Hi! Sorry for the wait, my internet stopped working... then I had to re-write the WHOLE chapter... But, I got it done! So now you have a really good long chapter ahead of you ^_^
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket
Forest expedition day 2
I woke up early this morning to Momiji knocking at my door singing "Rise and shine Samantha! We're going to catch stag beetles today!"
I'm not normally a morning person, but i managed to get up and out of the house in half an hour. Now, i'm not sure if i'm awake or still sleep walking.
We left the summer-house and walked to the furthest tree we painted with sugar-water.
"Hiro-saaan! There are stag beetles!" called Tohru
"They're so cool..." exclaimed Kisa putting her hands together and smiling. She's so cute! I can't help but smile when I see her.
"I know, aren't they?" added Tohru "Have you and Hiro-san made up?" she asked Kisa
"Yes..." she replied softly
That's good, I'm so happy they made up. I patted her head and she smiled up at me. Kisa and Tohru continued chatting. Momiji picked off one of the stag beetles and was examining it happily. I looked over at Hiro; he looked a little ticked. I wonder why...
"Hiro-san, Hiro-san!" called Tohru walking over to him, I followed. "Look! It's a super special stag beetle." It looks like a helmet beetle to me... I thought
"...that's great." Hiro replied with a half-smile
"Yes!" smiled Tohru. She's so positive, but... the way she answered... It's like she's holding back a bit... I hope it isn't something I have done... is it?
I heard some footsteps coming quickly behind us. I spun around to see Kyo come out from behind a tree.
"Ah! It's Kyo!" exclaimed Momiji "Good morning! Are you running this early in the morning?"
"You guys are up pretty early yourselves..." he answered
"Good morning, Kyo-kun!" Tohru said turning around and smiling brighter than before. "I have a stag beetle!" she held out the beetle for Kyo to see.
"Moron. That's a kabuto beetle." Kyo said
"EH?! H-huh?" Tohru asked startled looking at the beetle with wide eyes. "Momiji-kun! May I look at the encyclopedia?!"
"Sure!" he handed Tohru the book
I looked back to Kyo; he was watching Tohru flip furiously through the book. But there's something different about him, it just changed, the look in his eyes have come concern in them. Did he notice Tohru's slight change as well?
I turned back to Momiji and Tohru because Momiji handed me a stag beetle, but I could still see Kyo out of the corner of my eye. He walked over to Hiro and conked his head.
"Hey!" shouted Hiro. I couldn't hear the rest of the conversation, but i shouldn't be butting into other people's business. So I observed the stag beetle.
After a minute Kyo joined us, conking Tohru on the head playfully. Momiji showed him stag beetles but he wasn't that impressed. Typical Kyo.
Eventually Hiro joined in and held a few beetles. Kisa was so happy to share her beetles with Hiro. They'll make such a cute couple someday.
Soon it was time to go to lunch.
"Awe! We have to go back now?" whined Momiji
Kyo hit him hard in the head. "Every time you open your mouth it annoys me." He huffed
"Waaaahhh! Kyo's hurting me!" Momiji whined even more and fake cried
"Shut up rabbit!" shouted Hiro
Kisa and Tohru just looked at Momiji not knowing what to do. I walked up behind him and patted his head.
"Race you to the house!" I said running off.
Momiji laughed and ran after me. He caught up very quickly and passed me. As I turned my head to see him sprint past me I didn't see where I was going and tripped on a root, spinning and falling to the ground. I faced the others who were casually walking behind me. Oops!
"Samantha-chan! A-are you okay?" panicked Tohru, running over to me with Kisa close behind. Both had concern in their eyes.
"Yes." I said, slowly standing up and laughing off my mistake "I'm fine, Tohru." I winced a little; my right ankle hurts a bit.
"Stupid." Said Hiro as he came up behind Kisa "Who trips on a flat surface?"
"Hey, it takes skill to trip on a flat surface." I defended
"No it doesn't." Hiro muttered
"A-are you sure you're okay?" asked Tohru, still worried about me.
"I'm fine." I smiled and turned towards the house. Momiji was running back.
"Samantha! What happened?" he asked coming to stand in front of me. "You're all dirty!" he exclaimed wiping some dirt off my arms and skirt. "Did you fall down?"
"Yeah, But I'm fine." I said dusting more dirt off me. "Let's walk back to the house, okay?" I smiled and looked back at the others. They nodded.
We started walking again. I tried not to limp while walking, emphasis on tried, because my ankle still hurt a bit.
