It has been almost five years since the zodiac curse was lifted. Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki are now out of highschool. Yuki went off to college. Kyo went to a trade school to prepare for the role of a dojo master. Tohru has worked even harder at her job as a house keeper for Shigure, Kyo, and Yuki. She also maintains her job as a janitor at Momiji's father's office building. Since the curse was lifted, many of the Sohmas have gotten engaged or married. Shigure married Akito, Ayamae is engaged to Mine, his assistant, Hatori was lucky, because Kana divorced her husband and they are now engaged (AN: I HAD to do this. Hatori and Kana were made for each other!), and Ritsu has found his match in Shigure's publisher. Shigure also has two kids, which Tohru now babysits, adding another job to her list. All in all, everyone is pretty happy.
Tohru is babysitting Shigure and Akito's two children. Their names are Mahito and Keiko. Mahito is a very outgoing young boy, while Keiko is a very relaxed girl, content to sit and watch Tohru work all day.
Tohru was dusting the shelves by the television. Keiko was sitting in her baby-bouncer-seat-thingy that Shigure had bought, while Mahito was reading independently on the couch.
"Tohru!" Mahito called. Tohru set down her dust cloth and turned around to face the young boy who was now pulling on the hem of her skirt.
"What is it Mahito?" Tohru asked, seeing the boy's bewildered expression.
"Big word. What it say?" He asked. Mahito was very bright for a four year old. He loved to read and it always bothered him when he couldn't figure out a word. As of now he was looking at a nursery rhyms book. Tohru bent down to see the word he was pointing at.
"It says 'diddle'." Mahito was reading 'The Cow Jumped Over the Moon'. He looked back up at Tohru with questioning eyes.
"'Diddle'?" He repeated sounding unsure. Tohru smiled and nodded her head.
""Diddle'. 'Hey diddle, diddle.'" She said.
"'Diddle'. That's no word." He said. Tohru laughed a little.
"It is in this poem, Mahito." Tohru said. He shook his head.
"Not a word. And it's not nice to laugh either." He said as he took the book and went back to the couch.
"Tohru", Keiko whispered. Tohru turned back around to look at Keiko. Keiko only new a few words. These words were, Mama, Papa, food, wawa (known for water), and Tohru. She knew Tohru's name because she spent so much time with her.
"What is it Keiko?" Tohru asked. Keiko looked back at Tohru with a smile.
"Food." She said.
"Are you hungery?" Tohru asked. Keiko smiled and pushed forward in her baby-bounce-chair. Tohru took this as a nod and went over to her baby bag. Akito had stuffed it full of appropriate foods and drinks and toys for the two of them. Nobody would've guessed that Akito would turn out to be such a good mom. Tohru reached in and pulled out some animal crackers for Mahito and some apple sauce for Keiko.
"Tohru. What this word?" Mahito asked.
"I'll be there in a second Mahito. I'm getting Keiko her snack." Tohru said.
"Can't wait. What is this word. Tell now." Mahito said.
"I'll be there in a minute." Tohru said keeping her voice sweet. She walked over to Keiko's seat and picked her up.
"Tohru. Tell now." Mahito demanded.
"Just wait one moment, Mahito." Tohru said. She opened the apple sauce, put Keiko in her high chair, and fed her one spoonful.
"Now, Tohru. Now." Mahito demanded again.
"Stop being such a brat. Can't you see she's busy? Here give me that book." A voice said. Tohru spun around and saw Kyo taking the book form Mahito. Mahito was glad someone was going to answer his question.
"It says 'fiddle'." Kyo said handing the book back.
"Not a word." Mahito said, shaking his head.
"Yes it is." Kyo said.
"No it's not." Mahito said.
"Is to."
"Is not."
"Is to."
"Is not. Is not. Is not." Mahito yelled standing up on the couch on his tip toes to try and stare Kyo in the face.
"Why not?" Kyo asked. Tohru was having a hard time trying not to laugh. Kyo getting in a fight with a four year old was just so funny.
"Because. See word?" Mahito asked holding the book up again.
"What about it?" Kyo asked.
"It says 'diddle'. 'Diddle' not a word, 'fiddle' not a word. They the same." Mahito had this defensive expression on his face.
""Fiddle' and 'diddle' rhyme, yes, but 'fiddle' is a word. I'll show you." Kyo said. He walked into Shigure's old office. Shigure had left his old computer there, because he'd gotten a new one. He'd given it to Tohru, who now used it for school work.
