Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Musouka ~ Dare to Dream ❯ All the Way ( Chapter 41 )

Chapter Forty-one

 

What you see on the outside is completely different from what you can see on the inside.

 

Cain Budweiser

 

All the Way

 

 

“So what of her immediate family?”

“No sign of them,”

“Do they know she's in the hospital?”

“Well, they were contacted.”

How much Eriko wanted to get up and shut the nurses and the doctor up as they roamed about around her, adjusting the monitors and flipping through the papers clipped to the clipboard. She couldn't move period, her muscles seemed to have grown numb by this time from lack of movement. It had been three days since she was taken to the hospital, and the only ones who had seemed to have been her only company since that night were Hatori, Tohru, Yuki, Kyo, and Kazuma. If anyone else came to visit she wouldn't know, she tried to shut her mind down so many times, but it seemed only her mind was working at full function.

I wish they would at least talk to me when they visited…not ponder aloud or talk to one another… Though she had exaggerated, if they did talk to one another it was a small `hm' or `um'. She felt miserable sitting there, at least when she wasn't like this she would tell them off from bothering her. Yet now, she was incapable. Thankfully, Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo possibly stayed for the shortest time, since Kazuma or Hatori either usher them out or it gets too late from what they talk about when they do shoo them away.

But since the conversation with the other doctor and nurses, she too began to wonder what happened to Ken'ichi, why hadn't he shown up? He seemed to care about her a lot, well, from what she could tell from the first meeting. Maybe he and Riku were out somewhere, away from Tokyo when they were contacted and they just didn't get word of it. But why Ruubii and Hoshiki didn't arrived didn't really disturb her, she never met them, well, not yet anyhow.

All well, there's always tomorrow huh? Eriko didn't sound enthusiastic, heck, she didn't feel enthusiastic. How could one feel that way when they don't feel much at all?

 

“What happened to them Hatori?” Noami demanded as she slammed down yet another book. Yesterday she began searching for the Kitsune no Hon, she thought it would have been in Eriko's room back at Shigure's house, though currently, it was nowhere to be found. Kyo remained quiet, but Tohru said she saw this so-called book before (well by description of it anyhow as she didn't know what it was called) and said it was in Eriko's room. But it seemed that someone moved it, as it was no longer there. When Noami suggested ransacking Eriko's room Kyo instantly stepped in and declared that her room was better left untouched from when she last been in it. Kyo had become greatly disgruntled by the current events, but he wasn't the only effected. Yuki had been spending more time on his student council duties and Tohru had been trying her hardest to think up ways of spending the time as she didn't want to mood around the house too depressing. Yet they even noticed, and called Hatori, saying Shigure hadn't come home since he left the hospital.

“Shigure's not home and Yuri has yet to return back at her own abode as well, you have to know something!” Noami, as far as Hatori and her sister, Aikoko knew that she had been greatly desperate and grew unhappy as the past few days unfolded. Kaede and Mei stayed much out of sight and since summer was approaching quickly, everyone within the estate had been running about feverishly, trying to get summer plans complete and business schedules out of the way. Noami had her own problems, being a teacher not only had she been obsessed with finding the book, but also completing the last of the papers of the last week of school.

“I'm afraid I don't know much, Akito hasn't been letting me anywhere near him.” Hatori answered in a bored tone, Noami suppressed an angered sigh, how could he sit there and talk so formerly without showing at least a trace of aggravation.

“Wait a minute, you mean they went to your estate?” Noami gasped.

“Afraid so,”

“Why?”

“Again, Akito has been secretive with his own motives and where everyone is nowadays. Though you shouldn't worry too much about Shigure, you know he disappears at days at a time. But I can see why you're worried about Yuri. She had been with him, I just hope nothing had come to harm her, obviously I'm referring to Akito.” Hatori answered into the phone, Noami shuffled some papers aside and rummaged through her index cards.

“All right, before we go any further. Who else knows about this, I mean all of it?” Noami asked as she sat back into her seat, resting her right hand, the left grasping the phone to her ear.

“Well of course myself, you, Shigure, Kureno, supposedly Yuri and Sunmei. Then there's Akito, nobody else is too involved in this, well, not as much as we are.” Hatori answered.

“What do you mean?”