"You're limping." Stated Kyo
I turned around. "I'm okay. My ankle just stings a bit, but I'll be perfectly fine in a few minutes!" I gave him a big smile to reassure him.
"B-b-but... You should rest Samantha-chan!" insisted Tohru
"I'm fine, we're almost at the house. I'll rest there, okay?" I told Tohru patting her shoulder. Suddenly, I was lifted into the air. I turned my head to see Kyo picked me up bridal style. I was about to object, but he gave me a stern look. I sighed, and then smiled "Thanks Kyo."
"You're really light." He stated, breaking a nice moment.
"I know..." I blushed looking away. It's not really my fault I'm so light. I just have a high metabolism.
We continued walking to the house. Momiji was telling Tohru, Kisa and Hiro about how he bought fireworks and we were gonna have a "giant fireworks extravaganza!" Hiro was trying to ignore the overly hyper bunny and Kyo was awfully quiet. I turned to look at him. He was looking at me, but quickly looked away. His eyes were filled with the same sadness I had seen when I told everyone my adoptive parents passed away.
"Kyo?" I asked softly "You don't have to worry too much about me, okay?" He looked at me funny "About my parents having passed away. It's sad, but it isn't going to bring me down too much. And, I don't want you or any one else to put my sadness upon yourselves." I said looking into the trees. I felt him hold me a little closer. He's so warm and it's comforting. I looked up to see a slight smile on his face.
"we're here!" called Momiji. I looked over to see we were at the house. A taxi was just pulling out of the driveway. I wonder who has come to join us?
We walked into the house. Well, actually I didn't walk because Kyo carried me.
"Tadaima!" called Tohru as we entered.
"Welcome home!" called a familiar voice from the living room.
We entered the living room to find Yuki and Hatsuharu sitting on the floor drinking tea, and Shigure sitting on the couch.
"Hello Shigure!" I waved at him.
"Welcome!" called Tohru walking up to Shigure. He patted her on the head.
"Uh... why are you holding my sister stupid cat?" questioned Yuki
"Are you two a couple now?" Shigure mocked raising and lowering his eyebrows.
"HELL NO! SHUT UP!" yelled Kyo "She fell down, okay?"
"Whaa? What happened?" asked Yuki concerned, standing up. Kyo placed me on the couch next to Shigure.
"I just tripped. It's fine though, just a little sprained ankle." I said smiling to reassure him.
"Let me check just in case." Said Shigure maturely "Which ankle did you sprain?" I pointed to my right ankle. He picked it up and examined it. I've only known him for a weekend and this is the most mature I've seen him. I guess it's unusual because Kyo and Yuki gave him a strange look.
"It's only a slightly sprained ankle." Confirmed Shigure.
"That's what she told you already!" said Kyo annoyed. Tohru giggled, Kyo turned to her. "What?" he demanded
"You're so funny Kyo!" she managed between laughs
"..." Kyo blushed a bit and walked off.
"Do you want some tea, Miss Samantha?" asked Yuki
"Mmmhm... Yes please." I responded
"I'll go get it!" Tohru stood up from sitting at the table. "Kisa, do you want to make tea with me?" Kisa nodded and followed Tohru to the kitchen.
"'Uhm... Yuki, you know you can call me just Samantha, right?" he turned to me surprised "I am you're sister after all, no need for formalities."
Yuki shyly smiled. That makes me so happy.
"What do you want to do now?" Momiji asked eagerly
"We were waiting for you to come back so we can have lunch." Answered Hatsuharu blandly.
"Okay! Lets get some lunch!" shouted Momiji jumping up.
"Okay!" I smiled turning to get off the couch. Yuki lightly pushed me back into the couch.
"Wait here, Samantha. I'll bring you a plate of food. You should rest your ankle a little longer." He gave me a small smile.
"O-okay... I'm sorry for causing you guys so much trouble." I looked down.
"It's no trouble at all." Yuki reassured and left the room.
I lay back into the couch. Everyone left to get lunch, leaving me and my thoughts.
Why was it that Tohru is holding back some of her happiness? Is she sick? Or does she have something heavy on her mind...? She seemed the most concerned when I talked about my parents... And when I was in her room with Kisa, when we looked at the photo of her mother... Where is her mother? And father...? Did she lose them too... That would explain the concern in her eyes, she must feel a connection with my story... It's nice to think I can talk to someone about it, but I don't want to cause her trouble...
Yuki came in with two plates.
