Disclaimer: I enjoy this way too much. I would enjoy it more only if I was paid. But poopy United States government says that's illegal. Go fig. Party poopers.

A/N: Fast, huh? I was feeling kind of inspired by sis's valiant efforts and decided to write another chapter. Usually I can't think of anything so soon, but I've been coming up with some really, really evil ideas for later... heh heh heh... ahem... anyway... for all you people out there who feel it is necessary to tell me you are confused, I would like to introduce you to a revolutionary concept: INTRIGUE!!! ...pant pant... no offense, but you aren't supposed to know everything that's happening. If you did, it would be boring. I don't mean to sound angry, but its been bugging me for a while now...

So... with that out of the way...

It was a nice day. As they walked hand in hand, Tohru couldn't seem to keep her thoughts coherent: she had a million questions, it seemed. And somehow, it felt like if she didn't get answers now, it was never going to happen.

"So... why did you come to see me?"

Her mother smiled softly down at her. Her short light auburn hair falling over her eyes, Kyoko carelessly swiped the renegade strands back behind her ear. Tohru looked at her mother's face.

No matter how old I get, I never get tired of looking at her smile. Its like... like waking up during a summer rainstorm, and knowing you're perfectly safe... snuggling back into your blankets... but I can't see... I wonder if I take after her... physically I don't think I do... so...

"Mom?"

"Hmm?"

"Do I take after you, or my dad?"

Kyoko was not expecting to hear that. "Uh... well, I think you have a little of both in you..."

"Both? But I don't think I really look like you. So do I look like my dad? There weren't really any pictures of him when I was little, now that I think about it... hmm... come to think of it, what did my dad look like? You never wanted to talk about him. It always made you so sad. Hey! And where is he? I'd like to meet him very much. Well, I mean I've already met him, of course, but I don't really remember it, so I thought that I should meet him now that I will remember him. Wait. That doesn't make much sense, does it?"

Kyoko had remained silent thus far mainly from surprise. She really wasn't expecting to have to talk about her husband with her daughter... at least not so soon!

"...Mom? Are you ...okay?"

"What? Oh! Yes. I'm fine, dear. Sorry, I just haven't thought about your father for a long, long time now. Its kind of a touchy subject, sweetie. But if you had some other questions...?"

Kyoko found she was holding her breath, almost praying that would suffice so she didn't have to make up more excuses.

I'm sorry, Tohru-chan... one day we'll all be together again... but not yet... you and I still have so much to do... and... Dear... wait for me... just a while longer...

Tohru's brow furrowed in intense concentration as she tried to think of her next question.

"Alright! Got one!"

"Fire away."

"Why are we here? I mean, why are the people who are here –why are they in this specific place? Do you know what I mean?"

"Why are you and the others staying in Shigure-sensei's old house, you mean?"

"Yes!"

"That's an easy one! Like I may have told you before, you led an exemplary life. (Good job, by the way... I am very proud of you.)"

Tohru blushed modestly and her mother continued.

"And because of your good deeds, the S.O. has chosen to let put you with those you were most happy with, in the setting dearest to your heart. Make sense?"

"I think so... but... not everyone is there... like Hatsuharu-kun! Oh! I had the strangest dream! I think it was a dream, anyway. But I saw things that had happened to him –Haru-kun, I mean— and I shouldn't have been able to see them but I did! At least I think I did.. I'm so confused, Mom! What's going on? Why isn't Haru here and why did I see his past and what was up with that creepy room Shigure-san took me to?! That was NOT there before, I'm certain of that much. Oh yeah. And they gave me this old book but I don't even remember what I did with it... hmm... what did I do with it?"

"Wait. He gave you The Book already?"

"Huh? Shigure-san? Yeah. He gave it to me last night..."

"Oh! Of all the nerve! He is so going to be reported for this..."

"What do you mean? Did he do something wrong? Is he in trouble because of me?"

"No. Its not your fault, sweetheart. He wasn't supposed to give you The Book until after I had visited and given you more information. And because he gave it to you before you were ready for it, that's why you can't find it now and that explains the "dream" you had. Because you weren't ready to read it, but you had already made the link with it, it threw the first chapter written in it at you in the only way you could handle it. That wasn't a dream. It was Hatsuharu-san's past."

