Sorry for the long wait! I finally started taking my medications again, and let me tell you, those have some serious kick! I'd be fine before taking them (at least in my opinion), then I'd go and take it, and 30 minutes later, I'm curling up in bed, wanting nothing more than to sleep. Plus, I've found a new anime that I LOVE! It's called "Kyo Kara Maoh!" Yes, it's in English now. There's 3 dvd's out so far, and I bought all 3! I've been watching them non-stop... . Just for those who are interested, here's the summary of the show:

Yuri Shibuya was an average, baseball-loving high school student, or so he thought. One day, while trying to help out a former classmate get away from some thugs, Yuri ends up being put, head-first, into a toilet. But he ends up being flushed into another world, where he finds out that he is, in reality, the Demon King himself, whose spirit had been sent to be born on Earth in order to remain safe until he was old enough to rule over his kingdom; though Yuri thinks it's all a big mistake. Due to an odd custom, Yuri accidentally ends up engaged to a young man named Wolfram, who's beautiful, but arrogant and pissed off a lot. He challenges Yuri to a duel, during which Yuri proves he really IS the Demon King! Now he's got a former queen trying to seduce him (she looks 25!), a kingdom to rule, and a possessive fiancé! But will he be a true King with his new friends, and will love bloom between the Demon King and his fiery Fiancé?

It's really good! Shounen-ai (boy love), magic, lots of funny stuff (who ever heard of a King dressed up in a pink maid's dress!), good fighting scenes, and the occasional fluff between Yuri and Wolfram! (Not to mention all the Bishounen (beautiful men)!)

Here's a pic of the main cast:

www. megami-sama. net/ maruma(underscore)images /walledit03 . png

Take out all the spaces, and put that underscore there! The one in black is the King himself, and the one in blue is his fiancé!

You can see why I would have trouble updating... On with the fic! (You can thank Bonnie for making me update!)

---------------------------------

Chapter 14 - Trouble with Pictures

Tohru hummed happily as she prepared dinner, delighted that Hatori had agreed to stay for dinner, meaning Hatsuharu and Momiji were staying as well. She liked spending time with all of them, especially since it was so much fun, usually. Hatori seemed cold sometimes, but she knew the truth, and respected him for it. She respected all of the Sohma's, really, even those who didn't like her very much. She knew Akito didn't like her, and she didn't know Rin, Kureno,or Hiro well enough to know if they really hated her... But she respected them all. And she was so grateful to them, all of them, even Akito. After all, if Akito hadn't agreed, she wouldn't be living in this house, with these wonderful people, with all of her memories. Yes, she was very grateful to Akito, even if she was afraid of him, and she knew he didn't like her.

Shaking her head to come out of her musings, Tohru hurriedly began adding the last touches to the dishes she had prepared. She had to set the table first, then bring out all of the plates of food, then fill everyone's tea for them...

A hand appeared in her line of view, picking up the items to set the table with. A gasp escaped her mouth as she spun, spoon still in hand, to look at who it was, only to end up hitting Hatsuharu in the face with the back of her spoon.

"Ah! Haru-kun! I'm so sorry! I didn't know you were there!" The Ox merely looked at her, one hand on the pile of chopsticks and napkins, the other coming up to wipe his cheek. He glanced at his fingertips blankly before lifting them to his mouth and licking them clean.

"Tastes good, Tohru-kun. Sorry for scaring you, I was merely hoping to help out. Hatori's examining Yuki, Momiji was annoying Kyo, and Shigure was reading his paper, so I thought I could help you. Do you mind?" A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and Tohru clasped her hands together, spoon between them, and turned to him fully, her eyes wide and shining.

"Oh! Haru-kun is too kind! I wouldn't wish to burden you!" At this, Haru nodded. He knew her well enough to know that this meant, 'you don't have to, but I would be very grateful if you did'. It was just the way she was. Lifting up the supplies, he glanced at them to make sure there was enough, then smiled as he got an extra one.

"I don't mind, Tohru-kun. But you forgot one. Did you forget Hatori was eating with us, or did you plan on missing dinner?" At the bright blush and startled gasp, the Ox realized she had, indeed, forgotten one of them.

"I'm so sorry!" She looked down, obviously embarrassed or ashamed. "I thought... Well, Haru-kun's lunch was late, and I was worried I made too big of a lunch for you, and that you wouldn't be hungry for dinner..." She turned her eyes up to him, shimmering with what might have been tears. "Please don't be angry, Haru-kun! I was just assuming, and I'm so sorry!" She bowed to him, causing a look of slight shock to settle on his features, which for him meant an open mouth, and slightly widened eyes. Finally, this melted into a small smile and he rested a hand on top of her bowed head.

