Chapter 4

Alana heard her grandfather greet Kisa as she entered but didn't stand from her seat at the piano. The song she played was just about finished and she had a break when she was done with it. She heard them approach from behind her and smiled as she glanced over to see Kisa. "Hello Kisa-san!"

"Hi, Alana-san." Kisa replied quietly.

Alana raised her eyebrows in shock; Kisa wasn't outspoken but she wasn't this shy and quiet. "Everything okay?"

Kisa nodded a small blush on her cheeks. "She brought her boyfriend." Alana's grandfather informed her smiling widely.

Alana laughed softly and finished the piece in silence then stood. She wore another pair of black slacks and a soft white sweater today and Kisa noted as Momiji and Hiro made their way slowly to them, that Momiji's soft jeans, white shirt and open gray vest went very well with Alana's outfit. "Oji-san?" Alana called as he started towards the back. "Could you get Kisa-san's painting?" She smiled down at the younger girl and flicked her loose hair over her shoulder. "Boyfriend huh?"

Kisa's blush increased until she was brick red and nodded. "He's a distant cousin of mine and we grew up together." She turned to point to the two young men walking towards them. "The shorter one with the light brown hair. That's my Hiro-kun."

Alana studied her boyfriend and liked the look of him. There was a very intelligent and cunning glint in his eyes but there was also kindness. Her eyes traveled to his companion and she found it hard to catch her breath. He was tall and blond and extremely handsome. Her eyes turned to Kisa who choked back her giggle. "Kisa-san?"

The two boys finally reached them and Kisa stepped to Hiro's side. "Alana-san, this is my boyfriend, Hiro Sohma. Hiro-kun this is Alana Takashi; Emiko-san's onee-san. And this is my cousin, Momiji-kun."

"Hello." Momiji smiled softly at her and met her eyes with the most beautiful pair of brown eyes Alana had ever seen.

Alana stared wide-eyed at the man and her mind flitted to a sentence she'd heard weeks ago. "…the person playing is my cousin Momiji." She turned from Momiji to glare at Kisa. "You and Emiko-chan are dead." Then she turned back to Momiji. "I am so sorry! I didn't tell her to drag you here! I'm so sorry for my imouto and Kisa-san's behavior."

Momiji tilted his head to the side and peered at Alana curiously and amusedly. "What are you talking about Takashi-san? Kisa-chan just asked me to drive to pick up the painting she bought."

Alana stopped with her earnest movements and then straightened. "Kisa-san?"

"Yes Alana-san, I only asked him to drive." Kisa told her quietly trying to stop the giggles that threatened to come up her throat.

Alana's eyes narrowed in speculative anger but she really couldn't be angry at Kisa, it was her who'd jumped to the conclusion. "Go away Kisa-san, while I explain to your cousin Sohma-san the trouble you just caused."

"Yes!" Kisa gasped out laughing and pulled Hiro along with her as she ran towards a far wall.

Alana and Momiji stared at each other before Alana had to look down and her face turned a pretty pink. "This is really embarrassing, I'm sorry. Let me explain, a few weeks ago I was walking past the Sohma estate and heard a violin playing." Alana glanced up to see Momiji jump slightly in surprise. "I came by often after that and just sat there listening to you play. Kisa-san caught me not too long ago and since then she and my imouto have been thick as thieves. The other day she came in here and bought a painting from me. She had asked to make sure I would be here when she came in to pick it up and I should have felt suspicious but…I didn't think she would bring you." Alana trailed off and glanced over at a back door as it shut and her grandfather entered.

"You listen to me play?" Momiji's voice was quiet and Alana couldn't gather the courage to look at him.

"As often as I can." She admitted watching as Kisa ran to meet her grandfather and began to hop in excitement at the painting. She turned back to Momiji slowly and was startled by the wide smile that was on his face.

"Oh! That makes me so happy!" Momiji declared clapping his hands. Alana jerked back startled by the sudden change from a serious young man to a happy…boy. "It's been so long since someone has wanted to hear me play." His voice became quieter but Alana could still hear the excitement and happiness in him.

