Influence

As Tohru watched Yuki approach the house that night she had the strangest suspicion that something was wrong. The sun was setting and the harsh orange glow seemed to outline Yuki's every feature. His face looked gaunt, tired and his eyes looked troubled. His hair was still damp from the downpour earlier, although his clothes had dried in the mild after sun. Tohru stepped down from the front porch and walked a few steps to meet her friend.

"Yuki… Is everything okay? You don't look very well. Would you like me to make you something to eat?" she was genuinely worried about him. Despite knowing that meeting Akina was doing him good, she also knew that something else had been bothering him lately; although he didn't seem to want to share what it was.

Yuki raised his head and stared at Tohru for a moment, as though trying to take in what she had said. After a long pause, he spoke.

"No thankyou Miss. Honda. I think I might just go to bed. I need a good night sleep. Thankyou for the offer though." He brushed gently past her and stepped onto the porch. He absent-mindedly removed his shoes, pulled open the door and walked inside. He didn't close the door, so Tohru entered behind him. She then remembered something.

"Oh Yuki, I almost forgot, Ayame, Momiji, Hatori and everyone are coming over for dinner tonight. Are you sure you don't want to join us?" she called up the stairs after him. Yuki merely waved his hand in a dismissive way.

"I'm okay, Miss. Honda," he called faintly before disappearing onto the landing. Tohru listened as his bedroom door slid open and then shut. She sighed and paused for a moment, before remembering whose job it was to cook dinner.

"Oh my gosh! The rice!" she dashed into the kitchen and over to the rice cooker, switching it off at the plug. She could spell the burnt rice and heaved a sigh. Oh well, I guess everyone might have to wait a little longer for their dinner tonight…

Hatsuharu stared blankly out of the car window as Hatori drove Momiji, Ayame and himself to Shigure's house. Momiji was rambling away about what meal Tohru might cook for them, Ayame joined in where he could, and Hatori simply concentrated on his driving, allowing the odd "nn" to escape him when a question was directed by Ayame.

"Oh Hatori, aren't you the talkative one? I simply cannot believe that you are not looking forward to young Tohru's delicious cooking!" Ayame announced dramatically. Momiji nodded in agreement.

"Tohru cooks better than anyone I know!" he beamed.

As Haru had some how ended up sitting in the front seat, he and Hatori could simply sit in silence, lost in their own thoughts. Neither felt like talking. They were worried, if not about the same thing, they each still found their thoughts occupied by matters they wished not to discuss with their fellows in the back of the car.

Momiji and Ayame's constant talking continued until Hatori finally pulled up outside the familiar house near the woods.

"We're here," he said dryly, whilst unbuckling his seatbelt. Haru did the same and they all climbed out of the car.

"I cannot wait to see my dear Shii-kun again!" Ayame exclaimed as he dancing onto the porch and knocked three times on the wooden framed door.

"Coming!" sounded a frantic voice from inside, followed by a loud crash of pots falling to the floor. "Oh no!"

"I see Tohru has her hands full," Hatori commented to no one in particular, but Haru, who was standing next to him, took notice.

"I guess so; I hope we haven't put her to too much trouble."

"I think Miss. Honda takes pride in the hospitality of her friends, I'm sure she will be happy to see us all. She seemed very excited when I told her on the phone."

"Where is Gure-nii?" Momiji asked, listening in on their conversation.

"Most likely in his office, if not he'll be out avoiding his editor some where. I am sure he will not miss the chance to see his two old friends," said Hatori as he removed his shoes.

Momiji nodded, and as he had already placed his shoes neatly by the mat, he decided to slowly slide open the door.

"Tohru!" he called, as he spotted her dizzying around in the kitchen at the end of the hall. He skipped over to her and noticed the large amount of plates she was holding, while also trying to pick up the pots she had dropped earlier. "Let me help."

Momiji picked up the pots and placed them carefully on the side bench. "It smells delicious! What are we having?"

Tohru smiled wearily. "Well I burnt the rice so I will have to make some more."

Their friendly banter continued as Ayame, Hatori and Hatsuharu entered the house and closed the door.

They made their way into the living room where they found Kyo idly watching television.

"Where is Yuki?" Haru asked in his usual absent tone.

"How the hell would I know?" Kyo spat as he changed channels; Ayame and Hatori seated themselves at the Kotatsu beside him.

"Is he upstairs?" although, without waiting for an answer, Haru walked back out into the hall and then climbed the steps to Yuki's room.

"Yuki," he called as he reached the landing. He wasn't sure which room was his cousins, but his senses told him Yuki was in the room at the end of the hall, and he wasn't in a very good mood. As Haru approached the door, he felt Yuki sadness and bowed his head.

"Had a fight?" he asked as he slid open the door. Yuki's head snapped around as he was awoken from his sorrowful state. Haru walked across the room and sat on Yuki's bed. He sat back and crossed his legs, resting his back against the wall. Yuki watched him from his desk chair.

"Tohru didn't say you were coming," he said quietly, although realising that by everyone, she probably meant Haru.

"Well, I'm here," he said dully, gazing at his cousin.

"Stop doing that," Yuki snapped, glaring at him.

"Doing what?" he asked with a yawn, still not taking his eyes off Yuki.

"Stop staring at me." The way Haru could always read Yuki was some times a good thing. But right now, Yuki just wished he could be alone. The way Haru watched him made him feel as though he were reading his private thought. He hated that feeling.

Haru showed no sign of obeying Yuki's command.

