Week 3

Tohru stepped into the office feeling a little sad after her date with Yuki. It was going to kill her lying to them like she was.

"I'm sorry Miss Sakura, you must not have gotten the message. A family member of mine is very sick and I'm going to be too busy to really help much and you did all the paper work, so please take the day off." She couldn't help, but notice how completely exhausted he looked.

"I'm sorry to hear one of your family members is sick. Are you sure there isn't anything I can do?" Hatori shook his head.

"I'm afraid there is not much anyone can do at this point." It was then she realized that he was talking about Akito. Then that feeling returned. She didn't want any of the Sohmas to get hurt because of her and she didn't want to leave them. Oh, mom. What am I supposed to do?

"Oh, ok." She took a step back and bowed. "Then I guess I'll find something else to do. Call me if you need me."

"Indeed." She smiled and then left.

It was a beautiful day and there was a lot of people walking around the estate. She decided that maybe it'd be best to leave for the day to maybe clear her mind. "Oh, no. Mother has been doing very well." She stopped at the gate as a familiar person came into view.

"Ah. Tohru. I didn't think you'd be here. Don't you have work or something?" She shook her head.

"No, I got the day off." She stepped forward and tripped on the same rock she always seemed to stumble on. "Oh… I hit it again. I'm such an idiot. You'd think that after two weeks that…"

"I'm so SORRY! I should have warned you were about to trip. Then you wouldn't have fell. I apologize to the world. I'm Sorry!!!" He was running around in circles.

"Is he always like this?"

"I'm afraid so, but oddly enough he's been getting better. There's a trick watch." He poked him in the side and he fell over. "See works every time." He laughed to himself. "Forgive my manners. This is my cousin Ritsu."

"Hello."

"You'll have to forgive my little outburst. I'm trying to stop. But everytime I do it just happens again. It's very nice to meet you. I'm Ritsu sohma." He bowed.

"Tohru Sakura." She bowed out of habit as well.

"Ri and I were just going to see Aya to go to his store. Are you free."

"Yes, Hatori said I wasn't needed today."

"How nice of him. That means we can have you all to ourselves." She blushed at that comment. "Come along now Tohru. Aya is waiting and it wouldn't do for us to make him wait any longer."

"Yes, Ayame is always quite strict when it comes to time." Ritsu said.

"That's right. After all I am a professional. It wouldn't due for me to be late to my own store. It's too bad Mine left or you could have met her."

"She was a very nice assistant." Ritsu said.

"Yes but now you are my assistant and Shigure is my critic."

"Aya, I'm hurt. I thought at the very least you'd call me your friend."

"A critic is so much more then a friend. He tells whats wrong, what's right, but most of all he is always there to see my later work of art. How could you doubt me?"
"Aya, I'm sorry I should never have doubted you."

"Um I thought we were leaving." Ritsu spoke softly.

"Ah yes that's right and the princess is coming as well."

"I guess." She guessed she didn't have much of a choice, but she didn't mind. This should be fun.

"Alright then. Off to the store. Shigure you drive."

"But of course!" They linked arms and led the way. Ritsu and Tohru followed.

(A.N. Well how was it? I'm sorry it's been awhile, but my computer died and so I have just a little time in school, but I'll try my best. I hope you like it)