Author comment: Oh yes I am going by the anime since I have not read the manga. I do relize in the manga Akito is a female but in mine Akito is male like in the anime. Thank you.

It had been a few years since Tohru left the Sohma's house. She was 18 now and finished with school finally, just like mom wanted it. She was very upset ever since that day Yuki told her to leave. She did not know the purpose, but she hadn't seen any of the Sohmas since. She was fired from her job, and all the Sohma children were withdrawn from school the following day. She had been terribly distressed and had been living with her grandpa, aunt, and uncle ever since.

Tohru was currently walking down the sidewalk, she had been sent to the store to get some food. She didn't like it at her grandpa's home. Not that she wasn't grateful for what he had done...it was just she missed the Sohmas. Once she came back, her uncle and aunt had been treating her like a slave when grandma wasn't around. The would sometimes stay stuff like "Why so sad Tohru? you miss living with all the boys? you little slut."

It made her upset and so she left the house as much as possible. She hoped she would see one of the Sohmas but so far it hadn't happened. After she got fired she soon found another job as a waitress and a local restaraunt. It wasn't the best job in the world, but she needed the money to help out with the house and eventually get her own place.

"Hey. Get over here." said a voice to her side.

Turning abruptly, startled from being broken from her deep thoughts she saw a teenaged boy with dirty blonde hair and redish brown eyes looking at her. Not in the friendliest way either. Still seeing this boy brought her heart to a leap as she reconized him instantly, despite his his growing up.

"Well are you going to stop gawking or come over and greet me already?" He said in an annoyed tone smiling suddenly at her.

"Oh Hiro! What are you doing here?" She exclaimed rushing over to him. even though she had only met him once before, it was nice to see someone in the family. Maybe that ment the others were around here too.

"Why don't you mind your own buisness. I didn't come to see you if thats what you think. Sometimes your so dumb, I was just sitting here and I happened to see you. So are you going to say hello or what? You are rude, even after I'm taking my own time to come and talk to you," He said staring at her, the smile gone from his face.

"I'm sorry! Hello!" Tohru said fast before he started at her again. He sure hadn't change from the last time she had seen him. Well his personality hadn't but he had grown a great deal. His hair was a bit longer, but not to much. He was taller too, and he didn;t look so much like a child anymore.

"Its about time, I thought you would never speak." He said standing up from the bech he was sitting on. It wasn't till now that Tohru relized that this little kid who she had seen wasn't there anymore. He was only about 14 or 15 and was already taller then her.

"Uh..how are you? And Kisa..is she okay? And what about everyone else?" She asked lookign at him hopeful he wouldn't be to stubborn to tell her anything.

"Why would i tell you that?"

"Well...I just wanted to know.." Se responded sadly.

"Okay, don't get all weepy about it..god. He said standing up straighter so he was taller then her. It made him feel more powerful then her now, looking down at her."They're all fine if you must know." He paused for a moment as if thinking. "Akito died a few months ago." he said slowly looking for her response.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that!" Tohru said in a fast tone, not wanting to be disrespectful.

"Why are you saying sorry? Hes the whole reason why you got sent away." He said dryly looking away.

Tohru looked stunned. "You mean...it wasn't because they were mad at me...I thought Yuki.."

"Oh shut up, Yuki just had to tell you to go away or you would die. Don't get all worked up about it. Anyways, Akito is no longer there and Hatori has taken over till the new baby comes to age to where he she can run the family on her own." he said as if she should already know this. " Do you want to come back to Shigure's house or not?"

"I...well do they want me there?" Tohru asked uneasily.

"They wouldn't asked you to come back if they didn't want you back, now would they? Your intelligence amazes me."

"I uh...I guess so," She stuttered. As soon as the words escaped her mouth she felt his grip tighten around her wrist. "Lets go get your stuff and get this over with." He said heading back to her house. She didn't know how he knew which way to go, someone must have told him.

"Hey wait! I have to go get milk first!" She cried wirggling free from his grip. Turning he looked at her with blank eyes before his mouth turned into a frown. "Hurry up. I'll be here. Bring me back something to eat too!"he said.

Nodding quickly, not wanting to disagree with him she hurried into the store. The cold air swept over her and she shivered slightly. She quickly walked over, scooped up a gallon of milk and walked to the counter. Remembering she promised to get him something, her eyes searched over the candy. Finally deciding on a hershy bar she put it on the counter, paid then left.

When she stepped out he was leaning casually against the wall, his hands folded neatly behind his head. His eyes were closed and Tohru could see some girls looking at him admiringly. He must have known because there was a knowing smile on his face.

"Took you long enough. Can we go now?" He said in an annoyed voice.

"Yes, I'm sorry!" She said in a hurrid voice. "Oh here," she said rumaging through the bag and handing it out to him. He eyes it suspiciously before taking it and sticking it in his pants pocket.

"Uh..I don't think you should do that...it will melt!" She said quickly. Looking back at her with squinted eyes he frowned. "Shut up and lets go before i change my mind."