****DISCLAMER: I don't own Fruit Basket nor any of its characters. Sara Fujima and other characters not original from furuba, are obviously mine.

This fic centers mostly around Hatori, Shigure, Haru, and Momiji, -exactly in that level of importance. The rest of the Sohma and Tohru make small appearances. If you feel it is rushed all I can say to that is "Sorry. I'm busy with university classes, so I try to keep my fics as short as possible." If there are any mistakes with the names, I was typing too fast. Mistakes with the nicknames: they are so many that I sometimes get confused. Anyways…I hope you like the story. Thank you for reading and please review. I'd like to know your opinions whether they are constructive or destructive. In other words, flames are accepted, so fire away.

Shihori.

~*~*~*~*~

"It was delicious like always Tohru-kun!" Shigure complimented the young girl's cooking skills once again.

"It's amazing Honda-san, you being so young and cooking as good as chef." Sara smiled at the brunette sitting in front of her. Yuki sat at Tohru's side, and Kyo at Sara's while Shigure sat at her right. "It took me six months of continuous practice to make edible rice when I was your age."

Tohru sweat dropped thinking that rice wasn't that difficult to do. "Thank you Fujima-san."

"Eh! Don't tell me you are a bad cook Sa-chan!" Shigure feigned disappointment. "And here I thought you were the perfect woman."

"Perfect? Of course I am.." Sara giggled, knowing he was only teasing her. "Perfect cooking skills weren't given to me at that time, that's all."

"Ah! So you are a good cook!" Shigure looked at her with teary eyes. "I'm so lucky! I've found my replacement for Tohru-kun when Yuki-kun takes her away from my side!"

"What are you talking about you old pervert!" Kyou yelled at Shigure, while Yuki blushed while Tohru asked him what did Shigure mean.

"Some one is jealous…" Shigure said in a singsong manner, which only got Kyou angrier.

"Oh my…" Sara muttered moving away a bit from Kyou's side, who seemed fired up. Suddenly a loud ringing coming from Shigure's office was heard. "Excuse me!" She apologized as she stood up and quickly left the room to answer her cell phone, almost running into Hatori. "Hatori-san!"

Hatori looked at her with wide eyes. –That was a close call. "Sara-san."

"Ha-san, totally forgot about you. We already had dinner." Shigure said walking up to them. He noticed the light blush creeping to Sara's cheeks and that they were standing way too close for his liking. "Sa-chan," He smiled tapping her shoulder. "Your cell phone."

Sara had forgotten about it since it had stopped ringing. "Ah, yes!" She exclaimed and hurried next to Hatori's side disappearing in the office.

"Some things don't change I guess." Shigure muttered loud enough for only Hatori to hear. The doctor just gave him a questioning glance. "Are you telling me you didn't notice?"

"What?" Hatori asked growing impatient.

"The look on her face." Shigure crossed his arms over his chest, keeping a cool, unaffected countenance. "She's in love with you all over again." He turned around and took two steps away from him. "She may not remember, but her heart seems to remember you all to well."

Deceiving Bonds: Chapter 4

"Why you say it is wrong Ha-chan?" Young Sara stared at Hatori's back with surprised eyes, her lower lip trembling lightly. She was trying her best not to break into tears right there. "Is it because of the curse? I don't care about it."

"It just isn't right for you to love me Sara." Hatori said not turning to look back at her. "It isn't fair."

"Fair?" Sara repeated getting angry out of the sudden. "Fair is the reason you are giving me! The curse is just not enough reason for you to reject me Hatori!"

-That's right. Back then I rejected her feelings for me. Those feelings were the beginning of her end. She was only 16 and I was 18. But it wasn't only because of the curse that I couldn't accept her. I could only see in her a close cousin, maybe a little sister. Shigure's words had made him think back to that day.

Sara emerged from the office smiling sheepishly and apologizing for interrupting, immediately engaging into a small chat with Shigure while he watched them. –That was back then. And during these 10 years she had remained close in my heart as a lost relative whom I adored. He thought, while staring at her giggle at some lame joke Shigure made.

–But now…she's not that girl we left behind at the beach. Although it's the same laugh, the same dressing style, the same gray eyes, she is different.

"It's a pity I have to leave just when you arrive Hatori-san!" Sara smiled but her eyes carried a disappointed look.

"If you can wait a moment, I can drive you home." Hatori offered, kicking himself silently. –Now where did that come from?

"Eh!" Shigure pretended to be offended as if the doctor had just said something perverted. "Hatori! I didn't know you were so quick!" He hugged Sara's shoulders who just giggled at his overreaction. "You're taking my recently found flower so soon from my side!"

"Idiot." Hatori muttered rolling his eyes.

Sara smiled at the doctor warmly. "That would be nice Hatori-san, but it will be a next time." She wrapped her arms around herself. "Akima is in the surroundings and will be waiting for me at the road."

"Ah! Then I'll walk you out there! The woods at night can be very dangerous!" Shigure pushed her gently towards his office. "Lecherous monsters wander at night there."

"And the main one is walking you out." Hatori muttered in his cool manner but obviously teasing his cousin.

"Ara…" Sara whispered feigning innocence. "I hope you don't transform into one of those monsters with each full moon."

Shigure cat smiled at her and chuckled. "Don't worry Sa-chan! It's not like you're red riding hood and I'm the big bad wolf!" Implying that she wasn't that much of a saint either. Their conversation that afternoon proved to be quite informative. Probably she wasn't that outgoing as the friend she mentioned all the time, but definitely she wasn't all that innocent.

Once they were in the office he slid the shoji closed shunning Hatori from the rest of the conversation. The doctor just sighed and walked into the dining-living room area and greeted the youngsters. "I've come for your check up. Once again you didn't keep your promise Yuki." Hatori reprimanded the prince of Kaiwabara High. "You know these cold months can be hard on your bronchi."

