*Author's note: Hi everybody! Hope you're all doing well! Gotta say, I was pleasantly surprised at the immediate and highly positive response to the prologue. I am thrilled so many of you are excited for this story! I can only hope I can deliver on your expectations (no pressure, right? LOL), but I'm going to do my best! :)

Before we get started, I wanted to point out a couple of things to keep in mind while reading this story, whether as a new reader (welcome!) or as a refresher for returning readers (welcome back!). I'm probably worrying too much but there is a lot of moving parts here so I didn't think it would hurt to include some notes:

At the beginning of this series Tohru never meets up with Kureno after New Year's. Therefore, she never learns about his curse or about Akito's background. Because of this EVERYTHING from that point on plays out differently…

THIS story takes place roughly five years after graduation. We are officially in whole new territory baby! :D

I have not read Fruits Basket: Another. Although much like Tyrion Lannister, I drink and I know things… A handful of minor details does not a story make however, so I am not even going to attempt to squeeze this plot into an "Another" sized box.

Finally, I decided I'm only going to make this statement once in this piece to get it out of the way and hopefully never again—nope, I don't own any part of Fruits Basket, just the original content to which I will be subjecting you to (God help us all) :D

And that's it, thank you for your time and attention…on to the story!

P.S. As always, music remains impactful in my writing process. Not sure if anyone ever bothers even looking at the "muse tunes" section I usually put at the top (and honestly its fine if you don't) but I've always for some reason enjoyed sharing these little tidbits so here you go for the first chapter: "In the Sky" by Masaru Yokoyama, "I had a Destiny" by Alan Silvestri, "Forces" by Jill Andrews, "Frequent Thing" by Thomas Newman

CHAPTER 1 – Welcome back, Honda!

"Miss Tohru! Miss Tohru! Tell us a story!"

"Yeah, I want to hear one too!"

"Girls! I've already told you a story today. Multiple in fact."

"Please Miss Tohru, just one more please!"

Tohru Honda giggled as she looked down at the two little scamps clinging to her legs. At four and six respectively, Chiyo and Aiko were quite the dynamic duo when they wanted something. Her soft heart was no match for their wide eyes and hopeful smiles. Sighing dramatically, Tohru set down the pairing knife in her hand and stepped away from the kitchen counter to lean in closer to their level.

"Okay, but just a quick one, then its upstairs to get cleaned up for supper. Understood?"

"Yaaaaay!" Both kids cried as they zoomed into the next room, Tohru following just behind them. All three of them curled up on the couch there, the girls snuggling into Tohru's sides.

"So which story should I tell you, let's see…hmm…" she began pressing a finger to her lips in thought. After a moment she clapped her hands to together and crowed, "Oh, I know!" as she beamed down at them, her eyes dancing with excited anticipation.

"Once upon a time, God made an invitation to the animals. God said, I'm holding a banquet tomorrow and you're all invited to come—"

"That was nice of God," Chiyo piped in her tiny voice.

"Yes it was, wasn't it Chi?" Tohru replied, earning a huge smile from the little girl.

"The rat, who was mischievous and loved to play pranks, said to his neighbor the cat,

'Hold on good sir, have you heard the news? The banquet is actually the day after tomorrow.'

"The cat, grateful to his neighbor said,

'Why thank you good sir, you've saved me great sorrow.'"

Tohru paused as the girls broke into a fit of giggles over the silly voices she used for both the cat and the rat's parts. When they got ahold of themselves, she continued on.

"On the day of the banquet the rat rode on the ox's back, then leapt easily down to arrive first at their destination. After him was the ox, then the tiger, the rabbit and all the rest of the animals…and they feasted merrily until dawn…all of them, that is, except for the cat—"

"Poor little kitty!" Chiyo cried.

"I know, right?" Tohru commiserated. "That part always made me so sad."

"Is that why you have that painting in your room? I mean, that's what it is, isn't it…the Zodiac banquet?" Aiko asked curiously.

"Yes, that's right! I'm impressed you could tell what it was Aiko. I'm not a very good painter."

"You painted it?" Aiko's eyes went wide in surprise.

"Mm. I thought, even if the cat never got the chance to go to the banquet in the tale, at least in my painting he was there, having fun with all the rest of the animals."

"I like your ending better, Miss Tohru," Chiyo chirped.

