Chapter 10

It took a long time, but I'm giving you a long chapter to make up for it! I hope you enjoy it. Especially...my special ending.

Alana was still awake when it drew close to the time she would have to get up for work. She cleaned up her materials taking a moment to let her gaze drift over the painting. It wasn't finished but it was close and she hoped that they would love it. Thirty minutes later, Alana was standing freshly showered and dressed in the kitchen as her sister rushed around getting ready to leave for school.

"Momiji's coming over tonight, right?" Emiko asked shoving her homework into her bag.

Alana nodded sipping her cup of tea. "He said he was. Mom is making Grandma's Sheppard's pie."

Emiko giggled, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Warn Momiji we aren't eating Japanese. He may change his mind." She waved and darted out the door.

Alana chuckled, she couldn't wait until tonight. She was slightly nervous about seeing Momiji after kissing his cheek last night but she was also excited. They'd grown closer last night and she was so happy about that. She left for work, a dreamy smile on her face and made it to the Gallery just as her grandfather opened the doors. "Hello Grandfather!"

"Good Morning Alana-chan." He smiled at her and patted her arm lightly. "It's supposed to be pleasant today so the doors will stay open." He told her walking slowly towards the grand piano.

"Want me to play people in?" She smiled at the old man. She knew he'd been lonely since her grandmother had died when she was very young but he'd never stopped enjoying life. He seemed determined to live for both of them. The only sign that he still grieved for her, was the wedding ring he wore on a chain around his neck. He wore his own on his finger and hers close to his heart that way they would always be together.

"I do." He replied smiling and handing her a list from its spot on the piano. "Here's a list of pieces I recommend for you to show." He handed it to her, studying her face carefully.

Alana took the list and read down the titles, she knew which pieces went with what name, her photographic memory at work again. A few of his choices surprised her, they were simple works, nothing like what she'd expected to show but she guessed the simplicity was what they were to demonstrate, so they could see her whole range.

"I had Emiko talk to Kisa as well, for the purpose of the critic, she'd going to bring the piece she bought in." He nodded at a few of the employees who poked their heads in to announce their arrival.

"You're doing so much for me Grandfather…" Alana glanced up, her eyes tearful.

He waved away her gratitude and started away, tears always made him nervous. "You're my granddaughter. I like to spoil you." He waved over his shoulder and headed to help the others pull the covers off the artwork and set up for the day.

Alana blinked away her tears, grateful for the support of her grandfather. He supported and guided her, but he refused to hold her hand and she appreciated it greatly. She made her way down the list again and checked off ones that she agreed with. Then she set aside the pen and paper and sat gingerly at the piano.

The Gallery was in a great location for walk-in visitors. It was on a pedestrian street that had shops, restaurants, and businesses all together in a wonderful mix. Customers ranged from business people leaving work or on break to students who were stopping by to buy food for dinner. They didn't get heavy traffic but they did have constant traffic.

Alana's fingers automatically began to pluck out a tune as she sat there in the quiet of the room. She started simple, Moonlight Sonata, and let her mind wonder.

~Art of Love~

When Momiji got up it was late morning, he'd been up a bit late and appreciated the opportunity to sleep in: a definite bonus to no job and no school. As a former member of the zodiac, he got a stipend to live off of and his father gave him a monthly allowance as well. In his bitter moments he felt as if both his father and Akito were trying to buy his forgiveness for everything they made him suffer but as he had no true interest in either college or work, he was glad of the money either way.

He grew bored easily however, and had taken to losing himself in music. The song Alana had overheard was not the only song he'd written. He had an entire folder of composed pieces tucked away. Most were solo pieces but he had a few orchestra pieces. He'd begun composing when he'd been unable to find music that fully expressed the bittersweet joy that he felt being freed from the Zodiac curse.

It had been as if a chain had broken that had been weighing him down and drowning him.

And as if a friend who'd always been holding his hand was ripped away.

Momiji forcibly pulled his mind from his sad thoughts and changed into soft button-down and stonewashed jeans. He grabbed his phone, keys, and wallet, placing them in various pockets as he headed towards his music room to gather up some music and his violin before heading to the gallery.

He was a bit surprised as he parked and swung his violin over his shoulder that he wasn't nervous about playing at the gallery. He'd never played in public like this before, usually it was just at home that he played. He heard Alana playing a long time before he reached the gallery. The door was propped open and the sounds of Beethoven came drifting out. A few people passed outside the door to listen briefly, others wandered inside to hear better and see the pianist.

