The rain poured down onto the Sohma Estate and lighting cracked. Akito on the porch with Lira lying in his arms sleeping, despite the noise because she had cried herself to sleep in Akito's arms. Akito brushed a lock of hair out of her face and looked down at her and grinned, then whispered, "I win."

"Akito, you shouldn't be out here in this weather." Said Hatori coming up to him, he saw Lira lying there "How is she doing?"

"Fine, a bit cold though." Said Akito grinning at Hatori "She feels so weak, I bet it's worse on the inside…I wonder what Kyo would do if he saw her like this."

"I'll take her inside," said Hatori "she doesn't need to be in the cold."

"No, not yet. I want to spend a little bit more time with my Lira." Akito felt Lira get close as possible to him and cling to his shirt "See how she needs me Hatori? She doesn't want me to leave her. Not like that monster of a boyfriend, oh I'm sorry ex-boyfriend."

"Akito, may I please take Lira inside? I don't want her to catch a cold." Said Hatori

"Of course…you are her guardian after all." Said Akito

Hatori bent down and picked up Lira's limp body and she instantly clung to him for warmth, when she did this he looked at her and saw that she was pale, her eyes were puffy and traces of tears were still there.

"Hatori." Said Akito, making Hatori look away from Lira's face "how long do you think it will be until Lira falls in love with someone else?"

"I don't understand." Said Hatori

"You didn't think she always be with Kyo did you?" asked Akito looking at him "You did, didn't you? Why would you think a flower like her…could be with a monster?"

Lira shivered in Hatori's arms and Hatori heard the phone ring.

"Aren't you going to get that Hatori?" asked Akito grinning

The ringing of the phone grew louder and Hatori awoke with a jolt. He was lying in bed and the phone next to him was ringing, he picked it up with a dazed "hello?"

"Hello Hatori." Said Lira's voice over the phone

"Lira? Why are you calling so early in the morning?" he said trying to wake up

"Hatori! It's 10:30 am!" Lira said

"Like I said to early." Said Hatori "What do you want?"

"I want to take you out to lunch today." Said Lira sounding annoyed

"Why don't you take Ayaa or Kyo?" asked Hatori

"Because they're not my nii-san." Said Lira "Now get your lazy butt out of bed and be ready! I'm taking the bus."

"Lira, you better be damn glad you're my younger sister." Said Hatori

"I know, because if you weren't I'd be trying to get into your pants." Said Lira

There was silence on Hatori's end and Lira burst into laughter

"I kid! I kid!"

"I hope so…I'll get dressed and stay away from those weirdoes, you tend to attract those." Said Hatori "I love you Lira."

"Thank you, Hatori…I love you too." then she hung up

Hatori hung up and got out of bed. It took him 20 minutes to get ready most of it was spent in the shower, trying to wake up. After he got dressed he was about to leave until someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," he said while putting on his shoes

The door opened and he saw a servant woman.

"Hello, Hatori-Sama, Akito-sama would like to speak to you." she said

"Oh, alright." Said Hatori "Is he feeling ill as usual?"

"No, he just wishes to speak with you…" said the girl she then bowed and left.

Hatori tied his shoes and grabbed his wallet then put it in his pocket before going to see Akito. Akito was sitting on the porch with a bird resting on his finger.

"You wanted to see me, Akito?" asked Hatori when he arrived

"Yes, I wanted to know how Lira is…" said Akito

"Well, I don't really know…She's coming to see me just now." Said Hatori

Akito looked at Hatori and looked him over and smiled.

"Should've known. You're not wearing your usual attire." Said Akito "Do me a favor, why don't you two join me for lunch? Bring her here. I wish to speak with her and with you."

"Alright, but may I ask what for?" asked Hatori

"Because, you are her guardian and I want you to be there when I ask her this question." Said Akito as the bird flew away. "But before I ask I want to make sure it's okay with you."

