The sun rose in all it's glory, the dawn tense before the sun poked it's head above the landscape. The singing of birds called for it, and rays of blue, orange, and pink sprouted from the horizon. Clouds were pushed by cold morning wind as yellow rays shot up and started to cast a shine to the dew on the grass.

As the sun peeked its head over the horizon, the world seemed to take it's first morning breath. A new day was born as clouds rushed passed the bare trees and whisked frost covered leaves around. The morning awoke with a yawn as birds shook their heads and took of into the rapidly changing sky. Blue replaced orange, and slowly took over pink. The sun stretched it's golden rays across the sky, grasping the world in it comfortable warmth.

The morning of October the 13th turned out to be one of the most beautiful sunrises caught by a black haired man in a long time.

The sun glistened in his chocolate brown eyes, the reflection almost perfect in their depths. A pair of small golden rimmed glasses sat on the end of his nose, the sun shimmering off of them also. His off white writers robe was wrapped tightly around him as he leaned against a tree. He had looped an arm around it and rested his shaggy head of hair against the tree, a look of pain settled on his face as the sun rose above the trees.

It looked as if he wished the day would not come. That the sun would fall behind the horizon again and not dare to poke it's head above the green grasses. That time would wind backwards like a watch and he could go back day's, month's, years... Years ago on this day, he wished. To save something that mattered to so many people.

To save something people never realized they needed till it was gone. To make everyone's lives a little better, a little happier. To make everything normal again.

He sighed and sat on a rock nearby, fingering the indents in them. Meanwhile the morning continued to come, time continued to tick, and life moved along. Then why did it seem like everything stopped?

It didn't, was the simple response to himself.

He chuckled to himself, closing his eyes and wishing the tears in them to fade away. One trickled down his cheek as he let out a quick breath, and another followed. He pulled his glasses off and bent over slightly, putting his hands up to his face. Questions flooded his mind as the supports for his daily life shook and almost broke. Questions that cut him deeply...

Why did this all have to happen? Why did it have to be his family? Why did they have to find her living in a tent? Why did she have to fall in love with this family? Why did she get in so deep that she would only hurt herself by pulling out? Why was it her? Why was it them? Why was it him?

And why, dear God, did the sun keep rising when the world seem to fall apart?

Only after he let out another quick breath did he look toward the rising sun again. Blue had exploded around the ball of fire in the sky, pink lingering around the outside while orange disappeared all together. His chocolate eyes sparkled as he stared at the sunrise for a long moment, then he wiped his eyes and put his glasses on again. Standing, he stretched his arms over his head and yawned. He then stood for another long minuet, face losing its rose color and returning to the cream it was before.

The answer was simple, he smiled slightly. And all he had to do was hate him self to find them.

Because, Because, Because...

Because it needed to, because the family was special, because it was destiny, because she was so pure hearted, because they pulled her in, because it was her, because it was them, because it was his time.

And, his smile broadened as birds flew over head, because that was something glorious to see.

He shook his shaggy black head, and turned for the very familiar house as another 'Why' popped in his head.

Why did the sun rise look like that? So beautiful and full of color, shining like there was no tomorrow? So rich and calming that it tamed the most wild of hearts? So full of life? So pure? So perfect for the day to come?

Simple. It rose that way for him, so bright that even he could see it...

Strange Happening's

By SAL-Chan

*Part Three: The Accident

"You never know what you have until you lose it. And once you lose it, you can never get it back..."

~*~

I leaned back slightly and tapped the pen against my nose for what seemed like the 20th time this past half an hour. My brain was buzzing with idea's but they refused be written down, the paper as blank as it had been when I first opened my notebook. I guess my creative mind refused to work today.

Then again I did have quite a few things on my mind.

I sighed to myself and placed the pen on the frame of my glasses so they sat across my eyes. I guess my brain had a reason to object to working today, in fact I wasn't even planning on working at all in the next few weeks. I had finished my book and it was ready for print, all it needed was to be picked up. She had wanted it today, but I told her I hadn't finished. I smiled to myself.... I felt quiet bad about doing it...well not really...

The smell of food drifted through the house, carried by the sound of sweet humming. She came downstairs about a half an hour ago and said her morning 'hello's', but I didn't expect my cousin for a while now. You would think that after so many years he would wake up and not walk around like a zombie for a hour. Old habits die hard, that's what I always say...

