Tohru hurried across the floor to grab a couple rice balls for the incoming guests in excitement. It was time for the cultural festival and the entire school was decked out in various decorations for the event.

The girls idea of a rice ball stand was overwhelmly popular with the students and hopefully the guests as well would be especially pleased by the booth. It was almost time for them to open the gates afterall.

Tohru pointed to the banner next to her and called out to Aria who was carefully putting out the food on small plates. "Aria, could I maybe get a hand with this sign?"

Nodding her head, she picked up the other end and helped the girl with the task, to the delight of her other classmates.

When they were done, Aria clapped her hands in approval. You really outdid yourself Tohru. This looks really good.

But of course, the human girl just remained flustered. "Oh no, I didn't do anything. But thank you so much."

Aria just smiled to herself at Tohru's sweet innocence when a voice echoed behind her. It was rather unfamiliar. "Excuse me, could I talk to you for a minute?"

Turning around she found a group of a dozen boys and girls circling around her, holding something behind their backs. "Umm we all have been talking and we were wondering if you would please wear this today for the cultural festival!"

They pulled the object from behind their backs and she realized it was a light pink, frilly dress, complete with bows and ruffles. Totally not her taste in the slightest.

Pushing the object to her, the boys pleaded. "We all think you would really good in this, and it would boost our sales so please, for the fate of our class, consider it Aria!"

Aria put her hands up nervously and noticed something concerning about the dress. It was a open back which meant that it would be impossible to hide her scars from them. She would have to turn them down.

Trying to give her best heart melting smile, she replied. You all are really sweet, but I don't think I can. I'm sorry.

But the classmates pushed her further, so much so that Yuki started to take notice. He knew exactly why she was trying to turn them down. "Please Aria! Consider it."

Growing more uncomfortable, Yuki sighed to himself and stepped in front of the the crowds, shielding her from the large group of people. "I know I'm not Aria, but if it will make you happy, I could wear the dress for the festival. That is, if you are alright with it?"

The crowds gasped in amazement, pushing Aria out of the way in a second and directing all of their attention on the prince. "Yes please, Prince Yuki! I know you will look just as or even more stunning!"

The Prince looked rather sullen as they pushed the dress into his hands and when they were gone he abruptly turned to Aria and glared. "You owe me for this."

Widening her eyes, she realized that he had agreed to this terrible idea for her. He was putting himself through hours of embarrassment and torture for her. It was really touching to say the least.

She put a hand on his shoulder at his words and leaned close so that only him could hear the response. "Thank you. Your sacrifice is so noble."

The air on his ear caused him to blush slightly, pushing her away in his own embarrassment. "Get off of me and go help the others."

Aria just smiled at that, patting his shoulder twice before turning back, a hand in a air for acceptance.

Kyo watched their altercation with narrowed eyes, not wanting to be petty but still feeling a little swirl of jealousy in his chest. Why did she have to be so close to him? He didn't like it.

But his annoyance was swelled when Aria turned to him and waved carefully, smiling at his presence. He really was uncool, worrying about such things.

The festival started and everything was going rather smoothly. Everyone was eager to visit their booth as Yuki had created quite a scene in that pink dress.

Course, if looks could kill, Aria would have been dead by now. It seemed he glared at her every chance he got.

Trying to ignore this, she passed out another riceball when a voice entered, much louder then the rest. "Wow, this looks great!"

Aria turned to find Momiji running up to the stalls, still wearing his girls uniform. Haru was also in tow behind them, although he seemed much more interested in Yuki's appearance.

Tohru turned to the bunny and crotched down to meet him. "Oh, hello Momiji. Would you like to try a rice ball?"

The boy nodded his head aggressively, throwing his hands up in excitement. "Yes please! I want anything you make Tohru!"

The girl just laughed and picked out her favorite from the batch before handing it to him. "You are so sweet. Here you go!"

Momiji accepted the ball and jumped with joy. "Yay! Thank you! Come with me."

Before she could answer, the boy dragged Tohru away from the stand and behind the curtain so that they were away from the crowds.

