"Oto-san!" Kisa called out.

"I'm coming, Kisa." Hatori yelled back from his room.

"You said that for the fifth time!" she yelled. "What are you doing back there?"

"I'm just fixing my tie."

"Fixing a tie can take an hour?" she grumbled. "I glad I'm not born to be guy."

He laughed. "Kisa, I'm choosing my best suit for today."

"But you look great in everything you wear!"

"Relax Kisa. We have all the time to celebrate your birthday." He giggled as he glanced at her, who was waiting impatiently for him in the Sofa. "Just sit still!" he said firmly.

"I… I can't!" she jumped up and down from her seat. "I'm too excited about this surprise Grandpa Shigure used to tell me. What is it? Do you know? Can I see? Or maybe it's a gift from him? Is it big? DO you have it with you? C'mon, oto-san, you have to answer my questions!"

He laughed once more. "Kisa, it's surprised and strictly, I can't tell you about it."

"Why not?"

"Because it's a surprise, silly."

"But you can't keep it to yourself forever!" she complained.

"I can keep it for a day." He replied. "Just sit still. I'm almost finish."

"Ok." He heard her jump one last time on the sofa and landed on the floor. He quickly went out to check on her. She just recovered from her sickness, you stupid doctor. You should watch out on her. She might get hurt again!

"Kisa?"

"I'm fine." She stood up. "See?"

"What did you just do?" he asked firmly.

"I'm trying to do a jumping stunt."

"Kisa, you're not a gymnast."

"I know." She giggled. "That's why I failed to do it."

He smiled at her warmly. "Try not to rip your dress, Kisa. I'm going to get my keys."

"Finally, we're leaving!" she sighed as Hatori went to his office and grabbed his car keys.

"Let's go." She smiled happily as she took willingly his hand and went towards the door. Before they even open it, they heard the phone ring.

"I'll get it." She yelled as she dashed towards his office. While she was gone, Hatori grabbed his phone and dialed some numbers. After a few moments, a voice was heard on the other end.

"Hello?"

"Kagura, is everything ready?"

"Yes, but Ritsu's not yet here."

"Don't mind him. SO we're okay?"

"Yes, you guys can come over now."

"Ok." Hatori was about to hang up when he heard Kagura yell his name.

"WAIT!!!"
"Kagura, I'm still here." He said calmly.

"Ah, no, I was talking to Ayame, sorry." She giggled. "He was trying to get rid to cotton tablecloths. He said that it's unethical."

"I see…"

"There's one more thing. Have you seen Hiro?"

"No…" he replied unsurely. "I thought he was with you"

"He didn't visit us. We thought he was with you all day with Kisa."

"He left…" Hatori wondered for a moment.

"…do you think he'll be coming over?"

"Kagura, Hiro's not young anymore." Hatori replied. "He doesn't need anyone to boss him around."

"Ok… so see you."

"See you…"

While Hatori was busy talking, Kisa was silently listening at the phone on his office.

"Hiro-san…"

"I can't come over to your party." He said.

"But… you have to---"

"If I will, something will happen." He blurted out.

"Hiro,  I want you to be there."

"NO, Kisa." He replied firmly. "Listen to me, I can't just… go there. I… don't want to face someone."

"Face? Hiro, the only one whom you'll face is me." She giggled. "As long as you'll smile, ok?"

"Kisa… I'm ashamed to look at you."

"Well, I'm not…" she replied. "I'll see you later, ok?" Then she hung up.

His eyes flared as he heard the line went blank. He dropped the phone from his grip and stared at Akito.

"I'm ready." He declared.

"Very well." Akito laid his hands on Hiro's head. "Just relax…"

Hiro closed his eyes as he felt cold dark aura rushed on his head and towards his arms. I'm sorry Kisa… but this is the only way I could get you back.

I can take care of you…

You don't need him anymore… you don't need to call him your father.

You don't have to pretend.

I'll be just right here.

Kazuma stared at the horizon endlessly as he leaned back against the tree's strong trunk. His face was calm and the wind was gentle against him. He wished for so long to be back on the goddess' homeland, to see the same beautiful scenery once more, to hear the cries of joy from his children--

Wait. He sat up quickly. What am I doing here?

He stood up and watched as the dark clouds roll in, covering the bright daytime sky. I always wish I could return, that my sins and offenses will vanish once I'll serve as her protector. But what am I doing here?

If I want to go back, "I should protect her."

