"Mou…" A young girl looked out of the window. The rain has calmed down, but it was awfully quiet inside the Sohma mansion, especially when she had nothing to do. "If only Kyou-kun was here, I would be happy."
"Kagura-san~!" Shigure called out from his office.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Stop staring at the window. People might think that you're some kind of a ghost or something." He chuckled. "Why do you keep on wearing that dress anyway?"
She twirled around, making sparkles with her white dress. "Do you like it? I requested Ayame-san to make this dress. I'll be wearing it on our anniversary."
"Anniversary, huh?" Shigure grinned. "Since when did you guys love each other?"
"You're so mean!" she pouted. "Kyou loves me. He's just confused and… he doesn't say it!"
"Hmm… ok, suit yourself."
"Hey, where did he go anyway?"
"Our beloved leader just sent him to find Yuki." Shigure began to type something in his computer. "Strange, isn't it?"
"But… why only him?!" she sat down on a vacant seat. "I mean, he could sent anyone else! He already sent the police and…"
"He doesn't trust those people, Kagura-san." He replied. "But… I think he also sent Kyou for another purpose."
"Eh?"
"Well, you see, we have another Sohma on the loose once more and… he's lost, as usual." The novelist giggled. "No wonder it's Haru-san who's missing."
"But that means it's doubled the work!"
"Maybe, but at least it will be the two of them who will be hunting our dearest Yuki." He looked out of the window.
If you're alive, Yuki, make sure you won't mention to anyone that you're a Sohma.
"Is it good?" Tohru asked as he sat back on the bed after he ate his dinner.
"Yes, it's very delicious. Thank you for everything, Honda-san." He smiled.
"It's not a problem. But if you need anything, just tell me and I'll get more food." She piled up his dishes and placed them all again in a tray.
"I told you already, you've done so much." He replied as he helped her with the dishes.
"It doesn't matter."
"Why? Why are helping me so much? We just met, remember?"
"I know but you're the last family that I had." She turned towards the door. "I know it sounds a bit crazy but I think seeing you happy makes me happy too. You remind me of my father. He's very weak but he knows and understands far more than anyone else I knew. You're somewhat alike so I believe taking care of you would make my father happy, as well as making me happy."
She then left him alone in the room. Yuki himself was surprised and speechless after he heard those words. "…I've never seen anyone so nice… and warm as well." He grinned. "She's so happy… even if she lost everything… and I'm the only thing that she has inherited."
I have to return back her kindness and at the same time, find my way back home… but how?
"You sure ate a lot today, Tohru." Uo stared at the young girl as she piled up the dishes on the counter.
"Eh? Well… my mother used to tell me that when a person is depressed, the best way to get out of it was to eat more than the usual quantity." She smiled. I hope they'll listen!
"…I see but don't get carried away. Remember, we're still here for you."
"Hai." Tohru nodded quickly. "…I also need another set of blankets."
"Another –Tohru, is it cold up there? Maybe you should sleep in my room---"
"No! I-It's just that… I want to sleep comfortable tonight. Mother told me that I should sleep on a comfy bed whenever I feel… uh… depressed…." Tohru made up another excuse as Uotani placed the dishes back on the cabinets.
"Hm… you're right. Ok, just get them in the closet upstairs, ok?"
"Hai!" she nodded again. She turned towards the stairs when Hanajima stepped in front of her. "What… What's wrong, Hana-san?"
"Tohru…" she placed a hand on Tohru's shoulder. "I sense… another wavelength… inside this house."
"Eh???"
"Another… human… cursed… weakling…" Hana stopped talking as Uo pulled her away from Tohru.
"Please go up, Tohru-san. I'll…um… take care of her."
"Hai…" Tohru quickly went upstairs.
"We had a deal remember?!" Uotani hissed loudly.
"Uo… I fear… curse---"
"HANAJIMA, you shouldn't scare her like that!" Uo yelled. "Remember, Tohru is still depressed… so don't even depressed her with some another---"
"I understand… Uo-san…" Hanajima stared out of the window. "But… this presence… is a bit different…"
There was sudden knock on the door. "Who is it?" Uo yelled.
"Can you let me in for a while? It's kind of raining out here!"
"Who are you?"
"Please can you let me in?!"
Uotani opened the door and a young man dressed in black came in. He was completely soaked from the rain. "Thanks for letting me in." he said.
"No problem. Why are you traveling at this time of the night? And besides, it's raining!"
"I'm not traveling. I'm finding my way back." He scratched his head. "Of course, I'm an odd one if I explain further."
"I can see that. There's no much room here but we'll allow you to stay." Up grinned. "I'll get some clothes for you." She stopped before she disappeared on top of the stairs. "By the way, you have a cute hairstyle."
"Really?" The young man asked.
"Yeah. Youngsters today are trying on different colors for their hair. But it's a bit odd for you to color your hair black and white." She laughed. "Why is it?"
"…uh, let's just say I was born with this." He replied.
"I see. Make yourself at home." She left him downstairs with Hanajima.
"…You're a Sohma, am I correct?" Hana suddenly asked.
The man looked at her. "How did you know?"
"Never mind…" she looked away. Same… odd wavelength that I felt a while ago… What does this mean?
"You even gave me blankets." Yuki chuckled. "Really, you shouldn't be this generous."
"No, It doesn't bother me at all." She smiled.
"Thank you for everything." He whispered.
"It's not a problem really."
"How could I ever repay you?" he suddenly asked. Slow down… don't blurt out that you have enough money to buy anything she wants.
