A/N: Hatori's going to help Momiji, Uo's tempted to drink beer, Kyou and Tohru are having some moments, Shigure's frightened by Hana, and Yuki is in trouble and Kagura can't help him! What are people supposed to do?

Chapter 4: Ice Cream and Black Dogs

Kagura ran next to Yuki and held his shoulders loosely, looking into his violet eyes.

"Yuki please! Speak to me!"

Yuki glared at her and smacked her away. She tumbled and her head ran into a wall of the house. A thin line of blood started to trickle from her forehead and she pulled her head up with pain.

"Yuki, what's going on?"

He stood up and Kagura watched in horror at the all too familiar sight of flesh enlarging.

'This is just like when Kyou transforms into HIS true form…'

"Yuki, are you-?"

Hana stood outside the Sohma house again, wearing the all too familiar black cloak. She had felt a strong need to visit the house again, although she had been there just a few hours before. She was also experiencing feelings that she had only felt twice before.

'Hmm. This reminds me of when I met Tohru and Arisa. I wonder…'

Wanting to get rid of this nagging feeling in her heart, she moved towards the house and knocked gently. A loud and excited Shigure greeted her.

"Hello! How may I help you?"

Shigure looked down at Hana before letting out a scream and hiding behind the bureau. Hana sighed again and shook her head.

'He's like an overgrown toddler.'

"Shigure, get up. I am not here to hurt you. I'm just here to talk."

Shigure peeked his head gently before slowly getting up. He timidly walked towards her and nervously smiled. She in turn returned one and he felt slightly afraid.

"So, um, you're just here to talk? Would you like me to get Tohru; she just got home a few minutes ago."

"Actually, I came here to talk to you."

Shigure blinked. "M-Me?"

"Yes. Shigure, would you like to have lunch with me?"

'W-WHAT? Why does she want to have lunch with ME of all people?'

Hatori looked at Momiji for a second before letting a slight smile come to his face.

"Momiji, I think Kyou is in love."

Momiji blinked. "With Tohru? Then why doesn't he just tell her?"

Hatori inwardly shook his head. 'Momiji's going to have to understand this soon anyway.'

"Momiji, when a boy likes a girl, sometimes it's hard to convey our real meanings."

"If this is the sex talk again, I've already heard it three times."

Hatori coughed and shook his head. "No, I don't mean that. But, who told you about THAT anyway?"

"Haru, Kyou, and Hiro."

Hatori sighed. 'Naturally. I'm going to have to talk to those three later. Although how does Hiro know?'

"Getting back to the point though, Kyou must be in love with Tohru. Nevertheless, sometimes, it is hard for people to tell something that may embarrass them. Give Kyou some time, and perhaps he will eventually tell her."

Momiji nodded and smiled. "Thanks Ha'ri."

Uo looked in the fridge for the umpteenth time and finally took out a beer before closing the door. She ambled over to the couch and slumped down. Her father had been out, who knows where, and she was sick of thinking about it.

'Well, bottom's up.' She looked at the bottle with an expression of anguish before smashing the top of the bottle off with the end of the table and taking a long, deep sip.

Kyou looked over at Tohru, who was busy making the codfish onigiri. She had assigned him with the task of cutting up the beef before she made the stew. He had cut his finger multiple times because his eyes keep drifting over to Tohru's petite form.

'Tohru…'

"Kyou, Valentine's Day is coming up soon. And I'm sure Kagura will want to make you some candy again this year. Why don't you be nice and just accept it? I'm sure that would make her very happy."

Kyou turned around completely, forgetting about the beef, and looked at her. She had her back towards him and he could see her grab the rice and squish it into the little triangles. Curious as to why she wouldn't look him in the face, he gently grabbed one of her arms.

"Tohru?"

He turned her around and she smiled at him, holding out a heart-shaped onigiri.

"Since I don't have the money to give everyone chocolates this year, I'll make onigiris instead. Since you're here, I'll give you yours now." He took it into his hands and turned it over before nibbling at it. She gave him a grin and a giggle before turning back to the rice.

"I hope you like it Kyou. It's made just for you." She whispered the last part to herself, though Kyou could hear it perfectly. Let us not forget, Kyou is a cat and therefore has excellent hearing.

"Tohru, how about you and I go out for a picnic tomorrow? I'm sure it'll be nice out, and we don't have school…' A soft blush adorned his cheeks and she turned around.

"Oh, I'm sorry Kyou! I promised Yuki I would help him at the secret base tomorrow!"

Kyou twitched angrily at the mention of the Rat but didn't say anything. Instead, he just walked out of the kitchen without another word, the food now being long forgotten.

"Oh Kyou, I'm sorry. Just please don't leave…" Tohru looked down at the onigiri in her hands and sighed. She fingered the smoothened edges of it gently before proceeding with the meal.

Shigure shivered and dipped the spoon back into his ice cream while Hana's dark presence filled the ice cream parlor. The rest of the patrons had long since left, and the employees were just about to do the same.

"So Hanajima, why was it you wanted to bring me here?"

"I wanted to discuss Tohru's living situation with you."

Shigure stiffened and looked over at Hana nervously. 'Does she know about the curse? Is she going to make Tohru LEAVE? WHAT WOULD WE EAT?'

"It seems as though you, Yuki, and Kyou all have strange electric waves. Perhaps you could explain as to why?"

Shigure started to sweat and wished for some sort of salvation.

It all happened very quickly.

Shigure stood up, excusing himself to go to the bathroom. As he stood and turned, he ran into one of the female employees, and as luck would have it, he transformed into the large black dog. Hana stopped talking and looked down.

Everyone in the ice cream parlor saw him. Shigure was a dog!

End of chapter 4

A/N: Well, Hana knows of the curse now! As well as everyone in the ice cream parlor! Hatori and Momiji have a somewhat sex talk, Uo's DRINKING, and Tohru gives Kyou a heart onigiri just to get into an argument with him a few seconds later! What's a girl to do? Moreover, poor Yuki! He's in so much pain! Look forward to more soon!