"I'm fine Hatori." Yuki leaned on the table. Kyou had left the room already.

"Hatori-san, did you have dinner already?" Tohru asked standing up from her seating cushion.

"Yes: I'm fine, thank you Tohru." Hatori half smiled at the girl and looked at Yuki. "Let's get the check up over with Yuki."

Right then Sara and Shigure walked into the room. "I'm leaving." She announced and smiled at Tohru. "Thank you for the splendid dinner Honda-san."

Tohru blushed lightly and nodded. "I'm glad you liked it."

"See you at school Sohma-kun." Sara smiled at the violet-eyed youngster.

"I'll escort you till the road Fujima-san. The woods are very dangerous at night." Yuki offered as he stood up, trying to escape the check up.

"So I heard, but Gure-kun will accompany me." Sara smiled innocently, adjusting her watch's wrist.

-Gure-kun? Hatori looked quizzically at the dog who just grinned wider.

"Even more now." Yuki glared at the cheerfully smiling novelist. "He's the most dangerous creature out there."

"These teenagers are totally spoiled." Shigure pretended to be offended. "They have no respect for their elders anymore."

Yuki glared at him. "It is impossible to respect an 'H' like you."

"Ma…really it's alright Sohma-kun." Sara guessed Akima had to be waiting for her already. Her eyes drifted to her side falling upon the doctor. –God…he looks even more handsome in that dark brown suit. She thought, involuntarily blushing, and turned her face away immediately. "Good evening everyone." She said and walked out of the room hurriedly.

"I'll be right back." Shigure smiled and followed her carrying the books she bought, and another three he was lending her, included the shoujo novel she found for Akima.

"It was a good day." Shigure said as they walked down the path through the woods.

"Yes." Sara nodded, smiling brightly at him. "I had a lot of fun. Thank you Shigure-san." She giggled. "You were right. The surprised look on their faces when I called u so casually was priceless."

"I know it is a bit too soon," Shigure began, smiling at her but acting less hyper than before. "But I wouldn't mind if you continued to call me like that. I'd like to continue calling you Sa-chan."

Sara considered it for a while and smiled brightly at him. "I guess that after all the stories we shared today it would be ridiculous to go back to such formal ways, ne?"

"I agree." Shigure nodded, smiling warmly at her. He watched her from the tail of his eye, and decided to ask about what had been bothering him. "Can I ask you a personal question?"

Sara was taken aback by the sudden seriousness of his voice. "Yeah. Ask away." She muttered, looking back to her front clasping her hands behind her.

"I noticed the way you were looking at Hatori when he arrived." Shigure's expression was overly serious, and somewhat dark, but it couldn't be seen clearly in the darkness of the woods. Although the full moon was up high, that part of the path was quite dark. "Do you like him?"

Sara stopped abruptly, looking down to her blue suede shoes, hiding her face behind a curtain of raven locks. "What you'd say if I say no?"

"I'd think you are lying but wouldn't say anything." He answered, knowing that the answer to his question was affirmative.

"I don't like him." Sara muttered. "You might think I'm exaggerating but…since I feel comfortable with you, I'll tell you I" She raised her head and smiled at him brightly. "Love him." She began walking again, not wanting to study his face and see if he was surprised or anything over her confession. "Probably it is love at first sight, and it must sound silly coming from someone my age, believing in that and all." Then she stopped walking standing on a spot lit by the moon. "Sometimes I feel like I know him from before. Maybe a past life or something of that sort."

"Either way," She turned around, her hair flowing behind her, her feelings showing through on her pale face. "I am sure I love him."

"Maybe you've fallen for an impossible Sara." Shigure said in a soft tone, but his face features were hard and darkened.

"Is he married or has a girlfriend?" Sara asked, looking calm at his words. She wished Shigure would step out of the dark because it made her uneasy only to make out the outline of his upper figure.

"He was going to get married three years ago." Shigure began hoping that what he was about to tell her would make her give up on his cousin. "But Akito, the clan's head, didn't approve of it. Hatori's left eye was hurt and Kana, -that was her name, blamed herself for it. She became very ill, and in some point she forgot about her relationship with Hatori." He modified the truth a little bit since he couldn't tell her about Hatori's ability. "Hatori let go of her, his first and only love." He sighed and walked towards her, letting himself be seen again. "I don't want to discourage you," He said smiling gently at her. "But I don't want to see you hurt for being rejected." –Again.

Sara smiled and leaned over, kissing his cheek. "Thank you for worrying for me Gure-kun." Shigure just stared at her in surprise. "But I am a big girl. I can handle a rejection, but I can't let myself give up without trying first." She turned around and continued walking. "Ma…Akima must be spitting fire by now!"

Shigure brought a hand to the cheek she kissed, staring tenderly at her form which grew farther with each step. –Even if it hurts me, He thought as he caught up with her. –I sincerely hope you can melt the ice in Hatori's heart. If this time the two of you can have a happy ending, He felt as if a knot was forming in his throat as the need to hug her or at least caress her hair, which flowed at her back with the soft night breeze, became too much to bare. –I don't mind making myself aside again.

Young Shigure smiled at his cousin after she kissed his cheek, looking bright as a newborn morning. "Good luck!" He chirped as he watched Sara run out of the bedroom. Once she was gone, he dropped himself back on the mattress covering his eyes with his forearm. "I'm such an idiot."

-I wasn't able to protect you back then. I was a real idiot to let a 12 years old kid control me the way he did back then. Shigure watched her run out towards a red, mustang with the folding hood down, -a petite woman greeting her with tears and hugging her tightly. –But I swear it won't happen again Sa-chan. If he doesn't protect you, I will. He neared them slowly, listening clearly to their conversation.