Kyo went in and turned it on. Mahito was on his heels and when they reached the office, he sat in the chair at the desk. The log in screen came up. The only user on there was Tohru, because Kyo and Yuki both had computers. Kyo clicked on her name and it said 'Password, please'. Password? Tohru uses a password?
Kyo typed in things like her mom's name, her dad's name, her birthday, even her grandfather's name, but each time it said 'Wrong password. Try again.' Kyo gave up.
"Tohru! I need you!" He called.
"You need Tohru? That's what we call an understatement." Mahito said. He smiled when Kyo looked at him with an angry face.
"You can say and understand words like understatement, but you can't get fiddle right?" Kyo asked annoyed. Mahito just smiled. Tohru came in and looked at Kyo.
"What is it?" She asked.
"What's your password?" He asked pointing to the screen.
"Heh. Umm... Well, you aren't supposed to tell a password, so I'll just type it in." She said. Kyo noticed that she blushed a little when she'd said that.
"Fine." Kyo said as he turned the chair with Mahito in it away from the screen. He turned too, but knowing Tohru trusted him so much, he couldn't help himself and watched as she typed in her password.
She typed, M-R-S-C-A-T-F-R-O-M-T-H-E-Z-O-D-I-A-C. Mrs Cat From the Zodiac? Kyo thought as he turned away. Mahito looked up at him.
"You watch." Mahito said with a smile. Kyo realized he'd been caught.
"Shut up. Don't you dare tell her what you saw." Kyo whispered into the boy's ear.
"Black mail?" Mahito looked up at him. Before Kyo could respond the sound of the computer logging on and Tohru stepping away from the computer made him turn himself and Mahito around.
"Thanks Tohru." Kyo said as he opened the internet.
"No problem. I'll be in the living room with Keiko if you need me." She said leaving the room.
"Watch it not a word." Tohru heard Mahito say as she left the room.
"Wanna bet?" Kyo asked.
"Don't make bets with children." Tohru called.
"I was only going to bet him his animal crackers." Kyo called back.
"You can have animal crackers. Icky! Ma makes me eat em. Yuck!" Mahito said.
A few minutes later Tohru heard Kyo's excited calls.
"See! I told you it was a word. Look!" Kyo said.
"I see, I see." Mahito said.
"Look! Diddle is even a word! Ha, kid. HA!" Kyo said.
"Still don't sound like a word." Mahito said coming out of the office with his arms folded across his chest.
"Doesn't have to sound like a word. The point is it is a word. Ha!" Kyo said. He jumped over the back of the couch and took a seat by one of the arm rests.
"Don't break the couch, Kyo. Shigure would have a fit." Tohru said throwing the empty apple sauce container away.
"So what. It's his fault he leaves you hear all day with his kids, while he and Akito go who knows where doing who knows what." Kyo said as he picked up the T.V. remote and started to flip channels.
"I don't mind staying here. I love to look after Mahito and Keiko." Tohru said.
"Yeah, but then you also have to clean the house and then go and clean Momiji's dad's building. I mean, the kid is out of highschool now too. Don't you think he could be doing a little more to help out over there?" Kyo asked.
"You know there's a problem with him being over there too much. He's not supposed to be around his mom or sister. I really don't mind, Kyo." Tohru said picking Keiko up out of her high chair and setting her back in her baby-bouncer chair.
"Still. You shouldn't have to take care of everyone." Kyo said.
"But I'm not doing it for free. I am getting paid." Tohru said.
"Not for cleaning the house." Kyo pointed out.
"I've never gotten paid for cleaning the house. Even when Yuki was here, I wasn't getting paid. I clean the house because I live here too." Tohru said taking a seat on the couch next to Kyo.
"If you clean because you live here, shouldn't Shigure, Akito, and their two ungrateful little kids be cleaning too?" Kyo asked. He looked over at Tohru with so much sympathy and concern in his eyes.
"Shigure and Akito both have full time jobs. The kids are only four and two. You can't expect them to clean." Tohru said.
"Shigure is a writer, granted his publisher is pushy, but he's got alot of free time. Akito manages the funds over at the main house. She can stop that anytime she wants. Kureno would gladly take over. But you on the other hand, take care of this house, their kids, and have a more than part time job over at the office building. Don't tell me you should be the only one cleaning." Kyo said. Tohru tried to think of something to say, but knew that this battle was lost.
"But I don't nearly have to clean as much as I used to. Yuki is at college. He won't be back for a few more years. You go off to trade school." Tohru said.
