If Usagi could of slept through the morning noise, she would of, but as fate would have it, she was not going to get her sleep. She had awoken slightly when Tohru had slipped out of the bed earlier talking about breakfast. Usagi hadn't said anything, she merely shifted so it would be easier for Tohru to leave. Even the cats had granted her a reprieve, instead focusing on what they had found out. Yet, it seemed that Usagi just wasn't going to get those extra hours. As a lot of yelling downstairs was causing her curiosity to rise.
Her ears strained, trying desperately to match voices with names so as she may elude their comments later. A high pitched yelling followed by a scream of dissatisfaction had her noted to Kyo. Mentally she just assigned this to another fight between Kyo and Yuki. However more had her listening, as she heard the dainty voice of Yuki yelling for someone to get away. Now, Usagi stretched lightly, and a third voice joined the fray, it was elated for some reason. 'That's Shigure.' She remarked mentally. Confused, she sighed and tried burying her head into the pillow she laid on.
"Aya, she is still sleeping!" Shigure warned, as a blur dashed beside him.
"Nonsense, Shigure, it's time for the morning beauty." 'Aya,' responded, and it was all Usagi needed to confirm the fourth identity.
'No, Ayame.' She moaned in her head, grasping desperately at the fading feeling of sleeping. Usagi heard the door swing open, and her cats shift away. Curtains were drawn away from the window, and sunlight played upon her eyelids. She groaned refusing to succumb to what the day wanted. However, her weight was shifted when she was basically lifted out of bed and thrust into the daylight. "Ah, you haven't even been made ready for the day, and you are a wonderful beauty." A voice chimed above her as she willed her eyes shut. 'Oh, go away Ayame.' She urged in her head. "However, one must not squint, so open your eyes before you get lines." Ayame ordered, and then she felt fingers prying her eyelids open.
The sun darted in at it's first chance, and Usagi pulled from Ayame's hold to turn her eyes. "You could of blinded me." She whined while rubbing her eyes.
"Ah, but it was effective, no?" Ayame reminded her. "Now, slide into this and join us for breakfast." He chimed while shoving something in her arms. Usagi merely nodded, and sighed as he glided out of the room. Glancing down she found another one of Ayame's new gowns. Though, this one commanded respect for the person wearing it, and silently she thanked him. Obviously, whom ever this Akito was, they demanded respect and obedience. Usagi only knew this, because Shigure, Yuki, Kyo, and even Ritsu had explained such. Slipping into the clothing, she turned and gently woke Artemis and Luna. They nodded silently to her, and followed dutifully behind her, they wouldn't get cat hairs on her clothing.
As she came down the stairs she was surprise to find Ritsu in a button up shirt of white, and pants of a light tan. The bow was out of his hair and in a low ponytail held by a rubber band. "Ne, Ritsu-kun, what's going on?" Usagi inquired as she caught his arm with her hand. Ritsu stared at her with fearful, but strong eyes, one of his hands resting on hers.
"I'm accompanying you." He answered.
"No, you don't have to." Usagi remarked.
"Yes, I do, not to mention, I have to pay tribute to Akito-sama as well." Ritsu told her. "I have to apologize for my being." He added. Usagi shook her head, tightening the hand on his arm.
"No, do not apologize for being who you are, each of us is a special gem that glows with it's own light." Usagi told him. Ritsu smiled gently, tilting his head a little.
"Perhaps you are right." Ritsu stated, and then lifted his hand from hers. Usagi let him go, and he turned to walk off. "Perhaps you can teach Akito-sama to see as you do." His whisper caught Usagi's ears. Her eyes darted worriedly to the two cats, from what they had whispered in the little time they had been alone, Akito-sama was dark... Sighing she walked down the last bit of stairs and into the room where meals commenced.
"Ah, Usagi-chan, a vision of loveliness." One of the males stated, and Usagi turned to thank, whom she thought was Ayame. Instead she came face to face with Shigure. Blushing, and swallowing she leaned backwards a bit. Shigure was distracted from his gazing, by two warning hisses.
"Thank you Shigure-san." Usagi offered politely. Between him and Ayame, she would have permanent red cheeks.
"Just Shigure, Usagi-chan." He corrected.
