Summery; Warning; Disclaimer: See First Chapter. Please review.
I apologize if I make any mistakes -- but I don't think they celebrate Christmas in Japan. If they do, please correct me so I can fix myself. Thank you!
Six months later, I found myself moving to Japan. My mom claimed she needed a 'change of scenery'. Personally, I think it was just another one of her business deals gone wrong. No matter – I thought that's what vacations were for! So now I'm stuck in some strange country where I don't know the language, the culture, or anyone. Cripe – my life's just bliss, isn't it?
"This is such a stupid uniform," Rayne grumbled, tugging her skirt farther down.
"Stop complaining and get a move on, or you're gonna be late!" her mother shouted.
"Sure, sure," Rayne rolled her eyes, and ran out the door.
"I guess this is the school," she sighed, looking at the three-story building.
"Rayne?"
"Huh?" She blinked, and turned around. She found herself face-to-face with the Sohmas and Tohru.
"What are you doing here?" Hatsuharu asked in surprise.
"I moved here a few weeks ago," she told them, as she walked into the school.
"How are you going so far?" Tohru asked. Rayne shrugged in response, then paused.
"Oh, I wanted to ask you guys something," she said, stopping in the hall, "Where did you all learn English so well?"
"What do you mean, English?" Kyo asked in surprise, "You're talkin' in Japanese!"
"No…I don't even know Japanese," Rayne frowned, "Other than weird accents a little, I can understand you guys perfectly."
"Is it possible that you have picked up Japanese while you have been here?" Yuki asked quietly. Rayne thought for a moment, and then shrugged again.
"I don't think so, but maybe," she admitted.
"Well, I'll see you during lunch," Haru told her, as the bell rang. "I hope you're okay during your classes."
"All right – bye!" Rayne waved, and disappeared into her classroom.
"I wonder if she has a curse or something like that put on her?" Momiji wondered.
"I guess it's possible," Tohru blinked, "How else could she understand foreign languages, and make herself understood at the same time in English?"
"Well, there is something odd going on," Rayne told them during fourth period. Glancing over at Momiji's lunch, a slight shudder passed through her. "I can't stand sushi," she muttered, and bit into her sandwich.
"What makes you so certain something weird's going on?" Kyo demanded.
"I understood everyone in my class perfectly – even the math, unfortunately," she groused, "And there's no way I could have picked up Japanese that well in this short of a time."
"You have a point," Yuki admitted.
"Rayne, this might sound odd, but do you believe in curses?" Tohru asked her suddenly. Rayne looked at her in surprise.
"Well, I don't know," she shrugged, "Maybe if I had solid proof, but I've never had any before. But I don't know of any family curse or some witch-grudge against me that could've made me like that. And it isn't exactly a curse, is it? I mean, it's extremely helpful." Having said this, she grinned widely at them.
"Another good point," Momiji grinned as well, bouncing on his seat, "Haru, can I-can I-can I tell her?"
"No!" Haru and Kyo both yelled, and clamped their hands over his mouth.
"Calm down, Kyo!" Tohru pleaded, and the orange-haired teen sat down, glaring at the rabbit. Haru sighed deeply, and stuck his chin on his fist.
"I'm dying to know, but I won't pry," Rayne said, and kicked Haru's leg gently with a glint in her eye. "That's for not telling me, though," she added.
"Would you like to come over our house after school to study?" Tohru asked, breaking the silence, "Even if you can understand vocally, you might still have trouble reading the writing."
"I do," Rayne admitted, "I'd appreciate it, if it's not going to be a bother."
"Not at all," Yuki shook his head, "Shigure will be happy to see you again. If you're lucky – well, something like that – Ayame may come over as well."
"Do you two live at Shigure's house?" Rayne asked Momiji and Haru. Momiji shook his head.
"Nope. I live with Hatori in the main Sohma house, and Haru lives with our cousin Kisa in her house," he explained, "Shigure's a writer, so he said he needed a private place to work, without all the Sohmas around."
"I just think he's lazy," Kyo snorted, "That lazy, good-for-nothing pervert."
"Pervert?" Rayne asked, smiling, "He didn't seem that bad before."