Momiji slid into the room with the piano and for a moment just watched Alana play. Her hands were flying across the keys as the song flew through the air. It was a great choice to bring people in, a fast complicated piece. When it wound down, Momiji clapped with the others then approached letting his violin down his shoulder into his hand. "That was great, Alana-chan!"

Alana turned to glance up at him, her smile growing as a soft blush crossed her cheeks. "Momiji-kun!" She stood, her flowing skirt, settling down her long legs. He leaned in to kiss her cheek, delighting in the blush that grew at his actions. "How are you?"

Momiji smiled, setting the case and folder on the piano. "I'm alright. A little nervous." He admitted glancing over at the people looking around the rom.

"Nervous?" Alana asked, glancing down at the sheets of music.

"I've never played in public before." Momiji confessed, a blush touching his own cheeks.

"Oh!" Alana glanced at him surprised. "You don't have to play if you don't wish." She told him gently, touching his arm.

He felt his heart flutter at the concern on her face but shook his head. "I want to play with you." He admitted touching her hand. He loved playing with Alana, he wasn't going to let a little case of nerves get in his way. "Any thoughts?" He asked smiling a bit more confidently at her. He tried to ignore the excitement that grew in the people around him as he unlocked his violin case.

Alana smiled at him and turned to flip through his sheet music. He had a mix of classical pieces and contemporary pieces switched to fit violin and piano. "Why so many for a piano?" She asked distractedly, looking at two particular pieces.

"My violin teacher could play the piano as well, he used to drop by and play occasionally so I got in the habit of buying both sets." He answered rosining up his bow gently.

"This one." Alana pointed to a set with a smile. "I've always wanted to play this with someone."

Momiji glanced at the title, a smile growing on his face. Violin Sonata in A Major by Beethoven was a song made for a violin and piano duet. "Alright." He agreed and lay out the violin part before him while Alana took the piece and sat back at her keys.

Polite clapping started when her grandfather wandered over to introduce the piece and Alana gave Momiji a reassuring smile as he took a deep breath.

He drew the bow across his string slowly, his eyes fixed on the sheet music as he pulled heart-wrenching sound from the instrument in his hands. The people around him fell away until he forgot about everyone else.

Everyone but Alana.

His eyes flicked to her briefly as she came in at her cue and began to play. She looked beautiful, her eyes lit with pleasure and concentration as she played; her hair down but clipped back away from her face, framing it with beautiful dark red. She glanced up as he looked at her and the pleasure grew in her warm, black eyes. She took as much pleasure playing with him as he did with her. He felt a bit more of the wall he'd built around his heart tumble down at the look on her face. He had put it there and no one else. That filled him with a joy and pride that made him tremble.

Alana smiled at Momiji before turning her eyes back to the music. Her heart swelled in joy at playing with him. The audience around them didn't matter, the pay she was earning didn't matter. All that mattered was the immeasurable pleasure she felt having his violin singing with her piano. She'd never felt this happiness playing with anyone else and in the art and music school she'd gone to, she'd played with the orchestra, the sound might have been more impressive, but it was definitely less heartfelt with so many together.

As the music wound down, Alana found her eyes moving back to him, as if she was unable to tear them away for long. When the last chord faded into silence, the room filled with clapping. Alana glanced up and her eyes widened in amazement at the number of people who now stood in the room listening to them. It was at least twice the people who'd been in the room before. Momiji flushed lightly as he looked at the audience, he'd forgotten they were there. "You were great, Momiji-kun!" Alana whispered, leaning toward him.

He smiled shyly at her touching her hand gently. He did it often, and each time, he felt a shiver race up his hand to jumpstart his heart. "So were you." He replied. He learned down and pressed his lips gently to her cheek. He straightened quickly trying to ignore the 'aww's' and giggles at his action. "What next?"

Alana blushed, returning his smile with her own. "Any Evanescence?" She asked knowing he had a similar fondness for the American band.

Momiji hummed slightly and thought before nodding. "Call Me When You're Sober?"

Alana smiled in return and pressed her fingers into the keys to begin. She didn't sing but she didn't need to. A few chords in, people were already tapping their feet and humming along, enjoying the song. The song ended too quickly and Alana stood as Momiji set his violin down. "I'm just about done for the day. Usually people come up to talk to me now." She whispered to him as a few people began moving towards them.

Momiji felt a spurt of nerves start as the group moved close but Alana stepped between him and the people, obviously sensing his tepidity. She smiled easily at the two teens directly in front of her gushing.

"You two are wonderful! Did you study abroad? When can we hear you again?" One of the girls asked, shooting questions off without waiting for answers.

