Morning's with the Sohma's are never uneventful. Between Yuki and Kyo, and Shigure, there is always something going on. And when you start to add in other people to the mix, it gets even more. . . explosive is the word I'm looking for. For some extra fun, we had Hatori and Ritsu to account for this morning.

I could do with a little less eventful this morning. I was unusually tired, sniffing through a slightly stuffed up nose. Great, the last thing I needed right now was a damn cold. I better not let Tohru know how I was feeling, she'd only worry herself into a fever.

Tohru was already halfway done with breakfast by the time I'd plodded downstairs, and Hatori was sampling it. I yawned a good morning to them, leaning comfortably against the counter. Tohru had already set a cup of tea aside for me. I sipped it, saving the warmth of the beverage and friendship.

"How's the taste? Is it too spicy?" Tohru asked, smiling back at me.

"No, it's just right." Hatori told her, looking pleased with the taste.

Tohru's food is always perfect. I snagged a saucer and tasted it myself, humming in contentment, and wishing I could smell it better through my stuffed nose.

"Perfectly seasoned Ru," I told her, hopping onto the counter. "As always."

"That's great!" She chirped, beaming. "I didn't think to ask about Hatori's preferences when we were at the villa!"

Hatori blinked at her, "You don't have to pay attention to these things. . ."

"Whoo~hoo~hoo"

I rolled my eyes as Shigure made his entrance, breezing into the kitchen and hanging off of Hatori's back.

"You must be very envious of me, so very tempted to claim her as your own, right?" Shigure giggled, "My lovely wife!"

I spluttered, forcing my tea down, and coughed. "What the hell?!"

"Huh?!" Tohru squeaked, clutching her ladle tightly and blushing.

Hatori sighed, shrugging the other man off. "There you go, spouting nonsense again. . ."

Kyo slammed the door to the kitchen open, darkness emanating off of him like an aura of rage. "Watch me send you flying through the ceiling!"

"Oh, this is bad. . ." Shigure murmured.

"Who's your lovely wife, huh?! Say it again and I'll break your neck!"

"Whaa! Kyo's so scary!"

I rolled my eyes, "You only brought it on yourself old man. That's what you get for running your fat mouth."

"Good morning Kyo!" Tohru greeted the boy, smiling.

He rounded on her, scolding loudly. "And you! You shouldn't be smiling! Be angry instead! Because you never fight back, that idiotic dog keeps going overboard!"

It was always so damn loud here in the morning. I slipped off of the counter and went to the fridge. Kyo would be wanting his milk, out of his carton, because the silly boy refused to drink out of a glass.

"Don't vent your jealous anger on the wrong person, Kyo" Hatori said, sounding for all the world, bored by everything that was going on.

"HUH? WHAT?! ITS NOT LIKE THAT!" I snickered, and turned it into a cough when Kyo glared at me, bright red in the face. "Why's Hatori still here, anyway?!"

"That, you would have to ask Shigure," I told him, watching the man pester Hatori for some of his tea.

Tohru smiled and said, "Because of Hatori, Ritsu's injury is fine now!"

"How's that my problem?"

I shook my head, opening the fridge and reaching for the milk. Only, it wasn't there. What the hell? It was in the fridge last night. I started to shuffle things around, muttering to myself.

"What's wrong?" Kyo asked, poking his head in next to mine.

I sighed, ruffling my bangs. "It seems we are out of milk. Sorry, I could have sworn we had some last night."

"No milk?" Kyo took over looking for the missing dairy.

"Ah?" Tohru gasped, "I'm sorry! I'll go buy some right now!"

"Huh? Hold on, it can't be that serious. No, no the kitchens been raided, that's more important!"

I rolled my eyes, "Guy's, it's just milk. We can pick some up on the way home you know. . ."

"IT'S MY FAUGHLT, I'M SORRY!"

"Whaaa!"

I'm not ashamed to admit that I screamed a little when Ritsu burst into the kitchen, waving his bowl of cereal around like it was a weapon. He started flipping out, and I stuck Tohru behind me, just in case. I've learned its better safe than sorry when Sohma's are involved.

Take Hatsuharu for example.

