Hey Everyone, So in case you were wondering this story takes place near the end of book 10. :) Enjoy!
Unexpected visitor ~~~ Samantha's POV
Recap:
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. 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 searched in the darkness for the source of 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, giving up on searching for the voice. "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.
I fell into a bush. I brushed myself and got up. It's the late afternoon. I am just outside the summer home. That was weird... How did I get here? Oh well. I shrugged.
I was just about to head 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 from me. They didn't seem to notice me. I just fell out of no where, how did they not notice. 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 court he would bring his pet Haa-san." joked Shigure
"... I'm not the only one he brought." Hatori-san replied coolly
Wait... Akito is here?
"...ha. Well, well." Shigure got up from sitting on the porch reading and walked toward my bush looking down "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..." said Hatori-san "Think a little more about Yuki and Kyo... And Honda-kun." Shigure looked up "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 about to break? 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?!
~~~I woke up, startled. It was late afternoon. Momiji and Kisa were lying beside me (left) still asleep. Hiro was on my right, he was starting to stir. Kyo was sitting in a chair, one knee up to his chest and his opposite arm lying on it.
"Hey." he said.
I blinked, still a little sleepy. "Hey."
I looked past him, I saw Shigure walk in from the porch I saw him at in the dream. And I saw someone calmly retreating... Hatori-san?
I shook the others awake, I think something important's going to happen. Tohru came in at this moment.
"Oh! Your awake now." she smiled to us happily "Did you have a good sleep?" there were a few nods as Momiji, Kisa and Hiro had just woken up, but I was still watching Shigure. He came into the room with a mischievous look. Kyo followed my gazed and gave Shigure a hard look.
"I have some news..." he said as he walked into the room.
"Akito's here." I stated as Shigure walked up to us. He gave me a curious look, as well as Momiji and Tohru.
"That's right. How did you come to that conclusion my little flower?" he asked playfully.
"Because I just saw Hatori-san with you on the porch. And Hatori-san would never leave Akito for an extended amount of time since Akito gets sick a lot, or so I'm told. So with that knowledge I would assume Akito is here." Sherlock Holmes would be so proud, er... Content?, with my deductions "...And if Akito is here there must be a reason. Am I right?"
"Well I'm not fully aware of the reason." Shigure scratched the back of his head
"Akito-san... Is here...?" wondered Tohru still processing that.
"Mm... Is Akito staying here?" asked Momiji tiredly
"Ha ha! Of course not. He's staying in the Hanare (guest house). Still, we have to go say Hello."
"...should we change clothes?" Hiro asked rubbing sleep out of his eye
"You're fine like that." replied Shigure
*gasp* "By the way... Where's Yuki-kun?" wondered Tohru looking outside
"Talking a walk." answered Hatsuharu coming in through the glass doors
A shiver went down my spine. Something doesn't feel right, I need to find Yuki.
"Oh my... I see." said Shigure, his goofy smile leaving his face "Well, Yuki-kun can go later."
"Hey." said Kyo, slightly turning his head to Shigure "Don't tell me you're going to make Tohru go, too?"
"Nope." Shigure smiled "Today it's just the relatives. Well hold off on Tohru-kun for a while." he turned to Tohru, "I'm sorry. Please don't be offended..."
"Eh?! No, of course not! I'm all right, so... Yes..." panicked Tohru. Everyone let out a small *phew*
"You and Kyo-kun can take care of things while we're away. I don't think we'll be out too late." he patted her arm. Tohru looked a little troubled
"... Wait... Kyo and Tohru are staying here... I'm coming with you?" I asked a little surprised
"Of course!" Shigure smiled "You're part of our family."
"... Okay..." I looked out the window "But I think someone should find Yuki. I'll meet you at the Hanare soon enough." I walked out through the glass doors before anyone could object.
Now which way could he be...? I was standing at the edge of the forest. Yuki could have taken any path. I closed my eyes trying to listen to my heart, it's been telling somethings wrong ever since I woke up. I turned towards the ocean trail.
"I'm bullet proof, nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
You shoot me down but I won't fall
I am titanium
Cut me down
But it's you who will have further to fall..." I sang
... I hear voices...
I hid behind a tree and looked around to see Akito dressed in black sitting on a rock. He was talking, more like harshly whispering, to Yuki, whom had a petrified look on his face. What is Akito saying to him?
Akito smirked and turned toward the ocean. "Kureno! Let's go." called Akito
A man with brown hair, a light brown dress shirt and black pants came out from the trees across from me. I didn't even see him earlier. I decided to pretend I just walked in on them.
"Ah! I found you Yuki!" I smiled gleefully jogging up to them
Akito turned around giving me an icy stare. Kureno looked at me curiously.
"Ah... Konichiwa Akito." I bowed
"What are you doing walking all alone?" he smirked
"Just enjoying the beautiful day." I smiled
"What makes this day beautiful?" he spat "It's boiling hot!"
"It's not all bad. It's a perfect time to go swimming." I suggested
"Why do you always look for goodness?" challenged Akito "There is no good in this world! The world is filled with darkness!"