"Once you get to know him, trust me," Yuki assured her, and stood as the bell rang. "Well, we better get back to class."
"Meet me in the locker room after school, okay?" Tohru called, as Kyo dragged her down the hall so she wouldn't be late.
"Sure thing, Tohru!" Rayne waved back, and headed down the hall with Haru. Momiji sprinted ahead, much to Haru's relief.
"So, are you two going over their house today?" Rayne asked, before she went into her classroom. Haru shrugged, avoiding her gaze.
"Well, I wasn't…but I might now," he told her, before running down the hall. Rayne blinked in surprise, and then headed back into class.
"This is a nice way to walk home," Rayne said, as the group walked through the woods. Momiji had left with Hatori, whom Rayne hadn't seen yet, but Haru had ditched the adult and gone with them.
"This is my old campsite," Tohru told her, showing her the spot as they walked by, "I lived here before Yuki found me and brought me home."
Rayne merely nodded, and snuck a glance at Haru. The teenager was staring ahead of him, apparently oblivious to the others around him.
"Well, it's certainly nice to see you again, Rayne," Shigure smiled at her, shaking her head. He then looked at Hatsuharu. "What are you doing here? Does Hatori know you're here?"
Haru shrugged, and shook his head. "Nope. He'll figure it out eventually, I'm sure. If Momiji doesn't tell him before then."
"Oh," Shigure blinked, then continued, "Well, I'm sure you kids have a lot of work to do, so I'll leave you alone now."
"So, how much do you understand, exactly?" Haru asked Rayne suddenly, as they sat down.
"Well…hardly any," she admitted sheepishly, "I can make out a few words, but…"
"Hm," Yuki thought for a moment, "We can't spend too much time teaching you our writing – you'll never get your work done at that rate…"
"Why don't we just translate it?" Tohru suggested, "We can tell her what it says, and she can write it down in English. Rayne should pick it up quickly if we do that."
"That could work," Yuki nodded, then sighed. "But that'll take forever."
"Hatori helps me with my stuff," Haru spoke up, and looked at Rayne. "I'll translate it for you, all right? Tell me if something doesn't make sense."
"Sure," Rayne nodded, "Thanks, guys."
"Aw…" Tohru giggled as the pair went off by themselves to study. "Haru's got a crush, doesn't he, Yuki?"
"It certainly appears like that," Shigure commented, poking his head in. He quickly ran off when Haru turned around, glaring at them.
"Well, thanks for the help," Rayne sighed, heading toward the door almost two hours later, "I better be going."
"You can't stay for dinner?" Tohru asked in disappointment.
"Sorry," Rayne shook her head, "I'd love to, but I gotta get home before my mom realizes I'm gone."
"I'll take you home," Haru offered, standing up, "We can use my bike."
"A motorcycle?" Rayne's eyes widened, as he nodded. Kyo snickered.
"Yeah, now it's a motorcycle," he grinned, "But it used to just be a regular bike, right, Haru? He looked pathetic on that thing."
Haru glared at the cat, and then glanced back at Rayne. Heaving a sigh, he merely stalked out the door. Rayne looked from Kyo to Haru, and then shrugged.
"Well, please come again soon!" Tohru called, as Rayne climbed on the bike behind Haru. The pair waved back as they took off.
"You're lucky he didn't go Black on you, Kyo," Yuki commented, "Any other time he would have gone ballistic."
"You're right," Shigure agreed, "I'll have a talk with Hatori this week and see if anything's been going on at the main house with Akito that could have changed his temper."
"I doubt it," Kyo snorted.
"Wow," Rayne grinned, sliding off, "That was really…fast."
"First time, huh?" Hatsuharu eyed her with amusement, and took his spare helmet from her. "You live here?" he confirmed, looking at the complex.
"Yeah," Rayne shrugged, "I dunno if it's temporary or not or whatever. But it's only for another year – as soon as I'm legal, I'm gone." At this thought, she grinned until her mother's car pulled by.
"Your mom?" Haru asked, then almost fell over in surprise as Rayne shoved his back.
"Bye, Haru! See you tomorrow!" she called, motioning for him to take off. He shrugged, and soon disappeared from view.
"Who was that?" her mother asked suspiciously, meeting Rayne at the front walk.