"That's the spirit." He heard a voice behind him.

He grinned. "Why are you here, Lheila?"

"I found you… and summoned you for a reason." She replied.

"You didn't summon me---"

"My brother did." She corrected herself firmly. "Even so, you are ordered to protect her, not to spend the rest of your life living carefree and unknowingly."

"I didn't leave my place."

"And so do I. But let me tell you this." She whispered. "If you really decided to protect her, I could… get your power back."

He turned to look at her. "…really?"

"Tell me something?"

"About what?"

"The assassination." She replied seriously. "The queen's death."

It took him a while to think then he whispered. "I believe Akito planned it, but it wasn't him who went back there in your homeland."

"I see."

"I believe this someone whom he hired already has his own powers as well." He concluded.

"So you need yours."

"Of course."

Hanajima placed her hands on his chest and closed her eyes. "Just concentrate. I can't do this alone."

"Sure." Was Kazuma's reply as she transferred a great amount of energy on his body…

Hiro opened his eyes and found himself struggling on the earth's ground. He grasped the damp soil in hands and thought about everything that had happened.

"You lost consciousness." Akito appeared before him.

"Why…"

"You can't control this power well." He grinned. "Pitiful. I thought you're strong enough."

"Please." He struggled to sit up. "Give me your power."

"Hiro, face it. You're weak." He stared at him. "No wonder why Hatori stole Kisa from you."

"Kisa… for her sake…" he mumbled. "I want your power. I beg you! Please help me!"

"Even if you can't control it, Hiro?"

"… I'll take my chances…" he whispered.

Akito placed his hands again on his head but this time, he gripped harder. "Don't disappoint me, Hiro." Then he started chanting again.

"It's time to slice the cake!" Shigure yelled happily as he knocked out the last bottle of wine.

"I think he's sick." Tohru whispered.

"If you think he's sick, " Yuki giggled. "Look at Kagura!"

Kagura was dragging Kyou from corner of the room to the other, grasping on his ankle. Kyou unfortunately, couldn't stop her.

"Kyou-kun, some…day…!" She sing-sang. "We'll be… riding on a carriage… you and me… towards the end… of the world… to the corner of the universe!"

"I prefer to the gates of hell, if you may." He grumbled.

It was 8 in the evening but not even one of them knew what's the time. Even Kisa herself was too busy to look at the clock.

"I WIN!!!" she yelled happily as the pop-up You Win! Caption was seen on the tv screen. Haru sighed heavily.

"You won 5 wins straight." He grinned. "Now I know the reason why you like Grand Turismo."

She nodded happily. "This is the game Hiro and I used to play in the arcades. I usually lose though but now, I feel like I'm the champion!"

"Speaking of Hiro, do you know where he is?" Haru asked.

"…no, I don't." she whispered sadly. She felt an arm encircled her. She looked up and saw Hatori. "Oto-san…"

"Kisa, you don't have to worry. He'll be here." He replied reassuringly. "It's your birthday and he's your childhood friend. He should be here."

"I guess." She whispered.

"What's the frowning face?" Ayame yelled as he helped himself with more wine. "It's your birthday so you should celebrate, dear child!"

"Hai…" she smiled. "He'll be here."

"Hey!" Shigure yelled once more. "IT'S – TIME – TO – SLICE – THE – CAKE!"

"Let's all gather around, ok?" Yuki instructed.

"We know, we know…" Kyou mumbled.

Kagura grabbed Kyou's arm and pulled him closer to her. "Kyou-kun, let's slice it together!"

"B-But that would appear like we're married!" he growled.

"That's the idea!"

"I'll just slice the cake." Hatori grabbed the knife and sliced it evenly. He placed a slice on a platter and handed it to Kisa. "To our little angel."

Kisa's cheeks flushed happily in embarrassment. "Oto-san, you don't have to---" Then, before she would even know it, Hatori bent down and hugged her tightly.

"I love you, Kisa." He whispered. "You were the one who made me very happy."

"But.. you were the one who raised me…" she hugged him. "I would like to thank you even more. I love you more than anything… oto-san…"

"You don't have to call me that, Kisa. It was partially my fault why your parents were… were not here right."

"But still, you were the one who nursed me to health and… and took care of me." She whispered. "I would love to call you my father and I never regret that day when you decided to take care of me… more than a cousin…"

"I love you Kisa…"

"I love you too, oto-san…"

"Um, Tori…" Shigure glared. "Our part of the cake???"

