Memories

Chapter 3:

In the days following Hana's move, Uo slowly began to disappear. Kyo and Torhu made their best attempts to include her in their daily lives, but the bond that had formed between them only seemed to be hurting Uo all the more. Her pain became visible the first day she skipped school.


What had begun as a normal day for Kyo and Tohru, began as a dreadful day for their friend. Uo woke up feeling even more melancholy than ever. Her father lay drunkenly on the couch, yammering about who knows what. She was about to get ready when she noticed an article in the paper headlined "Best Friends Kyo and Tohru Prepare For High School Cultural Festival". 'Best friends...' The words softly rang in her ears. 'I wonder if anyone will even notice I'm gone.' she thought, shrinking back into her room and locking the door.

Sadly for Uo, someone did notice her disappearance. "Miss. Uotani" the teacher read the attendance in a loud, booming voice. "Miss. Uotani?" Yuki gasped softly and looked up attentively, 'I wonder where Miss. Uotani is. I was going to ask her today.' Tohru and Kyo noticed also. They gave each other questioning looks before class began and an assignment was given.


This particular day happened to be the day of the dance. School proceeded as normal on this day with many anxious students bouncing in their seats, ecstatic for what was to come that evening. This was also Uo's first day back in nearly a week. After a heavy class, Yuki found her in the hall. "Miss. Uotani! Miss. Uotani! Can I have a word please?" Yuki followed her down the coridor.

"What do you want, Prince?" Uo asked sarcastically. "Come to ask me where I been?" her reaction startled Yuki.

"No, I just wanted to ask if you had a partner for the date tonight? I mean a dance for the date tonight. Wait- a date for tonight. Yes, Do you have a date for tonight?" He stumbled through the words, nervous of rejection. He wasn't particularly worried about not having a date, though. He had already decided that as a last resort he could always ask Minigawa-san, the first girl who had approached him. He told her he would consider it.

"What is up with your stuttering? You got such a tough time asking me to the dance? You scared of me? You should be! And I aint goin'!" Uo hollered at him, eyebrows crossed tightly, fists clenched, and arms ready. Yuki was giving her a sad, fearful look, as if he had been dreading this moment forever. Her grip loosened and her arms relaxed, she bowed her head ashamed. "Gosh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean that. I've just been having such a tough time lately." his face stayed tense. "How 'bout you and me make a deal, okay? You hang out with me at lunch every day, give me someone to talk to, and I'll go to the dance with you tonight. Alright?"

Yuki gave her a lonely, yet satisfied smile, "Of course." He responded. "Start talking. I'm a good listener."


That evening when the doorbell to her apartment rang, Tohru was ready. Her mother answered the door as Tohru slowly descended the stairs. Kyo stood in the doorway, agape, the hand holding the white corsage went limp. The dress she was wearing was made of pink satin. It flowed gently down her body, caressing every curve. It was strapless, with a rhinestone belt below the bust and a cascading skirt. her hair was curled and pulled back, framing her heart-shaped face. The scene was breath taking. Once Tohru reached the bottom of the stairs, Kyo pulled himself back to reality. He placed the corsage on her wrist and together they headed to the dance.


While the picturesque prom scene was occurring at Tohru's home, Uo's was similar. Uo had convinced her father to go out for the night and had cleaned up a bit. Her dress was more simple; Knee length with a halter neck line and fabric that was metallic and purple. She wore simple black stillettos Hana had given her for her last birthday. "I suspect you will need them soon" She had said. 'Gotta love that girl,' Uo thought as Yuki took her hand. The fluorescent light outside the apartment was surrounded by moths and other light-craving insects and the apartment was on the third floor from the ground. Uo locked the door and together, she and her date descended the stairs, ready to enjoy a peaceful night. Or so they thought.


AUTHORS NOTE: That's all for today. I've been SO busy. It's been forever since I updated and for that I apologize. Hope you are enjoying my story. I plan to end it soon, though. It's not really getting anywhere. I kinda went off on Yuki/Uo today, I didn't mean to. It will make since in the end, I promise!

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket.