Sorry for the long wait -- I really meant to get a lot done over break, but that was before my computer power adapter died. I could only use my computer for two hours at a time, and charge it every few days... it was pretty bad. But now I'm getting a new adapter... and starting new classes, so I don't know how long this will really take. But I am working on it!

The title for this chapter was inspired because Dr. Doolittle talks to animals and... well... you'll see! (It's not that hard to figure out, though, is it?) What can I say, I thought of it as I was uploading the chapter. Anyway, enjoy!


"Please eat something, Little Prince," Hana pleaded gently. She sat on the floor with the new cage in her lap. After they had seen the food the rat pushed out of the cage the night before, she and her brother had bought a new one with solid plastic walls. Still, their pet seemed intent on not eating. "We're all worried about you. You're too weak to survive on your own." She lifted the cage up so that she was eye-to-eye with the lethargic rat. "Would it help if I promised to let you go once you're strong enough?"

Yuki raised his head. Let me go? Yes! That would be wonderful!

Hana seemed to read his thoughts. "Alright then, it's a deal. But then you must eat, Little Prince." She opened the top of his cage and sprinkled in some cheese. Yuki immediately began to eat it. Hana smiled. "Good boy. I have to go to school now, but I'll bring you more food tonight." She rose and swept out of the room.

Yuki felt relieved as he watched her go, but soon his stomach began to twist. I have to be strong enough for her to let me go, but too weak to transform… this could be harder than I thought.

---

When Hana entered the classroom, she immediately spotted Uo hovering over Tohru concernedly. The latter girl had her head down on her desk. Hana crossed over quickly. "Tohru, are you alright?"

The brown-haired girl lifted her head a bit to smile as brightly as she could at her friend, but Hana could see signs of exhaustion on her face. "Oh, I'm fine! Don't worry about me!"

Uo gave an exasperated sigh. "Yeah, she's fine, except for the fact that she didn't sleep all night."

Tohru lay her chin back on her hands, and let a look of worry cloud her face. "Yuki's not back yet. We've been looking, but we couldn't find him. And…" She was struck with a sudden inspiration, and sat up straight. "And we lost our new pet rat, too!" She blushed. "I know it's probably dumb to be worrying about that, but we would like the rat back."

"What kind of rat?" Hana asked. Could it be…? "Does he have a name?"

"Um, a little white one, and we haven't had a chance to name him yet."

"Mm." Hana nodded. "Then we can't try calling for him. I was just wondering."

"Hey." Kyo suddenly loomed over Tohru's desk. "You. Clinic. Now. You need sleep."

"N-no! I'm fine!" she protested. "I can't miss class!"

"Look…" Kyo took his girlfriend's arm and pulled her to her feet. "I can help you make up anything you miss." Before he could say anything else, Tohru wavered on her feet and started to fall. Kyo reached out instinctually, but fortunately she fell towards Hana, who was able to catch her. That was close, he thought. "You see? You'll probably sleep through the lesson either way. The difference is doing it here and getting in trouble, or in the clinic and be excused," he pointed out as she and Hana rose.

Tohru hung her head in defeat. "Alright, I'll go." She took a shaky step, then Kyo put his hands on her shoulders.

"Here, let me help." He guided her out of the room, careful to support her without holding her too closely. "By the way," he added when they got into the hall, "good job thinking on your feet in there."

"What?" Tohru looked at him, confused.

"When you told them about the rat. And him not having a name. That was good."

"Oh… thanks. I just thought, if they could find him as a boy or a rat…"

"I know. It was a good idea."

"And then I didn't know what to say for his name-"

"Relax, okay? I told you you did well."

"…Okay. Thanks, Kyo." Tohru blushed happily.

Back in the room, Uo and Hana watched them go.

"He's really different when he's with her, you know?" Uo commented.

Instead of agreeing, Hana replied, "I think I found their rat."

"What?! Are you serious?" Uo looked at her friend, shocked. "Why didn't you say something?"

Hana sat down at her desk. "I think he's sick. I found him yesterday, and I was only able to get him to eat this morning. I don't want to give him back in that condition - I'd like to nurse him back to health first."

Uo sat in her own desk, next to her friend. "So… are you going to tell her?"

Hana shook her head. "Not until he's ready. I'd have to explain why I'm keeping him, and she'd just worry more."

Uo nodded. "That's true. Need any help with him?"

"No, thank you. Megumi is helping me. I think the Little Prince will be better soon."