"Here you go." He said as he handed me a plate of food.
"Arigatou!" I replied taking the plate. He sat across from me on the couch. My feet were on the couch, so there was just enough room for Yuki to sit.
"Yay! Chicken teriyaki, my favourite!" I said taking a big bite.
He looked up and smiled. "I'm glad."
Tohru walked in with a tray of tea for all of us. Kisa and Kyo came in behind her. The others slowly trickled in.
My thoughts wandered back to earlier that day...
...Could there be another reason as to why Tohru isn't as cheerful today? Something must have happened earlier yesterday too... When she came to find Momiji and I in the forest. It's not like Tohru to leave the kids behind... And when Kyo hit Hiro in the head, what were they talking about...?
"Quit staring at me!" shouted Hiro with a scowl on his face. "It's creeping me out."
"Huh?" I asked still a little dazed, I guess I was staring at him. I do that sometimes.
"Is something wrong, Samantha?" Hatsuharu asked. Tohru looked over a little concerned.
"No, I was just thinking of what we could do after lunch." I smiled back at him.
"Ahh..." he said going back to his lunch.
... But I shouldn't cause Tohru to worry so much...
"We should buy some watermelons!" suggested Momiji
"Huh?" Everyone looked at him confused
"Why watermelons, out of curiosity?" wondered Yuki
"So we can have a watermelon smashing contest!" he answered proudly
"A contest?" perked up Kyo "You and me rat boy! The first person to smash their watermelon while blind folded!"
Yuki sighed and shook his head.
"Can we go to the beach?" Kisa asked Tohru sweetly
"Of course!" answered Tohru hugging Kisa
"Yes, that's a wonderful idea, Kisa." said Shigure "Then I will finally get to see Tohru in her cute new swim suit!" a creepy smile formed on his face
"You pervert!" yelled Yuki and Kyo hitting Shigure to the floor.
Tohru's face turned red, Kisa, Momiji and I giggled, while Hiro muttered "Idiots." and Hatsuharu continued eating his food.
"Oh yeah, I never found out what zodiac you two are..." I thought aloud. Well if I recall my dream thing showed a girl like Kisa as a tiger, and Hiro was a sheep... But bringing that up might creep people out.
"Ah! Oh yes!" replied Tohru "Kisa-san is the tiger and Hiro-san is the ram!"
"Uwah! That sounds adorable! I wish I could see you all as animals! But alas if I hug you, you won't transform, oh well." I shrugged putting my plate on the table.
"Well if you really want to see..." started Shigure. Yuki and Kyo gave him suspicious looks as he got up from the floor and walked over to Tohru. And unexpectedly he hugged Tohru! *Poof!* There was a puff of greyish smoke and as the smoke clear there sat a shocked Tohru and an adorable black dog.
"Awe! Shigure you're so cute!" I said dropping myself to a kneeling position on the ground and scratching behind his ear. His tail wagged furiously.
"My turn!" called Momiji jumping into Tohru's arms. *poof* cream coloured smoke parted revealing a cream coloured bunny with brown tipped ears in Tohru's arms.
"Stop that!" yelled Kyo. Yuki sweat dropped.
I gave Momiji a pet too, "Your so fuzzy!" I cooed. Momiji laughed happily. Then there was another *poof!* Shigure changed back. Tohru and Kisa squealed and covered there eyes. I was just confused and watched the girls before Yuki put a hand over my eyes.
"Go put some clothes on already!" shouted Kyo. I heard Shigure give a chuckle and walk out of the room.
"I guess we forgot to tell you, Samantha," explained Yuki "when we transform back, we're naked."
"... Aaahh... Well that does make sense, I mean your clothes wouldn't exactly fit you when you're in your animal form. Right?" I asked no one in particular. Yuki uncovered my eyes.
"Mmmhm." replied Hatsuharu
"Ooooohh..." thought Tohru as if just realising that fact. She was still holding Momiji who was trying to climb onto her head.
"Hey, so since we've all finished eating, will you be going to get watermelons?" I asked Momiji
"Oh! Right!" gasped Momiji. He jumped off Tohru and hopped for the door. "C'mon, we don't want to take too long!" he called.
The boys, except Shigure and Hiro, went to the store to buy watermelons. Shigure left to make a phone call while Tohru, Kisa, Hiro and I went to the beach.
"Kisa! Catch!" I called tossing her the small beach ball. We've already gone swimming and now we're playing a game of catch, until Hiro's phone started ringing. He walked over to the towel and sat down opening his phone.