"How so?" I wondered
Akito smirked "How so?... Take this curse for example, it causes nothing but pain. Hatori, he is blind in one eye and lost his "true love"" he mocked. "Momiji's mother rejected him and had him erased from her memories... Kisa gets teased by her class because of the way she looks... Isuzu lost her "happy" family...! And you! You are a part of it! Heh heh heh!" he started laughing hysterically
"A-Akito..." Yuki tried to speak
... "But... Everything happens for a reason." I looked Akito, strangely calm despite feeling nervous. Akito stopped laughing and looked me hard in the eye. "That's what I believe... Things go wrong so you can appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies, so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself. People change so you can learn to let go, and sometimes... Good things fall apart so better things can fall together."
There was silence... Akito's hands balled into fists and his ears went red in rage.
"Go ahead, hit me. You'll only be proving that you need violence to gain control." I turned to the forest. "And besides, it won't work on me. I am the master of my own fate. Shall we all walk back to the Hanare?"
"... Kureno and I will be going. I've seen enough of you today." huffed Akito briskly walking away with Kureno-san close behind. Once they were out of sight I sighed.
"I'll make amends tomorrow." I turned to Yuki and gave him a smile "Let's go to the house?"
Yuki's expression changed from shocked to calm "Maybe later."
"Alright." I ruffled his hair and walked back to the trail. I stopped and turned back to him "You know, you're brave Yuki." He turned to me, perplexed. "There is bravery as seen when facing an arch foe... But the greatest kind is when you face yourself." I gave him a knowing smile and turned back to the forest. "Food for thought!"
Well, Akito doesnt want to see me for the rest of the day. I smiled to myself and skipped back to the house. Kyo and Tohu were in the kitchen taking out supplies to cook.
"Whatcha cookin'?" I asked peeking my head around the doorway
"Ah, Samantha-chan! You're back already! Welcome back!" Tohru greeted me with a hug "Is everyone else back too?"
Kyo turned around and raised an eyebrow.
"No, just me. Yuki and I met Akito on our walk and Yuki decided to continue his walk." I smiled "No worries."
Tohru showed a bit of worry, but then she gave me a smile.
"So what are you making?" I asked again, looking over her shoulder at Kyo who was watching us.
"Pancakes." he stated
"Pancakes?! OMG! Do you have maple syrup? You gotta have maple syrup!" I shouted gleefully
"Oh! No we don't!" gasped Tohru as her eyes widened
"Then I'll go buy some!" I cheered turning to head out the door. I stopped mid-walk. "Uh... Where's the store exactly?"
Kyo let out a heavy sigh. "C'mon. Let's just get to the store before the pancakes get cold."
"Okay! I'll finish making the pancakes." said Tohru going back to measuring.
I grabbed my purse and followed Kyo to the store having a conversation about random things.
~~~meanwhile at the Hanare~~~ 3rd POV
Everyone had arrived to the Hanare to greet Akito.
"Haa-saaan! We're here!" sang Shigure coming in through the back, unlike the others. [everyone is speaking Japanese now]
"Where's Honda-kun?" asked Hatori
"For now, I'm having her care for things while we're gone." he replied "Is Akito-san inside?"
"He just got back from going out with Kureno... The heat's put him in a bad mood."
"Ah! I see." winked Shigure "But it really is bizarre that he brought Kureno-kun. Until now. He wouldn't even let us juunishi see him much."
"Maybe Akito just gets nervous without him near by." suggested Hatori, following Shigure to Akito's room.
"Nervous? Nervous..." Shigure chuckled, stopping just outside the door "Ah! Did Ren-san make a pass at him or something!"
"Don't say that which is forbidden." warned Hatori sternly
"Shigure!" called Akito angrily "How long are you two going to be whispering? I thought I told you that when you arrive, you are to come straight to me! Always!"
"Oh, Konichiwa Akito-san." smiled Shigure innocently "I brought everyone to bid you welcome."
"You're late." huffed Akito "Idiots should do what idiots can to be quicker."
"You're completely right." Shigure said continuing his goofy smile "I apologize
"Never mind. Kureno! Leave. You don't have to see anyone." ordered Akito waving him off. Kureno left the room.
"Akito... Why don't you let Kureno see everyone once in a while?" asked Hatori kneeling down next to Akito.
"Why? It's not necessary." Akito put his hands on Hatori's shoulders and gave him a hug "More importantly, I met with Yuki earlier. He was out walking all by himself... So I let him talk to me." Shigure and Hatori gases off, thinking to themselves.
Shigure knelt down. "Well, well... That was very kind of you."
"Of course." said arrogantly "I'm always thinking of Yuki. I gently admonished him, and told him not to fill his head with silly ideas. He looked like he had received a tremendous shock. He's probably off crying somewhere by now. That's so like Yuki. Heh..." Akito chuckled "Heh heh! Ah ha ha! He really is an Idiot! He should just come back to me. He should be so lucky that I give him so much attention. A boring guy like him!" Akito held Hatori for support and continued snickering
"Oh yes. Samantha-kun went out too. Did you meet her?"
