"Shigure, who's that girl playing with the cat."

A 17-year-old Shigure looked up from the book he was reading and looked out the window where 8-year-old Akito was looking at the other children play. Shigure looked outside and saw Kyo playing with Lira.

"Lira? You know Lira, she hangs around her brother Hatori most of the time."

"Oh, yes. I have seen her once before at the banquet. She did her dance…she's quite ugly don't you think?"

Shigure chuckled as he watched Lira chase Kyo around.

"You better not let Hatori hear you say that. He loves his sister more than anything."

"Hmm…what makes her so special?"

"I have to go to school now Akito. I'll see you later this afternoon."

As Shigure left Akito heard someone sneeze bringing his attention back to Lira and Kyo."

"Lira, I told you it was a bad idea to come out here with your cold."

"I'm sorry Kyo, it's just I wanted to play with you before you went to school."

She sneezed again making he cheeks flush.

"She's really cute." Akito thought as Kyo grabbed his book off and ran off leaving Lira to wave goodbye. "I can't believe she's Hatori's sister…she looks nothing like him."

"Were you watching us?" she asked suddenly. Akito was so shocked he nearly fell over. He looked to see Lira looking straight at him with her piercing violet eyes.

"Wow, her eyes give her a mysterious look, especially with all that hair."

"I'm the horse of the Chinese zodiac." She said facing towards him "my name is Lira Sohma and I'm only 7 years old."

"Are you giving me your profile?" Akito asked sounding annoyed.

"Well, yes. My father said to say that once I met you Akito. That way you wouldn't have to waste your breath by asking me questions and maybe we could skip to the part where we could play together."

"Who said I wanted to play with you?" Akito asked in a cold tone. Lira blushed slightly and said, " I just thought you would want a friend. You always seemed lonely to me…Akito."

"Well if you want to play you better get in here."

Lira gave him a big smile and ran into the room where he was.

"Akito! I'm so excited to finally be able to-Ahhh!"

Lira had tripped over Akito's futon. Akito rushed to her side and caught Lira just in time. She looked up at him and smiled

"She shows no sign of fear." He thought as she stood up straight. "She really doesn't fear me like the others. Those eyes. It's as if she's staring into my soul."

"Akito, what's wrong? You look scared."

"Lira, your name is Lira right?"

"Yes! That's my name!"

He gave her a small smile and chuckled

"Lira would you like to play with me?"

"As the hours passed Akito could not hate Lira as much as he wanted to. He tried to find some flaw within her but to Akito…she was perfect and therefore his heart would not let him hate her.

"Akito, I have to go now, Kyo will be coming home soon."

"Oh, alright."

He turned his back to her a he heard her sweet laugh.

"What's so funny?"

He asked turning around to face her.

"Oh it's nothing. It's just amazing how you try to hide yourself from me and you barley know me, but I understand. Though I want you to trust me Akito. I want you to know that you're never alone as long as I'm around. So please…be yourself when you're around me."

"S that's what makes you so special Lii-san." He though as she left "you can see right through my act."
Akito awoke in his room, feeling a bit groggy.

"Hmm, I haven't had that dream in quite a while." He thought smiling to himself.

"We're leaving Akito. For school orientation is today." Said Hatsuharu poking his head into Akito's room.

"Wait Hatsuharu. I'm coming as well." Haru stared at Kyo with disbelief but he nodded his head all the same. After Haru left Akito got out of his futon and smiled/

"Sweet Lira…my dear Yuki…I hope you enjoy your new semester at school."