"Konichiwa?" he asked. Kisa walked over to Tohru handing her the ball, I followed.
"What?" Hiro shouted [Hiro's talking on the phone in Japanese] "Wait, you mean... really?" Tohru, Kisa and I looked over at Hiro
"It's not one of your misunderstandings, is it?" he asked loudly into the cell. Tohru, Kisa and I looked at each other baffled.
"Okay... I get it!... Ah! Yeah... Try not to fall down!" he ordered just before he hung up.
"Hiro-chan, is something... the matter?" Kisa asked in English, walking over to Hiro.
"Yeah. Mom says she's pregnant." he answered exasperated looking at his phone.
"Eeh?!" gasped Tohru clearly shocked, her hair puffed out. It's so funny when her hair sticks out, like she was hit by lightning. Wait, getting hit by lightning isn't funny! But your hair after does... Wait...! *sigh* Nevermind.
"That's wonderful news!" I said brightly
"Congratulations, Hiro-chan..." Kisa said giving him a big smile and holding her hands to her chest "That's wonderful! You'll have to think of a name...!"
"I'm sure the baby will be as cute as you are, Hiro-san!" added Tohru
"Wait a minute!" he said aggravated, "Will you stop talking like it's my child being born?!"
"Congratulations!" said Shigure from beside us. He came to sit on the steps to the beach, coincidentally next to our towels and stuff. I guess he finished his phone call. "Satsuki-san... So young..." He fanned himself and looked off into the distance.
"That's my MOM you're talking about!" shouted Hiro "Could you cut that out?! You're freaking me out!... Sheesh..." he calmed down a bit and put his hand to his head "I wish people would show a little sympathy for her adolescent son."
"Your mother is named Satsuki-san, Hiro-san?" asked Tohru
"It's good news." continued Shigure, " You should be happy for her. So shameless..." he shook his head.
"Shigure Oji-chan... You've been sitting there for so long... Aren't you going to swim...?" Kisa asked, walking up to Shigure.
"Nnn?" Shigure turned to look her in the eyes "Oji-chan isn't very fond of swimming."
"Ah... You're sunbathing, right?" Tohru asked with an innocent smile.
"More like... admireing swimsuits?" Shigure answered with a sly smile.
Hiro immediately grabbed Kisa's arm and stomped off down the beach. "Eh...? Eh?" was what I heard from Kisa as she was dragged away. Tohru made a similar "Eh?!" startled that she lost her little kitten. Meanwhile, I gave Shigure a death glare.
"It was a joke!" said Shigure trying to convince us "Even I think middle schoolers are too young."
I looked up to see the boys walking in from the store. I jogged up to greet them. I guess Yuki and Kyo saw Shigure talking to Tohru because when I stopped to say "Hi" they walked right by me looking straight ahead. So I continued up to Momiji and Hatsuharu.
"I got ice cream!" cheered Momiji handing me a popsicle
"Arigatou, Momiji." I said taking the popsicle and licking it. We walked back to the beach, as we got closer we overheard Shigure...
"Since it's such a rare occurrence, why don't we go on a date?"
"Eh?!" Tohru said startled and blushed.
"Oh, come now." Said Shigure calmly "It's not like I meant anything by it. I'm just asking for old time's sake. An old man like me doesn't get that many opportunities to ask..."
Yuki and Kyo were now standing right behind Shigure, with deadly glares and dark auras around them.
"It's no good, sensei." called Hatsuharu nonchalantly, "You're an adult. You need to exercise self-control."
"Want some ice cream?" called Momiji holding up a popsicle.
Shigure looked up to see Yuki and Kyo towering over him looking like they were ready to pound him.
"I kid! I kid!" he laughed
I ran up with Momiji and Hatsuharu behind me. Momiji gave Tohru an ice cream and I happily gave Shigure one too.
"Don't give that pervert an ice cream!" shouted Kyo
I just looked at him with a blank stare licking my ice cream. Shigure hugged me, pulling my head to his chest.
"Oh! You're so cold Kyo!" he said dramatically "You won't even let me have an ice cream!"
"Let go of her!" shouted Kyo and Yuki hitting him in the head. Momiji just laughed and ran to give Hiro and Kisa an ice cream.
I turned to Tohru, "Let's go get changed so we can smash watermelon, 'kay?"
"Okay!" she smiled and we walked into the house.
