A simple black card sat untouched on the dining room table. Beautifully curved gold letters stared back at the hovering of faces above it. Such a simple thing brought different emotions to the surface. Should they just ignore it? One emotion shone through all the others. Confusion. Why was this card sent in the first place? Finally having enough of all this staring, Kyo slowly picked up the black card and read it aloud.
Dear Family,
You are formally invited to a dinner held next Friday at 8 o'clock by Akito Sohma. Dress accordingly.
P.S. To this extension of the family: The misses, Miya Horugaka and Tohru Honda and Kyo Sohma, are welcome to attend.
"…Is he serious?" Miya asked.
"He must be. Akito has never been the type to beat around the bush about anything, as you well know," Shigure said.
"Why is he inviting us?" Yuki asked.
"I have no idea, but we have no choice. We have to attend." Shigure took the card from Kyo and tucked it in his pocket.
"Wait. I'm still lost about something. Why in the hell would he invite Tohru and me?"
"Yes. It's strange that we would be included in this dinner," Tohru said.
"Maybe he's finally warming up to you two." Miya scoffed.
"Yeah, and maybe pigs will fly and Kyo will get laid."
"HEY!" Kyo yelled.
"You never know, Miya. Ah! Alas!" Shigure put his hand on his chest. "Perhaps Akito has fallen secretly in love with one of you and this dinner is a charade for him to be closer to you. Maybe Tohru's tender, loving care will be enough to melt the iciness around his heart or Miya's rough nature brings out the animal lust in him and he ravages her until she screams out in pure ecstasy and can't walk anymo-" WHACK!
"Idiot. Doesn't he ever learn?" Miya lowered her reddening hand and Tohru hid her blushing face behind Yuki.
"No," Kyo replied, staring at the now-fallen Shigure twitching on the floor.
Next Friday came around sooner than anyone expected and before they knew it, Shigure and his three tenants were scrambling to get ready for Akito's dinner. His house had turned from clean and neat to unbearable mess. Tohru was the only one to be ready by the time the clock had hit seven. A sensible blue dress with a v-neck and a slight sleeve covered her tiny body while silver low-heeled shoes and a silver hand purse pulled her look together. She styled her hair half-up and half down.
Tohru's heels clicked as she came upon a bathroom door. Raising her hand, she knocked twice.
"Miya? Are you ready yet?"
"Almost, I promise!"
"Okay, I'll be downstairs." She wondered why Mira was taking so long.
Once downstairs, Tohru went into the kitchen and made herself some green tea. The sound of footsteps caught her attention and she turned to see Shigure just entering the kitchen.
"Shigure, why are you wearing that suit again?"
"Because, dear Tohru, I look extremely handsome in this particular suit. It looks even better from this side." Shigure turned slightly left, posed, and winked. Tohru giggled, amused at Shigure's normal antics. "Though, I must say, you look absolutely beautiful, Tohru. You know, if I was only a few years younger, I would-" WHACK!
"You sick bastard!" Kyo shouted.
"Why am I always getting hit?"
"Cuz you don't know when to quit!"
"Wow, Kyo! You look very handsome!" Tohru gushed. Kyo wore a black, somewhat loose work shirt with his normal khaki pants and dress shoes.
"Um…thanks. You look good, too…I guess."
"You're wearing that?" Yuki asked Kyo as he entered the kitchen.
"Yeah? What about it?"
"Nothing."
"You look handsome too, Yuki!" Tohru smiled at him.
"Thank you, Miss Honda." His outfit consisted of a white dress shirt that clung to him slightly and black dress pants. "Isn't Miss Miya done yet?"
"No-"
"Yes!"
Miya leaned against the kitchen door, huffing and puffing like the big, bad wolf. After a few minutes, she straightened up and brushed her fingers through her hair. Instantly, everyone's eyebrows shot up. Akito would certainly question her…unorthodox dress. Black capped sleeves hid her shoulders while a square collar focused on her neck and collarbone. A column of buttons on an intricate fabric in the front added a touch of playfulness and her pleated skirt reached to her midthigh, which turned into fishnet stockings and finally, high-heeled, black Oxfords. Her makeup was simple, mascara and pink lip-gloss.
She crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently. What exactly were they staring at? Miya didn't own any nice dresses except for the one she was wearing and a couple others fit for partying. This black dress was the closest thing she had to elegant. But then again, elegant and simple weren't in her vocabulary. So she put on her fishnet and Oxfords to make the look her own. Too lazy to bother, she decided on mascara and lip-gloss for her make-up. The fact that they were staring at her meant they thought she looked inappropriate and that Akito would probably be pissed.
"Are we going?" Miya said impatiently.
"Are you sure you want to wear that, Miya?" Shigure asked.
"It's the only dress I had that was appropriate enough for dinners and how could I not wear my fishnet."
"You do know that Akito will say something."
"So? I don't care. I like what I like."
"Can we go now? I wanna get this over with," Kyo said.
"Okay, everyone. Let's roll," Shigure said. And with that, they departed for Akito's unexpected dinner.
A faint chatter reached the ears of the group. When they first arrived, the Sohma Estate was quiet as usual. Shigure led the way, followed by Yuki; Kyo; Tohru; and lastly, Miya. On the way there, Miya learned the names of those who were also cursed: Ayame, the snake and Yuki's overdramatic brother; Kisa, the shy tiger; Hiro, the sarcastic sheep; Rin, the proud horse; Ritsu, the uber-shy and overreacting monkey; Kureno, the rooster; and Kagura, the bi-polar boar who "loves" Kyo.
"I hope I can remember their names," Miya voiced.
"Don't worry. They'll love you," Shigure whispered.
"We can only pray they do."
The chatter grew louder as they walked down a dark corridor. Shigure stopped at a large door with pictures of Sakura flowers and vines painted on them. He slid the door open; they had to shield their eyes from the brightness that flooded the corridor. Once she got used to the brightness, Miya lowered her arm and felt her chest tighten. Nine bodies occupied the dining room space. Miya glanced at each one, trying to remember each of their names.
"Hello!" Shigure sang out. Immediately, nine heads turned toward them. Miya felt uncomfortable under their questioning stares.
"Shigure!" a tall, silver-haired man yelled out.
"Aya!"
"How long has it been? You didn't forget about me, did you?"
"Aya, you know you're always on my mind…"
"Yes!" they said together with their signature thumbs-up.
Miya laughed at the two. Ayame was exactly the way Shigure described him. Tall, lean, and definitely on the eccentric side. Shigure signaled her to come closer.
"Ayame, this is Miya. Miya, Ayame."
"How do you do, dark flower?" Ayame took her hand, bent down, and kissed it. Miya wanted to laugh out loud at his chivalry.
"I'm fine. And how are you?"
"Wonderful, now that Shigure's here!" He smiled at Shigure.
"Miya!!"
She only had a second to glance before a small body smacked into her and she was knocked over. POOF! Miya closed her legs in attempt to shield her more…private area. In her lap was a small, yellow, familiar bunny covered in clothes.
"Hi, Momiji. Long time no see."
"Momiji, get off her," a soft voice said. Haru took Momiji in his arms while she patted down her dress. "Nice seeing you again, Miya."
"Likewise." POOF! Miya scrambled to gather up Momiji's clothes and place them on top of Momiji.
"I think it would be wise if we got you dressed, Momiji," Haru said.
"Okay!"
"I'll be out here waiting for you guys." Haru nodded.
Miya shook her head smiling. Everybody in the Sohma family was crazy. In a good way.
"So you're Miya," an unknown voice called out. Miya whipped around to face a black-haired girl. A frown graced her pale face as she studied Miya.
"Um…yes."
"I heard you socked Akito. Is that true?"
"Yes."
"Cool." She said nothing more and turned around.
"Wait. What's your name?"
"…Rin."
She's strange.
A sudden knock resounded on the door. All heads swiveled as an older man with wisps of gray in his hair stepped into the dining room. He dressed in a tuxedo, which meant he had to be one of the servants in the estate or perhaps a butler. He cleared his throat and began to speak.
