Alisi Thorndyke: Hey Matt. :) Great new chapter 1. :) You did a good job, but I have to point somethings out.

1.) In your starter notes, you had some harsh words that you could have left out such as: So if you have the brains to comprehend this story and the stomach to digest a gruesome murder scene, then go ahead and read it and: The content contains things of a psychological nature that can't be understood properly by younger children. There are kids on this site who maybe like dark themes and what not. Now the first sentence I spoke of, you could have honestly worded that better becuase it sounds insulting and alot of people will take it as that. Me on the other hand, know you, so I'm not in that crowd, but you might want to change that. You don't have to, but I'm just saying.

2.) When you want to write a fic about any character, people usually go by the character's american dub names. You used Tohru, instead of Tori and if that works for you go with it, but It's better comprehended when you use the dub names instead of the japanese sub names. Not alot of people know the character's japanese sub name. I mean I like the start of this fic, I really do, but the first two things can stand to change. !

3.) I know japanese(of course I am half) and when someone uses Kun at the end of someone's name, they are seen as more then a friend like boyfriend, girlfriend, really good friend. You had Tori's father call him Tohru-Kun. For his father to call him that, oh boy, but you didn't know, which is cool. :) But for future reference, please don't use it unless a girl or Tori himself is using it. :)

Other then that, I love the fic. :) Outside of those things that I pointed out, you are on the right path. :) Keep going. Now since servers are down and no one is getting any notifys, email me when you update until this problem is fixed ok? Thanks. :)

Talk to you later. :)

Alisi T. :)

Me: I pretty much answered with these things already. It seems like the notifications are up an running again, so I doubt you're reading this late.

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shadowneko003: Sup? This is Neko from the forums if you didn't know. Interesting, a Tohru/Shuko fic. Something that's not yaoi XDD. Well, we need more of this and Laika/Pride fics here to over run the yaoi. XP

You might want to tone down your author's note at the begining. It's kinda harsh for some (but not me).

I like it so far. But I don't think the Froid calls his son Tohru-kun in the actual anime. Your story is very detail and evenly spaced, unlike some I've seen.

Me: We sure do need things to run over the yaoi. ;-)

I know the beginning may be harsh, but I decided ultimately that it had to stay. Thanks for saying so though, it's nice to have some people point out possible flaws.

Oh, and thanks a ton for pointing out the spacing in the story. It's great to know that the format was done well. :-)

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Saber-chan: Sugoi, that was just awesome! I personally love the TohruxShuko pairing

Me: Good, I knew there was people out there that liked this pairing. ;-) Hey, if you know anybody else who likes this pairing then mention this story to them. I'm sure they'd appreciate it.

Maybe in your next review you can tell me what sugoi means.

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supercookies567: Nice story even without romance i know alot ppl want that but its still good XD.

Me: Well, there IS going to be romance. But you'll have to read through other stuff first to fully appreciate it.

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Maurice A. Nigma: Well, the first chapter that you've put in this story has a good start. I mean, to be honest, I thought that Toru(sorry, I can't spell his Japanesse name, only know him as Tory) and Shuko as a couple. Not to mention the fact that they both have aqua type navis of different natures. Now, with Shuko walking within the rain with Tory coming in is something that sounds like it came from a romance novel. In any case, what you've put up is something good to read. Not only that, but nice touch with the girl having to become interested in the water works is good. I think that Tory saving Shuko's AquaMan is some used up hero plot. In any case, what do you have in mind for the next chapter? I could only image what those two would do in the next chapter. I hope that you update soon. Later!

Maurice A. Nigma
The Great Blue One

Me: You know what? This is the kind of review authors die for. I wish EVERYBODY gave these long, detailed reviews about a chapter. Thanks a bunch, Maurice. :-)

Tohru and Shuko do sort of fit, don't they? Even their navis.

You know what? I never thought of the scene looking like a typical romance scene from a novel or something. It never crossed my mind. I can't believe it. D-:

Oh well, it's still fits well considering how I want Shuko's personality to be known. I'll have to watch out for that in the future.

Used up plot or not, I wish I could see the fics that have it. You don't know how many times I've searched this site and others for fics with Tohru in them. Still, I think as this story goes on that you'll come to agree that it wasn't a bad idea. This story is complete, as usual, and since I know what's going to happen, I already know that it should stay.

I won't go into descriptions of Netto, Meiru or Dekao or the others simply because their character is pretty much the same in this story.

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"Hypochondria is a psychological disorder that makes its victims fall prey to the suspicion that they are sick, diseased or have some bodily disorder that may affect their health in a negative way."

Netto was reading from his psychology textbook to Meiru and Dekao while they waited for their teacher to return to the classroom. Meiru and Dekao were quite bored of listening to Netto read everything on every page from his textbook. Meiru had even asked Dekao for a sucker to suck on while Netto rattled on.