"You dumb girl!" Akima cried out crying her eyes out. "I was so worried! You looked so bad this morning and left the apartment without leaving a note or calling me! When I saw you didn't come back before 6 I thought you had suffered a crisis or something and you were left to the mercy of strangers! They are so unexpected and I was so worried I call hospitals and I –I-"

"I'm fine Akima." Sara insisted for tenth time now, pushing the woman away from her. "As you can see nothing of that happened to me." She hoped Shigure didn't hear Akima, but that was a long shot considering how loud the woman was.

"Are you ill Sa-chan?" Shigure asked looking very worried as he walked closer. "You do look pale in comparison to your healthy color back at the beach. I hadn't noticed."

"Who are you?" Akima looked at him suspiciously hugging Sara again. "And why you call her 'Sa-chan'?" She said in a mocking tone. "Why are you being so casual with MY Sa-chan?"

-Argh… she's on leech mode today! Sara thought annoyed at being hugged so tightly by her. "Shigure Sohma. He's a friend so calm down Akima."

"Eh…Shigure Sohma, huh?" Akima let go of Sara and began studying the Jyunishi dog from head to feet.

Sara sighed, looking very exhausted out of the sudden. "This is Akima Reishi." She gave her an annoyed look. "Akima stop doing that!"

Akima ignored her, taking out a notepad from her tight skirt's pocket and began jotting down something. "Age?" She asked looking up to Shigure who looked confused at the woman.

"28." He answered in a monotone voice feeling just like a patient at a doctor's office.

"Profession?" She asked after jotting down his age.

"Novelist." He peaked over her notebook and saw the title 'marriage prospect' over his name. He asked curiously. "Is it a long list?"

"So far I've found ten suitable men to be Sa-chan's husbands." Akima announced proudly, grinning widely. Then she cocked her head to a side blinking. "But so far you're the most handsome one in my list." She clasped her eyes and her eyes turned into stars. "You'd make a perfect father for my future nephews!"

Shigure just chuckled at her words. –It wouldn't be that bad if I just had an opportunity.

"Oi!" Sara stared angrily at Akima. "Stop babbling nonsense!"

Akima glared at Sara. "Deal with it! I haven't forgiven you for making me so worried." Sara just sighed and her shoulders slumped.

"Is there something wrong with your health Sara?" Shigure asked looking worried again as he stepped closer to her.

Sara managed to put a smile on her face. "I just had a light headache this morning but Akima makes a big deal out of everything."

"I see." Shigure smiled, placing the books at the back seat, not wanting to let her go but she did look pale now, he realized now that the health subject was up, and preferred to have her leave and rest. "Please do take care of yourself."

"I will." She smiled warmly at him and then whispered close to his ear so Akima wouldn't hear. The other woman was too busy jotting down on her notebook to notice their closeness. "Don't tell Hatori-san about our conversation please."

Shigure smiled, hiding the mix of feelings that flowed in his eyes behind the eyelids. "I won't."

"Thank you." Sara smiled. "See you around." She walked around the car to the driver's side. "Akima, let's go!"

"Hai!" Akima chirped and pranced to the car, throwing the keys to Sara who caught them easily and started the car. "Feel free to visit whenever you want Shigure-kun!" She beamed at him, handing him a note and getting into the car ignoring the daggers coming from Sara. "Ja-bye bye!"

"Bye." Shigure waved at them, but his eyes were on Sara who just smiled at him before pulling back into the road. He watched the car disappear, and then he looked down at the piece of paper Akima gave him with their address. "Marriage prospect huh?" Plastering a smile on his face, he put the note inside his sleeve and walked back to his house, silently cursing himself for being less selfish when it came to her.

He met with Hatori leaving when he arrived to the house's door. "Leaving already?"

"It has been a long day." Hatori muttered bringing a cigarette to his lips.

Shigure brought out a lighter immediately and lit it for the doctor. "I've confirmed it."

"Confirmed what?" Hatori asked impatiently, hating each time the dog spoke in his cryptic language.

"That she is in love with you all over again." Shigure's eyes turned stern while looking up to the taller man. "Are you going to erase her memory again so she can forget about those feelings again?"

Hatori glared down at him, his long bangs covering half of the face. "You know Akito is the only one who can give the order." He answered in a calm manner but there was a hint of anger in his words.

Shigure smiled broadly at him. "Yes, of course. But since we're keeping this a secret from Akito, what will you do?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "She also said that for some strange reason she felt she knew you from before, maybe from a past life of some sort." A smirk brought a corner of his lips up. "She has no idea of how right she's about that."

"Then I guess," Hatori began, "it is best to stay away from her." He looked sternly at the novelist. "That means you and Ayame as well."

"With Ayame it will be difficult since her friend is a regular customer at his shop or so Sara mentioned." Shigure smiled, "And I'm not going to step away from her. I never agreed with what you and Akito did to her."

"But you went along with it." Hatori pointed out bitterly, annoyed that he was being blamed for something he didn't want to do either.

"Was there another choice?" was Shigure's comeback.

"Did I have another choice?" Hatori answered with another question.

Shigure smiled and shook his head. "You're right." He sighed and turned to his face to a side. "Sara…she is still the most important to me."

Hatori's eyes didn't lose the stern look. "Wasn't it yourself?"

"Ara… I've made you angry." Shigure chuckled but as soon as it began it finished. "I guess I can't fool you my old friend."

"You said you'd do anything to keep your oath." Hatori muttered, "Do you really think it is the best to pull Sara back into this? If you keep her close, no matter what, she'll find out sooner or later about the curse, and if you keep on with your plans, she'll find out like everybody else your true face. Can you handle her rejection?"

"That is a big price to pay, but I will afford it." Shigure's eyes were dark and his smile gave a mischievous gleam to his face. "I will make our dream, my dream eternal, no matter what." He smirked. "Back then, you told me that you wouldn't be by my side when the moment came, that as an enemy, you'd turn your back on it as well…" He turned his face back to Hatori not looking too friendly. "Even if you say it, you can't step away from Sara, because I've noticed the way you were looking at her earlier. And I can't blame you. Even I would fall for someone like her." –For someone like her I could give up my dream, but I am unworthy of her. He stepped towards the door, stopping at the doctor's side. "Hatori…if you hurt her again, it will be I who becomes your enemy." Suddenly he shifted to cheerful mode and patted Hatori's shoulder. "Good night Ha-san!" And walked back into the house.

-It doesn't really matter if stepping away from her makes you my enemy. Sooner or later we will take different paths. Hatori thought as he began walking away from the house. –I cannot risk again her happiness just because you can't let go of her. But… He looked up to the moon which was being covered by some dark clouds. –Can I let go of her? Would she forgive me? Would I forgive myself, if I brought her back into this hell?

°

"Mou…really Sara, you're an ungrateful brat." Akima pouted. They were sitting at a round fountain in the middle of a plaza. The moon was already falling to a side. "I was just worried about you!"

"Yes but you made him suspicious of my health with your loud babbling." Sara's tone held anger. "I don't want anybody else to know of my state. I just can't handle anymore pity."

"Anymore?" Akima stared up to the taller woman's back. She was sitting on the fountain's border while Sara stood on it facing away from her. "Are you saying I'm pitying you?"

"Are you not?" was Sara's retort. Akima jumped on her feet and without previous warning, she pushed Sara into the fountain. "What did you do that for?" yelled Sara, the water covering her up to her hips.

"You were saying stupid things so I thought you needed a wake up call!" Akima yelled back, but then her eyes softened. "How can you think I pity you Sara? You're like a sister to me for Christ's sake! It is killing me the idea of losing you! I don't want you to be gone at such young age! You haven't lived at all…it's not fair…it's not fair!" She screamed and fell to her knees, leaning on the stone wall to hide her face and the tears flowing freely from her eyes.

Sara moved to the wall, kneeling in front of Akima and rested her head over hers. "I'm sorry…" She whispered as she wrapped her wet arms around the smaller woman's shoulders. "I've been thinking only of myself. How selfish can I get? I just can't be sad. I can't afford being depressed. I don't want others to look at me with sorrowful eyes. No matter how many times I think about it…tears just won't come."

"A shooting star!" Sara exclaimed in awe while staring at the flying star.

"Ne…make a wish Sa-chan." The person sitting behind her, leaning on her back said. The distinctive smell of cigarette smoke in the air.

"My only wish is to always be like this." Sara smiled brightly up to the starry sky, -the sound of waves reaching the shore and retreating in the background.

"You're not supposed to say your wish Sa-chan or it won't become true!" Platinum longs flowing with the sea breeze at her right side.

Sara giggled, "What are you saying? Haven't we been together for the longest time? That's how we will stay always." She turned her head to her left. "Right?" A pearl white smile, and her heart began beating faster. She smiled warmly at him. "There's nothing to worry about, right?"

A dark smile took over her lips. "Death just doesn't scare me anymore." –I am more scared of being left alone…again.

°

Hatori looked down to the seat next to him, -a wrapped up present sat there. He took it and placed it under the seat before stepping out of the car and locking it. –Now why am I here? He thought looking up to the apartment building.

"We planned a surprise party for her, but she didn't come." Momiji whined.

"A teacher came and said that she had a cold." Haru commented. "She didn't look well yesterday by the way."

"What a bad way to spend a birthday." Momiji suddenly brightened up. "I know! Let's go visit her!"

"No way. Knowing you, you'll catch the cold from her." Hatori pointed out sitting at his desk.

"Then you go." Haru suggested.

"Why should I?" Hatori gave the youngsters a bored look.

"Yes Harii! You're a doctor! Go check up on her!" Momiji bounced to Hatori's side.

-I could have continued to refuse. Hatori thought as he walked into the lobby. "Good afternoon. I'm looking for Sara Fujima. Could you tell me where's her apartment?"

"Ah…you come to the party." The security guard smiled. "What a lively group!"

-Party? Hatori wondered if he should turn around and leave.

"They began partying at midnight and it's not time yet that they finish partying." The guard chuckled, "It's so good to be young and free." He was in his early fifties. "I would call to announce you but I doubt they'd answer the intercom. Take the elevator, fifth floor; turn to your left when you step out. It is apartment A, all the way down the hall."

"Thank you." Hatori turned and took the elevator. Once in the fifth floor he followed the instructions he was given. He stood in front of the door and he could hear noise coming from inside. "I really should leave." He said his thoughts out loud.

Suddenly the door opened, and Akima stepped out with her head turned over her shoulder. "Yes! I'll go for more sake!" She didn't notice the man standing in front of her. He saw it coming but it was too late for him to step aside. A cloud of smoke covered them as the transformation took place. "Eh? What's all this smoke?" The petite woman wondered while she watched the smoke dissipate.

"Akima, where are you going?" Sara came quickly to her. She was wearing a white, metal button blouse, and black shorts, and her hair was loose. "You're drunk! You can't drive!" She grabbed the keys from Akima's hand and turned her into the apartment. "Mou! Why don't you all go to sleep off all that liqueur!" She began preaching but then she felt something odd on the floor. Looking down she saw a heap of clothes. "What are these doing here?" She crouched and began picking them up when she saw something move under the shirt.

Being the curious person she is, -she'd make a perfect cat, she lifted the dark blue shirt and found- "Seahorse?" She said out loud staring at the little thing that seemed to be looking up to her as well. "Who did this to you?" She said tenderly as she lifted the clothes with it on top and carried it back inside. "Ara…but I don't have sea water here. I hope you don't die on me!" She set the pair of black shoes at the entrance before walking towards her chambers.