My attention was turned to my window once again. The morning had come in a rush as if the world wanted to get this day over with as quickly as I did. There was a nagging feeling at the bottom of my heart again as I thought that, a cold and dreadful feeling sweeping over me. It felt as if my heart was weighed down by the cold, the cold itself settled in my feet quickly after.

I had a bad feeling about today. A really, really bad feeling.

I wrinkled my eyebrow together as my right hand traveled up to my chin. Could it be that it was his death day? Or was something else going to happen?

I was worried. I normally never get a feeling like this, let alone this strong.

Then again... something about the sun rise this morning seemed different. Something felt off, special - not in a good way. There was a fake-ness to the morning that seemed to control everything and made it stand out in the littlest way. Something was so wrong.

I blinked.

The sunrise.

The birds.

The chill.

It all felt the same. Exactly the same as it had a year ago today. That's why the dawn had woken me like it did. Last year, on this day, I had woken up early and walked to the back clearing and watched the sunrise that morning also.

"Your going crazy Shigure..." I mumbled to myself taking the pen off my glasses and setting it down on the desk. That couldn't be possible "You're totally senseless. You're being impractical..."

"Shigure?"

I blinked and spun to my open door, finding the cooking angel standing there in a pink apron. She was smiling at me slightly, but her eyebrow arched in question. She had heard me talking to myself.

"Yes Tohru?" I almost laughed at myself. A grin had spread across my face so quickly I wasn't even sure that I hadn't had one on before I turned around.

"Breakfast is ready." She said sweetly and turned toward the kitchen again. That reminds me-

"Tohru..." I said quickly so she wouldn't scurry away. "...Could you make a small lunch for yourself, Yuki, and myself. Where going to be out for a little wile today, so I was thinking we would eat lunch with everyone else."

Something filtered in the back of her large eyes, but she nodded.

"I'll make up a list and go to the grocery store to get things after breakfast." She said softly, a small smile still place on her face. I nodded and she was off into the kitchen again.

I sighed and sat back slightly once more. We were meeting up with everyone else around 12, so she should have more than enough time to get everything over with before that. We are probably only going to stay there for about a hour, then head back to the main Sohma house for dinner. Something family like....

I blinked again. I cant believe I was thinking this. Only an hour? I shook my head. I hope Hari had planned this out more than I had. Talk about last minuet.

After another minuet or two I decided. We were going to eat at the site, staying at least two hours. It's was only right.

"Shigure."

I spun around again, this time to face my grumpy cousin. His face was drawn downward in a frown and he looked a little mad - with no big surprise- at me.

"What is it Yuki?" I asked, making sure my voice came up at his name.

"I've been calling you for the past 10 minuets. You breakfast is getting cold." He said coldly, an irritated edge in his voice.

"Oh! Really? Well thank you Yuki." I grinned at him with all my might. He sighed and disappeared behind the doors, moving toward the dinning room. I felt the smile slowly slip off my face.

Had I been that distracted?

"Come on Shigure, old boy. Collect yourself..." I murmured as I stood, brushing the small invisible dust particles that were littered on my lap. It felt as if the bottom of my stomach had dropped out and my heart felt heavy again. I really did not want to go into that room...

I was shuffling along the hallway and into the room before I even thought about not going. Tohru stopped in mid eating motion and looked up at me immediately, an angelic smile gracing her face like I had every morning. Yuki continue to eat as if I wasn't even here, normal Yuki morning thing. Kabocha was playing with a stuffed mouse that sat in the corner, the bell on the end of it's tail ringing loudly as it was hit from side to side.

And my heart grew heavier still.

~*~

"Aha...that was good." The ritualistic statement came from my mouth without me thinking. Our cherubic cooks food fit for the Gods, she blesses us with it's heavenly taste every single day. I was in tasted bud heaven!

"Thank you Shigure." She smiled, a small pinkish tint covering he sweet cheeks. Her voice seemed to echo in the room as silence settled in after, each of us lost in our own thoughts. The quiet was not settling at all.

Say it now. I told myself as my heart grew heavier still.

"Yuki, Tohru..." My voce was softer than I had intended. It held a ring of concern and kindness in it that I hadn't even expected. The two turned quickly to me, both looking apprehensive. I gathered my breath, forming the sentences in my head. It was quite hard to do, saying things like this to people you care for.

