Yes I know lots of you probably hate me for having such a loooooooong absence. Don't worry I hate myself too. School kept me busy most of the time and now that I'm on summer break I kept procrastinating in coming back and finishing. And when I felt like writing, I lost the motivation. But I hate leaving things unfinished so this story will get finish. I promise you that. Okay let's continue with chapter 46.

"Oh Yuki-kun I didn't know you were here," Tohru said as normal as possible. She didn't want to ask but had no choice. "Um were you listening to your conversation?" she asked almost in a whisper.

"Hmm? I didn't hear anything," Yuki half-lied. He actually heard the entire conversation and didn't know what to make of it whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.

"Ah then never mind," Tohru breathed a sign of relief and relaxed a little bit.

"So what brings you here Yuki-san?" Megumi asked politely but a tad harshly.

"I could ask you the same thing," Yuki said with a smirk. "Bu-"

"Onee-chan!" Kisa said out of nowhere as she rushed up to hug Tohru.

"Ah Kisa-chan, it's so nice to see you!" Tohru said happily as she hugged back.

"My turn!" Momiji said practically jumping onto Tohru. "I missed you Tohru!" he said rubbing his cheek against hers.

Megumi was steaming with jealousy but just grit his teeth and grunted instead.

"Psh, you're not alone," Hiro said crossing his arms and leaned back.

"Momiji don't jostle Miss Honda so much," Yuki commanded.

"But I haven't seen her in a looooooooooong time!" Momiji whined and cried fake tears. He looked at Tohru with puppy eyes hoping for comfort.

Tohru couldn't help but smile because it had been awhile. She hasn't seen the rest of the Sohmas ever since her 'mizuage' with Kyo.

"Gomen but I have been busy," Tohru replied rubbing Momiji's hair.

"Ano Tohru-sa-" Megumi began.

"Miss Honda may I have a word with you?" Yuki asked politely. He was motioning to go on the other side of the bath for a private talk or so it seemed.

"Uh, um…." Tohru stuttered but saw Yuki already making his way to the other side of the bath.

Obviously she had no choice and followed. She looked back at Megumi and mouthed the word 'Gomen.' Megumi bit his lip out of frustration but just gave a small smile but then got distracted with Momiji, Hiro and Kisa.

While Megumi was playing as the babysitter for the Sohma kids, (except for Momiji since he was an adult and yet he stilled acted like he was 5) it was just Tohru and Yuki alone on the other side. The baths were pretty much quiet since there was practically nobody around.

"So uh Yuki-kun, what brings you here coincidentally?" Tohru asked nervously. Her heart was beating fast as she was still worrying if Yuki heard or not the conversation. But she had to say something seeing how she couldn't handle silence for long.

"Seeing how the war is starting to kick in my father, Hatori-san, and everyone else have been busier with their businesses. Many stores have been closing except for most of the Sohma's shops and such but we're still on our toes in staying open. But basically I decided to take off from helping my father and offered to watch some of the kids," Yuki explained.

"I wouldn't call Momiji a kid though," Tohru said with a small laugh.

Yuki let out a chuckled himself. "And yet he acts like one though. Luckily Kisa and Hiro are much quieter."

Both shared another small laugh that is until it was silent once again. Great, just great.

"Um ano…" Tohru began.

"Actually I wanted to talk about the mizuage," Yuki practically blurted out.

Tohru started to panic a bit. What if he knew the actual truth? Would her turn her in? She didn't want to think of the consequences. Like would she have to return the money? Would it make hers and Hana's hard work be for nothing? What if, what if?

Yuki just stared strangely at Tohru's freaked out look but gave her a reassuring smile. "I just wanted to know what day would be the best time for it. I've been told it should be next week but if you have other engagements to attend to, then I don't mind doing it another time."

Tohru breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't know right? Thank goodness.

"N-n-n-no I think I'm pretty much free next week. Hana-chan decided to give me a week off anyways."

"Sounds good. How about next Friday then?" Yuki asked.

"I'd love to!" Tohru blurted out sounding eager. If she kept this act going, she would probably do something even stupider, so she bit her lip to refrain from saying weird things.

"Also I wanted to discuss what you wanted to do that day as well," Yuki said.

"I don't mind what we do. Just spending time with Yuki-san is enough," Tohru said with one of her goofy smiles.

Yuki blushed lightly but refrained from doing any further action. Although he couldn't help but stare at Tohru's figure in the water. She was growing up and had matured more on the physical side if you get what I mean. He was obviously falling in love with Tohru faster that he would imagine. Still he was able to keep his 'cool' self.

"Well that makes it more difficult for me," Yuki said with a grunt. "But I think I'll come up with something."

Tohru just nodded and smiled. But before she could say anything Megumi came to the bath.

"Ano sorry to interrupt but it's getting late Tohru-chan," Megumi said.

"Oh I guess it is," Tohru said as she was getting out. "I guess I'll see you next Friday then Yuki-kun."

Yuki just nodded but couldn't say anything as Momiji and the rest came in to bid their goodbyes.

"Awwww I wanted to talk to Tohru some more," Momiji whined. "I never get to see her!"

"Quit crying you big baby. It's not like she's your wife or anything," Hiro grunted.

"Then I guess I'll marry her!" Momiji said with determination. "But when I'm a bit older though. You'll marry me right Tohru? Huh, huh?"

Tohru just smiled because she didn't know how to reply. Luckily Kisa made a comment instead.

