Chapter 14: Reactions

"So what do you think?" I wonder why Akito was looking at me so strangely. Maybe I tied my obi wrong or he didn't like it. It was the first time I wore a traditional kimono around him and it wasn't even a new one. I had it for awhile since before mom died I just never had a chance to wear it. Maybe I should've…

"You look beautiful." I felt my face turn crimson.

"Oh no, not really I just…"

"Are you saying I'd lie."

"No, I guess… thanks." He was amused again, I could tell. Why'd I always have to get so embarrassed? He was just so intense and sometimes it made me feel kind of intense too. He slipped a ring on my finger and kissed me making me feel weak at the knees. Oh mom, I wish I could stay here forever. Then again maybe that'd be bad especially since I'm trying so hard to get everyone getting along. Then again…

"We're late. Why not just stay here?"

"Oh no, we're late! How could this happen? I could swear that I gave myself enough time to…"

"I wasn't serious."

"Oh." I looked at him. Oh mom, maybe he was nervous too. He didn't look all that happy to be going. Then again maybe he was mad I even suggested it, I mean he did have a habit of holding a grudge not that he was a bad person. "I'm sorry if your upset that I wanted to come here with everyone. I mean I know you have a tradition I just…"

"You wanted to see them."

"Yeah."

"Well then we better go before you start rambling again." I smiled and took his hand. I couldn't help but be happy.

He opened the door and there they all were looking at us. For some reason I got a little nervous. It had been such a long time since I'd seen everyone together and so much had happened since then. I guess they probably weren't expecting me to come in with Akito. Well Yuki and Kyo did but um… I guess I should say something.

"Hello everyone, it's good to see you."

"What the hell are you wearing?" Kyo asked.

"It's a kimono. You like it?"

"Not that, I'm talking about that damn ring. It's almost like…." He looked a little shocked. Well, I guess I should have expected it considering how things went last time.

"Miss Honda…"

"I'm sorry I'm so sorry, had I known that the head of the Sohma family was getting engaged I'd have bought flowers. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Ritsu said and then everyone kind of went crazy.

"Yay! Tohru's going to be a Sohma! Right am I right?"

"What a disaster." Yuki mumbled.

"Surely I'll be the one to make the cloths. Ah a snow white angel marrying the dark knight, stolen away from the prince. It's so romantic."

"Perfectly put as always Aya!" Shigure gave a thumbs up.

"Don't you two ever stop? You can't even think in this noise." Hatori said.

"Enough." Akito didn't even have to raise his voice and everyone stopped. It was kind of amazing like hitting pause in a movie.

"I wonder if I could do that."

"Not in your life."

"That's probably true." Akito actually almost smiled, almost. At least he was starting to come around… for the longest time I was afraid I'd never know what he was thinking.

"We're going to get married." He said it just like that and everyone kind of looked at each other.

"I'm really happy and I kind of hoped you would be too. I've really missed everyone and… well…"

"Congratulations Tohru." Shigure said with a smile. For once I think he was serious.

"Does that mean that you'll be around the main house some more?" Kisa asked and I nodded.

"Ahuh."

"Um… well congratulations to both of you." Kisa bowed and I smiled.

"So who's up for New Years cakes?" I asked and Momiji naturally was the first to say so.

"Come sit with me." Momiji pulled on my hand and I smiled at Akito who shook his head.

"It's bad enough hearing that rabbit talk all the time. I'm not sitting with them." He said simply.

"Well if you change your mind…" Momiji pulled me away before I could finish. Everyone had so many questions and were talking so much it was really fun. I just wish Akito was enjoying it too. He was standing aside at the corner of the room.

"He looks kind of lonely."

"That bastard never gets lonely. Just let him rot there."

"Have some class you stupid cat. You're lucky you were even invited."

"Go ahead say that again." Well at least they were back to fighting as usual. That probably wasn't a good thing but for awhile they were pretty quiet I was getting worried.

"Akito never sits with us, uh uh. To tell you the truth I don't think he likes us very much, but if he makes Tohru happy that's all that matters right, am I right?"

"I guess soo but…."

"Maybe I should say something." Shigure hopped up and Hatori pulled him down.

"Shigure I think you've said enough for one day."

"Oh Hari you always have to ruin all my fun."

"I'll go talk to him." Kisa stood.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Hiro said simply. "Do you want him to get mad?"

"But sissy is happy with Akito and I like it when she's happy." Hiro sighed.

"Fine." I wasn't sure if Kisa would be able to convince him to sit with us but I guess it was a start. I watched her and remembered how cute she was when I first met her. Well she was still cute now but she was a lot more talkative then before. She really tried hard. It was admirable.

"What the…" Kyo said and I smiled. He was coming over.

"This doesn't mean I like any of them." He said simply and I smiled.

"Of course not." I think Akito's really trying. I'm so happy. Someday he might even be friends with them. I glanced over to him and saw glaring icily at an apologizing Ritsu. Then again, maybe it's just wishful thinking.

(A.N. Well one final chapter to go. Please read and definitely review, I'm open to suggestions if you want me to add something. Until Next time.)