Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the plot ideas I put them in. Everything else belongs to somebody else so give credit where credit is due. Thanks and please review cause I'd love to hear from you!

Someone to Understand

Momiji sat on the porch of his house and though his violin was beside him he didn't pick it up. It was a crisp, cool night and it should have been very peaceful, with the sounds of crickets in the air and fireflies out and about. He could hear a wind chime in the distance and the rustling of leaves in the trees. Mother Nature was certainly setting the stage for what should have been a peaceful, soothing night. Only a truly cursed creature could be sitting here and not enjoy, Momiji thought, an ironic little smile playing on his mouth. After all, he was indeed cursed and had been since his birth sixteen years ago. He'd brought nothing but pain and sorrow to his family since the day he'd come, two months early. Because of that curse he sat here alone, on the porch of a house that housed no one but himself. There were no parents to order him to go to bed or a little sister to sneak outside with him to enjoy this with. They were at another house, a happy family of three without a thought for the forth, missing member. And if he kept thinking like this he was going to slip into a depressive mood and end up as hate filled and cold as Akito. To Momiji's mind there was no worse fate. It was because he'd seen what bitterness and hate had done to Akito that he always tried to find a bright side to things. Even in the darkest of times. Getting up Momiji returned his violin to its case inside then slipping on a light jacket headed back outside for a walk. No one was likely to be up at this time of night and he wasn't at all tired. Hands in his pockets he strolled out, passing Haru's house then Kisa's and finally wound his way around to Hatori's house. Pausing here he frowned slightly when he saw that there was still a light on in Hari's home office. Looking at his watch the frown only deepened as he read the digits proclaiming it to be one in the morning. Walking up to the porch Momiji slid the door open, sticking is head in. "You should be in...Hari?"

Sitting on the floor with an empty bottle laying on its side nearby Hatori was in the process of pouring more liquor from a new bottle into his cup when Momiji suddenly appeared, stepping into the room with a concerned look on his face. "You're the one who should be in bed, Momiji kun." Hatori said softly as he set the bottle down carefully. Turning to face Momiji he absently sipped from his cup. "I'll be in bed soon enough."

"Did you drink that whole bottle tonight?" Momiji wanted to know, walking over to pick the empty bottle up and set it on the table before it got broken. Hari looked as unruffled and in control as always but his gut was telling him he'd interrupted a serious drinking session. "You never drink."

"That you know of." Hatori pointed out, taking a rather large gulp just to prove his point.

"If you get plastered Akito will give you hell tomorrow." Momiji replied, taking a seat beside Hatori with a concerned look on his face. "What's wrong, Hari?"

"What isn't wrong with this family?" Hatori said with a chuckle, not a very nice one at that. It was an empty, almost hollow sound that was devoid of any amusement. "Don't look so worried, Momiji." He added, reaching over to ruffle Momiji's blonde hair slightly. "I only do this once a year. I'll be fine tomorrow. I'm one of those people blessed with a high tolerance for alcohol."

Mind racing Momiji tried to think of why Hatori would be drinking, why he did it once every year. What was so special about today. Trying to recall he thought of and discarded a few possibilities before he landed on the right one. "This is the day you were going to marry Kana. Isn't it?" He'd been too young to remember it very well but he was pretty sure it had been scheduled for this month. Before everything had fallen apart.

"I'm surprised you remember that. Now go to bed, Momiji kun. There's no reason for you to stay."

"Of course there is." Momiji argued and getting to his feet walked out of the room. Puzzled Hatori watched and wondered just where Momiji was going since he obviously wasn't leaving. His answer came a minute later when Momiji returned with a glass in his hand. Taking a seat beside Hatori Momiji had poured some of the liquor into his cup before Hatori even realized what his young cousin was up to. Lifting the glass Momiji took a deep gulp and ended up choking on it, Hatori patting his back as the alcohol's kick hit. "Well that...certainly has some bit to it." Momiji said weakly, smiling at Hatori who was looking torn between amusement and concern.

"What were you thinking, Momiji?" Hatori demanded to know, shaking his head at the silly rabbit. "That's the first time you've had something like this, isn't it?"

"You aren't drinking alone." Momiji said stubbornly, sipping his drink now that he'd learned his lesson. It still had a major kick to it but at least he wasn't choking on it now. "Besides, everyone should know what their tolerance for alcohol is. Where better to test it then with your doctor on hand?"

"I won't be much help to you if I pass out before you do. Besides, most people start with the softer stuff, Momiji kun." Hatori pointed out, reaching over to take Momiji's cup, only to have Momiji hold it out of reach. "Momiji..." Hatori began, warning in his tone. "I don't want company right now."

"I'm not going. Besides, I'm not company. I'm family." Momiji pointed out. "And I understand what you're going through. You lost something precious because you're cursed, just like I did. If you want to talk about it I'm all ears. If you don't want to talk about we'll just see who drinks who under the table."

