Author's Note: I'm extremely sorry for the time lapse in-between each chapter… It's getting out of hand, I know, but as I've said before, I'm a huge procrastinator. It's in my blood. Heheh, anyways, since it's Thanksgiving tomorrow and I'm sure I won't have this chapter done in one day, I hope you'll have a wonderful holiday. I'm pretty busy, too, so forgive me. Computer restrictions, family, school, homework, all that nonsense. Worry-wart apologizes. -whines- Ack. And in the eighth paragraph of the last chapter I posted of In Bloom, body should be blood… That was a bad mix-up. Sorry, guys. Too much delay, don't you agree?

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Fruits Basket characters, except my own - Rei Sohma

How long had it been since then? Since Hatori had saved her from having her memories erased away like an eraser wiping off a chalkboard? Forever, it seemed… For a very long while, Rei did not accompany her sister and friends, and the injuries were getting worse and worse. The screams and shouts that resounded against the small house's wall were ringing in her ears every second. The blood consumed her life now that she was staying home more often, but it seemed as if Mother and Father were being even nicer to Kana, now that their temperament towards tiny, little Rei was shortening, just as the days were. It had been almost a year now… The fall was heading into winter deeply, now. The snow was getting thicker, the days colder, and the season more festive. Shopkeepers were putting out big sales and bargains for the buyers. Bright lights were leaving the city shining brighter than the sun, itself, and people were going to the shrines to pay visits to their loved ones and to pray to the Buddha. That was outside, however. For the moment, though, she was stuck inside as she watched her parents approach her with irritated and unmerciful looks. What did she do now…? Had Akito spoken to them about punishing Rei even after a year? Rei always wondered if Akito had even mentioned Rei to her parents… Probably not since he usually had his maids talk to the family for him. Her eyes were beginning to widen, as she watched her Mother's open hand fly across her face, only to pinch her different colored eyes shut. Rei squeaked as her head hit the window she had been looking through before she had her parents' footsteps.

"Why aren't you following your sister!" her father growled, and her other pulled her to her feet, only to throw her against the hard-wood floor.

"We asked why, you little brat!" she said shrilly, throwing back her mousy brown hair, as she violently shook Rei.

Rei shivered and shook her head, holding back tears that were dying to come out. Her mother bit her lip and scratched her daughter with her talon-like nails. "Why do you have to be such a disgrace for this family! We want the best for our first daughter and if she isn't happy, we aren't! And if we aren't, you aren't, you disgusting rat!"

Rei's lip quivered quietly as she realized that her sister really hadn't been happy lately… She tried to be happy, but Rei never asked why. Why was she all of a sudden unhappy?

The dam broke, and the water came flooding in.

Falling down her white cheeks.

Colliding and mixing with red blood.

It hadn't been until now that she did realize it. And she wanted to hurt herself more than her parents were intending on doing so. "I wanna make Kana happy…" she sobbed, wiping her eyes helplessly, "I want to make her proud that I'm her sister… Like I am of her being mine…"

Her mother scoffed, "Kana's sweeter than you know, but I still can't believe she keeps you around.. Go now, you piece of trash."

Her father prodded her on by kicking her in the side… He wasn't ever going to forgive her for being born, but she felt just a tiny bit of sympathy as he did so.

Rei wobbled onto her feet, wiping away the fresh blood and ran out of the house. It was still running out of her cheeks, but she'd make an excuse like always. She tripped down the stairs, or fell when playing hopscotch. It was simple and Kana believed her.

After running all that way to rejoin Kana for the first time in months, she couldn't find her. The one time when she needed her.

Really needed her.

She was no where to be found.

Rei was feeling tense not being able to track her down. She was always conscious of the mysterious people around and about and she didn't want to be their next victim. She'd look by the tree house.. Maybe, she'd be - Just then, she felt a hand on a shoulder, and she screamed so loudly that a flock of birds flew to a quieter place to rest and observe the town. A stranger! A stranger! was her first impression, but the person - whoever it was - shook her a little and told her to calm down.

It was only Shigure…

Only Shigure.

SHIGURE!

"Shigure-kun, do you know where my sister is?" she wailed helplessly. There was nothing else she could've said and her sincere politeness had left her when she left the house.

He looked at her in awe. He hadn't really seen her in months and this was the first thing he heard from her. The boy shrugged.

"I can't really say for once… What happened to your cheek, Rei-chan?" he cocked his head to the side. This was the first time she had actually heard him in a rather concerned tone. Most of the time he was sarcastic and wild. Carefree, even!

But she stammered.

"I, uh, tripped when I was going down the stairs…" she murmured, looking away.

He stared at her blankly, as if to note this odd encounter, tracking her lying. He'd soon find out if he watched through her windows. Rei didn't want that…

"B-But, where's my sister, Shigure-kun? She-she.." Her eyes were bubbling over in tears already. "I want t-to see m-my sissy!" she crouched over, hiding her face from her former friend. He looked shocked to see her in a state, and was probably wondering what she was doing distancing herself, locking herself away from everyone.

"There, there, little one. Follow Shigure-nii and I'll find your dearest sibling!" he exclaimed proudly.

Prodding her with his hand, he pulled her along gently as some people stared, whispering to others about the two as they passed. After they reached a shadowed area, it revealed a snow-covered park. Under a tree were Kana, Mayuko, Ayame, and.. Hatori.

Ayame called, "I thought you went to go to the bathroom, not pick up a little - oh… it's Rei-chan…" he ended up falling back on his words.

Shigure wiggled his invisible tail and dog ears in a blunt reply to Ayame. Hatori probably already knew by the look of his face. But the look on Kana's face was the best she could've seen, yet. She watched her little sister appear from behind Shigure, and the young woman started running towards her.

Her embrace was heart-raising.

The mere fact that she was reunited with her sister was utterly amazing, even though they could've picked anytime at home to hug and make-up.

"Kana-chan.." she sobbed.

And her sister did the same.

"I'm sorry.."

And that was the last of it before the two needed no more words to comprehend their elation. It was heart-felt, not said.

.