“Hatsuharu and Momiji are growing curious, I had been forced to wander about, trying to keep them out of certain areas.” Hatori answered. “At least Ayame hasn't come to visit, and as strange as it is, now that I think about it, residents haven't been coming back lately. The reason is probably in those letters my neighbor gave out last week…”

“Letters? You mean there is no one besides you and the other Zodiacs that are in that estate of yours?” Noami asked.

“Correct, but don't think I haven't been looking into it. It seems they have all gained the courage to buy homes or stay at summer houses (those without children) by this time, those that were living here anyway.” Hatori answered.

“This is making me think about that guilt-builder theory,” Noami admitted, as she rubbed her temples.

“Indeed, I've been thinking about it myself but there haven't been any cases of missing people yet. No one has wandered into that fortress Noami,” Hatori stated.

“Yeah, I know. It's just making me think about it,” Noami replied, “So…what about Eriko's brothers and sister? I heard they haven't visited their other sister yet.” There was an undeniable sigh from the other end.

“I don't know what's happening, but everyone is turning out to be in completely different areas whenever I contacted them, or Kazuma anyway. Ken'ichi and Riku are out at the Tokushima's Public Botany Garden with Taura, Ruubii (from what Ken'ichi told me when I called him) is at a soccer tournament that's out of town, and Hoshiki is at a school camp out for the next few days.” Hatori explained. “So only Ken'ichi has been given the message, I haven't bothered to call the other two.”

“And why not?”

“I don't think they would want to make a sudden appearance by their sister's side, someone they never really knew.” Hatori responded.

“True,”

“Then there's something else, Eriko's monitors are telling me that she's stable, but I think this may be it. And I cannot go against Akito's decisions…especially when they're crucial…to him.” Hatori stated, Noami's eyes narrowed.

“What exactly does Akito want from Eriko?” Noami asked.

“Her, he wants her confined.” Hatori answered, silence gripped Noami's vocal cords. She was at a loss for words; it was impossible to keep the Fox from running away. So why was Akito interested in making her share the Cat's fate? There was no Kitsune room, only the Neko room…so why…!

No…he, he wants to see the Fox die! Noami thought as her face contorted into surprise and angry shock. “Hatori! You're not going to take her to the Sohma Estate are you? You can't! The Fox cannot be confined! No one knows where the Fox goes once it gets the chance to flee, heck! They probably never die at all and he wants her to suffer in that horrid room?”

“I hope you pity Kyo as much as you pity Eriko, his fate is a tradition and has been done before.” Hatori replied.

“Yes, I do. But like you said, it had always been done, no one can change that.”

“Like how Eriko's true fate can never be changed?”

“Exactly! Someone needs to tell Akito that! He is the one who believes that you can't change fate right?” Noami stated harshly, “And besides, Mei will not have it!”

“There is nothing the head of your family can do Noami, but there is something you can do.” Hatori said, “Find the book,”

“You don't think I haven't been trying to find it?!” Noami cried into the phone, on the other line Hatori held it away from his ear by a foot.

“Have you tried everything?”

“Everything I can think of,”

“Did you search her room?”

“I did, but briefly, Kyo wouldn't let me go through it completely.”

“Understandable, what about her school locker?”

“Yep, there's barely anything in there. Like school books that she hardly brings to class.”

“Did you ask anyone where it could be?”

“Shigure wasn't there, Yuki never saw it before, Kyo and Tohru saw it but it's not there anymore,”

“Did you bother asking Mei?”

“…no,”

“Why don't you try that? And call me back later if you find anything,”

“All right, bye.” Noami stated, feeling stupid as she heard the hang up and hung up as well. She sighed and walked out the door. Kaede and Aikoko were asleep against one anothers backs on the floor across from her home with Ginry snoozing in a ball of fluff. Noami found the sight soothing slightly; at least they didn't seem worried. Noami slid on her shoes and walked down the rows of houses. When she was nearly knocked over by a frenzied neighbor, she had to wonder how those three could sleep anyway.

“Excuse me Mei-san, but I have a question for - Mei-san? Mei?” Noami walked in after sliding her shoes off and looked around. Everything was in neat order, but where was Mei? She hardly leaves her room, unless… “I wonder…” Noami left the room and slid her shoes back on. She hurried down near the fence and entered the library in the estate. There she was, Mei sitting comfortably on a small cushion.