"... his past? What do you mean?"

"Sigh... I mean exactly what I said. That is what The Book is—"

"Oh. Okay. That makes some sense, I suppose. But that doesn't tell me why he isn't here!"

"Whoa! Wait a second. I don't think you really understand what The Book is or how important it is, for that matter."

"Why is it so important?"

"It is a record, I suppose is one way of putting it... Tohru-chan, when one of the zodiac dies and comes to the afterlife, they have to face ... judgment..." As she said this last part, Kyoko began to lean over her daughter so that shadows fell across her face. She pulled her cheeks taut so they seemed sunken and ghost-like. The only thing lacking in her delivery would have been a crash of lightning in the background.

"GASP! That sounds so... scary..."

"It can be. When they first arrived, they were not allowed to join you. They weren't on your level, spiritually, if that makes sense."

"Not really..."

Tohru had interrupted her mother without even realizing that the question she was answering had been rhetorical.

"...Their souls... they were still weighed down with regrets and sins from their lives. You on the other hand, had no real regrets. You had things you wished you could have fixed or done differently, but your soul did not wish to have a second chance. You were content. They were not. So, to maintain the balance, members wishing to enter where you were had to stay in that room –the strange one you spoke of, I would assume—and write their regrets, sins and such down in The Book. Everyone has their own chapter consisting of their life first and then a written confession."

"But... why should I have it?"

"That is part of your task. I can't tell you everything, since I don't know everything. I know that your success or failure directly effects a large amount of people you care very deeply for."

"...really? So... they... they're counting on me to do this task?"

"Yes, dear. Until you've finished... you can't be together with those you love most. Its more a test of your character than anything. This is S.O's way of making sure you really deserve eternal happiness."

"...is that why ...Futsu-chan isn't here? I know the boys are still alive. But I haven't seen my husband. Is that because I haven't finished my task?"

Kyoko was once again taken aback by her daughter.

Interesting. I guess He's ready to let her start knowing things...

"Sort of. Its all very complicated. I don't know how much you're allowed to know... but I can tell you that Futsu-san isn't here because he hasn't finished his task yet."

"What is his task?"

"That really isn't a polite question, Tohru-chan. That's like asking what someone wrote in The Book."

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean any disrespect! I do... miss him, though..."

"I understand exactly what you mean, hon."

Kyoko put her arm around her daughter, once more marveling that such a wonderful thing could have come from her body.

I still... still cannot believe she found her way to that family again. I thought she'd be safe.

"Mom?"

"Sorry. What is it?"

"What is my task?"

"Ah. It comes at last. Know just remember, I don't know everything—only what I'm allowed to know and even then, I can't always tell you everything I do know. Understand?"

"Uh... Yes, I think so..."

Smiling, Kyoko patted her child fondly on her head. "Good. Well, then no more beating around the bush. Tohru-chan. It has been decided that you shall—"

Suddenly, it hit Tohru like a ton of bricks...

"Wait! You never told me where Haru-kun was!"

Restraining her frustration, Kyoko took a cleansing breath, exhaled and answered the question.

"I can't tell you any more about him than I already have. Its not for you to know. At least not now."

Fully expecting to have to further excuse her lack of a response, Kyoko was more than a little relieved to see Tohru nod her head in understanding.

"Okay. Sorry I interrupted. Please continue."

"Oh... its... fine. ...ahem... like I was saying, dear, your task is simple. You are to make sure The Book is complete."

"Oh!... ... I don't get it."

"Its really easy, don't worry. Earlier I told you that each member of the zodiac had to write their chapter, right?"

"What? Did you forget already...?"

"How do you know about the Zodiac?"

This definitely is not good. She should not be asking about this... how am I supposed to explain...? She's not ready to know... she'll find out soon enough, anyway...

"Mom? How did you know?"

Kyoko was ready to begin hyperventilating when once more Tohru spoke.

"Oh! How could I not have seen it?"

My God! She knows?! How? How did she figure it out so quickly? Did I let something slip...? No! I'm sure I never mentioned the Sohmas to her before...

