Disclaimer:

Alright, the dragon song that I've been getting by request is entitled Sora. It's performed by Yoko Kanno, and it was from the Escaflowne the Movie. If you want lyrics go to w w w . a n i m e l y r i c s . c o m. (remove spaces)

As for not updating sooner, I say give me a break folks! Today is the last day of school, so now that summer's around you'll see the updates more often. But you've got to understand, I'm editing one of my novels, and writing three others. On top of that, I'm just plain in school, working those extra calicular activities and at a part time job.

I don't own Fruits Basket, blah blah blah, we know we know. I mean come on, how many times have I said this disclaimer? Lol. Anyway, here's another chapter. I do warn you, I'm not sure that this story will be 45 chapters like the previous one, but I'm going to just write until the ending comes about.

Also, someone told me Momiji and Haru live with Akito at the estate. I am aware of that, but if you bo back to Love Snare I, I clearly state that Haru and Momiji live with Shigure, Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki. It's my fan fic, I altered it for my liking.

Yuki and Haru each have their own rooms, while Kyo and Momiji share. Shigure and Tohru also have their own rooms, but that's a given.

Last Time

"Where are we going to go Kyo?" Tohru asked innocently, her tears finally ceasing.

Kyo grinned, "I'm taking you to the mountains, where I stayed to train for those four months."

Tohru couldn't help but smile a little, Kyo was always her knight in shining armor. She squeezed his hand gently, "Kyo, I'm glad we're going, but we have to be back by noon tomorrow. I know I don't want to, but Rin and Kureno are coming for me. If I don't go I know Kureno will tell Akito. I don't want that."

Of course, he nodded, inwardly a little glum about taking her back so soon, but nodded. It wasn't like he was going to take Tohru into the mountains and steal her chastity in a night of passion and bliss, but he still wanted to spend some time with Tohru, just the two of them. The two together exited the graveyard from the opposite exit, the one where Hatori wasn't waiting with the car. They piled into a bus, and it took them about an hour and a half to get to the countryside.

The countryside was beautiful; long stalks of gold wheat covered the hills for what seemed like miles, each blowing with the direction of the wind, only one winding road for them to follow, and ahead of them a mountain covered with dense deciduous trees. "Are you ready, Tohru?" He asked her kindly, wrapping an arm around her right shoulder, rubbing it gently with his thumb. Tohru just smiled and the two made their way into the forest.

Meanwhile, back at the graveyard, a very confused Hatori was sitting with Yuki on the steps to the graveyard. "So, you just saw them?" He asked confused, smoking a cigarette to calm his confused and slightly pissed off nerves.

Yuki nodded and ruffled his hair, "Yes, she was right there. Hatori, it was so heart-breaking to see. Tohru is going through so much. Hatori, what if we really are cursed, bringing pain to her?" Yuki looked up at the older Sohma hoping for sympathy, but saw nothing but the same stolid expression. There was thing Yuki noticed, a change in Hatori's eyes. He could see it, he was nervous. Even Hatori let down his guard when it came to Tohru, and genuinely cared about her, maybe loved her, but not the same sort of love Kyo and Yuki possessed for her.

Hatori exhaled, watching the smoke disappear into the air and sighed, putting out the fag by rubbing it against the concrete they were sitting on. "We have always been cursed people. I warned her of that very early on, but she just smiled and promised she'd never regret meeting us. But to be honest, if she came to me to have her memories erased, I don't think I could do it."

"Why not, Hatori? Wouldn't you want to relieve her of all that pain and suffering?" Yuki couldn't believe he had heard that. Would Hatori really refuse Tohru and leave her to suffer in their world?

Hatori stood up and stared at the sky, "I wouldn't want her to leave, I'm selfish. Tohru told us that we could be selfish, and say what we need. Well, I need Tohru. We all do."

Also meanwhile, back at Sohma Home, Shigure was going insane with worry. He was pacing around the den, with Momiji and Haru each on a couch, depressed. Shigure ran his hand through his hair and sighed. It was well past three, and that was when Kyo had been dispatched to retrieve his beloved Flower.

