Chapter 3Friends by My Side

Tohru reread the headline five more times hoping that she had not read it wrong. Each time it still read the same.

After a moment it all sunk in as to what it might mean.

"Shinta! Shinta we have to go home honey."

She gathered their things nearly shaking as Shinta said goodbye to his friends. The family might blame her. What if they came looking for the last member of the zodiac? They wouldn't take Shinta away from her, would they?

No matter how much she thought about it, Tohru was unsure as to the outcome. No matter what though, she would not let the Sohmas take Shinta from her.

Her son remained silent for the trip home, not even commenting when she forgot about her promise of ice cream. Once inside the apartment Tohru hugged him tightly.

"I'm sorry Shinta honey. I know that I promised you ice cream, but something in the paper upset mommy very much."

"I understand mommy. Maybe tomorrow?"

"Of course Shinta. No matter what happens we will get ice cream tomorrow."

Once home Tohru sat Shinta down to watch a video and called Uo-chan and Hana-chan to come over.

"So. What's the big deal?" Uo-chan asked before sipping her tea.

"Oh. Well. You see it's today's headline."

"Another bomb threat got you spooked?"

"Oh. No," Tohru said, "Here. Look." She then laid out the front page of the Japan Times. The headline glared up at her, but she didn't know what it could mean.

"Akito Sohma dead," Hana-chan read aloud. "Why does this have you worried?"

"Well, because of Shinta."

"You haven't told him yet?"

"Of course not."

"What about Yuki-chan?"

"No! Of course I haven't. I would have told you if I had."

"Tohru-chan, you have to tell him."

"She's right. This is his son."

"I know, but I was always so afraid of Akito."

"You always say that. But you never say why."

"Yes, Tohru-chan. Please, we are your friends."

"I know, but it's really hard."

"Please try. You want us to help you, right?"

"We can't do that unless we fully understand what's going on."

"All right. I'll tell you. Akito is the head of the Sohma family. He's very protective over the members of the family. There have been times when he's hurt people in the family because they had done things he disagreed with or did behind his back. Well, Yuki and I went behind his back. And it was already a stretch with my living with Shigure, Yuki, and Kyo. Akito basically told me that I had to leave and never go back to Yuki or any Sohma again."

There was silence for a moment. Tohru guessed that her friends didn't know how to react, they had never known. How could they have?

"Anyway, that's no important right now," Tohru finished.

"You're right Tohru. What's important is fixing this, and getting you back with Yuki-chan."

Hana-can was reading the article very carefully. "It does not say how he died. Very strange. But we do have some hope."

"Really? What?"

"It says that the funeral will be held in two days at the Sakura funeral home at seven o'clock."

"Wow. So soon?"

"Yes, well sometimes it is best to rush these things."

"You should go Tohru."

"What? Me? Oh no! I couldn't! Akito said not to go near the family and I doubt that any of the Sohmas will want to see me. Besides what will I do with Shinta? I mean I can't leave him all by himself," Tohru rambled on and on for a moment.

Finally Uo-chan took Tohru's hands in hers. "Tohru. Akito is dead now. You cannot get in trouble. Besides that you knew nearly all of the Sohmas and they loved you very much. I think it would mean a lot to have you there."

"Yes. And we can watch Shinta for you. It will be no trouble at all."

"Oh no. I couldn't."

"You are and that's final."

"All-all right."

"Good. We'll see you in two days after you get off from work."

"All right. Good night and thank you both."