"I find that impossible to imagine." Alana told him blushing and clasping her hands. "You are one of the most talented violinist's I have ever heard." She smiled at him as his face lit up in another smile that made her heart skip. She made an 'oof'ing sound as Kisa slammed into her side.

"I hope you still aren't mad at me Alana-san, but I just had to tell you how much I love it!" Kisa told her jumping up and down.

Alana and Momiji turned to look at Hiro who was following slowly behind Kisa. The painting was covered now and it's three by four foot canvas was gently tucked beneath Hiro's arm. "I'm so glad you liked it Kisa-san." Alana told her returning her hug. "No, I am not still mad though I probably should be."

Kisa smiled and hugged her closer. "Can I commission a painting sometime? Please?"

"Of course if you really want to." Alana replied blushing faintly at the praise.

"Alana-chan." Her grandfather called her over and she excused herself briefly to talk to him. "The critic will be here in three weeks." He told her softly. "What pieces do you want me to keep to show and do you intend to make anything new for it?"

Alana stiffened in thought. They had a date when the critic would arrive…she felt paralyzed at the prospect of getting scouted by such a prestigious gallery. "I'll probably do one or two pieces for it. Any that we still have and you think are good enough, we can use. I trust your judgment Oji-san." She finally replied quietly.

Her grandfather studied her for a moment then grinned. "Get lost Alana-chan. Go relax somewhere."

Alana opened her mouth to argue but he was already walking away and waving over his shoulder. She made a soft humming noise as she thought of what to do with her free time.

"Alana-san?" Kisa called her over. Hiro had disappeared with Momiji to put away the painting and Kisa was nervous to be alone with the girl she'd just tricked.

But Alana wasn't one to stay mad and Momiji had been so kind to her that she wasn't the least upset anymore. "What's up Kisa-san?" She asked walking back over.

"Would you like to come out to dinner with us? I asked your oji-san if you could and he said yes. My treat for springing Momiji-kun on you like that." Kisa pleaded clasping her hands together in front of her.

Well that explains it. "Kisa-san you don't have to do that." Alana protested. Go out with Momiji? She'd probably pass out!

"We ready?" Hiro asked reappearing behind them with Momiji.

"Help me convince Alana-san to come!" Kisa begged him giving him and Momiji wide watery eyes.

"Oh, please come, Takashi-san! We barely got to talk." Momiji asked giving her a wide smile.

Alana blushed lightly then finally nodded not really desiring to be away from Momiji yet. "Alright, where do you want me to meet you?"

"Oh no! We'll take you with us!" Kisa ordered then turned to sweep away.

"Wait!" Alana called without thought. Her eyes were fixed on the tilt of Kisa's chin, the pose of her arms as she went to walk away. "Will you pose for me?" Alana asked. "We'd have to get a costume for you but would you be willing to be a model for me." She asked urgently.

Kisa blushed bright red with pleasure and surprise. "Ye-yeah." She agreed.

"Wonderful!" Alana smiled then led the way out her happiness restored. The car ride was silent and it wasn't until they'd arrived and sat in a booth that Kisa asked about her urgent request. "Oji-san is having a large gallery scout come to see my work. Possibly to move me up to that gallery."

"That's great Alana-san!" Kisa gushed.

"What gallery Takashi-san?" Momiji asked leaning forward as the waitress took away their menus and orders.

"Alana please, you as well Hiro-san." She smiled at the young boy who arched an eyebrow at her. "Aren't you just a cutey?" She winked as he scowled at her. "Matoko Art Gallery and Amphitheater."

"That's extremely impressive, Alana-san." Momiji congratulated her warmly.

"You could get in as well, Sohma-san." Alana told him confidently. "You play the violin beautifully."

Momiji giggled happily and Alana felt warmth go through her at being able to make him happy. "I'm happy you think so. Your piano playing was extremely impressive as well." He was such a quiet man until something made him happy and then he bubbled over in joy.

"Why don't we stop by Ayame's shop?" Hiro suggested into the comfortable silence that fell as Alana blushed. "If Alana wants Kisa in costume, we should go see Ayame." Kisa and Momiji nodded in agreement and Alana asked who Ayame was.

"Ayame is yet another of our endless cousins. He and his wife Mine design clothing." Kisa explained grinning. "They are beautiful!"

