Chapter 3

"I'm SORRY, I'M SORRY. I'M LATE AND YOU HAD TO WAIT FOR ME!!!!"

Shigure frowned, "Ritsu, we did already start eating."

"AHHH!!! I have all that uneaten food go COLD! I wanted to get something special for everyone but I couldn't decide what to get, so I got everything". He flung out a huge bag.

Everyone stared, "Don't worry Ritsu I'll heat you up a plate," Tohru said grabbing one.

"Oh no, Tohru I don't deserve your kindness. I tried to be kind and I even beat old ladies to get these things, the rain had everyone crazy. AHHH! I BEAT UP OLD LADIES!!!"

"What you deserve is to shut up," Kyo glared.

"I don't deserve just that, I deserve to be punished for my sins, I deserve to choke on my food than enjoy it, NO!!! Then I'll be insulting Tohru."

"Ritsu just sit down please and eat?" Shigure sighed. "Well it's certainly coming down hard out there," he said peering out the window.

"I'm sorry I drove such awful, foul weather on you all!!!"

Yuki sighed like Shigure, "You don't have control over the weather," Ritsu got his food and eventually did get quiet.

I was so happy even if the rain was pouring hard. Shigure had gotten a long table just for the occasion so everyone could fit. I was so pleased everyone thought my cooking was good. I think even Kyo was happy.

"How are you feeling Kyo."

"Fine. I'm okay. You're cooking is really good."

"Really?!" He smiled that little smile.

"Yeah. Hey what's that noise?" They couldn't tell it was knocking or tapping rain, so they ignored it for the moment.

"I don't think we're missing anyone now," he looked at Ritsu who had spilled some miso and was screaming again("It's okay, I'll get you a napkin" "No, no DON'T TROUBLE YOURSELF!!!). "Are we expecting anyone" Shigure asked.

"No Uo and Hana are coming another night!" All three- Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure's faces fell.

"They are?'

"Uh-huh! Oh I guess I forgot to tell you but they wanted to come over some time. And I supposed it would be alright. But I'm sorry I didn't ask before."

"It's alright Tohru you're, um, friends can come over anytime. Well maybe not anytime, but,"

Momiji cried out, "You know Kyo maybe you're right that sounds a lot like knocking. Tohru!! Help!!!"

"Of course I'm right, you little-,"

"KYO!!! WAHHHH!!"

"We don't need two stinking whiners here," he continued to put his fist on Momiji's head, while he glared at Ritsu.

"Oh wow you actually included yourself, it was only a matter of time before you realized that you're a whiner-" Yuki said.

"DAMN RAT! I'm not in the mood for you".

Ayame flashed a grin, "What are you in the mood for, lucky Kyo," Don't be perverted!!

"Arrrgh, someone get the damn door, won't they?" yelled Kyo.

"If you're that concerned, why don't you answer it," Yuki said plainly.

"I don't need your crap!"

"And no one needs you're screaming."

"I'll get it," Shigure said rolling his eyes.

It seemed like Kyo was doing better, back to his old self but I wished he could be a little happier.

"Kyo you look so pained, let me comfort you!"

"COME OVER HERE KAGURA AND-"

"I'm trying to be nice, not that I'm never, but if you DON'T WANT MY KINDNESS!" Kagura screamed standing up.

Haru looked up, after he had served some soba noodles to Kisa, while Hiro scowled and poured her tea. Kisa was so happy to be so well taken care of.

Haru said mildly, "Kagura," he smiled at Hiro, when the tea was poured. "I'm still eating, let's shed blood after dinner."

"Yeah right, like I want to fight with her." Kyo said trying to get away from Kagura's grip which only got tighter.

"I did not come here tonight to tend to your impending wounds." I scolded trying my hardest from filling that role of Doctor.

"Someone, anyone please-door, get it!" Kyo shrieked.

"I'll get it!"

"No, no Tohru, you get the desert, I don't think I'll have room but-,"

"Shigure just get the door already," Yuki said as Ayame started giving a creepy smile.

"My dear brother, so assertive," unlike someone I know.

Shigure opened the door and there soaked to the bone was a young woman who looked extremely distraught. Now he was sorry he didn't answer it quicker. Shigure gave a look of wonder and surprise.

"I'm, I'm so sorry to intrude like this, but you see my cars caught in mud, and I saw a house, and I know it was risky-,"

"Alright, alright, please calm down. Come in, you must be freezing."

"I'll just use your phone or something. Oh man you have guests, I'll leave," she turned to the threshold.

