"Honda-san, I need to talk to you" Yuki began after they had settled into the taxi for the ride home. Dinner with Grandpa had turned out to be a pleasant surprise, and Tohru's head swirled with the events of the evening, making her feel a little giddy. Yuki didn't want to burst her bubble, but he felt the responsibility to keep her safe, and to give her the kind of life she deserved so he persevered. "Honda-s…I mean, Tohru" he corrected himself, and a crimson tone crept up his face as his called her by her name for the first time- they were engaged now, after all. He had better get used to it. The blush on Tohru's cheeks matched his at the sound of it. Even though hers was really a boy's name, it sounded lovely when Yuki said it. "That is", Yuki continued, "we have to keep our engagement a secret for now. We can't tell anyone- not yet". "Maybe not at all", Yuki thought this last part to himself, but didn't offer it out loud. Tohru looked at him with some surprise. She vaguely understood Yuki's concern because of Akito. She knew the story of Hatori and Cana, and its devastating outcome, but couldn't she at least tell Hana and Uo? This was after all, the happiest event of her life. "It's just that it would be very bad if Akito found out. Do you understand?" Yuki looked into Tohru's eyes, assessing her comprehension of the situation. "Yes, I understand" Tohru offered, but the look in her eyes told Yuki differently.

Yuki sighed and looked down at his lap for a moment. He knew the time had come, but he still wasn't fond of what he had to do. He rapped on the window to the taxi driver who opened it and called out "Yes, sir?" "Please continue to circle until I tell you to do differently" Yuki commanded politely. "Yes, Sir", the driver responded, and shut the window. Tohru was surprised at this, and looked quizitively at Yuki. Yuki then took Tohru's hands in his. "I have to explain something to you. I haven't wanted to share this because I never wanted to burden you with it, but", he looked deeply into her eyes with the most earnest expression," Please hear me out. I think it is important for you to understand this now". Tohru caught the seriousness of Yuki's demeanor, and nodded in agreement, never taking her eyes off of him.

Yuki sighed again, and began to relate the bleak tale of his life from his childhood forward. How he had not been treated kindly by his own parents who would have sooner hit him than listen to him. How at age three he had been brought to Akito, and left there by his family, sold for an obscene amount of money, into the hands of a cruel, abusive master who had beat him, isolated him, berated him, and tormented him. He told how for many years he had believed his family would return and take him home. They had not bothered to explain to Yuki what was truly happening. Perhaps their consciences would have been pricked too deeply by this. Over the years they had never come back to even check on him, and eventually Yuki had lost hope in the prospect that they would ever welcome him into their lives again. He came to realize he had been abandoned.

Even at family events Yuki was not allowed to mingle with anyone because of Akito's jealousy. She had wanted him all to herself and kept him isolated. And the one time Yuki had snuck some playmates into the gardens of the main house was the same day he lost them all due to his transforming, and their memories all subsequently being erased. He had paid a high price for companionship that day. Yuki told Tohru how he had eventually been locked in that room with the black walls- no light- no sound for days on end, and the madness he had fought off by hoping, by believing Akito was wrong- that there was beauty, and warmth, and love in the world waiting for him, and that he would find it in spite of her. "And I have", Yuki smiled at Tohru as he said this, letting her know his gratitude for her constant devotion, "but I haven't found freedom yet", Yuki added quietly. "The only reason I am free now is because of some begging by Haru and some smooth talking by Shigure. They saw me on the brink of destruction and intervened. For what ever reason, Akito is content to let me go to high school, and perhaps college for now, but if she catches wind of this…" Yuki's voice trailed off and his eyes held an awed, far away look as he imagined his fate in such an event.

"I understand", Tohru offered, her words pulling Yuki back into the present, and this time she truly did. Now she understood why Yuki had hesitated to ask her Grandfather for her hand in the first place, and she was touched all the more by Yuki's proposal of marriage to her. Now she understood the sacrifice he had made in order to claim her as his own; the danger he was placing himself in. She was humbled and awed by the depth of his love for her, and she suddenly wanted to match his sacrifice. Yes, she could keep this engagement a secret. It was a small thing to ask considering what Yuki was willing to risk; compared to what he had had to endure in life.

"I don't tell you this so you will pity me", Yuki said looking away, a little embarrassed. "I just think it is important for you to understand what we are up against". Yuki looked into her beautiful blue eyes and was overwhelmed by what he saw there. They were shining at him reassuringly. They let him know she would stand by him; that she supported him, and loved him. It was all he had ever hoped for in life. Yes, he had to keep her safe. "I'm afraid I'm not a good husband already", Yuki stammered and looked at his lap again. "I've put you in danger". "Me?" Tohru thought. She looked at him incredulously. It was so like Yuki to down play his own peril. "Everything is going to be fine, Yuki", we can keep this a secret", Tohru offered reassuringly. He smiled at her. He loved the ability she had to calm him. Yuki leaned forward and kissed her. Tohru leaned into him too, wanting to validate her words with the reassurance of her lips.

After a few moments Yuki reluctantly broke off the affectionate exchange and rapped on the taxi window again. "Yes, sir?", came the same reply. "Stop the car, please" Yuki commanded. Again, Tohru didn't know what to think. The taxi pulled over to the curb near a busy intersection. Yuki opened his door and made to get out of the car. "It wouldn't look right if we both return together tonight, especially dressed like this" Yuki said with a grin. "I'll see you back at the house" he told Tohru, and he shut the cab door before she could say anything. "Take the lady home" Yuki said to the driver as he handed him a wad of bills, and with another "Yes sir", the taxi pulled away from the curb leaving a waving Yuki behind. "But…" was all Tohru could get out before they sped away.