Destiny

Chapter 14

Disclaimer: I own nothing...

Previously:

But he'd brought her out into the fresh air for another reason other than to scare her with his persistent sinful thoughts. He wanted—no needed, to tell her what exactly he felt. Something withing him wanted to let her know exactly how much he desired her—body, mind, and soul.

And he would tell her, after all, it was their destiny. They were predestined for each other.

Now:

"Haru, what's wrong?" Tohru asked in her most gentle tone, she wanted him to trust her and confide in her. She hadn't known how much she wanted him to see her as his equal—to know she was and always would be there for him. Now, it seemed as if that was the only most important thing at the moment—for him to trust her.

Haru lifted one cold hand to cup her flushed cheek, and smiled. How could he not love her? She was everything that was good, and everything that was pure.

"Tohru," he whispered longingly, then raised his other hand and cupped her other cheek, framing her face with his palms. Tenderly, he lowered his forehead lightly touch hers. A warm smile played across his lips, until he brought his nose down to give her an eskimo kiss. While doing so, his hands slided into her hair, massaging her scalp in slow circles.

Tohru's eyes drifted down until they closed, a small smile hinting at her lips. Instinctively she reached her hands up, intending to embrace him.

"Don't Tohru," Haru warned softly, instantly his hands were out of her hair and gripping her hands. Thinking it as rejection, Tohru tried to slide out of his hands, before he gripped her by the shoulders. "Tohru, I don't want to transform, not now, when I have so much to tell you."

Tohru's misty eyes cleared at his confession, sending warmth pulsing through her. For an instant, she'd thought he'd rejected her. That perhaps she'd been foolish to think he'd actually meant everything he'd said so far. She smiled up at him, her glowing eyes resting gently on his.

"Tohru, I've known about my curse since the day I was able to understand reason. I've always been told the dumb ox. I've always been told I'd never find someone; that I'd always be alone. I've always been told how wonderful it is to find love. But I don't want to be told any more, I want to see it—feel it for myself," Haru skimmed her arms, until his hands were cupping her face once more. His thumbs rubbed small circles on her cheek and lips.

"You've allowed me to feel what other's told me I could never feel. You've showed me what was said I would never see. You've given me the strength to allow myself to feel and see these things. I thank any deity up there for placing you on my path, because most importantly, you've taught me to love," with that Haru leaned down and captured Tohru's lips, tasting her salty tears. He tenderly wiped her tear stained cheeks with his thumbs, enjoying her innocent essence on his tongue.

Tohru's chest constricted with every word he spoke, yet at the same time it was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Evanescent melancholy gave way to an overwhelming felicity, one she'd never quite reached since her mother's death.

For once, she allowed herself to feel complete happiness. Her tears faded as his lips occupied her mind. She let go of her memories and simply lived this one moment...her moment with Hatsuharu. He probably didn't know what he had done for her, and he probably never would. He, too, has given her so much. Where once she was trapped in a never ending lie of denial, now she was able to let go. Let go of the person she'd loved with all her heart.

Her mother. Though she would always carry the memory of her mother with her, she had to move on as well. It was time to let go, and start a new beginning, with the one destiny had set before her.

She opened her eyes and pulled away tentatively. At once, she wished she hadn't. Tohru looked up at Haru through thick lashes, and breathed in deeply. It was hard to keep her hands glued to her sides, when all she wanted to do is wrap them around his neck.

Haru slid his hands down her arms, until he seized her hands in his. He lifted her hands tenderly and rubbed his face affectionately on them, laying soft kisses on both palms. Locking his eyes with hers, he straightened and pulled her body closer to his. He wanted her to love him—all aspects of him. He knew she did—her actions confirmed it over and over. But he needed it now, for some reason it was important for him to confirm it now—at that moment.

Tohru's breath pitched in her throat. Haru was pulling her closer to him, and she knew he'd transform. Why would he want to transform now?

Panicking, Tohru pulled gently on his hands, "Haru?" She didn't understand what he was doing, but she didn't want him to transform. She wanted to spend more time with him, like this, in his humanoid form. She saw Hatsuharu give her a tiny nod, reassuring her.

That's all she needed. She trusted him infinitely. Letting out the breath she'd been holding in one loud whoosh, she allowed him to pull her closer. What ever he wanted to do, she'd follow. She knew he'd never deceive her, and that his words were true. In that moment their eyes clashed...she knew. She knew she was deeply, truly, irrevocably in love with him.