"Quiet, Shigure!"

"I wish I could have a cake on my own. That way, I wouldn't wait for too long." He mumbled.

"Shigure, you wished!" Kagura cupped her mouth as she looked at Tohru. "Are you granting it?"

She sweatdropped. "He's unconscious but…" she raised her hands. "A wish is a wish."

The door swung open and a person came in panting, carrying a huge box on his hands. "Am I late?"

"Um…" All of them sweatdropped.

"GOMENASAI! There was traffic! And the driver kept on scolding me! I don't have change for a fifty! SO I gave him fifty! But he said he only need a twenty and---"

"Is that cake for Kisa?" Shigure asked.

"Oh, yes." He went towards her. "Gomenasai, Kisa-chan! Here is my birthday gift for you! Please forgive me! I don't deserve to be your cousin anymore!" He lowered his head, like he was bowing in front of a Buddha. "Please, step on my head! I deserve a punishment! Please go on and step on it hard!!!"

"Please, don't ruin the party, Ritsu-san." Kisa placed her hands on Ritsu's head.

"I won't!!! I'm sorry!!!"

"Please, let's just eat cake!" Shigure yelled.

"That's Sohma Ritsu." Yuki whispered at Tohru. "He's very apologetic."

"I can see that. But… he's a male???" she stared at him.

"Eh… long story for the kimono and long hair." He laughed. "But, you just granted Shigure's wish---."

"I wish you'll forgive me, Kisa!!!" Ritsu cried.

"But---"

"Wish granted!" Tohru yelled.

"---and Ritsu's wish." He grinned. "Why is everything happening so fast?!"

"You can't blame them" she smiled.

"Honda-san, you granted a material wish. What will happen then?" Yuki asked quickly.

"I don't know. It's up to Shigure to take it all back."

"Then I'll convince him." Yuki went towards Shigure but felt himself falling back from his place.

"Ne, you don't have to." Tohru smiled secretly while she hugged him tightly against her.

"Tohru…"

"It's ok."  She whispered. "I don't care…"

He smiled at her, but he felt something is really wrong, that something will happen. His eyes gazed on her and his ears caught a sweet song from the radio.

Eyes…

Like the sunrise…

Like a rainfall down my soul…

She held his hand and smiled warmly. "Let's relax, ok?"

He held her close to him and started dancing slowly. The others didn't seem to notice and they don't care. They kept their ears on the radio and their heart burning within them. It felt so wonderful, they both thought, and they wondered that it would stay like this.

And I wonder,

I wonder why you're looking at me like that.

What you're thinking what's behind.

Don't tell me but it feels like love.

She rested her head on the crook of his neck and smelled his scent. "Please don't let me go…"

"Eh?"

I'm gonna take this moment and make it last forever

I'm gonna give my heart away the way we stay together

'Coz you're the one good reason… you're the only girl that I need

'Coz you're more beautiful than I have ever seen.

I'm gonna take this love and make it evergreen…

"Tohru…"

"Yes?"

"Do you trust me?" He looked at her. "Do you trust me as a friend, Tohru?"

"Of course." She smiled. "I entrusted you my life… and my love, Yuki."

"Then what's wrong?" he asked. "Can you tell me?"

She felt her heart stop for a moment as she heard that question. She looked away from his gaze. "I… don't know."

He reached out to cup her face. "Why?"

Touch…

like an angel

Like velvet to my skin

And I wonder,

I wonder why you wanna stay that night

What you're thinking what's behind.

"I… don't want you to get hurt."

"I won't let him." he kissed her lightly. "… and I won't let you face this alone. I'm your friend and I want to help you."

"You won't leave me behind?"

"I won't." he smiled. "I'll never leave you alone."

Don't tell me but it feels like love…

She hugged him tightly as tears pool from her eyes. "Thank you…"

"Now can you tell me?"

"… A little… but not everything, not now."

"Then I'm here to listen." He whispered back.

I'm gonna take this moment and make it last forever

I'm gonna give my heart away the way we stay together

'Coz you're the one good reason… you're the only girl that I need

'Coz you're more beautiful than I have ever seen.

"But promise me not to scream or to feel disappointed, okay?"

"I'm not a kid, Tohru. I know how to control my feelings."

I hope you're right.

I'm gonna take this love and make it evergreen…

======

The song is entitled Evergreen by Westlife. In case you're wondering…