"Sara-chan!" A very drunk looking man came to her, reaching out to hold her. "Why don't you come and sing with us?"

Sara turned quickly and glared at the man. "If you dare to touch me again you old fool I swear you'll wish you had never met me in your life!" With that the man around his 40's was sent sulking to a corner.

"Maa….Sara-chan…you don't need to be so aggressive." Ayame came up to her and set his hand on her shoulders. He was able to see what she was carrying. –Seahorse? He focused better on it, which was trying to send eye messages to the snake. –How strange. The silver haired man laughed out loud. "Why don't you join us Sara-chan? This party is for you after all!"

"Ayame-san, you should leave as well. Sake seems to have reached your head already. Did you forget I didn't ask for a party?" Sara muttered as she stepped away from him, leaving the noise behind her as she walked into her chambers. She crossed on room and walked into another which seemed the bedroom, and finally reached the bathroom. She set the clothes over a hamper and carried the seahorse on her hand carefully. Sitting on the bathtub's border, she tested the water. "It is warm. I hope it doesn't kills you little frie-"

It happened in half a second. The transformation wore off. Hatori fell on Sara, and Sara fell into the bathtub taking him down as well. Sara's eyes were wide while staring up to a pair of all too familiar blue eyes, -they looked extremely sad. Unconsciously she brought her wet hands up to his face. "Did they spike my tea?" She blurted. "No.. but I didn't take my eyes off it so they couldn't ha-"

"Sara-san." Hatori spoke up quieting her immediately. "It's difficult to explain but probably we should get out of the tub first."

Sara came back to her senses and noticed the closeness of their bodies. He was keeping himself away from her by supporting his upper body on his hands. Then it hit her. "You're naked!" She yelled, blushing deeply crimson and immediately struggling to get up, but she pushed his left arm, making him lose balance and fall on her again.

Smoke covered them again and once it dissipated, Sara saw the seahorse floating between her calves. "Hatori-san?" She whispered as she sat up, making waves in the water that sent him against her leg. She giggled, not noticing what looked like a blush line on the tiny creature's nose. "That tickles!" And moved to the tub's border, keeping her feet in the water. "Amazing…" She muttered watching him float around. "Isn't the water too warm?" There was no response and she laughed. "Silly me…"

Again he transformed to normal, he was kneeling on the white ceramic tub, leaning on his arms and looking down. "I knew it was a bad idea to come." He muttered to himself angrily.

"I'm glad you did." Sara whispered, making him look up, and smiled warmly at him. She turned around on the border, stepping out of the tub. "Your clothes are on the hamper." She said before leaving the bathroom.

Hatori watched the door slide closed. Once alone he brought his hand to his face, pressing it hard over his eyes. "This can't be happening."

Outside the door, Sara stared at the floor, tears threatening to flow out. She brought a hand to her mouth to stifle a cry and stepped out of the bedroom quickly, closing the door that joined the bedroom and the studio behind her. She fell to her knees and hugged herself. "I mustn't cry." She whispered to herself, trying to control herself. "He'll take it the wrong way if he sees me." Soon she had stopped heaving and the tears had begun to dry in her eyes.

Hatori walked out of the bathroom fully clothed and a towel on his neck. He noticed the futon lying in the middle of the room and to a corner there was a bureau with a mirror, and a tall wood closet. He sighed, knowing he couldn't delay his explanation any longer and crossed the room to the other door. He held the door, hesitant to open it. –Should I erase her memory? I can't tell Akito otherwise things could become ugly. She doesn't remember anything of him and I'm sure he would request her presence and tell her who she is only to order me to erase her memory again.

A flashback came to his mind, -his hand over a girl's face, the girl lying on a bed, her free hand trying to reach him.

-Can I really do that to her again? The doctor wondered with a pained look on his face.

-No…back then she was someone else. This is Sara Fujima, an outsider to the family's secret, and… Sara's smiling face came up to his mind out of the sudden, and he felt his heart skip a beat painfully. –Even if I'm attracted to her…I have no right…no right to pull her into this hell again. She deserves to be happy…

An image of 16 years old Sara with tears staining her face, came back to him. –Back then I couldn't appreciate her feelings. I believed them to be a simple crush. I was so cruel to her.

"No matter if you take them from me!" The girl screamed against his hand, -hers trying to touch his face. "My feelings for you!" Her tears wet his palm. "My feelings for you won't change Hato-"

Hatori brought his hand away from the door covering his right eye with it. "This time…" He whispered, "It truly is….for your own good…Sara."

Sara brought her head up after hearing the door slide open behind her. She would have turned around and smiled at him, reassured him that it was alright, but she was frozen on the spot. She heard him walk closer and then his feet became visible, and his knees when he knelt in front of her. Then she forced herself to push her head back a little, not realizing she had it bowed the whole time. For first time, the word that first came up to her mind when staring at his blue eyes was ice.

"What I am going to tell you, you might not believe, but you've seen proof of my words already." Hatori began, noticing how pale her face was. He didn't remember it to be that pale. "My family has been cursed for a pair of hundred years or so. I am part of the cursed members. Whenever we get nervous, ill, or hugged by the opposite sex, we transform" He didn't want to go into more details of the curse. There was no reason to do so since he was determined to do what was necessary to keep her away, this time forever. "No outsider that has found out of our secret has been able to keep it in their minds for long." He lied since there was an exception to the rule. "I have the ability to-"

"Back in there," Sara interrupted him. "You said it was a bad idea to come." Her gray eyes looked at him warmly and pleading. "But I am….I am really happy you came. I don't know nor I care about the curse over you and your family. I really mean it!" She said bringing her fists to her chest as she repeated with deep emotions. "I am glad you came! Until a while ago I was hating this birthday completely but the minute I saw you my heart leaped and I-"

