Eleven years later; Kitsu's POV
She was going home. Every part of her body acknowledged and accepted that fact. She would see Aaya again, Gure. Hatori. The thought of it was still shocking. But the fact was, she was boarding the next plane to Japan and going to see them again. But would they remember her? And if they did, would they recognize her? And even if they recognized her, would they still want to know her? Stop it she ordered herself. Worrying won't do anyone any good. Now if only she could stop.
Hatori's POV; Japan
Why was he thinking of her? Damnit! why? Missing her won't bring her back! It would only hurt him, not help him. And it had been eleven years!
In front of Shigure's house, third person omniscient
A tall, graceful figure stood outside Shigure's house, gathering the courage to knock. Finally, she did.
A young brown haired girl of about sixteen answered the door.
"Is this the residence of Shigure Sohma?" the figure outside the door asked, with an American accent.
"Yes. I am Tohru Honda. Would you like me to get him?" she asked.
"No need," Shigure said from the doorway to the room behind Tohru. "Who is it?" he asked and looked over her shoulder.
Shigure's POV
Shigure stared at the slim figure in the doorway of his house. She had all the grace of a professional dancer and stunning beauty. Her long, sky blue hair flowed around her ankles and her deep, wine colored eyes held a faint trace of amusement.
"Aren't you going to invite me in?" she said with a smile.
"Kitsu?" he asked, "Kitsu York?"
"Yeah. Long time no see. Is he always this articulate?" she asked Tohru, who was watching with slight wariness.
"You came back!" Shigure yelled.
"No, you're hallucinating. Well, are you just going to stand there like a bump on a log, or are you going to invite me in?"
"Come in, come in! Please!"
"Finally," Kitsu said with a grin.
"How have you been?" Shigure asked.
"Great," she said.
"Do you have room for me to spend a night or two here?" Kitsu asked.
"I'll give up my room," Tohru offered.
"No, I don't want to disturb anyone. I can rent a hotel room if I need too."
"No," Shigure said. "You're staying here. We'll find room."
Kitsu grinned. "Thanks. Oh, and Shigure?"
"Yes?"
"Would you mind not telling Aaya or Hatori? I want to surprise them."
"Sure."
The next day; in front of Ayame's shop; Mine's POV
A woman stood alone outside Ayame's shop, gathering her courage. Then she slid the door open and walked in, shutting the door behind her.
Mine came out from the back of the shop. "Can I help you?" she asks the woman.
"Yes," she replied, "I'm looking for Ayame."
No honorifics, Mine noted, And American accent.
"He's in the back. Shall I get him for you?"
"No need, Mine. Who is it?" Aaya called from the back.
"Come out here and see!" the woman called out before Mine could say anything.
He came out from the back steaming mad. No one spoke to him that way! No one ever had, except for… no, best not to think about that.
He was about to make an angry comment, but the words died on his tongue.
Aaya's POV
"Kitsu?" Aaya said in disbelief.
Kitsu smiled. "Aaya."
"Kitsu," he repeated.
Kitsu's smile turned to a grin. "Yeah. Surprise."
"When did you get here?" Aaya asked.
"Yesterday," she answered truthfully.
"Uhhhmmmm……… Boss?"
"Yes? Oh. Forgive my lack of manners, Kitsu, this is Mine, my employer; Mine, this is Kitsu. An old friend of mine."
"Pleased to meet you, Mine-san," Kitsu said and bowed.
"And to you," Mine replied and bowed as well.
"Oh, and there are a few things here that catch my eye…" Kitsu said and looked around.
Later that night; Shigure's house; Kitsu's POV
Next and last was Hatori. Kitsu's stomach tied itself in knots, then untied itself. And tied itself again. He had been the one who was affected most when she left, he had been the one she missed the most and the one she looked forward to seeing most. And the one who made her the most nervous. Would he want to see her, or would he reject her? Would she be able to get close to him again, or would he evade her? The questions rolling through her mind kept her awake. No matter how exhausted she was, her mind refused to shut down. Until at two o'clock in the morning, her body revolted and mobbed the mind, forcing it into a state of semi consciousness where it was unable to think and eventually shut down.
The next day
Kitsu stood outside the gates to the 'inside' and wondered how she was going to manage getting in. While she stood, a blond-haired boy popped up over the wall.
"Hello," he called out, "are you lost?"
"No," Kitsu replied, "But I could use some help."
"Yes?" the boy asked and jumped down.
"Is Hatori Sohma here?" she asked.
"No, he's not. I'm sorry," he said, obviously put out because he hadn't been of any help.
"Don't be," she said in a motherly voice, "It's not your fault. Why don't you go back inside and I'll go look somewhere else for him, okay?"
"Okay!" he said, his brightness returning. "And by the way, I'm Momiji Sohma."
Kitsu smiled back at the boy and waited until he was safely back inside to sigh a great sigh of defeat. Momiji Sohma… she mused as she stared up at the sign above the gate.
Hatori's POV
He saw a slim figure in front of the gate to the inside and sighed. He was in no mood to deal with strangers. Yet this one was strangely familiar. She had a long, dark red cloak on and long, ankle length sky blue hair. Suddenly, she turned, and Hatori was catapulted back eleven years. Staring into those wine red eyes as she told him she was leaving, sitting with her on the roof, her screaming in the study hall. And all he could think of was one word.
"Kitsu."
A/n: Please forgive me if this story lacked any coherence at all up to this point, but up until this point, I have been typing this very late at night. Actually, very early in the morning. So, hopefully, the story will have a coherent twist to it from now on. I'm sorry I haven't posted in so long. I've had this typed up for a while, but I had a lot to do.