A/N: My first fruba fic!! I'm reasonably new to the world. I've seen the Anime but I'm yet to read the Manga. This is a Tohru/Haru fic meaning it is AU!!

On with the story!!

Black, White and Shades of Grey.

The ox approached the young woman cautiously. Tohru Honda was sitting beneath a huge willow tree. Two streams of liquid crystals streamed down her cheeks and the ox was certain she was unaware of his presence. She would never allow anyone she her cry, much less a Sohma. She was after all, their strength.

The ox mentally rolled his eyes at his thoughts. The Sohma's put too much pressure on Tohru Honda, he'd always said it but was never heard. So he resigned himself to keeping his distance from the orphan, she didn't need yet another burden.

Now though he found himself torn between keeping that distance or comforting his cousins saviour. He glanced her way again and sighed. He couldn't leave her in such a state. Pushing the willows weeping tendrils from his path he made his presence known.

Tohru let out a small gasp and quickly wiped her eyes which tracked the ox's path as he silently sat down beside her. He said nothing, just looked at her with unreadable grey eyes."Is Hatsuharu-San okay?" she asked managing a smile.

"I think that might be my question." said the ox calmly. Tohru just gaped at him. She was at a complete loss when it came to the ox of the zodiac. Haru had always seemed to hold her at arms length in comparison to his cousins. He was quiet and reserved but she was quite certain he didn't dislike her. Hiro disliked her but Haru was never cruel to her like Hiro...

She pondered what she did know about the ox. She knew he had directional problems... and that he was considered stupid by the Sohmas because he was the ox and she knew he had a split personality... but that was about it...

She glanced his way again only to have her eyes caught by the serene grey ones. "Well. Are you going to tell me why you're crying?" She wiped her eyes self conciously.

"N-no" she shook her head. " It's nothing Haru-san, really!" she pleaded.

"It looks like alot of nothing to me. Tell me." It was an order but a kind one and Tohru found herself almost willing."

" I can't. Tohru-san must not burden Haru-san with her problems..."

"I'm asking Tohru-san. You listen to my cousins I will listen to you. What have they done this time?"

"Oh n-nothing Haru-san, they haven't done anything." she said earnestly.

"Then why are you upset?" She remained silent, staring at the ground. "I can keep a secret, you know..."

"Haru-san won't tell the others?"

"Of course not."

She wiped her eye again and took a deep breath steeling herself. "I-in school tomorrow w-we have a science lesson i-involving c-colour and the e-eyes..." Haru nodded, knowing better than to vocally interrupt her now he finally had her talking. "W-we're testing our eyes..."

She stopped and looked at him hopelessly. "Tohru-san will feel better if she says her troubles." He said calmly.

She mumbled something incomprehensible and glanced at him knowing he hadn't heard. "I'm colourblind." she whispered, her eyes filling once more she looked away. Haru was shocked to see the self loathing in her sea blue eyes as she wiped away her tears angrily.

So this was the Tohru nobody saw. He mused silently. She was incredibly strong willed. But to have such a secret!

"How colourblind?" He knew she wouldn't appreciate pity. She looked so thankful.

"I see nothing but black,white and shades of grey."

"Who knows?"

"Just you."

He pulled in a deep breath. "Not even your grandfather?" Tohru shook her head,

She wondered just how much she should tell him. She swallowed. "It runs in Mother's family. Grandfather is on my Father's side." He just nodded.

"And tomorrow the whole school finds out" It was a statement, not a question. She nodded and they lapsed into a comfortable silence. They sat that way for quite a while until the unmistakable sounds of Shigure's voice could be heard in the distance.

Tohru rose to her feet. "Thank you, Hatsuharu-san." He nodded. "Can you find your way back?"

"I'll be fine, Try not to worry too much about tomorrow Tohru-san"

OoOoO

"Your turn Honda-san"

"Hai, Sensei." Tohru shook slightly as she rose to her feet. This was it... She held her head high as she walked to the top of the room. She would not be intimidated.

She stopped before Sensei and looked at the challenge before her. She'd been listening and already knew it was hopeless. She couldn't tell the colours from each other.

"When you're ready, Honda-san." Tohru nodded at her teacher and took a deep breath. The door was flung open just as she began to speak.

"Gomenasai Sensei." said Momiji-san. "Tohru-san is required in the nurses office right away!" The teacher looked concerned but nodded."

"A pity Honda-san but if you are required..."

"It is no problem Sensei." said Tohru with a bow. She follow the rabbit quickly from the room.

"Momiji-san whats the matter?!" asked Tohru, concerned.

"Haru-Kun is unwell Tohru-Chan! Momiji offered to sit with him but Momiji has to take a test. He asked for you instead. Tohru-kun I must return to class."

"Oh of course. I will look after Haru-san." Momiji nodded and bounced down the hall.

OoOoOo

"Haru-san?" called Tohru as she entered the nurses office. She spotted him on a bed. "Haru-san are you okay?" she asked worriedly. He gave her a small grin, eyeing the nurse carefully.

"I'm perfectly fine."

Shock registered on her face immediately as she realised what he'd done. She watched the nurse leave the room. "You aren't sick at all." He shook his head with a bigger smile. "Why?"

"Because it wasn't fair."

"B-but you're missing your test!"

"That was an added plus." he said simply.

"You did this for Tohru-san?" The shock in her voice was heartbreaking as Haru heard what she wasn't saying.

But nobody does anything for Tohru-san...

"I wanted to. It's your secret to tell."

"Thank you Haru-san." a smile blossomed on her face. She grabbed his hand, squeezing it softly. Neither commented when it wasn't released.

"No problem. You just get to sit here and be bored with me for the rest of the day."

OoOoOo

"Well! It looks like you're feeling better Sohma-san." said the nurse. It was coming towards the end of the day. Haru Nodded. "Well thats good. I'll tell you what. There's only 10 minutes left why don't you two leave early. Honda-san, you'll walk Sohma-san home just in case?"

"Oh hai."

"Okay, you can go then,"

"Thanks!"

oOoOoO

"Whats the matter Tohru-san?"

"O-oh its nothing Haru-san."

He just gave her a look that said try again.

"Well I was just wondering... why Haru-san never talked to me before..." She immediatly blushed. "Oh that was rude! forgive me!"

Haru just laughed at her. "No it wasn't." He sighed. " I guess... I'm just a quiet person and my family already puts you under enough strain without me. I don't want to be another burden on you. Too much is expected of you."

"Haru-san is not a burden. You helped me and i'm a quiet person too."

"I guess..." Tohru just took his hand happily. "I want to be Haru-sans friend too."

A/N: Yay! first chapter! Review!!