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Fan Fiction

***Chapter #1: My Pleasure***

Hideki:
It's like,
Everytime I try,
To do something right,
...
Something goes wrong,
...
But then,
Something else,
...
Goes right.

It's a sunny mid-December day, and Tohru, Uo, and Hana have decided to go for an early breakfast at a popular restaurant in Tokyo. Hana and Uo took a cab to Tohru's to pick her up and from there, go to breakfast. For the day, Yuki, Shigure, and Kyo, had been asked to go to the main house to visit with the family after skipping New Years,again, like last year.

It was a very exciting ride for Tohru, she'd never been in a cab before. "I wonder what types of food they'll have at the restaurant," said Tohru. "So where are we going exactly?" "Hmm, well I heard my parents talking about it. I guess there was some ad in a newspaper or something, it's called "My Pleasure," said Uo. "It's not too far from a pretty busy market place that I also heard has gotten good reviews as well," added Hana. "Oh, that sounds a lot better than I can imagine," Tohru says, day dreaming about what her experiences today might bring.

"Ok, we're here," says the cab driver in a moaning sigh. "How much will that be costing us?," asks Hana."That'll be a grand total of $43.50," demands the driver in an irritated tone. "So, should we split? Or- wait, Tohru how much did you bring?," asks Uo. "Oh, don't worry I should have plenty, I've been working over-time again," assures Tohru.

The three girls make a 3-way split with the payment and start there way into "My Pleasure."

"Woah. Look at all of the customers," says Uo. "Yes, they sure are busy,"states Hana. They hear an unfamiliar voice-male, and probably a worker-call out,"Yumi, Hideki, we've got three young girls waiting for seats. Come on, hurry up or we'll be way behind this week, at this rate!" "Yes,sir," says two other voices, one male and one female."Huh," Tohru, Uo, and Hana stand there confused and wait for a minute as foot steps come from upstairs.

"Hi, there, I'm Yumi. Let me take you to your seats. Follow me, please."They continue to follow Yumi, until they reach their table by the window. "These are your menus. Hideki, will be here shortly to take your orders." "Thank you," says Tohru,quickly before Yumi turns to walk away. "Yes,thank you very much," Uo and Hana say, almost in unison. "They really do have a large selection, don't they," Tohru says, a little shaky and overwhelmed by the choices. "Yea, hey, they have a really nice selection of different style eggs, Tohru, why don't you look at that," Uo urges. "Oh,yes. I might have to try some of their eggs,too," decides Hana,"but, do I get tea, or water? Hmm,I'll just get a tea for now. How about you two,huh,Tohru?" "Oh, I'll probably just get water, it's easier that way, what about you, Uo-chan?" "I don't know, I'm-no,yea, I'm going to get an iced tea, I don't feel like anything really warm right now,"says Uo.

"Hi,I'm Hideki, I'll be your waiter for this morning. Have you decided on anything?" Hideki appears rather shy, yet determined, Hana and Uo naturally wanted to take advantage of the situation. "Oh, well, I'd like a water,please," says Tohru, kind of nervous as well. Seconds pass, Hideki seems to feel the tension and discomfort in the silence, and how Uo and Hana are just looking at him like he's some kind of idiot. "Umm, heh," Hideki swallows hard,"so, what will you two be having?" His heart rate goes up and fills his ears, his face bright red and sweaty. "You don't need to break into a sweat just because you're serving girls, do you," asks Uo. "Yes, but while you're standing there, I'd like a cup of tea," adds Hana, nodding to Uo that they should wait 'till they at least get their orders in. They don't want to bother poor Hideki just yet. Uo lets out a brief sigh,"I'll just have an iced tea, and a small pack of sugar if you would," Uo slightly winks at him. They watch him as he turns from pink to burning red in seconds ,and makes a weak reply,"Y-yes right away."

"Ha ha, ha, ha! Did you see that? That was great, we have to tip this guy pretty good, I mean for all this torture," Uo says, still laughing. "Yes, he's very polite, too, and his shyness almost resembles Tohru," Hana says. Almost as though the resemblance of Tohru made her depressed somehow,even if Tohru's right there. "You're not picturing Tohru getting married, again, are you,Hana," Uo asks, kind of concerned as to why she thinks into the future so much. Click, ding, tap, Hideki is now placing their cups on the table. "Thank you," says Tohru, turning a little red in the face, catching Hideki's eye. Hideki's face turns red in return, "Oh, well, yes, you're welcome, but really, it's nothing, just my job. Heh,heh. So breakfast,then?"

Once they all ordered, Hana and Uo glance at each other, each with a smirk on their face. "So, Tohru," Uo begins, "Hideki's a nice guy, huh?" Tohru turns and faces Uo with a blank expression on her face. Hana continues "Yea, don't you think? He's so mature, and a little older." Tohru, totally confused and stuck in the middle, replies, "Yes, he's a very nice guy,we should tip him well." Hana and Uo trade glances again. "Oh, here comes breakfast," says Tohru, excited and relieved. "Yes,finally," Hana agrees, then Uo finally looks up,"It's about time." Hideki, once again being stared at by Uo and Hana, starts to place plates on the table.

When Hideki goes to reach over Uo to put down Tohru's plate,splash, all of Tohru's water spilt all over her. "EEK!,"Tohru screamed. "Oh, Oh my god, I'm so SOO sorry! Here, I'll go get you more napkins," Hideki runs off to retrieve the napkins for her. "Oh, no it's...ok, Tohru's voice fades, and she slightly slumps over. "Tohru, are you ok? You're soaked," Uo says, frantically searching for loose napkins around the table. "Yea I'm fine, really, thanks though," Tohru then starts to space out again. Hurrying footsteps come closer, sure enough, it's Hideki, panting. "You didn't have to go to all this trouble, really, I'm ok. It's only water," Tohru says, waving her hands in the air as if to reject his offer of the napkins. "Oh, I know, but it's my fault, I really should be more careful, I'm such an idiot," says Hideki. "Oh, no, I just should have watched where I placed my drink, I could have moved it when I saw your arm reach over, or something,"Tohru argues. Hana and Uo start mouthing words to each other, when they see the other two aren't looking.

Soon enough, food was over and done with, and they had just paid for the bill. The three friends were headed to the market place, when somebody came running through the front door of "My Pleasure." "Tohru? Tohru,wait ,please!" Tohru turns around. It's Hideki. "Tohru, I'm getting off in 15 minutes, I'll meet you after that. Where are you going and I'll catch up, I mean, if that's ok and all." Tohru's face lights up,"Of course, that's wonderful, thank you so much! It'll really help having somebody around who knows this place." Hideki sighs, full of relief, "That's great, I'll see you then." Tohru waves, and turns to walk away with Uo and Hana.

Uo and Hana stop dead in their tracks, as Tohru walks forward. Tohru notices she's alone, turns around, her friends aren't moving. "Uo, Hana, what's wrong? Did I do something? You guys didn't want him to come did you? Oh, I should have asked you first, I'm so stupid. I just thought having somebody that knows their way around would help out better. I'm so sorry." Tohru drops her head down to her shoulders, feeling ashamed of herself, and selfish. "Tohru, that's not it," Uo says. "Yes, Tohru, we're just surprised. We're very proud of you for your decision," Hana says, trying to convince Tohru it's not a problem. "Oh, umm, ok, that's good, I guess I shouldn't have...freaked out so much, huh," says Tohru, kind of embarrassed.

They had just reached the market place, when, totally out of nowhere, Hideki runs up from behind. He's panting again. "Oh, Hideki, you're here," Tohru says trying to help him calm down his breathing. "Hey, do you need a water or something," asks Uo, "Yes, water might be a good idea," Hana agrees. "Oh,-pant-, no, no, I'm, -pant-, fine," replies Hideki, "Thanks though." "So what exactly are the types of stores they have around here," asks Hana. "Ummm, let's see, they have food stores, like bakeries, and well,..clothes stores," Hideki turns red, remembering his adventures in a specific women's clothing store. "Mmm, pastries sound good," says Uo, "Yes, I agree, take us to the bakery," demands Hana. "Uhh, ok, but don't you want to wait, you just had breakfast,and-" "Yea, so? We're growing girls, we need to eat, now take us to the bakery all ready." Uo starts getting rather anxious to go to buy some scones, or even muffins. "That sounds great! Where's the nearest bakery from here?" Tohru asks, looking everywhere for a sign or something.

"Oh, this place looks delicious, look at all of the food. This is wonderful, thank you so very much Hideki for taking us here," Tohru's bouncing up and down with joy. "Y-you're welcome," Hideki blushes slightly. Hana, shocked, asks,"Oh yes, I remember now, at the restaurant, back there. 'My Pleasure,' there was this person with the most odd-shaped ears. Why is that, and why so many of them?" "Huh? Oh, you mean the persocom, yea it's a human-based computer, has Internet features and everything. They're very useful, and can do chores and jobs when you don't have time." Hideki nods, "They're great, I have one myself, I've only had her for about a month or so. I named her Chi." "Chi? Oh,what a cute name!" Tohru smiles, "I would so love to meet her." Hideki blushes again, and looks down, "Well, if you want, you can all come to my apartment and visit, Chi's probably going to be so happy to have visitors." "That-" Tohru starts to say, and then Uo and Hana say in unison, "sound great." Tohru, Hana, and Uo look at each other, Tohru's shocked that they're agreeing, and so happy. Tohru smiles.

"So. when shall we go over?" Tohru looks over her muffin, at Hideki, across the table from her and Uo. "Oh, well how about after this? If that's ok with you. Hana? Uo?" "That sounds wonderful," Hana smiles, "Yea, I wanna see that persocom, too, sounds cool," Uo smiles too. "Ok, great." Tohru thinks to herself, 'Oh, Mom, this is all so wonderful. I've just gotten accustomed to life at the Sohma's, and now, now I've met another guy, Hideki. Oh Mom, I wish you could meet him."

***Chapter #2: Tohru Meets Chii***

Chii:
How are people,
Always so happy,
...
Why does Chii,
Not understand,
...
People,
Are different,
...
But what is different,
...
If all people are different,
And all persocoms,
Are all different,
Then,
...
Aren't we all,
...
The same.

