CHAPTER 2

Tohru always smiled. Tohru smiled as they thanked their food. She smiled as they ate. She smiled as they spoke about their days. She smiled at Yuki's politeness, and she smiled as she collected the dishes and took them into the kitchen. She smiled even when Kyo was teasing her. Shigure blinked in worry. Would she smile when Leiko came to call her out?

"Yo Shigure," Kyo said as soon as Tohru was out of the room. "What's up with you?"

Shigure grinned and waved his hand. "Oh it's nothing! My mind is so vast and full of ideas and knowledge that I sometimes just can't think straight."

Yuki rolled his eyes. "No, I think that's just hot air and sake."

Suddenly the phone rang. Kyo reached over and took it off the hook. "Hello, Kyo Sohma speaking."

There was a long pause before the caller finally responding it a quick, high voice. "Shigure, please."

Kyo rolled his eyes and threw the phone at Shigure's big head. Frowning at Kyo, Shigure put the phone to his ear. "Shigure Sohma here."

"It's Leiko."

Shigure tensed up and stared over at Kyo before walking out of the room. "So how did you manage to survive Akito? Or have you not seen him yet?"

Leiko laughed, nervously. "Oh, I saw him alright." she took a breath. "I'm probably good as dead to him, huh?"

Shigure smiled, walking into his office and closing the door. "I doubt that, but you can believe whatever you like, Lei-Lei. Are you coming over for visit then?" he asked, hopefully as he sat down at his desk.

Leiko sighed. "Yes, but not really for very long. I just wanted to meet this 'magical outsider who we can totally trust EVERYTHING with' girl." she paused. "You really are an idiot, Shigure."

Shigure smiled, warmly and sat back in his office chair. "There really is more to this than the fantastically simple story you have plotted in your mind."

Leiko was quiet. "Yeah, sure," she breathed. "You'll have to tell me this new story, Shigure." she laughed. "I'll see you in five!"

Click.

Shigure nearly dropped the phone. He suddenly jumped up and ran into the kitchen where Tohru and Yuki were doing the dishes while Kyo watched TV in the adjacent room. "Tohru! Is the house clean? Are you the dishes almost done? Tell me Kyo hasn't smashed anything valuable!"

"Hey!" Kyo yelled.

Tohru blinked. "Everything's fine and the dishes are nearly finished, thanks to Yuki's help!" she chirped, smiling at Yuki.

He smiled back. "It's my pleasure, Miss Honda," he said, turning back to Shigure. "But why does the house need to be in order?"

Shigure laughed, nervously, and rubbed the back of his neck. "Ha ha! Well…it seems we'll be having a little guest in a little bit."

Tohru lit up. "Really? Who?" she squealed. "Is it someone else from the Zodiac?"

Kyo groaned from the other room. "You better bet your ass it isn't, Shigure!"

Shigure sighed. "I'd lose that bet, Kyo-Kyo."

Kyo bristled. "What did you call me?"

Yuki rolled his eyes while Tohru stood there with a soaking wet dish in her hand. "I can't believe it! I'll get to meet another member of the Chinese Zodiac! Who is it? What animal are they?" she asked Shigure. "Is it a girl or boy?"

Shigure smiled. "It's a girl," he answered. "She's only coming to meet you, so you can ask her all that when she arrives."

Tohru bit her lip. "Oh wow, she's only coming here for me? What if I let her down or I'm not that interesting or she realizes I'm not what she expected-?"

Yuki touched Tohru's arm, gently. "Just be yourself, Miss Honda," he said, kindly. "You'll be fine."

"So who is it, Shigure?" Kyo snapped. "Or are you playin' dumb?"

Suddenly the doorbell rang. They all paused, but Shigure rushed to greet their guest. The others stayed where they were. Unenthusiastic, Kyo clicked back on his show on the television, and Tohru and Yuki finished cleaning up the dinner. Shigure ignored their lack of enthusiasm and paraded to the foyer. He opened the door and grinned. "Welcome home!" he cried.

Leiko sighed, but smiled and hugged him. "I missed you Gure!" she breathed.

Shigure calmed down and smiled. "I missed you too! Why'd you-?"

Leiko shook her head and laughed. "I'm not here to talk to you, Gure! I'm here to meet this Honda chick!"

Shigure opened his mouth to respond when the sound of pounding footsteps charged their way. It was Kyo racing into the front hall. He was panting and wide eyed when he got there and saw Leiko. He gawked and stood there. Leiko stared at him and couldn't believe that this was the same Kyo Sohma she'd known long ago. Last time she'd seen him, he was around eleven years old. Now he looked sixteen or seventeen and all grown up! It hurt Leiko when she thought of how much she'd missed in the time she'd been gone.

Yuki and Tohru followed, an apron still tied around Tohru's waist. Leiko gawked and slapped Shigure. "What the hell! Do you dress her up as a maid when you have company or something? Honestly, Gure, you're such a conniving perve!"

Tohru smiled and bowed, respectively. "I'm Tohru Honda! It's nice to meet you!"

Leiko smiled, softly. "I'm Leiko Sohma," she said, bowing back. "And believe me! It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Yuki blinked. "L-Leiko…why are you-?"

"To meet Tohru of course!" Shigure replied. "Why else would she grace us with her lovely presence? I mean, she obviously was dying to see me, but Tohru gave her a legitimate excuse to co-"

"Oh would you can it already? You're worse than Aya!" Leiko snapped. She paused. "Besides…I guess it's about time for a good, long visit."

