Chapter Seven: Hello Brother…

He awoke to the bright sunlight streaming in through the sheer curtains. Groaning he snuggled deeper into his nest of blankets about to roll over and fall asleep again when he realized two things: his alarm clock had not gone off and Helena was missing.

Bolting upright in bed, eyes bleary and full of sleepers, he searched his room for the feline who was nowhere to be found. "Helena," he called hoping she would come out of hiding, but there was nothing.

Glancing at his clock – 9:41am – the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He was late for school, very late in fact and he was simply sitting in bed in his underpants.

Cursing he flipped back the covers about to vacate the bed when he saw the note on the night table next to his clock.

Takaya… It's a snow day! Aren't you excited? I turned off your alarm so you could sleep. I went to Yumi's house for the day. There's breakfast in the fridge. I'll see you tonight! Love, Me

Smiling to himself he walked to the window and pulled back the shades. The sun bounced off the brilliant white snow momentarily blinding him. His vision came back into focus as he gazed in childlike wonder at the winter wonderland before him. Every building, every tree, every sidewalk, every car was covered in a thick blanket of white. Snow plows ground against the street digging up the snow so that traffic could once again flow freely.

Tearing his gaze from the window he called for his cat again. "Helena…"

Still there was no sign of her.

After having the feline his constant shadow and companion for almost a week now he felt suddenly lost without her. Where had she gone? Had she slipped out the door this morning behind Miya? No, he mused, she would have noticed Helena leaving.

Yawning he pulled a gray sweatshirt over his bare skin. "Helena… psst… Helena!" Once again there was nothing.

Slightly bewildered by her absence he padded into the bathroom to brush his teeth and relieve himself. But not before he checked the tub, behind the toilet, and the laundry basket as well as the linen closet for his cat.

Toothbrush in mouth he wondered the small apartment keeping his eyes peeled for the feline. Standing in the kitchen he surveyed the area. Where has she gone? Turning his eyes from the living room he spit in the kitchen sink. Tipping his head he drank from the faucet when, suddenly, a bright green flash filled the room.

He nearly drowned.

Coughing he ran around the counter and blinked, mouth agape. "H-Helena…?" he breathed.

His cat purred loudly within the receding spiritual flames. She walked gracefully towards him brushing up against his ankles - the flames now a figment of his over active imagination.

She uncurled herself from his legs and made a beeline straight for her food dish undeterred by her master's bewildered looks.

"What the hell are you?!" he yelled his voice cracking in the process. Yes, granted he had seen a lot of crazy stuff this past year, but it all involved people. This was a cat! No house cat should be able to have the spiritual flames of a processor; no cat at all, for that matter, should have them.

Helena's green eyes blinked up at him then at her empty dish.

"No way! I'm not feeding you till I get some answers!" Blinking more at himself than at her he smacked himself in the forehead. "Oh fuck, once again I'm talking to a cat."

"Meow?"

Sighing he turned to the refrigerator. He felt deflated. He really did not need to deal with more "supernatural crap" especially when it involved a cat and not a person. Maybe she was a person at one point? Or maybe… um… yeah, I've got nothin'.

Sighing once more he dumped a can of Fancy Feast into her dish. She ate eagerly. He glared. He was half tempted to touch her just to make sure she was real. He was also half-tempted to pinch himself so that he would wake from whatever dream land he was in. A cat with green spiritual flames – ridiculous. He opted to go back to bed instead.

Trudging back to his room he flopped onto his bed covering his eyes with his arm. How is it possible? I've seen enough of this shit to be jaded by it, but, damn, she's a cat! Cats aren't possessors. Obviously I need to sleep more. Yes, that's it… I'm overstressed and sleep deprived. This whole thing is a hallucination.

After having mentally talked himself out of a panic attack, Takaya let out a sigh of relief. Truly he was not as crazy as he was making himself out to be – right?

"Meow."

He felt her hop on the bed then walk towards him. She crawled onto his chest and started purring. Her whiskers tickled his arm as he removed it from his eyes.

Their gazes locked.

She started glowing a bright green.

Takaya barely had time to scream.

He woke with a start in the middle of a room he knew he had been in before. Rolling over from his stomach, he pulled himself to his feet. Blinking wildly at his surroundings he tried to recall exactly how he had ended up in Naoe's living room.

A quick jolt of fear, anticipation and lust shot through him making him panic.