Wondering what this was about, she questioned the bunny. "Momiji? Is everything okay?

Nodding his head, he smiled. "Yep! I just really wanted to hug you, you look so cute!"

Blushing slightly, Tohru became flustered. They paused though when Kyo entered the space. "Hey, what are you two doing? We have customers and I'm not doing all the work."

The young boy pouted, crossing his arms. "I just wanted to hug Tohru."

Kyo's eyes widened, stepping forward to stop the action. "What? Have some sense. You can't just hug people when you feel like it."

But he was stubborn. "You're just jealous cause you get to hug her whenever you want, so I will too!"

Then, before they could stop him, Momiji raced forward and hugged Tohru, a loud puff of smoke appearing from the under the curtain.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and commented on the weird smoke, Aria dropping her plate of rice balls on the floor. How stupid could Momiji possibly be?!

One of the students pushed the curtain away and found Tohru with a yellow bunny resting on her knee. Momiji's clothes were laid on the ground and everyone started to question what was happening. "What was that sound, and why are Momiji's clothes on the ground? Is he running around naked, and where did that bunny come from?"

All of the Somha's got incredibly pale and Aria knew she had to do something to distract the students.

That's when she saw a rack of costumes to her right and got a rather bold idea.

Everyone stepped closer to the crime scene, trying to figure out what happened when music stopped from in their tracks.

Turning around, they gasped when they saw Aria in traditional japanese kimono, red in color and fabric. It casted onto the floor in a long line, her hair matching perfectly with the hue.

Bringing her hand up, Aria knew just how distract these people from asking too many dangerous questions. It was something that was Akito's favorite. Her dance.

The music began and everyone seemed entranced by her movements, being very fluent in shape and form. It was obvious she was a professional.

Even Yuki and Kyo were stunned by the scene. Sure Yuki had seen Aria dance before at the main house, but he couldn't deny that he always found it beautiful in some way, even if he hated her back then.

As she moved, Kyo saw flashes of the day they met at the New Years celebration, and how she danced for him back then as well. It seemed everything was rushing back now which made him thankful.

There was something about her dance though that filled the area around them. Her tone seemed sorrowful, almost pleading. It was like her raw emotions were seeping through her performance and letting everyone feel her anguish. It was truly something.

Walking past the classroom, another boy stopped clear in his steps, taking in the sight and tears almost welled up into his eyes. His friends looked him strangely but the boy couldn't help but shutter at the sight before him."A-Aria?"

The dance ended soon after that and everything clapped wildly, completely forgetting what happened with Momiji a second ago. Her plan had worked.

But what she didn't expect was everyone rushing up to her and speaking rather close. "Whoa, that was incredible! Are you like a rich heiress or something? You gotta be, right? That was amazing!"

Stepping back, Aria knew she couldn't speak back to these people which made it rather difficult to tell them off, so they pushed further. "Hey, do you wanna do something later today?"

Suddenly, Kyo cut between the pinning boys and glared. "Can't you see you're making her uncomfortable. Back off, will you?"

He then turned to her and whispered. "Are you okay?"

To which she nodded her head, although the students noticed something else. "Hey, you two are rather close. Are you dating or what?"

They expected him to brush it off like usual but to much of their surprise, he just reached down and grabbed Aria's hand. "Yeah we are, what of it?"

This caused the entire class to be in a frenzy. "Wait, really?! Stop joking."

But that only got him even more upset. How dare they think he was kidding. "I'm not. You got a problem with that?"

Blinking a couple times, they glanced at the girl in question and whispered. "Is that really true?"

The fact they were completely disregarding his statement made him even more frustrated but he control himself when Aria nodded her head, grasping onto his hand tightly. It is.

Everyone gaped and started talking about this development when Momiji popped up from behind her. "Oh wow! You are Kyo's girlfriend?"

The term girlfriend seemed really embarrassing and Aria couldn't help but nod her head and blush.

The boy was ecstatic at this though. "That's so cool! I wish I had someone as pretty as you Aria."