~~~Time Skip~~~
We walked between the forest and the house carrying all the watermelons until we find a nice place to smash them at. Shigure decided to stay in the house and read a book.
"Eeehh?! Hiro's mama is having a baby?!" Momiji said surprised
"He'll be an older brother?" thought Yuki, "That doesn't quite fit."
"It never does." said Hatsuharu "Aya-Nii as an older brother doesn't fit, either. There's always someone better..."
"You're right, you're right." replied Yuki sweat dropping "You don't have to remind me." Why does it seem like Yuki doesn't like our older brother? What could he possibly be like...?
I wonder if it will be a boy or a girl?!" continued Momiji "Either one would be great! ... But if it's a girl, it would be sad that he can't hug her tight. But since it definitely won't be possessed by a zodiac spirit, it won't make it's mama sad!" he ended cheerfully.
Um... does that mean Momiji's mama was sad that her child turns into a rabbit?
Tohru and I looked over at Momiji a little confused
"He means that all the members of the zodiac have been born." explained Hatsuharu, "As long as we're all alive, there won't be another."
"It's nice..." Yuki spoke up, "People giving birth because they want children."
Tohru looked at the ground sadly. I gave her a hug,, and put my arm around her.
"Ah! But Hiro's mama was fine when Hiro was born, right?" continued Momiji
"Yeah..." thought Hatsuharu, "Now that you mention it. When Hiro turned out to be the ram, she burst out, "I love sheep!" quite a mother..."
"Really?!" I asked amazed "That's awesome!"
"Isn't she? She's great isn't she?!" Momiji giggled looking over at Tohru and I. He walked up to us. "Tohru! Is something wrong? Is the watermelon heavy?"
"I'm alright." smiled Tohru "But you did buy a lot of them."
"That's because when it comes to watermelons we have to have a watermelon smashing tournament, to celebrate Hiro's mama having a baby!" shouted Momiji putting his hand in the air.
We finally found a clearing near a stream. We laid five watermelons on a tarp, and stood around them.
"Kind of a tacky way of celebrating..." mentioned Hatsuharu.
"Momiji probably just came up with that right now..." sighed Yuki
"Would someone please realize that I'm not happy, and that celebrating is not going to make things better." said Hiro through his teeth. I patted him on the head.
Kyo put his hand on his forehead. "You just go from one thing to the next... First of all, it's a waste! Of watermelon."
"It's fine! There's a sheet under them." Pointed out Momiji, determined to smash watermelons.
"But, Momiji, where are the sticks and blind folds?" questioned Yuki
Unexpectedly, Hatsuharu lunged forward slicing his hand clean through a watermelon as if he did it all the time. (O.o) He picked up a piece of broken watermelon and started eating it.
"Go for it, Hiro. It'll be a good story for when you're a big brother." He said
Momiji hopped over to Hatsuharu. "That was nice. Like a hot knife through watermelon." He took a watermelon slice.
"I have no idea what you are talking about... Don't you mean butter?" asked Kyo
"Don't smash it with your hands and then eat it!" sweat dropped Yuki
"Uh, um! I will do my best to smash one in celebration!" volunteered Tohru raising a hand. Kyo and Yuki were alarmed. "I've done it once before. Of course that time I had a stick and blindfold, but there are different kind of rules, aren't there?"
"No, you were doing it right before..." pointed out Yuki
"That sounds fun!" I piped in
"It was really fun!"Tohru had a big smile on her face, "especially when m... *gasp* m... Mo... Mounted police... Officer..." she stuttered and trailed off.
"... Mounted police officer?" wondered Yuki. I nodded in agreement. What is she talking about... and why is she so shocked?
"Was the mounted police officer fun?!" Momiji asked standing up.
"Y... yes! He was! Very much so!" Tohru managed to reply, though still shocked
"Um, what are you talking about...?" pondered Yuki
"... She really is overly cautious about what she's saying." Muttered Hiro. I looked down to him, Kyo doing the same.
"A... any way!" continued Tohru "In celebration of Hiro-san's baby-"
"I told you it's not my baby!" Hiro shouted
"-Tohru Honda will humbly smash the watermelon." She punched her fist in the air and brought it down upon a watermelon "Take that!"
"Stu-" yelled Kyo
"Eh?! Seriously?!" Yuki's eyes widened and they both lunged forward to stop Tohru from hitting the watermelon. But... *Gong-ong-ong*
"...co ... Congratulations..." Tohru teared up.