She caught on her words, taking in his surprised look. –Normally I wouldn't be like this…I would never say this to a man…but…"I realized that whenever I see you my day becomes even brighter." She said softly, a small smile forming on her lips as her eyes stared into his expressing her feelings on their own. "I know…I know we don't know each other at all. We've barely spoken a few times. But somehow….before I could stop it…I fell in love with you. Don't ask me why nor how….love can't be explained." Then she looked up to him alarmed. "And please don't tell me I'm mistaken! I know well what I feel. I could swear I've been in love with you always…"

She brought a hand to her head, ignoring the wetness of it, as her eyes drifted away from his and a deep blush crept to her cheeks. A sad shadow took over her face. "If I only had my memories…probably I met you before…maybe I saw you before and fell for you. Love at first sight is what people call it?" She shook her head lightly. "Maybe that's why I've always felt like this when I'm around you…as if I knew you from before I lost my memory." She sighed and smiled softly at him. "Maybe I'm wrong about that, because if you knew me before last summer, you would have told me right? So this feeling of knowing you must be only a trick my mind is playing me."

"But my feelings of love for you… the ones I feel right now," She whispered reaching out to touch the left side of his face. "They are-"

Hatori held her hand taking it away from his face. "I'm sorry Sara-san, but your feelings,"

-This is probably the greatest lie. He closed his eyes as he said, "I can't correspond them."

He expected to hear her cry, to pull her hand away from his grip or ask him to leave her chambers immediately. Nothing of that happened and he opened his eyes only to see a warm smile on her lips, gentleness in her eyes, and a calm aura around her face. –You have… He recalled her young teary face. –Grown up.

"I didn't expect you to have any feelings for me Hatori-san." Sara said softly, trying to engrave in her memory his warm and gentle grip around her hand. "Shigure-kun. He told me about your lost love. And I know I can't even dream of holding the smallest piece of your heart next to mine." An image came up to her mind, -she's sitting in front of a doctor looking sympathetically at her. "I'd be too selfish if I even tried aspiring for a little bit of your caring." -Sympathy. She thought as she recognized the all too familiar feeling clearly showing on his face. –Am I that pathetic? She pulled her hand out of his. "That is why, Hatori-san, I don't want you to pay heed to my words. My feelings, and all that happened before, don't really matter. So please, don't say you're sorry…ever again."

-I am hurting her. He watched her bow her head, laying her hands on her bare lap. –It is true no one can replace Kana, but you have, without noticing, established yourself in my heart. "I cannot leave behind the fact that you know my family's secret. I really wish I could but I must do this for your own good." He took her right hand on his left making her look up. He could swear there was fear in her gray orbs. "Besides transforming into a seahorse, I have the ability to erase memories." He felt her tense up. "It is only hypnosis so it won't harm you. I will take any memories of this day, of Shigure and Ayame. Our paths can't meet again." –Keeping Momiji and Haru quiet will be a problem but I'll find a way.

"You …do you must do this?" She whispered, trying to keep her voice even. His nod was enough answer. –Forget…

"We'll try to remove it, but we must wait till the medicine reduces its size. This kind of surgery is very dangerous Fujima-san. The possibility of you not surviving it is great. "

Hatori leaned closer to her, bringing her face up by the chin. "I know you asked me not to say I'm sorry…" He said softly looking down at her gently. "But I must say I am for not being able to give you a choice on this decision." –I can't let you suffer even more. He covered her eyes with his right hand. "If it wasn't for this curse…" He felt he had to tell her how he felt at least this once. "I would be more than honored to accept your feelings. I must say I'd feel overjoyed if I could only accept this second chance. But…being with me, forcing you into this cursed life, would be too selfish of me. Good bye" He could feel her tears under his hand. A single tear fell on his hand over her face as he whispered her name with love. "Sara…"

Sara pulled his hand off her face, entwining her fingers between his, before he could release the hypnotic light. Bringing her right knee forward for balance, she leaned closer to him, keeping their hands down to the sides, and kissed his lips with tenderness. As she pulled back, she stared into his eyes with great determination. "My memories," She began, "I lost all my memories. All I remember is waking up in a hospital bed with a wound on my back and Grandpa, someone I didn't remember, sitting next to me on a chair. My memories are the most important to me. And even though YOUR secret is part of MY memories now, I can't let you…I won't allow you to tamper with them. Even if I love you…because I love you I can't let you erase your image from my memory. I know it would be useless because you can't erase yourself from my heart. That's why…my selfishness" She whispered the last words, looking down. "I ask you to forgive it."

-She is… He recalled her smiling face. –That sight is something I can't repel. "In that case," Hatori whispered, letting go of her right hand to bring her face up as he leaned over her. He pulled her left forearm as he brought his right to his chest, using them as a limit line between their chests. His voice was as smooth as silk as he whispered, "You'll have to forgive mine as well."

She was not a child anymore at his eyes, and her feelings were much more than a teen-age crush, and he realized that as she kissed him with the same intensity, the same longing, as he kissed her. His hand on her face traveled down to her neck, enjoying the softness of her skin. He felt her hand settle gently over his cheek, making aside the long bangs that covered his left eye.

Suddenly the main door opened. "Sara-chan I-" Ayame began but froze when he saw them break their kiss abruptly, due to his intrusion. The snake, being himself, began laughing and said loudly, "AH! Sara-chan you naughty girl! How did you get this man in here! Oh my! You did it in the bathroom!" He said noticing her wet clothes and his wet hair.

They immediately let go of each other and put some distance between themselves. A loud stomping followed Ayame's words and soon there were about ten more persons standing behind him, peeking inside.

"I can't believe I lost my beautiful Sara-chan!" cried out three men in unison.

"Since when I belonged to any of you, you old drunk geezers!" Sara cried out, blushing furiously. "Ma! Go home already!"