Damnit, how did he get here? And why didn't he have pants on? A million thoughts raced through his head, but only one seemed to ring true. Helena had somehow transported him here. How, when, why… more importantly how?

He scratched his head and sighed deeply. Just dandy. I'm magically transported to Naoe's house and with only my underwear and sweatshirt. My life sucks. Grumbling he walked to the far screen and slid it open slowly. The hallway was deserted and he thanked whatever celestial being was up there.

Cautiously he walked down the hallway hoping to find some form of life; preferably not Naoe at least until he found some pants. Then he could find Naoe and have the man explain to him just exactly how he ended up here. But what of Helena, where had the feline gone?

He was not sure of anything at the moment. He needed – wanted – answers and he wanted them now, damnit. Except a heavenly smell was tickling his nose. Obviously he was headed towards the kitchens.

The smell became stronger as he stared at the kitchen door. It was beige with a small, round window at the top; it was hinged so that it swung in both directions – in and out. A quaint dining room was to his left with a small table, cozy cushions, several plants and a large window that allowed the winter sun to pour in. The table, however, was only set for two. Was Naoe expecting him or was he expecting someone else?

That though sent his stomach straight to his toes.

How dare Naoe be with someone else! He belonged to him. Regardless of their twisted relationship, Naoe was his and his alone. It disturbed him on many levels to think that he was with some woman or maybe it was another man? Jealousy and panic clawed at his insides and fueled him on his search.

Then he heard the singing – female singing. Anger shot through him like white, hot lightening. He wanted to throw the door open and scream and yell then kill Naoe. But he did none of those things. Instead he cautiously pushed on the door and froze.

She was lithe and petite with raven hair that fell to her shoulders. It was slightly wavy and tousled with sleep. She wore nothing but a dress shirt. She swayed to the music in her head, singing out loud. Her hips rocked and her feet moved as her hands chopped, flipped and mixed breakfast.

The coffeepot dinged and she literally skipped over to it to shut it off. Turning like a ballerina on some very brightly colored socks, she spotted him.

His stomach plummeted to his feet. "Yakata Amiee…" he breathed out.

She gazed at him with those ice blue eyes and a small smile played across her lush lips. He was frozen in place too shocked by her presence to move. She crossed the space of the kitchen and stood in front of him.

That knowing smile stayed on her lips as she grabbed the fabric of his shirt, digging her fingers into his wrist. He lost all ability to move and breathe. Frozen by a power other than shock he tried to draw away from her. Instead she laughed pressing herself up against him.

She stood on tiptoe and whispered into his ear. "Hello… brother… it's been awhile."

He gasped staring into her eyes; his own huge with surprise. "H-Hanairo?"

She smiled, truly smiled some sort of wicked smile, and nodded. "Yes."

Suddenly another timer went off and she jumped back, releasing any hold she held on him. Once more he felt like he could move. Quickly she ran to the oven and pulled out a pan of fish. Grinning at the fish she turned to him. "I almost burned it! That would have sucked. Breakfast would have been ruined; and this is your favorite!"

Placing the tray on the stovetop she gave the fish a poke testing for doneness. Turning she skipped back over to him causing him to jump back and hit the door. It swung open; he lost his footing and fell flat on his back in the doorway.

Groaning he blinked up at the figure looming over him. "Good morning, Takaya."

How Naoe was unfazed by his master lying in the middle of the kitchen doorway in nothing but his underwear and a sweatshirt, he would never know. But the older possessor simply held out his hand and helped him to his feet. He then stepped by him, brushing against him ever so slightly; Takaya could not resist a shiver.

"Hanairo," Naoe said with nod as he headed for the coffee.

"Naoe-kun!" she yelled. "Don't! I'll serve you in the dinning room."

The older possessor sighed and stepped away from the coffee. His gaze longing. "As you wish." He turned and headed for the door.

"You too, brother! I've made all your favorites." She grinned at him and tried to push him out the door.

Blinking wildly, started by how casual the pair was being about, well, everything, Takaya's temper erupted. "I'm not your brother!" he shouted planting his feet on the floor.

Instead of looking surprised by his outburst or even upset the crazy girl – he was sure she was crazy – smiled at him. "Phish…" she waved her hands at him, which grated his nerves even more. "Don't say such silly things, Kagetora. It makes you sound crazy." She crossed her eyes and made small circles at her temple with her index finger.