"Well, here we are," Hideki sighs, nervous as to how they might respond to his apartment. Tohru's face brightens up,"Oh, wow, it's so wonderful." "Do you really live here," Uo asks, shocked. "Yes, it is amazing, they sure do have large apartment buildings out here in this part of Tokyo. Don't they," Hana says, as if not believing this is real.

Hideki begins walking them into the building."Yea, it is pretty big, when I first moved here a little over a month ago I thought so too. I mean, I was just a farm boy, I never got paid that much, I worked for my family and helped out." Hideki turns the key to his door,"I came here, when I well- didn't get accepted into college. Now, here I am, in cram school." He pushes the door open, "Chi? I'm home. I've brought company." Chi looks up from reading one of Hideki's magazines, "Welcome home, Hideki. Chi? Com-company?" "Yes,company,Chi."

Hideki looks down and notices what she has been reading on the floor. "Aaaah! Chi, no, put that away,please," he runs over to remove of the magazine and stuffs it in a drawer, frantically. The three girls walk in from the door way,and Tohru closes the door behind her. They stand there, staring at Hideki, and especially Chi. That robotic and human-like girl, just sitting there, staring back at them, they were just amazed she was real. "Chi? They are company?" Chi crawls forward a few inches before finding a supportive place to stand up a few inches in front of the teenage girls.

Hideki calms down and begins to introduce Chi to Tohru, Uo, and Hana. "Oh, so, Tohru, Uo, and Hana? Did Chi get it right?" Chi says, pointing to each girl to identify who she was referring to each time. "Yes,Chi, good job," Hideki congratulates her, and the girls all join in. "Wow, so that,persocom,right? She's pretty smart," says Uo, "I mean, way more smart than any computer i've ever seen." "Yea, thanks, I have to teach her everything by examples, and explaining things. It's worth it, though," replies Hideki.

"So, where do you three live? I'm sure my place seems pretty small compared to yours," Hideki said, changing subjects. "Oh,well I live in a one-room apartment, too, nothing special," said Uo,plainly. "I live in a simple house, more tall than wide. I have a little brother as well," Hana simply stated. Tohru wanted to say something about Shigure's house, but thinking about it made her so depressed. She missed them deeply, and felt pathetic for it. At the same time, no stranger should know about her life at their house. It wouldn't be right to just talk about her life with other people, that they don't even know.

A long silence had grown over all of them. "Tohru,what about you? I mean, if you want to talk about it, but you don't have to," Hideki said, trying to break the silence. Tohru managed a light response, "Oh, well,... umm,... I live in a simple house, too." Tohru can't shake away her depression, she can't believe that she can't last a day without them. "Mom, this isn't right, I know Hideki's a nice guy, but being here is beginning to bother me," Tohru thought to herself.

"Umm, I'm sorry-" Tohru tried to get out a whole sentence, "We really should get going soon. I don't want us to over-stay our welcome either." Tohru felt pathetic, no reason in hiding it, she went to the door. "Oh, do you have to? I-I mean, you wouldn't be over staying your welcome," Hideki tried to get her to stay, but she was already half-way out the door.

"I'm sorry, but we should go, we need to get a taxi,too, really I'm so sorry." Tohru headed out the door. Uo said goodbye, and she and Hana left.

It was a long and silent ride home in the taxi. Tohru sat in the middle seat in the back, between Hana and Uo. "Why did I rush out?" Tohru thought, "Mom, why do I feel so alone?" Her questions, as usual remain on answered, for now.

***Chapter #3: Unknown Feelings***

Hatori:
Kana and I,
We were together,
...
But were we,
Not meant to be,
...
What is fate,
How do we know,
What our destiny really is,
...
I don't think that's right,
I think,
...
That no matter what,
...
No matter,
How you may think,
That you feel,
...
It's really something,
Much more.

"Welcome home, Shigure,Yuki, Kyo, how was your visit to Sohma house?" Tohru rushed to the door to greet them. "Hello, Tohru, the Sohma house was great. We visited with family and had some food, how was your day? Hope you weren't too lonely." Shigure said walking through the door, Kyo and Yuki following a bit behind. "Oh, no,...it was...fine," Tohru said as Yuki and Kyo made their way in the house.

"So, Yuki, Kyo, how did it go? Your visit, I mean," Tohru asked, kind of depressed thinking of how bad her day was without them. "It was ok, I guess. I wasn't thrilled to be there or anything, but it didn't totally stink," Kyo replied. "Yea, it was ok, I didn't mind being there for a day, I suppose," Yuki said in return.

"So, Tohru,you went to breakfast with Ms. Hanajima and Ms. Uotani, right?" Yuki asked. "Oh, well, yes, we took a taxi and-" Tohru paused, she could not continue. Again, a strange awkward feeling had been draped over Tohru like a quilt, and seemed to consume her. This feeling was of guilt, or as it appeared. "Ms. Honda?" Yuki asked, "are you ok? Is it a cold, do you have a fever?" Tohru couldn't focus, she was stressing out so bad from all of today's past events. Then, Tohru got herself a cold, again.

"Tohru's sick? What from? She seemed fine before," Kyo said, when Shigure told him to go buy Tohru leeks for soup. "Well, we don't know, but she fell asleep after Yuki assisted her get up stairs to her room. We suggested that she takes however long off of work that she can afford for now," said Shigure. "Ok, forget I asked. Why do I gotta buy the leeks?!"

"It's better than stealing the ones Ms. Honda and I planted," answered Yuki, with a disgusted tone. "Hey,How was I supposed to know? It's not like there's a sign or anything!" "That's because if there was one you'd probably pick them all." "No I wouldn't, I hate leeks, and you know it!" "That's not what I'm talking about, stupid cat!" "Shut up, you darn rat!"

It seemed their bickering would never cease. "You know, Tohru won't eat if you two keep arguing like that," Shigure pointed out. "Fine, I'm leaving, and I'm not cooking us dinner," Kyo said, walking out the door to go to the store. "Why did you send him anyway? He's not reliable in the least," Yuki protested. "Yes, but it gives him some time to get fresh air, and my house won't get smashed," Shigure said, proud of himself.

In the store Kyo seemed lost. He was surrounded by huge piles and stacks of leeks; the most disgusting food in the world. To him anyway. Kyo had just grabbed all of the best leeks that he needed, when he heard some guy talking in the distance. In front of the register, there was this awkwardly acting, and seemingly misplaced, man.

"Yea," he heard the guy say," I came here to try and find this girl Tohru. Not that you'd know her, I don't think, anyways, but I just wanted to get her something as an apology gift." Kyo found himself storming over to the register. "Hey!! Did you just say 'Tohru'?" Kyo demanded, obviously furious. "Uhh, yea. Why do you know her?" Hideki tripped over his owns words.Then while backing up, over his own feet. "Is her last name 'Honda'?" Kyo asked, still angry. "Yea! So... you do know her. I--"

"How do you know her? Where did you meet her?" Kyo now had him pinned against the wall closest to the exit. "I-I met her at my restaurant, she came with two friends. I don't remember their names, one wore black, the other a long jean skirt," Hideki said frantically, sweat all over his face, soiling the front of his shirt. Kyo backed up a second, still holding the end of Hideki's shirt up to his face. "If I ever see her with you...", he paused for a second,"I'll make you wish you were dead." "Umm, sorry, sir?" The man at the cash register said, "you need to check out,...please..." Kyo backed off away from Hideki and said nothing more to him, not even a glance, and went to check out the leeks.

Kyo flew the door open, then slammed it shut. "Umm, Kyo, is something wrong?" Shigure asked cautiously. Kyo was silent though, and was quick to make Tohru's soup. It was nearly a half hour later that he finally spoke. "So, Tohru's still asleep," his voice was soft, yet irritated. "Yes, at least I believe so," Shigure replied, noting that Kyo seemed upset. "Ok, I'll bring this up to her and see if she's awake enough to eat," Kyo decided, talking as if to himself.

He knocked on her door, trying not to use too much force. "Y-Yes?" Tohru's voice was soft, and almost silent. "Hey, I brought your food." Kyo said, as soft as he could, but still noticeably mad. "Oh, thank you," Tohru said as fast she could-which wasn't very fast. Suddenly Tohru remembered what exactly had brought her to this state, and she began to cry quietly. "What's wrong?" Kyo asked, like he was fed up with it.

"I- it's just that, well, I feel so stupid, I met this guy at the restaurant Uo and Hana took me to. I don't know how but he ended up being our tour guide and took us to this bakery after his shift at "My Pleasure" was over. Then we ended up going over his house to see his human-like computer, I don't know why, but I felt depressed and dishonest being around him. So, I selfishly asked Hana and Uo if we could leave, not even asking them, I just left. They followed and, I don't know, I feel like an idiot. Now, worrying about it, that's what got me so sick, and it just makes me feel so awful. So, I guess I just really should have talked to you all about it and apologized. Instead of making a fool out of myself, and you all, helping me, feeling sorry for me."

She couldn't continue, she felt so much grief for them, and at how foolish she was, she couldn't continue. So, she just cried. Kyo was shocked, he knew he should say something, that he met the guy at the store. Or maybe that she shouldn't be so hard on herself, he couldn't seem to make anything sound right.

"It's ok." Kyo said after a few minutes of silence," you don't have to be so, you know, hard on yourself. Just, I don't know, try to be more careful, have more common sense is all. Don't let your feelings make you get sick." Tohru's crying calmed down so just gentle tears falling from her eyes, almost like rain. "When you're sick, you usually eat the food somebody makes for you when it's warm, you know," Kyo said, putting the tray carrying the leek soup in front of her bed on the floor.

Tohru knew that he was holding back some sort of anger. "Yes!" Tohru got down from her bed to eat the soup, luckily it was at the perfect eating temperature. "It's really good!" Tohru knew Kyo wasn't in one of his best moods, so she talked as clearly and sincerely as she could.