"You're driving." Alana replied smiling at Momiji.

"Sounds good to me. I haven't seen them since his brother Yuki's graduation." Momiji smiled but it wasn't the happy smile of before; it was a very sad smile.

Alana let her hand drift to rest on his where they rested on the table and Kisa grabbed Hiro and excused themselves. Alana shook her head then looked at Momiji whose eyes had focused on her hand. "Are you alright?"

His lips turned up in response and he glanced up at her shyly. "Oh yes! Our family is very close knit and we always get together at special times. But it has only been lately that anyone has enjoyed it." His voice trailed off at the end.

"I don't fully understand." Alana started and met his eyes. "But if you enjoy it now, you've progressed and grown and will only end up growing more. I don't know you well or who you used to be," she admitted blushing as his eyes began to search her face, "but I like the you that I do know."

Momiji felt overwhelmed. It had been so long since he'd heard kindness not born out of pity. When Tohru had first left he had been heartbroken; he had loved her after all. But after a time it wasn't his love for her that he missed, but the kindness and understanding she'd unconditionally given him. Those also cursed understood in their own ways; they'd all suffered. But they all had people dear to them that were able to help them, love them, and his best friend had moved away. For him, more than most of the other members of the zodiac, the loss of the curse was nothing but loneliness.

But here was someone new. A girl who made his stomach flutter, loved to hear him play before they'd even met and was trying to comfort him. "Alana-chan…" He started smiling widely at her. "Thank you."

Alana blushed. "For what?" She returned his smile when he just shrugged and squeezed her hand. "In truth it should be me who is thanking you." At his inquisitive tilt she blushed even brighter. "I actually was having a very hard time feeling inspiration for my art. Then…I heard you play."

Momiji felt as if his heart was going to burst with happiness at that simple confession. "My playing helped?"

Alana nodded and then looked away and changed the subject, uncomfortable with the deep direction that the conversation had turned to. "So do you think that Kisa is playing match-maker?"

Momiji laughed and accepted the change of subject. "Definitely. I don't go out much, I've been a recluse for the last three years."

"Why's that?" Alana asked as the waitress finally returned with their food. She reluctantly disentangled her hands from his and reached for her plate to pull it closer.

Momiji shrugged. "As I said, it was very difficult for most of my family for a long time. I just haven't gotten used to the better feelings. Nor do I have much to do."

"If you like, you could play with me at the Gallery. I'd like to be able to spend time with you again." Alana admitted. Momiji accepted the offer quickly and not too long after Kisa and Hiro returned and the thought of match-making teenagers was pushed away.

"I called Ayame." Kisa informed them bouncing up and down in her chair. "I talked to Mine. She's expecting us when we get done eating."

"Kisa-chan did you consider that maybe Alana wanted to go home after this?" Momiji asked quietly and Alana held back a smile at the mischief in his eyes.

"Oh no, Alana-san! You can't go yet!" Kisa begged her eyes wide and hands clasped.

"The rabbits just teasing you, Kisa-chan." Hiro told her rolling his eyes at her silly pose. Kisa blushed and began stuttering embarrassed.

"Rabbit?" Alana whispered to Momiji as Kisa dug into her food.

"I was a rabbit fanatic when I was younger." He admitted smiling. "Even in High School I had a rabbit backpack." He didn't seem embarrassed and that made it all the cuter to Alana.

"That's so cute!" She giggled and the mood at the table remained light for the rest of their meal. They talked about music, movies, and Alana's life but she noticed they revealed very little of their own pasts. But Alana refused to let it bother her, some people just didn't like to share their past easily and after all they'd just met.

By the time they'd gotten back in the car and headed to Ayame's, Alana's little crush on the mysterious violinist had turned into a large crush on Momiji. She knew little of his past or his family, but he was kind, funny, and smart and she desperately hoped they'd continue being friends after today.

Next time:

Ayame and Mine come on the scene.

I believe I have it planned out enough that almost every character will be in this story in some way. It gets more complicated as it goes so don't think it's just going to be a simple romance! There will be lots of humor later on as a big misunderstanding causes mass confusion and hysteria!

LOL maybe not that dramatic but it sounds good right?

For Hopekills16