(A/N) Sorry this took longer than usual. I had a busy week and had a bit of writer's block. But, this is the long-awaited appearance of Ayame-san! Oh, I hope I did okay. I do think I may have brushed over it a bit, but I didn't want to re-tread the stuff he said to yuki and what not, but i hope you enjoy it!

I was in a downtown area that I wasn't familiar with, looking for something specific. A gift, that shouldn't be too hard to find. I was never much for fashion or accessories, so I had no idea where to find what I needed, but I was determined. That's what friends did as I understood it.

There were people all around, so I was already on edge. I had hoped to go during a time with less traffic, but I suppose anytime on a Saturday was bound to be busy.

And even through the thick cloud of people, I somehow was able to hear my name being called.

"Sohma Kanae-san?" I turned at the sudden address, I didn't recognise the aura right away, so I was very confused.

"Who are you." I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Come on, it's me, Tamaki. We met not too long ago." He said defeatedly.

"…"

"We're schoolmates, that has to count for something."

"Sure. Was there something you wanted?" I remembered him. The preppy guy.

He raised an eyebrow. "Maybe I just wanted to say hi."

"Okay."

He laughed nervously. "Are you shopping? Mind if I join you?"

"I don't see why not. Do you know this area?"

"Yeah, I guess you could say that."

"Good. Because I have no idea where to go."

"I'm sure I can help you out." I was apprehensive, because his Aura was conspicuously pure. He wasn't totally white. No one was, Haru was proof enough of that, but he was close. He was a very very light blue, and getting lighter it seemed.

"So what are you looking for?"

"A gift."

"Oh, who for?"

"A friend."

"Oh?"

"Yes." I confirmed.

"Do you need ideas?"

"No, I know what to get, I just have no idea where."

"I'm sure I can help. I father even owns one of the big department stores, so maybe I can get you a discount."

I rolled my eyes. "Not only are you an honour-student class rep, but you're also a rich kid? Who would have thought?"

"I really wouldn't complain about that Sohma-san."I winced. I suppose I didn't mind him calling me by my first name, since I oh-so-despised my last name.

"Shut up." I grumbled. "Okay, you know Hatsuharu, right?"

"Yeah, everyone knows about him."

"Uh-huh, well, it's his birthday soon so I'm getting him a gift." I didn't actually know when his birthday was, but it had been about a year since the last time I bought him something, so it seemed right.

"So, I'm guessing my father's stores won't help you much."

"Unless he owns a goth-loli store, no."

"We could take a train to the Harujuku district…" I gave him a blank look. "You don't know what that is…?" I shook my head. "You're a girl who lives in Tokyo and-"

"Sorry, I suppose I never got out much when I was a kid. My family is the traditional type. Most of the main house doesn't really even have electricity."

"Oh, I see." He smiled, "C'mon, there's an area near here that will give you an idea of what to expect. Some little niche stores and stuff."

"You know this why?"

"I'm gonna go into the business soon, so I'm expected to understand the economic climate." He shrugged.

"Okay, sure, let's go."

He led me through the throngs of people, something that was rather unpleasant for me. I kept close, and Tamaki seemed to notice.
"Kanae-san? Are you alright? You look kind of ill."

"N-no…I just—I just really don't like crowds."

"Oh, I see, that's fine. I can understand how it can make people uncomfortable." I'm not sure you can, but the sentiment was nice. "Here, I think I have an idea." We veered off the path into a small side-street. "This route will take a little longer, but I'm sure it will make you feel better."

I was momentarily shocked. Why was he being so nice? And how? His Aura was very pure, but not unnaturally so like the Utaji. I was inclined to be suspicious, but it was hard when he seemed so genuine. "Th-thanks…" I managed to utter.

We were silent, which was even worse since the area around us was nearly devoid of people or crowds. He eventually let go of me, not wanting to seem rude or creepy I think.

"Here," he said after a while. "This area may have what you're looking for." There were a smattering of small boutiques and specialty stores. The most irritatingly ornate one caught my eye. Then I actually read the sign.

"Wait, oh god." But it was too late. It looked like Ayame was leaving anyway, then he spotted me.

"Oh! Kanae-chan! My dear little sister has returned home at last!"

"Sister?" I heard Tamaki utter. I grabbed his arm and ushered him away.
"Sorry, Ayame-san! I'm very busy and I have to go!"

"Oh, how could you be too busy for family!?" Dammit, he was coming closer. I couldn't risk him transforming in front of Tamaki. "And who is your handsome friend here? Your secret lover beyond the Sohma walls? How romantic!" I swerved out of the way, releasing the thoroughly confused Tamaki.

"Ayame-san!" I yelled.

"Yes, my dear?" He said, completely oblivious. I had to avoid a scene.

"I—I'm looking for something. Perhaps you can help me."

"Of course, of course. We have a vast selection of wedding gowns for you to elope-"

"Ayame!" I flushed. "Stop jumping to conclusions!"

"Of course, I would never do such a thing."

I groaned. "Kyouhara-san, this is my cousin, and Yuki's older brother, Ayame-san." I flashed him a deadly glare. "And Ayame, Kyouhara-san is a schoolmate of mine. He was helping me shop."

"Ah, yes of course, I understand completely." Ayame nodded, placing a hand on his chin.

Tamaki was at the very least at a loss for words. "Oh, I remember now, you came on Yuki-san's conference day…"

I rolled my eyes. "Don't remind me."

