Disclaimer: You know I don't own Furuba. But Hokage is mine, damn it!

Japanese to Know:

Konnichiwa - Good afternoon
Kuro - Black
Shiro - White
Doko - Where
Tohru wa doko - Where's Tohru
Daijoubu - Are you ok
Urasai - Shut up
Onegai - Please (begging)
Iie - No
Otouko-kun - Little brother (cute form because of "-kun")

Chapter 4

Inescapable Feelings

"Hatori, are you—ah, konnichiwa, Kage-kun!" Momiji smiled, coming into Hatori's office. "Shigure didn't say you'd be here, too."

"He doesn't know," Hokage admitted, staring outside. "How do you know that name?"

"Shigure and Ayame were using it. They sure talk about funny stuff when no one's home!"

"So you were you were eavesdropping?"

"Only a little."

"What did you hear?"

Momiji thought for a moment. "It sounded like they were talking about when you were young. Little Kage-kun this, Little Kage-kun that. I didn't hear much."

Hokage looked at Momiji. "Hatori's with Akito right now. But he should be back pretty soon."

"Hm? Oh, right. Ok."

After a moment, Hokage stared long and hard at Momiji. "Which Zodiac are you?"

"Zodiac…? You know about the curse?"

"I'm a Sohma."

"Really? I've never seen you before."

"Not many have."

"Oh, well, I'm the Rabbit."

Hokage nodded. "Hatori is crazy; I'm not like Momo-kun. He's too hyper."

"Momiji, what are you doing here?"

The Rabbit turned and smiled at Hatori. "I came to get you."

"What for?"

"Kuro Haru hurt Tohru-kun."

"You should've come and gotten me," Hatori said with worry, though his face didn't show it.

"Akito wouldn't have let you go. You know how he feels about her."

Murmuring to himself, the Dragon grabbed his bag, slipped on his shoes, and started quickly for Shigure's home.

"Kuro Haru?" Hokage repeated.

"Hm? Oh, yes, Haru has a split personality. When he gets really mad, he becomes mean. So we nicknamed him Kuro Haru. Usually he's Shiro Haru."

"Aren't you going to help?"

"She's ok now. Yuki and Kyo are watching her."

"And Haru?"

Momiji giggled. "Kyo and Yuki tied him to a tree." And then he got a far-away look in his eyes. "He hurt her real bad. I know he didn't mean to, but…he went too far this time."

Hokage stood abruptly, a fierce look in his eyes.

"What's wrong?" the Rabbit questioned, watching Hokage as he began to pace.

But Hokage couldn't answer. He didn't really know himself. It was an urge. A strong urge to go to Tohru. Why? Why did he care? He hated humans. And this girl….

A sharp pain shot through his brain. "Tohru!" He bolted through the door and raced towards Shigure's house.

"Shigure!" he yelled, coming upon the house. "Hatori! Ayame!" Hokage ran through the house, but there was no sign of anyone. Running back outside, his frantic eyes scanned the woods. His head snapped to the left. "There!" He ran into the trees, and shortly came across Haru, tied to a tree.

"You look like a scared cat," the white-haired boy said.

"Doko? Tohru wa doko?"

"Take about ten steps and you'll find a clearing. And, Hokage, could you tell Tohru that I'm sorry?"

Hokage nodded and walked away. Just as Haru had said, he soon came to a clearing. He stood outside the ring, staring.

"She'll be ok," Shigure whispered, coming up behind Hokage.

"Why're you out here? Wouldn't it be better inside?" the boy questioned, still focused on the group.

Shigure frowned sadly. "It would be far worse to move her."

"That bad?"

"You can look for yourself. Just because you're the—"

"Don't, Shigure. Please don't." He turned to the Dog. "The trees have ears."

Shigure sighed, but obeyed the boy's wish. He didn't want him running off again. It would cause unnecessary pain.

"Hatori was really worried about Tohru. He mumbled to himself…like he used to do. Before Akito hurt his eye. Back when he knew how to smile and laugh and make jokes. Back when I knew him." His eyes trailed to Hatori's back longingly. "What is it about that girl that changes his icy heart into spring?"

"Perhaps, Kage-kun, you'll stay long enough to find out."

Hokage smiled softly. "Devious as ever."

Shigure chuckled quietly and looked to the sky. "It's getting dark. We should get some lights and blankets."

The boy nodded. "Yes, I suppose we should. Hatori might find it difficult to work in the dark."

"No…. Tohru!" Hokage woke with a start, sweat sliding down his face. He sighed and closed his eyes. "Just…a dream. Just a bad dream."

The door slid open and Shigure stuck his head in. "Daijoubu?"

Hokage opened his eyes, nodding. "Yea, just a bad dream."

Shigure started to leave, but stopped in thought. "Kage-kun…do you still know how to cook?"

"Eh? Well, yea, I guess."

The Dog smiled in devious delight. "Ii ne! Then you can cook breakfast!"

"What? Why me?"

"Tohru-kun needs to stay in bed…and we need food."

"Order take-out!"

"Oh, but you're such a good cook!"

"Urasai!"

"How mean."

Hokage growled.

"Onegai!"

"Iie!"

"Onegai, Otouko-kun."