Her delicate, milky-cream colored hands held onto a book as if it were a flower and a small smile graced her lips. Her orange eyes danced as she turned the page, such an easy girl to please, a simple nursery rhyme book could make her tune the world out. How a girl, in her condition could do anything of the sort such as smiling, was truly beyond Noami and many others. Mei suddenly looked up, seeing that it was Noami, her smile brightened. She nodded as Noami came in, offering her a seat with a simple head motion.

“No, it's all right. I just have a question; do you know what happened to the book? The Kitsune no Hon?” Noami asked, Noami's eyebrows shot up into her hair. When she regained her original posture, she brought her right hand up to her chin and sat in thought. Then with a swift motion to her trusty notepad and pencil, she quickly wrote her response.

 

I'm sure Kaede-chan or Kisa-chan can sense its whereabouts. But are you sure you are ready for the information it might lead to once you find it?

 

Noami grew shocked at the reply, so Mei knew what that book contained? What else did she know? As if reading her mind, Mei began writing vigorously once again. Then showed it to the teacher.

 

I know what the book contains, it is not for someone like you, it'll be better if you do not get involved.

 

“You mean it's better not for an outsider to read eh? But why shouldn't we get involved?”

 

The Cat and Fox were never accepted into the Zodiac, therefore for an outsider such as yourself whom is not cursed, the curse will simply effect you much worse than the Cat and Fox. Whether that punishment for becoming involved is worse than their fate, will be up to you to decide. But you might not get the chance to decide once it takes place.

 

“So you're saying for me to stay out of it?” Mei nodded. “I can't do that, you're my family. Hatori, Ayame, Shigure, Sunmei, and all the other Zodiacs are my friends -though I don't know them all personally- so I can't just abandon my search.”

 

It would be best if you didn't help, or afterwards, we wouldn't be able to enjoy your company no longer.

 

“You mean…the punishment for becoming involved…is death?” Mei nodded once again. “How do you know?”

 

It's better not to ask questions.

 

“I get the feeling you're not going to tell me much more - wait a minute, any outsider that gets involved dies? No, that can't be. I'm not the only one who knows about the curse and is really involved! There's Tohru Honda and Mayuko Shiraki! What do we do about them?” Mei's face grew dark as she wrote, Noami was almost afraid of what she was suggesting. She gasped as Mei finally revealed her answer.

 

We cannot have you and no other outsider involved, I'm afraid, Hatori will have to erase his or her memories.

 

“But if they forget - I mean! Mayuko and Tohru have so many memories with the Sohmas. Then there's Mihoshi and I! Then there's the Sanotomonos who know about their cursed children as well as the Sohma parents! You're telling me we have to erase all of their memories? Do you not realize how much of a tragedy that is?”

 

Do you not realize how much of a tragedy the curses have bestowed upon us? Akito-san and myself are complete examples of what generations and generations of the wretched curses that had coursed through the veins of every Sohma and Sanotomono! If we do not stop the tragedy here, the future generation will suffer greatly with the same decision! If we don't decide to do it, and they don't decide to do it, will that continue to go on till there is no more mankind on the planet to complain about a curse? Think about it, let's do what we can for our future generation and not force them to make these same questions reappear!

 

Noami was utterly shocked, how could Mei suggest such a thing? Unless she too was becoming desperate. But Mei was never by nature, heartless, so maybe she was truly doing this for the fate of the next family generations. If that were the case, then it would go against all of their beliefs wouldn't it? But the Zodiacs were getting harmed enough, as it is what would happen if one of those involved got hurt, or worse, die. That would cause much more misery wouldn't it? Noami had no idea how to go against this, but somehow Mei seemed to have struck a cord in Noami. Maybe there was a way to do this, and Mei had a good point. They had to erase their memories, even Noami's. And maybe, things would turn out better in the end.

Noami looked Mei straight in the eye and nodded, admitting her defeat. Mei nodded back, her face grave.