"I do too, Chi," Tohru agreed, giving her small shoulders a quick squeeze.

"Miss Honda." All three heads snapped up at the new voice to see the mistress of the house standing in the doorway. "A word please."

"Okay…but what about—"

"The girls will be just fine with their brother," the woman replied as she gestured to a second figure she hadn't even seen leaning against the wall. Tohru's mouth snapped shut and she stood hastily, smoothing out the fabric of her skirt as she politely followed the now retreating figure of her employer. As she passed the oldest of the Yamada children, Mitsuo, he sent her a smirk that sent a chill down her spine. She had never liked the man. He was only a few years younger than her, but he acted more the spoiled child than either of his younger sisters ever could. She counted it as lucky he was usually away at college.

A few moments later Tohru found herself stepping into the Yamada's intimidating study. She usually didn't have any reason to be in here unless it was to clean or to provide Mr. Yamada tea when he was working from home, but he wasn't there now. In fact, if she recalled correctly, he was away on a business trip for the next few days. Mrs. Yamada walked across the room, not to the desk but to the pair of loveseats that were situated in front of the fireplace.

"Please have a seat," she said politely, gesturing to the seat across from her as she gracefully sank onto the lavishly upholstered couch.

Tohru approached cautiously, her mind spinning with curiosity at what this could possibly be about. Mrs. Yamada was a formidable-looking woman, always immaculately groomed and dressed in the latest designer-ware. The effect, though very pretty, coupled with her mannerisms had a tendency to give her a look of severity and today was no exception. She tried to get a read on her employer's mood but her inscrutable expression and politely folded hands gave away nothing beyond the usual icy mask. So, she simply sat and tried not to be too unnerved by the way the older woman eyed her, as if searching for something.

"You've been working for us now for about a year and half now, isn't that right Miss Honda?" Mrs. Yamada began.

"Um…yes, that's right," Tohru replied with a smile.

"And in that time you've proven yourself an efficient and diligent housekeeper, a fine cook, and even an impromptu nanny whenever its called for. The girls love you…Kami knows what we would have done without you when they both had the chicken pox…and even my husband has grown attached to your…odd ways. If nothing else you've always been polite and professional, which is a rare and valuable asset in a young person these days…" Tohru brightened at the praise, but Mrs. Yamada was not finished. Not at all. "Which is why, I'm sure you will understand, it was such a blow to learn about your ill treatment of my Mitsuo. Oh yes, I have heard all about how you aggressively and repeatedly propositioned my eldest son."

By the end of the woman's statement the middle-aged matron's expression had changed from one of placid passivity to cold, hardened lines. Tohru wasn't quite sure what her own face was doing right now at the unveiling of this accusation but internally she was horrified.

"W-what? But I would never—" Tohru croaked out past the sudden lump in her throat.

"Are you calling my son a liar, Miss Honda? He was nearly in tears when he finally confessed it all to me last night," the woman spat, glaring at her as if she were a fly she wanted to swat, but only for a fleeting moment. A second later she pulled herself together and sniffed the air as if she smelled some passing, foul stench. "If nothing else that alone would be grounds for termination. I might have reconsidered given my daughters' love for you but as a Mother I cannot condone exposing them to such a role model. Nor can I in good conscience refer you to any other family of standing."

Once again Tohru snapped her mouth shut as she stared at Mrs. Yamada, taking in the regal posture and fiery stare of the older woman. It took only a moment to realize she'd lost the battle before it'd even begun. She had only her word as evidence of her innocence, which was pretty much worthless when Mrs. Yamada had quite obviously made up her mind about her guilt. Knowing there was only one thing left to do, Tohru straightened her spine and jutted her chin out in a small act of defiance.

"When would I have to be out of my room by?" she asked in a soft, clear voice.

Mrs. Yamada hesitated at Tohru's response. "I will give you until this time tomorrow but no more than that…and you're to keep to your apartments while you're still on the property, effective immediately. If you've forgotten any personal belongings in the main house, you can have a maid fetch it down to you. That is all."

Tohru nodded and stood to leave but stopped at the door and turned back to look at the matron over her shoulder. "Would I be able to say goodbye to Aiko and Chi before I leave?"

"That would be wholly unnecessary, Miss Honda. I will convey your regrets to them myself," Ms. Yamada replied stiffly.