"It's all right, Tohru-kun. You're right, I'm not really hungry, I just didn't like the idea of missing a meal that you prepared. I thought I could at least try to eat some. It's understandable. Thank you for thinking of me, though." He patted her head gently, and watched as she stood and smiled brightly at him, his hand still on her head. Then she seemed to remember the food, and spun back around to check on it, causing her hair to be mussed due to his hand. He merely smiled and took his hand away, counting the utensils again before heading to the table and setting it.

When he returned to the kitchen, he saw that in his absence, she had already poured the tea and had them sitting on a tray, ready to be served. Since she was busy putting food onto the plate, Haru took it upon himself to serve the drinks, earning quite a few surprised looks from the other Zodiac members.

"Haa-kun! How kind of you to help my little flower!" Hatsuharu turned his empty, gray eyes to Shigure, who smiled brightly. "Maybe I should see if Aaya could make an apron for you!" At this, Kyo began to laugh, but Momiji seemed excited about the idea, and began asking Shigure about whether or not he could have one, too.

Luckily for all of them, Tohru entered with the food and began to set it out for them. Momiji's delighted cries resulted in the reappearance of Yuki and Hatori, both looking rather annoyed. No doubt, the Rat had put up a fight again. He hated getting monthly check-ups, and it got on Hatori's nerves when he tried to skip them.

Dinner was relatively peaceful, which meant that no fights were started, no dishes were broken, and Shigure refrained from teasing Tohru too much.

----

Rin frowned as she made her way to Shigure's house. She hadn't been there in a while, and she couldn't help but wonder over the rumors she had been hearing. It had just been Momiji talking to Hatori, but it was the fact that it was Momiji that made her believe it. After all, the kid was usually right. She hated that.

After all, if it was true, then Hatsuharu Sohma, the Ox of the Chinese Zodiac, HER ex-boyfriend, was currently flirting with that little girl that she had met with Yuki in the woods that time. She couldn't bring herself to HATE the girl, but she didn't know her very well, and therefore, didn't like her much. Especially with the stories Hiro had told her. Sure, she didn't sound like she was that bad of a person, just an idiot. But still, Rin wanted to find something out. She may have dumped Haru, and she may have moved on, but she'd be damned if that girl was going to just drag her cousin along. It was already obvious Yuki liked her. And from what Momiji said, it was obvious that both the Rabbit and the Cat liked her as well.

These thoughts caused her frown to deepen. She'd find out just what that little brat really thought about Haru. If she was just dragging him along, and planned on breaking his heart again, Rin would make sure that it never happened. Sure, Rin had been the one to break his heart first, but that was different!

The heels of her boots ground into the dirt as she made her way down the road leading to what had recently become the Sohma's favorite place to be.

----

Tohru smiled as she washed the dishes, happily handing a plate to Yuki to dry off. He always seemed to want to help her, but this was one of the few things he could do well. She had seen what happened after he had tried folding laundry. So he stuck with helping her wash and dry dishes. When she heard the front door open, she wondered if maybe Kyo or someone had gone outside. But when a somewhat familiar voice was heard asking for her, she froze in her spot, her eyes wide.

Footsteps were heard coming her way, and she hurriedly handed the next dish to the Rat before drying off her own hands and turning to greet her unexpected visitor. At the sight of angry dark eyes and long dark hair, Tohru knew something was wrong. After all, the Horse of the Zodiac had never come to see her before.

"I-Isuzu-san?" She bowed politely to the girl, hoping her nerves weren't too obvious.

"Rin? What are you doing here?" Yuki was watching his cousin, no less surprised than the others who had already seen her.

"I'm here to talk to her." Was the only answer he got before she turned a glare on him. "Go away, Yuki." He sighed, knowing better than to argue with her, and merely set down the dish before going back to the living room.

"You." Rin turned her glare on the nervous girl. "Come with me." With that, she spun around and went back to the front door to put on her boots, listening to the soft footsteps behind her. No one bothered to ask what she wanted, wisely keeping their mouths shut, in her opinion. Once she saw that the other girl had her shoes on, she opened the door and stepped out, hearing the door slide closed as she was followed. Not bothering to look back, Rin led her out into the woods before turning on the girl, glaring still.

"Now." She rested one hand on her hip, the other coming up to grab the front of Tohru's dress, pulling her closer. "You and I are gonna talk. Understand?"

Tohru merely nodded, too nervous to open her mouth, and wondering what the Horse wanted to talk to her about. Then she remembered, this was Haru's ex-girlfriend! Her eyes widened, which caused Rin's eyes to narrow.

"Guessing you figured out what I want to talk about. Then let's not waste time."

---------------------------

Uh... I know, I'm pure evil... But hey! Some Haru and Tohru this time, plus you get to expect a "girl talk". Lol.. I've only seen Rin's character a few times, so forgive me if she's too out of character. I'm trying!