"What is your question?" Hatori asked curiously

"Oh, you'll find out later this evening…" said Akito

Hatori left leaving Akito to look after him. Hatori went to the bus stop near the Sohma Estate. He took out a cigarette, lit and smoked until Lira's bus arrived 10 minutes later.

Lira got off the bus she was wearing a long blue skirt with a white collared shirt. She looked around and saw Hatori and ran up to him.

"Hey Hatori!" she exclaimed

"Hello Lira." He replied

"You know those are bad for you," said Lira covering her nose "you know better than anyone since you're a doctor."

"It's a bad habit." He said throwing it to the ground and making it go out by stepping on it. "And how are you?"

"Breathing, now that you've put that out." Said Lira uncovering her nose "So where she we go to eat? How about Akira's? I'm in the mood for something special!"

"Akito wants us to eat lunch with him." Said Hatori looking at her

"Oh…why?" she asked looking at him, Hatori shrugged "Did I do something wrong?"

"I don't know…" said Hatori "but don't worry I'll be there to protect you…"

Lira's eyes widened in fear for a moment then they softened and she gave him a small smile of understanding. They walked into the Sohma Estate and walked to Akito's house and Lira knocked on the door. They heard footsteps and Akito opened the door. He was wearing jeans and a zipped up jacket.

"Lira, Hatori, I'm glad you two could join me for lunch." He said smiling at Lira

"Thank you for inviting us, Akito." She said smiling at him.

Akito stepped aside so that Hatori and Lira could walk in and he closed the door behind them. They all walked into the dining room and sat down.

"Lira, you look splendid today." Said Akito as he sat down

"Oh thank you, Akito." She said sitting next to Hatori "but I should be thanking you for inviting us."

"Yes, Akito thank you," said Hatori

"It was nothing were family now help yourselves." Akito said helping himself

Lunch went by peacefully, and they would talk occasionally, about school, work, whatever they could think of really.

"Oh I don't think I can eat another bite." Said Lira leaning on Hatori "that was a fabulous meal, thank you Akito."

"It was my pleasure. Lira I've been meaning to ask you, how would you like to go on a walk with me around the estate? Just the two of us, of course with Hatori's permission."

Both Hatori and Lira looked at Akito in shock. Not once has Akito asked for permission about anything. He just did it, let alone would he ever ask a member of the zodiac for permission to anything or anyone.

"Um yes, of course I have no problem with that Lira?" said Hatori looking at Lira who looked like she was frozen in time.

"Well I haven't seen the garden in a while. I would like that," said Lira tucking a lock of hair behind her ear

Lira and Akito rose from the table and so did Hatori leaving quickly. Akito offered Lira his arm and she took it, he lead her to a back door and they stepped outside and walked along a path.

"It's so nice out today." Said Lira "It was a good idea to come out here today."

"Lira?" said Akito, as Lira looked at the cherry blossom tree "How are things with Kyo?"

Lira twitched at the sound of Kyo's name but she turned to him with a smile

"Things are alright. We're taking a break though." She said softly "I think Kyo and I might be growing apart."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Akito said, Lira started laughing and Akito made his grip on her arm tighter "What's so funny?"

"You don't have to be fake around me Akito." She said still smiling "I know you want me to be with you, just admit it, you can't wait for Kyo and I to split, but even if we do who says I'd come running to you?"

"Because you love me…don't you?" Akito released his grip and slipped his arm out of Lira's and wrapped it around her waist "Tell me, that you don't love me, Lira."

Lira gave a deep sigh and began to walked away and Akito followed

"Lira, do you even follow your heart anymore?" he asked watching the way she walked

"Of course I do." she said looking back at him "It's just confused."

"Hmm, would you like to go out next weekend, with me?"

Lira stopped in her tracks and turned around to face him

"You look surprised, so what do you say?"

"Okay, I'll do It." she said not looking at him

Akito stepped forward and held Lira in his arms.

"I don't know why I agreed to go with him…maybe it was because I wanted to make Kyo jealous…I don't know…but…when he held me…it was the way, Kyo use to hold me…"