The Sohmas have arrived! Well that was much longer and more difficult than I expected. I know build up is a pain both to write and to read, but it had to be done for what I want to do next. All I can do is, as usual, kindly request reviews. :)

Namie stood outside the gates with Jien, trying to keep the look of shock from being too obvious on her face.

Next to her, Jien opened his mouth.

"Holy—"

"Language," Namie said faintly, and he closed it.

She had guessed that Momiji's family was well off from the clothes he wore outside of school, but she hadn't realized that they were that rich. For God's sake, what he called "the main house" looked like an entire estate! A huge gate kept the out the rest of the world, while the name Sohma written neatly on a plaque proclaimed that it was indeed Momiji's home.

"Meet me outside the gate," he had said. "You can't miss it."

The two of them had been talking late into the night as usual, when Namie had wondered aloud if Jien would be less troublesome at school if he had an outlet.

"Like a dojo or something where he could learn to spar and work out his frustrations and energy. I wish I could find him one but I don't have the time to go look ones up."

That was when Momiji had burst in with the excitement of a person with a brilliant idea. "I know a good dojo!"

Namie had been slightly confused when he went on to explain his family had their own dojo, but now, looking at the sheer size of the property, it began to make sense.

The gate clicked open and Momiji stepped out. He grinned broadly at them as he bounded over, seemingly oblivious to their shock.

"Hi! Should we get going?"

Namie shook herself and smiled back. "Isn't the dojo in there?"

"Oh no," Momiji practically beamed at Jien's half nod of greeting. "It's down around the corner, a little separate from the main family compound."

As they started walking, Jien dawdled behind, lost in his own thoughts and pretending that he wasn't actually excited to go. Namie and Momiji fell into step together.

"How come it's separate?"

"I dunno. Probably so people can pretend to get away from the family. We sometimes say it's where to go if you're unwanted."

Namie stared at him, but Momiji didn't act as though he'd said anything unusual.

"That's horrible."

He started, finally realizing what he'd said. "No, that's not what I meant. It's just— well, everyone in my family's felt unwanted at some point, so it's nice for us to have a place to go that's close but feels separate."

"Have you ever felt that way?"

"Yeah sure. I usually just hole myself up in Hatori's house though."

He was so calm and casual about it, but Namie could see Momiji's hands clenching. They were straying into the territory of things he didn't usually talk about.

Even so, she couldn't help but ask another question. "Why? What happens?"

Momiji shrugged. "I don't know. Fights, arguments. Someone's always mad at someone. Here we are!"

Momiji was right; the dojo was perfect for Jien. The master, Kazuma Sohma, was kind and welcoming, and as Jien had already jumped into the other students' exercise, there was nothing left for Namie to do than turn around and leave with Momiji.

A few steps outside the door, Momiji turned and made to go down a side path leading between some trees.

"You're not going back this way?" Namie pointed the way they had come.

"No, there's a path that leads back to the main house."

"Oh," Namie inexplicably felt a pang of disappointment. "See you at school then." She turned away but Momiji must not have moved because a few steps later she heard him call softly, "Do you want to see the house?"

Namie paused and looked back.

"Only if you want," he added immediately.

An overwhelming curiosity began to clamor for Namie's attention, as well as the desire to talk a little longer. "Um, ok. Sure."

OOO

Though the rules about outsiders inside the compound were gone now, Momiji still felt like all his senses were elevated as he lead Namie through the grounds, just waiting for someone to stop them.

Namie must have picked up on it because she asked, "Am I allowed to be here?"

"Yeah," Momiji reassured her. "It's just that some of the servants are kind of sticklers for tradition."

Namie's eyes widened. "You have servants?"

"Yeah, they're either fridges of the family, or they're own family's been with us for ages. The Sohmas are big on tradition. We only recently started changing."

"Why?" Namie had a knack for asking the few questions Momiji didn't want to answer. Maybe it was because he always ended up starting to tell her more stuff than he ever told most people.

"Uh, it was just time I guess. Here's Hatori's house and his practice. I live here."

Momiji lead the way up to the door, knocking on it as he entered. "Hatori?"

There was no reply.

"He must be out. Come on!" Momiji beckoned Namie inside. "Well, welcome!" he grinned, spreading his arms wide.

She followed him carefully, but looked around the house with undisguised curiosity. Momiji watched her taking in the simple bookshelves and the plain, wooden floor. He wondered if she was looking for pictures on the walls, or personal touches but he knew only too well how few things Hatori kept. There was one picture buried on a shelve of a smiling woman, but that was on the list of things the Momiji definitely did not want to explain.

"My rooms are down here," Momiji said, leading the way down the hall to a small room with a couch, a huge window and a few doors leading to his bedroom. It was almost equally as sparse, with only a few bunny pillows and a small watercolor. In fact, most of the houses in the family compound were like that. The Sohmas weren't exactly "homey" people. Momiji was suddenly uncomfortable aware that Namie was only the second person outside the family to see his room, and the first he had ever actually invited over.