"Little Prince?"

"That's what we named him. It seemed to fit." Hana thought for a moment. "There's something strange about him, too. He's the first animal I've really been able to sense waves for."

"Oh yeah? What do you think it means?"

"I don't know." Hana looked up at the ceiling. "Maybe I'm just progressing. I'm not sure. But I'd like to spend more time trying to figure it out."

"Sounds cool. Let me know when I can come over and check it out."

---

Hana smiled into the cage. "You look so much stronger already!" She pulled out some homework. She had moved the cage to her desk so that she could keep a closer eye on the new pet, and monitor his health. "You know," she commented offhandedly, "my friend Tohru said today that she had lost a pet rat. Her description sounded just like you." She glanced back to see the rat looking up attentively. "Don't worry. I'm not taking you back there… yet." She leaned back, forgetting her homework for the moment. "Though I can't imagine why anyone would want to run away from there, let alone both you and Yuki. Tohru's so worried, about both of you. Especially Yuki." A glance at the rat showed him looking guilty. "Don't worry. I'm sure we'll find them both. Who knows… maybe they're even hiding together."

Yuki looked up at Hana worriedly, but she was staring off into space. Her head rested gently on one hand, and she seemed to be thinking. Her homework lay forgotten on the desk. After a moment she glanced down at Yuki.

"You don't mind if I talk to you, do you, Little Prince?" Yuki almost shook his head, but caught himself.

You idiot… don't act too human! You're a rat, remember? He settled for looking up at the girl. She smiled.

"This Yuki… girls at school call him Prince. He's really beautiful. And kind, too. When Tohru first moved in with him, it was wonderful to see the two of them together. They both looked so happy." Hana leaned back, looking up towards the ceiling. "He was so good to her. For a while, Uo and I really thought we would lose her to him. Then his cousin showed up, and things changed. He was so loud, and crude, but somehow even he became friends with Tohru. When the two of them were alone, he showed a much softer side. She was good for him, and he was good to her."

Hearing these words, Yuki couldn't help but look away. He squeezed his eyes shut, not wanting to think about Kyo and Tohru together. Hana continued talking. "But when he and Yuki were together things were different. It was like yin and yang with those two. If either one was just with Tohru, their good side shone through, but as soon as the other showed up, both boys completely changed personality. It was almost funny, watching them." The rat looked up at her sharply. Funny? When she laughed, it took him by surprise. "Tohru's so sweet, but she's so dense and naïve. She didn't realize they were both in love with her. I don't think she knew Kyo loved her until he finally got her alone to ask her out. Of course, everyone else could tell. They both seemed to think they hid it so well, but we all knew - everyone but Tohru."

Yuki put his head down on his paws, his eyes closed. Was it that obvious? Did everyone really know?

"You know, I think that's why Yuki ran away. I think I understand. He had truly deep feelings for Tohru, but now she's dating someone else. I believe he couldn't stand it. I think he left to get away from the pain."

Yuki looked up again, his eyes moist. How did she understand so well?

"But I don't think Tohru knows that. Imagine her worry - how frantic she must feel. Yuki is one of her best friends, and now he's disappeared and she doesn't know why." The rat closed his eyes - he had never seen a real rat cry, and didn't want to blow his cover now. Still, Hana's words hit him hard. He hadn't thought about how Tohru must be feeling.

"It's strange, though," Hana mused, not looking at the rat. "I really always thought she would choose Yuki." She gave a small smile. "Of course, it made sense - all of her friends consider Tohru a princess, so it seemed natural for her to end up with the Prince. It used to make me sad, though, to think about that." Suddenly the girl's eyes went wide for a moment, and she seemed to snap out of a reverie. She closed her eyes and shook her head. "But listen to me, prattling on about this." She leaned her head on a hand again and finally looked back at Yuki. "It helps to have someone to talk to. Thank you for listening, Little Prince."

Yuki looked up at the girl, and decided to show her that he didn't mind. What can I do for her? As far as she knows, I'm just a rat. He looked around his cage and noticed some vegetables in a corner. He scampered over to eat them in a show of good spirit. When he looked back at Hana, she was smiling.

"I'm glad to see your appetite has returned, Little Prince. Hopefully you'll be as good as new in no time." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe tomorrow I'll bring Arisa to meet you. I think you'd like her."

Yuki's heart sank. As if it weren't hard enough keeping up appearances in front of one of them… now I'll have both to deal with! What have I gotten myself into?