Shigure stared at Akito from across the room. The head of the family had her head tilted upwards towards the sky as she sat by the door.
"So she has no idea?" She asked. Her voice sounded so cold. Shigure nodded his head, and for the first time during his visit, Akito looked at him. "Good," she said. "make sure she never does." Again, Shigure nodded and was dismissed so that he may return home and enjoy the left over curry and stew dish Tohru had made.
Nana was sitting in her kitchen eating breakfast quietly. Jason had made his way downstairs and was pilfering through the fridge. Every now and again he would make disgusted noises at the contents.
"Do I need to go shopping after school?" Nana asked suddenly, making her father jump.
"Geez, Nana!" he practically yelped. "You're so quiet, I hadn't noticed you there." He gave the girl a sheepish smile. A slight blush of embarrassment played across his face. "Yeah, shopping would be a good idea. Your mom always had some bad taste in food."
"Is there anything you want in particular?"
"Uh…I don't know, but I'll txt you a list. You do have a cell phone, right?" Nana nodded, and proceeded to exchange numbers with her dad. It was really strange. He was acting like a guy at school rather than a father. It was like he was the guy that was modest but popular and really easy to get along with. His light blonde hair contrasted her mother's black hair. Perhaps that's why Nana's hair turned out brown. She noticed that his eyes were a lot like her own. She looked a lot like her mother, but there were these little things about her like her eyes that were like her father.
"Well, I have to get to school." She said and started to turn away but stopped at hearing her father call her back.
"Look," he started. "I don't really know what to do. I've never had a teenage daughter, and I'm really regretting walking out on your mom like I did." His eyes were downcast at this point. "But still, I want to try and be a good dad. I don't know if I'll be any good at it, but with your help, maybe I can be a dad you'll be proud of." He really had the right idea, and with his comforting hand on her shoulder, Nana couldn't help but smile and nod at him.
"Okay." She said and turned away again. "I'll see you later…Dad."
Tohru walked on with Yuki and Kyo with her. A smile was on her face, but her mind was working through several things. Most of what she was thinking about revolved around Kyo. She wondered if he was still upset. It hurt her to see that her best friend was in so much pain, and all because of her. Was it because she wanted to be his best friend that he was so angry? He did open himself completely when she saw his true form. Perhaps there was more to that night than she remembered.
"Ah, Miss Higurashi." Yuki's voice tore Tohru from her thoughts and she looked up to see Nana. Something about her seemed off.
"Hi." She said quietly, and took a place next to Kyo. Tohru watched her and noticed a blush on her face.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Kyo asked, looking down at the girl and causing her to blush a bit more. It reminded Tohru of how Kyo used to act around her. From time to time, he still did.
"Nothing really." Nana replied. She sounded distant.
"Please, Miss Higurashi," Yuki said again. "if there is something wrong, perhaps we can help."
"It's not really like anything is wrong," Nana said. Her voice was a little stronger. "just weird." The trio looked at her, silently pushing her for more information. "My dad came back from the states, and my mom isn't too happy. He had left her when she was pregnant with me, and we haven't heard from him until now. Mom is at a hotel while dad stays at the house. It's so strange, it seems like he's really trying to be my dad."
Kyo scoffed. "How is that strange?" Yuki glared at his cousin. Nana shook her head, not really wanting to talk about it anymore, and soon the four made it to school.
The school bell chimed and Nana made her way towards the door, but was stopped by Tohru Honda.
"Nana," She said. "would you like to hang out for a little while after I get back from grocery shopping?" Nana smiled a little.
"Actually, Tohru, I have to go shopping too. Why don't we go together?" Nana suggested, and Tohru smiled and nodded. She let Yuki know that she'd be gone. Kyo wasn't around.
The two girls walked up and down the aisles of the super market, grabbing random items and chatting about things such as school and the two Sohma boys.
"Nana," Tohru said quietly, catching her friend's attention. "do you like Kyo?" Nana seemed to lose her composure, but only for a split second.
"What makes you think that?" She asked, and Tohru smiled knowingly at her.
"I don't know. I just thought you might." Nana gave her friend a shaky laugh and continued with her shopping.
Nana felt so strange. As soon as Tohru asked that question, Nana seemed to freeze. She didn't realize what she was putting in her shopping basket, nor did she care. She just didn't want Tohru to know. The girl was more perceptive than Nana had ever thought.
"Well, let's go pay for our things." Tohru said happily and she led Nana towards the cashier. They had no idea that Kyo was just a little ways away.
Kyo had heard what was being said, and was surprisingly anticipating Nana's answer. He was actually shocked at what she had said, and a little hurt. Was he not likeable? Many girls found him to be attractive, surely Nana thought so too. She was constantly blushing around him. Maybe it was just Kyo's imagination, but he wanted to know for sure. It was strange. He really didn't know Nana that well, and he really didn't like her in that way, but still, she was interesting.
The orange haired youth followed the two girls up until they parted ways. To follow Tohru was to go home and possibly face more hurt. To follow Nana, was to learn more about her and see why it was he was thinking about her answer to Tohru so much. Making up his mind, Kyo walked after the Higurashi. It was getting dark, and streetlights were turning on. Kyo had forgotten how far Nana's house was. Did she seriously walk this everyday to get to school? Finally, they reached her house, and Kyo skulked in the shadows by her windows. Luckily most of them were open.
"I'm home." She called. The television was on in one room.
"I'm coming." Came the voice of what Kyo guessed was her father. He was strange looking in Kyo's opinion. His hair was naturally blonde, and his eyes seemed to be much wider. He didn't even look that old like most kids' parents. He looked considerably young. How old were her parents when they conceived her? "Ah, so I see you got some extra treats."
"Yeah." Nana said hesitantly. "Mom always said I had your tastes, so I thought you'd like this as well." The man chuckled.
"So Emiko did talk of me then?" Nana nodded, and the man chuckled again. "Well, I've never tried this, but I'm ready and willing." Nana gave a small smile and turned to get things ready to cook. "Do you need help?"
"Uh…yeah." Nana said. There was a hint of surprise in her voice. "Can you get some oil and start beating some eggs?"
"Sure, hun." Nana's father said, and the two began making dinner. Kyo noticed that Nana was smiling, and the young cat decided it was time to make his leave.