"A hypochondriac will also frequently believe themselves to be ill when in reality their bodies are healthy. This can launch unusual panic and fear in the hypochondriac and will often drive him to visit the hospital at numerous occasions, whether he feels sick or not."

Netto looked up from his book. "Isn't this fascinating?" he asked, a light gleaming in his eyes. Aside from learning basic science and business skills, Netto had taken up psychology. And it filled him with interest and amazement to explore the world of the human mind. Among the page of the thick and heavy textbook was a list of mind diseases and their symptoms, and he couldn't help but read them off to his friends.

Meiru took her sucker out of her mouth. "I don't see why they should say 'he' when they refer to the hypochondriac." she said. "There are just as many women in the world as there are men."

Dekao chugged down the last of his soda. "You'd need to be an awfully big wimp to think you were always sick." he remarked, belching out the word 'sick'.

Netto hung his head in disappointment. "Is that all you have to say about it? I find this very interesting."

Meiru quickly apologized, though it took a bit of forcing herself to say it. "Forgive me, Netto-kun. But constantly reading of people who have mind problems just doesn't appeal to me. I'm sorry that I can't appreciate it more, but I would be lying if I pretended to."

Dekao said nothing. He only continued to munch down on the candy he kept in his backpack. Netto closed his book and loaded it in his backpack. "Well, tomorrow I'm going to read about co-dependants." he said. "I don't think it will be as interesting as hypochondria. Say, did you know that hypochondriacs can actually make their bodies feel ill and produce pains just by believing they are ill?"

Meiru raised her eyebrows. "Well, that IS interesting. I didn't know that was possible!" she remarked.

Dekao mumbled something unintelligible and pointed out the window. "Sukoingtori?"

Netto and Meiru blinked. "Uh, what?" they both said.

Dekao swallowed his candy and said. "Is that Shuko and Tohru-kun?"

Netto and Meiru looked and spotted Tohru and Shuko walking across the street under an umbrella. "Why on earth is Tohru-kun spending time with that Shuko?" Dekao said confused. "Isn't he supposed to go to the Waterworks or something?"

"Shuko-Chan, Dekao!" said Meiru, correcting him. "Don't be impolite."

"Whatever." said Dekao. "Anyways, why is she with him? I'd think she'd be home sulking on a day like this."

Netto nodded in agreement. "That's true. Shuko-Chan looks as cheerful as a daisy today. Actually, it looks like Tohru-kun is with Shuko-Chan."

Dekao blinked. "What?"

"I mean it looks like Shuko-Chan is taking Tohru-kun somewhere, not the other way around." explained Netto. "Tohru-kun looks a little nervous, and is even blushing a little bit. Whatever's going on, I don't think it was Tohru-kun's idea."

At that moment the teacher returned and they had to turn their attention back to class.

It was a very unsettled Tohru that sat down with Shuko in the Pastry Café on Cadenza Street. Shuko had held onto Tohru's arm, thanked him for saving Aquaman again and again and even told him he was good looking. Tohru was so unsettled that his seat felt uncomfortable. He didn't even feel better when the waitress set a Death By Chocolate Sundae wrapped in a waffle in front of him.

"Is something wrong, Tohru-kun?" Shuko asked. Unsurprisingly, she had gotten herself a blueberry snow cone.

Tohru looked up and forced an easy smile. Perhaps this was all a natural reaction to his previous heroics. "No, not at all." he replied. "Thanks for this… what is it?"

"It's a Death By Chocolate sundae wrapped in a waffle." Shuko answered. "I thought you'd like it since it matched your nice soft hair. It's kind of a chocolate shade, don't you think?"

Tohru squirmed. His stomach was pointing out that this was clearly not a natural reaction. This was freaking him out. "Uh….. I guess."

Shuko smiled so largely that it made Tohru's jaw ache to look at her. He finally decided to talk about this later and to just enjoy what he had in front of him. He took his spoon and took a large bite of his sundae. Shuko smiled again, as if just seeing him enjoy the ice cream was some great sight to behold.

The ice cream didn't go down easily, especially with a brownie lump that got stuck in his throat. He coughed violently and asked to be excused from the table. He ran to the Men's Restroom and gagged down some water from the faucet. At last he was able to clear his throat and leaned on the counter, breathing heavily.

"That must have been some really bad ice cream." Somebody remarked from behind.

Tohru turned around and saw somebody walking towards the door. The person had tanned skin and dark sandy hair. It was actually a little difficult to tell where his hair began. "Naw, it was just something in it that got caught in my throat." He explained.

"Yeah, that can be annoying." The man said as he left.

Tohru drunk some more water and returned to the table. Why did that man look familiar?