“I'll inform Hatori of our decision. I'll tell you of his opinion afterwards,” Noami said in a depressed tone as she then bowed, and left. Once she shut the door behind her, she bravely walked back to her residence and went inside. Finally, with one deep sigh she collapsed into her chair. Did Mei even know what she was asking of her? Did she know just how greatly this would effect any `outsiders'? But yes, she did. She understood the pain, and that was why, she didn't want anyone that included the outsiders now and the future generations to suffer no longer that they're ancestors and friends had suffered through. Yet, Noami couldn't forget Sunmei, they were the best of friends, along with Mihoshi…

That's it! Mihoshi will have an answer! Noami thought happily, though she could happily brag on about how she was the most knowledgeable of the trio way back in middle school when they first met, Mihoshi had rare occasional moments of wisdom. After dialing and placing the receiver to her ear, she sighed with relief when Mihoshi bothered to answer that cell phone of hers on the third ring.

“Yo! B*Star here!” Noami forgot how to speak English for a moment.

“Konnichiwa Mihoshi-san,” Noami greeted, she jumped when the unexpected squeal of excitement blasted out of the phone. She should have been expecting it; it had been some several weeks since she last heard from the pop star. If there was a warning label on every person, Mihoshi's would say `Beware, ability to deafen' or something similar. Well, such times it was only when she heard from a friend after a long time of no see or if her celebrity crush just asked her out on a date.

“NOA-CHAN! SO NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN!” Mihoshi cried.

“Same here, just tone down the volume all right? Some people are already awake,” Noami stated with a smile.

“Oh, right, sorry! Oh…” the was a slight pounding on the walls of her suite. “Sorry about that, it's my neighbors. They don't appreciate enthusiasm.”

Or the amount you give off… “It's all right, so how are you doing? How is it going with that guy friend of yours?” Noami asked, she heard a depressed sigh.

“I had to dump the moron, spotted him cheating on me with some other lower level singstress. Needless to say I was pissed and dumped him on the spot, but after I was through with him he practically had to be sent to the hospital. As a word of advice, never buy any albums from that girl, she has this name called De'Nora, so don't buy anything from her works got it!?” Mihoshi cried into the phone.

“Well, as a matter of speaking, I called for a bit of advice.” There Noami told her of what Mei had decided and Mihoshi listened without interrupting as she updated her on what had been happening.

“Wow…”

“Yes, Mihoshi, wow, so you see? I can't have all of these people's minds erased! It just seems…too inhumane for the Sohmas to even forget people like Tohru Honda, as the rumors say she has this special thing to her. Even some of the cursed Sanotomonos have fallen to her wise words, but anyway, what do you think?” Noami asked, it was silent for a few minutes as Mihoshi pondered.

“To be perfectly honest…I'm for once, totally lost for another answer…” Mihoshi replied, Noami sighed again as she let herself sink deeper into the chair. “Unless you lift the curse somehow sometime soon, by the way, did you get my new album? It's called Beautiful Star: The Way I Want it! Eh?”

“Sorry, no, I haven't had the time with the last week of school and all,” Noami responded.

“No worries, it just made publicity two days ago, oh! By the way, did Eriko receive my first made album? It's called Beautiful Star: Remember We're Here? Mei sent me an e-mail about what had been happening a while ago so I sent it, it was inspired by all of us by the way, truly a fun master piece of mine!” Mihoshi cried happily.

“No, sorry, I don't know whether she got it or not. Mei hadn't told us of such a gift to her,” Noami answered, she smiled softly. How different Mei was from Akito, how similar they were in fate but was completely and totally different in so many ways. Naomi's eyes were half-lidded, now that she thought about it, there was little she really knew about the Sohma curse. Even though she had known the Madubachi Trio since middle school, she really didn't find out by much of what the head of the Sohma clan did in his own past. She hardly knew the younger generation and she wasn't entirely too close to Hatori, Shigure, nor Ayame. It was only Mihoshi, she and the singstress were great friends, and Sunmei was her other friend that always spent her time with the three cursed boys long ago. Sure Mihoshi and Noami personally knew her, but she was practically the Madubachi Trio's sister, though, Shigure felt differently. They all knew that, at least until the senior prom where Shigure asked Sunmei out to the dance. Noami would never forget that face of hers. For once, it was Shigure who was blushing, it was the first and final time anyone had ever seen his face like that. Yet never again, had Shigure's face lit up with so much passion before or after that night, it made them wonder, just how much he loved her…

“That's too bad, just gonna have to wait till she wakes. Ooh! Good choice of words! I can write a song about that here let me get some paper so I can write them down real fast!” Noami sighed as she stared at the phone, Mihoshi, writing lyrics that took days at a time to complete. As if she would get done in the matter of minutes within the conversation time limit.

