The winding path toward Shigure Sohma's house felt endless as Ryu Shimizu trudged forward, her steps heavy with the weight of memory and fatigue. The land was vast and isolated, veiled in the secrets of the cursed family that occupied it.

Each step carried her deeper into the heart of her past—one she had long fought to escape. The sprawling grounds stretched before her, their serenity deceptive. She expelled a slow, measured breath, the cool air stinging her lungs, as her gaze finally landed on the modest, traditional house nestled in the distance. Relief flickered across her face, but it was fleeting. The journey from Kazuma's dojo had been demanding, the walk taxing her already tense body, and the sheer physicality of her trek mirrored the emotional terrain she had yet to traverse.

As she neared the residence, her eyes caught movement on the path ahead. A figure loomed just beyond the crest of a small hill. Curiosity piqued, she picked up her pace, her footsteps quickening as recognition dawned.

The young man, a courier with a familiar gait, had been at the dojo that morning, though she had left before their paths could properly cross. Her pulse quickened—not from fear, but the anticipation of yet another encounter where her ability to conceal truths would be tested.

"Isn't it rather late for a paper delivery?" Ryu's voice rang out, clear and unflinching. The young man jolted, visibly startled by her sudden appearance. A strangled sound escaped his throat, caught between a yelp and a laugh, as he turned to face her with wide eyes.

"Ah! Ms. Shimizu!" His grin was sheepish as he raised a folded newspaper like a peace offering. "I completely forgot to deliver this morning's paper to that house."

Ryu's brow arched with a knowing look. "It's understandable," she replied smoothly, "given how far you've had to come. Hard to blame anyone for overlooking a place so... out of the way."

He chuckled, the sound a touch nervous, and fell into step beside her. "You know the people living here?" he asked, his curiosity thinly veiled.

A small smile tugged at the corner of Ryu's lips. "You could say I'm a friend of the family," she answered, the truth carefully tucked between layers of vagueness.

The young man snapped his fingers as though recalling something important. "I completely forgotten! You're Sohma Sensei's daughter."

Ryu stiffened, the title sinking like a stone into the pit of her stomach. Her affection for Kazuma was undeniable—he had given her shelter, guidance, and love—but guilt over her self-imposed exile still gnawed at her. She offered a tight-lipped smile, choosing not to correct him. The complexities of her heart were too entangled for a simple denial or affirmation.

Their conversation drifted into lighter topics, idle chatter filling the space between footsteps as they approached the house. Then, in a heartbeat, everything changed. A thunderous crash shattered the calm, sending dust and debris into the air. A portion of the wall to their left exploded outward, fragments of wood and plaster raining down like shrapnel. Ryu instinctively shielded her face as a startled gasp tore from her lips. The young man beside her screamed, his terror unrestrained.

From the wreckage, a figure burst forth—a blur of movement and unchecked force. The girl, wild-eyed and frantic, barreled toward them with an urgency born of panic or rage. Ryu's mind raced, piecing together the chaos as the unmistakable sound of a Zodiac transformation reached her ears. Recognition struck her like a blow to the chest. Her instincts took over.

Moving faster than thought, Ryu grabbed the courier by the arm, yanking him away from the incoming figure before any contact could occur. She pivoted sharply, using her body as a barrier between him and the source of the commotion. Her grip was firm but not harsh as she twisted him around, effectively cutting off his view of the spectacle behind her.

"M-Ms. Shimizu?" His voice quivered with confusion.

With practised ease, Ryu conjured a bright, disarming smile. "Lovely weather today, isn't it?" she remarked breezily. "Thank you for bringing the paper."

"Uh... y-yes!" The young man blinked, his terror giving way to bewildered compliance. "Beautiful weather. Perfect, really."

A teenager joined them then, casually inserting himself into the conversation with effortless charm, further distracting the courier from the chaos just behind Ryu. Together, they kept him occupied long enough for the tension to dissipate.

When the young man finally resumed his route, blissfully unaware of the danger he had narrowly avoided, Ryu exhaled a slow breath, her body relaxing ever so slightly.

As the boy—Yuki Sohma—turned toward her with questions brimming in his eyes, his expression a mixture of curiosity and wariness, Shigure emerged from the ruins of the shattered wall, his tone far too calm for the scene around them.

"Ryu," he greeted, a smile playing on his lips. "I wasn't expecting you today."

Kyo, locked in a struggle with Kagura, froze at the sound of her name. His orange eyes narrowed, his focus momentarily splintered. Kagura, now fully human and entirely unbothered by her lack of clothing, blinked in mild surprise.

Ryu's gaze flicked to Shigure, then to Kyo, her eyes softening briefly. "I thought Kazuma might have called ahead."

"He didn't," Shigure responded, amused.

Ryu shifted her attention to Yuki, extending her hand. "You must be Ayame's brother. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Yuki's brow furrowed. He took her hand hesitantly. "Yes. And... who are you?"

Before Ryu could answer, Kyo's voice cut through the air like a blade. "What are you doing here?" His posture was tense, his words edged with accusation.

"It's been a while," Ryu replied, her tone carefully measured.

Kyo's sneer was immediate. "Seven years. But who's counting?" He let out a harsh, bitter laugh. "Why bother showing up at all? You're good at leaving. Might as well stick to what you know."

The words hit like a physical blow, and Ryu recoiled slightly, her breath catching. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came. Kyo stormed past her, dragging Kagura and Yuki behind him.

Shigure sighed theatrically. "That could have gone better."

Ryu shot him a glare sharp enough to pierce stone. "You have an uncanny talent for making things worse, don't you?"

He offered a helpless shrug, gesturing for her to come inside. "Tea?"

Without a word, she stepped through the ruined entryway, her heart heavy with the weight of unspoken truths.

an: kyo - 'who's counting ' - heh right