Akito stopped snickering and looked up at Shigure with a hard look.
"Do not speak of her at this time." he demanded
"... In that case, why don't we go see everyone now?"
"Yes..." smirked Akito "You're right. I'll go." Akito stood up "Shigure. Don't go home without asking me."
"Of course I won't." smiled Shigure. Akito left the room.
Hatori stared out the window. And Shigure looked at the door where Akito exited.
"Um... Are you mad at me?" questioned Shigure "The silence is killing me."
"... No." answered Hatori closing his eyes. Shigure looked over to Hatori. "I don't know what you're up to, Shigure... But if there's a chance it will change things, any method is preferable to doing nothing... Like me."
Shigure fully turned around and shook Hatori "Whats going on?! At a time like this, Hatori is supposed to give me a stern lecture!"
"I won't." Hatori said sternly, crossing his arms
"Ouch! That's dirty! You know it hurts the most when you take that attitude!" Shigure whined
"I do not." stated Hatori
Shigure stopped shaking Hatori and regained composure, or what ever's normal for Shigure. "You're just too kind, Haa-san. And I'm just conniving and not nice at all. Right?"
"Are you talking about merits? Or faults?"
"I'm only stating facts. An Yuki isn't the closed up little boy he used to be. Now then... the fool who is making the biggest misunderstanding, is who?"
~~~"Welcome." Akito greeted everyone with a fake smile "Thank you for coming. I'm so happy. ...I love you all."
~~~back at the summer home~~~ Samantha's POV
"The sun's setting." commented Tohru "They've been gone so long..."
"Maybe they're eating dinner over there." I suggested. We had already finished our pancakes.
"Should we heat up the leftovers and eat them?" wondered Kyo
"We... We can't!" panicked Tohru, "I know! Why don't we call them?"
"Do you know the phone number?" asked Kyo indifferently, "I don't."
"Oh." Tohru's enthusiasm deflated. "Ah! Then I can at least go check outside." She quickly got up and scurried out the door.
"What good will that do? Hey!" called Kyo
"It's not use Kyo, she's gone." I smirked and poked the left over syrup on my plate. "So the pancakes weren't too sweet were they?"
Kyo turned back to me from the doorway, "Nah."
"That's good." I smiled. I heard the front door unlock. "Konichiwa!" I called loudly still looking at Kyo.
"What?!" he shouted back to me.
"Samantha!" called Momiji hopping into the living room and giving me a big hug.
"Konichiwa." Waved Kisa walking into the room with Hiro and Hatsuharu.
"Hello." said Hatsuharu bluntly.
"Welcome back!" I said hugging Kisa. "Are you hungry?" Kisa nodded
"Yes, yes, yes!" Momiji nodded vigorously tugging my sleeve. Kyo hit him in the head. "Waaaaahhh!" cried Momiji. Surprised I knelt down to check if Momiji got a bruise.
"It bothers me every time you open your mouth." Kyo huffed and turned away. Hiro rolled his eyes.
"What are we eating?" asked Hatsuharu like nothing happened.
"Tohru made pancakes for us." I said while picking up the dirty plates.
"Where is Tohru?" Momiji wondered, following me to the kitchen.
"Oh, she went outside to see where you were. Uh... Where's Shigure and Yuki too?" I turned around.
"Sensei is still at the Hanare and Yuki was still out for a walk." Replied Hatsuharu
"Okay." I smiled and put my finger to my chin "Maybe I should go find Tohru, we wouldn't want her to get lost."
"I'll go with you!" cheered Momiji. Kyo took the dirty plates from me and went to the kitchen.
"No, you should stay here and eat your dinner. You must be hungry, it's pretty late." I insisted and went outside.
The stars were out; they shone like diamonds in the sky. And the moon shone so bright it lit up the path to the forest and ocean.
"This is the night, it's a beautiful night and they call it Bella Notte." I sang to myself. I was coming to a clearing in the forest where I could see the sky through the trees. *gasp* A shooting star!
"It's a shooting star!" gasped Tohru, in Japanese, tugging Yuki's sleeve and pointing to the night sky. I hid behind a tree to spy on them.
Yuki turned to look at Tohru "Look up there, I'm sure of it. Ah! See? There's another one!" Yuki looked up bewildered.
"Did you see it?" asked Tohru excitedly.
"Yeah." Replied Yuki
"Wasn't it pretty?" Tohru smiled. Yuki's face softened to a smile. Then he spoke softly. I can't make out what they are saying.
Samantha, you should leave them alone. My conscience told me. But I'm so curious! C'mon, spying is not proper. ...Fine.
Just before I left I took one last glance and I saw...
...
..
.
Yuki kiss Tohru on the forehead!
Tohru blushed like mad. I had to suppress a squeal. I love love. It's so cute!
C'mon, give them some space. My conscience urged me. Yeah... I smiled and left to the house.