"Will you please take your assigned seats please?"
Assigned seats? Miya furrowed her brows. The card didn't say anything about assigned seats. She turned to Shigure for answers. He merely motioned to the dining table. Small, white cards were positioned around the table. One by one, the bodies began to circle the table, trying to find the card with their name imprinted on it. Miya found her place near the head of the table, her name beautifully curved in black Calligraphy. Soon, the bodies stopped shuffling and conversation resumed. The seating arrangement, clockwise, was as followed: the seat at the head of the table was left unoccupied, Hatori, Rin, Haru, Momiji, Tohru, Yuki, Ritsu, Ayame at the other head of the table, Hiro, Kisa, Kyo, Kagura, Kureno, Shigure, and lastly Miya. Looking around, Shigure couldn't help but notice that certain "couples" were seated together. He had to wonder…
Why did he make the arrangement like that? Was it intentional? Akito had never been one to tolerate these relationships. He felt they were all obliged to be faithful to him and only him. He remembered what happened to Hatori and Kana when they wished to be together. Kana lost her memory…Hatori lost the girl who made his heart shine. But then again…
Shigure glanced at Tohru laughing besides Yuki and a smile appeared on his face. Ever since she came into their lives, things have changed. For the better. Because of her, Akito relaxed a little. He didn't lose his temper as often, but he still was the same bastard they knew him to be. His eyes flickered over to Miya fiddling with her napkin. She too changed Akito. They truly were more alike than they dared admit. And she was the only one who ever stood up to him. A brave feat for someone outside the family. He chuckled. The incident was still talked about throughout the family. And yet if the seating was intentional, why would he put Miya beside him?
Suddenly a gong banged loudly, causing Miya and a couple others to cover their ears. The butler lowered his weapon of sound and opened the screen door. There entering in all his arrogance stood Akito dressed in a plain blue yukata. Strange considering he wanted everyone to dress up and there he stood in a yukata. He took his place at the head of the table and sat down. Miya cast a fleeting look around the table, and everyone held the same look. Apprehension. Uneasiness. It was as if they were waiting for an impending doom.
She couldn't help it…
Her chest rumbled as a sound escaped her mouth. All heads turned toward her; some in surprise, others in complete confusion. Slowly, the pain in her chest grew. Shigure looked to Ayame who in return motioned to Miya. Shigure shrugged and turned back to her. She was…laughing. Laughing. A peek at Akito told him the young man didn't seem to be perturbed by it. He took note of that. Her laughter soon subsided to a few giggles and hiccups.
"Sorry about that."
"What was that for?" Akito asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Um… I happened to look…to Ayame and, uh, I thought of what…he would look like as a…prostitute." She smiled to confirm her response. Akito raised a brow. She scratched the back of her neck and nervously chuckled.
"I imagine he would look like a woman," Shigure interrupted. Miya thanked him silently for interrupting the awkward moment.
"Are you kidding?! I would look absolutely stunning as a prostitute! The envy of every man on this Earth! Women would be on their knees, begging me to satisfy them in my sensual embrace!"
"Ayame," Hatori said sternly.
"What?" he asked with an innocent look on his face. "She's the one who imagined me as a prostitute."
"Thank god we can't," Haru uttered.
Momiji broke out laughing alongside Kagura, Rin, Ritsu, Yuki, and Tohru. Before they realized it, the awkwardness fluttered away and small conversation arose between the siblings, except for Akito. He still kept up his superior demeanor and talked to no one. Shigure nudged Miya with his elbow. Once her eyes were set on him, a playful smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, almost taunting:" I know what you did!"
"I have no clue what you're talking about," she whispered.
"Yes, you do."
"Well, you all looked so damn uncomfortable. I had to do something! And it worked!"
"Almost." He nodded towards Akito watching the others.
"He's not social and we're not friends."
"You're close enough."
