Oh, just to let all of you know, this story picks up where the anime leaves off, it doesn't go on to end where the mangas currently are. :) Just a helpful hint if you were a little confused.

Chapter 3

"Hari!" Shigure cried, rushing up to the dim figure of Hatori who was standing in the corner.

"Shigure," he said solemnly.

"Oh, come, come, Hari, it's the New Year, don't be so dull," Shigure said. There was no reply. "Oh, my dear cousin, I've been meaning to ask you, has Akito been feeling well, he didn't seem his usual self at the banquet."

"He hasn't been the same since Tohru spoke with him a few months ago. He doesn't know how to approach her words; they've impacted him more than anyone ever thought they would. He's going through phases of different emotions, but the main one he's dealing with is guilt. Of course I wouldn't expect you to understand," Hatori said.

"Oh, Hari, why should I struggle with guilty when I have nothing to be guilty of?" Shigure chuckled.

"Shigure, if I thought you were joking I'd jump off a bridge, the pure truth of the matter is that you really believe that," Hatori said.

"Oh, Hari, must you be so cold?" Shigure pouted.

"Yes," Hatori replied plainly. "Oh, Shigure, where's Kyo?" Shigure grinned.

"He's keeping our little flower company," he said.

"Kagura's not going to be too happy," Hatori contemplated.

"Well, maybe you should go keep Tohru company and I'll go get Kyo, I know you want to," Shigure teased.

"Shigure, sometimes I wonder what's going through your mind, but I really prefer not to find out," Hatori said.

"Shigure!" came a loud voice down the hall. Both men turned to see the crazy boar thundering rapidly in their direction.

"Yes, Kagura?" Shigure asked calmly as if he was used to this, which he was.

"Where's Kyo, I can't find him anywhere!" she shouted unhappily.

"Well, Kagura," he muttered, looking down into her pleading eyes. "He, uh, he's not here."

"What, why not?" she asked, her face dropping rapidly.

"He stayed home with Tohru since he wouldn't be going to the banquet anyway and he didn't want to leave her alone," Shigure explained. "He's really quite the gentleman, isn't he?" Hatori elbowed him in the side.

"Oh, yes, he is," Kagura sighed dreamily. "But why isn't he here, he knows how much I love him!"

"Well, uh-" Shigure started.

"I'm just going to have to come over sometime and make sure he knows that he has all my love for the New Year!" Kagura cried, skipping off.

"My house," Shigure squeaked, flinching. Hatori offered a small smile.

"Oh, and you know the main house won't be covering the bills for all your damages anymore," Hatori said as he walked off.

"What? Wait, Hari!" Shigure shouted, rushing after him.

"So, Kyo's home with Tohru, huh?" Hatsuharu asked Yuki. Yuki just nodded. "Is the cat going to finally beat the rat?"

"Shut up, Haru!" Yuki said, raising his voice slightly.

"Yuki, have you even told her how you feel?" Hatsuharu asked.

"This conversation is over, Haru," Yuki said as he stomped off.

"Wasn't much of a conversation anyway," Hatsuharu shrugged.