Hope

"Yuki, telephone!" cried Shigure from down stairs. Yuki rolled off his bed and walked drowsily to the landing.

"Who is it?" he groaned, still half asleep. He was not a morning person.

"I do believe it is young Miss. Akina," Shigure replied playfully. Yuki suddenly felt more awake and marched down the stairs. He took the telephone from Shigure and waited until he had gone back into his office and closed the door before he spoke.

"Hello?" he said quietly.

"Yuki? It's me, Akina," beamed the voice from the other end of the phone line.

"Hello Miss. Saito, it's nice to hear from you. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, thankyou. But I was just wondering if you, Tohru and Kyo would all like to go to the park with me for a picnic today." Yuki was surprised, but pleased.

"That sounds wonderful! But really, we shouldn't put you to all that trouble. You have only been out of hospital for a few days."

"Oh no, It's no trouble. I'm offering," Akina replied sweetly. Yuki paused for a minute.

"Okay, if you are offering. It would be nice to see you again, too. Plus I'm sure Tohru will insist on bringing something anyway."

"That's great! How about we meet by the fountain at about noon?"

"Great, we'll see you then." Yuki clicked down the phone and sighed. He couldn't help but smile as we wandered into the kitchen to find Tohru making breakfast.

"Oh, Morning Yuki! You're up early. Would you like some breakfast?"

"Yes please Miss. Honda," he replied as he walked over to where she stood. "How would you like to come to the park with me today? Miss. Saito is preparing a picnic for us. Oh yes, and the cat is invited too," he added as Kyo mooched into the room.

"What did you just say about me?" he yelled.

"How can you be in the mood to fight at this time in the morning?" Yuki retorted, brushing past him and entering the lounge room. Kyo glared after him, but then turned to Tohru.

"Need some help?" he asked dully.

"Oh no, I'm fine, you can go and wait if you like, breakfast is almost ready." Kyo walked towards Tohru and looked over her shoulder to see what she was making.

"Don't tell me that's…"

"Leak porridge?" Tohru clapped her hands to her mouth. "Oh Kyo I'm so sorry! I totally forgot! I'll make you something else, I promise, just wait one second." Tohru dashed around the room, collecting items such a bowls and cutlery. She then stopped and looked at Kyo.

"It's okay, I'll make my own," Kyo couldn't help but smirk at Tohru's expression.

"Akina! Would you hurry up and make breakfast already? I'm starving!" yelled a pretty blonde woman in her twenties from the living room.

"If you can't be patient, come and make your own!" Akina called back from the kitchen. She was in the middle of preparing two bowls of leak porridge when the door bell sounded.

"Could you get that?" said the woman from her seat in front of the television, by the kotatsu. Akina pulled a scandalised face that her sister didn't see, before shuffling through the living room, ("You owe me," she spat as she passed her.) and went to answer the door. It was a man holding a parcel. He held out his clip board for Akina to sign, then she closed the door and re-entered the lounge.

"You know, for a model, you are the laziest woman I have ever met in my whole entire life," said Akina, throwing the parcel at her sister; which she caught just in time. "And please, pick up your clothes!" she added, kicking her way through the piles of dirty clothing. Akina disappeared into the kitchen, and then returned with a tray holding two bowls. She placed one in front of her sibling, and took the other for herself. The room they were in was cramped, but homely. They lived in a small flat, not far from Akina's school. There was minimal furniture, some of the paint was coming off the walls and there was a distinct animal smell coming from the pet shop below; but what more could they expect? After leaving home, the sisters didn't have much money. All that they received was a miniature care package from their grandmother once a week; which usually contained several tinned foods, a quick letter and a weekly allowance, which was usually just enough to cover the school fees and food expenses.

"Hey Akisame, was there anything… extra, in the package?" asked Akina quietly, although the note of hope in her voice wasn't hard to miss. Akisame sighed and shook her head. Akina nodded sadly and gazed down at her food.

"'Kina I wish you wouldn't get your hopes up like that, you know mother and father. The day they try and contact us I'll… do something stupid or what ever that saying is." Akina smirked at her sister and shoved her lightly.

"I just wish that… sometimes, maybe…" Akina sighed.

"I know what you mean, but you gotta move on, they aren't worth your tears." Akisame slurped her porridge and wound up with a dot at the end of her nose. Akina laughed out loud but quickly covered her mouth.

"What?" her sister asked, raising her eyebrow.

"N-nothing," Akina stammered, struggling to stifle her amusement. Akisame frowned and shook her head. They both continued eating, Akina refusing to admit what had stemmed her sudden hilarity.

"Oh shut up and get out," Akisame yelled after Akina as she cleared away their bowls in the kitchen sink.

"Gladly!" Akina called back, picking up her picnic basket and heading for the front door. "I'll be back later," she called over her shoulder, pulling open the door and leaving the house. Akisame shook her head and looked around the room. I really should pick up some of these clothes, she mused, before continuing watching her TV show.

Akina strolled along the park pathway, heading toward the fountain. She felt light and peaceful for the first time in weeks. It was a Saturday, Akina's favourite day, and better yet, it was spring. A light breeze blew through her hair as she approached the fountain and took a seat on the cold stone feature. Slowly she placed her picnic basket by her feet and looked around. The flowers were in bloom and the trees flushed a brilliant shade of green. The sounds, the smells, Akina could stay there forever. She allowed her head to tilt backwards as she took in the beautifully blue, cloudless sky. She dipped her fingers in the fountain water and watched the ripples expand. And there she stayed, waiting; waiting for her friends. Akina knew she was a little early, but she enjoyed the wait. It had been a while since a day this beautiful had graced her in such a way. Suddenly, a cough near by shook Akina from her day dreams. She looked around to find Yuki, Tohru and Kyo all staring at her. She jumped to her feet.

