Chapter has been edited.

Chapter 14

The following day, Alana was incredibly nervous as she made her way to her grandfather's gallery. She knew that really, it was only because of her grandfather's reputation for selling exquisite pieces from new and upcoming artists that had the large Gallery sending a talent scout so quickly to view her things. She had been so full of restless energy the night before that she'd finished the final touches on the painting of Ayame and Mine and finished packing all of her belongings by herself. She was very nervous about how the day would go.

Intellectually, she knew that she was talented and indeed knew that some of her pieces were actually rather…amazing if she looked at them as being done by someone else but emotionally, she felt that she was not good enough for a large gallery. Some of this came from being modest, but some also came from the school she had gone to and she knew that. Her art, while being some of the best in the school, was also talked down to because of the way she did it. Many of her instructors were very old school artists - traditional, for instance they would have mocked her use of photos to start the painting of Kisa. They would have demanded their models pose for the entire painting and then yelled at them if they had to adjust slightly because of discomfort. Her grandfather was doing a lot for helping her overcome the insecurities that came from the school as well as the employees of the Gallery. They were forever telling her the compliments her art received from viewers even if they were not always purchased.

As Alana walked into the building she shook her head of the maudlin thoughts. Whatever would happen would happen. She would show her best work and do the best she could, but she couldn't sit here and continue to think about the things that had gone wrong before. Nothing would come of it other than stressing her out even more. A shock of blond hair had her turning to look towards the music room and a gentle smile crossed her face as she saw Momiji talking with her grandfather. His violin case was thrown across his back and he was smiling softly at the shorter man.

Alana hurried over to the two of them, carefully balancing the few scrolls of sketches and Ayame's completed painting. "Good morning!" She called leaning over to kiss the cheeks of both men.

"Good morning, dear." Her grandfather greeted and Momiji smiled kissing her cheek back. "What have you got there?" He held out his hands and Alana handed him the objects.

"Some sketches and a painting. I'm giving the painting away to the people in the picture but I wanted to bring it in case you wanted to show the scout." Alana replied running a hand down her blouse to straighten it out.

"That is beautiful, Alana! Ayame and Mine will love it!" Momiji told her looking over the finished painting. He followed along as the three of them made their way towards the piano. "We can swing by tonight if you like."

"Tomorrow may be better. I also finished packing, so if you like, we can move my stuff tonight." Alana told him quietly, settling down at the piano as her grandfather spread out the sketches on the top.

Momiji grinned and ducked his head. "Then, if you like, we can pick up your belongings then go home for dinner."

Alana nodded in agreement, chuckling at their over-politeness. She could see the happiness in his eyes as he spoke. It really meant a lot to him that she was coming to live with him. Oh she knew that it wouldn't go perfectly to start. After all, she had received the impression he had been living alone a very long time and undoubtedly, it will take some getting used to for him to have another person living there, using the same space, eating in the kitchen, and just being there at all the hours of the day whereas before, there had been only him in the house. But, they would muddle through as all new roommates did. It would be an adjustment for her as well but one she was definitely looking forward to.

Momiji unpacked his violin and music and set it all on the end of the piano and came to hug Alana as she took a deep breath and unlocked the keys to the piano. "Everything will go wonderfully." He squeezed her tightly for a moment and she leaned up to kiss him chastely on the lips.

"For both of us." She commented, smiling back at him with her cheeks lightly dusted pink. She hoped that the talent scout was able to see Momiji's talent as well as hers. She didn't feel right, thinking of this day as something for only her. It was for them, the beginning of them together.

Momiji kissed her back gently and moved to look through his selection. Within a few minutes, the two of them were playing different songs together and talking quietly or singing little bits of the songs as they played. Once or twice they dueled a little between the two instruments but were working hard to keep each other as calm as possible just by enjoying the music and their company. When lunch rolled around, the two of them came out of their daze and stood up smiling.

"Do you know what time the scout was supposed to be dropping by?" Momiji asked slinging an arm around her waist.

Alana shook her head as she enjoyed the feeling of his arm around her. "Ojii didn't tell me." She blushed lightly and leaned into his side then glanced around and saw her grandfather talking to a middle aged man over by the entryway. Slowly, the two of them moved over to talk to him, not wanting to interrupt the conversation he was having with the gentleman. However, when they noticed the two of them coming they immediately turned with smiles on their faces.

"Alana, Momiji, let me introduce you to Taka Hideki, the scout from Matoko Art Gallery and Amphitheater." Her grandfather had a sneaky smile on his face as he introduced them and Alana's blush increased. "Taka-san, this is my wonderful granddaughter Takashi Alana and her boyfriend, Sohma Momiji."

Alana and Momiji bowed in greeting. "A pleasure to meet you Taka-san."

"The pleasure is mine!" Hideki laughed joyfully, with a booming laugh surprising for his wiry frame. "I knew I was coming to listen to one great talent and got two! Have you been playing long together?"

Momiji and Alana blushed shaking their heads. "No, in truth we recently just met." Alana answered recovering quicker than Momiji to the unexpected question.