Friday passed, and before they knew it, it was Sunday. "Oh, Yuki, you're up." Tohru looked over her shoulder for a moment, while she was cleaning dishes for breakfast. "Yes, I see you're making breakfast," Yuki pointed to the pot on the stove. " Huh? Oh,"she giggled to herself,"yes, I'm making a new recipe I got from Hana. I tried it at her house, and she said I could have a copy of the recipe."

"So, this is your first time making this?" Kyo asked as Tohru served food out at the table. "Well, yea, I've never made anything like this before, it was a little tricky. I-uhh, I'll understand if it's not to your liking. I can always make something else." By the time she'd said that, though, they'd both had a few tastes of it. "Wow," Kyo and Yuki actually agreed in unison. Shigure waltzes through the room, "Oh, I see Tohru made breakfast." He places himself down on one of the seats on the end, then pats his hand on the table. "Tooohruuu where's myyyyyyyy breakfast?" Shigure whines.

"Quiet, you're supposed to be an adult!" Kyo yells at Shigure. Shigure turns to him, confused, "What do you mean? I'm just asking for my food, like you two are. You can always make your own meals, and Tohru can make me mine." "Idiot," Yuki says, and Kyo turns to Shigure, "You sicko!!!" Tohru comes out to the room from making Shigure a warm plate. "Uhh, umm, I brought you your food, Shigure." Shigure sits up straight, "Oh, really? For me? Thank you, Tohru!!" His face lights up. Kyo and Yuki come up from behind him, "You're so sick!!," Kyo says, beating him up.

"Hey, we don't have anymore milk," Kyo says, throwing away the last milk carton he just finished drinking. "Oh, so, should I go shopping for some? Didn't we run out of food, too?" Tohru asks.Kyo searches the cabinets, "yea, we need more food." "Oh, in that case, I'll go buy some." Tohru went to get her coat, gloves, and scarf. Kyo just remembered how he had met Hideki, although he didn't know his name, and he quickly got his coat and was ready at the door for when she came down stairs.

"Kyo? Why do you-?" "I'm going, too." Kyo and Tohru then both left the house. A few moments later once they got onto a main road, Tohru noticed something. "Umm, shouldn't we have told them we were leaving?" Tohru asks. "Huh? You didn't tell them you were leaving?!" Kyo snapped. "Uhhh, no, I'm sorry I wasn't thinking and-!" Tohru's babbling trailed off.

"You," Kyo said walking closer to a guy outside of the grocery store. "You're the guy that I saw here that other day," Hideki said. Tohru was lost in a daze. Hideki looked over Kyo's shoulder once they were a few inches apart. Sure enough, there was Tohru. "Tohru?" Hideki tried to push Kyo out of the way, but couldn't move. "What are you doing?" Kyo asked,"What are you trying to do?" Tohru didn't move, she was struck by confusion followed by a strike of emotions. Then, she passed out.

"Tohru," Kyo ran over to help her up. Tohru's eyes fluttered open slowly, "H-Hideki?" Tohru saw Hideki a few feet behind Kyo. Kyo looked down, "So, you do know him, this is the guy you met at the restaurant?" Kyo stood up, grabbed Tohru's hand, and he bolted them into the grocery store.

By now there had already been a huge swarm of people outside watching them, but inside was much calmer. "Tohru, that...Hideki, how well do you know him?" "Wh-what do you mean?" Tohru said soft, so soft, it only added to Kyo's anger.

"I mean-well do you like him, A LOT, like more than...all of the other people you know?" Kyo all but screamed, gripping at the wall near the grocery baskets at the entrance. Is, he trying to say-? Yes, Mom, I think he's trying to ask me if I love Hideki.Tohru thought. "So, DO YOU?" Kyo now started to get impatient. "Kyo, I...I don't love Hideki. He's just a nice guy and when I met him, all I thought about was not getting lost and needing a tour guide, or map, or something." Tohru paused and Kyo lifted his head up and glanced at her a second, waiting for her to continue.

"Besides," Tohru finally continued, "I already love somebody."

***Chapter #4: Putting Together Broken Hearts***

We're born,
As separate people,
Living separated lives,
Then,
One day,
By chance or by fate,
We met,
Since then,
We've grown,
We've laughed,
We've cried,
Yelled a few times,
But we're still us,
Living our separate lives,
With our separate hearts,
That bonded together,
To make one.

"We're back!" Tohru enters the house, Kyo following behind carrying the few grocery bags. It was well after 4 O'clock now, after that whole scene with Hideki and getting them about a half an hour behind in their shopping. "Hey! Anybody here?" Kyo called upstairs. Tohru walked over to the phone, "Umm, should we call Hatori, or somebody? Maybe we can find out where they are," Tohru suggested. "Uh, sure, I guess." Kyo shrugged, "I don't see what there is to get so concerned about. I mean, they're pretty old enough to know where they're going at least."

"Hmm? Yes...oh, I'm sorry!" Tohru was already on the phone with Hatori. "Oh, I'm so sorry! You didn't have to go through all that trouble-!" Tohru pauses, "Yes, ok...I will, of course. Please, I'd like to thank you for worrying so much. I'm just glad that I called now instead of later. Ok, thanks so much. Bye."

Kyo walks in, drinking from the new carton of milk, "So,what's up?" "Oh, well I guess Yuki tried to go looking for us on his own, then Shigure couldn't find any of us. So, Shigure called Hatori to pick him up and have him help him find us. Only a few minutes after they started driving was it when they saw Yuki running down the street. They've been looking for us since."

"Oh, so I guess, Hatori's mad, huh?" "I wouldn't say that, he was very relieved that I called, they were beginning to think they'd never find us." Tohru suddenly kneeled to the ground, and placed her head in her hands. "What's wrong? Are you ok? Why are you crying?" Kyo freaked out and bent down slightly trying to help her up. "I-I'm fine," Tohru could here the slight wetness in her voice, she sniffed. She tried so hard to keep her tears locked inside, but they just fell down to her hands, soaking her arms and knees.

"No, you're not fine! Why won't you just tell me what's wrong?" Kyo held his teeth so tight there was almost no way that even air could get through. "Why don't you ever care about yourself? You get so worked up when somebody else is hurt or worried, but you never let anyone care about you!" Tohru tried her best to respond, but now, even more tears came out, and when she tried to speak, they flooded over her tongue.

Kyo fell to his knees across from her, "I'm an idiot." Tohru calmed down her crying, although it was nearly silent. She tried to find the courage to look at him when she was this way, but she couldn't even bare the thought. Kyo begins to speak again, "I don't mean most of the things I say, but I don't know...I just can't stand having so many feelings I can't control, and might even.... be afraid of. It just makes me angrier." Tohru just stairs at the ground, and her knees. Even her hands, all tied in fists holding her skirt, so tight, she could see her hands grow paler Her grip loosened up slowly, as she shrank herself down further.

Now only a few stray tears would fall to the ground, in slow, uneven beats. Tohru knew she had unknown and confused emotions, that she was even afraid of, and talking about it, made her feel less secure. She felt like running, but wanted to stay, she felt like crying, but wanted so badly to smile again. "I guess," Kyo said. His voice was like cotton candy on a rainy day, the only bright thing, in arm's reach of her heart. "I guess," Kyo repeated," that there are feelings I haven't even discovered yet, ...because I'm so afraid to deal with the ones I already have."

Tohru stopped crying all together, and picked her head up, looking Kyo straight in the eye. "I-" Tohru paused, finally realizing the tone of her voice, as if she'd never listened to it before, it was soothing to even her own ears. "I-I guess everyone has feelings they aren't sure of, and are afraid of. Even some that are just sitting there, afraid of being noticed. I know I have feelings like that too,... Kyo-" Tohru was at a loss for words, so she stopped talking.

They sat there like that, unsure of how to continue the conversation, that appeared to open a new bond, a stronger relationship, between them. Tohru looked up and smiled, "Oh, so how about some lunch?" "Umm, isn't it a little late for lunch?" "Oh, umm, I guess you're right. So, should I start dinner? Uhh, but I don't want to be rude to Yuki, Shigure, and Hatori. I want to make Hatori dinner to thank him for looking for us with them, but I wonder if he's busy."

Tohru stood there, caught between cooking and other chores she'd put off that day to go shopping. "Don't worry about it, I can cook dinner if you want to do other chores. I mean, only if you want me to, I'm not a big help when it comes to cleaning and laundry." Kyo suggested, but Tohru denied his request, and started laundry before going to work on dinner.

The door opened, with a great force, "Hellooo! Tohru, Kyo, we're back!" Shigure entered the house with slight caution. Hatori and Yuki enter following behind, peeking around the corners. "Oh, Shigure, Yuki, Hatori! I made dinner, it just finished," Tohru greeted them while she served dinner at the table. "Listen, I'm so sorry for making you all worry, I should have told you Kyo and I were going to the store. Or left a note, or something, I apologize. I hope you'll forgive us." Tohru bowed, showing her respect, and concern.

"Oh, no harm done, it's no big deal. Really, Tohru, coming back to one of your home-cooked meals is wonderful enough." Shigure said, sitting down at the table. Kyo,Ha'ri, Shigure, Tohru and Yuki, all sit at the dinner table, having a lively conversation, over their meal.

Dinner plates were being collected, and taken into the kitchen, when Yuki asks, "So, Ms. Honda, how did the grocery shopping go? Kyo didn't bug you, too much, did he?" "Huh? Oh, no, it was really great, but thanks for asking." Tohru responds, going off to wash the dishes. Yuki follows, when he sees that Kyo is distracted by an argument between him and Shigure- Hatori's just watching making fun of Shigure's immature personality.

"Umm, Ms. Honda?" "Yes?" Tohru turns away from the dishes to look over her left shoulder at Yuki's face, although his is looking down. "Umm, I was wondering if maybe you'd come to the secret base today, I want to talk to you about something, where that stupid cat can't hear us. If you have free time, I would like to." Yuki says, looking up at her now. "Oh, sure, of course. I'd love to." Tohru smiles still doing the dishes, then turns to look at Yuki.