"Yeah, but Shishou is teaching me. I can walk from here to there ans vise versa. I still come home everyday. Now you also have to take care of Akito, Mahito, and Keiko. Sure you lose the rat to college, but he'll be back. So he's gone for a little while and now what. You gain three more people to look after." Kyo said.
"I don't mind." Tohru said weakly. She knew she'd lost. Kyo wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. He kissed the top of her head.
"But I do. I don't want you to over work yourself. Ever. If you need more help, let me know. I'd be more than happy to step up and I'd be more than happy to get that dog to do more too." Kyo said. Tohru looked up at him.
"Thank you Kyo." She said.
"Eww! Kyo and Tohru! I'm gonna tell mom and dad!" Mahito said. He'd been watching from the kitchen.
"Shut up." Kyo said.
"Hahaha! Hehehe! Ha!" Mahito laughed as he ran upstairs.
"Get back here!" Kyo yelled jumping off the couch and chasing Mahito up the stairs. He got him just as he picked up the phone in Yuki's old bedroom.
"Put the phone down." Kyo said.
"Nuh uh. I gotta tell daddy on you." Mahito said.
"I said put it down you little brat." Kyo said as he lunged towards Mahito. Mahito grabbed the phone off it's base (yes, it is cordless) and out of the bedroom and down the hall towards the bathroom. Kyo ran after him, but Mahito managed to get in the bathroom and lock the door before Kyo could get the phone back.
Mahito dialed Shigure's cell number.
"Shigure Sohma", his dad answered.
"Dad it's me." Mahito said.
"Hey Mahito. What's wrong. You never call me when you're spending time with Tohru." Shigure said.
"She was spending time with Kyo." Mahito said. Kyo had his ear pressed up against the bathroom door and was listening to everything Mahito said.
"Where were they?" Shigure asked.
"On the couch." He replied.
"Uh huh. And what were they doing?" Shigure asked.
"Hugging and kissing." Mahito lied.
"Now Mahito. Are we talking hugging and kissing or hugging and kissing." Shigure asked.
"Hugging and kissing." Mahito repeated.
"I see. Well, can you put Kyo or Tohru on?" Shigure asked.
"Um, you see dad. I can't."
"Why not?"
"Well, I'm in the bathroom upstairs. Kyo is waiting to pound me outside the door. I'm scared, dad. Really." Mahito said. Kyo tightend his fists.
"Well, okay. I'll talk to them when I get home. Bye Mahito." Shigure said.
"Bye Dad." Mahito said and hung up.
"You better come out of their brat. Now. And I mean right now!" Kyo yelled.
"I'm scared." Mahito said.
"You have every right to be scared. Do you know what I'm going to do to you when you come out." Kyo asked.
"AHH! TOHRU! TOHRU! TOHRU! HELP ME!" Mahito yelled. Tohru heard his cries and ran upstairs.
"Kyo what are you doing?" Tohru asked whe she approached the bathroom door.
"Waiting him out." Kyo said.
"Don't hurt him, please. Come on now. Move aside." Tohru said. She put her hands on Kyo's right shoulder and moved him out of the way.
"Mahito. Mahito, it's okay to come out." Tohru said.
"No it isn't. Kyo's still out there."
"He won't do anything to you." Tohru said.
"Oh, won't I?" Kyo asked.
"I hear that." Mahito said.
"He won't do anything to you. Not while I'm here." Tohru said. She flashed Kyo a smile.
"Promise?" Mahito asked.
"No." Kyo said.
"Shh, Kyo. Yes, Mahito. He promises." Tohru said.
"No I don't." Kyo said.
"Please, Kyo. For me?" Tohru asked. Tohru gave him a quick kiss on the lips before turning back to Mahito.
"Are you sure?" Mahito asked.
"Sure I'm sure." Tohru said. She heard the bathroom lock click open and the door slowly ease open as Mahito peered out. He took one look at Kyo's flaming mad face and immediatly tried to close the door. Kyo raised hi hand and pushed against the door to keep it open.
"Kyo, please." Tohru almost begged. He let go and the door slammed closed.
"Fine." He mumbled. He turned away and went down stairs.
"He's gone now, Mahito." Tohru said.
"I don't believe you." Mahito said.
"When have I ever lied to you?" Tohru asked.
"Never, I guess." Mahito admitted.
"So are you going to open the door?" Tohru asked.
"I guess." Mahito said. Tohru waited while the door slowly opened again. Mahito peeked out again and when he realized Kyo wasn't anywhere near he ran over to Tohru and wrapped his arms around her legs. She bent down and hugged him.