"Some guy that was lost," Rayne shrugged casually, not meeting her mother's gaze, "I told I had no idea where the store was."
"Hm," her mother eyed her, but didn't say anything else.
"Ahh….the weekend!" Momiji grinned, swinging in his seat. "I can't wait!"
"Why?" Rayne asked curiously.
"No reason," he shrugged, "I just like not having to go to school."
"That makes sense," Rayne said, and then sighed. "I much prefer school – or Shigure's. Nice and quiet there."
"How come?" Momiji asked, stopping his legs. The two were waiting down the road from the high school for the others. Rayne merely shrugged in response, and Momiji decided not to persist.
"Hey!" Tohru waved, running up to them, "Rayne, could you do me a favor?"
"What?"
"I need to go to work today," she explained, "But I was supposed to take Hiro and Kisa to the park today. Do you think you could fill in for me?"
"Umm…" Rayne hesitated.
"Please, Rayne?" Tohru pleaded, "I'm sorry for asking, but it's really important! They're thirteen and fourteen, and part of the Sohma family. Maybe Momiji could go with you!"
"Sure!" he grinned.
"I guess," Rayne shrugged, "I wasn't doing anything else this afternoon. Homework can wait till tomorrow."
"Thank you!" Tohru grabbed her in a hug, and then rushed off, leaving Rayne with an uneasy feeling.
"So…where do I meet them?" she asked hesitantly, and Momiji brightened.
"Hey, Momiji," Kisa greeted him quietly, Hiro at her side.
"Who's this?" Hiro demanded, and Rayne sighed.
"I'm Rayne Helton. Tohru asked me to take her place today, since she had to work," she explained, "I'm a friend of theirs."
"Well, duh," Hiro snorted, "I figured as much. Well, I'm off!"
"Wait for me!" Kisa called, and the two ran off into the park, leaving Momiji and Rayne behind.
"Do I follow them?" she asked him.
"No worries," Momiji winked at her, "They can take care of themselves. Hey, want something to eat? I'm starving, and I bet you are too."
"Actually, yeah, I am," Rayne admitted.
"Well, I'll buy this time!" Momiji grinned, and took out his wallet, "Want anything in particular?"
"Not sushi," Rayne shivered at the prospect, and Momiji laughed and ran off. "I better find those two," she thought to herself, and strode off in Kisa and Hiro's direction.
"Where were you this afternoon?" her mother demanded, as Rayne tossed her bookbag onto her bed.
"I went out," she said, "I was doing a friend a favor."
"What kind of favor?"
"Babysitting," Rayne told her tiredly.
"Well, where's your money?" her mother asked impatiently. When Rayne didn't move, she sighed in exasperation. "Don't tell me you did it for nothing!"
"That's what a favor means," Rayne said testily, trying to close her bedroom door, "I've got work to do, mom. I'll eat later, okay? See ya." With that, the door slammed shut in between them.
"Do you guys celebrate Christmas here in Japan?" Rayne asked Tohru, as the group walked in the snow in early December.
"No," Tohru shook her head, and Rayne's face fell.
"You were looking forward to it, weren't you," Haru noticed, and Rayne sighed.
"Yeah, kinda," she admitted, "But it's okay. As long I get New Year's, I'll still have fun." Putting on a grin, she shrugged.
"Yeah, we still celebrate New Year's," Kyo told her, walking next to Tohru. Momiji grinned.
"Yeah, we all get together at the main house each year," he explained, "It's the only time of the year the whole family is together. And then the members of the Zo – mmph!"
"Huh?" Rayne blinked as Haru and Kyo clapped their hands over Momiji's mouth.
"Nothing," Yuki shook his head, "Momiji likes to tell long tales."
"Oh," Rayne shrugged, and laughed at Momiji's face. Even though she didn't say anything else about it, the Sohmas noticed her odd looks from time to time at them.
I came that close to learning about the Sohmas that day! But it's probably a good thing I didn't, much as I wondered what made that family so…odd. Hatsuharu and I had grown close – it had become a habit for me to go over Shigure's house after school and have Haru help me with my work. I had known them for almost four months, but there was still so many things I didn't know about them.