The girl stood still gasping in silence at the sight before heras the door shut behind her. She heard the click of shoes as they moved towards her and slowly turned her head. She stared at the man before her, who walked a little sideways since he supported that leg with a cane.
"This is him," she thought as he stood in front of her near his desk, "The one I have heard so much about."
"So" he began, "At last I meet the infamous Miss Kamiya. Mr. Nakagami has told me all about you. I do hope you're enjoying your stay with us."
She gritted her teeth as she frowned and clenched her fists at her side.
"What kind of monster are you?" she spat her hair falling over her eyes.
"Hmm?" he raised his head surprised by her outburst.
"What do you think you're doing?" she said the tears settling in her eyes.
"I don't think I understand. Are you upset about something?"
"That thing!" she pointed at the glass, "What is it?"
"Oh you mean my little invention? Quite ingenious wouldn't you say?" he grinned back at her smugly.
"Invention? Are you crazy?" she replied angrily, "They're only children. The youngest onedown there is only two and half years old!"
"What is your point? They're needed for the ceremony?" he said moving behind his desk and sitting down.
"Ceremony? You're insane" she shook her head, "All of you are absolutely insane. But out of everyone I have met you have got to be the craziest of the bunch. I guess Katsuya was right about you."
"Please calm down Miss Kamiya. You're hysterical."
"I am perfectly fine" she replied gritting her teeth on each word.
"Come now, are you really going to take the word of a monster over the word of someone as honorable and decent as I am?"
"Honorable" she said in a hushed whisper, "Is that how you see yourself? You're delusional. For your information he is not my only source and he's not a monster. You are. I have also heard about your deeds from his mother. The horrible things that you have done to her and her family."
"From Tohru?" his eyebrows rose as he frowned slightly, "So she told you as well?"
"That's right. About a month ago, I was over their house and we had a talk. You see Mr. Nakagami, your subordinate, did similar things to me that you did to her, so we had something in common. And now I can see the truth for myself. Seeing the machine is enough to prove what you really are. You're the monster. No you're worse then that" she closed her eyes, "You're pathetic."
"Excuse me?" he frowned even more as she continued.
"You're a loser Mr. Ushida. There's no better word for it. Carrying on a family grudge for thousands of generations for the likes of Hayoto Ushida a loser in his own right. Where is the sense in that, I ask you? The only reason you Ushida's have held this grudge for so long in the first place is because of the same reason it was back then. A woman chose a Sohma over you. That's all it is. Petty jealousy. And that's what makes you pathetic."
"I heard that you were a lot more bold with your speech then Tohru. I guess it wasn't an exaggeration."
"I'm not her. I stand up for what I believe no matter the consequence. But I do it differently. Where as she chooses to do it silently I choose to do so people can hear me."
"You ought to be more wise with what you say to me Miss Kamiya" he replied, "I'm a very powerful man and I could make trouble for you and your family."
"I'm not afraid of you" Stephanie shook her head determinedly, "If you think that I could ever be afraid of someone like you then you're crazy. I've been up against scarier things then you before."
"You ought to be afraid. You'll soon learn."
"I don't think so. And anyway it doesn't matter because I am going to do whatever it takes to stop you from carrying this out."
"I beg your pardon?" he said a bit interested.
"Perhaps you haven't been told yet but you will be by one of them, so I might as well be the one to tell you because I am not afraid. I'm one of the people that stand in your way."
"Hmm?"
"Tsukasa Nakagami, his cousin Sara and I are the ones that contain Sohma and Ushida blood in us" his eyebrows rose, "We're the ones who can break the curse" she announced.
"What? So that's how you're involved?"
"Which is why I will do whatever it takes to stop you."
"You can try" he grinned amused, "You'll be at the ceremony but I dare say you won't be breaking any curses. Besides who's to say I won't kill you before hand?"
"I don't care if you kill me. That would only prove further how pathetic you really are."
"I think you've said enough Miss Kamiya" he replied, "Guard!" he called and the man entered, "You may take Miss Kamiya back to her cell until the ceremony."
"Yes sir" the guard nodded and took her arm.
"I'll see you later my dear" Tai said as she was led to the door, "We'll be seeing each other a lot more after the ceremony, so I would straighten my attitude."
"What do you mean?"
"As it turns out I can't kill you, whether you are the means to destroying my glory or not. Mr. Nakagami has asked me to grant me one thing in doing this service to me."
"Let me guess" she frowned.
"I think you get the picture" he chuckled as she was pulled from the room still glaring at the man who sat smugly in his chair.
(Next Scene)
Stephen hung up his cell phone with a sigh and glanced up at Kyo who was frowning at traffic. He had just spoken to Sam who informed him that he hadn't seen Stephanie all day. He was certain now that wherever Sakura and the others were; she had been taken to there also.
"Damn it all!" Kyo said.
"If I was driving we would be going much faster then this" Haru retorted.
"Shut up Haru!" Kyo shouted.
"If you were driving we would have been in a car crash by now" Yuki said sarcastically, "Settle down."
"Hmm" Haru grumbled leaning back in his seat.
"He's right" Momiji nodded, "Just be patient Haru. We'll find the kids."
"Whatever" Haru mumbled staring out the window, "If this traffic doesn't let up soon, we'll never get there in time."
"Oh we'll get there in time all right" Kyo replied and they all looked at him, "According to the letter, the ceremony doesn't take place until tonight. We'll get there. He'll make sure of it" he frowned as he crossed over into the next lane.
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey guys! Two chapters today although they are really short. Hope you enjoyed them anyway!
Next Chapter: The One Thing I Can Give
Not telling! Keep reading!