"...I believe that where going to be leaving around 11:30 and meet with everyone else at 12. I'm planning on staying for a good hour or two -lunch included- and then heading back to the main Sohma house or back here. Understand?"

The air in the room thickened in seconds. Yuki stared at me, violet eyes swimming with thoughts I couldn't decode. They hardened quickly after, a crud and cut not answering my question. Tohru blinked a few times and nodded, then furrowed her eyebrows and crinkled her nose. She then blinked again, a determined face masking her concentrated one.

"I'm sorry to be impolite then, but I need to get the groceries if I'm going to make lunch for us now. I also need time to press my dress and tidy the house up for everyone when they get back." She rushed her sentences slightly in a desperate effect to save time. She's so cute sometimes. I opened my mouth to say something but-

"I'll get the groceries for you." Yuki said calmly, causing Tohru's large green eyes to grip onto him quickly. She blinked and started to shake her head.

"I couldn't make you do-"

"It's nothing." He cut her off with a smile, standing in one fluid and graceful movement. A small smile pulled itself onto my lips.

"Where's the list?" He asked as he walked toward the kitchen, leaving a slightly surprised Tohru staring at his retreating back with larger green eyes. She had no time to object again for the bottom of her heart, for he knew exactly how to insist something without pushing and knowing that she would think that he would be offended if she told him that she could do it herself... if that made any sense.

"It's ah..." She scurried into the kitchen after him, pulling a small folded up piece of paper out of her apron pocket and unfolded it. "It's right here..."

I grinned and rested my cheek on the palm of my hand, supporting it with my elbow. I drummed my fingertips on the side of my face as I watched a wind carry fallen leaves past the screened doors. I slightly realize that Yuki and Tohru were having a light conversation about the list behind me, my thoughts gathering in my head.

Kubo brushed against my back, a 'Mew' coming from his mouth. He jingled as he walked, his small black name plate that hung from his collar dancing with his movements. I smiled at the little kitten and brushed my hand over his back, causing him to created an arch of orange. He was almost the same color...

"Shigure?"

Tohru's quiet voice shook me from my mind once again as I turned to face her, my trade mark grin appearing on my face instantly. She held the same face she had on when she caught me talking to myself, eyebrows raised slightly and a small smile on her face.

"Yes?" I asked, my grin growing.

"Yuki left for the store, so I have time to press your suite if you want me to. I can do it after I clear the table if that's ok?" She was fiddling with the bottom of her apron, blushing slightly.

"Don't worry about the table Tohru. I'll clean it up. You go get ready and press my suite if you can..." I said to her gently, my grin fading into a real half smile. Better let me do all the worrying and let her have some time to herself.

"Thank you Shigure. I'll do the best I can." She smiled and spun into the kitchen again, followed by her fine furry friend.

"No problem Tohru..." I murmured, resting my head on my arm again. My head was heavier than it had been in a long time. Something was going wrong, right now. I shook it off, strapping down my depressing thoughts for later. I had two and a half hours of rest and I wasn't going to spend it brooding over it my haunting thoughts later.

I sighed as my temples started to pound.

"...today is going to be a very long day..."

~*~

My eyes skimmed over the list one last time.

Got it, got it, got it. Finished.

She didn't need a lot of things, but it would have taken a longer time if she had to come. She did have other things to get to, and she needed to get ready also...

I sighed as I paid the checkout lady. Though I did need to get ready also, she probably was ironing Shigure and my outfits right now. Then she wanted to clean and get herself ready, and make the food and buy it. A true gentlemen -like myself- would not sit around and let her do everything -like Shigure. Therefore I stepped in and took the longest and most time consuming task upon myself, giving her as much leeway as I could.

"Thank you and come again." The singsong voice of the cashier rang in my ears as I grabbed my bag, nodded at the girl, and strode out of the store in one smooth movement. I flipped my wrist around in front of my face to check my watch.

10:26 am. Half an hour walk home and 20 minuets to get ready. I could probably fit a shower in before we go, then helping Tohru get the food ready and clean if she hadn't finished already.

I took a left at the next block and continued my way home. It's the only thing I hate, I reminded myself, sighing. This stupid walk to and from anywhere if we need anything.

I sighed to myself and turned down a main street, adjusting the bags in my hands. The cool autumn wind was whipping my short, odd colored hair around my face. Too long I decided then, whipping it away from my face. Maybe I'll get it cut tomorrow, it just brushed my shoulder now. Way too long for my comfort, but at least it wasn't white.