"Are you crying because you couldn't brreak it, or because your hand hurts?" asked Kyo with an irritated tone. "You really are a moron..." he huffed
"Ah! Ice! I'll get you ice Tohru!" I panicked.
I was just about to leave when Kisa said, with a determined look, "I... I'll... do my best to celebrate... too..."
"GYAH!" shouted Hiro holding out his hand, "I'm begging you, Kisa! Stop!"
"Oh yeah!" shouted Momiji holding a watermelon above his head, "If you throw it, you can break it safely and easily!"
"You're taking away the whole point of the game!" yelled Hiro "And why are you smiling like you just had a great idea?!"
"Hiro, you're kind of like Kyo." I thought aloud
"Aah?!" he stepped aback
"What?!" shouted Kyo
"Smart aleck..." explained Hatsuharu simply. I nodded in agreement.
"... Oh, ice! I'm sorry Tohru! I'll go get ice!" I ran off to the kitchen.
When I came back, someone had found a stick and a scarf for a blindfold. We had a great time whacking at the watermelons. By the time we finished I was exhausted. I volunteered to help clean up, but Yuki insisted that I join the others inside.
~~~Change POV to 3rd person~~~
"When I was a kid,I thought that if you swallowed a watermelon seed, a watermelon would grow in your stomach." Said Haru picking up the sheet used to smash watermelons on.
"Heh heh. For real?" chuckled Yuki
"I was a little scared." added Haru "Come to think of it... where are the kids?"
"They were in the living room with Miss Honda." Relpied Yuki looking through the living room window. Kisa, Momiji, Samantha and Hiro were lying on the floor. "Yeah... It looks like they're asleep. Momiji and Samantha too."
Yuki watched Tohru enter the room and put a sheet over the sleeping figures. Tohru patted their heads and smiled. Then Kyo came into the room.
Haru looked over, "Hm? Kyo..."
Kyo walked over to Tohru, his back to the window. Tohru's smile brightened and she put her finger to her mouth.
Yuki closed his eyes and a frown formed on his face. He turned to the forest, "Later... I'm going to take a walk."
"Yuki..." Haru stood up, "It's a test."
Yuki simply waved his hand and walked off.
~~~meanwhile~~~ Samantha's POV
Everything was dark. I don't know where I am. But I can hear an echoing voice; a bone chilling masculine voice. Akito.
"I'll tell you the truth." echoed Akito's voice "Kyo will be confined just as soon as he leaves high school. Just like the previous cat before him... For his whole life..."
"No!" I screamed at nothing.
"Until he dies."
"No!" I screamed again.
"And Yuki..."
I ran around searching in the darkness searching for the voice, but it came from all directions.
"... He will return to the family compound with me... All of them... Will live and die with me."
"No! I won't allow it!" I shouted, I gave up on searching.
"All of the juunishi will live in the same home, following the same path... No one comes in, no one will be stolen away... Always remaining the same... A happy future... An endless banquet... Unchanging."
"Never!" I yelled
"UNCHANGING... Unchanging... unchanging..."
The world started swirling...
"Ahhh!" I fell into a bush; I brushed myself off. It's the late afternoon and I landed just outside the summer home.
That was weird...How did I get here...? Oh well.
I was just about to the house when I heard some voices. My instinct was to hide in the bush again. I looked through the leaves to see Hatori-san and Shigure having a conversation on the porch 3 meters away. They didn't seem to notice me.
How could they not notice? I mean,. I just fell out of no where... How did they not notice that?
I would have got out of the bush, but their conversation caught my attention.
"... Did you-know-who come?" Shigure asked Hatori-san.
"That's why I'm here." Answered Hatori-san
"Oh, of course he would bring his pet Haa-san." Joked Shigure
"... I'm no the only one he brought." Hatori-san replied coolly.
Wait... Akito, is here?!
"...ha. Well, well." Shigure got up from sitting on the porch, where he was reading, and walked toward my bush looking down. I scooched back a bit. "I didn't expect him to bring Kureno-kun with him. He got me, he got me." Shigure waved his book in the air.
"You..." accused Hatori "Think a little more about Yuki and Kyo... And Honda-kun." Shigure looked up curiously. "Stop trying to stir things up. If you push too hard, you'll break things."
"Break?" smirked Shigure "For us, there's nothing left to break, is there? So if I don't stir things up, I can't get my desired results."
... So, is he saying... The curse is breaking? That's great! ... But... How? A shiver went down my spine. Akito... He's here... "Think a little more about Yuki..." Ah! Yuki! Where is he?!