“Why don't I just call you back later Mihoshi,” Noami responded into the receiver.

“Oh! All right, call as soon as you can! I want to hear to hear your opinion on my new set of words! Though I should call you if you forget -which you sometimes do- so don't turn off your ringer like that last time I think cause I didn't hear a ring, ring, ring, so don't bug your phone and get rid of the caller ID! I think that's what's suppressing my worthy voice across the line! Oh by the way! Did you get rid of your voice message machine or whatever because I didn't hear that usual `Sorry can't come to the phone right now' crud so I assumed that you didn't have one at the moment but I could have sworn you had one before-”

“Mihoshi-”

“-then there's the next few concerts of mine for the `Kids who have a Cause' and it so happens to have one in Japan so I hope I can get a lift to the estate to say hi and even try and sort some of this wacky stuff of yours out of the way! And then there's the talk with Hatori and keeping his mind-erasing hands to himself and the lighters away from both the Dog and Seahorse-”

“Mi-”

“-but maybe I should turn them against them so they wouldn't light another cigarette for the rest of their lives don't you agree? That's a good idea now that I mentioned it! Oh before I forget did you get the new released Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? Got that completely free because of all the charity concerts I do! It's mostly talk though but very sad at the end! Oh! Why did he have to die! What he did before was pretty stupid…I agree with Ron completely he was off his rocker! Then with Harry doing-”

“Miho-” Noami sighed as the singstress talked on, this was what happened when she had places to go, people to see. Mihoshi had to cram every bit of what she wanted to share into breathless paragraphs and try to squeeze them into Noami's ears, or with whomever was on the other line.

“-oh but what am I saying? Perfect! Look at the time it had just flown by! I better get going! Say hiya from me to everyone you see and ta ta for now! Bua bye!” With a click, Mihoshi hung up. It was a good thing that she did that, so Noami didn't give in to her sweet begging voice that got people doing whatever she pleased for her.

With a low sigh Noami placed the receiver on its cradle and walked towards the door. The sky was clearing up slightly, but in the distance it was still an eerie black, things weren't going to clear up anytime soon, with Eriko's own impending storm cloud hovering around. If only fate wasn't so content on getting her…a fox spirit only possessed her after all…

Wait a minute! A fox spirit…a black one at that…I remember…in the tale Hatori had told me… Minari was a black kitsune welcomed into the town of Kyoto so long ago. So if she were to find out more about Minari's presence on earth, maybe there would be a connection to the curse! So that would mean all the answers lie in…

Inari's Kin Fortress!

Excited by her discovery she fled out of the room and down to the gates! She left a note behind, it would only take a few days right? Just to get those answers and she would be free of that cursed decision! Why no one ever thought of it before was beyond her, but just knowing where the answers just may be irked her with great pleasure. She started up the engine and backed out, onto Kyoto!

 

The sky darkened greatly at a real fast pace, Kaede's golden brown eyes fluttered open as a very faint clap of thunder sounded. When she sat up straighter, it triggered Aikoko's fall. She bolted awake and sat up from reflex. Rubbing their eyes as Ginry stretched, another faint rumble of the angels above came and went.

“That was a nice nap…well, while it lasted.” Aikoko stated as Kaede stood up, her tiger features stiffening. “What's up?” Aikoko asked, looking up at her Tiger companion.

“I don't know, but something is coming. That, I'm afraid, is all I know.” Kaede answered, then her eyes widened. “I'm going to go and check on Mei all right?” With that, Kaede raced off, following the faint scent of her childhood friend. Leaving behind a confused Aikoko and a still yawning Ginry.

“Stop it Gin-chan, yawnings contagious!” Aikoko scolded, Ginry's bright eyes only stared after Kaede's path as her form resumed its original form.