"Onee-chan, let's play again sometime okay?"

"I want to play with Tohru toooo!" Momiji said with excitement.

"Of course," Tohru said. "We'll all play when I have a free day alright?"

Kisa just beamed with made Hiro steam with jealousy.

How does an airhead like her make Kisa smile like that! Arghh it's no fair! Hiro screamed in his mind.

"Well I'll see you guys later. Bye bye!" Tohru said as everyone waved goodbye.

"Uwah I'm sorry Megumi-chan! But I didn't expect to see everyone here especially Yuki-kun!" Tohru said as the twosome walked home since it wasn't too far to get to there.

"No worries. But I sense that your conversation with Yuki-san was getting nowhere so it was my cue to rescue you," Megumi said with a smile.

"Ah arigato for you help. It was true, I didn't know what to say because I was still worried if he heard our conversation or not!" Tohru exclaimed. "Demo what I said earlier about you know with Kyo and the mizuage part, please don't tell Hana-chan. She doesn't know that I'm still uh you know..."

"A virgin?" Megumi asked. Tohru just blushed and nodded.

Megumi gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry I won't say a thing."

"Arigato Megumi-chan!" Tohru said giving him a quick hug.

"No problem. I'm glad to be some help to you," Megumi said softly as they entered Hana's house. You could tell that he was happy that Tohru was able to trust him enough to share that kind of secret.

"Oh Tohru-chan, back so soon?" Hana asked when the two took off their shoes. "I thought I wouldn't see either of you tonight." She said this with a giggle but Tohru of course took it seriously.

"N-n-no you've got it all wrong!" Tohru said with a panic.

"No it was getting late so we decided to come home now. Plus we saw Yuki, Momiji, Kisa, and Hiro at the baths by coincidence," Megumi said calmly.

"Hm, oh really now? Anything interesting happened?" Hana asked as she sipped her tea.

Tohru shook her head. "Nothing really, except that I was talking to Megumi about the mizuage when Yuki showed up."

This made Hana choke a bit. "Wait he didn't hear anything did he?" Hana sputtered as Megumi patted her back softly so she'd stop choking.

"No I don't think so. He didn't seem to know what was going on," Tohru said. "So we're still okay."

"That's good to hear," Hana said. "We'll it is getting too late for you to go home so why don't you call Mayu-san or Kana-san and tell them that you'll be spending the night. You don't know how many creeps come out when the moon shines whether there's a war going on or now."

"Hai, I'll call them," Tohru said as she rushed to the nearest phone.

Hana waited until Tohru was out of the room before speaking up. "So how was the date with Tohru-chan?"

"Eh it was good. I had fun even though there was an interruption towards the end with the Sohmas," Megumi replied calmly.

Hana just nodded as she sipped her tea some more. "Well as long as you had fun, that's all that matters. But Megumi may I warn you that this is as far as you can go with Tohru-chan."

"I don't understand what you mean," Megumi said a tad harshly.

"You know what I mean. Geisha aren't allowed to be in love. So please, don't make the situation more complicated than it is. It'll just hurt you and Tohru-chan more."

Megumi just frowned and wrinkled his brow out of frustration. Of course he knew the situation but was it so wrong to admire the one he loved? But still, he never went against Hana's words.

"Hai, I understand," Megumi said softly.

"Good, I'm glad you do," Hana said as she started to walk away but then Megumi grabbed her sleeve.

"Demo…even if she can't return my feelings whether it's the rule of the geisha or not, isn't there any other way?" Megumi asked which almost sounded desperate.

Hana just chuckled at Megumi's pleas. "The only way is if you became her danna but that comes at an expensive price. Besides, people like Yuki-kun are eligible to be her danna already. She's becoming more and more famous by the second. Maybe the most famous geisha of all time…"

But Megumi wasn't listening. Danna hmm? So there is a way.

"Are you even listening?" Hana asked.

Megumi shook out all thoughts flowing through his mind. "Gomen but thanks for the advice. I'll turn in for the night now. Oyasumi Hana-chan."

"Goodnight to you as well," Hana said as Tohru returned.

"Ano I've gotten permission to spend the night here. Arigato for letting me stay here!" Tohru said with a formal bow.

"No need to bow Tohru-chan. Just get some sleep in the guest bedroom. There's a set of pajamas in there as well. You should know where it is," Hana said. "Well I'm getting tired as well so goodnight."

"Sweet dreams Hana-chan," Tohru said as she headed for the guest bedroom.

kimchee: Hmm rather short but hey, I'm getting somewhere finally.

Kyo: Well make it longer! Your readers are complaining that I'm not in the story enough. You're neglecting your characters!

Rin: As much as I despise Tohru, I'm starting to dislike you as well.

Akito: I sense lots of mishaps coming into the future

Ayame: Now, now no need to fret, the great Ayame is here to make up for lost times!

kimchee: Alright already, will you all just SHUT UP?? I'm aware of the negligence. But I'm doing the best I can. So chill and relax. You'll all get your time to shine. I'm just doing this chapter by chapter taking it slowly. Sound good?

Hatori: Well speed it up a bit or else someone's gonna end up in the hospital but if it means I'll be paid then I wouldn't mind.

kimchee: Alright I get it already. Well thanks to everyone who's been sticking with me this long. Sorry if my style of writing has changed a bit. I blame that I'm losing my writer's touch. But bear with me and keep in tune for the next chapter. Until next time!