Disclaimer: You know the drill.

Japanese to Know:

Tadaimasu - I'm back
Okaeri - Welcome home
Konbanwa - Good evening
Nii-san - Older brother (Plain form of "Onii-san")
Sake - Rice wine

Chapter 2

Family Ties

"My name?" Hokage repeated, turning white.

"Yes," Shigure pressured.

He turned and looked Shigure straight in the eyes. "My name is Sohma."

The man smiled and nodded, sitting at the table. "I thought I recognized you."

Hokage rushed to his side and tugged on his sleeve. "Please, don't tell anyone else. It'll be easier if they don't know."

"Oh, I don't know if I can keep a secret like that."

"Please, stop fooling around. I'm asking this of you, Shigure. Swear you won't tell them."

Shigure patted the boy's head. "Calm down. I swear."

Hokage sat back and frowned. "Somehow I don't believe you."

"Don't worry, I'll keep him shut up," a man with a deep, demanding voice said.

The boy turned to see the face of another he knew. His left eye was covered by his black hair. Yet both commanding green eyes stared at the boy. "Hatori-san, I didn't know you were here too."

"Shigure invited me to dinner. But what are you doing here?"

"Yuki invited me. We met in school today. Which year is he?"

"The Rat. But that's not important. Where have you been these past three years?"

"America. Father had business there, and I trailed along. I should have told you. I'm sorry." Hokage bowed.

The door outside rattled open. "Tadaimasu!" came a shrill cry.

"Ah, that must be Aaya," Shigure sighed, resting his chin in his palm.

"Ayame-san?" Hokage gasped in alarm. "I have to get out of here! He can't keep his mouth shut!" As he bolted for the back door, Hatori caught his collar and yanked him back into the room.

"Ayame will hold his tongue if he knows what's good for him."

As though on cue, said Ayame pounced through the door.

"Okaeri," Shigure smiled.

The golden-eyed Ayame caught sight of Hokage and gasped delightfully. "Oh my, it's our little Kage-kun! He has finally returned to us!"

"Ayame," Hatori said, "you are to tell no one who he really is. Is that understood?"

Ayame looked over at Hatori. "I understand, Tori-san. Not a word."

"Good. Because if you do…."

Ayame shuddered. "Don't worry, Tori-san. Not a word!"

"Tadaimasu!"

Shigure smiled. "Ah, it's our dear Tohru-kun."

The door opened to the room and Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo entered.

"Okaeri," Ayame smiled.

Tohru smiled and nodded. Then she spotted Hokage. "Konbanwa, Hokage-kun. Yuki-kun said you'd be here."

"I guess it's a good thing I didn't leave. But Hatori didn't have to choke me to get me to stay. All he had to do was ask," Hokage thought, smiling softly.

"Ah, I see you've already met Shigure-san, Hatori-san, and Ayame-san," Tohru continued, taking two bags from Kyo.

Hokage laughed lightly. "Yes. They're something."

"Nii-san, have you been pestering our guest?" Yuki growled, sitting as far away from Ayame as possible.

"What an absurd notion! Besides, I only just arrived," Ayame huffed, braiding his long white hair.

Hokage sat in confusion. "I didn't know Ayame had a brother. I wonder why he never mentioned it before."

"Well, I'm going to start dinner. Would everybody care for some tea?" Tohru smiled from the kitchen door.

"Tea would be wonderful!" Shigure laughed, nodding to the girl.

"So, Yuki's the Rat, Shigure's the Dog, Ayame's the Snake, and Hatori's the Dragon. Does that mean that Kyo, Haru, and Momo-kun are members of the Zodiac, too? That would be interesting."

The evening passed into night, laughter still echoing in the house. All remained oblivious to Hokage's true identity. And Hokage remained oblivious to Haru, Momiji, and Kyo's Zodiac. Not that it faltered in their minds. No, they were content with food and jokes.

But the notion of time managed to surface in Hokage's mind.

"Excuse me, but I must be going," the boy bowed, standing.

"That's too bad," Tohru smiled, standing as well.

"Yes, too bad indeed," Shigure mused. "Perhaps I might trouble you with the request to stay the night."

Hokage paled a bit. "I'm sorry. Thank you, but I can't."

Ayame pouted, "But we've had so much fun! You can't possibly leave now!"

"Really, I need to be going. Thank you for welcoming me into your home."

"I'll show you too the door," Tohru smiled, moving to rest a hand on Hokage's back. Hokage flinched from her touch and looked at her apologetically.

"Sorry, it's just…I don't like…to be touched."

"Ah, I'm sorry! I should have asked!" Tohru yelped, pulling her hands to her face.

"Ah, no, it's not your fault. Please, don't do that." He lowered her hands and smiled warmly. "You don't have to be polite to everybody all the time."

"That's kind of like what Kyo-kun is always telling me."

"You should listen to him. Sounds like he knows what he's talking about." Hokage turned to the rest of the group. "I really must be going now."

"Hokage," Hatori said, shifting.

"Hatori-san?"

"Perhaps you should stay."

Hokage stared at him with frightful, curious eyes. "If it's not too much trouble," he murmured, trying to conceal his concern.

"No, no trouble at all. In fact, we insist," Shigure laughed. "Now, sit and laugh. Oh, and, Tohru-kun, could you bring out the sake?"

"Shigure-san, we're too young to drink!" Tohru shouted, appalled.

"Yes, but I'm not!"

"You're drunk without liquor, fool," Kyo hissed, rolling his eyes.

"Honda-san, I'd like a drink," Hatori said, nodding his head.

"Certainly, Hatori-san!" Tohru smiled, heading for the kitchen.

"So Haa-san gets a drink and I don't?" Shigure whined. "How unfair."

"Perhaps if you stopped acting like such a child, it would be seen that you are an adult," said Hatori, eyes glaring at Shigure's back.

"Such mean words, Haa-san," Shigure moped.

"You'll get over it."

Ah, Shigure and Hatori are so funny. (Hugs them)

(POOF!)

Oops...