So, I didn't wait as long for this update as I did for the last one. Or did I? I can't even tell anymore... -Yuki

Hanajima

Saki Hanajima was not a person who was easily surprised. Whether it was because of her electric waves, or just downright lack of emotion, it just couldn't be done. So it was understandable that when Tohru approached Saki with exciting news, it didn't faze her.

"Hana, guess what I found out!" Tohru said excitedly after school that day.

Saki smirked to herself. She knew this was coming, seeing as Tohru had obviously had something on her mind all day, and now wanted to share it. It didn't surprise her. No, it didn't surprise her at all.

"You know Kisa Sohma? Well, actually, I suppose you don't really KNOW her, but you've heard of her…well, if not, she's Yuki's cousin, and all…"

Tohru's ability to ramble on and on didn't surprise her either. But, nothing is impossible. Saki found herself dropping her books when she heard what Tohru had to say next.

"…ummm, anyway, Kisa ran into trouble with a gang who was picking on her, and, ummm….Megumi saved her, and now they are partners for a school project! Isn't that exciting!"

It took Saki a moment to collect her thoughts before she bent to pick up her fallen books. "Megumi…saved Kisa?" she asked, attempting her usual monotone voice, but failing.

"Yah, well, from the gang that is…" Tohru trailed off. It was still a pretty hard subject to bring up, seeing as it happened only last week. "So", she said, changing the subject, "is Uo walking with us today?"

"She has detention", Saki commented, returning to her emotionless state.

"Oh, well that's too bad; today's such a nice day!"

As the two walked through the school doors, a breeze swirled their hair, well, rather Tohru's hair and Saki's braid (:P). Leaves fell from trees, drifting on air currents, coming to rest all over the school yard. Saki inhaled the sweet autumn air deeply. It was indeed a nice day.

Long after the two had parted ways, Tohru's word rang in Saki's head. Megumi…saved…gang…her Megumi? Her brother! As Saki reached the front door of her house, she pulled out her keys, just to find the door already unlocked. "Megumi must have known I was coming", she said aloud, to no one in particular. Opening the door, she entered the house.

Saki found her brother amid a pile of books, as usual. However, this time, it was for homework purposes. He looked deep in thought. So deep in thought, that, he didn't sense Saki coming up behind him. "H-"

"How was your day at school, Saki?" he asked calmly, interrupting her before she could speak. Okay, so maybe he DID sense her coming up behind him ;P Even still, he was pretty deep in thought.

"It was alright". She spoke with little emotion in her voice, although Megumi's quick greeting had shaken her a little bit. "How did school go for you?"

"Oh, the usual…" Megumi replied, his nose deep in a book.

"Nothing out of the ordinary?"

"Nope"

Saki paused for a moment, then decided to press on. "How's Kisa doing?"

Had Megumi not heard his sister, he still would have been able to sense the tension that lay between them. However, having heard, instead he lowered the book, and looked her in the eye.

Saki saw the blank look on Megumi's face, a look that said 'I don't know what you're talking about'; but his eyes told a different story. His sister could see a small, but definite change in his eyes. "Tohru told me…about your project".

"It…the project…is doing fine. We were just assigned it though, so you can't expect us to be very far".

Megumi was being defensive. Saki decided it was best to leave it alone. Some matters are better left untouched. Instead, she posed an idea. "She should come over some time…"

Megumi's head whipped up, staring at his sister.

"…to work on the project".

After contemplating the thought, Megumi said, "Yes, I'll invite her over…"

However, saying something, and doing it are two completely different things. When Megumi arrived at school the next day, he saw Kisa sitting in her usual seat in the corner. She was pretending to read a book, but really just waiting…waiting for someone to go up and talk to her for once…something she had done every day since she started Junior High. He had never realized how lonely this girl really was.

Megumi sighed. So…all this time, she's been waiting…and still, no one had ever made the effort to talk to her…to reach out and give her the hand she needed. To be her friend. "Well, that's about to change", he said to himself, and, with that, he headed toward her desk.

