborn as always I see. I don't know why you just don't accept your fate as a Nakagami."
"My fate?" Tsukasa grimaced, "Give me a break. As if I would ever join the likes of this nuthouse."
"Such disrespect. You ought to know then to treat your own father in this manner."
"Father?" Stephanie thought surprised as Sara clenched her fists again.
"You're no father of mine!" Tsukasa suddenly shouted as Seitarou moved forward, "There's no way I will ever respect someone like you!"
Ichirou Nakagami grimaced slightly and then slapped Tsukasa across the face, making him fall to the ground once more.
"Tsukasa!" Sara shouted.
"Stay back" Tsukasa told the girls slowly getting to his feet once more.
"Such an ingrate" Ichirou shook his head, "You really are a disappointment my youngest son. Why can't you be more like your brother?"
"Like Seitarou?" Tsukasa scoffed, " Who in their right mind would want to be like him. He's cunning. Sneaky" Tsukasa smiled a little as he finished, "And an asshole to boot."
With that line Seitarou moved directly in front of Tsukasa and grabbed him by the throat lifting him up slightly.
"You would be mindful of what you say to me as well, little brother" he sneered.
"I don't care" Tsukasa gasped, "What you do to me."
"You should care" Seitarou said dangerously, "You know I could easily break your neck right now."
"Go ahead and try it."
"Stop it" Stephanie replied softly.
Seitarou kept his grip making Tsukasa wince a little.
"Stop it" Stephanie said a little louder and Sara turned to her in surprise, "Stop it Seitarou! Please stop!" she shouted, "Haven't you done enough?"
Ichirou Nakagami eyed the girl briefly and turned to his middle chair.
"Seitarou" he replied, "Let him go."
Seitarou grimaced but released his grasp making Tsukasa fall to the floor a third time.
"Uhh" he grimaced as he hit the floor and clutched at his throat coughing a little.
"Let that be a lesson to you" Seitarou said angrily to his brother, "I just don't' want to make Miss Kamiya cry" he glanced at her with a sly smile so she turned her head, "That's the only reason I stopped" he added as Sara stepped in front of Stephanie shielding her.
"Tsukasa's right" she replied her voice shaking a little, "Leave her alone."
"Seitarou" Ichirou interrupted her, "Is she the one?"
"Hmm?" Stephanie moved behind Sara even more so as she protected her.
"Yes. That's Miss Kamiya" Seitarou nodded, "The mayor's stepdaughter."
"I see. Guards! Take my wayward son and his cousin back to their cell" the elder Nakagami ordered, "But leave Miss Kamiya here."
"Huh?" Tsukasa said standing up again, "What do you want her for?"
"It's not me who wishes to see her, but the boss."
"What?" Tsukasa replied in horror, "You can't take her to see that monster!" he shouted.
"Be mindful of what you say Tsukasa. I have already told you that" Ichirou frowned, "That is my employer that you're speaking about."
"But you can't" he said struggling in the grasp of two guards.
"Tsukasa" Stephanie replied stopping him, "Stop. It'll be all right."
"Huh?" he stopped moving around and looked directly at her.
"I don't want to see you hurt anymore. Just do as they say and I'll go."
"Stephanie" Tsukasa said slowly and then nodded, "Okay" he gave in.
"Seitarou you can go back with them" Ichirou replied, "Miss Kamiya" he called her forward, "You come with me."
"Wait!" Tsukasa said before being dragged off, "If any of you do anything to hurt her, you will have me to deal with" he was pulled roughly away as Stephanie watched him and Sara be led back to their cell by Seitarou.
"Come Miss Kamiya" Ichirou replied, "My employer awaits your presence."
"Mhm" she nodded and then followed him down the next hall out of the large area.
(Next Scene)
Tsukasa and Sara were thrown back into the cell and he at once ran to the door as it was shut and began to bang on it furiously.
"Damn it!" he shouted, "Damn them all!"
"Calm down Tsukasa."
"I will not calm down! Do you have any idea where she's been taken to? She's going to meet the devil incarnate himself!"
"But Tsukasa, you're going to make your injuries worse. Please calm down" Sara insisted.
"You're right" he nodded becoming calm at once, "It doesn't do anyone any good to be hysterical like this. It's just I didn't think I'd see him."
"I know. It was a surprise to me too."
"Sara" he said slowly as he slumped to the floor and she knelt down to examine his injuries, "I want to talk to you about something, serious. Now that we're here."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"The thing is, I've come to a decision. But I need you to hear me out so I can explain."
(Next Scene)
Ichirou Nakagami walked up the small flight of steps with Stephanie in front of him. He opened the two double doors that were up at the top and pushed her inside.
"You are to wait in here," he instructed as he closed the doors behind him.
She stared around her at the large office that she was now standing in.
"So this is the place" she whispered to herself, "This is where it happened. Hmm?" she moved forward as she saw the large piece of glass that was clearly looking down on another part of the warehouse, "I wonder what's down there?" she thought as she walked over and wiped the glass so she could see more clearly.
But what she saw made her gasp out loud and back up slightly, for down below she saw the strangest tubes she had ever seen all designed differently, some being larger then others, but the part that upset her the most was what they contained. For in them the fourteen members of the Zodiac were trapped, still completely passed out.
"What?" she said a loud placing a hand over her mouth as the tears welled up in her eyes, "No. What's? Sakura. Reiji. Kaye. No. NO!" she screamed her voice echoing off the entirearea that she didn't hear the door open and a pair of footsteps as the person entered the room.
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Okay that's the last chapter of the week! See you all again next week! Only five more chapters to go!
Next time of Curse Renewed:
Chapter Nine: Stephanie Meets Tai Ushida
Not telling! Keep reading to find out!