Uncertainty -Completely Rewritten-

Chapter 6

Sage had work after school so she was getting back to the house pretty late. She always used to smoke on her way back home, it made her feel less anxious. Now, as she was hyper-aware of every step that sounded against the concrete she couldn't focus on what was in front of her.

She wasn't paying attention to the crosswalk light until she was suddenly pulled backward. Cars racing in front of her told her she could have become a statistic really fast.

Sage turned to see who had pulled her back. Sage knew this girl. She couldn't remember if it was just from school or not but she had straight black hair that was tied with a clip and bangs that hung nearly perfectly in front of her face.

"Machi," Sage said. She smiled. "Thank you"

Machi nodded, she wasn't super talkative.

"Are you headed home? I can walk you there?" Sage offered. Machi seemed surprised but she nodded, accepting the offer.

"That'd be nice," she said.

Sage nearly made a couple of wrong turns but it only seemed to cheer Machi up for reasons Sage either didn't know or couldn't remember.

Machi lived in a multi-housing building. From the size of the place and the way Machi dressed, she was able to assess that Machi lived alone.

Sage walked Machi up to the door and waited to make sure Machi got inside and locked her door.

"Bye," Machi said. Sage waved with a smile.

"Bye-bye!" Sage headed out once she was sure Machi was safe.

Once Sage made it back to the Sohma residence, everyone sat around the table. Sage was caught off-guard by Yuki, looking worried, taking her arms.

"Where were you?" He asked.

"I- I got off work and um- ran into a friend so I walked her home..." Sage didn't like spontaneous questions, and she didn't like being touched so suddenly either.

Yuki released her and seemed to realize the mistake.

"Sorry," he said.

"You were worried, it's okay"

"Sage, I have some news," Tohru said, she approached the blonde and Sage saw how the brunette forced a smile.

"My grandpa called and said the renovations are done. So we can move in with him" Tohru said.

"We...?" Sage asked.

"Grandpa said there was plenty of room for you as well. He insisted, really" Sage realized this would be for the best, that was why Tohru wasn't fighting this. She knew it'd be better this way.

"Well, that's great news, right?" Sage said. "I mean, it would be better for you three if a couple of girls weren't around anyway, right?"

"Sage-" Kyo cut himself off, not finding the right words.

"It's better like this. There's nothing else more to say, right?" Sage looked at Tohru who nodded but that was all.

---

They'd be leaving soon.

Sage had all her things packed up and the room Tohru and Sage shared now looked like any old spare guest room.

"Got everything?" Sage asked. Tohru nodded.

Sage picked up her bag with her clothes inside.

Tohru and Sage showed a knowing look. Neither of the two wanted to leave but they knew they had to.

Staying wasn't an option.

They knew the arrangements were only temporary so maybe they got comfortable too fast.