Hey guys, sorry it's been so long. Enjoy!

The sun shone down in large, yellow rays that warmed the earth. The dirt was even hot as well as everything else seemed to be. My eyes flickered over the green grass, and I watched as Kisa and Hiro played tag in the front yard. I was at Hatori's house, cleaning and organizing things as the newer rooms were finished and more Zodiac animals were making their way here. Kureno was staying here now, too. He had made his decision and followed through, as well as Kagura who was currently on her way here. It was a little sad to see a controlling person such as Akito with o much power abuse it to the point that it drives the surrounding people away. Haru and the others were at school, something Shigure recommended for me but I denied. Education wasn't something very important to me. My thoughts right now were on fighting and helping the Sohma's who deserved a happy life out of the peril they faced. I wasn't one of those Sohma's. I'm a mistake, and therefore I made it my duty to protect them, so protect them I will.

"Sage, can you come and move this please?" Hatori called, and I quickly reached his side, moving a bookcase to the opposite end of the room. I knew that I was different from the others in the family, and once this whole thing blew over I planned on moving away. Going somewhere far away where I couldn't bring harm or danger to anyone here anymore. My thoughts flew to Tohru and I looked out the window at the sun-stained sky. People like her didn't deserve to be hurt, and I knew that. Only time would tell how long she would have to be put through misery until peace finally fell over us again.


"C'mon guys, let's just get home already. I'm tired and hungry." Kyo complained.

"No one asked you, you stupid cat." Yuki responded, unnaturally cold.

"Damn, who put a knot in your tail?" Kyo chuckled at the joke; however, Yuki glared at him.

"Why don't you just shut up and let me walk home in peace." He snapped, and Kyo fell silent.

"Yuki, are you alright?" the small voice came from Tohru, and Yuki opened his mouth for a tart reply when his gaze met the angry one of Kyo. Yuki knew that Kyo would do more than injure him if he spoke to Tohru the same way he had that stupid cat. Sighing, he closed his eyes.

"I'm alright, Miss Honda." Yuki said softly. "I've just had a long and busy day." He turned to Kyo. "My apologies for my behavior, it was uncalled for."

"I'll say." Kyo muttered, but was quiet again as Tohru looked sadly at him.

"Will you be alright?" she asked.

"Oh, he'll be just fine as soon as we get home to Sage-." Kyo began, only to be cut off by Yuki punching him right between the eyes.

"Oh! Kyo!" Tohru exclaimed, kneeling beside the orange-headed male.

"My apologies, Miss Honda," Yuki smiled. "I'll just be headed home." Yuki walked on ahead as Tohru and Kyo stayed behind, sitting momentarily until Kyo stopped hurting. Yuki walked through the doors of Shigure's house, stretching and instantly making his way up the stairwell. Shigure said something he didn't catch and personally he didn't care. Kyo, for once, had been right. He had wanted to see Sage, and now he could. He opened the door to his room, expecting to see Sage sitting on the bed and reading, yet it was surprisingly empty. Frowning, Yuki put his stuff down and left the room swiftly. He peered through the back doors, thinking that she was out and practicing her fighting skills. The backyard was silent. His stomach sank as he sat down for dinner; Shigure ordered take-out.

"Where's Sage?" Yuki asked, and Shigure smiled as well as Tohru and Kyo.

"She's over at Hatori's helping clean up for the new arrivals." Shigure replied, laying his chin on his open palm. "Why, do you need her?" Yuki blushed slightly.

"Well, I was hoping to talk to her, yes." Yuki said, and then he stood. "I think I'll skip dinner tonight and just head over there." He walked out and Shigure waited until the door shut before lunging for the phone.

"Hari, yah, he's on his way. Go ahead and send her." Shigure said, and then hung up before returning to dinner.

"What was that all about?" Kyo asked, and Shigure chuckled.

"Well, we've noticed how close the two were getting, Yuki and Sage, so Hari and I devised a plan to try and separate them for a whole twenty-four hours." He explained, and Kyo laughed.

"Do you think it's possible?" he inquired.

"I voted no, Hari voted yes." Shigure shrugged. "Only time will tell though."


Yuki walked down the dusty dirt road and straight into Hatori's place without knocking. It was rude, but he didn't care. He wanted to see Sage, badly, and he doubted anyone or thing would get in his way. He walked into the kitchen where a long dining table sat with most of the seats filled. One seat, however, sitting next to the head of the table with a plate of food was empty.