"Don't even think about," now Shigure wasn't just being hospitable because he was enticed by the beautiful woman but he wasn't gonna throw her out in the pouring rain, even if she was some serial killer or something. Besides it did look like everyone would have to stay, if her car got caught. If she should, well find out about the uh, little secret, Hatori was here at least. It was always a sad thought, but it was the way it had to be, except for Tohru.

"Shigure, that's not darling Mii, is it?!" Ayame rang out. "We're all waiting with bated breath. Who is the mystery visitor?!"

"Shut up." Yuki said knowing, now why he was glad, New Years was a long time away and with luck the next time he would see his brother.

"Such kind words, Yuki I don't deserve."

"Stop crying." Yuki looked up as Tohru came in with desert.

"Yay, I can't wait for Sissy's dessert!" Kisa exclaimed happily. Hiro just rolled his eyes.

"So what, that meal was sufficient enough, now she's gonna fill us with crap we don't need."

"Hey little man," Haru said smashing his fist on Hiro's head

"You're full of crap we don't need."

"Get your hand off me." Haru ruffled his hair.

"It's amazing how amusing you all are, I think I knew that though," Kazuma commented with a playful smile.

Kyo frowned, "Don't pay any attention to those creeps Shishou."

"It's not half as amusing as my darling Kyo!" Kagura cried out edging towards him again.

"Lay a hand woman, lose a hand-,"

"But darling!" She said hugging or strangling him no one could tell.

"Hey what'd I say about blood, desert counts as food too," Haru shook his head.

At that moment, Shigure led the freezing woman into the 'humble' abode. They all quieted and stared, even Ritsu who had dropped some ice cream on the table and looked horrified.

"Seizure, my, where'd you land her?!" Exclaimed Ayame.

Hatori who had been dazing a little hardly really registering all the commotion around was brought back to life when they all looked at her and his jaw dropped and he gasped.

"Must you be so disgusting all the time? Sorry for my older brother, he has no manners."

Yuki smiled but it turned into confusion but he noticed Hatori's face that almost seemed to have a look of recognition upon sight of her. Everyone had turned for a second to him when he gasped.

"Well, this is, oh, dear me I didn't even catch your name."

"Oh sorry, again. I'm Kaiya Hatsuto." She got increasingly uncomfortable as they stared a hole into her. She hadn't even realized Hatori was there at first. Hatori started choking though.

"Hatori, Hari! What's wrong," shrilled Momiji.

He cleared his throat, "Nothing Momiji, I'm fine." That was when Kaiya looked up at him. She had been too worn out to recognize him.

I had choked, choked on the fact that this strange woman by some strange force of nature had returned to me. As she stood there drenched I did a double take and then remembered. …, "I always have a funny feeling when you meet strangers again." Was it pure coincidence or was it a strange feeling?

"Oh my goodness, you're soaking wet, and you're probably hungry. There should be some food left here, um-," Tohru got up without even knowing or caring her predicament.

"No, don't trouble yourself", she stopped short. "Hatori?" They all stared at him. He tried to keep a calm persona as though it wasn't strange to know this woman who turned up out of the blue.

"Miss Hatsuto what brings you here this evening?" It was phrased that way for many reasons.

"Oh, yes, my car got stuck in the mud, I saw a house, but I can't believe it!"

"You know her?" Shigure questioned wondering why he wasn't indulged in this information.

"We met briefly, nothing more." I was starting to get uncomfortable as her smile widened.

"Nothing more, it's not often people, strangers off the street-get-chances," she was turning bright red and started to collapse. Kyo was standing near by and before Kazuma had a chance to catch her, she fell on him.

Poof! Tohru grabbed him and put him in the kitchen as Kazuma caught her. Everyone was stressing out over the whole scene. Kazuma remained relaxed as he held her.

"That cat was so adorable," she said going out of it.

"Ah, you're seeing things, you do feel warm," she smiled weakly at Kazuma.

"Hey Hari' you're a doctor!" Momiji jumped up. "Why don't you take care of her?" She thought, Doctor?

"Momiji-," Hatori started.

After Tohru came back with a plate and soon after Kyo returned with a sour look on his face, she suggested, "She can have my bed, it's no trouble. Hatori sighed; he had brought some things just in case not that he intended on using any of it. So Kazuma brought Kaiya upstairs, Tohru followed to change her sheets and Hatori followed reluctantly.

"You just had to let that woman in," Kyo growled.