"In other words the only way you're leaving is if I throw you out." Hatori surmised, seriously considering it. Momiji was the forgive and let live type after all.

"Yuppers." Momiji said with a grin as he poured some more of whatever was in the bottle into his glass. "I heard a really funny joke in class today. Wanna hear?"

"Why not." Hatori said with a sigh, filling up his own cup.

"Okay. There was this wife you see and her husband was a drunk. She'd rant and rave at him all the time that he had to stop drinking and that if he didn't he was going straight to hell. He just ignored her though so one day the wife decided to teach him a lesson. She went to this costume store and rented a devil suit. When she got home she put it on and hid behind the couch to wait for her husband to come back. When he did she jumped out and told him that she'd come for his soul. That his drinking had doomed him to hell and that if he'd only listened to his wife he might have been save. She was shocked though when he just ignored her, shrugging her dire threats and promises off. Finally she demanded to know why he wasn't scared and do you know what he said, Hari?"

"I have no idea."

"He said why should he be afraid? He'd been married to the devil's sister for twenty years anyway." Momiji said, chuckling over the punch line and grinned even wider when he got a smile out of Hari. Success. "And then there was a the story where..."

It was two thirty in the morning so Kureno Sohma was a little worried when he saw that the light was on in his cousin Hatori's office. Hatori wasn't the sort to leave a light on and it was too late to be working. Especially since Kureno knew that Akito had been running the doctor ragged the last three days. Akito was prone to allergies and it was definitely the season for it. Which was very unfortunate for everyone who had to deal with the young head of house. The idea that perhaps his cousin's habit of skipping sleep and meals had caught up with him crossing the rooster's mind Kureno frowned. Changing his direction he took the steps with one graceful bound and walking across the porch, slid the door open, stepping just through. "Hatori san? I saw your light on and I just wanted to make sure you're all right?" Kureno began, ending with a questioning look when he took in the picture before him.

"Well everyone's just coming to visit me tonight." Hatori said dryly as he raised an eyebrow at the sight of this particular cousin. Kureno rarely left Akito's side and never at night. What was he doing here? "Does Akito need something?" He asked, the faintest worry appearing in his eyes. He was in no condition to treat anyone, much less the head of his house.

"Is he drunk, Hatori san?" Kureno wanted to know, pointing at their young cousin who was sprawled out on the floor drawing a picture of some sort in between giggling over something only he knew. When he'd stepped in Momiji had waved at him with such a stupid grin on his face Kureno was sure the boy wasn't even aware of who he was waving at. No one was ever that happy to see him. Turning back to look at Hatori Kureno realized the reason for Hatori's worry. "And no, Hatori san. Akito is sleeping soundly and doesn't know I'm here."

"Apparently young Momiji has absolutely no tolerance for alcohol." Hatori said with a smile as he toasted in Momiji's general direction. "He took two glasses and ended up like that. He keeps drawing these pictures to go along with his jokes." He added, motioning to the small pile of papers beside the young rabbit. "He's enjoying himself anyway."

"Oh." Kureno said softly, biting back the question as to why the boy had been given alcohol in the first place. Hatori was the closest thing he had to a friend in this place and he didn't want to jeopardize that by questioning him.

"Care to have a glass before you go?" Hatori offered, motioning to the bottle absently.

"I..uhm...sure." Kureno said as he walked over and picking up the bottle read the label while Hatori went to get him a cup. He didn't drink alcohol as a generally rule but he knew enough to know that this was some quality liquor these two had been consuming. Noting the already empty bottle and what Hatori had said Kureno surmised that his elder cousin had drunk at least a bottle and a quarter of this stuff already. Except for the occasional slur he hadn't even been able to tell. Accepting the cup when Hatori returned Kureno poured himself a glass then sat back, accepting a cheers with Hatori before taking a sip. Eyes widening he could totally understand how it was that Momiji was quite drunk after only two glasses.

"Hey, Hatori! Wanna see my new picture? Do you wanna huh?" Momiji asked, sitting up as he waved his picture around so fast that the two older men couldn't even guess at the shape. Turning to hand the picture to Kureno Momiji suddenly frowned, narrowing his eyes. "Hari..did you dye your hair?"

"Hatori san is over there." Kureno said helpfully, pointing in Hatori's direction. "I can hand it to him if you'd like."

"Oh, thank you." Momiji said with another beaming smile as he waved it in front of Kureno until the man took it before handing it over to Hatori. "So do you like it, Hari?"

"It's very original." Hatori said with a snicker, looking at the picture which was nothing more then messed up scribbles that looked more like badly drawn letters then a picture. "Your best one yet." That, unfortunately, was true.

Practically glowing with pride Momiji flopped back on the floor and went to work making another picture while his two adult cousins watched with a mixture of amusement and curiosity as to when the rabbit was going to pass out.