"I'm sorry, Tohru. I'm sorry." Mahito said.
"What are you sorry for?" Tohru asked. She hadn't heard the phone call and she didn't even know he had called Shigure in the first place.
"I'm sorry for calling papa on you and Kyo. I'm sorry for getting you guys in trouble." Mahito said.
"Mahito. Why'd you do that." Tohru asked tilting the child's face up to face her.
"Because... Because I was mad at Kyo. I was mad he was right." Mahito said.
"Just because you were mad, doesn't mean you should have called your dad. I'm not mad, though, Mahito. I know first hand that Kyo is right most of the time and sometimes I wish I could just be right sometimes." Tohru said.
"I'm sorry, Tohru." Mahito said again.
"It's okay. How about we go down stairs and get something for dinner?" Tohru asked taking Mahito's hand.
"Will Kyo be eating with us?" Mahito asked.
"I assume, yes." Tohru said. Mahito took his hand out of hers and folded his arms across his chest.
"Then nevermind." He said.
"Why?" Tohru asked.
"He could still hate me and want to hurt me." Mahito said.
"He wouldn't hurt you at dinner. I think he has more common sense than that." Tohru said. The she remembered the first time they all had dinner together. He flipped the table and she ended up having a bleeding forehead. But, Kyo had change, right?
"Are you sure?" Mahito asked. Tohru looked down at the child and smiled.
"Yes. I'm sure he wouldn't hurt you during dinner. Then after dinner, your parents should be home and he certainly can't hurt you then." Tohru said.
"Okay. I guess you're right." Mahito said as he bounded down the stairs.
"There you are." Kyo said when Mahito ran into the living room.
"Ahhh! Tohru!" Mahito called out. Tohru came in and Mahito ran behind her.
"Kyo, please. Can we at least start dinner?" She asked.
"Good. I'm starving." Kyo said as he followed her into the kitchen.
"I'm going to watch some T.V." Mahito said.
"Go ahead." Tohru said. Mahito sat on the couch and started watching cartoons.
"What's for dinner?" Kyo asked.
"Mashed carrots, milk, apple sauce, and possibly some animal crackers." Tohru replied.
"Ew! I mean, if your cooking I'm sure it'd be great, but I actually think I'd prefer leeks to that." Kyo said. Tohru looked up.
"Sorry, Kyo. I wasn't thinking. That's Keiko's dinner. You and I will have something more tasteful. What do you want?" Tohru asked.
"Hmm. Salmon. Salmon is always good." Kyo said.
"Okay." Tohru said going over to the fridge and taking out the salmon.
"Tohru!" Mahito called.
"I'll be right back Kyo", Tohru said as she walked out of the kitchen.
"Tohru, Keiko says she wants you." Mahito said.
"Thank you." Tohru said as she went over to Keiko and picked her up out of her seat.
"Tohru", Keiko said with a smile. Tohru took Keiko into the kitchen with her.
"I put the salmon in the oven." Kyo said when Tohru came back in.
"Thank you Kyo." Tohru said as she started to prepare Mahito and Keiko's dinners as well.
"Food", Keiko said. Tohru had her in her left arm and Keiko had leaned her head on Tohru's shoulder. Tohru opened some apple sauce and gave her some.
"Can I help you make anything?" Kyo asked.
"Um. Can you put the chicken patties in the microwave for Mahito?" Tohru asked.
"Course." Kyo said. He grabbed two and place them on a plate which he then set in the microwave.
"Food." Keiko said again. Tohru gave her another spoonful and then took the salmon out of the oven.
"Smells good." Kyo said.
"It isn't done yet. I have to season it and then put it in for a few more minutes." Tohru said. Kyo watched as she pinched and dashed many different seasons, spices, and herbs on the salmon. By the time she finished and put it back in the oven Kyo could have sworn he could have eaten it right then.
"Can you watch the salmon real quick? I have to go change Keiko, it'll only take a minute." Tohru asked.
"Course." Kyo replied as Tohru headed out of the room. She returned a few minutes later without Keiko.
"Where'd you put her?" Kyo asked.
"She's with her brother." Tohru replied.
"You can really trust him with her?" Kyo asked.
"He's not bad, really. He appologized to me upstairs." Tohru said.
"Huh. I've yet to hear an appology." Kyo said. Tohru went over to the oven and took the salmon out. She then opened the microwave and took Mahito's chicken patties out.