Mei! Where are you! Oh yeah! Library! Kaede thought as she slid slightly, catching her bearings quickly she turned and ran down the next wooden plank isle. Soon making it to the closed shoji doors, she slid them open. Her bottom jaw fell as she saw it, all their books. All the books on the generations of Sanotomonos. Their spines, covers, backs. All decorated in red and green and yellow, or was it gold? In front of the first row was Mei's silken form. Her back was to Kaede as she stared up at the rows of colorful books.

“Mei?” Kaede choked out, trying to adjust to the shock that embedded within her.

Mei did not turn around, instead, slowly; she raised her arms above her head, as if offering an invisible silver platter to her lord. The door slid shit behind Kaede, wind from an unknown source picked up and Mei's hair and kimono flew in different directions. Kaede on the other hand, was lifted from her feet by a few inches. She gasped in surprise as she looked about wildly.

“Mei! What the hell is going on?!” Kaede cried out, she got no answer. “Mei! Put me down! I know it's you who's doing this! I can sense it!” Her emotions tied her down, what was Mei doing? Where did all this power come from? Was it a good thing or a bad thing? Kaede just hoped, whatever Mei was doing, was not to intentionally harm anyone. Because of her vocal disability, she had never really expressed her thoughts in ways words neither could explain nor gestures. So what she was doing baffled Kaede.

A distant sound soared through the air; it was warm and high. It was soothing and calming, as if circling around Kaede like a warm blanket of fluff. It didn't sound foreign though…in fact, it sounded human.

Slowly Keade blacked out.

 

I'm sorry my friend…you'll have to forget…

 

The rain drizzled down on Noami's car as she drove down the road. Only some day and half drive without stops, Noami could do it, or so she thought she could. Noami's mahogany eyes stayed focused on the wet pavement. She was approaching a dangerous turn here, she knew it well as she grasped the steering wheel tightly and swerved to the right. She grinned; not even the rain had the might to slip her up. From there it wouldn't be much of a problem, unless it down-poured…

Think positive Noami! You've gotta do this or your facing suppression! She thought as the rain came down harder, as if to dampen or dedication. To her surprise, it was working well. She shook her head slightly.

Ring ring!

Noami dug her cell phone out of her purse and flipped it open, then placing it beside her ear.

“Hello?”

“Noami, did you talk to Mei yet?” It was Hatori, and how cheerful he sounded.

“Erm…”

“I've never known you to be speechless Noami,” Hatori stated in a dull tone.

“Hai…”

“Really? And you don't sound thrilled either, what did she think?” Hatori asked.

“Well…wait a minute!” she slammed her foot down on the brakes. There was something dark in the road, the rain was pouring down, and the dark figure didn't seem to notice it.

“Is there something wrong Noami?”

“Hatori?” she said with an unsure tone, as the dark figure seemed to shift to one leg and approach with the other. “Where's Eriko?” She suddenly asked as she saw something of what she guessed was a bushy tail, a fox tail.

“In her room, why?”

“Can you check?”

“I was just in there the minute before I called.” Noami looked up and through the windshield, locking the doors. The figure was brightening with every step from the car lights. It was probably around six feet tall. Not including what looks like fox ears at the top of its head. “Noami? Are you still here?”

“Ha-Hatori? There's something…out here…” Noami managed to choke out as the figure stopped, it was cloaked and hooded.

“Something? Where are you? You don't sound like you're at your estate…wait a minute, are you outside? Driving? Where? Noami?”

“Oh my god…Ha-Ha-Ha-tor-ri-i…” Noami's face grew gaunt-like as the figure bent down and raised its left arm, what the sleeve didn't conceal were the tips of what looked like deadly, and long claws. They clutched at the tip of its hood, and drew it back. What she met was a mouth full of fangs; the tongue kept back and a savage growl erupted from the back of the throat. The white of the eyes was much while the irises were blood-red with no pupils.

“Noami! Noami! What's go-” Almost in an instant, the cell phone in her hand shattered like glass, possibly the doing of the demon that stood before her. It looked so demonic…was it human? Or demon? Or both?