"Oh! Hello, I'm so sorry. I was just…" she shook her head and trailed away. "Well, let's go, shall we?" Yuki smiled at Akina. She blushed, looking some what uncomfortable and picked up her picnic basket. "I know the perfect place." They all followed her across the field to a secluded corner of the park. It was surrounded by flower beds, and the large willow tree hid it from the rest of the area.

"This is beautiful!" Toru exclaimed, letting go of Kyo's hand and finding a spot to sit. Kyo grunted and followed her. He sat cross-legged and rested his chin in hand, looking only as irritable as usual. Yuki placed a picnic basket on the soft grass and kneeled to the floor. Akina placed her basket next to his and sat next to him.

"It's such a beautiful day," said Tohru in awe, as she gazed up at the clear sky. Akina smiled. She hadn't felt this happy in a very long time.

"It is, really, and how did you find this place, Miss. Saito? It's wonderful," added Yuki. He glanced side ways at Akina and smiled. She found herself blushing again. Why do I always get so shy around him? She thought irritably. Akina saw a small box of chicken sushi appear under her nose. She looked up to find Tohru waving it happily at her.

"Is this for me?" Akina asked in amazement, taking the small container.

"Of course!" Tohru beamed, she then continued to hand out the rest of the food. Akina held the box as though it was some sort of sacred item.

"What's wrong?" Yuki asked quietly so only she could hear, "Don't you like sushi?"

"Oh yes! Of course I do. It's just, it looks so beautiful I don't know if I should eat it or save it." Yuki laughed.

"I think you are supposed to eat it." He smiled, opening his own boxed Sushi and pulling apart his chopsticks.

"Oh no!" Akina cried, clapping her hand to her forehead. "I knew I forgot something! I didn't bring any chopsticks…" The words had barely escaped her when Tohru was holding out a pair of chopsticks.

"I always bring spares," she giggled. Akina was in a happy state of shock. She took the chopsticks and throughout the meal, thanked Tohru maybe several times more than she need have.

"Really, its fine," Tohru said for nearing the fifth time. Kyo was still stuffing his face, and Yuki had carefully placed his containers back into his basket. He was now watching Akina finish the last of her sushi. She hadn't noticed until she looked up and found herself in eye contact, which she quickly broke, feeling self conscious.

"Is there something on my face?" she asked, blushing furiously and covering her mouth with her hand. Yuki smiled and shook his head.

"No," he said simply. Akina was about to ask, well then why were you looking at me like that? But stopped herself and felt her cheeks burn.

"I think I'm going to go for a walk," Tohru announced. "Would anyone like to come with me?" Kyo got to his feet.

"You aren't leaving me here with that dumb rat, I'm coming."

"Akina?"

"Oh, I think I'll stay here for a while if that's alright." Akina didn't really want to leave her spot just yet. Yuki looked from Tohru to Akina and back again.

"I think I might stay too," he said quietly. Akina looked at him, is he staying because of me?

"Okay, well we'll see you guys soon, okay?" said Tohru, before heading across the field, holding hands with Kyo. Akina suddenly felt strangely conscious of her posture and straitened her back. She then crawled over to her picnic basket and pretended to be organising the empty containers inside. She felt Yuki's eyes on the back of her head, but was determined not to be fazed by his presence.

"Um, Miss. Akina, what are you doing?" She had just realised all she had done was take out the same box about three times and place it back inside again.

"Oh, err, nothing," she replied, closing the basket and pushing it away. She turned to face Yuki and bit her tongue. He was looking strait at her. Akina gulped hard and tried to think of something to say. "Wasn't Tohru sushi delicious? I mean I haven't had sushi that tasted so good in a very long time. I've always loved sushi, have you? My favourite is chicken too. What's yours?" Oh god, I'm rambling about sushi, Akina felt like running and hiding amongst the flowerbeds.

"Chicken," said Yuki after a short pause. Akina at first felt confused, then she realised what he meant. She smiled and nodded. Yuki smiled too. It was at least a whole minute before either of them said anything.

"Do you feel like going for a walk?" Yuki asked. he was gazing out onto the field. Akina felt the breeze sweep through her hair and climbed to her feet.

"Sure," she said happily. Yuki pushed up from the ground and brushed the long willow branches from their path. Akina followed him closely. They walked for several minutes, neither saying anything, both in their own worlds, when Akina felt a hand brush against her own. She looked down to see Yuki arm slowly swaying by her own. She quickly snapped her head back up and looked strait ahead. That must have been an accident, she thought nervously. A few seconds later, the same thing happened again, only this time, Yuki took holding her hand. Akina felt her heart leap in an almost painful way. Yuki was looking at her, she caught his eye and he smiled. It was a different smile to the one she had seen earlier. This one was more… warm. It was tender, gentle, and heart-warming. Akina flicked her hair behind her shoulder and they continued to walk, hand in hand, until the sky turned a pinkish colour. They met Kyo and Tohru back under the willow. Akina bid goodbye to her friends and headed for the park gate. With a light picnic basket, and an equally light heart, Akina floated home in a cloud of bliss. What a day…