But Namie didn't say anything about the sparseness. Instead she smiled.

"Nice pillows."

Momiji let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and grinned. "Rabbits are my thing."

Namie's gaze fell on the cluster of things standing in the corner. "You play violin?" she said eagerly.

Momiji glanced at the black case and music stand, then grinned. "Oh yeah! I don't get lessons anymore but I still practice and learn by myself."

Namie smiled easily back, her green eyes twinkling. "Will you play something for me?"

Strolling over to the case, Momiji rested one hand on top. "What would I play?" he teased.

"Anything," Namie leaned against the arm of the couch. "Like a small concert."

A small concert. Momiji paused. The phrase struck a memory, something he had once said.

Namie had noticed his silence and sudden reluctance. She returned her focus to examining the room. And in doing so, spotted the one picture, half covered by a stack of textbooks.

As she pulled it out and examined it, Momiji felt his heart squirm and worked to keep his face neutral. Like Hatori's one photo, it was also of a woman. This one had blond hair and a strikingly beautiful face that regarded whoever was holding the camera with a cool expression.

Namie looked up at Momiji. She didn't say anything, but he could feel the question in her gaze.

After a small cough to clear his throat, Momiji answered her softly. "That's my mom."

Namie gave a small gasp and peered deeper at the picture. "She beautiful. She looks just like you too."

Momiji smiled faintly. When he didn't say more, Namie glanced up at him again. Same questioning look. She wanted to know if it was all right to press further.

This time, Momiji was torn. It shouldn't have been a big deal, he told a person about his mother before. But that had been different, a different person, a different time. Now he wasn't sure he wanted to explain it. It probably wouldn't even make sense anymore. And for some reason Namie's opinion of him was important. Momiji didn't want to change their relationship with his crazy family.

But he felt bad shutting Namie down completely, especially after everything she'd shared with him, and Momiji's hand was still on the violin so he went with something harmless.

"When I was little, I used to imagine being a famous violinist. And I would have a small private concert, just for her and my dad and… other people who were special to me."

Namie smiled softly, understanding. "That sounds nice."

Inspired, Momiji went on, regaining some of his usual energy. "Yeah, and it'd be a really neat, and formal with suits and long dresses and everything." A passing idea sparked in his mind. "Hey, speaking of formal, are you going to the dance?"

Namie blinked. "What dance?"

"The one they've been advertising at everywhere at school! It's in a few weeks! Are you going?"

"Um." Namie was obviously thrown by the change in topic but Momiji felt much more comfortable chatting about trivial things like dances. "I hadn't thought about it."

"We should go together!"

"Together?" Namie gave him a curious look.

"Yeah!"

"Alright." A smile, different from the one she normally wore was pulling at the corners of Namie's mouth, but Momiji didn't stop to fathom its meaning, because at that moment he heard the door open.

"Hatori's here! Come on you've got to meet him!" And, grabbing Namie's hand, he dragged her out of the room.

OOO

Feeling a bit dazed, but inexplicably happy, Namie let Momiji pull her down the hall. The happiness burst suddenly though, when Momiji froze abruptly and she crashed into him from behind.

"Ouch," she muttered, leaning around Momiji's back to see what had stopped him. He hadn't even noticed the collision, so intent was he on the two people who had just entered.

One was a tall man with dark hair that covered one eye. Namie could only assume he was Hatori. The other was a woman. She had short black hair and a slight frame that she carried nobly, and was regarding Momiji with equal notice.

Momiji stood stock stiff with something akin to fear. When one of his hands reached back suddenly to grasp her arm, Namie realized with a jolt that he was frightened for her. Who was this woman? She didn't look frightening. And besides a curious once over, she didn't even seem to be interested in Namie. Instead, she nodded politely to Momiji.

"Good afternoon Momiji."

"Akito." He replied warily.

"I was just telling Hatori," Akito continued lightly. "That we are to have a banquet this weekend."

"A banquet?" Now Momiji sounded baffled.

A ghost of a smile danced across the Akito's face. "Kyo and Tohru are coming to visit."

Momiji gasped and let go of Namie's arm.

Akito's eye flicked to Namie. "Everyone is welcome to bring a friend if you wish."

A little late, Momiji began hurried introductions. "Akito, this is Namie Kimura. Namie, this is Akito Sohma, the head of the family."

Awed, Namie returned Akito's bow. Well, that explained some of Momiji's fear.

"Pleased to meet you," Akito said courteously. "You are welcome to join our party."

"Th-thank you," stammered Namie. "I would be honored."

Akito smiled in reply, nodded to Momiji and the man who'd watched the whole exchange without comment, and walked away down the path.

Momiji looked at the man. "Was she serious?"

He nodded thoughtfully. "I believe so. A testament to how much things have changed." Then he turned to Namie, and despite his serious face there was a twinkle in his eye.

"Now I assume this is the friend I spoke to on the phone?" he said, prompting Momiji to jump in with an excited introduction.

Disclaimer: Fruit's Basket and its characters belong to Natsuki Takaya