"Where's Sage?" Yuki asked, and Hatori looked up as well as everyone else.

"Well if it isn't my little brother-!" Ayame began, but Yuki stuck a hand up.

"Not now." He said stiffly, and turned back to Hatori.

"I'm sorry, Yuki. I just sent her to the store to buy a few things. It's too late for you to stay, and you have school tomorrow. Could you please return after your schooling?" Hatori asked, and Yuki nodded, stalking angrily out of the house. Was everything bent on keeping him from her?


My eyes glanced nervously at the time, watching the seconds tick by until I couldn't take it anymore. I sprang up, and Hatori's head swung towards me.

"I'm going to the school to see Yuki and the others." I announced, swiftly moving towards the doorway. Hatori, however, cut me off.

"Could you please go and get my dry-cleaning first?" he begged. "I just had a new suit tailored and it's being washed." I narrowed my eyes. "If you hurry, you can make it to your friends." I rolled my eyes, stomping out the doorway and walking as quickly as I could into town. Hatori had also told me last night that Yuki had stopped by while I was gone. And now, I go to see him and I have a good chance of missing him. If this was a coincidence, then it would surprise even me. It seemed a little too coincidental for my liking, and I was going to keep watch for it.


"Shigure, she's going to the dry-cleaners. Go now." Hatori said, and Kisa glanced at him.

"What are you up to?" she asked curiously."

"Nothing." Hatori said, ruffling her hair and walking away.


Shigure ran to the dry-cleaners, opening the back door and rushing in, breathing heavily. He ran to the man behind the counter, and stood beside him.

"There's a fire in the backyard." He gasped, and the manager ran in fright outside, hoping to stop it. Shigure locked the back door, smiling, and sighed. Hearing the bell of the front door, he rushed to the counter and saw Sage.

"Shigure, you work here?" she demanded.

"Oh, yah!" Shigure said. "Just got hired, but I still run the author business you know." He said. "How can I help you?"

"Hari said he had a new suit here." She replied.

"Now, is that the black one or the gray one?" Shigure asked. Sage frowned.

"He just said new suit."

"You know, he could mean the white one, too. Although, white really isn't his color."

"Shigure-."

"He also said he was getting a fedora with one of them too; also not his style."

"Shigure, look-."

"He said that he looks good in black, but personally, gray is his color."

"Shigure!" Sage shouted, and Shigure smiled.

"Yes?"

"He said his new suit. I'm kind of in a hurry so help me out here."

"You're in a hurry, where are you off to?"

"Yuki and the others." Sage explained.

"Oh, they're getting out right now, actually." Shigure looked at the time. Sage slapped a palm to her forehead.

"Please help me, and hurry." Sage whined.

"Ah ah ah!" Shigure said. "You have to tell me which suit first. He has at least three here."

"Wha-?" Sage demanded.

"No, I'm just kidding." Shigure laughed. "There's only one. Do you want it now?" Sage growled.

"YES!"

"Ok, here." Shigure pulled the suit out from under the counter and handed it to her. Sage took it and raced away, moving as fast as her legs would carry her. Shigure looked at the time and saw that only a few hours remained until he lost the bet. A hand on his shoulder made him turn, and he saw the store manager with an angry expression. Shigure smiled, and laughed in an embarrassed fashion. Quickly he ran from the store with the manager shouting harsh words at him.


Yuki sprinted forward, bursting into Hatori's house with Haru and the others not far behind him. His eyes darted wildly from side-to-side.

"Yuki, what's this about?" Haru demanded, and Rin gasped for air.

"Where is she?" Yuki demanded to Hatori, who stopped and blinked innocently.

"She went to get my dry-cleaning. She's so kind and helpful." Hari explained. "Do you need her?"

"What is going on?" Yuki demanded. "Every time I try to see her she's just not here!" Kyo chuckled.

"You damn rat." He said between laughs. "He and Shigure have been trying to see is they could separate you guys for a day." Just as he said that, the front door slid open loudly, and a panting Sage stood in the doorway holding a tailored suit. Her eyes met Yuki's and instantly brightened. She tossed the suit to Hari and threw herself at Yuki, and the pair hugged for a long period of time.

"You lose." Shigure said, coming through the door and shutting it.

"Indeed I do." Hatori agreed, paying the other male.

"I'm going to kill you," Yuki said coldly, glaring at both men, and then looking down at Sage. "Later," And then continued hugging her. The room was filled with laughter as the pair hugged for the longest time.


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