A few hours later, once the dishes are done, and the laundry's been dried and put away, Yuki enters the TV room. "Hi, Yuki," Tohru says with a huge smile. "Hello, Ms. Honda. Would you like to go on that walk?" Yuki asks, smiling back. "Sure!" Tohru gets up to leave with him, and then she turns back," Shigure, Kyo, we're going for a walk,ok?"

"Yea, sure, just don't get lost or anything." Said Kyo. Shigure looked puzzled, "Oh, all right, we'll be awaiting anxiously for your return. It's getting late, don't be out too long." "Ok, sure, bye, we'll see you soon!" Tohru turned to leave with Yuki out the door.

It was a cold night, bright moonlight shining over head, it reminds Tohru of her mother. Just like the sun's rays in the daytime, the moon's like her mother's spirit watching over them. "So, Yuki, what is it you wanted to talk about?" Tohru asked, breaking the silence of their voices, and droning out the sound of their foot steps over leaves and dirt, and twigs breaking and crackling beneath their shoes.

Yuki recognizes the question, after a few more seconds of silence, collecting his words, to form inside his head, before they take on the sound of his own voice. "I just wanted to talk to you, in more of a private manner, I guess, we'll talk about it more at the base, it's difficult to say walking." Yuki says, disapproved of his response, and thinking of how lame he sounded.

A few silent moments pass, and then finally, they get to the base. Immediately, Yuki takes out his gloves from his coat pocket, and kneels down to check on his plants, adding a few drops of water from the watering can, if necessary. Tohru admires his work with the plants, and gets down on her knees beside him. "Yuki, you really are a great gardener. You're so kind and devoted to these plants, aren't you?" Tohru smiles a sweet smile, trying to get a conversation going, so that Yuki knows he can talk.

"Thank you, Ms. Honda." Yuki says, smiling back at her. "I wanted to talk to you about something, about, well, some feelings." He bows his head down, "It's difficult to talk about it though, I hope you'll help me." Tohru looked at Yuki, paying attention to every emotion she can sense in him, and then smiles again. "Of course I'll help you." Yuki looks up at her again, "Good."

"Ms. Honda, I wanted to talk to you about...some emotions that I have." Yuki says, feeling ashamed of how badly he is at talking about his feelings openly. Tohru sees how desperate Yuki is, and how she can hear it in his voice. "It's ok, you can say what you want. I'll listen, and I'll try and help you as much as I can."

"Thank you." Yuki pauses, "I--- about Akito and everything, because I am the year of the rat, when I was young, in elementary school, I was sent away by my family, my parents, to go live with Akito. I lived in a dark room, blocked out from light, and full of the hatred and painful memories of Akito. For many years I felt as though no matter how far I reached, no matter how tall I was or how strong I may ever be, I'd never be saved from that darkness."

Tohru stared at him, reached an arm out for his arm, and waited for Yuki to continue. Yuki starts again, "That darkness I lived in, and in that other elementary school I went to-one that was different than the other zodiac children's, is where I found myself being so distant from people. I wonder now, if you didn't live in that tent near here before, if I'd come to be so..." Yuki turned red, he held back the urge to transform, then tried to continue.

"I wonder if I'd be so-" Yuki stopped, a few tears fell to the earth, hitting the soil near a stub of a plant. He then put his arm to his face, Tohru turned to him more, leaning closer, trying not to get so close that he transforms. Then, Yuki forgot about everything else other than where he was, and that he was with Tohru.

Yuki looked at her once he had cleared away most of the tears from his face, and then grabbed Tohru's right arm-the one on the ground. He held her right hand, and she put her left hand over his hands. Then, Yuki leaned his head closer to her, now her chin is above his head. "What I've been meaning to say," Yuki starts the converstaion again,"is that, I love you." Yuki lifts hid head up and they lock in a stare for a while. Tohru's lost, in a confused way, she doesn't know what to say.

"Yuki?" Tohru asks as they walk back to the house. ''Hmm? What is it?" "Uhh, I was just wondering, what is the curse?" Yuki turns his face away, "It's something I'm sure you'll learn sooner than expected. Until then, don't worry about it." Tohru gets more confused, but understands his feelings, "Ok." They walk up to the steps of the house, Tohru opens the door. "Hello? We're back, sorry we're late!"

Kyo comes down stairs, "Finally, what took you so long?" "Oh, we were just taking a walk, getting some fresh air is all." Tohru assures Kyo. "Ok, sure, whatever. Here," Kyo hands Tohru a clean towel from a fresh load of laundry. "Go take a bath." "Oh, ok." Tohru takes the towel and goes upstairs. "So... " Kyo starts. " 'So'? You have a large vocabulary." Yuki says, walking away to the TV room.

"Shut up, ...anyways, so what'd you guys talk about?" Kyo asks, seemingly aware of what went on. "Nothing you need to know about, stupid cat." Yuki rolls his eyes, and walks over to sit down. "Darn rat! Just tell me what it was about. I know it wasn't to just get fresh air!" "How would you know, you stupid cat, and it's none of your business." "DANG IT, CAN'T YOU JUST TELL ME?" Kyo yells, and few loose tears fall. "I'M SERIOUS, CAN'T YOU JUST TELL ME FOR ONCE INSTEAD OF ARGUING?"

Kyo storms outside before Yuki can respond, and Tohru comes down stairs in her Pajamas to see him leave. Tohru goes to follow after him to the door, "Kyo," the door slams, "don't ...go."Yuki rolls his eyes towards the door, "idiot." Tohru goes outside to look for him, and of course, he's on the roof.

"Kyo!" Tohru stops off the tallest step on the ladder onto the roof. "AHH! God, don't sneak up on me like that. So, what do you want?" "I just wanted to make sure you're Ok, and ask you what happened, that's all." Kyo sighed, "Why do you worry so much? Yuki's in there, isn't he? Why don't you just stay warm inside and talk to him?" Tohru's face reads confusion, and shock, like reading words in a book.

"I- I'm sorry that you feel that way. I am not talking to Yuki right now, but, not only because I'm worried about you." Kyo looked at her, he was very confused. "What do you mean,' not only because I'm worried about you?' " Tohru sat, looking up at the dark black and blue sky, and admiring the stars and the moon. She looked down, "I don't know what to do," Tohru then turned and looked at Kyo, with desperate eyes. "I know I love someone, and I know who, I just don't know how to get to where I want."

She paused, holding back tears, she was afraid to know, but had to ask, no matter what the outcome. "Kyo, who do you love?" Kyo was shocked that Tohru would ask such a thing, and wasn't sure how to answer. Sure, there was Kagura, and other girls at school, and Rin-another zodiac animal, but there was only one girl he truly wanted to be with. He looked down at his hands, he was sitting Indian-style just a few inches away from Tohru. "I- I guess I'd never really thought about it, well, not how to answer a question like that. I do love somebody, but, I don't know, I just don't think it's the best thing to tell that person because then they'd have to go through a lot of pain. Especially with Akito, I don't think I could handle something like what happened with Hatori, because of my selfish needs."

Silence sat there between them, although, it wasn't awkward, it was soothing. "I'm sorry, I never should have asked something so personal," Tohru says after a while, feeling stupid and unsure of what she's doing anymore. "No, don't be. It's ok to ask something like that, I guess. If you really need to know I'll tell you. I just don't want to say anything now, maybe another time." With that, Tohru got up to leave. "Thank you," Tohru said, then climbed down the ladder.

The next day, Shigure got a phone call. It was Akito, he wanted to see Tohru, and asked that Kyo and Yuki come along. Hatori would be there, too. Once Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo all got the news, they were all dead-silent. "So...," Tohru begins, "what does Akito want...exactly?" Shigure pauses, as if looking for a diversion, "I'm not sure, but we'll see tomorrow, I guess." Shigure then sees the looks of despair on their faces, "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, it'll be fine. He probably just wants to say 'hi', because it's been so long. Something like that. He smiles, but the three of them don't even notice him, they're too busy staring at the ground lost in thought.

They all went to bed that night only haunted by nightmares of what the next day might have in store for them

***Chapter #5: "Akito"***

Tohru knelt there with her head down; Akito let go of her neck. Kyo and Yuki loosened their grip on Akito's arms.

Akito tugs away from Yuki and Kyo, "I'd like to speak to the others alone, Tohru." Tohru looks up, confusion twisted on her face. "Oh, uh, of course!" Tohru jumps up and exits the room; she heads for the front gate entrance, to wait there.

Akito then motions for Yuki and Kyo to sit where they were. The two sit, and they all focus on Akito, of course. "I have come to the understanding of a situation going on in your abode," Akito starts. "Well, from what I see, you both have failed to do anything about it." At this point, it appeared that Shigure and Hatori must have spoken to Akito about their love for Tohru.

"So I will give you each a chance tomorrow to have Tohru accept your love. Although, she must give one of you her love in exchange." Akito searches for understanding in their faces. "If one of you succeeds, then eventually one of you may marry Tohru. However, if not, then her memory must be erased, and you may not live together any longer."

Once Akito has given them the permission to leave, the four of them exit the building as well. They met up with Tohru at the front gate, and they all went home. "So, what should I make for dinner?" Tohru asks on the car ride home, quite cheerfully. "Hmm, I don't know." Shigure says, "How about your delectable beef stew?" "Ok!" Tohru smiled.

After dinner, Hatori left, and Tohru continued to wash dishes, which is a very strong habit now. Tohru had noticed Kyo and Yuki haven't even looked at each other all day since they got back. She knew it had something to do with Akito, but right now it was best to let them be to themselves.

***Chapter #6:"Picking Wildflowers"***

That night, after meeting Akito, Kyo slept on the roof. Yuki stayed out 'til late at the 'secret base,' he came back and went straight to bed.

Now it's morning, and Tohru was sitting at the table with Shigure. They both had fresh cups of tea. "Shigure?" Tohru asks, softly, keeping in mind Kyo and Yuki are still sleeping. "Hmm?" Shigure asked, fully focused on her.

"I'd like to learn as much as I can about the curse. Please? I-I'd like to help...and I'd like to try and save you all. Even if I lose my memory." Shigure looks at her, as though not expecting such words to come from Tohru. "Well, what do you want me to tell you?" "Anything that you can- even if I already know all that there is, I can try to figure it out."