"For goodness sake where is Kyo with my little Flower?" Shigure threw his hands up into the air with frustration. "I know he needs to be tender with her, but god, where are they? I need to see my precious Flower, I want to take care of her, make sure she's okay."

Momiji tugged on the sleeve of Shigure's kimono and frowned, "I'm sorry Shigure...it's all my fault this stuff happened. If I hadn't gone through her purse I wouldn't have found the note, or gotten angry at her."

"Momiji, the truth was bound to come out eventually. Don't blame this on yourself," Haru stroked the blonde's hair in a brotherly way and sighed. "We're all equally accountable, but placing blame or guilt will not bring her back. She needs to figure some stuff out, I guess."

Shigure's features softened as he took Momiji by the hand and put him on the couch with Haru. "Now look both of you, this is for a father to worry about. You two should go on out, and take in the fresh air. Maybe if you wander the city you'll get lucky and bump into her. Oh, if you see Hatori and Yuki, send them home for a while. I'm sure they haven't eaten, and I know we havfe some of Tohru's delicious leftovers." For a minute Shigure's voice had sounded chipper and happy, like it normally was, when he thought of Tohru's delicious cooking. But thinking about it was bittersweet. Shigure left the room and walked into his office, sitting in his chair at the desk, waiting for something, anything.

Tohru and Kyo entered a cave after walking through a huge deciduous forest. Tohru clung to his arm, careful not to fall in the dark, or hurt herself. Kyo was smiling, he loved this place, and he loved it when Tohru clung to him. It made him feel needed. "Well, this is the cave."

"It's nice, but how did you possibly see anything in all this darkness?" Tohru asked weakly, running her hand along the cave wall as she followed Kyo deeper inside.

"Just hold on for one more second." Kyo scrambled around the cave until he found a lantern in the middle of the cave. He twisted a nob and slowly the cave came to life with light, "There! Glad we always keep oil in this thing, just in case."

"What do you mean, just in case?" Tohru asked curiously as Kyo eased the two of them onto some flat rocks.

"Sensei and I agreed to always keep some oil, food, and water here. This is the place where we bonded, it's like our second home." Kyo stroked her hand and smiled, "It brings back so many memories. I was such a weakling back then." He watched her smile and he chuckled, "I'm glad I could bring you here."

"I'm glad I could come! I'm so very glad! It's so nice of Kyo to bring me to a place of this importance!" Tohru was beaming. She loved that Kyo would bring her somewhere this important. "I feel so blessed you'd bring me here. Sometimes people like to keep special things just to themselves."

He reached out and ruffled the side of her hair, "Of course I'd share with you, goof. I'd give you the whole world if I had that power." His eyes softened as he watched her blush and look at the floor. "You know you deserve it, right? The world? You deserve anything your heart desires."

"Oh but so do you Kyo, so do all the Sohmas! You've all had to live with such a burden, you should be rewarded for being that strong! I haven't done anything that amazing, but if Kyo thinks I deserve it then I'll just believe in him." Tohru grinned and leaned her head against his shoulder. Her bruises weren't that bad, they'd get better within a week, hopefully.

At least school was over. That was one major stress Tohru didn't have to worry about. Besides that she only had one job to work right now. With the summer here she'd returning to working both of them. The major concerns she had were Clarity and Akito. Kureno and Rin were coming for her tomorrow, which she assumed had to do with Aktio. Akito was always a threat though. As for Clarity, she'd already told them she wouldn't sing anymore. But still, singing was such a part of her----

"Tohru?"

"Hmm?" She shook her head. Tohru hadn't realized she'd lost herself in her thoughts. "Yeah, Kyo?"

His shoulders trembled as he sighed, "It's nothing Tohru. I just wish, I could do a better job at protecting you. You keep getting hurt, and I feel, so helpless sometimes." He caressed the side of her face, hoping he wasn't hurting her. "You're the one I want to protect, you're the one I love, and still you keep getting hurt."