When he sat down, Shuko turned away from him, as if ashamed. "What's wrong, Shuko-Chan?" Tohru asked.

"You must hate that flavor of ice cream." she muttered miserably. "You would have enjoyed it if you hadn't. I'm sorry."

Tohru was so surprised that anyone would be so ashamed by making such a little mistake. "That had nothing to do with it!" he blustered. He accidentally loosed a little of his confused mood while he spoke. "There was some candy in the ice cream that I tried to swallow without chewing. It got caught in my throat, that's all. I love chocolate ice cream."

Shuko jerked her head up and her eyes sparkled. "Really? Oh, I'm so glad!"

"You're papers are due at the end of the month." said the teacher as the class filed out for the day. Meiru caught up with Netto as they left the college campus. "Netto-kun! Would you like to study for the paper together?" she offered. "I can help you with your science, and you could help me with my psychology."

Netto nodded. "That sounds good. Okay, let's go to my house then. Isn't it interesting that we both happened to major in the same things and get the same classes?"

Meiru nodded. Though it was no mystery at all. Meiru had no original intention of going to college. She had actually planned to marry Netto and to have a family. But she never could do the unnatural task of asking the him to marry her instead of him asking her, so she went to college instead. She vowed everyday that she would tell Netto how she loved him and what kind of future she hoped he would share with her, but her tongue failed her every time.

"Netto, can we walk back today? I want to talk for a while." Meiru asked.

"Sure." said Netto. They walked on the sidewalk that ran along the streets. Today the sidewalks were empty due to the previous rain, so Meiru felt comfortable asking Netto if he had ever thought of having a family of his own.

"Have you ever thought of having a family of your own?" she asked.

Netto furrowed his eyebrows, a little surprised at Meiru's rather personal question. "I've thought about it, of course…" he said slowly. "I actually seriously considered it before I went into college. But I decided that if I wanted to marry someone and have a family, I would want to be able to provide for everything they might need. So I decided to go to college and at least get a few degrees so I could get a good job. Then I could take care of them without too much problems."

Meiru smiled in admiration. Now there was something else about Netto she liked. "But if you loved someone, enough to marry her, then you should tell her now of your intentions." she pointed out.

"You're probably right." Netto replied. "I guess it wouldn't make sense to go through it if I did."

Meiru's heart fell to her stomach. "Does that mean…"

Netto turned to her. "What?"

Meiru realized she had spoken aloud. Immediately she sped her pace. "Oh, nothing. I was just thinking aloud." she said.

"Anyway, I do want the woman I want to love me also." Netto said. "It would be… Heavenly to have someone who loved you back the way you did."

"It seems like you do more than consider it." said Meiru. "I think you want to get married. Is there someone- Ow!"

As they walked by Waterworks someone bumped into Meiru, knocking her to the ground. He had his head down and was wearing a hat, so Netto could not see who he was as he ran down the sidewalk. Netto helped Meiru to her feet, looking as worried as a big brother over his little sister. "Meiru-Chan! Are you alright?"

Meiru nodded, holding her arm. "I'm okay. I just scraped my arm."

Netto immediately hailed a taxi and put Meiru inside. "We should stop that bleeding immediately." he said as he got in beside her. "I can't believe that idiot bumping into you and not even stopping to apologize."

"It's only a scratch, Netto-kun." said Meiru, although she welcomed the attention. "I'm okay."

Netto took great care in helping his wounded friend into his house, helping her to sit down and to repair the ghastly scrape that covered a whole ½ square inch area of her arm. It was all very foolish attention, but Meiru didn't care. She almost felt her hopes disappear a few minutes ago, and she took every bit of attention as possibility.

"Please, Netto-kun! I'm alright! Thank you for your help." she said as he bandaged it up. "Let's get to work now."

They both got down to their homework. They worked steadily for half an hour, Netto surprising Meiru with his incredible knowledge of the subject of psychology and his hopelessness in the scientific area. It was actually the scientific bulk of the paper that frustrated Netto and moved him to suggest a break.

"I suggest a break." he said. Meiru frowned at him, knowing that he was going into lazy mode again, but agreed knowing that trying to make him work harder would only frustrate him more.

"I have some Sprite in the fridge. You want some?" Netto asked as he went into the kitchen.

"Yes, thanks." Meiru called to him. "And put lots of ice cubes in my glass, if you have it."

Netto got the ice out of the freezer and put as many as he could into the two glasses. He then took out a 3-Liter of Sprite and began filling the glasses when the front door was suddenly thrown open. It was Tohru, and he looked extremely freaked out. "Tohru-kun! What on earth is the matter?" asked Meiru.

Tohru motioned with his hand for Meiru to stay seated. "I need to talk with Netto-kun for a second." he said, running into the kitchen. He spotted the glasses of sprite on the table and quickly chugged one down. "Gulp- ah… Ice cold Sprite, just what I needed."