With a small smile, Tohru fell into his arms the rest of the way. She wrapped her arms around his waist tightly, wanting to enjoy the feeling of his solid form beneath her for as long as she could.

Haru allowed himself the pleasure of feeling...simply feeling. He looked down quickly, and saw Tohru holding him tightly, he saw her eyes shut tightly, savoring the moment like he was doing. The familiar tinkling warmth spread through him, completely engulfing him. It was always the same feeling, yet for some reason, it was slightly different that time. He didn't feel the familiar shifting of bone, or the small pinching that came with muscle readjusting, stretching and shrinking.

Time dragged by painfully slow, everything died to a comfortable silence. Tohru opened her eyes slowly, still holding the warm, solid body with her arms. She took a deep breath, already the image of her adorable black and white ox planted solidly in her mind, and lifted her face.

Staring back at her, were the same arctic gray eyes, and the same handsome face of her Hatsuharu.

OoO

"Yuki, come on, don't be so mean with me!" Shigure pouted in front of the white wooden door. His hands placed before him in a prayer like position. He began pounding at the door, much like a small child, "Please, just one peek. What if he's doing something to our dear lovely Tohru?!" he squealed at the door.

On the other side of the door, Yuki crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. "No Shigure, you can not eavesdrop on them, so stop begging," Yuki said in a soft lolling voice. He couldn't believe what Shigure had tried to do.

He'd actually ran out of the house as if hell's hounds themselves had been after him, and tried catching up with Kyo and Savannah. Just so the girl would hug him and he'd transform! And for what? So he could sneak into one of the bushes in the back yard and spy on Haru and Tohru. He was willing to risk Kyo's date discovering their secret all for the sake of "good gossip" he'd said. Unbelievable.

For once Yuki was glad of Kyo's hot temper. He'd immediately put Shigure out cold when he'd lunged at the Savannah with hungry eyes. Of course after bringing him back, and Yuki explaining everything to him, Kyo had immediately insisted on calling Shigure's editor and locking him inside the bathroom with her.

Yuki chuckled at the mental image. He'd reassured Kyo it would be healthier to simply lock him inside the bathroom; alone.

"Come on Yuki!" was the muffled cry from within the bathroom.

"You're staying in there until they come back inside, and even then...I'll still consider keeping you in their," Yuki informed the door, knowing Shigure would hear him.

"Oh you're so mean Yuki! You can't keep me locked up in this tight little bathroom forever!" Shigure pouted, shaking his head from side to side. He slumped on the closed toilet and glared at the door. It was not fair he was grounded inside a small bathroom while Yuki could watch and listen to everything Haru and Tohru said. But, he had to resign to his fate. What he had to put up with—in his own house no less! "So unfair," he whispered to himself.

OoO

"I'm really sorry for that, Shigure act like a complete moron at time," a steaming Kyo said. He looked up and saw the sky darkening. It had been such a long exhausting day, and now to top it off with, he was stuck with this girl on this stupid date. Couldn't damned Haru arrange this stupid date for the weekend or something. He had homework too you know! Who cares if it was Friday? Fridays were for relaxing and preparing for the weekend—not to go out on a date!

The girl next to him turned her head towards him. The sight of his uncle running after them like there was no tomorrow had scared her like nothing had before—specially the way his eyes glittered with dark humor. But she got over it, after all, how many times do you come across interesting people like that?

"That's okay, Kyo. It was kinda funny, don't you think?" she said, amusement laced with every word.

Kyo didn't turn to her, just kept sulking at the ground. His brows furrowed together, his hands deep in his pants pockets. He didn't want to see her laughing eyes—not when they reminded her so much of Tohru. Strange how she was so different from Tohru, yet those darn eyes were the same! Narrowing his eyes at her when he heard her chuckle, "What are you laughing at? My psycho uncle just tried attacking you! And you laugh?" Kyo berated her. This girl was just too weird for him.

Savannah laughed at him and his comical sullen form. Something about him made her want to annoy him. He was just too funny!

"You're funny Kyo," and with that she walked ahead, smiling, while Kyo followed her with a feigned sullen face.

A/N: Hope you liked it! This is the second to last chapter. Next one will be the end...T.T