"Let me see!" Akima yelled as she squeezed her way through the mob of people at the door. Once she was inside the room she gasped and pointed an accusing finger at Hatori. "It's the guy who didn't like my outfit!"

"Ne..ne…which outfit Akima?" asked a woman looking equally drunk as Akima.

"The one I modeled for you guys earlier." Akima said with tears in her eyes. There was a general gasp followed by deep silence in the room. Hatori and Sara just sweat dropped.

"But Aki-chan," Ayame spoke up, a sexy grin on his lips. "I can assure you my cousin here fills all the requirements to be Sara-chan's other half."

"Ayame…" Hatori gave him a murderous glare which the snake ignored boldly.

Akima looked up to Ayame with great interest. "Is that so?" She brought out her notepad and pencil from nowhere. "Name."

"Hatori Sohma." Ayame answered.

"Age." Akima jotted down.

"28." He looked over Akima's shoulder and began answering the questions listed there. "Doctor. Only one girlfriend." He grinned even more at the next question which he answered at Akima's ear.

Akima blushed and began giggling. "Ah! You're so lucky Sa-chan!" Then she grinned and pointed at her wet clothes and his wet hair. "But you know that already don't you."

"Ayame stop the nonsense!" Hatori said sternly and then noticed the gloomy aura around Sara as she chanted her 'I'm so embarrassed-earth engulf me please' mantra.

"Anyways!" Akima said in a loud voice, turning around to the people at the door. "All those who were here as Sara's husbands-to-be must leave! I've found my perfect brother-in-law!" There was a lot of sighing and cursing but the door was cleared until only the four guys from the live house band were left at the door. "Isn't this a perfect birthday?"

"It would have been perfect if A-chan hadn't appeared." Sara muttered to herself, sighing.

Hatori looked at her and repeated in a low tone. "A-chan?" –That's how she used to call Ayame…but why if until earlier it was Ayame-san?

"I know we began with the left foot Hatori-kun!" Akima beamed brightly at the doctor kneeling close to Sara. "But let's be friends from now on!" Then she jumped towards him. "Welcome to the fam-"

Sara caught her in mid-flight before she could hug him and dragged her towards the adjacent room. Tears came out of Akima's big eyes as she complained. "What did I do now? I was only going to give him a friendly hug! I swear I wasn't going to touch anything that belongs to you!" She was pulled into the room and watched in fear as Sara closed the door behind her.

"Ara…poor Akima." Rei muttered as she wrapped her arm around Takago.

"She should know by now how easily Sara gets angry. She can be very scary" Yami commented as she took Yoshi's, Sara's ex-boyfriend, hand.

"I don't see what Sara could have seen in that guy." Yoshi said his thoughts out loud.

"You aren't jealous are you?" Yami glared at him, and grabbed him by the neck. "You better not be." Yoshi just shook his head in fear.

"You are scarier Yami." Rei and Takago pointed out as they grabbed her and pulled them away from the door. "Come on! There's a lot to drink, and a new reason to celebrate!"

Once they were gone, Ayame closed the door behind him and pranced towards Hatori who stood up. "You finally came around Tori-san!" He chirped and wrapped his arms around Hatori's neck. "10 years to be exact, but who's counting!"

Hatori sighed, giving him a bored look. "What are you so happy about? Don't you see what this mean?"

Ayame blinked and thought about it before answering as he let go of his taller cousin. "It means you've finally thought about your own happiness."

"What about hers?" Hatori muttered, "When Akito finds out-"

"When he finds out," Ayame said with a stern look on his face. "You will be there for her, and Shigure and I will be there for you two. Both of you…" He smiled. "Both of you deserve to be happy and what better way than together." Then he whispered. "Besides, it wouldn't go against the Sohma rules. It all stays in family."

Hatori smirked, amazed at Ayame's simplicity. "You take things so lightly. She knows of the curse. And the day Akito finds out, she'll know what I did to her."

"I realize the seriousness of what you say." Ayame said, keeping his voice low just like Hatori. "But if she hasn't run away, knowing about the curse, she won't run away later on."

A pained look took over the doctor's eyes. "Kana-"

"Sara is not Kana." Ayame smiled warmly, "She'll throw a tantrum, she'll glare at you, she might even hit you." He chuckled at the later. "But Sa-chan is Sa-chan. She is strong and won't break that easily."

"You're so mean!" Akima shouted right before opening the door and stepping into the studio crying. "Aya-kun! I don't have a friend, I have a torturer!"

"Ara…" Ayame patted the small woman's head. "It can't be that bad."

"She said I can't hug him!" She bawled, "She thinks I'll steal him from her!"

"Never said that." Sara pointed out walking out of the room toweling her hair dry.

Akima continued bawling. "She likes to torture me!"

"You're the one torturing me!" Sara sighed as she walked up to Hatori and handed him his red tie, slightly blushing, not looking up to him. He only took it and smiled down at her.

"She thinks I'm going to take him to bed and BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!" Akima cried out, her tears flowing freely. Ayame just giggled at her words knowing that would be as close to impossible.

Sara dropped the towel and brought her hands to her face. "Akima!" She growled.

Ryota opened the door and smiled. "It seems I arrived on time." He looked apologetically at Sara. "I'm sorry Sara-chan. Did she give you too much trouble?"

"Ryo-kun, take her away before I choke her to death." Sara said simply not taking her hands away from her face.

"Aki-chan, I told you not to be mean to your friend, moreover on her birthday." Ryota said in a soft tone. "And it's already 4 in the afternoon Akima. How long will you party on her behalf?"

Akima sniffled, taking Ayame's hand and glared at Sara. "As long as it is necessary!" She dragged Ayame behind her, -he only waved at Hatori and Sara, and left the room.

Ryota walked up to Sara and placed his hands on Sara's head. "Are you alright?" Sara only nodded. "Sorry for coming too late but my obligations didn't allow me to come sooner. Happy birthday my dear niece."

