#DISTORTED TIMELINE.|Dianne Simmon FB TL verse

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@kitxkatrp p l o t

The blonde had gotten confirmation from the boys that this was what they wanted. That they did not see themselves safe in the long run and were looking to get all three out. She was glad they seemed to agree on this, as she was worried that there was a chance that they wouldn't.

But then came the problem Yuki had mentioned prior, his mother.

Tohru's grandfather seemed to be losing his memory a bit at a time, but the reassurance of a comfortable place to live made it so that they were able to get the rights to her easily, they just needed to say the word. Kyo's guardian was quick to agree as well, only wanting him to stay there because of the other kids. He didn't exactly trust Shigure from the get-go, either-

Really shows his place in the family.

Yuki's mother instantly showed that she was going to put up a fight, which was expected. She already went about looking for any and all loopholes, laws, and truths within the family she could find. Most people agreed under the condition it was anonymous. She was able to make that work.

There was one more piece to the puzzle she wanted, though.

She was sure he hadn't heard yet, so her coming to him about it was sure to be a surprise. Everyone that's aware of the situation has been keeping quiet. After all, the last thing that was needed was for troublesome rumors to spread about such a large family.

She came to the shop, purse in hand which was filled with a number of papers. Dianne happily waved to Mine as soon as she entered, a soft smile on her face. "Good afternoon, Mine."

The blonde did her usual with the girl, speaking of several orders of hers and even placing another. But then she smiled, putting a finger up to her lips. "Is Ayame here? I need to speak to him about something important."

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"Yes, I do," She smiled sheepishly, admitting it, "It has been a few years since I did anything competitive, but I played pretty often for parties until a few months ago." It could be easy to figure out why she had to stop, though. . .

Her gaze went to Momiji, her smile softening. "That's understandable, the dress code isn't quite for everyone. Not everyone likes having to dress the exact same way no matter what. Perhaps casual competitions would be your thing, as they have a lighter dress code most of the time."

"You play music?" Yuki asked with some interest. Tohru definitely looked interested as well.

"That's so cool!" Momiji exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "I thought about trying out for band once. But their competitions have a strict dress code, and I don't like it."

Yuki sweatdropped. That was probably for the best. He could only imagine how Hatsuharu would react to Momiji being kicked out of band for a dress code issue--

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@kitxkatrp p l o t

Dianne had been busy, doing more tests for her father and doing some light paperwork for him so that he could have a break. No matter how tired she was, she always made sure she could at least get this done once a week. The things she was capable of so that her dad could get a break in between everything.

But then she noticed her phone going off.

Gazing over towards it, she took a shaky breath before looking to see if there was a contact name. There wasn't. This made her purse her lips, trying to figure out who it could be. But... No matter who it was...

She answered, putting the phone to her ear. "Good morning, this is Dianne Simmon. How can I help you?"

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@kitxkatrp from here

"It's alright, really." She didn't quite understand why he had suddenly tightened his grip. Perhaps her cough sounded worse than usual. . . She would have to ask her father about it later if that were the case.

But the mention of tea sounded nice to her, and a smile formed on her face. "That would be rather nice. It is the time of year for it, isn't it?" Besides, she could feel that her legs weren't quite happy with how long she had been up and about today. A short break was likely for the best. "There's a place nearby we can get some from, I go there all the time."

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@kitxkatrp asked: “ No need to get bloodthirsty over a bit of fun, is there? ” Shigure to Dianne The Weight of Expectation

"Bloodthirsty?" The woman looked back over toward him, not one inch of amusement on her face. Kyo had been able to help Tohru pack and get out of there as quickly as he could, leaving herself and Yuki to get the rest of the stuff. "Now, dear, if this is bloodthirsty, then you are surely covered head to toe at this point."

Despite her not really supposed to be carrying things, she was helping out with the lighter sets of items to get them to the staircase. That was where Kyo and Tohru were, after all... To be able to get it into the moving truck. It was annoying, but she knew there was little choice in the matter.

She motioned to Yuki to keep on going with a shoulder, before letting her glare toward Shigure become a bit more obvious. "Did you really think I was going to stand by and watch children be pawns in your game? They'll set themselves free, on their own terms."

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"Of course." She reassured them, on multiple fronts. But then she pulled out a couple business cards. "If you need me prior to our next meeting, contact me. No matter the hour, no matter what for, I will do my best to help you."

She never knew when, or now, Shigure may come to use them next. All she wanted to do, is keep them safe.

"There's something wrong with you in the head." Kyou grunted and turned to walk back up the steps. "Be careful on your way home."

Yuki sighed. "Don't mind him," he smiled. "We'll see you soon, right?"

Now whether or not this turned into them leaving this house...he wasn't sure.

