As christened by reviewer It Is Only Me it's "Hell Yeah" day. Which means I'm updating. ^_^ This chapter is longer than usual, but I hop no one minds! I added two things after finishing it so it sort of lengthened it a little. Thank to the reviewers of the previous chapter! LuvAllPokemon, Big Sis of 8, FBFan, narutoluvr4evr, Miri-chan, It Is Only Me, HitodeDaikazoku, gracygirl, Thomlina, xTammy-Blossomx, KnowledgeandImagination, and 1Hell of a Monster. Thank you everyone so much!

OfAmethystEyes: Kureno, I think you can go next this time. You know, since you actually get a decent part in the story this time around.

Kureno: I seem to remember that last time this story was posted there was a joke that was simply, "Kureno got a line!" I didn't find it that funny.

OfAmethystEyes: I'm sorry… My friend Pharon loves you though! Just so you know.

Kureno: Apology accepted. OfAmethystEyes does not own Fruits Basket or its characters and all rights go to Natsuki Takaya.

It was the middle of the afternoon when Akito said, "I want to show you something."

Tohru got an odd feeling in her stomach. The things Akito had told or showed her before had all been painful pieces of Yuki's young life. She wasn't sure if she was ready for more or not, but Akito was already taking a black photo album down from a shelf.

He told her to sit down and set the album on the floor between them. "This is full of pictures of my Yuki. I'm going to prove to you that you can't have him." This would show her. These pictures were proof that Yuki lived under the thumb of his god. Yuki's very soul belonged to Akito.

Tohru didn't know if she was meant to respond to that or not but Akito opened the album to the first page which showcased the most innocent of things; a picture of baby Yuki. Tohru had to try desperately to keep herself from smiling and showing how adorable she found the picture. In his infancy his eyes were a lavender color which had since darkened. And the silver hair on his head was so light he appeared almost bald.

As Akito continued to flip pages though and she watched Yuki slowly age, it became more sad than endearing. It seemed that once he'd reached the age of six things had begun changing. His eyes started to seem dull and there was never a spark of happiness anywhere around him. After gaining one or two more years she'd seen the first bruise on his face. It had been a very faint discoloration, but she'd noticed it nonetheless. He started to seem less willing to have his picture taken at all. Never quite looking into the lens and always at his feet or to the side.

There weren't an incredible amount of pictures, but there was one photograph that had been taken each year of Yuki and Akito together. When they reached the last page, Akito silently closed the album, replaced it on its shelf and left.

Tohru hadn't moved and sat there, deep in thought. Not a single one of those pictures had Yuki been smiling. There had never been happiness, only fear or a vacant gaze. Even the pretense of contentment and fake smiles he'd had when she'd first met him had been a vast improvement from what she'd just seen.

"I imagine it's hard to find out about everything this way." Kureno's sympathetic voice came from the doorway behind her and she turned to look at him. "Akito has always been obsessed with Yuki. No one ever dares to keep Yuki from him, even if it might have been for the better. Yuki himself is incapable of refusing Akito."

Tohru nodded quietly. What must it be like to be trapped with your own fear so completely with no means of ever escaping it? To have some one who terrified you ask for your company over and over again without being able to leave? It was heartbreaking to think about.

And Akito… he only wanted people nearby who cared. But the only way he knew to keep them by his side was to hurt them and make them fear him.

It was cruel never-ending cycle of fear, hurt, and pain.

OoOoO

Shigure slipped into the silence of the main house, holding what Akito had requested for him to bring. It was a surprise to be asked for her school uniform, but he hadn't asked any questions. Yuki and Kyo had been skeptical and annoyed with him for taking her school uniform, but he doubted they'd care once they heard the rather obvious reason why.

Yes, things were about to change.

Akito sent Tohru away for their visit, not wanting her around. Shigure hadn't looked her in the eyes, trying to suppress any guilt from his conscience. "How is Yuki now that I have that girl here?" Akito asked.

Shigure didn't hesitate to answer honestly as he sat down next to Akito. "Moping. Depressed. And his temper is quicker too."