Sara giggled, bringing her face up, smiling. "It had been long since you called me that."

"What do you want for this birthday?" He asked letting go of her. "A new brain for Akima doesn't count."

Sara laughed, looking less stressed. "You know me all to well Ryo-kun."

"Well, when you know what you want, just tell me." He grabbed her shoulders and ushered her towards the bedroom. "Now go change those wet clothes."

"Okay okay…" She smiled and turned to Hatori. "Please don't leave Hatori-san."

"I won't." Hatori assured her with a smile. "I'm taking you out for dinner tonight." Sara's face brightened up with those words and she was gone in a jiff.

"Sohma-san." Ryota turned to him, looking seriously at him. He was probably 35 years old although he looked rather young. "Sara isn't blood related to me."

"I know." Hatori answered in the same solemn tone as the other man.

"I love her as a little sister though and I don't want to ever see her hurt again." Ryota continued, giving the younger man a warning in his own way. "When I met her she had the most lifeless eyes I had ever seen. Father never explained why he took her under his care as his granddaughter, nor I really care." He stepped closer to him, his eyes taking a dangerous look. "I know who she is." Hatori's eyes widened in surprise. "I don't know why your family left her behind, but Hatori-san…" He put his hand on Hatori's shoulder heavily. "Sara must be happy for as long as it is possible, so I trust her to you."

Hatori didn't understand very well the man's words, but he was sure of something, he wanted to make Sara happy just like everyone else wanted her to be. He wasn't sure if he would be able to keep his word, but he would definitely do his best to keep her from harm. "I will take care of her. Thank you for trusting her to me."

Ryota smiled, pleased to hear those words. "Good." Then he turned towards the door but before leaving he looked back at the doctor. "Probably it is too soon to say this but I'll say it anyways." He gave him a welcoming smile. "Welcome to our little, crazy family."

Hatori smiled and bowed lightly. "Thank you."

With that Ryota left. Hatori did his tie, buttoned up his dark gray jacket and smothered his hair. He then noticed several picture frames sitting over a low bookshelf. There were pictures of her friends, Akima and Ryota, and a picture of old Fujima with Sara, dressed in a blue uniform. He was about to reach for that frame when he heard the door slide open.

He saw Sara standing nervously under the doorframe.

She had chosen a green dress that ended over her knees. It had low shoulders and long, bell-like sleeves, and a green lace triangle at the middle of the chest. Her long wavy locks were pulled up on a ponytail and the ends fell over her shoulders. On one hand she carried a pair of white string sandals and the other held a small white purse. She had applied a little make up to liven up her pale face.

"Hatori-san, I just want to make things clear." She finally said, gathering up her courage. "I don't want you to feel obliged to do this. Like I said earlier, it is alright if you don't feel anything for me, but I don't want you to give me any hopes if it truly is impossible to reach you."

Hatori walked up to her and lifted her chin up to him. He is a lot taller than she is so her head was pushed back almost all the way. "I am within your reach Sara." He said looking down at her blushed face, dropping the respect title on purpose. "I don't feel for you the way you do for me." He smiled gently at the look of disappointment on her eyes. "But I have in a way fallen for you as well. Ever since that day you told me to leave the beach or I'd be in trouble."

Sara smiled lovingly at him. "I'm glad because I wouldn't be able to stand a one sided relationship."

"It's not." He whispered, caressing her cheek. –Although I know this is very risky, I can't let go of her or the feelings that arise in me when she is close. He recalled Kana's smiling face. –Somehow, these feelings are different from what I felt for Kana. Then he remembered Sara's smiling face when younger. –This girl has always had the power to wrap all three of us around her finger.

He watched her walk in front of him at the hallway. The party scene greeted them. Only Ryota and Ayame noticed them come out and waved them good-bye. Once they put on their shoes, they left the noisy apartment. They walked down the quiet hallway keeping some distance from each other.

"By the way," Hatori began, remembering why he had come in the first place. "Didn't you have a cold?"

Sara was taken aback for a moment and then giggled nervously. "I wasn't feeling well yesterday so my doctor recommended that I spent a day home and rest. It was a strong headache." She kept the details to herself. "I would have gone to school if Akima hadn't planned that surprise party."

"Must be troublesome to live with someone like her." He pressed the elevator's button.

"Actually it is troublesome when Akima is around other persons that aren't Ryo-kun and I." Sara clasped her hands behind her while looking at the numbers over the elevator's doors.

"She likes to everybody's attention on her, but she's not a bad person, just a bit crazy. And she has only a fourth of a brain, but the biggest heart I've met."

The doors opened and they stepped inside. He pressed the button that would take them to the lobby. "It's the same with Ayame." He muttered, standing next to her.

"Eto…" Sara muttered, uncertain if she should ask or not.

"What is it?" Hatori asked, looking down at her.

She smiled and shook her head. "Nothing Hatori-san."

"You can call me Hatori." He said, taking her hand in his. "I hope you don't mind Sara."

-In a normal relationship this would be too fast. But in my case…Sara looked down at their hands together and smiled up at him gently. "Not at all. It makes me very happy."

-As long as I can… The elevator's doors opened and they walked out, hand in hand all the way till the car. He opened the car's door for her like every gentleman should and then went around the car, getting inside. –I will make you happy. He watched her from the tail of his eye as he drove enjoying the bright look on her face. –This time surely I won't let go of you. For my sake, for your sake I will not let go of these feelings. On a red light stop, he took her hand, startling her for a moment, but immediately she smiled at him making him feel alive. –She was my spring, but you are my never-ending summer.

***Hate it? Like it? Love it? Whichever is your pick, please review. :) -Shihori.

Answers to reviewer:

Kouriice: You're a nut. :) That's why you're my best friend and favorite beta reader. hahaha