(A/N) Thanks again to all my readers, I am really exited that this story has come so far. Do stay tuned, as the plot is really going to get going soon enough. All you shippers ready your sails~~

There was something that I would never mention. A small fact that I would always omit from my daily reports to Misaki. I was bullied. I found it silly and shameful, but it happened none the less. The other Sohma children who attended this school were all Outsiders who had this delusional dream of someday living Inside. They revered it like some demented goal. That fact alone made me loathe to be even near them. Some were jealous of me being inside the walls, others jealous of my looks, or sexually frustrated about it especially since I looked so much like Yuki. Not to mention that my grades were always good. Occasionally I would take the top spot on exams. Perhaps it was my incessant nonchalance about it that angered them further.

It was the last week before summer vacation, after the exam scores had come in, I had placed first, but sometimes it was hard to tell right away since the top 100 or so consisted wholly of Sohma, Sohma, Sohma, Sohma. There are children besides Sohmas here, but they are of the same breed: entitled and bored.

After walking away from the score list, I could feel a group of them following me. The mess of emotions behind me was distinct. Anger, hate, jealousy, a touch of lust. Humans seem to become only angrier at realising things that they can't control.

There was a gang of them waiting for me. All Sohma's from the outside. One of them was a serial offender who had been slinging comments at me since I came here.

I tried to ignore them, like the guidance counsellors always said, but they blocked me. Three boys and two girls.

"I bet you're pretty happy right now, getting that high score." The frontman said.

I shrugged. "So, I assume that you're the one who got second place." I didn't offer anything else, just tried to shoulder past them.

One of the girls got in my face. "Hey, you can't walk away when we're talking to you!"

"I believe I can." I spat, attempting to throw her off. I don't know why they felt the need to try and get to me. I never cared about the same things they did, and whenever I didn't react to them, they would just try and think of new things. I really think it's them trying to justify their feelings of low self-worth. They want to erase their own inferiority by forcing it on to me.

The problem was, that I wasn't taking any of it.

"I'm sure you think you're so special, just because you live on the Inside."

I shrugged again. This pissed her enough for her to slam her shoulder into me. I let her knock me down, to give her a false sense of dominance. The others swarmed around me, backing me against a wall. I stood up, feigning an expression of fear. This seemed to be what they wanted I could feel them getting cocky, that would make them sloppy.

I knew they were arming up for something, the way they were whispering to each other and leering at me. Finally, their gem of an insult came out. The same serial offender as always.

"Feh, that worthless bitch who took you in, she only did it for the money!" That's where my vision went red.

"You say one more word about Misaki and I will fucking break your neck!" I growled as I slammed him into the wall by his collar. Only then did he start to realise that I wasn't just some girl that could be picked on without consequences. I sneered at him as he squirmed. "Sorry, no mercy from me." I kneed him in the groin and threw him to the floor. I turned on my heel and left. Making my way to the Headmaster's office to save myself some time.

I don't care if they insult me. Call me a slut? Fine. Whore? Bitch? Freak? I don't care. But Misaki, she doesn't deserve any of it. She definitely doesn't deserve me as a daughter.

I was angry enough that I didn't want to go straight home, so I took an uncommon detour. All I had to do was enter through the Main gate and not the side gate that was hardly more than just a missing bit of wall, and I was in the actual Main Compound, with its pristine gardens and hedgerows. It all made me sick. I honestly preferred the decrepit nature of my house, at least that meant it had some character.

No one really mad any notice of my coming. None of the servants greeted me, nor did any of the older members ask how school was doing. Someday I would be one of them, and I would do the same for those who came after me.

"Someone else who looks just like Yuki has arrived."

"Haru please, not now."

"But this is the Main House." He stood up, grabbing his digital camera and putting an arm around me. "Peace." He said, making a peace sign into the camera.

"You know my image won't appear on camera." I said almost too bleakly to be a joke.

"C'mon Nezumi-chan make a peace sign."

"You're really trying to piss me off aren't you?" I pushed the camera away just as it flashed. "C'mon. We don't need photographic evidence of me coming to your room."

"So what brings you here? Are you conspiring with Yuki?"

"What? No."

"Because he was also just here, after being away for so long."

"Haru, I've never left the main house. I've basically been your neighbour for the last ten years."

"But you hardly ever actually go inside the main house."

"And for good reason."

"So why now."

I flopped down on his bed, honestly a little exhausted and now a bit annoyed. "I got kicked out of school."

"Why?"

He asked honestly, sitting down next to me.

"I beat up the Dean's son. Why else."

"I thought Misaki told you to stop doing that."

"She did."

"So why did you do it?"

"Because."

