A/N: Since everyone at the Sohma house besides Shigure doesn't know that Akito is a girl, she will be referenced as 'him', 'he', and so on. When Shigure is around Kureno, Hatori or Ayame he'll refer to Akito as a girl.

"Alright Mom, I'll come straight home after school." She said before hanging up her cell phone and placing it in her bag. She headed towards the door, already in her school uniform, and carefully opened the door as to not make any noise.

"Don't you think it's a bit early to be leaving for school?" came a voice from behind her, and she turned to see a certain novelist smiling at her as he wiped the sleep from his eyes.

"Oh," Nana said softly. "my mom sent for a car to come and get me. Mr. Hatori must have given my mom your address. Besides, I have to get to school early and put away the kendo equipment in the gym." Shigure nodded his head at the girl, taking in all she was saying.

"And may I ask why you have to put it away?"

"Well, kendo club is cancelled today. I have to go straight home after school and I can't take care of club." Nana flashed Shigure a small smile. In the distance, a car horn sounded. "I guess that's my ride." Nana said as she jabbed her thumb in the car's general direction. "Thanks ever so much for letting me stay the night here. I really do appreciate it." The Higurashi girl bowed politely to the novelist before turning on her heel and leaving the Sohma house. Shigure stayed still and watched as Nana left and didn't move until he couldn't hear the sound of tires rolling across the dirt path.

"Why didn't you transform?" The dog asked the cat. The rat next to them stared in wonder.

"When did she even have a chance to bump into you?" the rodent asked. What was that strange tone in his voice?

"I don't know!" The cat hissed. "She bumped into me when I ran from the Main House and even when I was leaving class. I don't know how come I didn't transform. I just didn't." The cat glared quietly at the rat from where he was standing while the rodent looked away with indifference. "She must have just clipped my shoulder."

"Settle down." The dog said with a stern tone of voice. Neither the cat nor the rat bothered to look towards the canine, but they were still listening. "We just have to be more careful, that's all. She can't know our secret. If she were to find out and Akito knew, then 'he'd' have Tohru's memory erased." The other two animals looked towards the dog. Neither one wanted Tohru to forget. Not even the dog himself wanted that horrible thought to become a reality. Even so, the cat's thoughts still lingered on the idea. "Now," the dog suddenly spoke, grabbing the young cat's attention. "I want you two to act normal. Don't do anything differently and make sure she doesn't find out. Nana can't ever find out."

Kyo walked through the halls towards his locker; his mind still lingered on what Shigure had said about Tohru getting her memory erased. In a way, it would be better for him if she were to forget that he ever loved her. Of course, it would hurt him, but at least he wouldn't have to see her eyes staring at him with such caring and know that it's only from one friend to another. It would be so much easier in the long run, and that damn rat, Yuki, wouldn't be looking so smug. A sad smirk curled Kyo's lips. The thought was interesting, but he still knew it was wrong.

The orange haired youth turned the corner and saw a young girl at her locker. For a moment, he almost thought it was the same girl who was plaguing his thoughts, but it was just Nana Higurashi. It was strange how similar she and Tohru were. She had the same length hair that was a rich, dark brown. She had crystal blue eyes that looked almost exactly like Tohru's. She even acted like the Honda girl! She was caring and sweet, and she was also perceptive.

Despite being so alike, Kyo saw how different they really were. Nana's skin was much lighter than Tohru's. It wasn't that soft shade of peach like Tohru's was. Nana's hair was actually darker than the Honda girl's as well. And her blue eyes were actually brighter. Instead of the cerulean blue of Tohru's eyes, they were much brighter. They were like the color of the oceans you see only in pamphlets for dream vacations. Not only that, but Nana was actually shy compared to Tohru, and she blushed so much more. Still, with her quiet nature, Nana was still someone who spoke her mind. The memory of the previous night made Kyo feel ashamed of himself for yelling. He never meant to upset Nana. He was just so wrapped up with Tohru, it was hard to let someone else in. Kyo made his way towards Nana just as she was closing her locker.

Nana was just about to leave for class when she heard someone call out to her. She turned to see the brash young Sohma who had yelled at her the night before. He had a strange look on his face. Was that even a hint of color in his cheeks?

"Hi, Kyo." Nana said nervously as her crush approached her. His hand went directly behind his head, and his eyes averted hers.

"Look, about yesterday…"

"No, it was my fault." Nana interrupted. "I shouldn't have said anything. It wasn't my business."

"Just let me finish, okay?" Kyo snapped. Nana looked at him and waited for him to continue. He groaned. "Look, if you hate me, that's fine. I probably deserve it. I mean, I shouldn't have yelled…oh, just hit me if that's what you want!" It then dawned on the young Higurashi what he was trying to do.

"Kyo, are you trying to apologize?" she asked, and the tint of pink in Kyo's cheeks got darker.

"Look, I don't do this often okay?" Kyo retorted. He tilted his head upwards to keep himself from looking Nana in the eye. The girl giggled, and for the first time, Kyo looked directly at her.

"What's so funny?" he demanded, and she just kept giggling.

"Nothing." She said. "But thank you." The two stood in silence for a little while. A warning bell rang throughout the halls, and students started to hurry towards their classes. "So," Nana said after a while. "are we friends?" Kyo looked at her for a while before giving her a crooked smile.

"Yeah." The two walked to class and continued on with the rest of the day.

Nana unlocked the front door to her house and walked in. She had noticed that her father's car was still parked in front.

"Nana," came her mother's voice. "come into the living room." Nana trudged further into her house and found her mother sitting on the couch. She had a grim expression on her face. "Nana, I'm not staying here. Your father insists on staying in this house, and I'm not going to be in the same house as him." So many thoughts were rushing through the young girl's mind. Did this mean she was moving? Would she have to transfer schools? Would she ever see Kyo again? "I've booked a hotel room, and I still have money to pay for a second one." Emiko continued. "You could come with me and stay. You wouldn't have to transfer or anything."

So her mother really was asking her to leave. Nana honestly didn't want to leave. It was like leaving behind a part of her. Nana had grown up in this house, and she felt as if she'd be betraying the memories she made here.

"Mom." She said softly, and her mother cocked her head to the side. "I want to stay."