She didn't know how long she'd been lying in bed with the comforters snug around her. Miya shivered. A crisp breeze rushed through her window. Fall had come. Out of sheer boredom, Miya finally dragged herself out of bed and into a pair of jeans and a black tee. Her eyelids threatened to droop again. Sleep didn't come naturally last night. She just didn't feel comfortable sleeping in the main estate. It was weird to say the least.

Her stomach growled, pulling her out of her thoughts.

Man, I'm hungry. I want pancakes. But there's one problem…where the hell's the kitchen?!

Miya opened the door only to bump into someone. Her eyes scanned the face of a young servant.

"Oh my. I'm sorry, Miss Miya. Please forgive me."

"Nah, it's all right. But, uh, what were you doing outside my room?"

"Master Hatori told me to wait for you so I could show you around the house."

"Oh, okay. Well, first things first. Where's the kitchen?"

"This way, Miss Miya." She began walking down the hall with Miya in tow.

"What's with the 'Miss' thing? I'd feel much better with you just calling me Miya."

"Okay," she whispered.

"It'll be between you and me, I promise. So what's your name?"

"It's Fumika."

Endless hallway after endless hallway. Miya tried her best at remembering the vast layout. After turning yet another corner, Fumika finally stopped at a set of doors. The smell was enough to tell her that they'd arrived at the kitchen. Miya's mouth instantly watered once she entered the kitchen, certainly much bigger than Shigure's. A couple of chefs were already working on fixing breakfast.

"You can sit right over there, Miya." Adjacent to the kitchen was a dining area big enough for the zodiac members and those who knew about them. Japanese prints of geishas and samurais hung on the cream walls. Small plants were the centerpieces for the tables.

A movement caught her eyes. She was surprised to see Hatori sipping tea and reading a newspaper in a corner table.

"Good morning, Hatori." Her greeting startled him and he almost dropped his teacup on his lap.

"Good morning, Miya. Did you sleep well?" She sat across from him.

"Not really, but that's to be expected."

Fumika appeared with a plate of pancakes. Setting it in front of Miya, she bowed and left the room. Miya wasted no time in stuffing her mouth with pancake bits.

"Hungry?"

"Starving." She finished in mere minutes. "Ah. That was yummy."

"Fumika is going to show you around the estate today."

"Yeah, she mentioned that. This place is so large, I'm afraid I won't remember all of it."

"It won't be that hard once you get used to it." She sighed.

"Well, I gotta go to work soon so see you later." She rose up off the floor.

"You work?"

"Yes. At Ato Hana Yume near Yuki's school. It's a flower shop."

"What time do you get off work?"

"At three." He nodded.

Like the good servant she was, Fumika waited for Miya at the main entrance. Miya quickly grabbed the black coat Fumika held in her hands and bid goodbye to her as she left the grounds.

Time rolled slowly by at Ato Hana Yume. They didn't have many customers, but Tsuki insisted that Miya stay to take care of the flowers. Before, three o'clock came around and Miya was finally able to leave. She hadn't even taken two steps before a voice called to her, striking a familiar chord. It was a voice that she never wanted to hear again, the voice that made her blood run cold with hate. She closed her eyes once and then turned around to face him. Her breath shortened.

"Father…" she choked out.

After all this time, there he stood in front of her looking completely different. His black hair was combed back, his shirt was ironed, and he didn't reek of alcohol. Despite his clean appearance, she couldn't help but take two steps back from him.

"How are you, Miya?"

"I'm…fine. How have you been?"

"I'm okay now."

"I can see that. What happened to you?"

"After you left, I realized what a mess I was and I felt the need to get better. I checked into rehab. I knew that when I drank, it seemed all my problems just melted away and I was at peace."

"That's no excuse for what you've done to me," Miya said heatedly.

"I know that. But I didn't know what I was doing to you. It's hazy everytime I try to remember it. I should have never taken my grief and anger out at you. Miya…I want you to come back home with me. We could live like a real family and I promise never to hurt you again. Please come home." He extended his hand out to her.

She had no idea how much she wanted to take that hand and live in a fantasy world with him, but as much as she wanted to believe him, promises won't ever erase the pain she went through. The pain she was still going through. She missed having the kind of father who cared for her and loved her unconditionally, the kind who spent time with her and laughed at her corny jokes. Maybe he could be that father again…

"Miya!" she heard someone shout behind her.

She whipped around to see Hatori standing by his black car. A wave of sadness washed over her as she stared at Hatori and at the thought of leaving her new family. But the thought of actually living with her now-sober father was also too much of a temptation.

"I have to go," she whispered. "I'll talk to you later." She ran over to Hatori's black car.

"Miya, wait!" She stopped in her tracks and faced him.

"I'll talk to you later," she reiterated, as if it was a promise.

She yelled to Hatori to leave when she settled into the back seat. He did as she so kindly asked. As the car drove away, she made the mistake of looking back at her father. Guilt tugged at her heart. Wanting to live as a family with him was nothing more than a fool's wish. His being sober never lasted long. The alcohol always lured him back to indulge in its twisted haze.

Once reaching the estate, she absentmindedly walked to her room. Hatori informed that dinner was at six. She waved her hand in the air as acknowledgement. Tears emerged as she sat in her red bean bag, but she forced them back. Enough tears were shed for that bastard and she'd certainly hasn't seen the last of him if he managed to find her at Ato Hana Yume.

Miya took a hold of her new phone from the dresser, courtesy of Hatori of course, and dialed Tohru's number. It was three rings before their phone was picked up.

