The Sohmas swallowed hungrily as plate after plate of beautifully arranged food was set before them. Tantalizing scents overtook their senses, making them ravenous. They ate as if they had not had a decent meal in weeks, and the taste proved as grand as the presentation. They ate until they were full to bursting, but once dessert was delivered, they could not help but eat some more. As the last of them sat back with contented sighs, they spoke in amazement of Tohru's advanced skill, for she had insisted on cooking everything for them herself.

"Now, for the check," Shigure declared, and he waved their waitress over.

"Do you think Miss Honda will let us pay?" Yuki inquired.

"We'll convince her," Shigure replied confidently as the waitress approached.

"Yes?"

"We'd like the check, please."

"Right away." She bowed and retreated, returning moments later with a slip of paper. Placing it on the table, she bowed again. "I hope you enjoyed your meal. You may pay at the front." Then she left.

The Sohmas stared or blinked in surprise.

"Well," Shigure chuckled. "That was easier than I expected."

Hatori snatched the check from its resting place. "After that comment she made to Aya about being a businessperson, she couldn't very well refuse to let us pay." He scanned the bill. He nodded suddenly. "As I thought."

He handed it to Shigure, who raised his eyebrows. "This can't be right."

Ayame, leaning over to look, agreed. "That is too inexpensive. I hope she doesn't charge all of her customers so little. She'd go out of business."

"More likely she gave us discount," Hatori said. "But we can't know how much, and I doubt anyone would tell us."

"We could leave a big tip," Momiji suggested.

"The waitress takes the tip," Hatsuharu replied.

"What if we asked someone to give it to her?" Kagura proposed.

"She wouldn't accept it." Yuki shook his head, then sighed. "We can't win, can we?"

"It does seem that way," Shigure answered, somewhat dejectedly.

"Where is Sissy?" Kisa asked quietly.

"Yeah, we're going shopping," Kagura added. "She said she would come with us after we'd eaten."

"Knowing her, she's helping to clean up," Kyo said unthinkingly.

Shigure laughed. "That sounds like our Tohru." He paused. "Well, we'll leave you kids to it. I'm sure she'll be done soon."

"We'll take care of the bill on our way out," Hatori added. He looked at Ritsu. "Do you need a ride?"

Ritsu looked flabbergasted. "Oh, ye-yes. You wouldn't mind?"

"No, not if we leave now."

"Th-thank you, Hatori!" Ritsu jumped from his seat, ready to leave.

"Have fun!" Ayame intoned playfully.

The younger Sohmas spoke final parting words, and then sat waiting for Tohru.

After a moment, Yuki stood. "I'm going to go and find her. She may have lost track of time."

Kyo stood only a second later. "I'm going to look for her, too."

The exchange of glares expected to follow did not come. They began a silent walk to the kitchens.

"They're no longer the cat and rat," Hatsuharu observed idly.

"They don't have a reason to fight each other, anymore," Kagura concluded in a murmur. Except, perhaps, for Tohru. None of them spoke the words, but they all thought them. But Tohru was just as likely to be a reason for them not to fight, as well.

As Kyo and Yuki stepped through the swinging doors into the kitchen area, their waitress spotted them. "I'm sorry, but this area is off-limits to customers."

"We're looking for Tohru," Kyo said.

"We're friends of hers," Yuki added.

She seemed to hesitate in uncertainty, but after a pause, she sounded as if she believed them. "Miss Honda is in the back." She pointed down the aisle they should take.

"Thank you," Yuki spoke, before following Kyo down the recommended path. After a moment of walking through the large kitchen, they heard someone speaking above the normal kitchen noises.

"—what we hired them for. You don't have to clean up." The voice that spoke was masculine, and though the words were reprimanding, they were not harsh.

A familiar answered. "Yes, I know, you're right." Tohru.

Kyo had been correct. They both smiled unconsciously.

"Just…" A sigh. "It's less work for everyone if the work is shared, Miss Honda. And you've been here all day." A pause.

"Is that what time it is?" Tohru cried in alarm. Yuki had also guessed correctly. "I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow!" She sounded cheery, but rushed.

"Wait, Tohru."

Both Yuki and Kyo's eyes flashed. The man had called Tohru by her first name. Yuki did not even do that, and he had certainly known her longer than this man. And the man had called her Miss Honda only minutes before.

"Yes?" She almost sounded hesitant.

"Have you thought anymore about my offer?"

"No. I told you no, already, Mr. Maro." She slightly emphasized the formal name.

"Come on, Tohru. Just once. We could get a drink or go out to dinner…"

"I said no." Tohru's voice was firm, but was also beginning to sound helpless, or perhaps the sound was weariness.

"Tohru—" he began again.

"She said no."

Tohru turned around as someone took a step forward. "Kyo?" Another figure came forward. "Yuki?"

Both boys examined the man Tohru had called Mr. Maro. Perhaps two or three years older than them, he was dressed in rather expensive clothing. Black hair was tied behind his head in a short ponytail. Sea green eyes returned their scrutinizing looks.