Takaya saw and turned red. He raised his hand about to bring down all the wrath of Bishamonten on her head when Naoe grabbed his elbow and squeezed. Struggling, tiger-eyes flashing, he growled. "Release me!"

"Takaya, Hanairo has spent hours making you breakfast. Come sit down and we'll talk."

"No! I want…"

"Sweet fried eggs?" the crazy girl chirped, beaming at him.

Blinking he yelled, "No! I want some…"

"Baked snapper?"

"No, damnit! I want you to stop interrupting me!"

Smiling she nodded. "Okay!" Turning on her lime green socks, magenta lobsters grinning at him, she began putting breakfast into bowls.

Startled Takaya could only blink. He heard Naoe chuckle softly at his right as he released his elbow. He shot him a nasty glare and the man quieted, but only slightly.

"It's nice, by the way, Kagetora, that you're still your prickly, surly self – even if you don't have your memories."

Suddenly he felt the need to hurt her. "Naoe said you were dead!"

Unfortunately it did not work. She turned suddenly and lunged at him wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. "Not at all, obviously. But I've missed you so much, Kagetora… my dear brother. Even though you don't remember, I know you've missed me also or you would not be so frazzled."

She smiled up at him and something in his chest tightened.

He resisted the strange urge to wrap his arms around her small frame, but just barely. Thankfully she pulled away and returned to her stove.

"Go sit down, both of you. I'll bring breakfast out in a sec," she said happily finishing a few last minute things on the meal.

Takaya blinked. Part of him wanted to reach out and touch her and give her that hug. But it was ludicrous to feel so strongly for someone he had never met before – right?

Naoe touched his sleeve then and pushed the door open. "Come… let's sit down."

Nodding he followed him out the door. Naoe knelt at the set table and Takaya followed suite. Part of him was extremely pleased by the fact that the table had been set for him. He no longer wanted to murder Naoe just lightly maim him for not telling him about Hanairo.

"Naoe why…"

"Meow."

Takaya could not suppress the slight jump of his body as the feline walked into the room and over to Naoe. The man chuckled rubbing under her chin as she crawled into his lap. "Don't worry, Takaya, she won't transport you anywhere again."

"Y-yes… how did she…?"

The kitchen door swung open and Hanairo appeared carrying a try laden with food. She set the tray on the table and glared at her cat. "Helena, leave Naoe alone," she passed him a mug of black coffee. "He needs to eat his breakfast."

The cat meowed up at her in a tone that could best be described as a whine.

"I don't care," she waved her hand, "move."

The feline did as asked, but grudgingly. She then made her way to Takaya. Instead of crawling into his lap, however, she sat politely at his side. Takaya could only blink.

"Silly," Hanairo muttered setting a cup of tea in front of Takaya.

The teen blinked into the cup and she grinned at him. "There's milk in there just the way you like."

"How do you know how I take my tea?"

Hanairo knelt like a queen and placed bowls of rice, sweet fried omelet with scallions, grilled snapper, miso soup, and natto – fermented soybeans – on the table.

"Because," she said finally settling with a cup of heavily creamed coffee in front of her. "You always took your tea with milk. Why wouldn't I remember that? Just because you're in this body does not mean you don't have the same tastes." Gesturing towards the breakfast she smiled. "Such as all of this stuff is your favorite. I hope you enjoy it."

Takaya stared at her, puzzled. This woman was claiming that she was his sister. Yes, deep down he felt some connection to her, but she was a stranger. He knew nothing about her except that she had a cat. How could he claim her as his sister if he did not know her?

"Naoe said you were dead," he asked his tone guarded.

The man in question glanced at him over his coffee mug. "I did say that, but I was wrong." He looked at Hanairo who smiled softly. "Tell him what happened."

With a slight nod of her head she did as asked. She told him how she had survived the ordeal from sixty years ago and why she did not contact them along with her travels and need to return once more to Japan. She also explained how she let Naoe find her, but left out the revenge seeking.

"Why didn't you tell me you knew who Helena was, Naoe?" the teen asked. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Naoe took a sip of his coffee and a bite of rice. "Because what if I was wrong? What if the cat was around but not her master? Then you would have gotten your hopes up and I would have crushed them. You probably would have been angry with me for weeks."

"I would not!" he grumbled pouting. Of course he saw Naoe's point. As freaked out by her presence as he was, something about her soothed him. That feeling startled him seeing as though she was a stranger.

They ate in silence for a few minutes lost in their own thoughts before Takaya asked, "How did I get here, by the way?"