Tohru smiled lightly and looked off into the cave. She could see how the walls had been smoothed over time, from each of the boys rubbing against it. Despite the shadows the light had caused, it was like Tohru could hear the faint happiness Kyo felt when he was a child. "This is what I get, for throwing myself into a full on battle." She folded her knees to her chest, "I guess I was naive, when I first thought I wanted to break the curse. You all warned me about Akito, but I felt like I could do it. Now, its been a while now, a year and more, and I still have nothing to show for it."

He put his arm around her and sighed, "You have more to show for it than you think. I mean, didn't we already talk about how you damn changed all of us? We were all, hell, screwed up without you. Without you, we'd still be living in a world of trash, and I'd still hate that damn Yuki."

Tohru sighed and closed her eyes, "I guess that's true. I just, I just want everyone to be free from that curse. Even if it makes you unique, you all want that freedom so badly. I want to be the one who makes other's happy, I want people to smile, I hate seeing a frown. I hate seeing people sad, I hate being the one who brought the sadness."

Kyo stood up for a second, searching the cave for food and water. He laughed when he was triumphant in finding a bag of beef jerky, and some bottled water for them. Regaining his seat beside her, he put a piece in her hand and closed his eyes while he chewed. "Tohru, you'll do amazing things, even if you can't break the curse."

Tohru chewed quietly and stared at the ceiling of the cave, "What do you think Rin and Kureno will want with me?"

"If I had to assume, Akito." Kyo wrapped his arm back around her and brought her as close to him as possible without the curse. "Do you want me to follow from a distance?"

Tohru closed her eyes, "I don't think you should. They specifically told me not to, so I'm sure the consequences of you coming will be more extreme. Kyo, are you mad at me? Was it bad that I didn't tell Momiji?"

"I don't think you could've told him if you tried. I'm sure the reaction would have been the same, he loves you, he doesn't want to lose you like Momo and his mother. Its hard for the little guy. Regardless if you're outside the Sohma blood, you're at least a feminine touch to his life, something I bet he's longed for." Kyo stared off into the cave and closed his eyes too.

"I told Clarity, that I couldn't sing with them anymore." Tohru wiped her eyes and sniffed, "They're really mad at me Kyo, so mad. I can't blame them, I'm destroying their dream just to go after mine, freeing you." A small streak of blush flooded her face, "I want to hold Kyo, and cry in your arms. I just want to feel that again. I miss it. Maybe its bad because you've never felt it, but when you have it and lose it, its just as hard." Tohru put her head on his knee and tried to sleep. "I wonder which is worse Kyo, to love and lose, or to never at all?"

Momiji had decided to wait at the Sohma Home with Shigure, to keep the old guy company. Yuki was still with Hatori, searching the graveyard and her work places. Haru went into town by himself, with a map in his back pocket for safety. He'd actually used the maps around the city before too, so he sort of was calm about it. Mostly, Haru just needed to think. There were two main things on his mind lately, Tohru, and Hana. Was Tohru going to be okay? It seemed like she was about to break down and ask for her memories to be taken away. That made him shiver, literally. At the same time, what about Hana? She unknowingly was getting a step closer to knowing the curse. Damn her and her complex mind.

Haru turned the corner and began walking down a street lined with stores. It was midday and there were a lot of people about. Mostly were men, with girlfriends, so Haru wasn't completely worried someone was going to bump into him. Haru stopped in the center of the street, he dug his hands into his pockets and sighed loudly. It was such a hot day, and wearing all black like he did was never that great of an idea. His eyes fixed themselves on another being in black, staring at a display window three stores down.

"Hana?" Haru called out.

Hana had been staring at a colorful scarf in the window, something she'd never buy but found beautiful. When her name echoed down the street, and it did not belong to Uo or Tohru, she turned to see who it was. "Haru..."