Alana laughed softly at the younger girl. "No I studied here. I play every few days. Sohma-san, however, plays whenever he wishes. He doesn't work here."

The teen who'd been silent before turned to look at him, stars in her eyes. "Will you come again, Sohma-san?" She asked, her eyes wide and begging.

Momiji felt a warmth in his chest he barely recognized. It was pride, pride in himself, pride in his talent, pride that he'd impressed someone else. Maybe Kisa was right, he needed to get out of his house more often. He hadn't felt this good for a long, long time. "I will." He agreed, not missing the way Alana's face lit up at his agreement.

They moved on not long after that, promising to come back with friends and money. The rest of those waiting to talk had similar questions. Where'd they learned, how long they'd been playing, would Momiji come back another day?

By the time everyone had talked to them who had wanted to, it was time for Alana to head home for the night. They spent a few minutes with her grandfather and then Momiji lead Alana to his car, one hand holding his music, the other firmly clasping Alana's.

~Art of Love~

As they parked outside of Alana's home, she turned to smile sheepishly at him. "My mom is cooking a European dish tonight. I hope you don't mind."

Momiji smiled back as they climbed out of the car and he grabbed his violin from the back, unwilling to leave it out in the car. "I'm sure it will be delicious."

"I hope you do enjoy it. But if you don't, don't fear we will be offended." Alana assured him as she unlocked the door and led him in. Emiko wasn't due until a little after four and their parents until five. They had close to a half an hour to kill before anyone got home.

Momiji turned to her after setting his violin down inside the living room and smiled answering her question on what to do first. "So are you working on anything specific at the moment?"

Alana blushed lightly and nodded. "Ayame refused payment for Kisa's costume but I wanted to repay him somehow so I am doing a painting for him…them." She explained leading the way up to her small studio.

Momiji smiled as she led the way, proud in a way, of her expressing her gratitude to Ayame while respecting that he did not want to accept any money. When she opened the door and he caught sight of the painting, his breath stopped in his throat as it often did whenever he saw her art. The painting was only about halfway done but he could see the pencil sketch of what it would be and knew it was going to be marvelously lifelike. Ayame held a look of adoration on his face as he held Mine and she gazed back full of love, the expression on the painted Ayame was blatant and beautiful. "It's wonderful." He whispered to her. She flushed with pleasure at his praise and ducked her head. "They'll love it."

"I hope so." Alana smiled, twisting her fingers together before shoving them into her pockets. Momiji always made her feel nervous and fluttery when he gazed at her in that way; a way that showed her that his entire attention was focused on her. "Do you…want to watch a movie?" She asked gesturing out the door. The room was too small for them to spend a lot of time in and fully relax. She opened up the cabinet that held the movies when they returned to the living room and looked back at him as he stood behind her to look at the options. "What would you like to watch?"

Momiji stood close to her, his eyes scanning the titles though most of his attention was on the warmth he felt on his chest from being so close to her. He grabbed Beauty and the Beast with a smile. "In honor of Momo."

Alana laughed quietly and popped the movie into the player. "My mother is a huge Disney fan as well."

He chuckled and helped her up and they sat side by side on the couch as the movie started. Not long into the movie, he noticed Alana yawning tiredly. "You okay?"

"Hmm?" She glanced up and smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, sorry. I didn't sleep well last night." Or at all…she confessed quietly straightening and turning back to the movie.

Momiji hesitated briefly then slide his arm behind her as he'd been itching to do since they sat down and tugged her to lean on him. When she looked up startled, he blushed lightly, his eyes glued to the TV. "I'll wake you when the movie is over." Her face lit up with both joy and embarrassment and she ducked her head into his chest, closing her eyes. He felt her body gradually relax until he was sure she was asleep and let his head tilt til it rested on hers. She smelled of paint and canvas and orchids, and her hair was softer than silk against his skin. She made him feel the strangest things, he decided. She made him feel safe, though he wasn't in danger; comfortable, though they were relative strangers; warm; happy; nervous;…loved. Before the night ended, he was definitely going to ask her out. He wanted badly, to know what they could become together. He closed his eyes, content where he was and a soft smile crossed his lips.