"I'm so stupid. How could I have not known! I told you! Silly, me! I forgot that I kept you up-to-date on all my new friends..."

Kyoko didn't hear what she said after that. The chorus of "hallelujahs" in her head were way too loud. Her secret was still safe. For now, at least.

"...Mom? Did you hear me?"

"Oh! Sorry, baby... what did you say?"

"I asked if you remembered the day I brought Yuki-kun and Kyo-kun to meet you..."

"Yes. I was very happy, sweetie. And what a feast! It was good to see you so happy and not moping around, feeling sorry for yourself! I knew I'd raised you better than that!" She ruffled Tohru's hair, making her daughter giggle. Kyoko had truly missed her daughter more than words could say. And even now, she knew she didn't have much time left to chit-chat: she had a mission.

"Tohru... I'm going to have to leave soon."

"Already?! You just got here..."

"I know, and I'm sorry. But I have my own work to attend to. Before I go, though, are you clear on what your task is?"

"I have to make sure The Book is finished."

"Good girl!"

"So... does that mean I have to just read it, or something like that?"

"Um... no. Well, yes and no. You do have to read it. But that's because ... actually I'm not sure why... its just part of the deal, I guess... but your main task isto make sure that all of your zodiac friends have written in it and finished their chapters. And just because they aren't in the house doesn't mean they have or haven't written in it. You mentioned that not everyone is there. Well, part of your job is to make sure that even if they aren't in the house with you, they have finished their chapter."

"Why is that so important?"

"... I suppose it is kind of like leaving a wound untreated. If they have yet to cleanse themselves, their sins will slowly eat away at them until they eventually will ... rot completely away... until there is nothing left of their soul. Do you understand?"

"If I don't succeed, then they will disappear?"

"Correct. They will no longer exist. In any way, shape or form."

Kyoko was silent for a moment, watching her daughter to check that she was really understanding the gravity of her task.

"One more thing. And I know this isn't really very fair to you, but..."

"What is it?"

"There are thirteen who are possessed."

"Right. The twelve and Kyo."

"But... there is not enough room in The Book to fit thirteen chapters."

"...What do you mean?! If there isn't enough room..."

"Then not everyone will be saved..."

This was the part Kyoko was really dreading. She was going to have to tell her child the unfortunate role fate had handed her.

"Right. As things are now, you can only save twelve. Ironic, isn't it? Once a person has started a chapter, they must finish it. I know it is not finished, but just barely so. You can check for yourself, but if I'm right... the only one who hasn't started a chapter... is Kyo."

The boys had managed to untangle themselves and clean up the mess they had made, lest they make more work for Tohru.

Yuki had managed to calm down quite a bit once he had the picture safely from Momiji and hidden close to his heart where it would be safe until he could give it to Tohru. It was his picture, so he was going to be the one to give it to her.

Besides, if it had been Shigure, heaven only knows what he might have told her...

But something had been bothering Yuki.

"Shigure-san?"

"Yes, my dearest Yuki-kun?"

"What did you give her? ...If it wasn't my picture? I know I heard you last night... So what where you doing?"

"Oh, that. I gave Tohru-kun The Book."

"Oh. Okay."

One... two... three...

"YOU WHAT?!!!"

"Please, Yuki-kun, let's not shout..."

"HOW COULD YOU?! THAT BOOK WILL RUIN EVERYTHING!!!"

"I know."

Yuki felt like someone had punched him the gut. He had to acutally support himself on the wall as he interrogated his older cousin.

"Then... then why did you give it to her? Why did you do it?"

"Why does it bother you so much? Yuki-kun, you aren't the only one who came here with a few skeletons in his closet!"

"Idiot... Don't you realize what her task is?"

"...She'll have to leave us... we might loose her forever because you gave her that damn book!"

A/N: hee hee! I feel so evil! I love it! Hahahaha!!! Now, my faithful readers! Review! Review! REEEVVIIEEEWWWWW!!!!! (evil laughter is heard)

Seriously, though. Spread the word, yo.

oh... and please don't kill me for leaving you with two cliffies... (heh... though you've got to admit, you don't see that often! .)