"That's not a reason." He deadpanned.

"Because…" My fists clenched. "I just don't understand them, or anyone. Why does it matter if I get a high score? I actually study and work hard. They just goof off and cram, relying on their natural smarts."

"But, what did they do to you?"

"Nothing. I don't care what they do to me. They can't hurt me. I don't hinge my self-worth on the opinions of others…but…"

"But what?"

I grimaced. "The one thing I can't tolerate is if they say anything bad about Misaki." I said, my tone wavering. "She doesn't deserve any of it. She especially doesn't deserve me as a daughter."

Haru sighed. He was never one for shallow reassurances. He just placed a hand on my back and nudged his head gently up against mine. "Haru, I'm fine."

"Don't lie." He replied, his voice mostly vibrations at this close distance.

I jerked away suddenly, becoming too comfortable with him so close. I shook myself. "Sorry." I muttered.
"You really shouldn't talk like that. You shouldn't hinge your self-esteem on anyone's opinion, especially not your own."

I shrugged, standing up. "You still make so little sense to me Haru."

"Where are you going?"

"Home. I need to tell Misaki about what happened."

"I thought you were avoiding that?"

"I was, and now I'm done."

I made my way then back to my own house. It was still a bit of a walk from the main house to the outskirts.

"Nae-channnnn~~~~" The ecstatic blonde boy was headed straight for me, I blocked him with an outstretched arm.

"No, Momiji."

"But 'Naeeee! We're at the main house it shouldn't matter!"

"I haven't even changed out of my school uniform, and I have homework to do."

"But 'Nae! You're always so busy and never have time to play anymore!"

Momiji was the anomaly. So bright and cheerful, almost sickeningly so. But his true aura was the same as any other Zodiac member. A nauseating duality.

"That's what happens when you grow up." He still managed to grab hold of my arm.

"You saw me at the New Year's banquet, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did, I was singing. Why are you bringing this up now?"

"Because you sang so beautifully!"

"You didn't answer my question."

He just laughed and grabbed my arm. Still acting like a rambunctious little girl. It grated on my nerves, but was also somewhat refreshing. He unlike the other Zodiacs didn't conceal a darkness per se, he just had a sadness that he held on to. The pain of being separated from his mother and sister because of his curse. Something I technically should be able to relate to, but couldn't. I felt nothing for my mother and half-brothers. I was never given the opportunity. I almost thought that is was better, since there was no bond to sever.

I granted him a small smile. I was grateful for his gentle warm energy, but it too of course was tainted by his spirit.

I opted for some simple small talk. "So how are enjoying high school?"

"Oh, it's lots of fun. Lots of nice new people and I'm glad that I get to see Tohru and the others."

"Tohru? Is she that girl who's been living at Shigure's house?"

"Yep! That's her!"

"I almost didn't believe the rumours when I heard them. It's a hot topic among the servants."

"I bet! Nothing like this has ever happened before!" He skipped ahead of me a few steps, his hands behind his back. "You should meet her, 'Nae! I think you'd like her!"

"I'm sure I will." I said dismissively. "Haru won't shut up about her either."

"She's really helped, you know. She's even-"

"Helped Kyou and Yuki get along, I know. Must I remind you that I hang out with Haru? "

Momiji giggled, running back and grabbing my hands. "C'mon 'Nae-chan! Cheer up a bit!"

"I'm sorry Momiji, but today isn't exactly the best day."

"Oh no! What happened!?"

"It's not the big of a deal…" I tried to break free, but he just squeezed harder.

"Was some big mean jerk mean to you?"

"Well…"

"Just tell me who he is and Uncle Momiji will teach him a lesson!" He put on an over-dramatic tough face. I think my mouth quirked a bit as was his intention.

I raised my eyebrows at him. "Momiji, I beat up the big mean jerk on my own, and that's the problem."

"Yeah! That's my Nae-oneechan!" He pumped a fist into the air. "Fight! Fight!"

I shook my head with a small grin. "Honestly, Momiji…"

"Did that help? Did I cheer you up?"

"Yeah, sure you did, Momiji." He smiled, joining me at my side again.

We walked idly a bit while Momiji continued to chatter. I didn't mind at all, anything to delay the inevitable. It's not like Misaki was going to be mad or anything. I'm sure the school had already contacted her. But, I still didn't really want to own up to it. She never liked me getting in fights, and I felt as if I let her down.

Those thoughts are the one that have always plagued me. Feeling like I wasn't enough. My birth mother deemed me unworthy at birth that fact seemed to taint my entire world view. Even if I wanted to completely ignore her existence, it was impossible. Weren't blood relatives the ones meant to love you unconditionally?