He hadn't meant to fall asleep but when he opened his eyes again, Emiko was munching popcorn on the arm chair beside the couch with her legs slung over the arm so she could face the TV directly and a new movie was playing. She glanced over when his head shot up and winked before turning back to the movie. He glanced at the clock on the wall as he tried to fight his blush and noticed with shock, it had been over an hour since he'd fallen asleep. A soft bang in another part of the house made him realize, Emiko was not the only to get home. He glanced at the younger girl warily then gently nudged Alana, waking her as gently as possible. She opened her eyes and they were briefly unfocused and tired then they focused on her sister who sat directly in her line of view. They widened and she jerked to a sitting position her face blushing brightly. "Sorry I fell asleep as well." He whispered a light flush on his cheek as well.

"Feeling better Alana-chan?" Emiko asked, her voice was teasing but her eyes were serious. Alana knew her sister was aware of her sleepless night.

Alana nodded slightly at her sister and relaxed back into the couch and Momiji's arm where it continued to rest. He didn't move away from her and so she assumed he did not particularly mind having the members of her family see them that way. "I am, thank you."

"Dinner will be done in about twenty minutes or so." Emiko told her leaning her head onto one of her hands as she looked lazily at the two. "How are you, Momiji-san?"

Momiji smiled at Alana's younger sister, grateful for the lack of teasing he knew would have come from any number of his cousins. "I am well, thank you. Yourself?"

"Not bad. There is a game coming up soon." Emiko shrugged with a soft smile. "So our coach is going crazy."

Momiji's thumb slid along Alana's arm unconsciously as they talked, touching her gave him comfort. "What sport do you play?" He asked tilting his head to the side.

"I play pretty much all that I can. But competitively, I play tennis (did I ever mention her sport before? Cause that's what it is going to be lol)." She admitted smiling widely. It wasn't the tough sport that her mother had played but she enjoyed it. Suddenly she looked more seriously at Momiji. "I noticed you brought your violin," she started, watching for any sign that he would be uncomfortable with the topic. "Do you think you could play something later?"

Momiji nodded with a reassuring smile. "Of course." He saw the tension drain out of her. "I don't mind at all."

"Splendid!" The voice of Alana's mother came from the entrance to the room. They all peered over at the doorway to meet the smiling eyes of the cheerful woman. "Dinner's finished." She announced, waving them towards the dining room.

The three young adults trailed after her and Momiji pulled out Alana's chair automatically as they took a seat. "Thank you." She murmured quietly, a light blush on her cheeks at his romantic gesture. She glanced up as her parents came in placing plates of food in front of them all and setting out a pitcher of water. When everyone was seated, they thanked Chizue for the food before eating.

"This is Shepards Pie, a recipe passed down my family." Chizue explained to Momiji. "Ground beef, potatoes, various vegetables and some other things."

Momiji admitted to never having tried it before but it had a rich smell that appealed to him. He took a cautious bite and was surprised by the flood of flavor that filled his mouth. "It's delicious." He announced, smiling at his audience a little self-conciously.

"I'm glad you like it!"Chizue smiled then turned her attention to her oldest daughter. "How was work?"

"Enjoyable." Alana smiled. "The weather was so fair, Grandpa left the door open and people followed the music. Momiji joined me in playing as well." She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, happy that he had.

"Do you play publically often?" Her father asked, seeing his daughters quiet joy. The boy was amazingly polite and kind for someone his age, mature as well. He liked him as a match for his daughter.

"Actually it was the first time I have." Momiji confessed. "I was a little nervous."

"Understandable." Chizue nodded. "My first national game, I threw up beforehand."

"Thank you for sharing that at the dinner table." Mizu chided gently, smiling indulgently at her.

Chuckles drifted around the table and for a few minutes they ate silently enjoying their meals. It was Mizu who broke that silence. "So Momiji-san, tell us about yourself." He smiled kindly at the young man.

"There's not much to tell actually. I went to a regular school, not an honors like Alana. I had a violin tutor since I was small until I started High School." He had a small smile on his face at the memory of first learning of his sister's interest in him.

"What do you do now that you've graduated?" Mizu asked, refilling his glass.

"Not much. I have the option of becoming the Sohma family accountant but I don't think I will take it. I don't really know what I want to do." Momiji admitted. He was a little surprised at the frankness he was speaking to them with and the only thing he could use to explain it, was that Alana's family carried the same feeling of safety that she had. Almost as if the fates were whispering in his ear that they were meant to be his family; that he was meant to be here.

"Take your time." Chizue smiled instead of judging his words. "There is no need to rush into your future if you can afford not to. Doing what you love is always preferable to doing what you can."

Momiji smiled widely back at her encouraging words and squeezed Alana's hand when she held his gently. He definitely adored this family.