Akito knew. Hell, how could he not? He knew he made them uneasy. They were right to be. As expected of good lap dogs, each one wore a semi-fancy dress or some form of suit, except for her. She wore a dress and it was anything but dressy. A sigh escaped his lips. Why couldn't she listen for once? Still… she did look…
"Akito."
"What?" he snapped, old habits dying very hard.
"No need to snap."
"What is it?" he said impatiently.
"Umm, I forgot." Damn smirk!
"Well, I have something to ask you."
"Really? What?"
"Why didn't you dress up like I asked you to?"
"Don't even start. This is the closest thing I have to formal and I thought fishnet would look cute with it. And you can't say anything anyway!"
"Why not?"
"You're dressed in a yukata."
"I'm the one that organized this little dinner and I can wear whatever I wish to wear."
"Akito," Hatori disturbed.
With a smug smirk of his own, he faced Hatori and they began talking about medications to help his insomnia. Miya scoffed. Jerk.
The night wore on as the zodiac members and guests were halfway through the main course. Akito spared no expense for food. Extravagant trays full of sushi, lobster, rice balls, and the like covered the dining table from end to end. Not one body was shy about digging in as soon as possible. Miya had her fill of California rolls and the Crab Rangoon sushi. Scrumptious.
"Yum! This is so good!" Miya said with her mouth full.
"It's not polite to speak with your mouth open," Shigure mumbled.
"You're doing it too!" It was true. His cheeks puffed out and bits of rice stuck to his lips. A Japanese Buddha with a pervert streak.
Miya popped another California roll into her mouth before spitting right back out. What the hell?! A weight fell on her knee. Or rather, a hand fell on her knee. Only one guy had the audacity to put his hand where it doesn't belong without worrying about the consequences. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Shigure staring at everything but her. That pervert knew what he was doing. Trying to act all innocent didn't work on her.
"Shigure, if you wanted to put your hand on my knee, all you had to do was ask!"
Not even a flinch crossed Shigure as several heads turned their way. He kept on eating as if he was deaf to her words. But knowing Shigure, his silence wouldn't last for long.
"Oh really? Well then, may I put my hand on your knee?"
"No."
"Aw, why not?" he pouted.
"Because I said no."
"Tease." Shigure sighed as he placed his hand back in his personal space. Miya giggled. Yuki shook his head in exasperation and continued his conversation with Tohru. The others eventually followed suit.
The tips of his chopsticks were barely out of his mouth when Shigure barely suppressed a gasp. He swallowed the piece of sushi with a fit of coughs following. Miya had to bite her bottom lip to keep from laughing her ass off. Once Shigure collected himself, he glanced down to see what made him almost choke in the first place. A lithe hand perched itself on his knee. A grin broke out; if that was how she wanted to play, then that's how he'll play.
"Miya, if you wanted to put your hand on my knee, all you had to do was ask."
"Okay. Can I put my hand on your knee?"
"Yes."
Miya turned her hand inwards so it rested on the inside of his knee. Shigure narrowed his eyes, daring her to go even an inch farther. She returned his stare with one of her own. Her way of signaling that she accepted his challenge. Should she? What would he do? A few minutes passed by without either one relenting. A few of the Sohma siblings noticed the intense staring between the two, but brushed the occurrence off as a regular Shigure episode.
She was fed up with the nonstop staring and decided to ante up the challenge. He didn't even see it coming.
In one quick motion, she slid her hand up his leg and ending at his most private of body parts. Shigure jumped and hit his knee under the table. The heads turned again to an embarrassed Shigure and a hysterical Miya. Oh yes. Shigure squeaked. He actually, literally squeaked. It was part of the reason why he covered his eyes with his hands and tried to contain his laughter. Miya, on the other hand, made no effort to hide her laughter. She let it all out, ignoring the questioning glances of the Sohmas.
A hand banged on the dining table, immediately ceasing Miya's laughter and the conversations. All eyes were on Akito. He cast a seething glare on Miya before getting up and storming out of the dining room. She looked to Hatori for answers, but the doctor just shrugged. And to think he was hoping tonight would go smoothly.