Chapter Two

Tohru and the surrounding four boys made it home in less than five minutes. Upon entering the huge house, Tohru immediately set out towards the kitchen to start dinner. After all, it wasn't everyday the zodiacs got together. Even casually. She felt that she had to make this specific dinner special, one that everyone attending will always remember. And in a deep corner inside her heart, she realized it was also because she wanted to impress Hatsuharu-san… Blushing ferociously, Tohru stepped into the kitchen.

Meanwhile, the boys had flopped down in front of the television, Yuki sitting regally on the couch next to a bouncing Momiji, while Hatsuharu and Kyo dangled off the armchairs. That was how Shigure found them when he emerged from his room. Four totally different, but ironically the same, restless teenagers watched as their key to the outside world was blocked by the perverted man of the so-called house.

Shigure felt an all-consuming grin etch itself on his face. An astonishingly handsome face, he admitted. A face that had once made many teenage girls fall at his feet, and which now held a mature, experience filled mask only known to those of Akito's caliber.

"Hey Hatsuharu, Momiji! What are you two doing here? Come to get some of Tohru's delicious food, no doubt. Though I'm sure Hatsuharu here came here for something else entirely, hmmm?" Shigure broke off, making his eyebrows wiggle in that annoying habit of his.

"Shut up, pervert!" Yuki was livid. How dare that idiot dog make assumptions about Tohru? She clearly wasn't that kind of girl! How could Shigure even think that Tohru would have something to do with that dangerous cow!

"Whoa! Calm down, Yuki! I was just joking around!" Shigure hastily made his retreat, backing away from the red-faced rat now advancing towards him with a menacing glare. It wasn't a smart move to get the ice-cold prince riled up; though Shigure couldn't tell what it was he did to get Yuki this mad.

Hatsuharu was having even more trouble than Shigure. Images of Tohru and him doing the unthinkable, in unseemly positions moving through his mind like a computer slideshow. He could feel his darker side taunting him, could almost hear looming laughter echoing in his skull. He knew his black side was coming to the surface, but like always, was unable to stop it. And to be honest, he didn't want to…

While Hatsuharu was embracing his darker half, and Yuki was tormenting Shigure, Momiji and Kyo were fighting over the remote control to the television. Both were unaware of the tension circulating around the room. That's why it was a surprise when Tohru came through the doorway.

Tohru took one look around her and seemed to freeze on the spot. "Ummm…" Clearing her throat, she smiled and nodded towards the kitchen. "Dinner is ready!"

And chaos erupted.

Momiji and Kyo were racing to be the first in line for dinner, Shigure close behind them and Yuki following at a more leisurely pace. Laughing quietly to herself, Tohru turned to go back to the kitchen, and never saw the sharp, hungry eyes tracing her every move.

Back in the kitchen, everyone was sitting in their usual place at the table with the exception of Momiji, and a few minutes later, Hatsuharu at the end. Tohru went about serving everyone their food, and when she was done, taking her place between Yuki and Kyo. Hatsuharu narrowed his eyes in annoyance, as he had been hoping she would sit next to him. 'And why would she want to sit with you, huh?' An inner voice mocked him spitefully. Smirking ruefully, because he knew that the statement was true, Hatsuharu picked up his fork and dug into his dinner.

"Mmmm, this is great, my little flower!" Tohru blushed at the compliment spewing from Shigure's mouth. It seemed she'd never get use to being praised on anything, let alone something that to her was completely untrue! Speechless, Tohru just nodded. Shigure, noting her silence, continued with a smug smile. "As a matter fact, your food actually tastes better than usual!" Shigure blinked. "Is there a special reason as to why my little flower has prepared this special dinner? Hmmm?"

Tohru gasped, her face immediately turning scarlet. "Of course not, Shigure-san!" On a will of there own, her eyes flickered to Hatsuharu, her blush worsening. Ha! Gotcha! Shigure gloated.

Hatsuharu sat up a little straighter, staring directly as the blushing Tohru. It was only for a second, but Hatsuharu could have sworn that he had saw Tohru glance at him while protesting Shigure's latest question. Could it be?

Kyo, oblivious to Momiji stealing food from his plate, could feel his famous temper rising. A look across Tohru confirmed that Yuki was feeling the same, if the ticking in his cheek was anything to go by. What Shigure was implying was preposterous! Unless…. It was actually true. And that would mean that Tohru actually favored someone at the table. But who could it be?

Denial wasn't only a river in Egypt, and Yuki's anger was reaching its peak. Shigure was grating on his last, solid nerve! Couldn't Shigure ever shut up for once, and use his head? Tohru food was just like it was every other day. Good. Great. Delicious. There was nothing different about it! And Tohru definitely wouldn't have slaved over cooking dinner for a specific person unless… it was for him! And there's no reason for her to do that. Her food is just normal…. Well, as normal as Tohru's food can get, he added.

Momiji, after taking what he wanted from Kyo's plate was observing everyone at the table. Tohru, he noted, was blushing and stuttering at a triumphant Shigure. Kyo and Yuki both seemed livid, and Hatsuharu, whose eyes were darker than normal, was looking smug and watching Tohru. What's wrong with this picture?

.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.

Okay, I've decided to add these small chapters, because frankly I was tired of how small they were and I was so disappointed with myself for not writing longer chapters(though this one is kind of short because I wanted to hurry up and post it.). So I'm adding these together with a little more added onto chapter two, and I'm going to write longer chapters from now on! I don't know if I'm losing reviews for this, but I hope not. Anyway, see ya next chapter!