Shigure grinned and rubbed his bruised cheek. "Well then, why don't you stay here, Lei-Lei?" he proposed. "I'm sure Tohru would be more than willing to-"

"No, I couldn't impose." Leiko said, laughing at his stupidity. "Besides, she barely knows me! What do you say to my taking you all out for dessert since it's obvious you've already eaten dinner!"

Kyo shut his gaping mouth and glared at Leiko. "I think I'll pass." he said, coldly as he walked up the stairs.

Tohru blinked. "K-Kyo-!"

Leiko waved her hand. "Don't bother. He's still as hot-headed as ever, huh? Surprised he and Yuki live together now, though! You must have the hospital on speed dial!"

Tohru laughed. Yuki smiled. "What were you saying about dessert, Lei?"

Leiko nodded. "Oh, right! Leave it to me!" she paused. "But, uh…I think I should go have a talk with our friendly, neighborhood cat up there, huh?"

Shigure and Yuki stopped smiling and nodded, gravely. "That'd probably be best." Yuki agreed. Leiko nodded and headed up the stairs.

Tohru cleared her throat. "Um, excuse me for asking, but do you two know why Kyo was so angry?"

Shigure gave her a small smile. "Yes, we do. Kyo's mad at Leiko."

Tohru blinked, confused. "But why?"

"Because his hero abandoned him." Yuki whispered.

Leiko drew a breath and knocked on the door. She knew that he'd be mad, but she had forgotten how hot-headed he could get. No answer. She sighed and opened the door. No one was inside. Leiko walked into the middle of the room and turned around, but he wasn't anywhere in there. She walked out to the small balcony jetting out of the bedroom where a clothes line as hanging. She pushed her way past the hanging garments and looked around.

"Kyo?" she said, quietly. Suddenly she heard something above her. She looked up to see feet on the roof. She stood on the railing and grasped the roofing tile. With one swift movement, Leiko had gotten herself on the tip of the roof and surprised the hell of out Kyo. He jerked up and crossed his legs.

Leiko crouched on the top of the roof and gave him a hard stare. "Kyo." she said, a little louder than before, but it was a statement this time.

Kyo looked up at her, silently. Leiko cleared her throat. "So is this the greeting I get after so long? The silent treatment on the roof?"

Kyo slowly stood up and didn't say anything. He simply stood there as if he was mulling over how to yell at Leiko. She sighed and stood up to match his height, but Kyo was taller than her and that scared her. Leiko laughed. "You have to be around six feet, huh Kyo?"

Kyo took a deep breath and Leiko stared at him. "Since when have you been so damn quiet?"

He blinked. "I don't know," he turned to her. "Since when have you cared?"

Leiko tried to walk over to him, but swayed a bit on the slanted roofing. "I've always cared, Ky-"

"Oh shut up! You're a liar and always have been!" Kyo yelled. "I don't why I trusted you! I can't believe this! I don't even know why I'm even talking to you! Dammit, I'm goin' inside!"

Swift and agile, he leaped off the roof and landed on the ground on all fours, just like his zodiac animal's nature. Leiko took a deep breath and stared at him as he ran off into the forest. She pressed her lips together and made a face at her situation. She sat down and clutched the roofing tiles in distress. "Dammit, now how do I get off this stupid roof?"

"Okay, the kiddos are asleep, which is a miracle nowadays." Shigure joked, sitting down to the tea Leiko had brewed while he checked the doors. Kyo still hadn't come home. Leiko, ashamed, slouched to the floor and let out a soft groan. Shigure sipped his drink. "Don't worry, Lei-Lei! I'm sure he'll come back when he forgets about how he's gotten so used to sleeping in a real bed."

Leiko rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure," she breathed, tilting her cup and swirling the liquid within in a circle. "I'm just sorry I ever thought that he had grown up!"

Shigure let out a sigh. "It isn't his fault, Leiko. You left and he was just a boy. Barely even twelve."

Leiko closed her eyes. "I know."

Shigure leaned forward over the small table. "I've been meaning to ask you this, but I was afraid of the answer, so I waited until later, but…" he paused. "Why did you leave?"

Leiko took a deep breath and didn't answer him as she stared down at her hands.

Shigure stared at her, waiting for her answer, but when she didn't answer, he leaned back. "Okay, that's fine, you're tired and all that, I understand."

Leiko looked at him, helplessly. "Shigure-"

He cut her off. "It's fine, Lei-Lei," he said in a hard voice. "I just wish…" he trailed off, leaving Leiko feeling more awful than before.

She stood up, quickly, knocking the table a bit. "I…I gotta go."

Shigure stood up. "Let me walk you out," he said, kindly.

Leiko started at her feet and shook her head. "No. I…I'm fine."

"Where will you stay tonight?" Shigure asked.

Leiko was quiet for a bit before leaving the room, smiling weakly. "I'll figure it out."

On her way out, she whipped out her cell phone and dialed the nearest hotel. It's been a long day and she wasn't sure if she wanted to stay in town for very long with the way everything was going. A taxi picked her up at the edge of the road after a bit of walking on her part. She slid in, handed the driver about twenty hundred yen. "Will that cover it from here to the Hankyu?"

"You're staying at that place? Must rich!" he snorted, stuffing the money into the glove compartment. "It's about five miles away and, unless we're stuck in traffic, twenty hundred should cover it."

"Cheap," Leiko mumbled.

"Huh?"

"Nothing. Thank you very much, sir."

"Yeah whatever."

Leiko took a deep breath and sank back into her seat. She closed her eyes and wished herself back to when they were all twelve and only hung out with each other to avoid trouble. To where their biggest worries were their parents and school. Now, it was whole other world.