He approached slowly, she noticed the grim look on his face and how hard he was trying to keep that under bounds. She reached up and touched the side of his face. Instantly, the boy turned to stone, frigid and waiting, afraid. Hana stroked the side of his face just once and then retreated her hand. "You are upset, Hatsuharu. What's wrong?"

Haru frowned and shoved his hands back into his pockets, "It's Tohru, its just, getting so hard for her. We all love her so much, but sometimes I've got to wonder..."

"You wonder, if its right for her to stay if it causes that much pain?" Hana inserted the question his lips would not allow him. His head nodded slowly and he bit his lip. "Haru, if Tohru wants to stay, she wants to. She does not do it out of pity, I know she's happy there." Hana turned her head and started to walk down the street.

Haru followed after her, looking down at her because of their height difference. "How can you be so sure of that? I mean, how can you tell that she's not just lying to make sure we're okay? I mean, can you be happy while still going through so much pain?"

"If you take that pain humbly and smile as she does, I have no doubt that Tohru's being genuine," Hana told him quietly. "I've always sensed the waves in Tohru, and I know since Kyoko died, her waves were dampened with sadness. But I also know it has also gotten stronger, especially when she talks of you Sohma boys." Hana opened up the door to a store and walked inside.

Haru followed yet again, like a lost dog. His fingers graced hers from behind as she continued on ahead, "Hana can I still make her happy? What about those dreams of yours? Please Hana, tell me she'll be okay."

Hana was trying to find a book on the shelf and finally she turned to face Haru. "Hatsuharu, I don't have those answers for you. Even with magic, waves, whatever, I will never be Tohru. Only Tohru knows if Tohru will be okay. You can encourage her all you want, support her, but only she can decide that."

"I'm sorry. I guess I was looking for answers through the wrong person, you are Hana, not Tohru's interpreter." Haru bowed his head and sighed, "I'm just worried, about all this stuff. She's confused, and your dreams. What about those dreams, you never answered my question."

Hana gazed at Haru's bowed head. Her eyes softened with sympathy, the poor hopeless romantic. He did not love Tohru, but was romantic in the sense he was soulful or amorous idealist. Hana's fingers still tingled lightly from when he grazed. Timidly, her small fingers reached out and grazed the top of his head. "My dreams...are now nightmares...I haven't slept well, in a long time. Sleep...it seems like a distant memory now. But, it's okay...you have other matters far more pressing than I.," she smiled weakly and watched him lift his head to look at her eyes.

Her hand was on the side of his face now, but he didn't care at the moment. Just, her violet eyes, they were, so sad. It was the first time he'd clearly seen it; the tired bags under her eyes, the cold and deplorable tint to her eyes. He wanted, her to smile. His own greyish eyes softened as well. "You matter, you do, Hana."

"You need to be careful Haru..." she bowed her head lightly, staring at his lips for a reason she did not know. "If you aren't careful, she'll be killed. Watch her, carefully. Don't let her be a martyr, please, don't."

Yuki and Hatori returned to Shigure's home around three o'clock. Both were equally exhausted and frustrated they had not found Tohru. Hatori had secretly phoned Hiro and Kisa to see if she had been there, while Yuki had called Uo and Hana's apartment. Hana wasn't home, but Uo told Yuki she hadn't seen Tohru recently. No one had seen Tohru. Where had she gone?

"We're back," Yuki announced as he kicked off his shoes. With a gruff sigh he sat down on the couch next to Momiji. Shigure came out of his office and shook hands with Hatori. "You look like hell, Shigure," Yuki commented calmly. It was true, the novelist's hair was in disarray and he looked exhausted.

"Did you have any luck finding my Flower?" Shigure hurried, grabbing his friend's hands and easing both of them onto the couch. He watched Hatori shake his head and Shigure frowned, sagging his head in defeat. "Where has she gone, Hatori? Yuki, why did you let her out of your sight?" Shigure couldn't help but be slightly angry at the boy. Yuki had left her, god, what if she had been kidnaped?