"Now Kyo I couldn't turn her away, I'm sorry for what happened but she didn't seem to realize anything." Kyo gave a menacing look. "Besides her cars stuck, and a fever."

"How do you know she could be lying, and might kill us in our sleep?" Kyo had sort of a valid point.

"Have a heart Kyo. Kyo!!! Wahhh!!!."

"Little brat, shut up." After Kyo attacked Momiji Kisa diverted the scene.

"Sissy's so nice to do this for her," Kisa smiled.

"Huh," frowned Hiro. "But when she's better and starts bumping into us."

"Oh dear, in my opinion you're all just a bunch of pessimists," Shigure agreed with Aya.

"I don't think we need advice from you," Yuki said pouring some tea.

"Yeah because you're so damn good at giving it."

"Stupid cat, you wouldn't know advice if it danced in front of you naked." He remembered the play, and knew his feelings for Tohru but the only one who could reveal his heart was Kyo.

"I wonder what advice looks like naked?" Yuki scowled once again at his brother laughing his head off.

Tohru came down, "She's resting but I'll make some leek soup with the leftovers. That cures colds, right?"

"Tohru, the little saint of the household,"

"Shigure if one more thing comes out of your mouth," Yuki and Kyo glared menacingly.

"You two had better learn to enjoy your company, looks like we're all staying here tonight". Tonight? All together?!

"I'll leave you to it Hatori," Kazuma left. She looked up at me as though she was studying me.

"You didn't tell me you were a doctor?"

"Well two chance meetings don't really mean you'll learn a lot about someone."

"Oh but it can," I gave her a puzzled look. "You see without knowing anything about someone you can tell what kind of person they are just by personality. Knowing mere facts like you being a doctor is inconsequential, irrelevant, no real importance. It's when we know those facts we start making judgments. Sad but true." She seemed sad for a moment, then brightened. I couldn't help but smile.

"Let's check your temperature, now," I took out the thermometer.

"I'm sorry," I stopped, "to trouble you like this. All those guests here."

"I'm not the host or anything; I was expecting to take care of someone anyway." My stab at humor. "This is my cousin Shigure's house; he was the one who opened the door for you. Tohru Honda, whose bed you're in lives here with him and Yuki and Kyo. She cooked all the food and hosted this little gathering."

"Are they family, friends?"

"We all are Sohma's yes, expect for Tohru."

"She seems nice, has her heart on her sleeve."

"She came here when she was orphaned a few years ago; she was celebrating the anniversary of when she started living here."

"That sounds so nice, sad but nice it must be weird to live with all guys though." She made a strange face.

Hmm, "temperature,"

"Oh yes." I stuck it under her tongue. Her eyes although tired, seemed to be smiling.

"103. You do have a fever." She made a face.

"I'm lucky to have a doctor here then? So where's your office?"

"Office?"

"Where you work?"

"Oh I have a private practice exclusively for the Sohma family, my cousin Akito gets ill frequently. That's why I was getting that prescription."

"Doesn't that make you lonely?"

"What makes me lonely?"

"Treating the same people, your family members. You never meet anybody new."

"I've never thought of it that way, there are many to treat in my family. I have a large family. I live at our large estate."

"An estate? Wow I live in an apartment!" So when you're not taking care of your family, what do you do for fun?

Fun it was though she had hit a painful nerve. What did I do, for fun? I had always thought that would be selfish. I could hear Akito's voice…

Why would I allow you to have fun? Do you think my illnesses are fun? That notion should be nonexistent on your list of priorities. Ice isn't fun, ice is cold. Heartless, freezes emotions. I'd like you better heartless, than a fun loving fool.

"I-my work is important."

"All work and no play make Hatori a dull boy. That was mean, I didn't mean, I'm an idiot. I'll just go to sleep now." Her brow furrowed, and she frowned. I listened to every word she said and it made me sad to know that in every way she was right, except about being an idiot. I was the idiot.

"No, thank you. I…I know. My job is demanding. That walk was more of a fluke than a regular occurrence."

"Fluke or not, I met you!" She smiled brighter than she had all evening. I looked down at her in wonder, was the ice melting?

Tohru came in with a tray. Kaiya sat up. "Soup?"

"Leek soup. It should have you feeling better in no time. I don't think I introduced myself. I'm Tohru Honda. You'll meet everyone else tomorrow.

"Lovely to meet you Tohru," Tohru set down the tray as I put away the thermometer and Tohru handed her a cool cloth. "This is great, thanks Tohru."

