How did they get here? Why are they here? I told him to leave me alone! And Shigure brought Hatori and Ayame with him! Tohru panicked, running back through the house. She had been going to get the mail for the Jing's, and instead of paper packages she had found three adults instead! This can't end well...She mused.

"Rue, what's the rush?" Lianu asked, looking up from a magazine as Tohru ran through the kitchen.

"He's here." she rambled. "And they're here. Both of them. All of them! Well, maybe not everybody, I didn't see the guys."

"Guys?" Lianu perked up.

"So maybe it's just Hatori and Ayame? Yuki and Kyo would've knocked the door down by now if they were here..."

"What are you-"

"And it wasn't the limo, which means it has to only be Ayame, Hatori, and Shigure. Oh why is he here? I asked him not to tell anyone! And he told them!" Tohru plowed on, flustered and upset. "How am I going to get out of this?" she panicked, beginning to hyperventilate.

"Chill, Rue!" Lianu shouted, and Tohru quieted. Only her eyes were wide in fright and confusion, her jaw shut tightly. "Just go out the back door."

"...Back door?" she trembled.

"Take my bike or something." Lianu shrugged. "You need to get out or you'll explode." she chuckled.

"Thanks, Lou." Tohru replied gratefully, moving to go.

"And be careful. With all these guys on your tail you'll need it." she laughed. "Oh, and Mom's at the school if you want something to do. Everyone loves you there."

"Um, yes, yes, of course." Tohru nodded eagerly. "The children are so wonderful, and so kind. Yes, I do believe I'll go to the elementary school." Tohru decided, nodding authoritatively. And with that decided, she marched out the back door. Lianu listened to the back door gently being closed, and then shook her head. She still had absolutely no clue what Tohru had been going on about. Rue, you have more secrets than a soap opera. Lianu laughed, and then turned back to her magazine.

"'Are you a klutzy person?'" she read aloud. "Hm...I'm going to find out." she started taking the quiz when the doorbell rang, and that someone started pounding on the door. "HOLD ON!" Lianu shouted, annoyed, getting up to the get the door as the pounding began less forcefully. "I'm coming, I'm coming." she grumbled, unlocking the door and pulling it open. "Jeez, why can't you-Whoa." she breathed. Two guys were trying to drag a third guy down the sidewalk, one of them pulling the dragee in question into a choke hold while the other was going on about manners and appearance and why you can't go babbling about why neon colors and green go great together and banging on doors to applaud the inhabitants of their genius. "Um..." Lianu began, and the group turned guiltily toward her. She leaned against the door frame and smirked. "Let me guess, Shigure, Hatori, and Ayame, right?"

~(0)~

Tohru pedaled down the road, her body relaxed while her mind was in turmoil. She had been able to bypass the anxious Sohmas by leaving the neighborhood by the back road, and simply rode her friend's bike down toward Mrs. Jing's elementary school. Her friend's mom was a teacher at Rolani Primary School, and always welcomed Tohru's assistance with the rambunctious students. And right now, Tohru could really use the getaway.

She couldn't believe they found her, after all she had gone through to avoid them, to uphold her end of the bargain, to be the woman her mother would've wanted her to be...She never thought she could be so lonely. She honestly wanted to go back to the Sohmas, to live with Shigure, Yuki, and Kyo again. To see Kisa and Momiji, even Hiro...She shook her head, trying to dispel all the sad thoughts. The bright sign for Rolani came into view, and Tohru veered the bike in. The brunette locked the bike up, and with a forced smile walked in.

"Tohru, you're back!" the receptionist smiled.

"Mrs. Hatomi, hi." Tohru smiled. "How are you? How's Izzy?" Tohru asked worriedly. Izzy was Mrs. Hatomi's cat, who had gotten ill earlier in the week. Mrs. Hatomi had been worried the whole week long, and when someone Tohru knew was upset, she always wanted to find a way to help. She had gotten Izzy a new toy as a get well gift, and the blue eyed girl wondered if Izzy was enjoying it.

"Izzy's better, thank goodness." Mrs. Hatomi nodded gratefully. "She really likes the toy you got her." "Tell Iz I said you're welcome." Tohru smiled. "Is Mrs. Jing in her classroom?" Tohru inquired.

"No, she just took the kids out to the playground." Mrs. Hatomi responded. "It's the extended care group, so you might have your hands full with the older kids."

"I'm sure it'll be fine." Tohru grinned. "I love seeing them happy, so it's fine if I experience a little discomfort to make them smile."

"You're such an angel, Tohru. And such a blessing, my dear. Tell Mrs. Jing I said hello." Mrs. Hatomi said thankfully.

"Yes, Ma'am." Tohru nodded, and went down an adjacent hall. She hummed a little tune, her head bobbing left in right in sync with the ditty. The playground finally loomed before her as she pushed the wide, double doors open.

"Tohru! Tohru!" children exclaimed excitedly, running up to the brunette. She immediately dropped down to their level, giving the kids hugs as they jumped into her embrace.

"Tohru, push me on the swings?"

"No! You gotta come to the monkey bars!"

"Play secret agents with me?"

"No! She should play-"

"Guys! Guys!" Tohru laughed. "Calm down, we'll get to everything, okay? But, how bout we play kickball first? We can have two teams, and the field's already set up." she offered instead, wanting to keep everyone together. They were all so sweet and adorable, but they could definitely wear her out!

"Tohru, how are you?" Mrs. Jing waved, coming over to the group. The Jing matriarch had deep black hair and even darker brown eyes. Most of the time, Tohru couldn't even tell the difference between the woman's pupil and iris. Mrs. Jing was wearing jeans and a bright pink shirt, and with a grin on her weathered face she waved hi to the kids running past.

"Mrs. Jing! I'm good, we're about to play kickball. Do you want to play, too?" she asked, smiling.

"I have to keep an eye on the kids in the actual playground. If you could patrol the field?" Mrs. Jing replied, and Tohru nodded.

"Of course, anything you need me to do."

"Oh thank you, Tohru. Remember to have fun!" Mrs. Jing called as Tohru ran off with the kids. That girl is a God send. Mrs. Jing decided. So sweet and caring...I must find a way to say thank you for everything she's done. Maybe if I contact her old acquaintances? The family she lived with? Oh, but I don't want to upset her...Hurting her feelings is the last thing I'd want to do. Oh well, I think I'll just get her a gift card.