Distress

Despite Akina's serene state, when she arrived home, it all came crashing down. She opened the door quietly with her key, not knowing if her sister has fallen asleep in front of the television again. Slowly she crept into the living room to find it empty and none-the-less tidy. Akina felt like she had walked into the wrong house. She looked around. The walls were still the same, the furniture was still minimal and there was still the distinct animal smell. But something felt different. The clothes were gone, but it wasn't that that was bothering her.

"Akisame?" she called nervously, making her way through the room and into the kitchen. "Aki, are you home?" Once again there was so answer. Akina figured maybe she had gone for a walk or gone to see a friend. She turned to leave the kitchen, but then spotted a note placed at the edge of the counter. She reached out and picked it up. It was definitely her sister's untidy drawl.

Kina,

Got some bad news today. Natsu Called, Grandma died. She said she's been sick for ages but I never knew, did you? Now I'm worried.

If you are wondering where I've gone, I'm looking for work. Anything will do, we just need the money. I suggest you do too; I'm not going to be doing all the work.

I should be back around eight.

Aki

Xxx

Akina felt like a weight had just been dropped in the pit of her stomach. All thoughts of her wonderful day were pushed to the back of her mind. She looked up at the clock. The time was quarter to seven. Akina walked through the living room and to the front door. She took her old jacket from the battered coat hanger and pulled open the door. The sooner she finds work, the better.

Yuki, Tohru and Kyo arrived home just as night began to fall. The house was peaceful and Shigure was working in his study. Yuki felt strange, but in a good way. He felt light and happy. It was almost as if he wasn't himself anymore. He walked up to his room and sat at the window sill, watching the last of the sun fade from view, and the clear blue moon glow in the night sky.

"I'm going to work now," Yuki heard Tohru call from the front door.

"I'll walk you," he heard Kyo volunteer. The door slid open and then closed behind them, and Yuki watched them walk along the path and out of sight.

"Hey Kyo, do you think that Yuki and Akina are… um, well, I mean…" asked Tohru curiously.

"Ah who cares?" said Kyo spitefully. "As long as it keeps that damn rat out the house, I'm happy." Tohru nodded slowly, still deep in thought.

"Hey would you stop that already? If you weren't going to talk at all I may as well not have walked you." Tohru looked up at Kyo and smiled.

"I'm sorry," she said coyly. The street lamps lit the path ahead an eerie yellowish colour. There were large bushes at one side of them, and the main road at the other. There weren't many cars at this time of night. Tohru suddenly got the shivers, so Kyo put his arm around her and pulled her close. Tohru blushed and smiled. She felt so lucky to have someone like Kyo to look out for her. Kyo suddenly stopped. Tohru looked up inquisitively.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Hey isn't that your friend? That girl we were with today?" Tohru looked strait ahead and saw Akina walking along the path towards them. Her head was bent and she was dragging her feet.

"Akina?" called Tohru. The girl looked up. Akina was shocked to see Tohru and Kyo out in the city at this time. Tohru came running over, closely followed by her companion.

"Hello Tohru, Kyo, what are you doing here?"

"We were gonna ask you the same thing," said Kyo suspiciously.

"Me? Oh I'm just… taking a walk! You know, the night air, it gets me pumped up!" Kyo raised his eyes brows at her. Tohru looked saddened.

"Akina, what's wrong?" she asked worriedly. Akina bowed her head.

"I… I need to find a job," she said quietly. Tohru nodded.

"Well I'm on my way to work now. How about you come with me and you can see if there are any jobs available there!" Akina's eyes widened.

"Really?"

"Of course!" Tohru beamed. "Let's go." So the three of them walked through the city. After a short time they arrived outside the large Sohma building.

"Wow, this is amazing!" exclaimed Akina. "You really work here?" she asked, turning to Tohru.

"Yep, sure do. I'm a cleaner!" she beamed. Akina's face fell. She suddenly had a flash back of her house before her sister had spontaneously decided to tidy up. But any job is better than no job, she told herself.

"I'll come and pick you up," Kyo said, kissing Tohru and the cheek. He then placed his hands in his pockets and walked back down the street. Tohru then led Akina into the large building, Akina looked around. The reception area was huge, and she guessed these must be some sort of business offices.

They took the elevator to the fifth floor where Tohru found one of the other cleaning ladies. She appeared to be the head custodial officer, or so her badge stated.

"Miss. Fujoko, I don't suppose you have any jobs available?" Tohru asked hopefully. The woman looked at Akina and surveyed her for a minute.

"Ah heck, we could use all the help we can get," said the lady cheerfully. "Welcome aboard!" Akina smiled awkwardly and took the mop and bucket the woman was offering her. "Tohru could you take miss -"

"Saito, Akina," Akina chirped

"- Miss Akina, to the uniform closet?"

"Sure thing!" said Tohru eagerly. She then lead Akina to a small room down the corridor and helped her pick out her size overalls.

"You never told me you needed a job," said Tohru as she held up a dirty uniform and began batting the dust from it. "How come?"

"Oh, I didn't really know I needed one. It was sort of a last minute thing," said Akina, turning her back. She was starting to feel uncomfortable. She didn't really want Tohru or the others to know about her current situation. She still hadn't come to terms with it herself. Her grandmother had been one of the very few Saito's to stay in touch with Akina and Akisame after they had left. They had 2 sisters and a brother. Their brother, Haruko, was the eldest of the family, then it was Akisame, then Akina was between the other two sisters; Natsu and Fuyu. Talk about middle child, she thought bitterly.

"Here," said Tohru, handing Akina the overalls. "These should fit you. Go try them on and I'll meet you on the third floor, okay?" Akina nodded and left the room, Tohru had pointed out the toilets and so she entered. She looked around and understood why they needed so many cleaners. The tiles were chipped, the floors were wet and the smell was terrible. Akina changed as quickly as possible and ran to the elevator, narrowly missing a small blonde boy wearing bring pink pants and a jazzy top.

"Wha- Oh I'm so sorry!" said Akina breathlessly.

"Its okay!" beamed the boy. "I'm Momiji Sohma, do you know Tohru Honda?" another Sohma, thought Akina. I wonder if he is a member of the zodiac.

"Yes I know Tohru," she replied. "Are you looking for her?" Momiji nodded. "Okay I'll take you to her." They both entered the elevator. The boy rocked back and forth on his heals and Akina stood awkwardly waiting for it to reach the third floor. There was a loud 'ping' and the doors drew open.

"Tohru!" cried the boy as he ran towards her, but stopped himself about a foot away, careful not to transform.

"Hello Momiji," Tohru giggled. "I see you have met Akina?" Momiji turned to Akina and his eyes lit up.

"You're the girl from Shigure's house! I remember you! How are you feeling?" he added quietly. Akina was a little confused, but she guessed he must have been there the night Yuki found her in the woods.

"I'm much better, thankyou," she whispered back playfully. The boy grinned excitedly, still rocking back and forth. The three of them then set to work cleaning. Akina wasn't used to these kinds of chores, but got the hang of it after a little help from Tohru. After several hours of mopping and polishing, which seemed to go rather quickly, Akina's shift ended and she was free to go home.

As she walked through the dimly lit streets everything became a blur. For the first time that night Akina was able to stop and take in that her dearest grandmother had passed away. Tears spilled down her rosy cheeks as she swayed down the street. Her feet were aching and she longed just to go to bed and cry. Eventually she reached her home and found the door unlocked. As soon as it creaked open she heard her sister's thundering footsteps. The next thing Akina knew she had dropped her things and was hugging her sister tightly, sobbing on her shoulder. They were both crying.

"I was so worried," Akisame whispered softly. She gently pulled away and looked Akina in the eyes. Akina saw her makeup had run and she was looking far from a model at this moment in time. But all that mattered right now was that they had each other.

"We'll be okay," Akina whispered, brushing her sister's hair from her eyes and hugging her once more. We'll be okay…

For those of you who may have, or may not have, noticed, I did indeed name each of the sisters after seasons. Well, not exactly. Here are their name meanings:

Akina – Spring Flower (she is the second youngest)

Akisame – Autumn Rain (she is the second oldest)

Natsu – Child born in the summer (she is the third oldest)

Fuyu – Winter (she is the youngest)

And their brother:

Haruko – First Born (he is the oldest)

Those meaning might not be exact, don't shoot me if they aren't, but they are near enough!