It took a moment for Megumi to get Kisa's attention. She was so unused to anyone even remotely coming near her desk that, when she looked up, she did a double take. What was Megumi doing here? Kisa stared at the black haired boy in front of her, then, realizing he was staring back, quickly averted her gaze.

"Hello", he said. Grabbing a chair, Megumi seated himself next to Kisa, ignoring the stares the two were receiving from across the classroom. "What are reading?" he asked, peering at the paperback in her hand.

"Huh?" Kisa was at a loss for words. It took her a minute to collect her thoughts. "Oh…um…Tokyo Mew Mew".

Megumi stared at the manga. While he himself was not fond of reading anything with pictures, he did know a thing or two about them. "That's the one about a girl that changes into a cat…right?"

Kisa fumbled with her hands, trying to calm her nerves. Megumi was talking to her! He was actually talking to her…and not just about the project! "Ummm…yah…"

"Hey", Megumi said, making Kisa jump. "I was wondering if you'd like to come over to my house. You know, to work on the project".

Kisa gasped. "Ummm, well….ah…". She couldn't seem to make her words come out right. This was all happening too fast! She barely even knew Megumi, and he had already invited her over! But then…this was the boy who had rescued her. For the first time in the conversation, Kisa looked up, and met Megumi's gaze.

Megumi was taken aback. Were those…tears in the corners of her eyes? However, within a moment later, Kisa was staring back down at her feet.

"…yes…", she said in a very small voice. "…thank you…"

The look of shock stayed on Megumi's face just a moment longer; then was replaced with a smile. He'd help Kisa…and, maybe someday, she would be able to join the others…that, or atleast they'd get an A on their project ;) XP

shadowed ambience- Hehe, thanks :)

Lucinda the Maid- I feel especially bad for Hiro. In many ways, he's like Kyo... anyway, don't worry, Megumi won't be potrayed as 'head of heels' exactly. That would just be WAY TOO out of character, and I'm someone who tends to like to remotely keep people in character.

Different Child- Yay! I think you are the first person to say you like the name of my story! (It was originally Young Love, but that title left much to be desired XP) You are also the first person to say you like my penname (yay!) Thanks for the review :D

YouNG LiTTLe STaRs- Things are getting intense, aren't they? In fact...I wonder what will happen next? There's the whole HiroxKisa thing, but now Kisa and Megumi will be hanging out, and then there's the whole llama disaster! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO! Wait a sec (rereads script)...never mind, there isn't anything about llamas in here...heh, my mistake (sweatdrop) XD

des- Thanks for the review, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Child of the Dark Wood- COOKIE! (follows Child of the Dark Wood around in circles, trying to get cookie). Heh, it's fun to change your penname! I just do it too often, that's all! XP

Craze Izumi- Thanks XD

purplepeopleeater- I love your penname? How'd you pick it?

Ryokko-Chan- Love triangles...they confuse me. Like the YukixTohruxKyo one, or the MotokoxYukixTohru one...the only thing worse than love traingles is love rectangles! Like...um...I'll think of one...someday...

MakatoMai- Very sorry! It didn't occur to me before, but, now that you mention it, Tohru would be suprised at hearing about Megumi. I thought over what you said, and tried to work that into this chapter. Thanks for the review!

Rena-chan- Yay! MegumixKisa!

Bambigirl- It's funny...I used to not like Kisa very much, but working on this story has helped me see more to her...and now she's one of my fav female characters.

Forever Dracula's Bride- Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Yuki-Year of the Rat: "Guess what? I FINALLY GOT A YUKI HAT! I'M SO HAPPY! HE'S ADORABLE!"

Yuki: (blushes)

Haru: "Hey, stay away, YUKI'S MINE!"

All: (sweatdrop)

Haru: "I was kidding!"

All: (sigh of relief)

Kyo: "Didn't I say last chapter I didn't want to be stuck doing the afterward?"

Akito: "Ya, but no one care's what YOU say. YOU'RE the cat"

Yuki-Year of the Rat: "Don't worry Kyo, I love you!" (throws self on Kyo)

Kyo: "Help me!"