"You have to be less agressive with children. Make them feel comfortable around you." Tohru said.
"Huh. Still, what he did wasn't right." Kyo said.
"He understands that. I talked to him about it." Tohru said. She was now working on Keiko's dinner and setting the table.
"What'd he say?"
"That he was trying to get back at you. He was mad that you were right." Tohru said.
"What did you say."
"I said that I knew how he felt. I said that sometimes I wish you were wrong so I could be right. It seems like everytime we talk you win an argument." Tohru said.
"Maybe, that's a good thing." He said. He pulled her to him and gave her a kiss on the lips.
"Maybe..." Tohru said.
"If I hadn't have talked that night on the roof, we wouldn't be here today." Kyo said.
"But, that wasn't an argument." Tohru said.
"Really? I seem to think otherwise. You wanted to talk, but I interrupted and spoke. I call that an underlying argument." Kyo said.
"Maybe, you're right." Tohru said.
"Course I'm right." Kyo sai with a smile.
"Mahito, dinner's ready." Tohru called.
"Coming." Mahito said. Tohru went out to get Keiko. When she came back, Kyo and Mahito were having a stare down at the table.
"Can we please not have any of this during dinner?" Tohru asked setting Keiko in her high chair.
"Sure." Kyo said pulling back, but not dropping his glare.
"Yes, Tohru." Mahito said pulling back, but also not dropping his glare. Tohru observed them for a while. Then she went and got the salmon and the chicken and place it in the middle of the table. Kyo didn't drop his gaze, instead he pushed the salmon and his plate towards Tohru.
"Kyo? What's wrong?" Tohru asked.
"Nothing. It smells great. Cut me a piece would ya?" Kyo asked.
"Okay." Tohru said. She cut a piece for Kyo and pushed his plate back to him.
"Thanks." He said as he started to cut pieces with his fork and knife. It impressed Tohru, because he wasn't even looking at his plate when he cut. Then piece after piece, he raised to his mouth and continued until there was nothing left on his plate.
Mahito did the same thing. Tohru watched in amazement as both guys devoured their meals without looking at their plates. Of course the whole time Tohru was watching them, she was also eating and feeding Keiko.
Dinner passed slowly with no conversation. After evryone had finished, Tohru cleaned up the dishes and washed them. Keiko sat in her high chair the whole time watching Tohru. Kyo and Mahito remained where they were and continued their stare down.
After a few minutes, Mahito turned away.
"Man. It like having a stare contest with a cat." Mahito said as he rubbed his eyes. Tohru turned around to see Kyo look like he was about to burst up laughing. If only Mahito knew how true that statement was.
"Keiko! Mahito! We're back!" Akito called from the living room.
"Mama", Keiko said as she tried to get out of her high chair. Tohru went over and picked her up. She left Kyo in the kitchen and went to see Akito and Shigure.
"Mama." Keiko said as she reached for Akito. Akito took her from Tohru's arms and hugged her. Shigure was talking with Mahito.
"And then Kyo and I had a stare contest. It was very very had to win. It was like having a contest with a cat." Mahito said.
"Well, now." Shigure said as he looked over at Tohru. She shrugged her shoulders.
"It's bedtime." Akito said.
"No. I want to watch T.V." Mahito said.
"Go to bed." Shigure said. Mahito put on a pout face, but Shigure ignored it as Akito took the children up stairs to their rooms.
"Tohru, I need to talk to you and Kyo." Shigure said after Akito had gotten upstairs.
"Why of course, Shigure. Kyo's in the kitchen." Tohru said. She and Shigure went into the kitchen.
Kyo looked up when Shigure and Tohru entered.
"I knew this was coming!" Kyo yelled in frustration.
"Kyo, please keep your voice down. Akito just took the children upstairs for bed." Tohru said. She took a seat next to Kyo and Shigure sat opposite them.
"It has come to my attention, that you two were hugging and kissing on my couch during the time you were supposed to babysit my kids." Shigure said.
"I would never do that in front of children, much less anybody else!" Kyo yelled. Tohru didn't say anything. She was blushing too much.
"Calm down Kyo. Just tell me what happened." Shigure said.
"I told her she shouldn't have to work so much. I hugged her and kissed the top of her head. Not like it's any of your business." Kyo mumbled the last part. Shigure smiled.
"Kyo and Tohru sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G." Shigure sang.
"You may be a father, but your still as perverted as ever." Kyo said. Shigure smiled and left the room.
"Stupid dog." Kyo said after him.