Hanairo laughed. Takaya was not sure why, but he truly enjoyed the sound; it was soft and light and full of joy. Part of him felt that she should laugh all the time. He remembered what Naoe had told him that four hundred years ago she was not allowed to laugh or she would loose the tight grip on her self-control and "powers".

"Oh that," she giggled pulling the feline into her lap. She held up the sleek animal holding out her right front paw. There, tattooed on the pink pad, Takaya noticed a circle with four interlocking lines in the center. "This is a demonic seal. Father placed it there right after he and I became possessors. He wanted Helena to be with me always. This mark makes her a demon of sorts. She's immortal, travels in, well, what we would call 'possessor flames', and she can transport herself or others from one place to another. And she can do a bit more… all because she's a smart kitty, yes she is!" she cooed rubbing noses with the cat.

Helena purred. Takaya resisted the urge to throw up and Naoe's eyebrow twitched. But on that note the older possessor set down his empty plate and coffee and said, "Breakfast was delicious, Hanairo. I've missed your cooking."

"Thanks, Naoe-kun," she beamed.

The pet name severely annoyed Takaya.

"You have to head to the office soon, right, Naoe-kun?"

"Yes," he nodded. "I would be happy to take you to work. I will also take you home, Takaya. It is on the way."

"Yeah. Okay," he grumbled, finishing his breakfast. He did not like that they had already discussed plans with each other without his knowledge.

"You will be back in time for Haruie, right, Naoe-kun?"

"Haruie's coming in?" he asked, puzzled.

"Yes. Hanairo had me call her in last night. She should be here around one."

Now he really did not like this. How dare she order his men about! She might have rank, but definitely not position. Brooding he was about to say something when she turned and looked at him those blue eyes searching his soul.

"Don't think like that, Kagetora."

"Like what?" he snapped.

"Like you are. I just wanted us all to be together. Nagahide is on the move and I'm sure will be here sometime today as well. I want us all to go out to dinner. I've got the perfect place, too. You have to wear something nice, kay?"

He glared at her slightly.

"Say it's okay," she said casually, but he could hear the request for permission in her tone.

He rolled his eyes. "Fine. Whatever. I don't care."

"Yes!" she smiled at the pair and enthusiastically took a bite of snapper. "This is so great! You'll love this restaurant. It's a dinning experience! It's got great food, great service, it's elegant and ritzy… oh I can't wait! So be sure you wear a suite and tie – it's one of those places."

"One of those places…?" he repeated, puzzled.

"Yes!" she clapped her hands together – chopsticks braced in her palms – and smiled. "It'll be wonderful. Now you guys need to finish your breakfast and make sure you don't eat anything else until dinner. Unless it's something light 'cause you really need to save room for dinner."

Puzzled yet again Takaya did as asked. He had to admit it really was quite good and all the foods were his favorites.

Author's Note: Well… finally another chpt done and outta the way. Yay! I also apologize for being so slow w/ this update. My job keeps me quite busy around the holidays. Thankfully my job is slow until Valentines, so I hope to write a lot before then.

I know this chpt is somewhat short and not very detailed, but I wanted them to meet in a very casual way and I did not want to draw it out that much either. I also wanted Haruie to finally come into the story, but I got lazy and wanted to work on chpt 8. She'll arrive – finally – 2 chpts from now. Chpt 8 makes me happy; Nagahide arrives! It shouldn't be that long of a chpt either, but I'm hoping to bump the rating up in chpt 9. Yay! But, alas, it won't be Takaya and Naoe just yet. I can't just let the pair have at it. Well I could, but what's the fun in that?

Also… I know Takaya seems a bit OC in this chpt. But, my thought was he's no longer phased by ppl as possessors, but a cat? He was truly freaked out. And he is still a 17yr old boy so I thought him to be huffy, sarcastic and in big denial. I hope he came across okay. I kinda liked how he turned out, myself.

Finally… thank you SO much for everyone who reviewed my fic. If you left an email to reply to I probably did so, but I wanted to thank those anonymous ppl, too. Carla who's been there replying through most chpts. I love that! Mikka – I try to portray the chars as best I can. I'm glad I'm succeeding. I'm trying to make them more human, too. Laura17 and Sarah I'm writing as fast as I can. Haha! Thanks for reading, everyone!! . Ana

Next Chapter: Memories of a Lover…

"She was like a toxin in my blood..."