Disclaimer: don't own. Just Ivy and Ian and cast and the bitchy receptionist from the dentist.

A/n: I had to get this out as soon as possible. Didn't want to leave y'all hangin. I'd say things are slightly more complicated now. Oh don't we love our rebelling Sohma/Sume/plopopoop/soon to be Geyers?

On with the story! YAY!

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"We're screwed. Ivy's a dead woman." Kyo said upon entering the house.

Shigure cast Hatori a glance, "The word's traveling about Akito wanting to see Ivy."

Kyo's eyes widened, "He what? Now she's really screwed."

"Would someone please tell me what's going on!" Tohru cried exasperated.

The two older men though ignored her question and Hatori raised an eyebrow at Kyo.

"What do you mean by 'really screwed?" he asked. Kyo was about to reply when Ivy and her group of people arrived at the house. She was holding the hand of a man Hatori could only guess as her boyfriend and he noted the ear to ear grin on her face. She entered the house before Kyo could explain and Hatori gave Shigure a questioning look. The novelist returned his gaze with a shrug as if saying they'll find out soon enough.

"Hi everyone." Ivy greeted and hopped right into introductions, "This is my brother Hatori, my cousins Shigure and Kyo. My other cousin Yuki is sleeping over there on the couch (I told you guys he's recovering from food poisoning, right?) And this is Shigure's housekeeper, Tohru Honda." She paused and pointed out her cast members, "That's Margo, Akaya, Paul, and Smitty." She paused and put her right hand on the shoulder of last man to be introduced. It was then Shigure and Hatori saw it.

"Ivy," Shigure began slowly picking his words carefully, "Why is there a sparkly ring on a very important finger with a very expensive significant clear jewel?"

"A very large significant clear jewel." Tohru added unaware of the situation. She took Ivy's hand to inspect it, "Holy shit, what a rock."

Ivy laughed and explained to her cousins, "Well, Ian purposed to me, and I said yes."

"That's what I was trying to tell you." Kyo piped up.

Silence enveloped the group for a minute with a grim look on Hatori's face. Finally the guy Ivy introduced as Smitty said, "I believe that congratulations are to be said now, like "congrats" or "Moseltov."

"Ivy," Hatori finally said ignoring Smitty, "Can we talk to you in private for a moment?"

She complied but not without shooting her brother a furious glare. She apologized to her friends and promised to be back soon before she followed Hatori, Shigure and Kyo into the kitchen. Ian watched her go with a look of confusion and hurt on his face. Smitty was the one to break the silence again as he put a hand on Ian's shoulder and said in his British accent, "I say, you most certainly have a knack at making good first impressions, eh old boy?"

"I wouldn't worry about it." Tohru said cheerfully, "They haven't seen Ivy in a long time and it's just shocking to find out you two are engaged whenever they first meet you. I saw the whole thing on my way out of the dentist. That was so romantic."

"Wasn't it?" Margo agreed, "You should have seen Ivy before he did it. Ian doesn't do good acting when he's utterly nervous and Ivy thought he was about to kill someone or streak."

Tohru laughed and offered them a seat. Presently they heard raised voices in the kitchen. "So, you guys perform in the musical," she began praying that her distraction would counter the yelling.

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"Alright, what was the meaning of that?" Ivy said angrily as soon as they closed the door to the kitchen, "How could you be so rude?"

Hatori said nothing but took out a cigarette and lit up. Shigure leaned against the counter and put his head in his hand, this was going to be long and painful for both parties. Kyo on the other hand, being Kyo, shot back, "How could you say yes?"

"What kind of question is that? I love him!"

Hatori blew out some smoke. "You said it wasn't serious." He accused bluntly.

"No. I said I didn't know." She shot back, "There is a difference."

"Ivy, are you sure you want to rush into marriage again?" Shigure spoke up calmly.

"That was different. I didn't love Katashi. Akito forced it on me and I was eighteen. I love Ian, and I am older and much wiser." Ivy explained.

"I know it was different Ivy," Shigure replied, the picture of calmness, "But sometimes women who had abusive relationships tend to gravitate towards-"

"I can't believe you!" She cut off shouting, "How can you accuse my fiancée of beating me when you met him quite literally moments ago?"

"Ivy, it's not just that it's just that we're worried about you. How would you feel if I told you I was marring this woman as I was introducing you to her." Hatori asked.

"Like that would ever happen, you chickened out when Akito threw a hissy fit over you and Kana."

The four of them fell silent, the sting of Ivy's insult still in the air. Finally Shigure said, "Ivy, that was below the belt."

"That was the truth." She replied simply.

"The point is Akito is furious at you for changing your name." Shigure explained, "Once he finds out about you and this Ian, he's going to be in a murderous rage."

"He blinded me in one eye Ivy," Hatori reminded her, "And that's when I asked his permission. What is he going to do to you, when you didn't even introduce Ian to the family? Not to mention Ian is certainly not a Sohma. I don't want to erase your mind, Ivy."

"Who says you have to? Did any of you ever think that you could defy Akito?" Ivy asked.

They were silent thinking of what she said when Yuki entered the room. "Your screaming woke me up." He explained, "The people in the living room filled me in. Ayame's here too. I can't get any sleep around here. I'll tell you what I think tough."

Kyo scoffed, "Like we want to hear it, damn rat."

Yuki ignored Kyo and continued, he still wasn't feeling well and didn't want to put up with this sort of thing. "I think you should all shut up. Ivy's a big girl and can make her own judgement on who is right for her. Besides, they love each other; you of all people Hatori should understand that. Accept them. I talked to Ian, he's a good man. Celebrate Ivy being home safely tonight and get to know Ian. Worry about Akito tomorrow."

"Yuki, you are so loved right now." Ivy smiled.

Yuki shrugged, "Anything to get some sleep. Night." And with that he left.

Once again, the four were quiet for a minute or so. Hatori blew out some smoke before saying, "We just worry about you, Ivy."

"Don't."

"You know, we can keep this a secret from Akito." Shigure began, "Even if he wants to see her, I don't think you'd come, would you?"

Ivy scoffed, "I'd rather have a root canal than visit him."

Hatori nodded in agreement, "We've kept things from him before, we can do it again."

Kyo nodded and said something to that effect.

With it settled that they were keeping the engagement a secret from Akito, the four walked out of the kitchen. As the walked into the living room Hatori swore he heard Ivy say softly, "Besides, Akito won't be with us for long."

A/n: anti climatic I know, I'm sorry, I couldn't think of anymore insults for them to fling around that didn't make them look like they were two. But I think it leaves room to think, does it not? You never see Ivy as the once married type, but she is. Interesting, no? Once again thanks for reviewing. You all are hearted! I'll try to update soon, I'm doing pretty good with keeping up. HAPPY FOURTH!