"Helloo?" Shigure sang out. Hearing his voice brought a smile to Miya's face.

"Shigure!"

"Oh my God! It's Miya! Precious Miya, are you okay? Has Hatori treated you well? Fed you? Kept you company in the cold of night? WHOA!" She heard a crash and an "ouch" before a new voice came on.

"Hi, Miya!" Tohru. A few giggles escaped before she answered Tohru.

"Hey, Tohru. How are you?"

"I'm great. How are you?"

"I'm doing well. Um, is Shigure okay?"

"Yes, he's okay. Kyo just sort of punched him the head before handing the phone to me." Miya could just see the smile on Tohru's face.

"Ah. So anyways, are you doing anything?"

"I'm about to go to the supermarket for some groceries. Why?"

"Oh, nothing. I just wanted to see if you wanted to do something."

"You can come to the supermarket with me if you want."

"No, it's okay."

"How about if you come over tomorrow? We can have a movie night or make desserts." Miya smiled.

"Sure. I'll let you go. See ya tomorrow, Tohru."

"Bye Miya."

Miya set the phone down on the dresser and sighed. She needed to get her mind off her father for the time being. A walk sounded nice.

On this relaxing walk, Miya managed to find the kitchen, Hatori's office, a living room, and two bathrooms. She soon grew tired of exploring her surroundings and decided to open one last door before retiring to her room. Up ahead of her, a door was opened slightly. Her curiosity peaked. Her fingers curved around the door and opened it further. She rolled her eyes almost immediately. Miya stepped into a familiar room. The same room where she first met Akito. Thankfully, he didn't seem to occupy it at the moment. Walking further into the room, she noticed a particular dent in the floor.

That dick…

Miya pushed the memory out of her mind and continued inspecting the room. It was actually quite appealing when Akito wasn't residing in its dark walls. She could relax in here and use it for her own interests. The idea was inviting, but she knew Akito wouldn't be as approving of it. Oh well, who cared?

"Why are you smiling?" The sudden voice surprised her. She whipped around to face…a woman?

"Uh, no reason."

The woman strode further into the room, carrying herself with an air of confidence and refinement. Sharp brown eyes and a tight mouth held the presence of passing years, a woman in her 40s with a world of experience. Why did she look so familiar to Miya? A picture flashed across her mind of a young Akito and the woman, the picture she found in his room on the trip. Could this be Akito's mother?

"Oh come on. There must be some reason as to why you're smiling."

"I just thought about using this room."

"I don't think Akito would like that."

Miya scoffed and shook her head. "Why is everyone so afraid of a skinny bastard like him?"

"You're not afraid of him?"

"Please. Shigure's scarier than him." The woman stepped closer to Miya. She suppressed her oncoming laughter.

"I didn't think you had a sense of humor, Miss Miya."

"You know my name?" Miya's eyebrows scrunched together.

"Of course. It's rare that an outsider learns of the zodiac curse, but of two outsiders being entrusted to keep it a secret is practically unheard of."

"Well, as you can see, we're keeping our lips shut."

"Yes...I can see that."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

A small condescending smile appeared on her face. Her eyes flickered over momentarily to the screen door that opened up to the porch. She chuckled. "Nothing, Miya. Nothing." With that said, she strolled towards the door, but not before casting a look back at Miya. "Perhaps we'll see each other again, Miya.."

What was that about?

Miya made her way to the screen door and slid it open slowly. She couldn't stifle the smile that followed. What lay beyond was a lush, beautiful garden gleaming with rich flowers and plants. Patches of flowers such as violets, hibiscuses, and lilies grew along a circular garden. To her right, a wooden bridge curved over a small pond filled with lily pads. Two Sakura trees placed further in the garden provided another beautiful touch and shade on a hot day.

"Do you like it?" The new voice startled Miya. Her lips tightened.

What the hell is with everyone scaring me today?!

Akito seemed unfazed by her small outburst. He slouched against the wall with one leg propped up and his left arm resting on it. He waited until Miya calmed herself.

"Yeah. It's pretty." He remained emotionless.

"…I see you've met one of our new guests."

She scoffed. "I was wondering if you were listening in. Well, who is she?"

"Who do you think she is?"

"To be honest, she reminded me of you."

Akito stiffened at her words. "How so?"

"The way she carried herself. You know, her big-headed walk, the way she talked to me, the whole shebang. And you look like her. I think she's Ren, your mother."

Akito narrowed his eyes. "She's not my mother."

His condescending tone told her everything she needed to know, but she thought it best to agree with him for the moment. It was obvious he had an estranged relationship with his mother. If she delved further, he'd break out yelling in true Akito style and try to start another fight. That was the last thing she needed right now.

"Okay. Relative then?" He didn't answer. "Right. Later, Akito."

Halfway into the room, she suddenly stopped. She leaned back outside with her brow raised.

"Sorry?"

"I don't care if you stay," he said without looking at her.

Is he for real?

"Um, okay."

Miya slouched down a few feet away from him. Looking at him, she decided to follow his example. She propped up her left leg and placed her arm on top. With a smirk, she leaned her back to the wall and joined Akito in his relaxation.

"That's not funny," he said with his teeth gritted. Unfortunately, he caught her imitation.

"It is to me." He sighed loudly.

"You're an idiot."

"You're a bastard."

"Dyke."

"Jackass."

"Bitch."

"Prick."

"Dumbass."

"Asshole."

"Are we going to keep this up forever, Miya?"

"Hell yes."

"Good, you fucking rug-muncher."

"Cocksucker."

God, insults are so much fun.