But Kyo just hit him upside the head. "Back off, short stuff. "

Momiji started crying at the hit but lucky Haru was there to calm him quickly. While that was happening, Kyo grabbed Aria's hand and pushed her behind the curtain and away from wondering eyes.

Once they were safe, Aria questioned him. "Kyo, what's wrong?"

Running his fingers through his hair, he still didn't let go of her hand. "When you were dancing, I remembered a little bit of our past. When we first met."

Aria widened her eyes and took a step closer. "Really? It's wearing off faster then I thought…."

He could sense a little displeasure in her voice which he didn't like. "You sound like your disappointed."

But she just shook her head and sighed. "No of course not. I'm happy you can remember it's just, you are going to remember some painful things also and…"

Kyo narrowed his eyes, playfully bonking her head to stop her fears. "Don't worry, I already told you I don't care about any of that stuff. My feelings won't change."

This made her strangely happy inside, remembering something else. "You called me your girlfriend back there.."

Squeezing her hand, his face fell. "Is that a problem?"

Aria looked down in response. "Not really, I'm just not used to it. It's embarrassing."

He could see a blush making its way to her cheeks and Kyo couldn't help but think she looked really cute in this moment, so much that he wanted to get closer.

So he did. Taking a step even closer, he whispered. "Me too, but I didn't want those other idiots crowding you like that."

Smiling under her breath, she played along. "Oh? Is cat boy getting jealous?"

He eyes casted down, lighty placing a hand on her cheek and replied. "You wish."

They reached closer and closer until they were pulled apart by the student entering their bubble. "Hey, what are you two doing? Aria go get some more waters for us, will you?"

Breaking away, she nodded her head and started to turn away from Kyo. He had certainly ruined the mood. I'll be back then

When she was gone, Kyo couldn't help but glare at the innocent boy, him not knowing what was happening. It was rather frustrating.

Aria had gathered the waters for the class yet her mind was still wandering back to her moment with Kyo. It seemed like such a dream come true to have him defend her like that. She really was truly lucky.

Because of her zoning out, she crashed into another individual wearing a different school uniform, dropping all of the contents in her hand onto the floor.

As the stranger was from another school, she found it safe to speak. "Oh, I'm sorry. Are you okay? I wasn't looking where I was going…"

The stranger grabbed one of the bottle's but it seemed like he was someone nervous about something, letting his voice come out in a soft whispered. "It can't be…"

Looking up, Aria froze when she found a very familiar set of eyes staring back at her. "Aria, is it really you?"

Widening her eyes, a wave of emotion washed over her in a single swoop. She wasn't prepared, how was she going to deal with this? "Y-Yuzaru?"

Tears started to form as he grabbed her hand tightly, bringing her into a tight embrace. "It really is you! I finally found you. I've been searching for so long and…"

Suddenly he remembered something and grasped her hand, pulling her back towards the gates of the school. "Oh! We have to go see Mom right now. She will be so happy to know you're back! Come on!"

A sting of fear flew through her, knowing she had to get away quickly. This was going to get ugly really quickly if she didn't stop it. "Wait, hold on. Yuzaru, let go of me!"

But he wouldn't budge. Despite her pleas to stop, he was certainly determined.

Suddenly though, they were halted when another hand rested on them. "What do you think you're doing?"

Aria looked up to find Kyo sandwiched between them, looking less than happy.

Although Yuazru also looked less than pleased. "Who are you?"

Shaking her hand off finally, the cat took a step in challenge but Aria just put her hand up. "Who is he?"

Then she sighed in exasperation and lifted her hand out to the mysterious stranger. "Let me introduce you. This is Yuzaru Hara, my brother."

Kyo blinked a few times, trying to process the words that she was telling him. This was the brother she never met before? Why was he here? "Your brother?"

Nodding her head, she sighed. "Well, step brother, and he was that is."

Yuzaru eyed Kyo with such disdain but ignored it, instead turing to his sister. "Where have you been? I've been searching everywhere for you Aria. How could you run away like that from mom and dad?"