Tohru nodded again and left the study without another word. As soon as she was out in the foyer, she saw Mitsuo once again leaning against the wall across from her, obviously waiting for her with an all-too-knowing smirk on his face. She tried to pretend he wasn't there but as soon as she turned to walk away he bounded after her.

"Didn't I tell you that you would regret it?" he murmured, tugging playfully at a strand of her hair. When she stiffened at his words and the unwanted contact he chuckled with obvious amusement at her discomfort. "Shoulda' just let me have my way, Honda," he threw over his shoulder as he walked away.

Needing no further incitement to leave, Tohru grabbed her purse and fled across the Yamada's property to the little apartment she kept over the garage. It was barely more than a room but it had a bathroom and a kitchenette and had come fully furnished, which was more than enough for her. Or it least it was, she thought gloomily as she let herself in and immediately flopped down on her bedroom floor. Now that she was alone, she finally allowed a few tears to slip down her face unheeded before she roughly brushed them away.

It had been a long time since she'd felt this angry or frustrated. Working for the Yamada's hadn't always been easy, but she would've thought after more than a year and a half Mrs. Yamada would've known her better than that, or her own son for that matter. To think that she would be so vindictive about it too. She doubted Mr. Yamada would've believed it for a second but he wasn't there…which probably just made it easier for the woman to get rid of her.

Now, not only had she lost her position but her living situation as well. At least I won't have all that much to move, she thought dejectedly as she looked at her surroundings until her eyes landed on the painting hung on the wall across from her depicting God's banquet. She let out a watery chuckle at the sight of the blobs in the center representing the zodiac animals, the cat at the very heart of the group. How Aiko ever guessed what it was truly was beyond her. Pulling herself back up off the ground, she crossed the room to take it off the wall when she stopped and soaked in one last time, all the bits and pieces of her life spent here in this place. On the table under the painting was a line of pictures prominently displayed. There was Mom of course, a snapshot of her and the girls at last year's festival, and even one of her and her two best friends in their high school uniforms. On the wall to her left was a number of stick-figure crayon drawings gifted to her by the girls and on the far side of the room her modest collection of art supplies. A half-finished canvas sat on the easel by the window, most likely never to be completed. Tohru sighed. With what little time and resources she had to move on such short notice, there would be a lot of things she would end up having to give up in the name of mobility.

Where was she even going to go?

Thanks to her frugal spending habits she had enough savings to keep her for a while but with no job and no prospects on the horizon there really wasn't anywhere left for her in this part of the world. That's when her eyes stopped on the letter laying on top of her dresser and an idea popped into her head. A jolt of sudden excitement had her crossing the room in three long strides to grab up the envelope and slide out the crisp, filigree-lettered stationary to peak at the now familiar message:

You're Invited

to the wedding of

Saki Hanjima & Enrico Graziano De Contarini III

June 2nd at 3:00pm JST

Celebration to Follow

Hanajima's wedding was in a little over a month. Her original plan had been to arrive in Tokyo the week before but now…Before she could think too far ahead, Tohru pulled out her phone and started a new message.

Today, 5:25pm

T: Hi Uo-chan, Hana-chan! What would you think about me arriving in town a little early?

…..

H: We would be delighted to see you whenever you choose to come, dear Tohru.

…..

U: What Hanajima said. So, what's the deal, Tohru? When should we start looking for you?

Hmm, that's a good question, Tohru thought. Thankfully she already had a storage space she rented here that she could put most of her belongings in until she figured things out…but she would still need a little time to prepare before she could get on a train.

Today, 5:28pm

T: Monday?

U: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

H: ^

Tohru laughed at their response even as tears clouded her eyes. After such a terrible day it was nice to know someone out there loved her truly and unconditionally as she was.

When she left Tokyo four years ago, she thought it was for the best. A fresh start away from the ghosts. Away from the unanswered questions. Away from all the reminders that she was little better than a shattered porcelain doll pieced back together. Then Grandpa had passed away very suddenly and her aunt and uncle had made it clear how very little they wanted to do with her from that point on. Just like that, the last connections to her family were gone and Tohru was left with nothing and no one except for her two best friends.

Even if the thought of being far away from them left her feeling heartbroken and empty, deep down she thought, 'Anything would be better than this,' and in some ways it had been. If she hadn't gone, she probably would never have finally come to terms with…everything.

