Part One

"Thanks! This is it," Rikku said tipping the taxi driver and getting her bags out of the trunk. She walked down a trail that led to the house. She stopped outside the porch, cocking her head at the deceptively quiet atmosphere. The blue-eyed raven-haired 16 year old ran up the steps, anxious, long hair trailing at her black skirt and boots. Before she could knock, Shigure opened the door, smiling perversely. "Rii-chan, how nice of you to visit," He said. Rikku smiled and sashayed past him, setting her bags in the hall. "Sensei!" She yelled happily hugging him. Shigure watched her with amusement, "So, why have you come back? How long has it been... ten years?"

Rikku nodded and grinned, "Ten Akito free years thank you very much." Shigure laughed and closed the door. "I hope he doesn't realize I'm here," Rikku suddenly said, a look flashing across her face. Fear, thought Shigure, She's afraid of him... After a moment the girl smiled again. "So, where is everyone? And that new girl... Tohru, was it?" Rikku asked curiously. Shigure sighed. "They're at school Rii-chan... you know, the big building with old people, boring lectures, and..." Shigure sighed dreamily, "a lot of high school girls."

Rikku raised an eyebrow, "I know what school is you big old pervert. What are you, 27? You act like a horny 17 year old! Anyway, school is actually the reason I'm here. I was transferred, and then I found out that you guys were here... so I decided to stay here!" Shigure smirked. "You look so grown up..." He turned to walk away, "I bet Akito can't wait to see you..." The zodiac dog watched Rikku's face go from smiling to expressionless as she turned away to put her things in a spare room.

After sorting out her things, she heard sounds in the hall. Walking out, she saw her family. The tall, handsome carrot-top smiled in recognition. "Rii-san!" He said hugging her. Rikku hugged him back and did the same for the good-looking Yuki-kun. "Where's Tohru?" Rikku asked them, noting the girl's absence. "You know about Tohru?" Kyo replied, and Rikku detected a slight blush. She waved a folded piece of paper.

"Kagura keeps in touch," The brunette said cheerfully, then winked at Kyo, "Especially about her lover..." Kyo reddened and started to chase his cousin, "HEY! WE ARE NOT LOVERS! GET BACK HERE YOU-" Rikku spun around, pulling out a leek and shoving it toward Kyo. The zodiac cat hissed and backed away. "Like cat and rat," Yuki said, ignoring the looks the others gave him. "I knew it would be useful to have one with you in the same house," Rikku said.

Yuki and Shigure nodded in amusement. "Tohru had to go to work, she should be back in a couple of hours," Yuki said, "But it's been ten years, you should tell us everything!" The pair went off too the main room chatting animatedly. Kyo watched them go, and then proceeded to the porch to sit and think in the sunlight. Shigure left to go to his office, inspired now with more perverted thoughts to write his novels with (and probably call people too).

Two hours later Tohru arrived home, cheerfully announcing it, "HELLO! I'm back you guys!" She went into the main room and saw Yuki sitting and talking with a strange, new girl she never met before. The girl turned around and smiled. "You must be the infamous Tohru Honda," The pretty brunette stuck out her hand, "I'm Rikku Sohma."

Tohru grinned and shook Rikku's hand. "Yes, it's so nice to meet you!" Yuki stood up and sighed. "I have some work to do for the student council," He said, "I'll see you at dinner." Rikku got up and went to the kitchen with Tohru, offering to help with dinner. The pair got to work, quietly at first, and then Tohru's curiosity got the better of her.

"Are you part of the zodiac?" She asked Rikku. Rikku sighed, "No, well, actually, um... never mind, it's complicated." Tohru's eyes clouded with confusion but she didn't push it. "Why did you go away for ten years? What happened?" She asked again, after the previous awkward silence. Rikku was silent for a moment. "I was six... so I really don't remember much..."

"STOP! Don't come near me! I hate you!"

"... I think it was because of Akito..."

"You can never understand! You will always be hated by us- by me... you could never belong... here, or anywhere else..."

"... but it doesn't matter. I went away, until I knew I was ready to come back," Rikku said solemnly. Tohru cocked her head, "Did you ever visit?" Rikku nodded and smiled, "Of course! How do you think I remained so close to my cousins! I missed them a lot. But time alone gave me the chance to discover things. About myself. And other things."

The stove dinged and cut the conversation short as the two girls served dinner. Shigure was the first one in, and sat down to eat immediately. Kyo and Yuki came soon after. Rikku talked brightly about where she lived before and how she wondered what the new school was like. "It's nothing special, you shouldn't get to excited. It's like every damn Sohma goes there," Kyo said slowly savoring his food.

Dinner was cleared up and Tohru shoed Rikku out of the kitchen to take on cleaning herself. The teenager went off and sat on the porch, gazing up at the sky. She sighed and laid back trying to pick out some constellations. She felt someone poke her shoulder and she sat up.

"Yuki-kun... what is it?" She asked, moving over to let him sit. Yuki shrugged. "I like it when the stars are out, it looks so beautiful," He said quietly, "It's so strange seeing you again, Rikku... We all missed you..."

"They despise you, even more then me... so leave. Go as far as you want. No one will miss you. No one needs you..."

Rikku smiled, "I'm glad, I missed you all too... how do you feel about Tohru? I mean, she is the only girl in the house with you guys. And I think Kyo has a crush." Yuki laughed good naturedly and thought for awhile. "Yes, that cat does seem especially fond of her, but I-" He paused and blushed, "I think of her as, kind of a mother..." Rikku smiled and hugged him. "Oh Yuki, that's so sweet!" She said, "She's very nice. Almost too nice, it's almost infuriating at times."

Yuki got up. "That's just her way I guess," He said, both turning and going inside when the phone rang. Shigure was the first to pick up. "Hello? Ah, Haa-san, yes she's here... Uh-huh, hold on," He handed the phone to Rikku, "It's for you." Rikku took it gently and held it up to her ear, "Hello?" There was an awkward pause. "Hello Rikku," Kureno said, "You have an appointment here, tomorrow morning." Rikku nodded, "Yes, tell Akito I'll see him then. OK, Bye."

"What a freak," Rikku said angrily hanging up, "As if I want to see Mr. Anger Management..." Someone stepped outside. "Who?" asked Tohru curiously. "Akito," Rikku said, "It's no big, never mind." Tohru shrugged and leaned against the screen door. Rikku paused and looked up at Tohru suddenly, eyes deep and mysterious. "Tohru..." She said slowly, "Do you know how to break our curse?"

To be continued in Part II...