This words caught in her throat, causing her to laugh bitterly. "Ran away, huh? That's the story they are telling everyone. I see."

Of course, this confused him right away. "What are you talking about? I've been looking for years, hoping I'd find you somewhere and now, I actually have. It's like a dream come true!"

From his tone, Aria could tell he didn't know the whole story. He was a couple years younger then her after all, there is no way he would have remembered her power or being sold off. It seemed her lovely parents were feeding lies to their peers, telling them she ran off one day. She supposed that sounded a little less barbaric from what actually happened, and Aria wasn't about to break her brothers heart.

Closing her eyes, she shook her head. "I have no desire to see those people again. So, it would be best if you forgot about this whole thing."

A look of betrayal crossed his face at that. "What? How could you say something like that? You need to come home."

Knowing he wasn't going to leave willingly, Aria realized she would have to use her horrible skill of pushing people away. If she could do it with Yuki, she could do it with her brother.

Laughing empty, she challenged him. "I'm never going back. Why do you think I ran away in the first place? That place is not a home."

Yuzaru moved to speak again when Kyo cut him off. This boy was being incredibly cruel. Aria couldn't go back home even if she wanted to. "Listen, she said she didn't want to go back so just leave her alone. You don't understand anything."

This got him fuming. "Who even are you anyways?"

Kyo narrowed his face, stepping forward in response. "I'm her boyfriend."

That certainly was a shock, but it didn't cause him to falter. "Yeah? Well I'm her brother so, we are going back."

It looked like the cat was going to punch this poor boy but Aria stopped him in time, putting a hand to Kyo's shoulder in a calming motion. "Kyo, could I talk to him alone for a minute?"

He looked rather unsure but Aria just nodded her head, showing that she was serious about this. So, he backed down.

Stepping back, Aria sighed and lead Yuzaru away from the angry cat. "Don't worry, I'll be okay. See you later."

Although, Kyo wasn't sure about that.

Finding a little spot away from the crowds, Aria offered him a drink from the vending machine, which is accepted, placing it in his lap. "So, how have you been?"

Looking down at the object, Yuzaru answered. "Fine, I guess."

She took a sip from her own drink and sighed. "I never thought I'd see you again so, sorry. I don't know how to speak normally in these kinds of situations."

Getting a closer look at him, you would have never been able to tell the two of them were related. Where Aria had long silver hair and piecing red eyes, Yuzaru was blessed with normal black hair and green colored eyes. He looked normal where she just looked like a freak. It wasn't fair.

He ran his fingers through his hair and replied. "I thought I would never see you either. To be honest, I was running out of hope I'd find you. Yet, here you are."

She lifted her arms out in explanation. "Here I am. So, are you disappointed? I'm not your sweet big sister anymore."

Nodding his head, Yuzaru turned to face her. "You're right. You are really different from what I remembered. But you are also the same. It's complicated."

Aria just shook her head. "And you are still the same confusing boy as back then. I missed you Yuza."

Blinking a few times, he stood. "If you do, then come home with me."

Yet Aria looked rather hurt at his statement. "It's not that easy, and like I said, it's better if you never mention this meetup to anyone."

This didn't stop him from pushing through. "But I don't want to. I finally got my sister back!"

Aria shook her head and went to reject him again when something else caught her eye. Standing a few feet in front of her was someone she never wanted to see again, someone that felt like a knife in her side, her mother. "You…"

Yuki was standing in his pink dress unhappily when someone called from the side. "Has anyone seen Aria? She's taking forever with those drinks.

Looking towards the doorway, he suddenly found an excuse to get away from all of the fanboys and girls, if only for a moment. "I'll go see if she's alright."

The classmates swooned at his helpfulness and Yuki hurried on his way to find Aria and change out of this terrible dress.

A couple minutes past and he hadn't seen any sign of her. He was about to give up when something caught out of the corner of his eye. It seemed she was standing there with some boy from another school.

The boy raced forward and grabbed her hand which bought the rat even more on edge. What was happening down there?