"Why did you fight?" he asked after a long silent pause, in which Haru had watched Yuki's every motion as though reading him like a book.

"It's none of her business, and neither is it yours."

Haru then tossed his head back and sighed. "Oh I see. You saw her at the cemetery didn't you?" Yuki gritted his teeth. How does he know that?

"And you wouldn't tell her why you were there. I bet you got all defensive, like you always do when some one mentions your father."

"I do not!" Yuki said, with a little more force than intended. Haru smiled slightly and nodded.

"I understand. I know what its like. We all do. All of the zodiac members do. Well, accept for Hiro but I guess he's just lucky."

Yuki bowed his head and stared at the floor. "What are you trying to say?"

"What I'm trying to say is, don't be so afraid to open up to people. This girl could understand. You don't know; she might have gone through something similar."

The stab of guilt made Yuki feel sick with himself. How could he not have thought? Not only was Akina forgotten by her parents, she was exiled by her entire family. She would understand better than anyone… Yuki thought miserably.

"I'm right, aren't I?" Haru asked as he watched his cousin's guilt-full state. He then uncrossed his legs and climbed off the bed.

"I'm starving," he said simply before walking to the door and sliding it open. "Come have some dinner, it'll make you feel better," he called over his shoulder, and then he left.

That's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, Yuki thought spitefully, although when his stomach let out a long, low grumble he too realised how hungry he was feeling. Yuki got to his feet and left his room. Slowly he walked down the stairs just in time to great Shigure as he slid open the front door.

"Guests?" he asked, taking a deep breath, inhaling the delicious scent of food floating from the half open kitchen door. Yuki nodded and watched as Shigure slammed open the living room door and spotted Ayame across the room. They both acted out their usual romance scene, with Yuki and Hatori rolling their eyes and Kyo practically gagging. Yuki decided to go into the kitchen and help Tohru.

Upon entering he found Momiji leaning against the wall, watching Tohru shaping rice balls with her delicate hands. Momiji's head instantly snapped up when Yuki arrived, but it was clear he had been in his own little world. He had grown a lot, in many different ways. Yes he was taller, but he was also far more mature. It was sad to watch this once innocent little boy go though such heart ache, but Yuki was not the type to get involved, or even act like he knew what was going on. It's best to leave things how they are, he thought before crossing the room to Tohru's side.

She looked up and smiled as he approached her. "You're lucky I decided to make extra food, just in case you changed your mind!" she beamed. Yuki smiled and nodded.

"Thank you Miss. Honda. Would you like any help?" he asked. He wasn't the handiest help in the kitchen, but anything was better than sitting in the same room as Shigure and Ayame. Who knew two people could be so stupid and annoying at the same time, he thought bitterly as he handed Tohru the rice scooper. But I guess you just get used to it...

Akina lay numbly in her bed. The thick lavender sheets were not the most practical for spring weather so she kicked them off and turned on her side. The view of her side table showed a photo of Akisame and Akina from several years before. It had been taken during one of their infamous trips back to the Saito house. There were also several hair hands and clips scattered across the small table, and finally a small digital clock and radio. The time read eight thirty two. Who goes to bed at eight thirty? She asked herself, although she knew the answer. The severely depressed and severely pathetic; that's who. Akina sighed for what must have been the fiftieth time that night. I guess I am a bit of both of those things. Akisame was at work in one of the restaurants down town. I wonder how she got a job there; she can't cook to save her life. She can't clean either. She isn't good with people… Makes me wonder how she can even function. Akina then thought of how much her sister had changed recently. Ever since they got the news of their grandmothers passing, Akisame seemed to grow from seventeen to twenty seven over night. Yes, it was about time she acted her age, but still. It was as though she had become a completely different person. She's not Aki-chan my sister anymore. It's as though she is trying to become Ms. Saito, my mother…

Akina let out a loud sneeze and reached for the tissue box she had positioned on the floor by her bed. I should never have stayed out so long in that stupid rain. Now I have a cold and a head ache… After stuffing the used tissue under her pillow Akina reached forward and turned on the radio. A woman's voice echoed around the room as she read the nights headlines. Apparently two men in a fishing boat had gone missing some where up north, some politician had been shouting his mouth off about something Akina missed due to another sneezing attack, and finally, a local road was closed due to floods after today's storm. Well that was interesting… not. She kept the channel on a little longer as the weatherman announced clear skies for the rest of the week, and then a song Akina had been in love with recently began to pound from the small speakers. Akina closed her eyes and listened to the lyrics. The song was slow, but not in a mournful way. The lyrics described a love doomed from the start.

How can I tell you, tonight,

The way that I feel deep inside?

The man's voice echoed around the room with a gentle acoustic.

No words can describe, the tears in my eyes,

When you told me this would be goodbye.

Akina found herself humming along with the tune.

A love that would last a life time,

Can't be ended in one single word.

Tell me what it is; I can make it alright,

But just don't break my heart this time.

By now Akina sheepishly found herself whispering the words.

I know it won't be easy,

I've known from the start.

But we're in this too deep,

And I'm falling apart.

Tell me that you love me,

Tell me that you'll stay,

But now you hold my heart,

You just can't go away.

Oh - you saved me,

Now I can't let you go…

Akina leaned over and pressed the off button on her radio; the final words of the song echoing around the room. Akina never cried to songs, but this time was different. As the tears spilled down her cheeks, she wasn't really sure what she was crying about, but the ache in her heart remained, her tears soaked her pillow until finally her sobbing subsided and she fell into a deep sleep.