I decided to take on little odd jobs to help Keesa with bills and to give me a sense of accomplishment and extra money. I didn't want Keesa working so hard to make sure we had everything we needed and more to keep us afloat.
I also talked to Tohru about making some riceballs and cookies and doing a bake sale and she agreed. I helped her plan what kind of rice balls we would make. We planned on cookies and other little treats. Yuki also got involved and helped make signs.
I felt better knowing I was helping. Tohru also taught me how to cook and bake. Things Eri was going to teach me but didn't get a chance to thanks to Hanako and Allen.
Momiji and Kisa were there to help as well. Kisa helped Tohru in the kitchen with the riceballs. I sat outside selling them with Momiji.
"Do you know I have a little sister named Momo? Momo looks like mama and I look like papa" he told me.
"Oh...I didn't know that..."I said. I didn't know who I looked like and I didn't care. I heard the hurt in his voice but I didn't push it. If he wanted to tell me he would.
By the end of the day we had made a decent amount of money. I gave some to Shigure for letting us have the sale there and he told me to keep it. It was nice having people come around to buy 'Tohru's good food'. I saw Yuki roll his eyes at him.
Yuki and Momiji walked me home.
"Miss Kobiyashi, is something wrong?" Yuki asked.
I sighed. "I feel guilty for all the times you and Tohru have to help me. When I first got here I was just a 'dumb American' that knew nothing of my culture or heritage and here I am now in the 7th grade and again I feel like a 'dumb American' who knows more about her culture and heritage but I feel like I'm missing something, something important..like a boyfriend or a father...something. I couldn't ask for a better older brother than you" I told him.
He stopped me. "Miss Kobiyashi, don't rush into life. Don't rush into getting a boyfriend, boys from like Momiji and I are hard to come by. The polite ones that will take the time to make you feel like a princess or a queen is the type of guy that you want. Not one that will rush you into becoming a woman. What you are doing is turning into a fine lady through Keesa's guidence" he told him.
I sighed. I wanted to hug him and have him hold me but I knew I couldn't, it was forbidden and yet I still didn't know why.
"What's really wrong Jade?" Momiji asked.
I had them both go inside with me and I noticed Keesa wasn't home yet which I was relieved.
"What's really wrong you ask? I want to know something but I don't want anything to change our relationship because I like knowing you" I told them.
They both looked at each other like they already knew what I was going to ask.
"If you want to know that, you have to ask Aikto. We aren't allowed to talk about it" Momiji told me.
"What are you talking about? I just wanted to know why Kyo is such an ass and what his problem is. I remember when I went off on him and I was hoping to apologize to him but I didn't see him today" I asked them.
I saw them both sigh in relief.
"I wouldn't worry about Kyo, Miss Kobiyashi...he's a stupid cat needs to be put in his place once in a while. He's fine. He holds nothing against you especially when Miss Honda and I explained why you did what you did" he told me.
"He's in the mountains again, hiding from Kagura" Momiji told me.
"Who's Kagura?" I asked. "And don't you dare say never mind to me Yuki"
"She's Kyo's 'girlfriend' and she is very possessive" Momiji said.
I looked to Yuki who nodded that Momiji was telling the truth.
"Can I ask you both a question? It's something I've been interested in for a while"
They nodded.
"How do you know your chinese zodiac? I'm guessing Yuki, you are the rat, Kyo is the cat, and Momiji I have no idea what you are, or Shigure, or Hatori, or your Kisa, or Kagura..."
"How about we discuss this another time. It's about time your Keesa came home and we should go" Yuki told me.
I nod. "Promise to tell me next time?" I asked him.
"I promise. Come over any time Miss Kobiyashi" Yuki told me smiling.
I promised I would and went back inside. Something didn't feel right but I wasn't sure what it was. I was scared and that's all I knew.