She smiled. "Good. I like him better that way." It made him easier to manipulate and more submissive. Soon enough, he'd come to senses and realize he didn't need Tohru Honda. Even so, she had another plan.

Dinner had been a start, but now, she'd take things one step further. Tohru would return to school and Akito would see just how far things would go then. It would test the loyalty she demanded from the girl and he'd watch for Yuki's reaction as well.

OoOoO

The next morning, Yuki pushed his breakfast around in the take-out box it had come in. He was almost hungry but couldn't keep from wondering if Tohru was being fed, which took away the slight appetite he'd had.

"Not eating again, Yuki-kun?" Shigure peeked out from behind his newspaper. "It's such a waste. Kyo-kun ate didn't he?"

"I don't care whether or not the stupid cat ate; I don't have to eat because he did."

Shigure folded the paper, setting it down on the table. "It just seems that you're taking as long as you please when I thought you'd want to walk Tohru-kun to school, but I suppose I was mistaken." Shigure let out a dramatic sigh.

Yuki froze. Tohru… going to school? "What did you just say?"

"Akito's letting Tohru-kun go to school now. I thought it would be obvious since I took her uniform to the main house. You mean, you didn't know?"

Kyo threw his chopsticks at Shigure. "And you couldn't have explained that before?"

Yuki had already abandoned the remains of breakfast and shoved his feet into his shoes. She was going to school which meant she'd be free from Akito for at least half the day. Kyo almost beat him out the door, but Yuki was half a step ahead of him.

If they ran they'd make it to the main house in time to walk her to school and make it to school in time for the start of class. She was going to school and be out from under Akito's thumb.

Yuki couldn't get there fast enough.

OoOoO

"After school, you'll return here immediately," Akito said.

"Of course, Akito-san." Tohru's mind spun in anticipation of going to school. She'd see Yuki again, along with Kyo, Uo, and Hana. Momiji and Hatsuharu would be there too. She couldn't wait.

Akito watched her, seeing an eager look in her eye. Was Tohru so ready to leave her? She was supposed to be her friend wasn't she? Friends weren't eager to leave each other, were they? Fine. She'd just see how the day went and then decide what to do.

With a dismissive gesture, Akito said, "You may leave."

Tohru bowed and quickly left, not hesitating a moment. After closing the door to the main house behind her, she walked down the path out of the Sohma complex with a light feeling in her heart. Almost free. Almost there. She wondered if Yuki and Kyo knew she was coming.

As she approached the outer gate she heard something that made her smile.

"So? Where is she?" Kyo's voice sounded agitated.

"Shut up and wait patiently, stupid cat." Even though he sounded annoyed, Tohru coud hear the anticipation in the undertone of his voice. "She'll be here."

Tohru ran the last few steps, pushing the heavy gate open, and tripping over her own feet. Yuki's gentle hands were instantly there, supporting her shoulders to catch her from her fall.

"Tohru-kun! Are you all right?"

Tohru looked up into his concerned eyes, blushing not only because of his use of her name, but also because the touch of his hands was sending all the blood rushing to her face. "Um… Yes, I-I'm fine." She wanted to thank him for sending her mother's picture, but it didn't seem like the right time and she held her gratitude back for a little while longer.

After making sure she had her balance back, Yuki took a step back. Tohru looked over at Kyo, hoping her blush had faded at least a little. "How have you been, Kyo-kun?"

Kyo gave her one of his half smiles. "Well, living at Shigure's with just Yuki for company has been a pain in the ass, but I've been fine."

Tohru couldn't keep a small laugh from escaping. Being with both of them again… it was such a relief. "I missed you, too, Kyo-kun."

Yuki's long fingers wrapped around her hand, pulling her forward. "We should get going if we want to make it in time."

OoOoO

Yuki still held onto her hand when they entered the school, ignoring the dozen of odd looks from those who noticed. He didn't care. Especially not when the sudden noise made Tohru hold on that much tighter, and maybe it was just him, but it seemed like she was hiding a little behind his shoulder. Was she scared?

She had to be with the way she was acting. "Tohru-kun?" he asked quietly. "Are you okay?"