Shigure sighs, then he proceeds to tell all that he knows. He told Tohru things like where, when, and how the curse started. Even who, and what he's heard, as far as breaking the curse. Once he finished, Tohru thanked him, and then ran outside and went to see Kyo.

To her surprise, he's actually awake when she gets on the roof. "Why, hello, there!" Kyo jumps, "Why do you always have to sneak up on me?" "Sorry, but I have good news." "Huh? What is it?" "Oh, well, Shigure told me about the origin of the curse. He told me that I shouldn't worry so much about it, but I want to save you all. It's the only way I can repay you all for taking such good care of me."

Kyo seemed to be lost, mainly in thought. "Why do you worry so much about everyone?" Kyo asks, kind of casually. "I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't be so nosey, I'm so stupid sometimes!"

"You're not stupid," Kyo sighs. "What I meant was; why do you want to help us so bad?" Tohru blinks, confused. "Why wouldn't I?" Tohru asks, a big smile on her face. "Kyo? I hope I'm not prying, but, you told me that you would tell me who you love. Can you tell me now?" Tohru asks, the sun now right over their heads. Kyo turned and stared at her, confused by her sudden seriousness. He turns away again, "Uh, yea umm... how about we go for a walk later?" Tohru nods, "Ok, how about after lunch?" Tohru's smile starts to come back, but then drops a bit. "Umm, what would you like for lunch?" "I don't know, just make whatever you want, I'll eat it." Kyo said. "Ok!" Tohru smiled, and went to go make lunch.

"Good morning, Yuki! You slept late." Tohru grinned, and walked into the kitchen to prepare lunch. "Good morning to you too, Ms.Honda." Yuki rubbed his eyes to help wake him up. "So, what are you making?" "Oh, I was going to make a simple lunch. How do a sandwich and some rice balls sound?" Tohru started putting the rice in the rice cooker. That sounds great." Yuki's smile fell to a serious look, "Ms. Honda, tonight I'd like to talk to you again, after dinner this time. Please?" Tohru paused from making the rice balls and turned to face him. "Oh, sure." Tohru's face wore a confused, but also concerned look.

Lunch was over by around one- thirty, that afternoon. After dishes were cleaned, Kyo and Tohru went for their walk.

"Hey," Kyo started after a while of silence. "So, you know when Akito told you to leave the room yesterday? Well," Kyo's head dropped to his shoulders. Tohru looked at him, "Would you like to talk about this when we can sit? We can go somewhere, if you want." "...Sure."

When they found this little park with a bench, and seeing how nobody else was there, it being winter and all, they sat down. "So, anyway, when Akito had you leave the room," Kyo sighed, and kind of played with his hair. "Well, he talked to us, and, I don't know. I just can't stand losing to that damn rat!" Kyo clenched his fist, and his teeth. "What I'm trying to say is, I don't want to lose you to Yuki. I don't care if he kicks my ass all the time, as long as you don't end up with him."

Tohru's shocked, her smile grew to it's biggest. She blushed a bit, "I love you." Kyo turns a brighter red than Hideki ever did, and hugs her. They walk back to the house, Tohru carrying Kyo, as a cat.

Now it's just after five that night, and Yuki and Tohru h have just started on their walk. "Yuki?" Yuki looked at her, "Hmm? What is it?" Tohru looks down, "Umm, remember that other night, when you told me you love me?" Yuki blushed a bit, "Yes?" "Well, Umm, I'm sorry. I know how much courage that took to tell me. I admire that, but, I'm so sorry." A few stray tears fall from her eyes. "I understand," Yuki said, and he wiped away her tears. He took her hand, and they headed back to the house.

***Chapter #7: "It Makes Me Want to Cry without Reason"***

It's morning, the day Tohru and Kyo tell Shigure about them being together, and the day they see Akito. Tohru was making breakfast, as Kyo was looking for something to drink. A few seconds later, Yuki comes down the stairs. "Morning, Yuki. How would you like your eggs this morning?" Tohru asks, cheerfully, after all, today was a very special day- or so they hoped. "Morning, too you, Ms. Honda. Eggs?" Yuki then noticed the pan with the eggs. "Yep, I hope you're hungry. I'm making toast, too." Tohru turned around and smiled at him for a second. "I am hungry," Yuki smiled back. "I'll have my eggs scrambled, please." Once Yuki walked into the TV room, Kyo walks in," So, he isn't mad or anything?" Tohru shrugged, "No, I don't think he's mad, he probably is just confused right now. Maybe he's happy for us, too. You both haven't fought in a while." "I doubt it," Kyo sighed, "but still, it's not like Yuki and I are friends." Tohru nodded, and started to dish out the plates. "Here you go," Tohru set down the plates at the table. "So, now where's Shigure?" Kyo asked. Yuki faced Kyo, amazed that he directed the question to him."He said something about making a few phone calls. I think he's just trying to avoid Mii-chan, you know, his editor." "Go figure. Well, I hope he gets out here soon, or he'll let his food get cold." Kyo said. "Oh, Mom. I wish you could see this. Kyo and Yuki are getting along much better now. I wonder what caused them to change? Well, as long as they're getting along, I'm so happy." Tohru thought to herself.

Shigure walked in moments later. Their plates were already mostly empty by the time he got to eat. "So, I heard there's some news. What is it? Kyo grew half a brain?" Shigure laughed. Kyo glared at him, trying hard not to burst. "No, it's nothing like that,…umm," Tohru started. Kyo continued for her,"What she means is, " he stops, finding it hard to go on. Yuki sighs, "What they both mean is they're officially an ‘item.'" Shigure blinks, as though not believing his own ears. "So, Kyo got himself a girl. Isn't that nice, never would have suspected that." Shigure laughed louder. "Shut up!" Kyo yelled at him. Both Kyo and Tohru were bright red. "Aww, what? Am I embarassing you, Kyo-kun?" "Shut up!" Kyo yelled even louder. Then Shigure looked over at Tohru and grabbed her hand. He kissed it, and looked at her,"congratualtions." He smiled like the true idiot he is. Yuki and Kyo just stared at him, wondering wether to kill him or just have him arrested.

A minute later, Shigure gets up. "I guess I'll call Akito. He's going to want to see you two. You, too, Yuki." "Oh, umm, ok." Tohru said, kind of confused. "So," Yuki started. "What do you think Akito will want to talk to you about?" Yuki looked at Kyo, directing the question at him. "Hmm, I don't know. Hopefully it won't be bad, though. You obviously know his attitude problems." Yuki nodded in agreement. "I'm sure it'll be fine." Tohru assured them.

Only a few moments later, Shigure returned. "I spoke with Akito and Hatori. They want us to come by as soon as possible, so Hatori's coming to pick us up." Then everyone got dressed in proper clothing before going to visit with Akito.

It was a cold day out, and it looked like it might snow a bit. "Welcome, come on in. I'm so glad you all could come so soon." Akito greeted them with that same disturbing smile of his. "So," Akito gets to the point. "Kyo and Tohru are now together. Is that right?" Akito looks at Shigure waiting for an answer. "Yes, actually, it all happened just last night." Shigure replies. Akito nods, "I see. So, now what do we do? Shigure, I understand you spoke to Tohru about the curse. You told her how to break it, is that right?" Once again, Shigure nods. "Yes." Akito smiles, "Good." Then Akito turns to Tohru. "So, now that you understand. We can continue your stay in Shigure's house. Although, if anything should change, I want you, Tohru, to visit me. You're going to be a part of this family, so now you can visit inside these gates, of course, only if you call first." Akito pauses. "Now, the day after you graduate high school, I want to know. Until then, you all may continue living the way you are." A part of Tohru doesn't bleieve him, but another part of Tohru wants to hug him. For now she sits there, with a smile on her face. "You are excused," Akito starts to let them out the door. "Oh, wait, Kyo, I want to speak with you a moment." Kyo turns around and then goes to see Akito. "You understand that no matter what, I'm only doing this to save our family. You will not act or respond to me with a lesser power than you. I am the one who allows you do this. If I could have my way, I'd have Yuki marry her. Don't forget where your true loyalties lie." Akito's face remains serious. "Yes, I will." Kyo then goes off to walk to the car.

Hatori walks to Akito for a moment, "Why was that almost too easy?" Akito smirks, "It's because Tohru can break the curse, I can feel it. So, if you want to be free, I'd not feel angry towards me. It's not my fault- what happened between you and Kana. It happened because she was related, and would have just cursed us three times as much. She has to accept you because she shares your same blood. So, I don't care what you think happened between you both, it was all coincidence." With that Akito turned away and went back into the house. Hatori sighed, then he noticed Shigure yelling out the window at him. He smiled, andwent to the car. "Is there a chance that I can be loved by somebody? Even if I weren't cursed?" Hatori thought to himself.

***Chapter #8: A Small Prayer***

School bells ring and kids run through the hallways. Papers fly through the air, as other kids climb out windows to get out faster. High school's over, and everyone's excited. Although, others are depressed because they have a whole season of summer school ahead. Tohru opens the door to her class room, finally leaving after saying good bye to her teacher. Her view slowly goes from the floor up to a farmiliar face. Tohru's smile grows bigger than ever. "Kyo!" She then wraps her arms around him. He smiles and lightly moves her a few inches apart from him, and reaches for her hand. "Let's get out of this place. Another minute here might give me a headache." Tohru nods, and they both make their way through the long and almost empty hallways.

"Tohru!" Tohru's head turned to face the voice from behind her. "Uo!" She let go of Kyo's hand and ran up to Uo and Hana. "Hello, Tohru. Where are you going?" Hana asked. "Umm, me and Kyo were on our way home. Then we have to go to the Sohma house. We're going to see Akito, the head of the Sohma family." "Oh, ok. So, I guess you should get going then, huh?" Uo aked, politley, noticing Kyo's growing impatience. "Yes. I will see you soon, though." With that, Tohru bowed and quickly ran to Kyo's side again. As the two walked down the hallway they passed a few students,who were talking with their friends and laughing. A few moments passed by, when Tohru started to get lost. "Kyo, where are we going exactly? This isn't the way to Shigure's-is it?" She looked up from the sidewalk outside the school's gates, and looked at Kyo. He looked down at her, her view shifted to the road infront of her. Then they both focussed on the road ahead.