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"I understand." She felt herself take a quiet breath of defeat. It had been like this for some time now, bouncing back and forth between many diets and levels of exercise. She knew that it would likely lead to another change, but there was little she could do. It just made it feel as if attempting to reverse the damage may never actually work the way her father hoped it would.

"I shall keep this in mind."

"While that's a good suggestion he made, it's pretty clear that it's not working," he pointed out, "so we have to make adjustments. We'll adjust it further for your energy level once we get you back to a healthy weight, okay? No amount of energy boost in the world is going to help you without enough strength to walk around."

People often had misconceptions that just because you were skinny you were healthy. That was far from the truth, and even many doctors refused to acknowledge that.

Hatori was not one of those doctors.

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The woman closed her eyes, if only for a quick moment, in the relief that she was able to get the girl out of the room. But then her attention snapped back to the other, a glare forming on her face. "I had told you my conditions in you visiting, and yet you still couldn't find it in you to not break the one rule that would get you kicked out on the spot. Are you really that upset at the fact that someone beat you at your own game, Shigure?"

She already knew the answer, and that was definitely so. A hand on her hip, she pursed her lips. "It's time for you to leave. You know as well as I that no matter how you go about it, the result will be the same."

Tohru was definitely uncomfortable, both at the way Shigure was acting, and the way Dianne was looking at him. It meant that something bad was likely to come out of this interaction, and that made her nervous.

After all, she still thought of Shigure so fondly...

"All right..." Tohru hesitated a moment before bowing to both her and Shigure and rushing off to Thoma's office.

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"That's good..." She was glad to hear that things seemed to be better for him with this new arrangement. "If you were to ever want for anything, I'm certain father would arrange a proper agreement of sorts." She wanted to make sure they were comfortable, but she knew they were at the age where they should likely have a set list of things to do in exchange for something that may be a bit more pricy.

Which was when she recalled a thought, perking up and gazing back over at the other. "That reminds me, Tohru had mentioned that you garden as a hobby, yes?" That was likely the one thing that wasn't quite up to his satisfaction, now that she thought about it. "I used to garden when I was younger, there is an unused plot of soil in the backyard if you would like to make use of it. It may need a bit of maintenance, though..."

"Everything is just fine, thank you." And it was nice having a room that was far away from Kyo's. He didn't need to know the moment when the other woke up in the morning for his jog, or hear the boards creak when he went to the bathroom in the middle of the night--

"...Honestly, I...haven't been able to breathe this freely in a while. I...was always under the fear that I might be stolen back to the Main House at any moment against my will...knowing that cannot legally happen now....makes me relieved."

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"I do apologize..." She forced up a sheepish smile onto her face. It felt, as of late, every time he came over he was only helping her out. She had been hoping to go out more and do things akin to when they first met. She knew she was getting worse, but she hated every moment of it...

"I could probably manage, yes..." She had just eaten a full meal before he got there, but she could likely eat a snack or something along those lines, right now... She already felt a bit hungry so it would work out well enough.

the bed feels so cold. (Dianne to Hatori, Timeline verse)

"I'm sorry, I'll turn on the heat." It wasn't the bed that was cold...it was her. She was having trouble regulating her body heat, likely due to how malnourished she was...

He wrapped her in a blanket and then went to turn the heat on. Anything to keep her warm...

"Do you think you might be able to eat something small?"

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It likely had been expected from anyone for Momiji to make a comment like that, especially considering Hatori's past. Kyo pulled his pants too far up having heard that, before moving to loosen them and pop his head out at Momiji. "What the hell's that about, Momiji?!"

"Ah . . ." Dianne found herself quiet, having not expected such a thing herself. She found herself staring down at her hands for a moment, before forcing her gaze back over toward Hatori. Distraction, perhaps a distraction will do better. . .

". . . Who wants to see the photo album?-" There were still many things that haven't been told yet, and it would serve the purpose well enough-

It was strange hearing his Brother referred to so fondly, but he couldn't deny that it settled a part of himself to hear it. Even of Ayame drove him absolutely nuts, it was nice to know that someone held affection for him truly.

Momiji popped up once more, fully clothed, and beamed. "Haari, how long are you gonna pretend she's not your girlfriend?"

Hatori pressed two fingers against his temples, trying to ward off the incoming headache. Technically she was now unconventionally his fiance, but....

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Kyo instantly felt panic reach his system, having been trying to reach out to catch the boy, but failing terribly. If anything, it caused him to fall, feeling shelf screech without meaning to- "FUCK-"

--POOF!

"MOMIJI!" Kyo hissed, looking at the other with daggers, "This is exactly what I meant!"