"Uh-huh, that was mine by the way." Netto pointed out.

Tohru's face grew a little red, but then he just sat down on a chair and said "I'm sorry, Netto-kun. I've never had occasion to have to barge into people's houses and drink their soda. I was in a desperate situation."

"Obviously." Netto remarked as he took out an extra glass and filled it with ice. "What is it?"

"Well, I had to deliver Iceman to Waterworks so my Dad could use him." Tohru explained, still shaking from his experience. "On the way there I met Shuko. It was raining and she began doing her usual thing of blaming herself for the weather. I decided to cheer her up and even invited her to the Waterworks facility. Boy, I wish I never had."

Netto handed him another glass of sprite and drunk some from his own glass. "Why do you say that?" he asked. "Did she blame herself for the stuff that's put in the sewage containment unit?"

Tohru gulped down his Sprite. "No, though I wouldn't have been surprised if she had. Instead, she seemed fascinated by the whole place, so after I took Iceman to my Dad I showed her around. She loved the place, and so did Aquaman. He wanted to plug-in, and when I told him he wasn't allowed, he began to cry. I had to save him from drowning himself in tears before it was too late."

"Sounds interesting." said Netto. "How did you do it?"

"I'll get into that later." said Tohru. "Anyway, I saved Aquaman, and Shuko-Chan's whole demeanor transformed. She changed from being calm and meek like she usually is, she smiled and held my hands and thanked me as if I had saved her life instead of Aquaman's. Not only that, but she took me out to a Café for some Ice Cream."

Netto poured more Sprite into Tohru's glass. "Now that is very odd, no mistake." he remarked.

"That's not the half of it!" Tohru said, his hands beginning to shake as he remembered it. "She praised everything about me to the skies! She even remarked about how my chocolate Ice Cream reminded her of my eyes and hair. It freaked me out, Netto-kun. Especially when I choked on some candy and had to go to the restroom to spit it out. She looked as if I had slapped her across the face or something."

Netto realized why his friend looked so bedraggled. "No wonder you look so terrible." he said. "Come take a seat in the living room so you can calm down."

Tohru got up and walked into the living room, taking a seat on the couch next to Meiru. Netto sat down in one of the chairs. "Tohru-kun is not feeling very good." he said to Meiru. "He's had a really unusual day."

"And I'm not feeling very good either." Meiru said in annoyance. "I still haven't got my Sprite yet!"

"Oops. My mistake." said Netto as he hurried back to the kitchen for Meiru's drink.

Meiru turned to Tohru. "Now what on earth has happened to you?" she asked.

Netto returned with Meiru's glass and the 3-Liter of Sprite. "Let him rest. I'll tell you, and I think we may all want some Sprite afterwards."

Netto recounted the story to Meiru while Tohru finally began to calm down and relax. The story deeply interested Meiru, and when he was finished, Meiru had began to rub Tohru's shoulders out of consideration. "You poor thing." she murmured when Netto finished.

Tohru smiled and squirmed. "I'm fine now, Meiru-Chan." he said. Though he and Meiru treated each other like brother and sister, he didn't like shoulder rubs much.

Netto took out a notebook and began scribbling Tohru's story down from memory. "I'm going to write this down." he announced.

Meiru raised her eyebrows. "Why are you going to do that?" she asked, quizzically.

"Because Tohru's day is too singular to just remember later." Netto replied. "Secondly, something seems to be… Something is not there. It's missing. Something that prompted Shuko's behavior."

Tohru sat up straight. "That's right!" he exclaimed.

Netto nodded. "It still is possible that she was prompted by your saving Aquaman-"

"No, no." Tohru said, cutting Netto off. "That's not it at all. Just before we left, a kid with sandy hair and tan colored skin passed as on our way out. I saw that kid in the restroom when I spit out that candy. He looked directly at Shuko, and Shuko's grip on my arm suddenly tightened, as if in fear."

Netto's eyes widened. "This is really weird…" he muttered. "I thought I saw a guy like that just today. He knocked Meiru-Chan down on the sidewalk. Creepazoid…"

Tohru was about to ask about whether Meiru had been hurt, but Meiru intercepted his question. "I'm okay, just a scrape on the arm. But aside from that, I think we should keep a close eye on Shuko-Chan for the next few days."

"But she still works to support her brothers, and we have to go to college half of the time." Tohru pointed out. "It would make more sense to watch out for that tan-haired sandy skin fellow."

"Tan skinned, sandy hair." Netto corrected. "I saw we look out for both of them. Anybody know anything, let me know so I can write it down."

"Okay!" they all said together. Though they might not have been so eager to pursue an investigation if they'd known what they would find at the end.