She laughed at him. "Funny, I haven't heard those words in years."
"Really?… Mind if I ask but who told you these words?" he asked.
"A Sohma." She replied happily. "But that was years ago. I was child back then… and he even patted me. I heard that he died already… but strange, he died somewhere where no Sohma will visit him."
"He died?" I wonder who he is. Yuki looked at her. "DO you know his name?"
"…I don't know… but some say he was banished from the Sohma mansion years ago." She wondered. "I guess he… is against the great one's orders."
"Great one?" Yuki asked.
"Hai. My mother told me that this 'great one' is a ruthless Sohma. He often tried to buy every village and city near the mansion, making him more powerful and fearful as well. He went one time here in our village and he summoned the police just to burn down some of the houses here." She explained. "That's why my mother and I lived in a mill away from the village, just to be safe… and it was safe and quiet… not until…"
"The succeeding mayor bought the mill." He whispered. So this is the mill that Hatori mentioned…
"Yes, you're right." She stared at him. "But that was a private matter. Only Sohmas and my family knew about it. How did you know?" she asked.
Yuki jumped from his place. Uh-oh. Here I go again. "…I kind of know somebody." He whispered.
"I see. Please don't tell this to anyone, ok?" Tohru smiled. "I don't want them to know that my parents are very poor that we can't pay the Sohmas. Father has been trying really hard to do something about it but…"
He watched her smile fading away. I made her sad again. "I'll help you."
"Eh?"
"Do you have a job?" he asked. "I want to help you, since I'm the only one you've got left and the only family you have. Let me help you with something."
"But… I don't have a job…"
"I see… but there's still hope. You can still pay the Sohmas." He smiled at her warmly. "I know you can."
"But how am I suppose to pay the Sohmas if I don't have a job?" she asked.
"You don't need a job." He grinned. "You only need to be famous." Like me…
"What?"
"Tohru, are you awake?" Uo called from the door. "Can I come in?"
"Oh no. Uo-san!" she whispered.
"I'll climb out of the window." He went towards the window. Before he could even get out, Tohru grabbed his arm.
"What are you doing?!" she asked. "Killing yourself?!"
"Trust me. I'll be right back." He winked as he jumped out of the window.
"Wait---"
"Tohru?" Uotani opened the door, just in time when Yuki jumped off. Tohru looked at her friend standing by the door. "Who are you talking to?"
"uh… nobody…" she answered weakly.
"Tohru, I know that you're depressed but… try not to think too much. Your mother will be sad once you try to ignore your life."
"I-I know… I was just thinking---"
"HONDA TOHRU!" Uo glared at her. "From this day forward, you are NOT ALLOWED TO THINK unless you need to!"
"EH???"
"Just joking." Uo winked at her. "Don't overdo things. Remember that."
"A-Ah, Hai!" she nodded quickly. Uo-san sure is very scary. But I understand that she's very worried.
"I'm here to get some old clothes." She explained as she opened some boxes that were scattered on the corner. "There's a stranded stranger downstairs and he's soaked. He need some fresh clothes for the night."
"Ah!" she nodded. That worries me in another way. I wonder what Yuki-kun is doing.
"Strange…" Uo wondered. "I know that there's some old jeans here and I can't seem to find it."
Tohru couldn't help but giggle at her friend's voice-out thought.
"That was so easy…." Yuki sat down behind the bushes and stared at the window where he got off. "Even if I had these wounds, I could still get down from that height. I'm very happy that I learned much from sensei."
He watched as Tohru smiled from the window. I guess her friend is still inside. I'll wait a bit longer.
I wonder why she's so kind to me. The way she was concerned a while ago, that I might get hurt if I jump out of the window… It felt so nice…
I wonder what are the others doing. Ever since I left them, they have gone berserk, knowing that the succeeding mayor is missing. He grinned. Maybe I should let Hatori take my place for a while…
He laughed silently. I wonder too much but I think it's normal. I mean, all of these happened so quickly. Days ago, I was in the Sohma mansion, eating my leak soup. Now I'm sitting here under the tree near a peasants house!
Wait a second. That sounds rude. I shouldn't call them peasants. They already helped me a lot… well, only Honda-san helped me a lot. Maybe I establish something that could make her happy.
Hey, sounds a good start to be a great leader. I'll tell everyone that the word "peasant" will be banned for the next generations.
Nice… and I come up with this idea because I thought about one girl…One girl…
"Psst! Yuki-kun!" Tohru whispered loudly. "Over here!"
Yuki looked up and saw Tohru waving at him. He got up from his seat and climbed his way up.
"I've been calling you for five times already. Were you concentrating so hard on something?" she asked him as he sat on the floor beside her.
"A little. Please don't worry too much, Honda-san." He smiled at her.
"I'm not worrying too much. It's just that… it's very unusual for somebody so weak to climb in and out of the window. You sure are something stronger than I thought." She giggled.
"Well, maybe you don't know much about me." He replied.
"Ne, our bed is ready. You can go to sleep now. I need to talk to Uo-san about something." She stood up and went towards the door. Before she could even open it, it opened and the young man downstairs came in.
"Your friend told me that I should sleep here." He grumbled.
"EH?" she said surprisingly.
"Don't worry I won't be a---" He stopped talking once his eyes caught Yuki on the corner. "YUKI?!"
"Haru-san…" Yuki stared at the Sohma. What is he doing here?!
Tohru stared at Yuki then to the mystery guy. How come they know each other? Okaa-san, Oto-san… What does this mean? Are they related to each other???