Now though, with the appeal of adventure having long since worn off and with nothing but a string of dead-end jobs left to show for it, she was just tired. The truth was at the grand age of twenty-three she was feeling more lost than she ever had in her life, like there was some pertinent piece of herself that had been missing for the last five years. She had never wanted a shiftless existence. Never thought she asked for more than what she could earn herself through hard work and a sunny disposition. In the Yamada's she though she found a situation that suited her, and it all ended before she even knew what was happening. Now perhaps, with that part of her life coming to a close, was the time to return to her roots. And if nothing else, she couldn't think of anywhere else she'd rather be right now than at the center of an Uo/Hana sandwich.

Decision made, Tohru moved into action, knowing she was short on time but genuinely excited for the first time in forever. It was time to go home.

It took Tohru far into the night to finish but finally, just shortly after dawn she packed what was left of her personal belongings into a waiting cab and left the Yamada household for good. Looking back at the house one last time, still and quiet against the dim early-morning light, she knew there would be no goodbyes or second glances and she was okay with that.

Before she knew it the weekend passed in a flurry of planning and finalizing any loose ends and she was on her way, speeding towards Tokyo for the first time in years. The train ride was long but largely uneventful which gave her plenty of time to sit and think. She was excited at the prospect of seeing Uo and Hana again. Thrilled to be included in the celebration of such a major life event. Nervous about what the future might bring, but also comforted by the idea she would once again be surrounded by people who truly cared for her well-being without judgement or pity.

She was curious, too, about the groom, whom she hadn't had a chance to meet as of yet. Tohru smiled at the idea of her most enigmatic friend being the first of the three of them to get married, and to a foreigner no less. Who would have thought! Uotani had been with her boyfriend so much longer, but the blonde seemed to be in no rush to get married. As long as both her friends were happy, that's all Tohru cared about, and they were if their messages were any indication to go by.

She was so engrossed in her thoughts that when her phone went off Tohru nearly jumped out of her skin. When she looked at the offending piece of technology, she couldn't help the wide smile that split her face to see a message from Uotani:

U: Hi Tohru, just checking in to see how everything's going. What time does your train get in again? Do you want us to pick you up or just meet you at the café?

…..

T: Hi Uo-chan, everything's going just fine! My train will be getting in just before noon but please don't worry about picking me up. I'd like to go get settled in at the rental place first. I'll meet you at the café later, OK?

…..

U: Sounds great Tohru. See you soon! xo

Tohru sighed happily as she put away her phone to stare out at the passing countryside and daydream about the impending reunion with her friends. Soon enough she was standing on the platform taking in the Tokyo skyline with starry eyes. It had been so long since the last time. So long since she'd said goodbye…

But she refused to think of such sad things now. This trip would be all about celebrating.

In short order, Tohru hailed a cab and was on her way to what would be her home for the next month. The Hanajima's had offered to let her stay with them, but Tohru had been insistent that she would get her own place. They would already have so much going on with wedding preparations, she would just end up being under foot there. Besides, a month was really too long to ask anyone to put her up. Instead, she opted for a long-term vacation rental that had been surprisingly affordable. In all honesty she'd been lucky to find one available on such short notice. Yet not only had she found one it had been just about perfect…right there in her old neighborhood, with all the amenities she could possibly need, AND it was pretty cute if the pictures were anything to go by!

In the end the reality was…not quite as cute, but it was clean and everything important appeared to work. That was all she could really ask for.

Tohru made the most of the time she had before she knew she would need to head to the café where she would be meeting up with the girls. She unpacked, made up a grocery list for later and even gave the kitchen a good once over. Somewhere in the back of her head she knew she was just fidgeting but really, if the time went by any slower it would be going backwards!

Eventually she decided to go ahead and head out despite it still being a little early. The café was pretty close by, so to kill time and save money she decided to walk the distance. Maybe she would window shop on the way…or…oh, I know! When she had passed this way earlier in the cab, she remembered seeing they had built one of those big home stores with a garden center down the street. Maybe I can find some nice congratulatory flowers for Hana-chan!

That's how she found herself wandering wide-eyed and lost through what had to be the biggest store she'd ever stepped foot in. The place was massive! It reminded her a little of a scene in a movie she remembered seeing once, where they were moving some ancient artifact through a giant warehouse filled with rows upon endless rows of boxes. That's what this place reminded her of. How did anyone ever find their way around? Tohru's head tilted back and back and back even further as she tried to see where the tall shelving on either side of her ended. If you got caught in an avalanche of those boxes somewhere in the back of the store, what are the chances someone would find you before you either suffocated or starved to death? Oh look! I didn't even notice there were signs, though…none of them appear to be helpful at a—oof!

