Shina and Tora stayed the next hour with the Sohma's, Chatting and getting to know each other. Haru stayed glued to Shina's side for fear that she wasn't real and she would soon vanish once again.
'I lost her once, I'm not going to loose her again.' He thought as they sat there talking.
After a while Tora stood up and bowed to the Sohma's and Tohru.
"Well, it's been great meeting all of you but it's time Shina and I went home to help mom with dinner." Shina hesitated, but stood up. Haru stood as well.
"Can I walk you two home?" he asked not taking his eyes off of Shina.
"Su-," Shina started but Yuki cut in.
"That's not a good idea. Haru's a bit directionally challenged and will get lost on his way back. He once, didn't come home for three days after getting lost walking home from school!" Tora giggled at this, Hatori spoke up.
"I have to go to the market anyway to pick up some supplies. I'll come with you and Haru and take you home. To make sure Shina doesn't have another fainting spell." Ayame chuckled loudly at this.
"Oh, Hari. You just want to accompany Miss Tora home. Aww. You old sweet heart you. This shall forever be known as Hari's day of romance!"
"Idiot." Hatori muttered but he was blushing slightly. Tora on the other hand had turned tree shades of red. Shina grinned.
'I like that guy, even if he is a little gay.' She thought watching Ayame teasing Tora and Hatori.
"Y-you really don't have to…" Tora stuttered.
"We know we don't have to but we're going to." Haru said gruffly.
"Haru, please refrain from going black in Hari's house, ok?" Shigure asked sweetly. Haru turned on him fully black now.
"So what if I do huh? This isn't your house so you can't tell me what I can and can't do here now can you?" Tohru looked a little worried. Shina on the other hand, walked up to Haru and placed a hand gently on his shoulder. He turned ready to fight, but on seeing her instantly reverted to his white form. Everyone looked quite shocked at this. Their looks clearly said, 'How the HELL did she do that!?'
"Let's go Haru." Shina said quietly and, ignoring the looks of astonishment, walked with him hand in hand out the door. Tora and Hatori looked at each other then quickly followed behind.
(Later that night)
"You like Hatori don't you?" Shina asked as she and Tora got ready for bed. Tora turned red.
"W-what makes you think that?" she muttered as brushed out her hair. Shina rolled her eyes.
"Hmm…Let's see, maybe the way you just turned red? Or is it the way your eye's light up whenever his name is mentioned.?"
"They do not!" Tora blurted turning redder. Shina chuckled.
"Yes, they do."
"Well what about you? You couldn't keep your eyes off Haru on the way home
"So? At least I'm not in denial. I think he's extremely hot and I'm not afraid to say that I like him." Tora sighed.
"I d o like Hatori. I think he's really hot…but there is also something really sad about him too. Like he's keeping him-self at a distance and unhappy." She said pulling the brush through her hair one last time. She set it down with a far off look in her eye.
"Tora. Yoo hoo. You ok? Tora snap out of it" Shina said snapping her fingers in her face. Tora jumped out of her trance-like state and after shooting a glare at Shina, reached into her nightstand drawer for a beat up looking notebook and pen, and began writing. Shina stepped back. She had known Tora long enough not to bother her when she began to write. So she shrugged and went to bed shutting off her light.
Shina lay there for a while listening to the sound of Tora's pen scratching on the paper. She thought about the day's events and at her own reactions to them.
She jumped at the sound of the window opening. Shina looked over to see Tora climbing out with a lantern into the oak tree that grew right next to their window. She settled on a branch and hung up her lantern, then went back to writing.
'You always did like to think in the trees.' Shina thought, then with a sigh rolled over and was soon fast asleep.