"Love at first sight huh?" Hideki laughed again. "You two must be soul-mates, you play so perfectly together." He winked at Momiji who returned the look with a soft smile at Alana. "Now, Alana, Momiji, how about we sit down and talk for a bit?"

"Of course!" Alana replied gesturing over to the piano. There were always a few benches along the edge of the piano though it was rare for anyone to use them. As they settled Alana pulled the pile of her work over that she had brought with her from home. "These are things from home. If you want to look through them as we talk I mean."

"I would love to." Hideki smiled at her and began to thumb through the drawings and sketches and paintings she had brought along. They were a different style from what was on the walls and so it gave a wider look at her capabilities. "Now, tell me a bit about yourselves."

Alana smiled at Momiji, pleased that the scout was interested in him as well. That had been her hope when she asked Momiji to play with her in front of the scout. She took a deep breath and began to describe her artist background, what school she had gone to and where she'd learned her skills and what she wanted to do in the future with her talent. "I hope to be a part of a large gallery one day but I want to always be able to paint what I want to paint rather than what I am told to paint." She finished with a soft smile. "Art and music are love to me and I don't want to force that love into things I don't enjoy."

Hideki nodded understandingly studying the piece in his hand and glancing up at Momiji, comparing the drawing she had done of him to the reality in front of him. "And you Momiji?"

"I went to public schools." Momiji confessed, "My father hired a violin instructor when I was very young and he was my teacher for a number of years though I continued to play daily after he moved onto a different student." He told the instructors name when asked and Hideki looked rather impressed. "I would love to be able to play in concert halls and amphitheaters one day."

"Forgive my asking," Hideki remarked looking over at the young blond man. "But the Sohma family is fairly wealthy; why not buy your way into a gallery."

Momiji nodded, reassuring the man that he hadn't taken offense to the question. "Like Alana, I want to be accepted, validated I guess is how to state it best. I want to be accepted to know that my talent is real, I don't want to coast along on my family's wealth."

Hideki nodded back smiling. "I am glad to hear that." He set the final piece of paper down and stood. "I think I have heard and seen enough but before I go, would both of you mind playing a piece solo for me?"

"Not at all." Alana replied moving to gather her work. "Momiji why don't you go first?" She suggested. She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the cheek when Hideki moved a bit away from them. "You will do wonderfully. I believe in you."

Momiji took a deep breath and moved to his violin pulling it gently from the case. He was almost vibrating with nerves. He knew that Alana thought he was good enough for the scout to pick him up while he was there but the part of him that always felt…unworthy, because of his mothers' rejection, he doubted he was that talented. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Centering himself, he put the bow to string and began to play. As the notes to Giuseppe Tartini's Devil's Trill Sonata began to play, Momiji felt his passion and fears and joys flow through him into the music and fill the room. It was a long, difficult piece but one of his favorites. When he finally finished, he opened his eyes to see the room filled with people watching him and Hideki holding a phone up and recording a video of him playing.

The room exploded in applause. Momiji blushed heavily, smiling widely. It felt so good to hear someone admiring him, that his hard work, his dedication, and love hadn't been wasted. Everyone needs to love themselves and be happy with who they are, but it is always validation and joyful when others show their appreciation for you.

Alana was smiling so hard at him; she felt her cheeks begin to hurt. This was Momiji's moment! She just knew that he was going to be accepted into the Gallery. This was a step towards becoming his own person, doing something that he wanted more than anything. He had said he wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life, but she knew, whatever it was, it would have something to do with playing the violin.

"Wonderful!" Hideki came over to shake Momiji's hand. "I will be showing this to our music director but I have no doubt that you will be getting a call from her! You are very talented!"

"Thank you Taka-san!" Momiji replied returning the firm shake.

"Now! Alana, please play a piece for us as well." Hideki turned to the grinning girl who nodded quickly and sat at the piano. She thought for a moment, wondering if she should do a classical piece or contemporary. Finally she settled on a classical piece that was very beautiful. Softly at first then with more strength, she began to play Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy. It was not a complex a piece as the song Momiji had played but it was a beautiful and moving piece nonetheless. Momiji felt a soft smile cover his face as he watched Alana play so beautifully. He was very lucky to have met her. He thanked God every day that Kisa had run across her listening to him play. Life was suddenly bright and colorful and full of different music than soft broken hearted tones. Alana looked up at him as the last few notes died away and returned his smile with a soft one of her own, her eyes warm and affectionate.

Hideki wore a big grin on his face when the song finished. "Beautiful! You are certainly talented, there was a lot of heart in that song. Now, one more piece with the both of you and I will be off to talk to the music department and put in my own recommendation for acceptance."

The members of the audience who knew what he was talking about (more than a few as it seemed Alana's co-workers were telling people why he was there), cheered at hearing that. Momiji looked at Alana with a happy smile and leaned over. "Lux Aeterna." Alana nodded and the two of them took a deep breath and began to play. It was something they had played before. Momiji's favorite song.