"I'M USED TO HAVING CEREAL WITH MILK FOR BREAKFAST, SO TOHRU GAVE ME THE MILK MEANT FOR KYO! I'VE SINNED GREATLY! PLEASE PUNISH ME!" He got in really close to Kyo's face, "PUNISH ME!"

"So. . . Ritsu. . . Also stayed for the night. . ." Kyo said haltingly, trying to inch back from the distraught man.

"I told you he would," I smirked, remembering his horror from last night. "When are you going to realize that I'm right most of the time?"

Kyo looked mildly amused, as well as slightly horrified by the scene Ritsu was making.

"Only most of the time, eh?" He rolled his eyes, then yelped when Ritsu started up again.

"Someone like me is unqualified to have breakfast in Shigure's house with dignity! I am aware of my sin!"

Shigure started mopping up the milk from Ritsu's initial entry to the kitchen, "Ritchan, avoid running and spilling milk at the same time next time."

I let Tohru out from behind me, figuring if he hadn't done anything worse than spilling some milk ans screaming a little, Ritsu wasn't going to go on a violent rampage. I've been spending far to much time with Kagura and Hatsuharu.

"What should I do? How should I compensate Kyo?!" Ritsu wailed, before turning to Kyo and smiling angelically. "Please drink my bowl of milk to sooth your anger."

"I'd die before I drink it."

Ritsu wailed at the rejection, "Then what should I do?!"

Alright, with all of this nonsense going on, how the hell is Yuki still asleep? I turned, ready to march upstairs and wake the bastard. If I had to suffer through this, so did he dammit!

As it turned out, there was no need for me to o upstairs and pound on Yuki's door. He stumbled blearily into the kitchen, still half asleep on his feet.

"Good morning!" Tohru chirped.

He knuckled an eye, "Good morning. . ."

"You overslept Yuki!" Shigure announced.

I rolled my eyes, reaching up to straighten his tie. "I was just about to come make you suffer with me. Ritsu used the last of the milk for his cereal, and it seems to be the end of the world as we know it."

"I caused him to over sleep!" Ritsu latched on to another thing, blaming himself for something he couldn't control. "I'm sorry, I've made you late!"

A pounding started in my temples, the beginning of a headache. How long was this going to go on for? Was there some way to make it stop? I rubbed my forehead, grimacing at the dramatics of it all.

"Whaa! I'm so sorry! I've made you late! Your lateness will turn into suspension, which in turn leads to expulsion, it's all my fault!"

"Don't imagine how my school life is going to turn out, alright?!" Yuki snapped, finally waking up enough to get what was going on.

Tohru raised a placating hand, "Ah, Ritsu. . ."

Shigure poked his head into the kitchen at the sound of Ritsu wailing again. "Thant wont work. Haven't I already taught you?

He then reached over and jabbed Ritsu in the side, just under his kidney. The young cross-dresser collapsed into a heap on the floor, suddenly a limp noodle. I blinked, scratching my head.

"There's actually an off button?"

Shigure turned to us, giving a thumbs up. "Justice will prevail~!"

"Who's the righteous one?"

"Shigure can represent the evil side," Yuki deadpanned, glaring at the older man.

I rolled my eyes, "Why didn't we do that sooner? It would have saved me a headache and a half. . ."

I sneezed, clearing my throat. After all of that, we ate and made our way to school.

~LINE BREAK~

I made it through homeroom and all the way to lunch, following Tohru. We were eating with Momiji and Yuki. Not that I thought I'd eat very much. What had been a simple sniffle this morning had turned into rapid sneezing and coughing.

"Mandy, are you sure you're alright?" Tohru asked, pressing a hand to my forehead. "You don't feel like you have a fever. . ."

I patted her head, clearing my throat. "M'fine my dear. It's just a head cold, no reason to worry about me. If it gets much worse I'll go home early and get a nap in before work, okay?"

"But shouldn't you call in to work if you're sick? You wont get better if you don't rest Mandy!"

I smiled warmly, "That's just a pot calling the kettle black Ru. I'll be fine alright?"

Yuki and Momiji were already waiting for us. They'd set up a small spot in the hallway, away from prying ears and other kids having lunch. I plopped myself down next to Momiji, sneezing.