15 minuets till I got home.

I smiled to myself slightly. If my hair was white -like my brothers- I probably would have dyed it another color sooner. Blond, or brown maybe...would I look good as a brunet?

As soon as that thought left my mind, a screeching sound filled my ears. A sound somewhat compared to the dragging of your nails against a chalk board. A piercing sound that reached my ears the same exact moment pain shot through my body. I was suddenly thrown toward the pavement, the grocery bag flying from my hand, my vision blacking out instantly as I hit the rocky pavement.

Pain swamped my brain and wrapped my body in torment that I had only know when I was little. Everything hurt, my head and my legs protesting the most. I was thrown god knows how many feet ahead, rolling and cutting myself on shards of metal and glass. Pain was my only thought, the only thing I felt, the only thing I knew at that moment.

I'm not sure if I cried out, the tang of metal filling my mouth before I thought any sound would. Unconsciousness took me quickly, saving me from the sole searing pain I felt as people cried out things I couldn't understand. The world suddenly held no sound.

My last thought was of the sweet smell of my favorite food cooking, and the hums of an angel as she strung the cloths on the clothes line or hustled around the house cleaning. My angel, Tohru...

And suddenly, I knew nothing.

~*~

I grabbed a small yellow dish rag and whipped my hands dry.

Wash the dishes: check.

Clean the table: check.

Clean the mess cluttered in Shigure's office: check.

In the dining room: check.

Sweep the front: check.

-And the back: check.

Iron Shigure, Yuki's and my clothes: check...

I placed the dish rag down and stared at the shine the water droplets created in the sink. All I had left to do was wait for Yuki to come home with the food and make lunch for us. I looked up towards the door, over which a clock was placed.

10:52 am.

I was suddenly worried, a normal thing when any one of them were out. It didn't take that long to go to the grocery store on foot. I blinked, fear suddenly flooding me. What if something happened?...

I shook my head, a small smile forming on my face.

"You always think that and nothing ever happens. Everything's ok. It's always ok..." I calmed myself in a quiet voice, smiled at my distorted face in the sink. It was always OK.

"Tohru?" Shigure's light tenor voice came from the door, I jumped slightly and spun to face him. He had just poked his head, his hair combed to the sides and neater that usual. He wore a white collar shirt buttoned up to the top one, his hands fumbling messily trying to correctly tie his black tie. White socks stuck out from under his pressed black pants and a shinny black belt gleamed in the light. All together he looked like a blue collar worker, ready to do something so not Shigure like.

I decided. He looked much better in a suite, but I would always see him in his writers robe when ever I though about him. Like a Chinese style shirt and dark blue pants on Yuki, and a black shirt and...

"Could you, aha...help me here?" Shigure pulled me from my thoughts, his fingers almost tied in his tie. I smiled and giggled slightly, moving over to him and pulling his fingers from the knot's. With a quick flip and a pull, Shigure's tie looked perfect. He smiled down at me.

"Thanks. That's the reason I hate theses stupid suits. I can't do these ties." He mumbled, moving the tie back and forth, sighing slightly. He barked a quiet laugh as he ran a hand down the tie.

"You should probably get dressed. Your not going to have any time when he gets back from the store." He turned toward his office were I expected he had his formal jacket folded neatly on his desk, still playing with his tie.

"I'll go get dressed then." I smiled at his back and turned towards the stairs and was up quickly, ghosting my fingers up the warn finger trails. Turning down the hall, the echoing sound of the telephone's ring reaching my ears before I even touched my door. I blinked and turned toward the stairs. Who would be calling us now? Uo, Hana maybe?

I heard Shigure's footsteps head toward the phone and a quick click as he picked it up. His low "Hello?" reached my ears and seemed to be the only noise for miles around. I waited a moment as his "Speaking..." Reached my ears, worry etched in his voice.

Something happened, my head screamed as a sinking feeling settled in the bottom of my heart.

"What?" His voice reached my ears without me even trying to listen. "When?"

Something had happened... the was a moment of complete quiet as my breaths became deep, trying to calm myself.

"Right. We'll be there as soon as we can." His voice held something that I had only herd from him once before. Determination and worry combining into something that I never wish to here again. The same voice...

"Tohru!" He barked my name up the stairs, scaring me slightly. The strands of my memory's were paling all over again, something that I wished would never happen. And I was very scared.