"Right." Usagi said, and then a shuffle had her turning to the approaching Tohru. A smile split her face, as she saw what Tohru carried. "Food!" She chimed, and happily sat at the table. A quiet laughter had her glancing at her table companion. Usagi had sat beside Yuki, not noticing that he was already there. "Morning Yuki-san." Usagi chirped. Yuki blinked at the addressing, he was use to Sohma-san/kun/chan, or with Tohru, Yuki-kun, Kagura called him Yun-chan. However, Usagi didn't bother calling him by his last name, but she didn't cross the lines of closeness.
"Uh, morning, Tsukino-san." Yuki replied.
"No, Usagi, or Usagi-chan." Usagi reminded. Yuki colored lightly, not use to being corrected either.
"Yes, Usagi-san." He returned. Usagi huffed, and threw up her hands while shaking her head. Glancing around, she noticed who else she had to greet.
"Morning, Kyo-kun!" She greeted when she saw him sulking in. He glanced at her and gave her a small smile of greeting.
"Morning, Usagi." He responded, and sat to her other side, ignoring his closeness to Yuki. Usagi turned to Yuki with a scolding smile.
"See, that's how you do it." Usagi chimed to him. Yuki nodded, and gave a small smile. "Now, you try." Usagi ordered.
"Usagi." Yuki stated, and Usagi gave him a firm nod.
"Very good." Usagi returned, and turned back to her morning ritual. "Morning, Ayame and Shigure." She told them together.
"Ah, you greet Kyo and Yuki separately, but lump me together with Aya, you are harsh Usagi." Shigure cajoled. Ayame, held a hand to his breast as Shigure said this.
"Shigure, I know now where your loyalty lies." Ayame fluttered, and Shigure turned to him.
"No, there is only you Aya!" Shigure claimed.
"No, no, I see it now." Ayame returned waving his hand in the air like a deserted royal.
"Aya, forever, remember?" Shigure offered. Both their play could go on, Usagi's laughter stopped them. They both shared a small smile, achieving their directive. The air had been tense with promise, and they were trying to lighten atmosphere, they had achieve it, along with annoying Kyo and Yuki.
"Morning Ritsu-kun, looking good." Usagi chirped, and watch the youth slightly blush. Before they hashed over their prior conversation, and Ritsu gave a small nod.
"Morning Usagi-chan." Ritsu returned. Then Usagi focused on the one carting the food to and fro.
"Morning Tohru-chan!" Usagi yelled as Tohru came closer with the food. Tohru gave her famous gentle smile and placed breakfast in front of Usagi.
"Morning Usagi-chan." Tohru replied. Usagi nodded, to engross with the food to respond. For a few minutes, everyone watched Usagi in shock, before shrugging.
Breakfast was a semi-fun affair as they chatted over nothing, but before long, Shigure pulled her to the side with a serious gaze on his face. "Whatever you do, just be respectful and quiet, only speak when Akito requires an answer." He warned. "Else-wise, just don't anger the clan head, and don't question." Shigure told her. Usagi frowned mentally, one hand resting on the Ginzuishou.
"Should I bring a gift?" Usagi inquired.
"If you have one." Shigure answered, Usagi nodded seriously, and flicked a gaze to her cats. With her eyes she gestured for them to follow her. As they stepped outside, she turned to Luna with a bit of a pleading expression.
"I know you can do miraculous things, do you think you could magic a gift out of thin air?" Usagi begged of them. Artemis and Luna shared a look before answering.
"I can't Usa, but you can." Luna told her. "Just lay your hand on your broach, and open it to the ginzuishou." Luna instructed, and Usagi hastily did so. "Now focus on the person that you want the gift for, and wish." She finished.
"All right." Usagi agreed. 'All I have to do is wish?' She wondered, not noticing the warm glow on her fingers from the crystal. With her eyes closed she focused on what she had been told about the clan head. Feeling a weight in her other hand she opened her eyes. Gasping she held up what had been granted to her. It was made of flawless crystal, reflecting the light and giving color to the sculpture. A pair of small birds sat upon a open blossom magnolia. The two birds, when the sun hit them turned green, one bird was modeled after the Tufted Coquette, and the other was a Green Honeycreeper. Slightly happy she stepped back inside holding the gift. Her admiration was stopped by a hand lifting the gift from her fingers.