Dianne moved to get up as well, alongside Hatori. "Oh dear-" She could see the second child transform, having a feeling about where this was going. This was bad--

Unfortunately, Momiji was reckless at times, and though he appeared small, his weight was still significant compared to the branch....as he stretched his hand across to grab the beetle, the branch broke.

He cried out loudly, Hatori jumping to his feet as Momiji landed...right on Tohru, a poof occurring as he transformed into a yellow rabbit. "I'm so sorry, Tohru!" he cried out, trying to apologize.

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"I know, I'm aware. Perhaps I am doing far more than what a normal person would do." She spoke honestly, "But there is a certain duo that cares about all the children in the family, and they have taught me many lessons about life I'd never have learned otherwise. It's the least I can do."

To get Hatori free from that house... That work... She would die for it if she had to-

"Though, your mother sounds like quite a challenge." She found herself giggling, covering her mouth. "I'd love to have a chance to battle with her." Besides, something told her Ayame would be willing to help out with that...

"Look, I...don't really know why you're sticking your necks out for us, but don't get yourself fucking killed. That won't help anybody, you hear me?" Kyou crossed his arms over his chest.

"We'll think about it," Yuki interjected, "But Kyou's right. This seems like too much to ask of someone, and I'm concerned about the ramifications of that as well. My Mother would surely make your life difficult. She has a lawyer background, she is not someone you want to mess with."

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"I... I know." She took a quiet breath. "Akito is my greatest concern as well, but it will partially be what Shigure wants, in the long run. The only negative will be that he can't control you. But it means you'll be away from the head, out of mind. That is what I am looking to achieve."

She found herself with that sad smile again, moving her hand out and staring at it. "I don't mind standing up for you if that means keeping you safe. Legal loopholes are surprisingly easy to find, and becoming aware of them is something I've had to take up. Even if they did something to me, it would not matter. Because by then, you see, it will be far too late."

And if anything happened, she knew it was only fast-forwarding the unstoppable.

"Do not worry about me, simply make the choice out of what you see, and if you would find it to be a comfort. Nothing more." Her gaze went to Kyo. "You as well. If you need time to think about it, I would not blame you. All I ask is it to be considered."

"I don't know if that's safe on your end. The head of the family would never allow it." It was bad enough that Yuki was away from her and out of the main house. She had already proven that wasn't much of an obstacle to her though.

If there was anyone Yuki feared more than anyone, it was Akito.

"He'll...do anything. Akito will. I...don't know how much they've told you, but there is no defying Akito. If you stand up for us, something will happen to you and no one will be able to tie it back to the main house."

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"I'm glad that this is something the two of you can agree with." She found herself actually sighing in relief. "He uses whomever he can to get what he wants. And there is only one thing in this world he desires. He's already used many. Ayame, Hatori... Myself."

She huffed, steam rolling out of her nose for a moment, but she took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. "I am willing to step in and assist, but be aware that this is partially me being selfish, here." She closed her eyes, in thought. "I don't appreciate it when adults take advantage of children. I especially don't appreciate it when people act like they care about someone, only to leave them suffering." He could've done something, anything. Approached him, or tried to talk him out of it. He went to college for it and he did nothing!

"... If you allow, I will look through legal loopholes to get you out of that house. All three of you. But that is a choice you must make. I won't do it if you don't want me to."

"I see." Yuki wished he wasn't surprised. "..." Not for the first time, he was glad he happened to be here when Shigure discovered Tohru on Sohma land. There was no telling what he might've said or done to her when he wasn't around to stop it. "...I'll keep an eye on him. What do you plan to do?"

"Wait a second," Kyou clenched his jaw tight, keeping his voice low. "I don't give a shit what that man wants with me, but you think he could hurt Tohru?" There was rage flashing in those eyes of his. "I won't let him. I won't. If I find out he did anything to her..."

"For once I agree with you, Kyou."

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"I'm very well aware," Dianne mentioned, "The Sohmas are very popular here in Japan. It's a common subject people who gossip like to bring up."

But, her focus was moreso on Tohru. She felt her smile soften. "You're a very lovely person, you know that?" A quiet giggle emitted from her throat. "Father would dote on you to no end. I can see why it is that the Sohmas adore you so."

She reminded her of her youth before it had been yanked away.

"...Why...do I feel like I've heard that name somewhere?" Yuki was wracking his brain, but Kyou huffed.

"Yeah well, so what? We have money too," he huffed and crossed his arms. "Still doesn't change the fact she has terrible taste in friends, so what of it?"

Tohru was smiling as she sat back down properly. "Oh no, I wasn't saying anything like that! I just love meeting new people and making new friends." Tohru clasped her hands in front of her. "So many amazing people I've met...I really don't know how I could be more thankful."