Here's the next chappie, everyone. Sorry it's been taking longer for each post. You'd think the summer would give me more time to write but it's not even that I'm busy, I just forget. LOL. That's me for you. I haven't even started on the next chappie but Akito is coming into the picture very soon. Perhaps the next chappie. I'm not sure yet. I have a big scene planned but I'm not yet sure if I'll set it up the next chappie and then have Akito is chappie 28 or just put it all in one chappie. I'll probably be mean and draw it out. LOL. I like to do that. LOL. Notes!

CatrinaSL: You'll find out everything about Akito shortly. Just be patient. LOL.

Chapter 26

"Hatori knows Hanajima?" Kyo cried, astounded, looking from Tohru to Yuki.

"I, I suppose so," Tohru mumbled.

"So you're telling me that you didn't know?" Kyo asked, practically screaming in Tohru's face.

"N-no, not at all," she said. He sighed in exasperation.

"The fact that he knows Sensei is disconcerting in and of itself, with or without Miss Hanajima," Yuki said.

"So neither of you knew that he was acquainted with Sensei?" Tohru questioned. They just shook their heads.

"How do you know?" Yuki asked curiously.

"And I would say they're a bit more than acquainted," Kyo added, folding his arms across his chest in frustration.

"Well, Sensei works in the Shiraki Bookstore where I go to buy books, I should have figured she did but I had no idea that she was even related to the owners, much less their daughter. Anyway, I saw Hatori come in one day and they seemed to know each other. I assumed they were old friends," Tohru explained.

"Friends, right," Kyo said sarcastically.

"Well, that explains Sensei somewhat, but we still have no knowledge of how Hatori knows Miss Hanajima," Yuki said.

"Maybe it's none of your business," said a voice behind them.

"Hatsuharu!" Tohru cried happily as she turned around, followed by Kyo and Yuki. "And Momiji!"

"Tohru!" the blonde headed boy exclaimed. The two exchanged smiles.

"What are you talking about, Haru?" Yuki asked curiously, turning the conversation back to its original topic.

"Just what I say, maybe it's none of your business," Haru repeated.

"You're right, Hatsuharu; you're absolutely right, it's none of our business unless Hana or Hatori care to tell us," Tohru agreed with a nod, followed by a nod from Momiji. Yuki, however, was busy studying Haru's eyes. There was a joy there he had never seen in the boy's eyes since Rin had broken up with him. It had returned, the light. Haru smiled and nodded as if to say, "yes, finally." Yuki smiled back softly.

Thank goodness, he thought to himself. It had been so long since he had seen him happy. He had also seen a secret hidden behind the boy's eyes but he wouldn't bring it up; it didn't matter; Haru could have his secrets as long as he was happy.

"Ah, whatever, where is she anyway?" Kyo asked.

"Uo had to work and she told her she'd walk with her today," Tohru replied.

"Probably to avoid your stupid gossip," Haru said.

"Oh, just shut up, Haru," Kyo sighed, rolling his eyes.

"What was all that back there in class?" Uo asked Hana as the two walked side by side down the sidewalk toward the restaurant where Uo served as a waitress.

"Am I expected to know?" Hana asked innocently.

"Don't play dumb with me, Hana; I know there's something going on you haven't been telling me. That man looked awfully familiar," Uo said.

"Yes, he did," Hana agreed.

"Oh, don't be so vague, of course he's familiar to you," Uo argued. "Wait a minute; he's that man, that doctor who helped you at Tohru's house." Hana nodded. "But why did he bring you a rose?" Only silence returned her question.

"We've reached the restaurant, Arisa," Hana said instead as the two girls stopped at the front door.

"All right, keep your secrets, you're entitled to them as much as anyone, I guess," Uo huffed as she entered the building. She wasn't really mad at Hana; she just didn't know what to think.

"Rin!" Hana cried, running as fast as she could after the long strand of jet black hair she knew belonged to her sister. She was on her way to the main house to visit Hatori and she assumed Rin was going to visit Hatsuharu. Haru had found Hana in the halls at school and had informed her of how he and Rin had gotten back together.

"Oh, it's you," she sighed hatefully, turning around to see Hana panting after her. "What the hell do you want?"

"I, I just wanted to know how you were doing," she said hopefully.

"I have nothing to say to you," she said, squinting her eyes angrily at the girl. "Now leave me alone." She turned to leave but Hana stopped her again.

"I was glad to hear about the renewal of your relationship with Hatsuharu," she said. Rin whipped back around, annoyed.

"I assume he told you," she said. Hana nodded. "Well, he told me that you helped us." Hana didn't nod or blush, just stood there silently. "Well, I only have one thing to say to you and that is to stay out of my life. I can get along perfectly well without your help. You think you're so high and mighty that you look down up us, the cursed, as if we're nothing bur charity. I don't need help from anyone!" With that she sped off through the trees.