"Well, I suppose. Are you sure you know what you're doing, Akito-san?" Kureno looked at Akito, from the floor that he sat cross-legged on,with concerned eyes. Akito looked out the round window in that dark room. "Yes. I'm sure of all my actions, Kureno-san. You of all people should know that." Akito put one finger out the window as a delicate white bird landed on it. He stroked it's tiny neck. "This is for the best. We must have the future generations in mind,as well, Kureno-san." Akito put his finger in an arm's-length from a tree branch as the graceful bird glided onto it.

Shigure stood infront of a mirror, adjusting his tie and suit, when the phone downstairs rang. He quickly fixed himself, and buttoned his jacket's last few buttons. "Coming!" He yelled to the phone. He jumped down a few stairs and rushed over to the phone, then picked up his posture to an up-straight position. "Hello?" Shigure's glow dimmed with a few words from the caller. "What do you mean?" His voice was softer than even he expected it sound. After a long pause, Shigure spoke again. "You sure?" A few seconds passed, "I'm not so sure I'm following you, to be honest." His voice gaining confidence. A while later, the conversation met it's end, and there was no wise choice in arguing, or asking for more of an explanation. "Crystal clear. I'll be there as soon as possible." Then the reciever clicked down, and Shigure went straight to the door, with great speed. To his shock, Hatori's car was outside the house. Shigure stopped being frantic with this sight. "Ha'ri." Pant. He smiled gently, "What brings you here?" Shigure wanted to be as serious as the situation, but he was too pleased at this particular moment. As well as out of breath.

In the car, Hatori began to explain everything. "Shigure, they- well Akito, rather, wants to do something about past arrangements and grudges." Hatori looked from the steering wheel,tightly strangled in his grip, to Shigure's face. "Are you informed of the situation?" "Well," Shigure's voice was serious now. "I did get some information, but I had a strange feeling that their was much more in mind. A plot, if I may be so bold as to call it." Hatori focused on the road, not as much as the speed limit. "Yes. You may be so bold, and correct to call it a plot." He took a deep breath, and exhaled gently. "Well, it appears Akito-san was planning on letting Kyo and Tohru marry. Although, he has decided he'd find a way to sneak Tohru away from the ceremony, leaving Kagura to wear an identical wedding dress and a thick vale." Hatori gulped. "Shigure, he wants to get Tohru to marry Kureno-san." Shigure's facial expression dropped, in both a sad, confused, and irritated shape. He shook his head lightly and turned to face out his window, in disbelief. "You're positive?" Hatori nodded. "Clear as day." Shigure noticed the clouds, " Anyday would be so sweet, if it were anyday but today." Shigure then sighed, and saw that Hatori was turning a corner to the wedding session. Hatori smirked, "We're going to have to beat Akito-san in his own game, and cheat." Shigure nodded, in a weak reply. "Yes, but how?"

Tohru looked at the sky, clouds started to roll in above them. "Kyo, where are we going?" She asked again, more scared and confused than ever. He looked at her quickly and turned away. "We're going to a wedding." Tohru's eyes widened, and her mouth opened. "A wedding? Who's?" Kyo smiled, "Well, we'll have to wait and see when we get there." Tohru sensed that Kyo knew who's, and she trusted him, so she didn't press any further questions. Soon, they came up to a whole section of woods. Kyo nodded to himself. "Yup. Ok, let's go this way." Tohru was now growing more concerned. "Um, why this way, Kyo?" Kyo looked at her, "because it's the only fast way through." "Oh, ok." Still confused, Tohru followed Kyo through the woods, being tugged by branches on the way. Mom, why are we going this way? Why's Kyo being so distant? The questions that buzzed through her brain seemed like an endless ocean. Tohru began to lose focus. Her grip in Kyo's hand weakened, and her hand started to slip away from his. Kyo turned around. "Huh? What's wrong? Tohru, are you Okay?" Tohru, struggling to stand, held her head with one hand, trying to calm herself down so she wouldn't pass out. Suddenly her right foot slipped on a small patch of mud. Her skirt's end caught on a spiky branch, and ripped a hole in it as she slipped to the ground.

"Hana?" Uo stared at her best friend. "Hana, what's wrong? Is it your signals again? What is it? Is it … Tohru?" Hana's face grew in worry, her eyes wide, and face pale. "Hana, what is it?" Uo asked again, holding onto Hana's shoulder, should she lose her balance in shock. Hana shook her head slowly. "Uo, we need to go, NOW!" Uo's eyes grew, "Where? Why? What happened?" Hana hurried to her feet, and got up from the bench they were sitting on in the park. Uo sighed. "Look, Hana, you called me because you needed help, and were having visions, but couldn't clear them. Whatever that means. You bring me to this park and tell me to sit here with you. Now, you need us both to go somewhere, and I have no clue what's going on." Uo found herself sounding a bit selfish, she'd always be there for her friends Tohru and Hana, they were like her life. Although, she had to admit, Hana had been a bit demanding, but with reason. "Uo, just come with me. If we don't go now-" Tears fell from her eyes. "I just don't want Tohru to get hurt." She grabbed Uo's hand and turned away to block her tears. They both ran until they reached a thick urban woods. Hana lifted her cloak and put up her hood to block the rain. Uo followed her, and used her left arm to block a few branches, she was still in her uniform when Hana had called her. Hana began to feel a sting of signals in a further away direction, more to their right. "This way!" Hana hurried her way through, as Uo chased after her, just a few feet behind her.

"Tohru!" Kyo knelt next to her, and her semi-unconscious body. As he went to lift her to carry her the rest of the way, he heard a voice in the distance.

"Tohru!" Hana yelled,as Uo tried to fight back branches. "Tohru!" Uo yelled, anxiety in both their voices was louder than their words. "Tohru!" Hana yelled, tears flooding her eyes. "Ugh!" Hana fell on her side, her ankle caught on a branch. "Hana!" Uo dropped to her friend's side. "Hana, Hana are you Okay?" Hana picked up her head, her hood resting on her shoulders. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve. Uo helped Hana get up. "Tohru!" The two continued their search.

The voices began to fade. Kyo knew he recognized those voices, but from where? A few more yells later from the distance, he knew, it was two girls, Hana and Uo. Kyo got to his feet, securing Tohru in his arms as she slowly came to her senses.

Music played, and Sohma family members grouped in and sat in their seats on the neatly set up benches. There were flowers everywhere, red roses and white lillies. Hatori and Shigure skimmed the ribbon-drowned area, and all they saw were Sohma family members. Shigure looked at Hatori, "You sure this is going to work?" Hatori turned to Shigure. He nodded modestly. "Yes, as long as we go and ask Akito-san if the groom and bride have showed up and he gives us a truthful answer, no doubt. Then, we can get to work from there." Shigure rubbed at his chin, "Yes, but won't he suspect something of us? Perhaps, what if he really isn't planning anything, what then?" Hatori smirked, and looked over the chapel. "Well, he spoke about it with Kyo's foster father, I happened to talk to him that very day. Kazuma then put me incharge , after explaining that he will be watched that day and kept from attending. " Shigure looked puzzled. "Incharge? When did you speak with him?" Hatori continued, ignoring the questions."He asked if I would help to keep Kyo-san from the miserable fate layed out for him. Once I agreed, he thanked me and I left. Believe it or not, but that was this morning at nine." Shigure nodded. The two then set-off in two different directions.

Akito smiled. "So, Kureno. Your bride hasn't showed up. I'm sure she has no clue where she's going. I told Kyo-san if he doesn't want her to suffer, he will not speak of the wedding ceremony. He understood that he was to bring her here. The only thing is-" Akito paused. "The only thing is he was under the impression they would actually be the two getting married. Akito laughed, "Stupid cat! Nobody wants him here in the first place. Same with all those other zodiac animals. Right, Kureno? You're all not wanted here, that's why I chose you to be with me always. Until today. You will marry the girl of your dreams, you will live ‘happily-ever-after.' Then, your child will be the next head of the family." Akito turned away and went into the chapel, leaving Kureno stabbed by his harsh, and cruel words. Kureno bowed his head, and closed his fist. "I don't love her." Then he turned to go into the chapel, himself.

Hana was beginning to lose focus, her vision was blurred by her tears, and she was losing her breath. Uo stood by her side. "Tohru!" Uo called out. "TOHRU!!!" Hana yelled, her voice beaming in her own head. Uo looked at her distraught friend, at how pathetic she looked, and so strong and determined.

Kyo then heard footsteps. Then one of them yelled out loud, louder than ever before. Kyo turned in the direction of the sounds. "Hello?" Kyo yelled out. "Hello? Who's there?" Hana's back twitched. Her eyes bulged. She held at her stomach. She tried to keep from crying. "Hello?" They heard a voice yell back. "Hello?" This time it was louder. Hana's electric signals twitched. She smiled, and jumped to her feet, and ran in that direction. "We're coming! Please, don't move!" Hana yelled. Uo followed Hana, who was obviously overwhelmed more than she was by all this. The footsteps rushed closer, Kyo could here the two sets of footsteps drawing near with every step. He stood there and waited, still waiting for Tohru to come around. "Hello?" One of the voices called to Kyo. "Are you over here?" A few seconds later two shadows emurged from behind some trees, just to the right of Kyo and Tohru. "Tohru!" Hana exclaimed at Kyo, her face confused. "What happened?" Uo asked. Kyo sighed. "I'm not too sure. She gets dizzy under stress. She started to collapse after I told her we were attending a wedding. She asked where, and who's it was, but I didn't answer. I guess that bothered her." Hana looked at him with total disbelief in his logic. How was she not going to be bothered by the lack of communication going on? Once Hana had a full grasp on the situation, she asked Kyo how far until they reach the chapel. She then instructed him to take Tohru there as safely, and fast, as he could. She told Uo that she would then have a job for her once they get there. Hana and Uo then headed in another direction to exit the woods and enter the chapel another way. The less people who saw them the better.