~Art of Love~

Dinner was highly enjoyable. After Alana's parents easy acceptance of his lack of a job, most of the stress had been feeling disappeared. He hadn't wanted to fight disappeared because of it when he asked Alana to be his girlfriend. The topics flit from serious to light without great discomfort and they never pressed him for details. When he'd said he wasn't close to his parents, thinking of actual distance and the emotional distance to his mother, they just gave him encouraging looks and asked about his favorite place to visit. When dinner finally wound down, he helped Alana take the dishes into the kitchen, waving aside her mothers protests of his being a guest.

"I hope you didn't feel like you were being interrogated." Alana looked up shyly at him. "They're harmless."

"It was fine Alana-chan." He chuckled and reached out to tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. He chuckled again at her blush. They headed back into the living room after the dishes had been rinsed and put into the washer and Emiko jumped up. "You'll play for us now right Momiji-san?"

Momiji laughed at her enthusiasm and nodded in agreement. As the hyper girl ran off to fetch his instrument, he glanced at Alana's parents. "Anything specific you want? I may know it."

"When Somebody Loved Me." Chizue asked hopefully.

Alana and her father laughed as her sister bounced back in. "Alana told me you were a Disney fan." Momiji chuckled. "I do know quite a few of them, including that one."

"Alana, why don't you join him on the piano?" Mizu asked. "Do you mind Momiji-san?"

Momiji shook his head in delight. "I love playing with Alana." He replied giving her a wide smile. He pulled out his violin as Alana moved to the piano in the corner of the room and nodded to her when she glanced at him. The song swelled, its' sad cords reaching out to grip its listeners by their hearts and it brought tears to Chizue's eyes. It wasn't a very long song, but it was potent and when the final cords died, Mizu, Chizue, and Emiko all clapped happily.

"Thank you so much!" Chizue gushed, jumping up to wrap the taller man in her arms. "I love hearing music." She declared and kissed Alana's cheek when the redhead joined them.

Momiji blushed at her enthusiastic hug and nodded. The two of them sat down on the floor as they talked of music and Momiji's favorite types to play versus Alana's favorites. Eventually, however, it became late enough that Momiji knew he had to leave, especially as he knew Alana had not slept the night before. He bid fond farewells to them and promised to return in a few days for another dinner. He couldn't wait, he honestly enjoyed the time he had spent with them far more than anything else he had done for most of his life.

Alana stood to walk him out and he knew, now was the time. When they reached the front door, he glanced around the entry way, making sure they were alone before trailing his fingers down her arm to link their fingers. "Hey Alana-chan?" He tugged her gently and pulled her close to him. "Would you be my girlfriend?"

Alana's eyes widened as her face burned and a huge smile overtook her. She nodded, unable to speak through her surprise and joy. She adored Momiji and loved spending time with him. It had never occurred to her that he would want a relationship though and she felt extremely happy that he did feel the same way as she did.

"Great!" He exclaimed, his bubbly smile covering his face. "You're supposed to go to Ayame's tomorrow right? I'll pick you up." He murmured, his eyes a bit sad as he sank his fingers into her lush hair.

Alana nodded and leaned into his touch. "I'll be ready by ten." She smiled up at him lovingly.

Momiji nodded and then slowly leaned in to press his lips gently to hers. A shock of pleasure raced through him at the feel of her lips pressed against his. It was the most delicious feeling he had ever experienced and he felt his head go light from the happiness he felt. After a moment he stepped away. "Good night, Alana."

She looked up at him with bright, happy eyes and smiled softly, a secret smile between them. "Good night, Momiji." She watched him leave and turned back towards the interior, her heart filled with love and joy. Oh…what a wonderful feeling…

~Art of Love~

Momiji thought the smile on his face couldn't get bigger than it was at that moment. Alana had agreed to be his girlfriend and they had shared a wonderful kiss, his first kiss actually. He drove home and wandered into his house without really paying attention to his surroundings. He was brought out of his happy haze at the blinking light on his answering machine.

He hit the play button while throwing his keys and wallet onto the kitchen table but the voice that came from the machine had him freeze completely as he turned in shock to look at it as if he would see the owner standing there as well.

"Hello Momiji-kun! I'm calling to tell you the good news! Kyo-kun's finished his training here; we are going to be moving back in a few weeks! And guess what? We're getting married in November! I have to go; we have to talk to Shigure-san about buying his old place. I'll call you when I know the day we arrive! I'll see you soon Momiji-kun."

She hung up after that and for a long time after the call ended, Momiji sat in silence in his kitchen, his mind still trying to process what she had said. Tohru was coming home…to get married?!

Well?! Do you love it? Am I a horrible person? Please, please review!