Rushing across the lawn Ayame cursed himself again under his breath as he finally made it to his destination. How could he forget what today was. Well technically that would be yesterday since it was a little over four in the morning but that was beside the point. His best friend in the entire world had likely spent the night alone, lost in sorrows because his so called friend had gotten too busy at his shop to remember what day it was. Poor Tori san! Suffering all night because Ayame wasn't there to hold him close and comfort him in his friend's flowing sorrow. Well all would be well now. Clutching the bag he carried with sake and some take out food he pulled out the key he had to Hatori's door. Unlocking the door he let himself in and after locking up after him went in search of Tori san. Not finding him in bed he knew the next logical place to look. Heading straight for Hatori's office he opened the door, pushing it wide open as he glided in, stopping in his tracks as he stared at the sight before him. Goggling as his mouth fell open it was one of the few times he was literally speechless.

There was Tori san, chatting away with a stupid grin on his face with none other then the only other person in this place who could match Hatori in terms of patience and stonic behavior. Kureno looked just as loose and relaxed, waving his hands as he talked while Hatori watched with what seemed to be rapt interest. Rounding off this bizarre situation was Momiji who was in the process of pouring some sort of liquor into three cups.

The only one who noticed the door opening Momiji turned and smiled blindingly at Ayame. "Hi! Welcome to the party!"

"Tori san?" Ayame said slowly, walking over in a daze. "Are you all right?"

"I can't recall being better." Hatori said with a wide, guiless grin that had Ayame gapping even more. "Kureno and Momiji have been keeping me company. We thought Momiji was going to be sleeping by now but apparently he got his second wind. Didn't you, bunny boy?"

"Yup, yup. I did, I did!" Momiji sang out, doing a little twirl that almost had him falling on the table. Thankfully he caught himself because right now the doctor in the house wasn't in any condition to do anything positive for him. "We're keeping Hari company so that he won't be sad. We were all sad but now we're happy, happy, happy!"

"It is rather amazing how a bottle of liquor can completely change your mood." Kureno agreed, turning to smile innocently at Ayame. "It's nice to see you Ayame san. It seems like forever. Won't you join us?"

"Is that food I smell?" Momiji wanted to know, sniffing like a dog as he eyed Ayame's bag with hungry interest.

"Uhm..I didn't bring much but...What the hell!" Ayame said with a wide grin now that he'd recovered some of his composure. "Lets have a party the likes of which this stuffy family has ever seen!" Walking over he quickly emptied his bag and since Hatori was having problems moving in a straight line at the moment Ayame played host, getting the needed plates and such before they sat down to chow down on slightly cold take out and sake.

Twenty minutes later Momiji was on the floor, holding his stomach with a satisfied look on his face. "Oh but I'm so full!"

"You know, odds are he's going to be throwing that all up in a couple of hours." Ayame pointed out after taking another healthy gulp from his own cup as he watched Momiji. "It's a good thing he doesn't live with his parents because if he did they'd have our heads for letting him join us."

"He's better off without those two." Was Hatori's opinion, watching the rabbit with a fond smile on his face. "They don't deserve a great kid like Momiji kun."

"You do have to take your hat off to anyone who can walk around on a natural sugar high every waking moment of his life." Ayame had to agree with a chuckle before looking over at Hatori questioningly. "I'm surprised you let either of these two in, no offense Kureno san. It's just that Hatori doesn't usually let in visitors on this particular anniversary."

"Well I can't say I planned for company." Hatori said dryly as he looked at his three visitors with a faint smirk of amusement. It was the most interesting bunch of drinking buddies he ever recalled having. The happy go lucky kid, the straight last and sober valet to their head of house and Ayame. There really were no words that could accurately describe Ayame. "You could say they just dropped in unexpectedly for a drink." Hatori added before taking another drink from his own cup.

"Well I'm glad that you had them to keep you company." Ayame said with a beaming smile of his own before he asked a question he'd been turning around in his head. "Now what did Momiji kun mean when he said everyone here was sad? Something happen with Akito san again?"

"My parents don't love me and I never get to see my little sister. And Momo chan WANTS to see me!" Momiji announced, rolling over so that he was on his back now. "Plus Tohru is in love with Kyo and not me. That's why I'm sad. Why are you sad, Kureno? Is it cause you're stuck with Akito san?"

"Momiji." Ayame hissed, the only one sober enough to know that saying something like that in front of Kureno could be a very dangerous thing.

"I miss Arisa." Kureno said with a sad look on his face as he slumped slightly in his seat, too drunk to remember that this was something he wasn't supposed to talk about, even under the tortures of hell.

"Who's Arisa?" Was what everyone wanted to know while Momiji's jaw dropped in shock. After all he remembered very well Tohru coming to visit Kureno to talk about someone she knew who knew Kureno san. He also happened to know and have a friend named Arisa. But he couldn't mean that Arisa..could he?

"Oh this is going to be good." Ayame said with a grin as he leaned forward. "Okay, cous. Spill it."