"I'm glad you like it. Oh Hatori,"

"Hmm..,"

"The storms gotten really bad, so Shigure decided everyone should stay here tonight." She jumped at a peel of thunder.

"Did he?"

"I'm gonna get beds ready. We decided girls up stairs, boys down."

I bet Ayame is pleased.

"Are you all trying to kill me? There's no way in hell I'm sleeping with you all."

"Like we want to do it too, especially with you." Yuki said helping roll our blankets.

"But isn't all so romantic, just as I prophesized. Locked up together like little prisoners waiting for our knights in shining armor to take us away."

"No one asked your opinion. Either be quiet or help with the beds." Yuki was as unhappy as Kyo was.

Tohru arrived on scene, "Ah, Miss Honda, how's Miss Hatsuto?"

"I think the soup helped, Hatori's taking good care of her."

" AHHH, NOOO! I HAVE SHATTERED ONE OF YOUR EXPENSIVE PLATES! I SHOULD BE BRANDED AS A HOMEWRECKER! I didn't deserve such a meal!

"They're not expensive," Shigure looked at Ritsu will a little contempt. Tohru went straight to the kitchen.

"Don't worry, I'll clean it."

"Don't do that! Let him clean his own damn mess." Kyo hated when Tohru was treated like a slave, and she let them treat her that way.

"I'll clean it. Don't mind me!!! THESE SHARDS OF GLASS WILL POSE NO THREAT AND IF THEY SHOULD DIRECT ALL PAIN TO ME!!!"

Tohru stared helplessly; she looked at Kyo who had a disproving look on his face. "Well here's a broom at least." There was no way Tohru wouldn't help a little.

The plates and food were all put away or washed, and the beds were all set up. Kyo gave his bed to Tohru and of course Kisa, much to the chagrin of Kagura who got Yuki's bed. Kyo wasn't going to let her go near it. Shigure still had his bed free but he brought down the mattress, because what was the fun of a sleepover if everyone didn't sleep together, well in the same room that is. Hatori came down a short while later after Kaiya had fallen asleep finally. His heart beating a little too fast.

Later on everyone got into some form of a bed. After Shigure and Ayame chuckled moronically for what seemed a half hour and everyone shouted, "Shut up!" Did everyone get quiet. No one asked or dared to ask, but especially Shigure wondered this woman, where had he met her? How strange it was to meet her randomly when her car got caught in the mud. The only one not snoring or thinking about such things was Kyo. He was deep in thought. He heard a creak on the stairs. He looked up, Tohru was coming down.

"I thought you were asleep," Kyo whispered gruffly.

"I forgot something."

"The dishes are all clean; you cleaned 'em remember?"

"Uh no, something I made."

"Huh?" He followed her to the kitchen. She opened the fridge filled with some leftovers.

"I made it when I made the leek soup, it's not leeks though." She reassured him while he gave her an odd look. She took out a cat shape rice ball with a plum in it.

"A rice ball?"

"Well it's a cat and you were the guest of honor and you needed something special. I guess it's not special but um, it has a plum with all your good qualities and it's on the front so I can see them. To me your part of the zodiac." He cradled the rice ball in his hands, tears welled up, he wasn't gonna cry, he wasn't gonna cry.

"It's not fair." He muttered.

"What!" She exclaimed.

"Shh, nothing".

"Oh alright, I hope you had a good time, I mean this rain is awful but-,"

Hey even if some of those guys and that girl are some real jerks-I mean arrggh. You-you-," he couldn't find anything to say. "You're really something."

"Is that good?" He closed his eyes a moment. He ate the rice ball slowly, savoring every bite. She smiled. He then took her hand.

"C'mon let's get you to bed, well my bed but…"

Tohru got nervous as he held her hand. She was so grateful to all the Sohma's, but at that moment only Kyo filled her heart. It was this feeling that being born was the steadfast determination to break the curse; she wasn't going to let him be locked up and fade from the world. She had a concentrated look on her face and Kyo watching her stopped suddenly.

"What are you doing?"

"Oh nothing, just tired is all, ha ha."

"Hmm," Hatori watched unnoticed and wished for that so badly. They got to the landing, and entered his room/library where Kisa lay dreaming. She got into his bed and looked up at him.

"Good night Kyo."

He didn't answer, just watched her roll off to sleep. He sat down beside her, and reached out for her hair. All thoughts of Akito and anything about his identity fell away. He leaned forward, close to her face, and did something he never did before, not even to his own mom.

He kissed her on the cheek.

"Good night, Tohru."