1N. B. This is a split story so sometimes it's Hatori narrating sometimes Tohru and others. Then sometimes it's just regular narration to describe the scene. It'll all make sense and if not please tell me. Reviews are nice and encourage me to write more, please give feedback, even if you hate it saying you hate it means more than nothing at all.

Chapter 1

It hadn't occurred to me. Naturally I've always thought of the welfare of others well before my own. Not for a second did I think, I was the one who was suffering. I can't believe it was Shigure who had to tell me that, with as straight a face as that man could make. He was right. He is right. The trouble is Akito's illnesses have grown more and more frequent, much worse. I've forgotten all about myself, as thought I've erased my memory of me. That was when I found myself walking, not to go anywhere but to get away. I guess my eyesight was worse than I thought.

It was spring time, flowers everywhere. They were always here, why hadn't I noticed them. I had Kureno look after Akito and call me should emergency arise. Oh how I wished for a moment I could stop worrying, see silly things like flowers again.

Akito made no fuss; just looked faraway and wondered if I'd be gone long. I could give no definite or truthful answer. No time frame lays in a journey where you don't where it leads. I said,

"Not very long, I'll call."

"Good, maybe I'll go out. Fresh air sounds nice." I left with a sigh.

Somehow I had wandered to a park; striking memories stung me. I'd never been here but the look of the green, the flowers, the…the peacefulness once covered in white cold snow. I walked pensive looking ever so often but mostly lost in my thoughts, when I noticed a newspaper on the path.

"Uh, excuse me sir, could I have my paper back?"

I turned around to the voice. It was a young woman sitting on a bench, and I gasped. She smiled, seeming to take no reaction to mine. I handed her the paper.

"Thank you. Lovely day, isn't it?"

She questioned her eyes soft and warm and I was overtaken by feelings, I thought had died a long time ago. I closed my eyes to erase those feelings.

"I suppose."

"Suppose? Its days like this that makes life worth living. Days when the clouds are gone, a slight breeze, flowers are blooming before your eyes. I'M SO SORRY! I'm a complete stranger, and I'm babbling, and probably boring you to death."

I didn't answer but stared back, she puzzled me. She began to talk again.

"You were just strolling right? Aimlessly wandering."

"Excuse me?"

"NO, no, nothing bad by it but I do that sometimes, a lot maybe. I sit here a lot and watch all the people. Not that I'm creepy or something. But um, I can always tell the people just strolling around. You see if they have somewhere to go they have an air of purpose, direction. They are less likely to look around at their surroundings. The strollers just walk, walk to not to go anywhere but just- Oh God I'm doing it again. I'm such a babbler. You must think I'm some freak or something."

No, the word freak couldn't apply to you, other things, yes.

"Not at all," I said looking at her morosely, she looked up. For some reason I grew extremely afraid, and decided I had, had enough of a stroll for one day.

"I trust you had a good walk?" Akito slurred lazily.

"Yes, let's check your temperature."

Hi I'm Tohru Honda. I couldn't believe the anniversary of my coming to live at Shigure's house was coming up. I wanted to celebrate, thank them for all, the whole Sohma family for all their kindness.

"You know Tohru , it's pretty weird too think you've been living there that long," Uo said behind the counter at her store.

"Yes, it does seem odd that only yesterday it seems we first came to investigate your new home. I still feel interesting waves, from that place." Hana agreed.

"As mom said, 'Time flies when you're having fun'." I had to check my grocery list because time was slipping fast.

"Why do you have so many items on that list of food? I can't believe that you'd run out of all your food," Hana said suspiciously or maybe she wanted some of the food too.

"Yeah, they really depend on you for everything. What'll that writer guy do when you've gone to college?" Uo said smiling at me but she seemed suspicious too. College, hmm.

"Oh no, no, no, this is for a big dinner I'm gonna cook, just saying thanks."

"Our Tohru always thinking of others." Hana took the list of food.

"Speaking of others, you need to have us for dinner sometime," Uo said looking at the door, was she waiting for someone?

"Yes dinner would be very nice." Hana gave me back the list, this was sounding like such a good idea.

"I'd love that!" Wow now I have two big dinners to cook, looks like I'm going to have my plate full.

The walk was nice, but I still felt empty. And the vision of that mysterious woman haunted me; my dreams and gave way to thoughts of Kana and I'd wake up, finding tears on my cheeks. What good was such a walk, if I could gain nothing but miserable memories and thoughts of love killed when I realized my place in this family? I went out again, not for me but to get some prescription medicine for an ear infection Akito had received. As I was walking out of the pharmacy, a voice called as clear but as distant as falling rain, rang out.

"Oh my, what a surprise! Do you remember me?" She gave off a wide grin.

"Yes, from the park".

"Small, small world, eh? You sick?"

"No for someone else."

"I hope they get better."

I turned away but she called to me again.

"You know," as we made it to the threshold. "I always have a funny feeling when you meet strangers again. We might never see each other again but I'm Kaiya Hatsuto," she held out her hand.

"Hatori Sohma," I answered in a hollow voice, lightly shaking her delicate hand, keeping my distance.

"Sohma, Sohma, that name sounds so familiar".

"It probably is. Nice to meet you, Miss Hatsuto."

"Oh Kaiya, please I'm not old or something." For some reason or another I found myself smiling slightly. That brightened her up. "I knew there was a smile somewhere, long faces are hard to keep." She smiled again said, "Have a nice day, Hatori". Then she disappeared from view.

"My, my ,my, what a lot of food you bought" Oh Shigure! You surprised me.

"I don't recall we needed so much."

"Yuki!" Yuki stepped into the kitchen, looking exhausted. "Back from your student council meeting?"

"Fortunately." Yuki looked like Uo and Hana with that suspicious look.

"Ah yes, I do remember the stresses of being president. Nothing was too big for Aya but Hari' made sure all those stresses were under control." Shigure laughed.

"Well I'm not sure if I'd rather be working with my council or my stupid brother." Ahhh, the gap again!

"Ah Yuki, Yuki, but oh yes we never did find out-," Shigure raised an eyebrow.

"What the hell's all the food for?!" Kyo stormed in.

"Kyo! Well since you're all here. I well its al most been three years since I started living here and I really want to show my appreciation to you all and cook everyone a big dinner and invite everyone."

"Oh dear Tohru, a night of celebration, laughter, good company, and of course your delicious food", Yuki and Kyo looked grumpily at Shigure.

"Do you ever shut up?" He laughed again. I'm so happy!

I gave the medicine to Akito hardly registering what I was doing. I had been taken by surprise. Akito noticed my pensive expression.

"You look tired."

"Yes, I am." Just a stare and I watched him nod off to sleep.

Kaiya her name was. Kaiya. I said it aloud as I was heading to bed. It sounded like I had uttered some profane word like I was sinning having terrible thoughts. I stared at Kana's picture and noticed it was wet. I dried my eyes. I felt even worse than before my walk. We could never meet again. Let alone,

Fall in love…