"Gesundheit!" Momiji said, peering at me. "Mandy, are you okay? You don't look so good."

I poked his forehead, smiling at both him and Yuki. "No need to mother me so. Tohru's taking care of that. I already told her that if I feel any worse, I'll go home early for a nap before work."

Yuki didn't look very happy with that, and neither did Momiji. I clapped my hands to distract them, and pulled out my small bento.

"That Ritsu sure is something else" I said, "He seems so quiet and demure, then suddenly he explodes! I think I have whiplash from this morning."

"Ritchan is cute, isn't he?!" Momiji grinned, throwing his hands up. "He's very energetic and lively!"

"I'd rather he be less energetic," Yuki muttered, then asked; "Speaking of which, where's Haru?"

"Resting!" Momiji chirped, "It's nothing, he'll definitely attend school tomorrow."

I nibbled my food, playing with it more than actually eating. Hatsuharu wasn't feeling well? I wonder whats wrong, Yuki looked concerned too. Tohru just looked worried that Yuki was worried. I patted Yuki's arm gently, leaning against Tohru. I saw him smile warmly at her, blushing slightly.

"Why don't you go over to his house after school to see if he''s okay?" I suggested, "I'd go too, but I've got the late shift tonight and manager will cry if I'm late."

He smiled, covering my hand with his for a moment. "I will, thank you."

"Tohru, what happened to your hand?" Momiji asked, finally noticing the bandages that Yuki had clumsily changed this morning.

"It happened when Ritsu lost control" Yuki grumbled.

Tohru shook her head, not wanting to blame Ritsu again. "No, it's nothing like that, I was just careless! But it's okay now, it's just a scratch!"

"Is that so?" Momiji asked, taking the bandaged hand in his. "Speaking of which, this bandage is wrapped in an interesting way! It's as if it was wrapped with lots of concentration and might!"

I giggled, watching Yuki blush again. It really was adorable, watching Yuki re-wrap her hand, trying not to make it too tight. He ended up making it too loose in other places instead. I would have fixed it, but the look in Tohru's eyes when she smiled at him changed my mind. It was too cute.

"Ritchan becomes hysterical when stressed, but. . ." Momiji murmured, "He's very kind."

I laid back, using my pack as a pillow. Ritsu did seem like a wonderful person, just a little high strung. Why did he think he needed to try and take the blame for everything going wrong or slightly off track? There was probably some psychological mambo jumbo his situation was called, but I didn't know it.

Poor guy. He'd probably had a rough childhood, just like the rest of the Zodiac members. I hated that they had such long lasting mental scars. . .

A hand touched my forehead, causing me to blink. Yuki leaned over, as well as Tohru and Momiji. "What? Do I have something on my face?"

"Lunch is over, maybe you should go home?" Yuki said, "No fever, but it's not normal for you to fall asleep in the middle of lunch. And you didn't eat very much either. . ."

With a sigh, I gathered up my things, standing up. "I'm not going home, okay? I have an essay due in English and I can't afford to call in to work. I'm fine!"

The rest of the day went pretty smoothly after that, though I probably should have gone home for that nap before work. Kyo promised to meet me after, to walk me home. He was the only one who hadn't bugged me about going home today, so I was favoring him a little bit. It was a little irritating to constantly be asked if you're okay.

I admit to getting a little snippy with Yuki and Tohru. I'll just have to apologize for that when I got home.

"Amanda! I need a hand up front!"

I coughed, blew my nose, then headed up to the counter to help my manager do his job. I swear this place was going to be the death of me.

By the end of the night, I was warm with a slight fever, and ready to go home. Manager let me off a little early, being afraid that I would get him sick as well. There was still an hour before Kyo was supposed to come pick me up. I glanced at my watch, before shrugging and starting the rout back by myself.

Bad idea. Half way home, I stopped, slightly winded. Using a tree, I sat down and drew my knee's up to my chest. This is what I get for being a stubborn bitch. If I'd stayed home, and slept this off, I'd probably be perfectly fine by now. I rested my forehead against my knee's, wondering idly if I could just take a nap here.

