Chapter 7: Arisa and Hana

Princess Sango

Tohru smiled as Hana and Arisa stepped over the threshold and she hugged them both, "Welcome!"

Hana and Arisa both gave Tohru a smile but saw the small rings under her eyes and the paleness of her skin. "Are you okay Tohru?" asked Arisa.

"What? Oh, yes I'm fine Uo-chan, but don't worry about that," Tohru answered, raising her hand and waving it away before they could discuss anything more, "This is where I'll be living from now on."

"Why'd you move out of Shigure's house?" Arisa asked, "I mean, this house is very nice but why would you move away from Yuki?"

Tohru looked away but then gave them the simplest answer, "It didn't work out between us, we wanted different goals, so in the end I moved in with Ayame-kun, Yuki's brother."

Both girls looked at Tohru who smiled at them, "I don't feel other waves other than two Tohru, where is he?"

"Oh, Ayame-kun is working right now; he comes back in the afternoon so maybe he'll come by while you're here. Why don't I show you Sachiko-chan now, she's sleeping but you can still see her," Tohru explained, taking both their hands and pulling them into the room which was pink and their eyes immediately set on the small wooden crib. Hana and Arisa leaned over her and turned back to Tohru who was smiling at them, "She looks like Yuki doesn't she?"

"Hai, she looks like Yuki, but what really happened between you and Yuki Tohru-chan," asked Arisa.

Tohru's eyes teared up but she sighed, "It just didn't work out, both of us wanted something different. He's-he's still going to help out but we thought it best that Ayame play the role of the father, so Yuki just has to pay child support and he's free. Sachiko, maybe one day we'll tell her who her father is, but not right now."

Hana and Uo looked at Tohru, "You're waves Tohru-chan they tell me you're not okay with this. Is there something more to that story, something more?" Tohru bit her lip and gave Hana a pleading look and Hana placed a small hand on her shoulder, "Please tell us Tohru, we're trying to understand this."

Arisa on the other hand was looking at the small child and caught the small bracelet on her arm, "Tohru, what's this bracelet, it looks a lot like orange-top's."

Tohru stood up, "It was Kyo's but he's dead now. He died sometime before I found out I was pregnant. Around that same time, about a month later, Yuki and our's relationship hit rock bottom."

A loud obnoxious voice came from down the hall, "My dear Tohru, I'm home!"

Tohru smiled and looked up, "Why don't you come meet Ayame-kun?" Before either Hana or Arisa could answer she ran out of the room, "Welcome home Ayame!"

"Are you feeling well my dear flower?" asked another male voice.

"Shigure-san you've come too?" Tohru asked amazed as Hana and Arisa came inside the small greeting room where the shoes were kept.

"I see your friends are here Tohru, do they approve?" Ayame asked before going straight to the two women, "It's a pleasure to meet you; I'm Ayame Sohma, Yuki's older brother. It's so nice to meet you my dear girls!"

Hana and Arisa both stood there and then Arisa answered, "Um…nice to meet you too?"

"No need to be shy dear! So Tohru, is Sachiko still sleeping?" Ayame asked, turning back to Tohru who was telling Shigure she was so sorry for leaving and that she couldn't stay close to Yuki.

"Hmm, oh yes Sachiko's still sleeping, she woke up like an hour ago I think," Tohru answered placing a thoughtful finger on her cheek, "Why Ayame?"

"Well, I was thinking about going out to eat, but I'll just order in. Unless you already cooked something Tohru that is," Ayame answered as he ignored Hana's and Arisa's looks.

"N-no I didn't cook anything, but if you want me to I could," Tohru answered, her feet already set towards the kitchen.

"No Tohru, there's no need for that, you've just become a mother, you should rest. Now go sit down on the couch and have a chat with your friends, they came here to see you. Let Ayame take care of things for now okay?"

Tohru was about to protest but didn't when Ayame led them to the small living room and then walked back out to go talk to Shigure and call for takeout. Sitting down Tohru smiled, "So what do you think about this house?"

Hana and Arisa smiled, "Yuki's brother may be more outspoken then Yuki himself, but at least he's making sure you're resting, because it looks like you need it."

Tohru sighed as she leaned back on the sofa, "I miss living in Shigure-san's house, but I guess I'm still living with his friend. I mean, the Sohma's are very nice towards me, and I'm grateful but sometimes I feel like I'm just not giving back enough."

Arisa came up towards Tohru, "You've cooked, cleaned, and shopped for this family, and you were still juggling a relationship and everything else. It's time you calmed down Tohru, and focused on your child, Sachiko. We're here for you Tohru, and if you need help, the Sohma's are here and so are Hana and I."

Tohru smiled and hugged her before letting go, "Thank-you, thank-you…"

"Tohru, my dear flower, Sachiko is awake!" Shigure yelled from down the hall. Tohru stood up and walked inside Sachiko's room and gently swayed her back and forth thinking, Mom, Sohma's, Hana, and Arisa are here for me, we're not going to be all alone Sachiko, hush, shh…

TBC…