"Don't blame the young lad, Shigure. Give poor Yuki his break. The boy has been searching with me." Hatori ran his hand through his hair and sighed, "We've called the other Sohmas and even Uo and Hana."

"Have you called her band?" Momiji interjected, his voice filled with utter distaste. No one was used to seeing Momiji that scornful, it was enough to make everyone flinch.

Yuki shook his head, "We didn't call the band, no one know's the number."

Momiji rolled his eyes and shook his head, "Why don't you just use Tohru's cell phone? She didn't bring it with her, I've had it since last night at the restaurant." Momiji waved the purse with his hand and pouted, "When she ran away, I had to take it with me. She's got each member's cell phone, home, and the studio where they work."

Shigure raised an eyebrow, "You don't want us to call them, do you, Momiji-kun?"

"No, I don't." Momiji clamped his eyes shut and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Even if I am acting like a kid, I don't want you to. If you call them, they won't know where she is. They will get all worried, and yell at us. They'll go searching, and if they find her first, they'll never let us live it down. It's all their fault anyway; if they hadn't pressured her so much she wouldn't have cracked."

Yuki frowned and sighed, "Don't you think we pressured her too much too, Momiji-kun? We rely on her for everything, and although that's nice for us, it puts a lot of strain on her. To stand and support yourself, and the world too, its impossible." Yuki stood up and bowed to his family. "I'm going to make tea."

Hatori and Shigure looked each other, but exhausted, both feeling like a father to Tohru. Hatori was the first to break the silence that fell in the home, "Where is young Haru?"

Momiji perked, "Haru went to for a walk, but I heard him mumbling something about Saki Hanajima. I think he likes her." Momiji waved a finger and grinned, "He promised to get me some candy too while he was out. He said that if he isn't home by nine o'clock that I, the brave Momiji, must go find him."

Shigure chuckled and rubbed his chin, "It seems our young Haru has taken a liking to Tohru's unique friend. I'd like to wish the best for him, but it is difficult to date women outside the Sohma family. Never the less, I will not discourage his pursuits."

Yuki returned from the kitchen carrying a tray of tea for everyone, "I think it's nice Haru might be interested in someone, but I'll be worried." Hatori and Shigure took their tea and nodded their heads in thanks. The violet haired boy turned to Momiji, "Momiji, why don't you and I go take a look at my secret base, and give the adults time to talk. I usually have Tohru help me, but she's out for now, and I think it's about time I let you see my secret place."

Momiji took his cup of tea and beamed, "Alright Yuki, I'll help you."

Tohru's eyes opened up slowly, Kyo's warm hand against her face, and his eyes staring down at her. He was smiling, content, just watching the girl he loved slumber so peacefully. Tohru smiled lightly and sat up just enough to have her lips touch his. His hand slid and cuffed the side of her face and chocolate hair as he bent down to meet her lips. He felt so warm, Tohru wanted to disappear and hide in his arms, but she knew that was only a dream. Tohru would never be able to rest against him, not with the curse.

Tohru pulled away from him, and she was surprised when she felt his fingers wipe away her tears. Tohru hadn't even felt herself start crying, when did that happen? He whispered comforting words to her as she sat up, and he wrapped an arm loosely around her waist. Tohru's heart ached, were the two of them really going to be able to keep up a relationship?

"I love you, Kyo." Tohru looked him in the eyes, his seemed nervous, afraid, but of what, she didn't really know. Her own were red from tears, sad, but determined. "I don't care what anyone else says, even if my memories get erased. I love you, Kyo Sohma, and I always will. Forever and ever, I promise."

Kyo kissed her again gently and stroked the side of her face. "Even if you forget me, I'll never forget you," his fingers grazed the locket around her neck lightly. "I promised to protect you from every harm possible, and I will continue to do so. Even if you fall in love with someone else, or lose your memories, I will always watch over you. You will always be a Sohma, Shigure will always love you." He kissed her forehead gently.