Her eyes were just a little wider than normal, and when she looked at him, the uneasiness in her gaze was unmistakable. "There's so many people…" she whispered.

"I know. You can just keep holding onto me though, all right? You'll be fine." He led her to home room all the while hoping she wasn't hearing the same whispers he was. People (particularly the girls of the school) didn't seem too happy that he was holding her hand. It was their problem and he didn't care. Right then, Tohru needed assurance and some one who cared.

He'd promised himself that he'd be that person for her.

When they entered the classroom, Hanajima and Uotani descended upon them immediately. "At long last!" Uo cried, pulling Tohru into a tight hug. "Our Tohru-kun has returned, finally recovered from the measles."

"Indeed," Hana intoned, clasping one of Tohru's hands. "We were about to send out a search party with pitchforks and torches."

"H-Hana-chan! Uo-chan!" Tohru embraced them both fiercely. "I missed you both so much!"

Yuki stepped back, letting them have their moment. "Excuse me," he said to the girl who sat in the desk next to Tohru's.

She looked up at him, startled and blushing. "S-Sohma-kun!"

"I was wondering if it would be too much trouble for you to switch desks with me?"

She shook her head. "No, no! None at all!"

After a few minutes of awkwardly gathering her things, she'd moved tem into Yuki's desk, and he'd smoothly and neatly moved his books and supplies into her desk. "Thank you," he said with a polite smile.

The girl blushed and nodded, quickly returning to studying previous class notes, flustered.

Yuki sat down in his new chair, watching Tohru's interactions with Uo and Hana. Her smile was hesitant, but it was there. If he could only watch her smile all day he'd be happy.

Mayu came in, calling for everyone to sit down. "Honda-san," she said, "Nice to see you've returned. Try to keep up since you've missed so much and if you need any help ask me during lunch or after school, 'kay?"

Tohru gave a quick nod and suddenly looked very lost and scared again since Uo and Hana had returned to their own seats. She turned to go to her desk, but blinked in surprise when she saw Yuki sitting in the spot next to hers.

Yuki's breath caught when she suddenly smiled. Maybe it was a small embarrassed smile, but it was still just as precious to him. Tohru sat down, taking his offered hand as she whispered, "Thank you, Yuki-kun."

OoOoO

During lunchtime the five of them sat outside in the courtyard soon joined by Momiji and Haru. Uo, Hana, Haru, and Momiji were the only ones who had brought any lunch at all and when they realized Tohru didn't have any, they were quick to donate some of theirs, some of which she offered to Yuki and Kyo.

"Nah," Kyo said. "I'm fine."

She looked at Yuki, offering him some. He shook his head as well. "No, you should have it. I'm not hungry anyway." The truth was that he was genuinely hungry for the first time in weeks, but he'd rather she eat than eat himself. Especially since he couldn't even be sure how much Akito was feeding her.

Yuki let the conversation flow around him without paying much attention to it. Watching Tohru, being so close to her, and hearing her voice was all he needed or wanted.

"Oi! Prince!" Uo snapped her fingers at him, making him pay attention. "Mind dumping the trash for us?"

They'd already finished eating? How long had he been lost in his thoughts? "Oh. Um… no, I don't mind." He did mind; every moment with Tohru was precious to him. Nonetheless, Yuki gathered up the various wrappers, standing up. "I'll be right back, Tohru-kun."

Much to his surprise, she stood up with him. "I'll come with you."

Yuki heard Kyo mutter something under his breath as they left but he ignored it and hoped Tohru hadn't heard. Yuki found the nearest trash can and was about to head back when Tohru pulled him around the corner of the building and out of sight.

Tohru leaned against the wall of the school, saying, "I- I've been wanting to say something to you ever since this morning." She blushed, looking at her feet for a moment.

Seeing her hesitation and embarrassment, Yuki gently turned her face back up towards his. "Go ahead. I'll listen."

"I wanted to thank you. For sending me the picture. I… I was so happy to have it back and everything seems a little easier with Okaa-san there. It means the world to me that you thought to bring it."

Yuki felt warm inside as she looked at him. She was doing it again; she was making him feel like the center of her world. He felt conceited for thinking it, but there was no other way to describe it.