If only I got those answers…and lived to tell the tale…

The creature's mouth widened, its massive cry shaking the ground, as it then became transparent. Noami stared in utter fright and shock, what good would it do being non-solid? She got her answer almost completely by surprise as the creature reared silently and flew towards her, with a silent scream the creature seemed to swim through her, being the breeze that carried Noami's clothes and hair like it was any normal breeze. Soon, Noami fell into slumber, her shoulders slumped, her head lolled to the side. Her face looked peaceful as the creature disintegrated into thin air.

The rain slowed and finally calmed down to a mere fog, hiding the car till morning.

 

“I am sorry that I cannot come home just yet Akito-san,” Hatori spoke through the receiver.

“Well then, get an excuse and come back now!” Akito demanded from the other line.

“I'm afraid other businesses had been occupying me at the time being, I cannot come back to the estate just yet. But Akito, what do plan for me to do once I do come back?” Hatori asked.

“You're not coming back home…alone…bring them all back…bring them all to me!” Akito ordered.

“Akito, I-”

“You dare disobey me you damn Dragon?!” Akito cried, “everyone already knows what's going on! I told them! I warned them! They're prepared for you're arrival at any time! Do what I planned! Fate will allow it no other way! And bring that damned Fox over there as well! I'm also eager to meet the rest of Sunmei-chan's kind. Bring them too,”

“If I agree, then I will have to make a few trips.” Hatori stated in the same monotonous tone. He heard Akito hiss through the phone.

“Do what you must! They're all coming here! Understand?” Hatori held the phone back from his ear just as Akito slammed it down. With a much gentler movement, he placed his phone back down. His expression then turned grave as he heard the regular beating of Eriko's heart on the monitor once again. For at least three minutes, her soul was gone, but somehow, it had come racing back. It didn't seem too eager to leave…

So indeed, her whole being is rebelling against fate's control over her. This might just end…happily… Hatori thought with a small smile. Yet his brows furrowed and his lips curled down, whatever happened to Noami he didn't know, he couldn't guess, when she came back, then they would talk. What was she doing? Why? Did he not tell her to call him back after Mei's decision? Maybe…she thought up something before she thought about calling him. I'll wait for her return then…

“Why the hell are you still up? I always thought even doctors were human,” Hatori couldn't help but feel a little amused by the tone of sarcasm.

“Nice to see you too Shiraki-san,” Hatori stated as he turned around, only to be greeted by a cup of coffee. It was Mayuko Shiraki of course, and she seemed to have made the coffee sure to have extra caffeine, as he felt a bit more refreshed than before with a few sips. She too held a cup of coffee, with the violet lining around it from the shop's design.

“How she doing?” Mayuko asked.

“Still stable, but I do believe she's fighting. She's not willing to go down, well, at least not without a fight yet.” Hatori answered.

“Good, I thought I was going to teach a lowlife next year,” Mayuko caught Hatori's eyes, his eyebrows slightly raised. “I'm kidding,”

“You really shouldn't have dated Shigure, he was rubbing off on you.” Hatori stated dully, her face darkened.

“Don't even go there,” Mayuko warned.

“I don't want to get into it myself,” Hatori remarked. They stood in silence, each watching every breath Eriko inhaled, and every one she exhaled. Her chest rising and falling with ease with each stride, as if she were walking. Being like a normal person, but who was normal anymore?

“How long will she be like this?” Mayuko asked, breaking the awkward silence.

“Who knows, maybe, this is it…”

“Sorry, I don't know much about her so you're going to have to explain to me, now aren't you?” Mayuko asked, looking out of the corner of her eye at the Dragon.

“This isn't the time,”

“Why? You have places to go? People to see?” Mayuko asked, not sounding cold.

“Both,” Hatori answered as he turned and placed his empty cup down and picked up his briefcase. “Thanks for the coffee,” he stated as he turned and walked past Mayuko. She smiled as she watched him leave, he stopped only once to inform the nurses he was leaving so the other doctor could take charge, he was only the Sohma doctor after all. He couldn't watch over Eriko any longer.

You've done enough Hatori…let us do some too, Mayuko thought as her gaze hardened as she looked over at Eriko. And you keep going Eriko… Mayuko walked into Eriko's room and sat down next to her bed.

“Just remember Eriko-kun, if you're going through hell, just keep going. We'll wait at the end of the line for you `kay?” Mayuko said as she brushed a black tendril from Eriko's face.