"What will happen, if I do have to have my memories erased? Will I, still live with Shigure? Will I, still be his daughter? Or will I be sent to live with my grandfather again?" Tohru touched the side of his face while she asked. She just needed to feel him, even if she wanted more, she needed to feel him. His flesh, his warmth, his existence, she wanted to remember him forever. She wanted to remember every detail about him. "Kyo...I'm scared."

"I know, and I'm scared too. But when you go see Kureno and Rin tomorrow, I want you to try and be brave." He sighed and leaned his forehead against hers, "I know that's a lot to ask, after all you've had to go through. I know the stuff with Clarity needs to be resolved, but please, survive tomorrow. Don't let them take advantage of you."

Tohru nodded her head and smiled, "I'll be brave just for you Kyo. If I know you're at home waiting for me, I'll have the motivation to work hard." She scooted off of him and stood, brushing off her clothes and then turned to him. "I'm ready to go home, Kyo. I think I'm okay. I hope Haru is alright, and Momiji too, but I won't know until I face them myself. Kureno, I guess he's okay, he tried to apologize to me when I stayed with Hatori. I'll see him tomorrow too, so I can talk to him then. As for Clarity, if I have time after my day with Kureno and Rin I will see them and talk to them personally. Hopefully, this will all work out."

Kyo hoisted himself up off the floor and sighed, "Master always knew this place would be important. I'm glad he left this place ready for a day like this. I'll call him later and thank him." Kyo wandered over to the lantern and turned it off, sighing once more, "I'd rather stay here in solitude with you, because I'm not as brave as you. I'd rather hide. God, sometimes I hate myself, for being such an idiot and wanting to run, but I'm not brave like you. I'm not open with emotions like you, but then, I think that's why I love you so much. You help me to break out of my comfort world. You make me a better person, Tohru, a better man."

Tohru took his hand and the two left the cave. It was going to be night soon, but it was okay, because for once the both of them felt brave. The two had conquered a lot together, especially Tohru. If the two could survive the past year, a few more tumbles and scrapes would make it worth it. Kyo wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, a year, a few more fights with Akito, he'd do anything, anything, for her.

The walk through the forest was peaceful. It actually reminded Tohru of the time she was walking home from work. She had thought Kyo was a pervert and had smacked him with her school bag. She chuckled lightly when she thought of that, and when Kyo asked what she thought was so funny she just laughed harder and promised it was nothing.

Haru ended up following Hana into three other stores. She purchased a few things, books, stencils, clothes, anything. Hana didn't let Haru be her distraction, it was her one day off from work, and needed necessities. Still, Haru kept constant watch of her. She wasn't sure whether to be nervous or not. Hana was not used to constant watch. Haru was afraid, he wanted to ask her more questions; she was so, strange. She had so much wisdom, but at the same time grief. Were her dreams a burden or blessing?

As they emptied from the last store Haru finally opened his mouth to speak. "Do you want, to get something to eat, Hana? It's getting late, and I'm sure you're hungry for dinner."

Hana looked out into the street; the streetlights were starting to flicker on, the headlights of cars filled the horizon along with the illumination of the city buildings. She frowned softly, content in viewing the passing scenery. "Some supper would be, nice. Where would you like to go, Hatsuharu?"

Haru smiled lightly and shrugged his shoulders, "Anywhere you want would be fine. I feel bad, I slowed you down today. I'm sure you would much rather have done other things than have me tail you." You'd much rather have someone better trail you, than a stupid ox, like me.

"Hatsuharu is like the ox, you know? Patient, easy-going, but alert," Hana started down the street to a small restaurant that served great ramen. "Constantly stolid, at ease, but ready to jump in to fight. Like the fight when you protected Tohru, and Momiji too."

Haru looked away when she mentioned that day. He had become Black Haru, and tried to beat the crap out of Kureno. In the end he ended up losing his temper, and getting beaten himself. Momiji had to push Hana to the ground, so Tohru could stop Kureno. "I'm...sorry you ever had to see that." He touched his fractured ribs and sighed.