Once Kyo got there, he placed Tohru on the ground, and made sure she couldwalk. Then, now that they're on the left side of the building, he brought her to the back door just a few yards away. "Ok, this is where the dressing room is, get changed into a wedding gown, and come back out here immediately. Bring Kagura,in her wedding dress, too." Tohru was confused, but understood that she needed to do just as he instructed. Huh? Me? In a wedding dress? Kagura-chan, too?

Hana and Uo came out to the front of the chapel, and everyone was being ushered in. They hid behind a bush and crept up to the back door that Tohru had entered. "Okay, Tohru's in here. When she comes out we do a bride switch." Hana whispered to Uo, explaining how the plan's going to work. "Okay." Uo nodded, not really sure what's going on yet. A while later, Kyo comes out from the right side back door. He was dressed in a nice black suit, clearly expensive, and fixed hair. The wedding clothing was all made by Ayame at his shop. He quietly moved his was to the left side back door to meet all the girls, and get the plan into action. When he got there Tohru,and Kagura were wearing identical dresses. Their gowns were glowing and sparkling, with beads that lined the creases, and long,thick vales with dainty pearl tiaras.

Kyo's jaw dropped, he had a hand covering his mouth, and turned his eyes in the opposite direction. "Okay…" Uo started, "So we're all here, can we please hurry, they'll be sure to find out we've got a plan when the bride isn't go down the aisle." Kyo nodded, "Yea. Okay, so Uo, you need to switch clothes with Kagura." Uo's face twisted in confusion, "Excuse me?" He nodded, "I said you need to switch clothes with Kagura." Uo sighed, "Why?" "Look! I need you to do this for Tohru, at least!" Kyo declared. "Okay. Where do you expect this to happen? It's cold out, can we get in somehow?" Hana snapped her fingers. "I've got it. Kagura-san can walk you in and says that you're both friends, and that you came late." Kagura lifted her vale andsmiled. "That's a great idea!" "Yes, well, then what?" Uo asked. Kyo scratched his head, "We'll send Tohru backinto the dressing room, they'll think she's Kagura, and-" "Hold on," Uo protested,"why didn't you just leave Tohru inside?" Hana closed her eyes in a slight nod, "So that it wouldn't be too suspicious, the two would step outside for a fresh breath of air so that they could relieve stress. Or so, others would believe." Uo shook her head, "Okay, fine. So,now what?" Kyo sighed with impatience. "If you hadn't interupted I could have explained it already! Anyways, After Tohru, Uo, and Kagura go inside, Hana would stay here, wait for Kagura, then the two of them will wait at the front doors of the chapel. You'll wait until Uo gets brought out by another person, and secretly follow them." "It sounds simple, but do you really think it'll work?" Hana looked at Kyo, unphased. Kyo ran a hand through his gelled hair, "I don't know, but it's all we've got." "Okay," Hana said, and turned to the other girls. "You three go inside, Kyo, you, too. I'll be waiting. Go!"

Everyone rushed into the chapel through the doors they had exited, and the plan took action.

"Hatori. What did Akito-san say?" Shigure whispered. The two met at a bench that was occupied only by themselves, in the far right corner, closest to the main doors. "They're both here. They're in the changing rooms." Shigure nodded, "Now what's our plan of action? Do we just let things play it's course?" Hatori didn't answer, he only sat there, emotionless staring at the front where a wedding ceremony would take place.

Akito was growing with impatience, but smiled. "Are they ready yet?" He asked, knocking on the to the girl's dressing room. "They just went outside- oh, wait. They've just come back in from getting some fresh air. Poor girls, the stress and all that." "Okay." Akito nodded, "Tell me when they're ready." Akito walked down the hallway to a door on the right side of the hallway. He knocked on it lightly. "Is he ready?" A man opened the door, "Huh? Oh, well, just a moment." A few minutes later, the door opens again. "Yes, his hair finished, Kyo-kun's done getting ready." Akito smiled and nodded, "send him out, please."

Akito turned back down the hallway, and knocked on the girl's changing room door. "I'm sorry if I'm rushing it too much, but are they ready now?" The woman came back to the door. "Yes, should I send them out?" Akito turned around and saw Kyo walking down the hallway, taking his places. Then Akito glanced at Kureno, and nodded. Kureno responded by going outside. "Yes, please send them out to the front now, the doors will open when it's time for them to go through." Akito then turned away, to go to the front row to the left side.

"There goes Kureno-san." Shigure said to Hatori, in a curious tone. "Yes. It'd be wise to go outside as well, and inspect the situation." Shigure nodded, "How? There's no other exits besides the dressing rooms, right?" Hatori nodded, "I have a plan, come with me." Hatori stood up and lead Shigure down the aisle, saying ‘hi' to a few of the family members to make them not appear so suspicious. Once they got to the front row, they'd have to get around Akito. Just as they were about to pass him, Akito looked up. "Hello there, Shigure-san, Hatori-san. How are you?" Akito smiled his bitter-sweet smile. "We're fine, Akito-san. And you?" "Oh, I'm fine. Wonderful day for a wedding, isn't it, Hatori?" Hatori held back a glare, and a face of disgust. "Yes, it is. As long as it's indoors." Hatori was good at hiding his true emotions to emotionless people. Maybe that's because he seems emotionless most of the time.

"Sorry, Akito-san. We really must go down to Kyo-kun's dressing room. We think he left something in there." Shigure said, smiling. Akito's face turned to confusion. "Oh, well, Okay, then. Don't take too long." "We won't." Shigure said, smiling once again. They both headed down the hallway, and into the dressing room. There was nobody in site, just a backpack, a pile of clothes, and furniture. There was a bathroom in the back of the room, and across from that was a changing stall with a mirror. "Wow. It's not bad for a changing room." Shigure commented. Hatori nodded, "Yes, but let us not forget we're here to get outside, not lounge."

Seconds later, the two walk out the door quietly, and make their way to the front of the church. Once they get there, they see Kureno and a girl in a wedding dress making their way to a black car. The girl being grabbed at the arm, appearantly brought by force. Hatori was kneeling on the ground in front of Shigure, who was crouching low, and fighting the urge to interupt whatever was going on. "Shouldn't we do something?" Shigure asked. Hatori watched over everydetail of this girl that was being forced into the car. She was rather tall, and the dress seemed be skin tight on her ribcage. He looked down at her feet as she slid into the vehicle in question. Her shoes were not heels, they were black flats. He shook his head. Shigure's eyebrows shot up. "We're not going to do anything? Hatori no wonder why you're not the one getting married right now." Hatori ignored his comments and watched as the car drove off. Shigure watched as the car went down the road.

"I can't believe you can just let that car go away." Shigure quietly protested. Hatori sighed, and turned to face Shigure. "Tell me, Shigure. Would Tohru have grown six inches in twenty-four hours? Would she then wear black flats because the high heels Akito-san prepared, in her exact size, don't fit?" Shigure looked at him with uncertainty. "What are you talking about?" Hatori sighed again. "The girl was wearing black flat shoes, and the dress was skin-tight, just barely comfortable. Does that sound like Tohru to you?" Shigure had to admit, it did sound a bit irrational. "Oh. I see you're point. Really, Ha'ri, you pay the most attention to the tiniest of things . I guess it helps sometimes, but honetsly-" Hatori put his hand infront of Shigure's face, to keep him from talking. "Shh! Follow my lead." Shigure nodded, and followed Hatori as they both walked slowly to the front entrance.

"Hatori? Shigure?" A girl in a long wedding dress stared at them through a white cloth. She lifted it a little above her eyebrows. "Tohru?" Shigure was shocked silent for once. Hatori smirked and turned to Shigure. "I told you she didn't get in that car." Shigure looked at Hatori, "Oh, yea. I bet you can't tell me who did." Hatori shook his head. Tohru stared at them, confused.

Suddenly they heard music playing and the doors made a clicking sound, and began to open very slowly. "We'll see you in a bit." Hatori whispered, and pushed Shigure back to the dressing room door. Tohru put her hand down to her side, the vale now covering her face. A second later a woman walked up to her and handed her flowers, and the doors finally opened all the way.

"Hatori, what are you doing?" Shigure said in a loud whisper. Hatori stuffed a whole roll of toilet paper into the toilet and flushed it repeatedly until it was jammed. Shigure watched in amazement. Once Ha'ri was done the two of them walked briskly out of the room.

As she stepped in with her white high heels, sparkling with fake crystals, the room filled "Oh's" and "Ah's." Tohru smiled a bit, not that anyone else could tell.

Shigure and Hatori walked down the hallway, and quietly walked over to Akito. "Akito-san. We need to speak with you, immediately." Hatori said. Akito's face was of no emotion. He smirked, and turned his head. "Why do you need to speak with me? What's wrong?" Shigure sat next to Akito on the long bench, and Hatori knelt down a bit infront of him. They lowered their voices. "Akito, we have a problem." Shigure started. "The toilets are backed up and they've started to flood. If they keep it up there'll be over one-million-yen's worth of damage in this place. We can't afford it right now." Akito sighed at this, like the inconvenience it was. "Fine, where is it?" Hatori pointed down the hall. "In the mens' dressing room."

"Where am I?" Uo finally asked, as the car reached a quiet, gothic-looking church. "Huh?" Kureno looked back from the passenger seat to see Uo leaning across the backseat to look out the window. Her vale lifted up a bit. After a few seconds, it hit him. "Y-you're not Tohru, are you?" He had met Tohru once or twice before now, but never got a good enough look at her to be able to recognize her too well.

Uo's eyes seemed to bulge out of her head. That voice. I know that voice. No, it can't be. It just couldn't be! She gulped hard, and tried to hide her flushed face. Kureno was still staring at her, she could feel his kind, yet curious stare, just drilling holes in her skin. "N-no,I'm not, I'm sorry! It's not my fault, really!" Her head fell to her hands, she'd never been more flustered than now, she still wasn't sure what was really going on.

