Disclaimer same as it was in all the previous chapters.

Chapter Six: High School and Marriage Don't Match

Tohru and Kyo entered the house covered in snow, shivering with very red noses. Both were extremely exhausted from the trudge up the long path to Kazuma's house, and also from their skirmish after the runaway vegetables. Kyo considered persuading Kazuma to move to a house closer to town so he wouldn't have to trudge through half a mile of snow just to get there. He decided against it however.

"Oh my." Kazuma said as he set his eyes upon the two travelers. He quickly grabbed a bag from each of them and ushered them inside. "Come in and warm yourselves up a bit. I'll make some tea."

Kyo scoffed at that, "Just make sure it's not burnt."

Kazuma gave no recognition that he heard the snide remark. He hurried off into the kitchen without another word. Tohru and Kyo followed after to put away the remainder of the groceries. Kyo put his share of bags away fairly quick enough, knowing exactly where to put each and every one of the items. Tohru on the other hand was having a slightly more difficult time figuring out where things went. She stood in the center of the kitchen clutching very worridly to a jar of peanut butter. She couldn't decide if it went in the cupboard next to the sink or in the one near the door. 'Or maybe he puts it in that big pantry next to the refrigerator..' Kazuma was busy making the teas, so Tohru didn't want to disturb him by asking, and Kyo was putting away his share of gorceries. To be honest, she was a little afraid to ask him.

Kazuma noticed her worried look; however, and called for Kyo to help her.

"Nanda?" The orange haired adolescence asked turing to look at Tohru, "Oh." He finished, figuring out the situation easily enough. He walked briskly over to Tohru and took the peanut butter from her hands. His fingers grazed lightly against hers as he did so, he noticed neither this nor the faint blush that was now evident on Tohru's cheeks. He walked over to the big pantry next to refrigerator and placed the peanut butter inside. "That's where we put that." He explained. Then grabbing the rest of Tohru's groceries, "These too." And he placed the various items inside the pantry as well.

"Gomenasai, I will remember that from now on." She smiled kindly at Kyo.

"Whatever."

"Here's your tea." Kazuma announced as he set the cups down on the table. Kyo and Tohru sat down and greatfully took gulps from their warm beverage.

"Mmm!" Tohru said with her eyes shut, savoring the flavor, loving how it warmed her body right up. "This tea is delicious Kazuma-san!"

"Why thank you." He said taking a seat at the table and sipping his tea as well. "It's not too bad if I do say so myself." He took another sip from his cup.

"Yeah it's okay." Kyo complimented to the best his stubborness would let him.

The three sat around the table sipping their tea quietly. No conversation was needed for the silence was not awkward. They were each simply enjoying their tea and eachother's company. Tohru looked around at the two gentlemen beside her. Yes, despite Kyo's rough exterior she knew he was a gentleman. Though she doubted he would like hearing such a compliment. She had stayed only one night at the Sohma house, and Kazuma had made her feel so welcome. 'He's such a polite man, mom. I know you'd like him very much.'

"So Honda-san," Kazuma spoke.

"Hai!"

"When would you like to take your entrance exam?" He placed his cup to his lips and took another sip of his tea.

"As soon as possible." The young girl exclaimed. "What school will I be going to?"

"The same one as Kyo, Kaibara High School."

"Oh really?" Tohru exclaimed once more, staring cheerfully at Kyo. "Wont that be fun Kyo?"

"Oh yeah, it'll be real fun letting everyone know I'm engaged." He mumbled the words, not realizing the grave effect they were having on Tohru.

"Oh..." She looked down cast at her tea cup. "I forgot about that part. I guess being engaged in high school isn't really a very cool thing."

Silence flooded the room, and this time it was very very awkward. It was almost suffocating, pressing down on all of them. It was astonishing how quickly the atmosphere had changed in the room, and all because of a few mumbled words.

"Well," Tohru said perking up a little but still sounding mildly melancholy. "I'm going to go upstairs and finishes unpacking the rest of my things." She stood from the table, teacup in hand. "Arigatou Gozaimasu Kazuma-san for the tea." She bowed her head slightly and placed her cup in the sink before heading upstairs.

Tohru lied about having things to unpack. She had done all of her unpacking the night before. In truth, she did not have much to unpack to begin with. It only took her about five minutes to get herself settled. She hated herself for lieing, but she needed to get out of that room. 'It was so suffocating in there.' Such an awkward silence, Tohru could barely stand it. It wasn't that what Kyo said offended her, it scared her. She hadn't really thought about what life would be like if she were to go to school with her betrothed. If people found out...the implications alone would be disasterous. Kids being kids, they would most likely tease them. But Tohru thought that things might get much worse. How much more pressure would she be under if the whole school found out about the marriage? 'Maybe I'm just worrying too much.' She plopped down on her futon. 'If Kyo-san and I don't say anything to anyone, then they wont find out.'

Tohru leaned back on her elbows and sighed heavily. "Oh mom, I wish you were here." She turned her head towards an old picture frame placed beside her bed. Tohru reached out a pale hand to grab the object. She held it gently in her lap, as if it were porcelian and at the slightest movement the whole thing would shatter to pieces. Tears started whelling up in her eyes as she stroked the face held in the picture. It was of a women with short blonde hair holding up a peace sign with her right hand. She had a smile on her face that made one think she was the happiest person in the world.

Gomenasia:/very sorry Arigatou Gozaimasu:/polite way of saying 'thank you' nanda:/masculine form of "what"

Authors Note: Sorry, ended on a kind of sour note there. I've been in a bit of an angsty mood lateley. But such the the melodramatics of teenage life. Enjoy the story. And thank you so very much for the reviews!