The song filled the room with its fire and passion more people wandered in to see who was playing, many of them recognizing the song. A few minutes later, the two of them stood side by side as a number of guests came to wish them luck and tell them how good they were. Hideki had left shortly after the song ended. He seemed delighted that he'd discovered a second artist in Momiji and felt sure both applicants would be accepted into his Gallery.

"Now," Hideki said as he gathered his things to leave, "I will be back on Monday with the Board's decision. I make no promises you understand but I must say I believe things will go excellently."

Once the last of the well-wishers dispersed, Oji hustled them into the back room where a quick lunch was waiting for them and one of Oji's employees was framing Alana's painting of Ayame and Mine. They watched as he gently lay the wooden pieces down along the painting and tacked it all into place. The rest of the afternoon Alana and Momiji continued to play together making small talk until Oji told them to head off.

"You have tomorrow off Alana. Why don't you let the painting and frame finish setting here and just get it tomorrow when you head out to visit them? You have enough to worry about tonight." Oji winked and shoved the two of them out. With a laugh, they waved and headed out to Alana's to pick up her boxes.

Picking up Alana's boxes was a quick trip and moving her boxes into her new room even quicker. Her parents had given them hugs and promises of a weekend dinner, since in her excitement she had finished packing earlier than expected, and Emiko made a few teasing comments as they walked out. They were still riding high on their apparent success with the scout. Finally they sat on the couch in his living room, now their living room and just cuddled together with large smiles on their faces. Momiji finally sighed and gripped Alana's hand tighter. "I don't want to ruin the mood…" He started and Alana looked up at him. "But there is something I need to tell you."

Alana nodded and stood. "Why don't I start dinner while you tell me whatever it is you want me to know?" She smiled softly at him, happy that he was opening up to her. She knew he had been preoccupied during all down-time the last few days, not to mention the interrupted conversation she had walked into the other day.

Momiji followed her into the kitchen and sat on the barstool when she pointed him to it with a stern look on her face as she began to search through his cabinets. Finally after a few minutes she sat next to him and he blushed realizing he didn't have much in the way of food for her to make. "Umm…I'll order something and we can go to the grocery store tomorrow."

Alana chuckled and kissed him gently on the cheek. "Do that." While she waited for him to order them some food, she pulled out plates and cutlery for when food arrived and poured glasses of water for them. Once he retook his seat, she laced their fingers together and waited.

"A number of years ago there was a girl who lived with a few of my cousins. Her name was Tohru." He paused, looking a bit far away. "She was a very sweet girl, kind of spacey actually. I told you a bit about her before, the girl I scared by talking in German?" At Alana's nod he smiled softly. "She was the nicest person I'd ever met. I met her around the time Momo began to get curious about me and I was having difficulties with other members of the family. Anyway…" Momiji shook his head and gave her a wistful smile, "I loved her and felt like I was in love with her. She, though, was in love with my cousin Kyo. They got together and moved away for him to continue his martial arts training."

Alana could hear the heartbreak in his voice and squeezed his hand gently. That was why he was so sad. He'd loved someone who preferred someone else. Of course, the abandonment of his mother and distance of his father would not make it easy to get over that heartache. She felt resolve fill her though. She was falling in love with him and, she hoped, he with her. She was going to make sure that the sadness and rejection was blown away from him.

"She called the other day. The two of them are moving back and getting married." Momiji finally said into the silence.

Alana leaned forward and tilted his face to look at her and gently pressed her lips to his. "What a happy occasion." She replied. "I am sorry you were hurt. However, I confess I am glad she didn't choose you. Or else I wouldn't have been able to be with you." She whispered and leaned in to kiss him again. She was sad for him; it was heartbreaking to know that he had cared for someone once who had chosen another. It was one thing to date someone and then break up because it didn't work out or various other reasons, but to never have any chance to see what could have been was very sad. But as she confessed, she was glad because it meant that he was now hers.

Momiji turned and wrapped his arms around her tightly. His own heart felt almost completely healed after confessing to her. It was sad but as she said, if he had been with Tohru, he might never have met Alana, and even after such a short time together he could not picture his future without her by his side. He tilted her chin up and gently kissed her lips for a moment before leaning in and kissing her more deeply. He felt her hands slide into his hair and tightened his arms around her back. This was worth waiting for.

They continued to kiss, lost in each other until they heard a knocking on the door. Momiji separated from her reluctantly and stepped back, taking a deep breath. "That'll be the food." He muttered, trying to control his erratic breathing. No one other than her ever made him feel so out of control and wonderful at the same time.

Alana nodded, an attractive flush on her cheeks as she watched him rush towards the door. She spotted his wallet on the counter and with a soft chuckle, grabbed it and followed him to the door. However, when she came up to him, he was wearing an expression of amusement and exasperation as he gazed at two people standing on his front stoop.

One of them was a tall, willowy, beautiful woman with silky black hair and large voluminous eyes. The other was a tall male who had half of his hair white and half black and a lazy gaze, he was holding up the food in Momiji's direction. Both wore clothing that, while slightly punk/goth, was also almost preppy. It was a cute look on them. As she approached, the girl noticed her and glanced over surprised though the male didn't. Instead he simply continued to hold up the bag. "I paid for it, so we can eat with you right?"