"You're welcome. I knew you'd miss her," he said with a smile. "I wanted to deliver the picture myself, but I couldn't be sure if it would be possible. And Akito might have been a problem. Either way, I'm glad Hatori was able to get it to you." He almost said something else, but the words left his mind as he looked at her. How did she manage to look so… perfectly adorable? What she said next, though, caught him off guard.

She looked down at her feet. "But I also think I need to apologize to you, Yuki-kun."

Yuki couldn't even guess what she was apologizing for. "Why? You have nothing to apologize for."

"I do, though. I kissed you and I shouldn't have."

Yuki's heart shattered a little. She regretted it? Had she changed her mind about returning his feelings? Or maybe he'd done something wrong?

Tohru continued, her words mournful and a little rushed, "I wasn't thinking and I should have asked if you were comfortable with it first. I-I mean, after what Akito's done, I shouldn't have—" Tohru stopped taking a shaky breath and deciding not to continue any further. "I'm sorry." Tohru hadn't even realized until Uo said something shortly before lunch. She'd been talking about the math lecture, but Tohru had frozen when she'd heard it. "That was horrifying. It's like living a nightmare over and over again." Tohru had been thinking about Yuki when she'd said it and then the realization had dawned on her that perhaps after Akito had raped him a relationship and any form of physical affection could be the last thing Yuki wanted. What if her kiss had only been another painful reminder of that horrible night?

Yuki couldn't deny that their kiss had at first been almost a frightening thing for that reason. Even though his heart and mind had been so full of her he also couldn't help but think of Akito forcing their mouths together and being crushed under his weight. But at the same time… "Tohru-kun, there's a vast difference between you and Akito. Not only are you not Akito, but I love you and I never once have felt that way towards him."

"But I shouldn't—"

"You aren't Akito," Yuki repeated firmly. How could he prove to her that a relationship with her wouldn't bother him? Yuki hesitated, but leaned down to brush his lips against her forehead in a light caress. "I really do love you, Tohru-kun and that makes all the difference," he whispered in her ear while winding his fingers through her hair. Then, before he lost his nerve, Yuki softly pressed his lips against hers.

Tohru's heart rate doubled the minute his lips touched hers and it felt as if a million tiny butterflies had made a home in her stomach. She couldn't help but find herself believing what he'd said and kissed him in return, bringing her hand up to touch his face and letting her fingers trace his features.

In the back of his mind Yuki forced himself to remember to keep those inches of space between them, but he only wanted to hold her close and wrap his arms around her. Despite that, the long moments of his connection with her sent his every emotion flying at dizzying speeds. He couldn't think straight about anything but Tohru and her warmth and love.

And the truth was, even as he kissed her with gentle and honest passion, he was terrified of the love she was showing him. Not in the way she had been concerned about, but terrified all the same. No one had shown him this much love before. No one had seemed to need him as much she did. No one had ever invoked so much positive emotion in him. He'd never known he could love some one this much and in all honesty he didn't know how handle it. But at the same, he was more terrified of losing it and losing her like he'd lost every other person close to him.

When Yuki finally pulled away and rested his forehead against hers, his face was flushed and he knew hers had to be as well.

"Yuki-kun?" Tohru whispered. "What are we now?"

He'd be anything for her. Anything that she wanted him to be and he'd do anything she asked. Absolutely anything to bring her happiness. "I'll be anything you need me to be."

Tohru blushed even more. "Th- Then could we be a couple? I mean… we don't have to be, but I would really like it if we were."

"So would I," he breathed, trying to convince himself that it wasn't all just a dream. But then… it was a dream within a nightmare. At the end of the day, she would return to Akito's side and there wasn't anything he could do about it.

More… Yukiru… *sigh* It makes more happy than any other pairing in existence. LukaxYuki from The Betrayal Knows My Name comes in second. (Anyone read/watched that one?) Anyway, please tell me your thoughts! I would love to know even the smallest details! Review review! Please review?

By the way, We're probably going to breaking 100 reviews with this chapter. O_O I've never done that while still posting a story. O_O