A/N: Agh…I keep saying I'll update sooner, but it just isn't happening. I'm so sorry…school is killing me! Anyways, we have a four-day weekend, so I finally caught some time.

----- ----- -----

Whew…today was a big day, huh Mom? So much has happened...and I still have to study for tomorrow's test—

Shigure poked his head in, "Hey, Tohru, about ready to go to sleep? I noticed you were looking a little tired."

Tohru smiled sweetly and replied, "Oh, it's kind of you to worry, but really, there's no need. I'm not tired at all—yawn—see? Not at all…"

Shigure shook his head but relented, "All right, you're too stubborn for me. Just try to get some sleep, OK?"

Tohru nodded, and stifled another yawn, "I will, don't worry. Good-night, Shigure."

After he left, Tohru did not go back to her studying right away. Instead, she thought…

That was nice of Shigure to worry about me…almost like Daddy…or how he used to be. I feel like this is my home…like I belong with these people. But how can that be? I'm just being silly. After all, they're strangers to me…there's still so much I don't know about them.

…But I'd like to find out.

Tohru cut herself off right there and forced her attention back to the book that lay sprawled on the desk in front of her.

Concentrate, Tohru, concentrate!

Just then, Kyo passed by her room and looked in. He was surprised to see a little figure still sitting at her desk, valiantly battling drowsiness, but fighting a losing battle.

He was about to keep walking right past, but something about the way she looked so small and fragile tugged at his heart. He knocked softly, and then cursed himself for doing so.

Tohru had been so absorbed in her studying that she did not hear Kyo until he knocked. She jumped in surprise and banged her knee against her desk. She winced in pain, but waved her hand to show that she was all right.

"Oh, Kyo, I didn't hear you there. Hahaha…well, obviously, you saw that. Not that I don't want you to be here. You're welcome to come whenever you want…haha. This is your apartment, after all. And you don't have to knock…"

Kyo watched her silently, fascinated and a bit scared at the same time that this girl could be so energetic and apologize in so many ways in less than a minute.

Tohru slowly trailed off when she noticed Kyo's intent gaze on her.

"So…do you need anything? I mean…I can whip something up for you if…"

He cut her off and said brusquely, "No, I'm fine. I just wanted to see whose light was on this late. It's making it hard for everyone else to sleep. You should turn it off and go to bed."

With that, he strode off to his own room, wondering why he had knocked and thrown himself into such an idiotic situation.

Tohru was left a bit baffled, but then immediately felt guilty.

Oh no…I've been keeping everyone up with my studying. How could I have been so selfish and inconsiderate! And when they all have been so nice to me and helped me get settled! AHH…Mom…I'm such a fool, why don't I think of these things before someone points them out?

Just as panic was slowly building up inside of Tohru, her third visitor of the night walked into her room.

"Oh, Yuki, I'm so sorry I've been keeping you up with my studying! You should have told me before! I can't believe I've been so inconsiderate!"

Yuki looked at her in puzzlement. He had stopped by to ask her for an extra pen, but her rapid-fire speech had left him reeling in confusion.

"Has that stupid cat been talking to you? Don't listen to him, Miss Honda. He's just jealous you have such good study habits."

Tohru seemed reassured that she had not caused a great disturbance, so Yuki was about to proceed in asking for the pen, but she started babbling again.

"Thank you, Yuki. You're always so kind and even though I know sometimes I can be such a nuisance, you're always so patient with me."

Yuki shook his head, and replied, "You shouldn't be so modest, Miss Honda. Your presence has made this apartment much friendlier…much more like a home."

Tohru blushed at this unexpected praise, "Oh but I—I"

Yuki strode across her room in two steps and gently covered her mouth with his hand, "Shh…shh…" he whispered.

She nodded in understanding and he slowly let go.

"No more studying, though, all right, Miss Honda? You're working yourself far too hard. Just relax, you'll be fine."

She nodded again and Yuki smiled at her, "Good, now, turn off the light and go to sleep. I'll see you in the morning."

He turned towards the door, but at the door, he turned again and smiled, "Good-night, Miss Honda."

----- ----- -----

As Yuki was heading to the couch, he realized he still didn't have a pen.

He should have been irritated, but instead,he found himself remembering the softness of her cheek against his palm.

He found himself remembering her slight and fragile her body was when he held her while they were dancing…

He remembered the smell of her hair…a little like the strawberries that his mother once picked for him, and a little like the perfume of the jasmine flowers like that night at the playground.

…the playground?

FLASH!

----- ----- -----

A/N: Ok, so I know this chapter wasn't that much longer than the last one…but at least it got some plot going at the end. The next chapter will move along…and maybe MAYBE we'll find out more of the big picture. Haha…I know just about as much as you about the next chapter because it's still unwritten and I don't really know where the story will take me next. It kind of just writes itself…so, don't forget to check my profile page for the answers to the reviews of last chapter!