(Chapter One: The Invite)
Tohru walked home humming as she carried the shopping bags. As she approached Shigure's house the mailman stopped her.
"Good afternoon Miss Honda" he tipped his hat with a grin.
"Good afternoon" she bowed her head, "Have anything for us today?"
He nodded and handed her the mail.
"Have a good day" he replied as he walked away.
"You too!" she called.
She walked into the house and took off her shoes.
"Shigure I'm home!"
"Welcome back Tohru" the novelist smiled as he came in from the sitting room, "Have any trouble?"
"No not at all. Here's the mail."
"Oh thank you Tohru" he replied taking it gently from her, "Kyo's back from the dojo."
"Okay" she nodded, "I'll be right in, as soon as I put this stuff away.
Shigure agreed and then walked into the sitting room looking at the envelopes. Kyo and Yuki were both watching something on television.
"Oh" Shigure said as he sat down, "Here's some mail from the main house. It must be our New years invitations."
"Invitations?" Kyo raised an eyebrow, "Oh right" he sighed placing his cheek into his right palm, "It's the fourth year."
"Fourth year?" Tohru appeared walking over, "What does that mean?"
"Well you see Miss Honda" Yuki started to explain as she sat down, "Every four years the Sohmas New Year party takes place at a special location. It's also the only New years where the entire family gathers together. You know? The ones who don't make it the other years. It's sort of like a family reunion. Speaking of which Shigure where is it at this year?"
"Hmm?" Shigure frowned but then looked up realizing he was asked a question, "What? Oh. It's at the lake house."
"But how can such a small event take place at such a small house?" Tohru asked.
"Oh Tohru" Shigure smiled at her innocence, "The house that we took you to is just one of the houses. There is also a main house up there. That's where most people will stay. Others will stay in hotels. Here you go Yuki, Kyo. Your invitations" he handed them to the two boys.
"Yea" Kyo took it, "But why are you frowning?"
"Oh am I?" Shigure grinned nervously.
"Yes Shigure" Yuki added, "What's on your mind?"
"Well it's just. There's four invitations in here."
"Four invitations?" they both said at the same time.
"Yes" Shigure nodded, "One is Tohru's" he handed it to her while Yuki and Kyo's eyes became wide.
"For me? I don't understand. Why would they invite me?" she replied staring at the envelope.
"Is this some kind of joke?" Kyo said.
"Not really Kyo" Shigure shook his head, "Go ahead and read it Tohru."
"Okay" she nodded, "To Miss Tohru Honda, We officially invite you to this years Sohma New years party. With that said we also extend you an invitation to the Zodiac Banquet."
"What?" Kyo exclaimed.
"Sincerely Yours, Akito Sohma" she finished, "But why would he invite me?"
"I don't know Miss Honda" Yuki shook his head while Kyo merely clenched his fist under the table.
"This is what I think Tohru" Shigure spoke up, "He's inviting you so you can spend one last new years with us. It's awful nice of him."
"Yes it is" she nodded, "Almost too nice."
"I tell you what Tohru" Shigure took her hand, "Let me go call Hatori. He's the one who sends out the invitations. I'll find out if it's true to ease you mind" he stood up.
"Thank you Shigure" she nodded, "I appreciate it."
"Not at all" he replied as he departed.
Tohru placed the invite onto the table. Even though he was angry inside, Kyo placed his hand over hers to comfort her.
In the hallway Shigure was listening to what Hatori had to say.
"So it's legitimate then?"
"I'm afraid it is Shigure" Hatori replied, "But it's not like she has to go. It's her choice."
"That's true" Shigure frowned, "Well thank you Hari. Talk to you later" he hung up the phone and walked back into the sitting room, "Well Tohru the invite is real," he said standing in the doorway.
"You're kidding me?" Kyo replied.
"Nope. But like Hatori says, you don't have to go. It's your decision."
"Okay" Tohru nodded, "Thank you Shigure. I'm gonna go get lunch started" she stood up from the table and walked into the kitchen while Shigure walked into his study.
A couple of minutes later Kyo stood up with a gruff and trudged off to his room. The only one left in the room was Yuki, who turned back to the television with a sad look on his face.
"Why can't he just let things be?" he thought.
(Next Scene)
That evening Tohru asked Yuki if they could walk to the secret base, saying she needed to look at the vegetables, but Yuki knew better. As they knelt down, she sighed and he placed his hand into hers.
"What's wrong Miss Honda?" he asked sweetly, "You want to talk about it?"
"I don't know" she replied, "I don't know what I am going to do. I mean I feel honored that I was offered such an invitation. I mean even a chance to see the Zodiac banquet; it's been my dream. But."
"Kyo" he finished.
"Mhm" she nodded wrapping her arms around her legs, "I don't want him to have to worry about me again."
"Well" Yuki replied, "This isn't exactly like last time."
"Hmm?"
"I mean. It was just me. But this time, everyone will be there. All the members of the Zodiac. Maybe not Kyo, but he'll be there during the party. And to be honest I'd rather have you with us then have you be here all by yourself for three whole days, while we're so far away."
"You do have a point there. But what about Akito? I know he wants to approach me again, because of his last threat."
"Well it's been four months since then. And I don't think Akito holds a grudge that long. Still you might have a point."
"I'm worried about Kyo too."
"I think he would be a lot happier with you at his side more than anything."
"Yuki" she replied, "Think of it this way. If Machi was the one being invited, how would you feel?"
"Oh" Yuki nodded, "I think I get what you're staying. But still you should talk to Kyo about this. He may feel differently."
"I'm going to" she nodded as she stood up, "But thank you, for this" she smiled.
"That's what I am here for Miss Honda" he grinned standing up, "Moral support."
The two of them walked back to the house, "Tohru determined to speak to Kyo and find out what he thought about the whole situation.
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey guys! First chapter done! See you later for chapter two!
Next Chapter: Feelings of Suspicion
Once Tohru makes her decision to join the Sohmas at the lake house, Kyo is placed into a mindset of worry. Talking with Haru and Rin he discovers what he must do, and Yuki discovers one of the cats carefully guarded secrets!