Ayame took an overly dramatic pose as he began speaking once again. "Oh, but my only regret is that I was not able to behold the beauty of my beloved imouto-san!"

Tamaki gave me a look as if to ask: "Why does he keep calling you that?"

I just sighed and directed my gaze back to Ayame.

"Ayame…"

"No! Please! You must call me Onii-sama!"

"No, Ayame, I'm not going to do that." I deadpanned, while grabbing both him and Tamaki by the arms. "Let's just get out of the damn street first."

Inside, I felt like I was going to drown in ruffles and silk. This was definitely not what I was looking for, but it had to at least be a start, maybe.

"Ayame-san." I pushed past some unkempt bolts of clothing.

"Yes, Kanae-chan? What is your desire?" He said.

"Well…" I continued to think. I could hear that Tamaki was attempting to be sociable with Miné-san. I'm sure it was entertaining. "I…."

"Don't be ashamed, Kanae-chan!" He grabbed both of my hands, looking at me forlornly.

"I-" I said, with a wide-eyed awkward smile. "I just wanna get something nice for Haru. Maybe…something that would remind him of Isuzu?"

"Oh! Of course!" He released me with such force that I almost lost me balance. "Something that symbolises their unity! I have just the thing!" Ayame rushed off into the frilly abyss that was the back of his shop, calling for Miné-san to join him.

Tamaki walked up to join me. "What's that about? Who is…Isuzu-san?"

"Haru's…girlfriend…?" I said, stretching out the word with my uncertainty.
"Well, is she, or isn't she?"

"Teeechnically, she broke up with him, but it's complicated, since I know they're still both really into each other." I became slightly more serious, thinking of a way to fudge it for Tamaki. "It's…not considered proper among our Family." I supplied weakly.

"What? Are they that closely related?"

"No…" I panicked, searching desperately for another explanation. "There's a whole lot of complicated rules about…marriage and…stuff."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Is there really?"

"Yeah. Lots of old-money bullshit going on. Very boring."

He gave a slight laugh. "I'm sure." His expression softened. "You sure you don't wanna tell me? I like a good boring story about old-money bullshit."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sure you do." I scowled.

"Here it is!"

"What is it?"

"It is a horseshoe-nail pendant!"
"…why?"

He looked at me, utterly appalled that I didn't understand. "Why the reason is obvious! It is a symbol of their everlasting love!"

"So…their love is a small metal object used to piece into the feet of innocent animals, got it."

He made a dramatic pose. "It is a symbol, because it is the tool that secures a horse's strength and versatility, like dear Isuzu-chan! She is a vestige of strength and resilience!"

"I still think it's weird."

Tamaki, who seemed to be suppressing a laugh the whole time, finally spoke up. "I think it's perfect. You wanted something that would remind Hatsuharu-san of Isuzu-san right? And I think it would go perfectly with his sense of style!" He seemed very amused by all this.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, I'll take it." I took the pendant, reaching into my bag for my wallet. "How much?"

He grinned wide, forming his fingers into a circle. "How could I charge my dear little sister for such a thing? Who could I call myself your brother then?"

"You're not my brother."

He fell back, behaving as if he had been shot. "Rejection! I have been rejected!"

"You ignored me just like you ignored Yuki, I'm not as much of a pansy as he is."

"Kanae! You mustn't speak of your brothers like that, it is unbefitting a lady!"

I didn't have to take this. "I don't have any brothers, Ayame. I never did!" I turned sharply on my heel, grabbing Tamaki by the hand. "C'mon, we're going."

He didn't really complain, and I didn't heed Ayame as he called after me.

As we walked, Tamaki ventured a question.

"Do you, do you mind explaining a bit of what just happened…?"

"Yes I do mind."

:"Oh."

"At least right now, I'll just get angrier if I talk about it more. Ask me some other time."

"Oh? Does that mean I can see you again?"

"Hm?" I looked at him, surprised. "Sure, I don't see why not."

He laughed suddenly. "Ah, I understand, Kanae-san."

He was courteous enough to let me steam a bit on my own again. I was yet to fully dissect why exactly I was so angry. I guess I thought it just felt presumptuous of Ayame, that his blood relation to me would in any way excuse him of his actions. I don't believe in blood ties. I never had. Blood ties betrayed me since the day I was born, and seem to continue so.

At the train station, we said our goodbyes.

"Wait, Kanae-san." He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone. "Let's exchange cell-numbers!"

"Not only is that revoltingly cliché, but, I don't actually have a cell phone."

"Not a problem." He reached into his bag, pulling out a pen and a scrap of paper. I waited as he wrote something there. "Here, just in case you wanna reach me for some reason. Let me know how Hatsuharu-san likes his gift."

"Sure thing." My words dropped like pebbles as he left. I felt a strange matted feeling rise up in me. Was I…sad? Sad to see him go? But why would I be? I hardly knew him.

It was sad to see anyone go, I suppose. He was the first person outside of the Sohma family I'd had any real extended interaction with. For me it was like a sweet sea breeze. He reminded me of the trip I took to the sea when I was a child. I remember Misaki taking me by the hand and leading me to wade in the sea surf. It was that clean, clear feeling that I remember.

The train whistle blew, and I started, boarding the train before it left without me. When aboard, I pressed my face to the chilled glass, straining to watching him go like a child after her parent.

"Tamaki…san…" I said ponderingly. "We will meet like this again."