Hatori knocked on the bathroom door. Lira was inside doing who knows what.

"Lira, get out here. Kisa and Momiji are about dance." Said Hatori sounding impatient

"I can't face him Hatori!" Lira yelled through the bathroom door. " I can't face Kyo."

"Yes you can, he's not coming." The door flew open and Lira was standing there in her rich purple kimono with white flowers on it. Her hair was tied back in a low ponytail with a white bow. She looked up Hatori with a mix of anger and shock. "I'm sorry Lira he's not coming. Shigure came and said they went back to their house to spend new years with Miss Honda."

"Was she going to spend it alone?"

"Well yes, I suppose."

"Alright then," She said walking out of the bathroom "let's go sit down." They walked over to were everyone else was seated

"Lira, it's so nice to see you again." Said Hatsuharu as she sat next to him. "How was America?"

"Dull. It's good to be back home. I missed you." Haru smiled and she returned it

"I missed you too. How long will you be staying?"

"A month I think. I just came to see how everyone is doing. I also want to meet Miss Honda."

"I haven't had the pleasure of meeting her either but I'm sure we will soon enough. I was hoping Kyo would come. I wanted to challenge him to a fight."

Suddenly the lights dimmed and everyone went quiet. Kisa came out onto the floor and began to dance and was soon joined by Momiji. After Kisa danced for a while she exited and let Momiji finish his. When Momiji took his bow everyone clapped and cheered. The lights came back on and Kisa and Momiji took their seats. Akito then rose from his seat holding his glass.

"First I would like to say. Kisa and Momiji you both dance well and let us all welcome the year of the rabbit." Everyone clapped and Akito continued. "And let us welcome back Lira, who had spent most of this year in America."

Akito looked at Lira and winked at her. Lira stood up and said, "I'll drink to that." everyone raised their glasses.

"Happy Chinese New Year!" everyone shouted as Lira sat back down. Lira began to chat with Haru and Hatori eating their fill when someone called her out.

"Lira!" she looked and saw Ayame and Shigure coming towards tem. She instantly got up and ran to Ayame and Shigure and they both gave her a hug

"Uncle Ayame! Shigure! I missed you both so much."

"And we've missed you. My you have grown into a lovely young lady." Said Ayame letting go of her and looking at her "and you're wearing the kimono I made just for you!"

"Does it look okay on me?"

"It looks marvelous. You must come by tomorrow, I'll make you tea! Hatori! How can you not say hello to me?"

"Akito wants to see you outside Lira." Shigure whispered in her ear as Ayame walked away to talk to Hatori. "On the balcony."

Shigure was about to walk away but Lira stopped him by saying "Shigure is Kyo happy?"

Shigure turned and gave her a small smile

"He'd be happier if he was with you again. You should come by the house sometime. I'll introduce you to Tohru." She nodded and left Shigure to talk to Hatori while she went to the balcony where Akito was already waiting.

"Ah, there's my flower." He said turning around to face her.

"What do you want Akito?"

"I just want to talk to you."

"Talk? Akito your definition of talking to me is your lips on mine. Therefore I can't talk much can I?"

"Lira I think your thinking of someone's. Maybe Shigure? Besides even if I wanted to kiss you, I know you wouldn't let me. Now why haven't you ever called anyone else except Hatori? I haven't talked to you since you ran off to New York."

"Your the one who suggested that I should"

"And wasn't I the one who comforted you and stood by you when Kyo ran out on you?" Lira bowed her head and Akito came forward and wrapped his arms around her. "Didn't I tell you I always be here for you? You can trust me Lira. I won't hurt you." he lifted her chin with his hand so she would be looking at him and he smiled " I really did miss you"

"I missed you too Akito."

"Now would it be so bad if we shared a kiss?" he said inching towards her. Lira couldn't answer she was frozen as many thoughts ran through her mind. She was at his mercy.

"Akito, should you be out here in your condition?" said a cold voice.

Akito broke away from Lira. Lira turned and saw Hatori with Haru.

"I just wanted to talk to Lira, Hatori. It's so noisy in there with the music and all."

"As your doctor I suggest you get inside" said Hatori his voice still cold

"Lira we must finish this conversation later." Said Akito walking away "your as cold as snow Hatori."

"Did he hurt you Lira?" asked Haru as she went over to them

"No, he didn't. He almost kissed me but nothing more." She said feeling relived

"Good, we came in time then." Lira got on her tiptoes and gave Hatori a kiss on the cheek "what was that for?"

"For saving me. He's wrong you know. Your not as cold as snow Haa-san."

"Lira, I'm going to go to Shigure's house soon. Would you like to come with me?" asked Haru

"I'd love to. Then I can meet Tohru."

"Good, no come dance with me." Haru took her hand and lead her onto the dance floor and Hatori watched them dance realizing his little sister wasn't so little anymore. He smiled to himself thinking to himself.

"She may look like my mother, but she's not that cold. Lira, I hope when you meet Kyo again you smile a real smile. Not a smile just to hide the pain. Your heart has fallen ill like Kana's."

"Hatori can't you erase my memories of him?" Lira screamed at Hatori when Kyo ran away. "Can't you just make me forget everything, I had with him?"

"No, you need the keep the good and the bad memories Lira." Hatori said taking her into his arms "you'll regret it. I know you will."

"Hatori I hate him! I never loved him! I hate him!" she screamed as tears fell down her face.

"She was still a child back then. Even if she was only 15. Lira you can't deny it forever. You're in love with Kyo and no matter how much you want to forget. You'll remember it. I hope when you meet Kyo again, he'll heal your shattered heart and give you a reason to smile."

"Hatori! Hatori! Come dance with me!" said Lira running up to him interrupting his thoughts. "Please Hatori come dance with me!"

"Alright, since it's a slow song I'll dance with you." Lira took his hand and dragged him onto the dance floor. She puts a hand on each shoulder and he put his hands on her waist. "Be happy Lira." Hatori thought

"Hatori is something on you mind?" she asked looking at him

"No, not really. I'm just thinking about how I didn't ell you I love you. Because I do love you Lira."

"I love you too Hatori." She hugged him and Hatori hugged her back knowing that Lira would find happiness.