Kureno smiled, and nodded. "No, I should sorry. I shouldn't have just grabbed you like that, it's not my plan, either. If you can believe that. It's all Akito-san's fault." Uo turned to face him now, "Did you say Akito-san? Isn't he the head of the family?" Oh, no! What if he gets mad at me for posing as Tohru? What if he hurts Tohru? Uo was so confused she started crying. Kureno's face began to form a question mark. "I-is something wrong? Are you Okay? Do you want me to bring you back?" Then he finally remembered, it took him a while to recognize her because her hair was pulled back different. It's that girl I kept running into at that convenient store a few years ago. Then she stopped working there suddenly. I wonder why. "D-do I know you? You seem farmiliar." Uo lifted her head up and wiped a few stray tears away. "Yea. You remember?" Her face was flushed more now, and there was a big beaming smile across her face. "Yea. From that convenient store, right?" Her smile stretched more. "Yes!" She moved her feet down to the floor and leaned closer to Kureno. "I'm so happy that you remember! You're Kureno! Oh my—Tohru was right, she said you were a Sohma!"

Tohru finally got to the steps, and met the groom. Oh my gosh, Mom, I'm so nervous. I'm so happy,though, I can't stop smiling! Kyo reached for her tiny and weak right hand, and held it. Tohru gulped, lightly.

The car stopped and parked. Kureno reached his hand out and opened Uo's door. "I've wanted to see you again since our encounter, but I've been so nervous." Uo blushed and smiled, "You really mean that?" Kureno smiled and gently kissed her left cheek.

Akito was frustrated, beyond frustrated. "Why do we have to deal with this now? Who would flood a toilet at a wedding?" Hatori shrugged. "My appologies, Akito-san, I don't know who would." Akito then sighed. You two go and make sure nobody else does anything." "Yes." Shigure and Hatori then walk briskly down the hallway so they won't miss the ceremony.

Hana was sitting third row, next to Momiji and Hatsuharu, they recognized her, then had waved her over. They were talking about what college Hana would attend and what ones Haru and Momiji were thinking of for after they finished high school. Then the music started playing.

Kureno and Uo stood in an empty old gothic church infront of a priest. His words bounced off all the walls and stained glass windows. It sounded all too real, but felt so unreal. Uo thought she was dreaming, and didn't know how to wake up from these real feelings. Despite this, she knew it was real, she was awake, she was getting married without her parents' to object. How did I get here in the first place? Uo thought to herself as her eyes looked all around her.

Once the Priest finished saying the first boring fifty-or-so words, he began to say the "I do" part. Tohru and Kyo had their eyes and hands locked in the other's. The Priest's words swam in the air and touched them so lightly, and Tohru knew nothing could hurt them as long as they were together.

Uo was more flushed than ever when she stared Kureno's eyes, and gripped his hands. His hands were so strong, and hers were as weak as her arms felt, like spagetti melting in a boiling pot of water and drowning in the dawn of eternal happiness. She could never discribe this feeling to anyone, but she wouldn't have to. As long as she remembered it, that is. As the Priest began to speak, his words hit her heart and melted there, and would never freeze in the frozen snow, life shared with another is the dawning of a new spring, and brighter days.

Kyo said "I do." Tohru was then asked the same question. "I do." She said, blushing and smiling really big, a couple tears dripping down.

Kureno replied to the question, "I do." Uo smiled, and said "I do."

Once the couples said their "I do's" a light shot down from the sky over both churches. Then extended over the whole country, causing a brief black-out. After wards the lights shrunk back into it's two separate beams. Every Sohma, cursed by the zodiac animals, then knelt to the ground in like a domino motion. Everyone in the chapels were silent and nearly motionless, as the spirits of the zodiac animals got taken into the lights and into the heavens above.

After this outstanding event, everyone got up and talked quietly amongst themselves.

The two couples ran out of their churches and into their cars. Hana walked out of the church with Hatsuharu and Momiji, then walked over to meet the knewest bride and groom. "It worked!" Hana said, hugging her best friend so tight Tohru thought her ribs might snap. Once Hana let go, she turned to Kyo. She tried to keep from crying, she had thought of Tohru as a bride one day, and that made her cry even more, seeing her married. Kyo was uncomfortable with tears, and turned away. Tohru then started to cry with Hana, again in her arms. Kyo then turned around, he grabbed Tohru's hand. He turned to Hana, "Thanks,…for, whatever you did back there." Hana nodded, and lightly smiled. "Congratulations. I hope to speak to you soon, Tohru. Keep in touch?" Tohru smiled, "Of course Hana. Really, thank you so much for being here. I'm so happy!"

At that moment a car pulled up infront of the church. "Who's that?" Kyo asked, looking at the small white car that pulled up. "It's not Kureno and Akito's car…so, who-" The driver then stepped out of the car, and opened the back door. First all they saw were these long legs, and then the mini-skirt. "Rin?" Kyo was surprised beyond surprised. "I thought she was in the hospital." Tohru said.

Rin immediately ran to Haru. She clung to his shirt. "I'm sorry I couldn't break the curse for you!" She was crying now, "I'm sorry I couldn't help you like I promised." She then slipped slowly to the ground. Haru grabbed her mid-fall and knelt down next to her. "Who's that getting all lovey-dovey with Hatsuharu?" Asked a female voice right into Tohru's ear. Tohru turned her head,"Huh-Uo!" She grabbed Uo and hugged her tight. "Tohru, Hana, so what happened? Did the plan work?" Hana smiled, "Yes." Her smile dropped. "So, did you end up getting married, too? Are you Okay? They didn't yell at you, did they?" Uo smiled, and was flushed again. "Actually, here, Kureno-san, this is Hana-chan. You said you've met Tohru-chan, right?" Kureno smiled. "Hello, I'm Kureno Sohma.." "Pleased to meet you." Hana smiled back. Tohru smiled, as well. "Kureno,… so-" She stopped mid-sentence. Kureno's smile faded a bit. He walked over to her and whispered in her ear. "I lied when I said I didn't want to see Uo again. I just didn't want you to think you had to get involved." His smile returned, "I see that you've all gotten involved by my doing so, huh?" He laughed quietly to himself.

Suddenly the big doors to the church opened. It was Akito, he was certainly not pleased one bit. "Hatori, Shigure. What happened in that bathroom? I ended up getting SOAKED in toilet water! It's your fault, isn't it?" His voice was strong and feirce, like the waves of the ocean crashing on a beach. Hatori and Shigure owned up to what they did, and Akito had no response to them other than a grunt and the cold shoulder.

Yuki came out from the church, but he came out with an unpleasant aura about him. He walked up to Tohru and Kyo, and smiled. "Congratulations. I'm sure you have plans for the future, don't you?" His smile turned into a concerned frown. "Yea, we're going to talk about it later on when we get back to the house. Once the celebrations are over and everything." Kyo replied, still in a friendly tone. Yuki smiled, "I see." His attention then turned to Tohru, he bowed. "I'll see you later, Sohma-san." Tohru blushed at his light words, and the way he said "Sohma" blew her away. Yuki smiled again, then nodded to Kyo to signal his leaving. "Kureno-san, Mrs. Kureno Sohma-san," he said, smiling. Tohru had never seen him smile so much before.

When he turned to Hana, he seemed to be a little tongue-tied without having spoken to her. "Ms. Hanajima-san, I have an important question to ask you. Would you consider, possibly, going out with me some time?" Hana smiled and looked into his deepening eyes, "I'd absolutely love to." Hana then said her goodbye's to her dearest friends and walked off with Yuki.

***Epilogue***

That year, there were two more happy marriages. Yuki and Hana got married, also Haru and Rin. Then, Shigure and Mii, his editor, got married. After that, Ayame and his co-worker started going out. Akito-san fell deeply ill about four months ago, just two months after Kyo and Tohru, and Uo and Kureno got married. He still hasn't gotten out of the hospital since. There's news that Tohru's pregnant, her and Kyo aren't going to have the doctors tell them of what gender it will be. They'd prefer that it was a surprise.

Tohru and Kyo live in an average-sized house, in a small urban town, with a few kids that run around sometimes. Tohru's a daycare teacher, and Kyo's a martial arts instructor for kids of all ages. Even though Tohru's currently not working, she gets paid for her excused absences.

Once Uo told her parents about how she got married and everything, they thought she was crazy. However, they've always told her that she can do what she wants as long as it's true to her. So her parents didn't freak out or anything, thankfully. Her and Kureno live near Tokyo, in a semi-busy city. Their appartment's about twice the size of a suite, thanks to the Sohma family's several large bank accounts. Uo's a secretary at a nearby hospital. While Kureno's the owner of a new buisness that helps out people with money problems, and can help support the homeless, sick,and elderly. The two aren't currently thinking of having any children at this time, but they aren't against it later on.

Rin and Haru are of course cousins, and were members of the zodiac. So, once they were married they simply bought a tiny house with three bedrooms, a couple bathrooms, and a kitchen and dining room. There wasn't too much space in the hallways or the rooms themselves, but it was a comfy house for two. That was all it needed to be for them.

As for Hana and Yuki, they were of course two totally different people, but with the same aura about themselves. They both had a simplistic attitude, and didn't like much attention, but were pretty social. They both had some sort of darkness about them. With Hana, it was her clothes and hair, but Yuki had a dark past. They seemed to be the exact opposites and exactly the same at the same time. So their relationship was cherished, and treated tenderly as it grew each day. Together they live around where Kyo and Tohru do, but in a tall, and skinny, house. That surprisingly, had very little black inside of it. The Sohma family now lives in peace, and not in fear of being transformed or serparated from the rest of the world. Even in a world of black and white, a door can unlock from the other side, and light and color can flood your heart. Everyone can be saved, and nobody has to live in that cold, isolated world they were raised in. No matter what obstacles lay in your path, you can still move them, and maybe go beyond your own expectations.

It's never about being cursed,
it's never about when life's at it's worste.
It's about life,
And all the people you love to share it with.
Smile when you want to,
Cry when you need to,
Laugh, but don't know why,
There's nothing in life that's not worth a try.

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