Tohru bounced off of something solid and warm in front of her headfirst. She would've lost her balance too, if it wasn't for a pair of strong hands instantly steadying her. Realizing that it was a person she'd run into, Tohru automatically launched into a round of frantic bows and apologies.

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! I really should be paying more attention but I've never been in this store before and I got too caught up at looking at the signs to remember to look where I was going and I—um—so sorry sir, and please forgive my presumption but do you happen to know where the garden center is?"

Thank God her mouth was running on autopilot today because the only thing that was going through her head once she got a good look at the guy she ran into was whoa. Followed swiftly by supreme embarrassment, which likely contributed to the current tomato quality of her face.

It didn't help that her unintentional victim had been standing there staring at her like she'd lost a few marbles. When she finally finished rambling he didn't speak but simply gestured to his left with a jab of a thumb. A smile flashed across her face, bright as sunshine, as she bowed again to him in gratitude. "Thank you! Thank you so much for your help…and sorry again about before. Running into you I mean. Please excuse me."

Great. I've only just arrived in town and I'm already tripping over my own two feet…how embarrassing! Tohru thought as she booked it out of there as fast as she could. But man was it worth it, her subconscious added, making her color slightly at the direction of her wayward thoughts. It wasn't every day she literally ran into an attractive man and that one had been drop dead gorgeous! Easy girl, we're here for Hana-chan not to ogle cute boys, she reminded herself.

Tohru's eyes lit up a moment later when she turned the corner and finally saw her target destination dead ahead. A wide grin spread across her face. Jackpot. Not only cute but helpful too. Thank you, Mr. Handsome, Tohru's subconscious added as she entered the garden center with a happy bounce in her step. Now, what kind of flowers should she get Hana-chan? There were so many to choose from! But, hmm…mostly potted. She hadn't really thought of that. Would her friend want a potted plant or maybe it would be asking too much to care for when she was certain to be busy with wedding preparations? They do have some fresh cut roses by the register, but they look kind of wilted. I'm not sure roses are quite what I'm looking for anyway…

Tohru was overwhelmed, where to start? As she walked and browsed the flowers on display, she ran her fingertips across the surface of the nearest table. She wished she'd taken the time to study hanakotoba. She'd always wanted to but never had the time. It would've sure come in handy right about now. Maybe she was making too much of a simple choice but there was so much to select from! Perhaps if she started here and made her way…to the…back…Tohru froze when she turned down the next aisle and caught sight of Mr. Handsome browsing at a table at the opposite end. For a moment she internally panicked. Had he followed her in here? Oh no, maybe she'd truly offended him earlier! That notion was quickly dismissed once she realized he wasn't even looking this way.

As the pair of them discretely circled one another in the guise of shopping, Tohru tried to surreptitiously steal glances at him out of the corner of her eye. A quick peek here, a fleeting look there, but apparently subtlety wasn't her strong suit. He knew it too if the slight smirk on his face was anything to go by. It was annoying. And distracting.

Get yourself together Tohru! Remember: Hana-chan. Flowers. The reminder helped. At least that's what she told herself when she was suddenly at the same display, trying not to stare at him across a sea of perennials. It wasn't just due to his handsome face either. He was tall, she noted. Well above average. Lean, yet deliciously muscled in the way that only truly athletic people were. For the first time in a very long time she wished she could tell what his hair and eye color were. She couldn't say why. Perhaps because they didn't seem dark enough to be one of the more common shades.

Oh, and now he's noticed you staring Tohru, quick! Say something so it's not totally weird.

"Mother of girlfriend?" she blurted than inwardly winced. Yes, because that's so much better, she thought sarcastically. He's going to think you're a nut job! As if to prove her point the guy blinked at her as if startled by the sudden question.

"What?" Mr. Handsome uttered in obvious confusion.

"I-I'm sorry, You looked like you were having a hard time deciding, I thought maybe a second opinion might help? You aren't wearing a wedding ring so I thought the likely prospect for flowers must be Mother or girlfriend…or sister! Or Aunt or—"

"I get it!" He barked, cutting her off, then immediately looked contrite at his outburst. "And the answer is none of the above," he added with a small, apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry! That was rude of me, I shouldn't have assumed you were shopping for anyone in particular…"

"No, it's fine…I'm actually shopping for a client," he replied.