"Don't apologize. I guess, I was, surprised. Tohru seems, so happy with you, and everyone, but in reality, your family is so unstable. Everyone fights, your opinions vary. Some Sohmas, as I see it, love Tohru, others hate her. Why?" Hana looked up at the sky and sighed, "Why? Why would anyone, hate Tohru?" She looked down at the sidewalk. "That was Kureno-sama, Arisa's Kureno-sama. I wonder now, how we treat each other so differently. If we, were all kind, benevolent like Tohru, with no favoritism, but a general yearning to be kind, if we'd all be better off."

Haru opened the door to the restaurant and sighed, "Hana?"

"Yes, Hatsuharu?" Hana turned and looked over her shoulder at him.

"Hana...you've seen things, that you weren't supposed to see." He touched her shoulder and bit his lip, "So please...don't–"

"I won't tell anyone, Haru." Hana shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, "It would pose no gain for me to tell anyone. But I will not lie, I've told Arisa. He is her Kureno-sama, I could not lie to her about what I had witnessed. But, both of us, will not interfere. Not yet, at least. I am trusting you, Haru. If Tohru falls to pieces, I will not forgive you, ever."

A tiny smile made its way to his face and he sighed with relief, "You have my word, Hana. I will protect her for you, with everything I am and not an ounce less."

The two took their seats in the outdoor section of the ramen restaurant. They each ordered a bowl, and ate quietly. The two finished relatively quickly, but neither wanted to go home just yet, Hana stared out into the city street. Haru found himself staring at her. Though slightly plain, stolid, she had such a complexity beneath her skin. Was Hana wise, or cruel? Sometimes he couldn't tell. His hand was propping up his chin while he watched her.

"Am I fascinating, Hatsuharu?" Hana asked with a slight tinge of cruel humor. She watched blush fill his cheeks and he quickly look away. She chuckled slightly, covering her mouth as she laughed. "I'm sorry, I could not resist."

Haru rubbed the back of his head and sighed, "I'm sorry too, I guess, I've had a lot on my mind. I'm sorry that you have to have dreams about Tohru when you don't understand them." She doesn't even come close, to understanding. He rested his hands on the table and slumped his head. "Sorry."

"You don't need to apologize all the time," Hana told him gently. "Your thoughts are your thoughts, sometimes things, bother us." She ran a hand through her hair and stared up at the stars. "I have no words of encouragement, but I'd, like to hope, like she does."

Haru eyed her hands on the table, gently folded in front of her, her eyes still turned away. Subtly, his hand reached for it, and rested his hand on top of hers. It was like, electricity, a little static bolt ran through the both of them. At first Haru thought Hana had shocked him, but he let the idea pass when he saw the shocked look on her face. Haru didn't say anything, his face down with blush rising on his cheeks, he ran his thumb over her hand. Her hands were so soft, gentle, like no one had ever held her hand before. Hana was warm too, like fresh brewed tea, a sort of subtle calm warmness.

Hana watched him carefully, trying to read his waves, something, but it all seemed to fail her. She couldn't read the emotions, it was new, scared, frightened, yet still, strange. She felt his fingers tighten around hers, sideways, not woven through. It wasn't a firm grip, actually, it was more petrified than anything. Still, she hadn't pulled away yet.

"Tohru told me that most people, don't put faith in others. She said, that she used to believe merely in the potential of people. That each person could, accomplish great things, even stupid me. That's when I started to believe in her, and think she could do anything. She says faith is, putting something personal into the hands of another, like a heart. Do you think, a Sohma like me, could ever have faith?"

Hana looked away from his eyes and back to the street, "I wouldn't completely know, Hatsuharu. I believe in Tohru, and hope like she does. But I yet have been so brave to have faith like she does. I won't humor you and say I have. But I do believe, anyone, can have faith, when they are brave enough."

It was all it took, one piece of tangible promise.

Promise for potential.

Even if it seemed so far away, it gave Haru something, anything, to hold onto.

Now he knew, Tohru would heal.

He knew it now because she had Kyo, Kyo, would save her.