Turning she spotted Hatori looking it over. His eyes fell on hers with a speculative gaze. "Interesting, Akito-sama favors these birds." Hatori spoke. "Very wise." He coined, and then gestured for her to follow him while handing back the crystal object. Hatori then noticed that he was being shadowed by more the Ritsu. Glancing up toward the roof of Shigure's home, he narrowed his eyes.
Usagi stopped trying to figure out what the doctor may had been looking at. The sun sparkled in her blue eyes causing it hard to make out. Hatori continued walking on, leading both Ritsu and Usagi into his car. He ignored the slight thump on his rooftop, knowing that Kyo was following to keep an eye on the blond. Personally, he had no true feelings toward the cat in the zodiac, it didn't offer him one or the other as the extreme feelings went. Though he knew that the blond would need support, something neither he nor Ritsu could truly give.
The drive was silent, unhurried, and very tense. Not even Usagi went to break the truculent air that hovered over the car. Since the start, Ritsu had been painstakingly quiet, and white as a sheet. Usagi had then turned her observations to Hatori. The doctor had fished out one of his cigarette's though it wasn't lit, it just hung out his mouth. It was enough for Usagi to see that his teeth were clenched tightly upon the butt of the cigarette. Though the drive was unhurried, the reached the main house in no time at all.
The air grew decidedly thicker as they stepped out of the car. Usagi turned when she saw a shadow leap from the top of the car to the outer walls. Unable to pinpoint what exactly it was that she saw, she returned her attention to following Hatori and Ritsu. Hatori then directed her to a room, when she entered all she saw was a lonely female photographs, a desk, and some books. Hatori followed in, along with the extremely quiet Ritsu. They sat in silence until a knock resounded on the door. Hatori got up and pulled it open to find Kureno standing there.
"Ritsu shall be seen." He clarified, and Hatori nodded. Moving out of the way so as Ritsu may pass. For a second, Usagi fathomed following him. Though, Usagi's thoughts must have been betrayed on her face, because a small shake of Kureno's head was enough to stop her. Then they were gone, both Ritsu and Kureno had left her field of vision, leaving her with the quiet doctor.
"You should've ignored us Sohma's." Hatori stated quietly. His stanched eyes almost soft. "It would have been better for you." He told her.
"Perhaps, but it would not have been better for you." She responded. Hatori raised a sculptured eyebrow, his vision focused on the crystal gift she held.
"Tell me, what does snow become when it melts?" Hatori asked her, his face shadow. Usagi gave a soft smile with a peccant stance.
"If I was a logical person, I would say water, if I was optimistic, I would say Spring." She began, and Hatori raised his eyebrow higher. He had heard the familiar answer, and yet she wasn't done. "However, though I am both of those, I would say hope." Usagi stated.
"Hmm." Hatori offered.
"When snow melts you can see the ground, and the beginning of new life, though it may not be Spring just yet." Usagi remarked. "It is a breath, holding for the beginning, for the renew of a cycle, it is hope that things would continued as they always do, and yet with a promise of tomorrow things could be new." She commented. "So, when snow melts, it becomes hope." Usagi finished, turning to face his sliding glass window.
Minutes passed as Hatori stared at the ethereal being in his office. Neither his ex-lover Kana or the young Tohru had answered that way, or put that much thought into it. For a moment, he pondered over the fate of the young Usagi, and what would become of her if she ever found out the whole truth. A bit of sadness lined his brow then, what would become of all of them if they lost this bright light? Tohru was a light as well, but not as blinding. A promise he then made, he would protect the blond no matter what, and perhaps they would be granted a reprieve from their curse. Perhaps also, Akito-sama would find solace as well, and once again Hatori could believe in the miracles of human souls.
Right well, someone asked me for an in-depth chapter between Akito and Usagi, and they want it long, so I figured I get this out for waiting. So, as I may focus on the long in-depth chapter. How many liked the new answer to Hatori's question about spring? I think that's how I would of answered it anyway. Tootles and see you soon. Please review and enjoy.
WCB.