"Oh, I see! So…you're a gardener?"

"Nah, just a handyman."

"That sounds quite…handy!" Tohru replied energetically, and then instantly blushed again in embarrassment. What was she, five? And yet a miracle happened.

Mr. Handsome suddenly broke into a chuckle which quickly grew into full blown laughter. Whoa. She didn't think what she said was so funny but the change that came over his face as he laughed was startling.

"And what about you. Irises?" he retorted, gesturing the plant in question.

Tohru looked down at the flowerpot she was clutching and back at him with confusion.

"What's wrong with irises?"

"Nothing. You just seem more like a sunflowers kind of girl. Or daisies or something."

Tohru's eyes widened in surprise. "Why do you say that?" She asked softly.

"Uh…just a hunch?" He muttered, looking incredibly uncomfortable.

Tohru could feel a slow, teasing smile pull at the corner of her lips. "I wasn't aware it was possible to tell a person's favorite flower just by looking at them. Is there a trick to it?"

"What? No! You're…I mean, you just seemed like…uh…

Tohru giggled. "They're for a friend of mine who's getting married. I was on my way to meet her when I saw this place. We haven't seen each other for a long time so I thought flowers might be a nice surprise."

"Oh. Well that makes sense," he said with obvious relief.

"Though I didn't really think about the fact the flowers here would all be potted. Silly I know."

"I wouldn't say that. Besides, wouldn't a live plant be more meaningful…I mean, they'll live longer, right?"

"I hadn't really thought if that way. Thank you!"

"I saw some pretty nice-looking planters for sale over there too if you want something a little bit more presentable than what it comes in," he added, eyeing the plant in her hand once again.

"That's a wonderful idea. If you wouldn't mind showing the—"

"WAIT!"

Everything after that seemed to happen in slow motion. Tohru had already started walking in the direction he had pointed when he called out to her. She had only just stepped out in front of an aisle on her righthand side when she saw the forklift headed straight for her. Naturally, she froze in horror at the sight, only to be yanked back and spun into a firm body by a pair of strong arms. The force of it momentarily knocked the breath out of her, but then suddenly she was surrounded by warmth. So much warmth, and the scent of fresh laundry, trees and sunlight. She could feel him trembling which seemed out of place until she realized that the thundering sound against her ear was his heart pounding wildly in his chest. How fast it was beating too! Then again, so was hers after nearly being steam-rolled. Being pressed so tightly against him was not helping her to calm down either. She didn't know how long she stood there clinging to him. Time seemed to become irrelevant with his arms wrapped so tightly around her.

When Tohru finally looked up into his face to thank him she was surprised when his eyes widened with some inexplicable emotion. He looked almost…struck. Without warning he took a hasty step back, letting go of her so quickly she nearly toppled over.

"Are you alright?" he asked in a husky voice, barely even looking at her now.

"Yes, I think so. I don't know how to thank you—"

"Don't worry about it."

Tohru's brow scrunched in confusion. Had she said something wrong? She opened her mouth to try again when they were interrupted by the forklift driver who was extremely apologetic. The poor kid was so remorseful for the incident that he insisted on paying for the little iris plant that was now a bit dented. When he took it from her and ran off to "fix it up" whatever that meant, she turned back to make a comment about his enthusiasm to Mr. Handsome when she realized he was gone. Eyebrows going up in surprise, Tohru quickly looked around the store and then walked over to the exit to peek out into the street. Nothing. It was like the man disappeared into thin air. Or had never existed at all. For reasons she couldn't comprehend the very thought made her shiver. Whatever happened it didn't change the fact that the man was gone. How odd! Mr. Handsome was turning out to be a real mystery. If only she would have the chance to puzzle him out, but in a city as big as Tokyo it was unlikely they would ever meet again.

Why did the thought make her heart ache?

*Author's Notes: And there we have it folks! The beginning of phase II has commenced!

I am going to do my best to keep everyone as much in character as I can but considering this version of the cast have matured and under slightly different life experiences than their original entailed, I personally feel some adjustments here and there would only be natural. That is not to say it is better or worse, just different. You can take that how you will. We are just getting started :)