"Lets go! Now!" His voice seemed to be stressed as he yelled to me. My knees were going weak, the sinking feeling in my heart enveloping my entire chest. My breath became quickened and needed.

"Shigure?" I said quietly, clutching the corner of the walls. "What's happened? Where are we going?" My voice even sounded scared to me.

"There was an accident. e need to go to the hospital now. Hatori's picking us up in 2 minuets." His voice was stern, and my knees slowly gave out. I didn't hit the floor hard, but I hit it hard enough to make a solid sound and to bruise them. My mind had stopped, and I stopped breathing. This was a nightmare. I was living the same day over again, the same day exactly a year ago. The same words had come form Shigure's mouth, the same tome, the same crisp and dark tone.

The same day a year ago...o God...

"Who got hurt?" I breathed, surprised that I was able to form words at all. I was dreading, fearing his answer, feeling as if I was dying all over again. As if my mother was leaving me again, that he was leaving again, and some how I knew that if I lost another person so close to me, my life would end completely.

"...It was Yuki."

I shook, tears immediately in my eyes. Strong arms protectively wrapped around me as the same white shirt I had been admiring before was suddenly against my face. I buried my head in his shirt, grabbing onto him in a tight hug, holding on with all my might. Shigure was my only anchor at the moment, his embrace father-like and deeply needed.

I felt my world falling apart around me.

If I lost Yuki the same way...

...if I lost him at all...exactly like how I had lost my mother...and...k...Kyo......

...gone in a flash...without a real goodbye...

...Yuki...

...please God. Let him live... please...

______________________________________________________________________________

Ranting: So? Was this chapter ok? I know I kinda left it as a 'OMG what's going to happen?' cliffhanger thing... don't hurt me? So... that was the second time Kyo's name was written at all in the fic. Pretty good sense he was a main character...

...but what's gonna happen to Yuki? Is he ok? And Tohru leaves you with a question. Did Kyo really die like her mother? Any flames & reviews are welcome. (I'll hurt you if you flame me though...~vane~ just try it...)

*Kinma: Well it was a little sad. And I guess you could say they're depresses, but I can't tell you why or anything...you'll figure it out yourself. I was actually trying to get this out on the 13th, but I had a fit of laziness...

*Veronica: You think it's sad too...just don't cry. I know, but I love him anyway!! If you wanna know, read again! ~Grins~

*yamatoforever: Yeah, I hope I am. You're probably not gonna know for a little while...maybe a chap or 2. Kagura won't come in until later, just letting you know. And Kazuma is coming too, don't worry. And about that Haru and Hana thing, can tell ya! ~wink~

*Sakura Avalon or Kinomoto: Glad everybody likes and/or loves the story. I didn't think people would. I'm trying a different type or writing for myself, and it seems to be working if you like it. I can't tell you that, I might give something away ^-^! Sure I'm continuing, and I'll read your fic's too.

*Iz-Chan: O shut up! So what if I have so many idea's!! You love every one...and yes... "I'm the writer!!" HAHA!!

Bonus: Pre-view of the next chap!: (Iz told me this was mean...)

"....I don't know if she could take anything like this...Yuki too..."I sighed, leaning back against that waiting room chair. I rubbed his temples and sighed, looking to my left. Ayame shrugged, his long white hair hiding his face slightly. His gold eyes were passive, detached in some way.

"I don't think any of us can." Ayame's voice was quiet as he looked up just in time to see the young cow enter the hospital waiting room carrying a crying Kisa who gripped onto his black vest. Though he didn't show it, you could tell Haru's silent pain. Haru nodded at me and took the crying Kisa over to Hiro, who had jumped from his seat to meet them. The Cow took a seat and tilted is head back, resting it on the back of the chair as the scared and crying Tiger continued to clutch to his shirt. She did reach out for the disgruntled Sheep, but he merely sat a seat away and continued to stare down the hallway, her hand wrapped around his shirt sleeve.

"It's too soon. If we loose Yuki now...I'm not sure what will happen. "Ayame's voice was tight, tears welling up in his golden orbs. His brothers life was still in danger. As if it had ripped open a healing scar. Car accidents...

"Well one step at a time..." My voice died in my through as my eyes fixated on the door, wide in surprise and disbelief. Dressed in a deep blue turtle neck and a pare of plain black slacks, just the person I did not expect at that moment...

....JA!! ^-^

~SAL-Chan