"You're not supposed to be back here."

"Oh, it's okay. I know them." Tohru interjected quickly. She turned to face the two. "I'm sorry, I lost track of time. We can go, now." Looking at Mr. Maru again, she added, "I'll see you tomorrow."

He paused, then nodded. "Think about what I said."

"She already refused," Yuki spoke in a cold tone before Tohru could form a response. Then he and Kyo ushered Tohru to where the others were waiting. The boys were silent, uncertain that they had any right to interfere with what had happened in the kitchen. She did not appear upset, however.

As they stepped outside the restaurant and started their walk for the clothing stores, the others noticed their quietness.

"Did something happen?" Momiji asked, not sure whom to direct the question to.

Tohru gave a short laugh. Then she shook her head. "No. My vice president was just trying to take me out to dinner again." Kyo and Yuki stiffened. By her tone, the scene they had witnessed was a frequently reoccurring one. If she had ever been embarrassed about the situation, or about speaking of it, the sheer arduous repetition would have rid her of the feeling.

"Again?" Kagura persisted. "How many times has he asked?"

Tohru's shoulders raised in a small shrug. "He's been trying for the past month or so. I can't tell you how often."

"And you've rejected him every time?" Tohru nodded. "Some men just can't take a hint," Kagura huffed. Then she paused in thought. "Why'd you turn him down?"

Tohru gave a half-smile. "I don't think we were meant to be together. Besides, he only wants the company," she added bluntly.

All of the Sohmas stopped walking, and she turned around to face them questioningly.

"How do you know that?" Hatsuharu asked.

"Well, at first I only suspected. But he wouldn't give up. When he became more persistent once the restaurant started doing well financially, I knew."

"Miss Honda, I hope you aren't mad at us for stepping in, back there," Yuki suddenly spoke.

She smiled. "Oh, no. In fact, I think you might have scared him a little. Maybe he won't ask me so much, now."

Yuki returned her smile.

"Why don't you just fire him?" Kyo demanded.

Tohru couldn't meet his angry gaze. "He's done so well for the restaurant. And he's a great manager when it comes to expenses."

"He certainly dresses nicer than anyone else there," Kyo persisted. "How do you know he's not stealing money?"

Tohru shook her head. "He's not." Before anyone could ask, she explained, "I have two vice presidents, Mr. Maro and Miss Kata. Miss Kata doesn't like him very much. She has better morals, I think."

"So you hired her to keep an eye on Mr. Maro?" Hatusharu asked.

Smiling, Tohru shook her head. "Not really, but she seems to do it anyway. When I interviewed them, they were both so qualified, I didn't see how I could turn either of them down for the job." They all smiled. That was just like Tohru.

"Enough business talk. Let's go shopping!" Kagura declared. She took one of Tohru's hands, Kisa took the other, and they resumed their walk.

A/N: Sorry, everyone! I had this chapter finished much earlier, but before I was able to write review responses, school got in the way, and I have not been in the best of health (nothing serious). Thanks for waiting!

Dark Inu Fan: Thank you, I will!

evil irish llama: Thanks! I'm glad you haven't lost interest so far. I hope it stays that way.

i love athrun: Thank you! I'm going as fast as I am able. I hope the wait is not too unbearable.

PD and KGIM: I'm glad you enjoy it! I would have liked to be in your classroom that day Thanks for reviewing!

Sami the archangel: Yes, I know not much happened in the last chapter. It could be labeled an explanatory chapter. Also, things will begin to build from there, I think. Thank you for the review!

Helbaworshipper: Thank you very much! I'm glad you like it. However, there is still more drama to come.

SelenityPotter: Thanks so much! I am the same about reviewing, so I am flattered. Thanks again for the review!

lhuntathraeil: I like Ritsu, too. He hadn't been in the story very much yet, so I thought I'd give him a larger part in that chapter. Thank you for the review!

nekozuki114: Thank you! I hope the wait was not too long, and that it was worth it.

Strawberriez48: Thanks! And no, the story is not quite finished. A few more chapters, I believe. Thank you for your vote, but I don't think there will be any defined pairings in this fiction. Sorry.

SunMistress: I'm sorry, posting this chapter took longer than I had both expected and hoped. I don't think there will be any blatant pairs. And no, I don't have writers block for this story anymore. I know where I'm going with it, now, until the end.

Sarah1281: No, it's not over yet, the end is near, though. I'm really happy you have been enjoying my fiction! Thanks so much!

Kiona: Thank you, I'm glad you think so. And I would be honored to aid you with your writing. That is, if you haven't found someone else to help you. I know I took a long time to answer. I apologize for that. Assuming you would still like me assistance, what would you like me to do?

onigiri: Thanks! I'm sorry you had to wait. I hope you continue to enjoy my fiction.

dreamcaster555: I'm sorry you were grounded, and congratulations on becoming ungrounded. I'm glad you like my fiction, and do not worry about not reviewing. But thank you for your comments! And, as I'm sure you've noticed, this story is not done quite yet.