This is the next chapter… lessee wa's gonna happ'n…

Tohru was slightly surprised that Aki knew her. But she replied all the same.

"Uh, yes. I'm Tohru Honda. But you can just call me Tohru," Tohru said with the smiel that never left her lips, even at uncomfortable times in her life.

"I am Aki Souma. I'm most thankful to meet you, Tohru…"

"She sounds so formal… Well, I guess anyone couldn't resist the influence of such an elegant country as France… And though she's wearing casual clothes, even soemwhat punk style, she looks so glamourous… Anyone will just treat her her like a real lady… I wish I could be more like her…" These were the ongoings in Tohru's mind as she eniously stared at Aki from head to foot. She had that dreamy expression on her face, the one that could be seen when little girls imagine themselves as Cinderella…

"Umm, Tohru?"

"Ah, Yuki! I'm sorry! Aki!"

"It's alright…" Aki said with a smile.

"Well then, Hatori… Leave Aki to us! I promise I will take good care of her!" Shigure slaps Hatori in the back as they got up from the table. However, Hatori saw a malicious glint in Shigure's eye. He then remembered that Shigure does have a thing for highschool girls. And Aki was just the same age as Tohru and the others…

"I guess I have no choice but to leave her to you, Shigure… Though I know that you yourself are a threat…"

"Aah, Hatori! Don't talk like that! You know me! I'm very much trust worthy!"

"Yeah, right…"

"Hatori!"

So the Soumas and Tohru, now together with Aki, went back to Shigure's house. They gathered in one of the rooms (the one facing the garden outside) and talked…

"Aki 'ne-chan, how was France?" Momiji asked curiously.

"There were many wonderful places there. I'm sure you'd like them, too, Momiji-kun."

"Aki-chan, did the people treat you right there?" Yuki asked in concern.

"Of course, Yuki-kun. In my opinion, the French people are all naturally hospitable. But, yes, the people there treated me nicely," Aki said to Yuki affectionately.

"Heh…"

'What's the problem, Haru-san?" Tohru inquired, unknowing of the impending war that was to happen the moment someone noticed Haru's reaction.

"Nothing, Tohru… It's just that… I'm gonna get some air…" Haru hurriedly got up.

"Uh, Haru-san…" Tohru's gaze followed Haru. When she looked back at the people left, she noticed that Aki was staring at the spot where Haru sat, looking as though she was hurt by what Haru did.

"Tohru-san, since Aki's going to spend some time with us here, I think you souhld know… Of course, that's with Aki's persmission…" Shigure looked at Aki.

"Uh, sure… But I'll have to go outside…"

"Aki-san, I won't tell Tohru if you don't want – "

"No, it's alright… Tohru should know… I just don't think I can stand hearing the story once more… Please do tell Tohru about it…"

"Thank you, Aki…" Though Tohru didn't know what she was going to hear about, she thanked Aki for letting her in on such a story about her.

So Aki went out the room, too. She didn't go outside, however. Instead, she listened ouside the room. She sat by the doorway, staring at the floor, waiting for Shigure to tell once more of the story that almost ruined her life, or maybe, the story that did ruin her life.

"Tohru, it might not be obvious but Aki is the twin sister of Akito."

"Really?? But, they don't look alike…"

"Well, they're not identical twins. Anyway, you probably are wondering why Haru is acting oddly about Aki so, here it goes…"

"When we were all a lot younger, Aki was the most popular kid in the Souma family. Not only was she talented, she was also very polite, poised… She had everything a parent could wish for." Shigure narrated.

"This little girl will be the future leader of the Souma clan…" the elderly women of the Soumas talked about.

"Not while I'm around…" Akito defends himself everytime.

"Aah, Young Master Akito! So, you want to be a leader, too?"

"Yes. I will rule over all of our clan. I will make our lives better."

"Such great promises from such a young mind!" the elders would say in front of Akito. But when Akito turns his back…

"But of course, he won't be the ruler. Everyone wants Lady Aki to be leader, you know…"

"And, I would not like a spoiled brat like that Akito to rule over the Soumas. He won't do any good. I'm sure of that…"

"Unknown to them, Akito always heard their backstabbing. Since then, he became confused of whether to admire her twin or to hate her for being better than him in everything…"

"So, Akito felt that there was competition between himself and Aki?"

"Yes, Tohru. Though it was slightly unreasonable, he envied his sister. Well, one fateful day came and Aki, whiel she was playing all by herself, met Haru."

"What are you looking at? Do you want to play as well?"

"Yes, but my parents said that I can't play with a girl like you or I will turn into the bull…"

"You won't turn into a bull if you play with me…"

"How can you say that? That's what my parents told me…"

"I'm also a member of the Souma family, if you accidentally hug me, or even if it's not accidental, you won't turn into the… bull, isn't it? And, I also won't turn into my animal form…"

"You also turn into an animal? What kind?"

"My parents told me to keep it a secret…"

"But I'm also a Souma. You can tell me…"

"My parents said that even Soumas can't know… But don't worry, one day, I'll show you my animal form."

"I'll look forward to that day!"

"My name is Aki."

"I'm Haru…"

"Since then, they became the best of friends. When the head couple of the Soumas died in a car accident, Haru was the one who was always there by Aki's side. He always comforted her. Even the elders said that Haru was more brotherly to Aki than Akito was."

"Akito's parents died early? That must have been very hard for them…"

"Well, Aki was hurt by that event. But Akito wasn't. At least, that was what the elders saw."

"From now on, I will lead us Soumas. You will all follow my commands and heed my leadership. Anyone who does not accept me as their leader shall be punished…"

"Akito did that?"

"Since Aki's parents were dead, she supposed that she was free to show Haru her animal form. One day, while they were playing, Aki saw a boy running down the street…"

"Haru-chan, follow me!"

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to show you my animal form!"

"Aki ran down the street, running straight at the boy, half hugging him. Then, red light, with a hint of gold, blinded Haru. When he looked up to where the light was coming from, he saw a magnificent red bird, with tails of gold, feathers glittering in the early morning sunshine; he looked up to see a red Phoenix…"

And that was even longer! Yeh, I know the phoenix is not a member of the Chinese zodiac but in the next chapters, you'll find out why a phoenix is present in the Souma clan. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed it as mush as I enjoyed writing!