"Great going Mandy, you dumb ass." I groused to myself, "Next time, listen to Tohru and just go home to get some rest!"

I fucking hate colds. . . footsteps sounded near, announcing that I was no loner alone to wallow in self pity. I blinked when Kyo came into view, staring up at the carrot top.

"Mandy?!" Kyo yelped, nearly tripping over me. He knelt, placing a hand on my forehead. "You have a fever. Why didn't you call the house?!"

"Because I'm a stubborn idiot," I grumbled, "Sorry."

He grimaced, placing a hand under my elbow to help me up. "At least you admit it. Come on, up you go! I can't carry you. . ."

I stood, waiting out the slight dizzy spell, and gripped his arm. "Sorry Kyo, I know this isn't what you were expecting."

He sighed, looking like he wanted to rub his face. "Don't apologize, just. . . next time, don't push yourself so hard when you aren't feeling good."

He helped me stumble home, letting me use him as a crutch. Bless him, he didn't even growl at me when I stumbled over rocks and bumps.

"I don't think you know just how amazing you are" I said suddenly, smiling up at him. "Really, thank you for being patient with me."

Kyo spluttered, blushing pink all the way up to his ears. "What are you talking about? S-shut up!"

I giggled, he was cute when he blushed. "Seriously though, for all the things you've done for us. Tohru and I. You really are an amazing guy, and I just want you to know that."

Kyo blinked down at me, orange eyes soft. "That fever is turning your head girl, shut up. When we get home, I'll call Hatori."

"But you shouldn't bother Hatori with this!" I protested, "I'll just drink some cold medicine and go to bed. By the time morning comes, I'll be alright!"

He just rolled his eyes and half carried me back to the house. Tohru met us at the door, with Yuki, the both of them looking like worried parents. Ru ushered me upstairs, helped me into my pajamas, and got me some tea and cold medicine. She is an angel, I swear.

Sadly, nothing I said could stop the boys from summoning Hatori. He brought Kisa and Momiji as well.

"You shouldn't push yourself so hard Mandy," The good doctor chided, placing a cold pack on my forehead. "Stay home tomorrow, that's an order!"

Kisa gripped my hand, and Momiji the other. I wouldn't let them crawl up with me, I'd feel terrible if they were to get sick because of me.

"Auntie should take better care of herself!" Kisa said, rubbing her cheek against my hand.

Momiji nodded rapidly in agreement, "Yeah! Mandy, you should have gone home earlier if you felt this bad!"

I yawned, blinking imploringly at Hatori. He sighed, but stood and gathered the children up.

"Time to go children. Mandy needs to sleep to feel better," He stared at me, "You're on lock down until the day after tomorrow. I'll be here tomorrow night to check up on your progress."

I smiled meekly, "Yes sir, I'll be good. I promise!"

"I'll hold you to that"

After they left, Tohru came in to check on me before going downstairs to get some school work done. I told her she could do it in the room, but she didn't want to disturb my rest. Silly girl. . .

At some point, I must have dozed off, because I blinked awake to a hand in mine. Kyo sat on the edge of my bed, staring at our hands.

"Idiot girl. . ."

I smiled, gripping his hand tighter so that he couldn't pull away when he realized I was actually conscious. He blushed again, ducking his head.

"But I'm only a little bit of an idiot," I murmured, sweeping my thumb over his knuckles. "Otherwise you wouldn't be my friend. You can't stand big idiots."

I was feeling brave tonight. Or, at least the fever was making me feel brave. I'm an affectionate person in general, but I don't think either of us were prepared for me to roll over onto my side and basically snuggle with his hand.

"I'm really glad you're my friend Kyo." I muttered, "I hope we can always be friends."

He let out a strained laugh, covering his face with his free hand. "Y'know, somehow, I don't think I even had a chance."

"At least you admit it," I giggled tiredly, bringing his hand up to press against my cheek.

"Maybe I'm an idiot too. . ." He murmured.

I wanted to say something, tell him he wasn't an idiot in my eyes, but sleep grabbed hold of me and dragged me under. I swear I felt the brush of lips against my forehead, but that was probably just my imagination.