He decided he wanted to give her a piece of his mind and hurried outside the location of the two when he saw another body approach them. It looked to be a woman of some sort.

Hiding behind the school building, he watched as Aria eyed this strange woman with intense fear. Who even was she?

Because of this, he couldn't help but listen in.

The air stood still as they both stared into each other's soul, both afraid and shaken. She looked the same as she always did with her black hair and professional aura around her. It was like she never left.

Wiping her head to her brother, Aria whispered. "Yuza, you didn't…"

But Yuzaru just stood and ran over to his mom, excited about the discovery he had made. "I had to call her. Mom, look! It's Aria, she came back!"

But neither his mom or Aria made any move to speak, choosing to just stare in the empty silence.

Then, the woman's eyes darkened as she pulled her son away from Aria like she was poison and hissed. "You...what you are you doing here? Stay away from my son!"

He seemed taken back by this and tried to reason with her. "What are you talking about? This is Aria, my sister."

But his mom just scoffed, remaining her hold on his arm. "You have no sister."

Yuzaru's eyes widened and heard a slow clap in the corner of his vision. He turned to find Aria smirking in a dark fashion. "It seems you haven't changed. You are just a charming as I remember you to be, mother."

Aria took a step forward which only made the woman more nervous, putting her hands up in defence. "Stay back! Don't come near us, you demon child."

This caused Aria to freeze, giving her brother a chance to speak out. "Mom, what are you doing? We found her, now she can come home."

But Aria just laughed, pointing to the woman in question. "Ah yes, why don't you tell Yuzaru the truth. I heard you've been feeding lies to everyone, saying I ran away. It really is such a tragic backstory I will admit."

She didn't answer which only made Aria push harder. "Go on, tell him how you sold me off to some rich family and never came back, how you gave me away like it was nothing."

Yuzaru stood still at these words. His mom and dad always told him that Aria ran away and that they were heartbroken because of it. But then he remembered that they didn't really like talking about her. He assumed it was just more grief but maybe there was something more to it?

Getting his confirmation, his mom nodded her head and replied. "You're right. Who knew that a one night stand would have resulted in something like you? I never asked for that. I wanted you as far away from my family as possible."

She kind of suspected her mother cheated on her father but actually hearing it was volumes worse. Her real dad was just some random man on the street. He was nothing.

Her brother couldn't process all of this new information and took a step back in distrust. "Mom, you didn't...how could you?"

Aria tightened her fists as his mother pulled Yuza closer. "You don't understand Yuzaru, she's a monster. I was trying to protect you, yet it seems she hunted you down anyways…"

Even though that wasn't the case in the slightest, Aria didn't object, she was done with this woman's words. "You're right. I am a monster, so you better watch your tone, mother."

Gasping she replied. "Are you threatening me?"

But Aria just smirked, stepping closer in a challenge. "I don't know, am I?"

Her mother shook with fear as Aria's eyes turned to a sharp crimson, scaring her brother and petrifying the woman. "Y-You stay away."

Which only made her only step even closer. "Or what? Are you going to sell me second time? You don't own me anymore mother. So, I suggest you stop right now, before I show you just how much of a monster I really can be..."

Seething with anger, his mom ran up to Aria with her hand outstretched, ready to slap her when something stopped her. "That's enough."

She looked up to find a boy with silver hair glaring back at her, holding her hand in place. He was wearing some kind of pink dress. "Whaa who are you?"

Ripping her arm away, Aria watched as Yuki stepped in front of her. "I won't let you say those things about Aria."

Widening her eyes, Aria couldn't believe what she was seeing. The woman on the other hand, just chuckled darkly. "Oh I get it. You are one of those Sohma's, aren't you? That would explain why you can tolerate her."

Yuki's aura grew even more dark, moving up to Aria's mother in question. "Yes, I am, and I ask that you apologize for your earlier remarks."

The woman seemed fazed by the boy, but still tried to remain strong. "Why would I? You are just being manipulated by her anyways. You ignorant boy."

Look down for a moment, the rat replied. "I was yes, but then I realized that Aria is one of the most selfless people I have ever meet. So don't you dare harass her when you know nothing in the first place."

Then in one fast motion, he reached down and grabbed her hand before pulling her away from this terrible woman. "Come on, let's go."

Aria just let him take her away from the scene, feeling rather shocked at the entire action that he just displayed. Why was he standing up for her so much? It was odd. "Yuki, wait…"

He led her to a nearby park, still keeping his hold of her hand carefully and remaining silent.

Aria took this opportunity and shook him off. "What was all that back there? You trying to play the brave white knight or what?"

But the rat just remained still, his shoulder slumped down in a depression fashion. When he finally spoke, it was soft and quiet. "I'm so sorry."

She watched him turn around, desperation clear across his face. "That woman, she was just like me. Those things she said, it was like looking in the mirror."

Not really knowing what he was getting at, Aria was becoming rather uncomfortable with the air around them. "What are you talking about Yuki?"

He raced forward then, placing both his hands on her shoulders and letting his hand fall. "The things she said, they were the same exact ones I told you back then, in Hatori's office, and that house, right?"

Her eyes widened as she realized the reason he looked so torn up was because he felt some sort of guilt for what he said all those years ago. It was rather silly.

Throwing his hands off of her, she replied. "Oh please, I don't need your pity party all of a sudden. You felt that way so you said them. Why are you apologizing?"

But the rat just shook his head. "I only felt that way because you made me. I was so blind to what was really happening in that house all along and yet, I said the same cruel words to you."

Yuki was absolutely devastated by the display he saw. Now that he knew the other side of the story, it was too much to bare to watch her be torn apart like he once did to her. All she wanted was to go home but her family was too afraid.

Letting her eyes fall, she pointed to a bench. "Sit down Yuki."

He complied and watched her place her hands in front of her. "Listen, you really don't need to be so worked up about what she said. You hear one thing for your entire life and you become rather desensitized to it."

Squeezing her hands together, she voice quivered slightly. "You know I can't live with myself if you forgive me. So, don't you dare try and apologize."

Yuki looked at this girl who had so many secrets and demons in her own closet. At yet, she seemed completely fine with the fact that she had just met her mother again after so many years.

Narrowing his eyes, he questioned her on that. "How can you be so calm after all that?"

He watched her laugh to her herself in response before shaking her head. "I'm become a master at hiding these kinds of things Yuki. One of the more useful lessons from the main house. But, you would know about that as well,right?."

Yuki then realized that this poor girl was choosing to be emotionless in the fear of showing her true self. Of course he had scene it a couple times with Kyo but she wasn't supposed to know he was watching.

Shaking his head, the rat brought a hand up to her face. "You don't have to do that to me anymore. We are friends after all."

The word made Aria look up as if she was hearing things. Her voice cracked just slightly. "W-What did you just say?"

Leaning a bit closer, he noticed a hair out of place and moved it back into the correct spot. "I said it's okay, cause we are friends. You don't have to put up these walls anymore. After everything I've seen, I think I understand now, and I know I'm not going to hate you"

At his words, Yuki watched as Aria's eyes welled with tears, before slipping into her cheeks slightly. This wasn't a dream. They were friends.

She noticed the tears and gasped before quickly rubbing them away, sniffling. "Stupid allergies again."

But Yuki just smiled, rubbing her back lightly as they kept flowing. He was happy she was trusting him a little more with them. It somehow seemed like they were a bit closer now. "You get allergies a lot, don't you?"

Sniffing again, she gave him a sly smile before pushing his shoulder playfully in response. "Shut up."

Anddd we have Yuki and Aria friendship! Huzzah! Maybe even a rival for cat boy in the future? Hmm who knows? I love how Yuki saw himself in Aria's mom and realized how much of a jerk he was to her back then, instead now choosing to defend her. I made it so there were parallels with the first chapter so that her mom could say they same things he did.

Hope you enjoyed! Plz make sure to comment and like for faster updates!