Disclaimer: Fruits Basket is the property of Takaya

Darkest Passion

Chapter 26 - Find Your Love

"I'm home!" Yuki yelled as he entered through the back door. No response. He walked to Shigure's study, sliding the door open, he could see he wasn't there. He walked up the steps, sliding Shigure's bedroom door open. His bed was fixed, the sake bottle still sat at its spot. His manuscript was gone. He must've sent it already. Sighing he entered his own bedroom, and to his surprise their sat the brochure.

He ran a hand through his hair, while the other hand dropped his bag to the floor. Picking up the brochure, Yuki sighed aloud. "I guess I'm going." He looked out his window. He believed Shigure would've made the right decision and left for her, but he guess he didn't know Shigure as well as he thought he did.

Looking out her window, Tohru sighed. The first day of American high school was torture. Everyone constantly emphasized on words when they'd talk with her. They were either mocking her or had no idea she spoke fluent english. Her father was a business man, so he traveled a lot. Her father spoke to her in straight english, while her mother spoke to her in japanese. Making her biligual.

She tried to change her thoughts, she was tired of thinking of school. As much as she hated to admit, she hated it in America. It was nothing like what she had seen in the videos or read in the papers. It felt like they were all lies. America was nothing like she had imagined. She missed Japan, but most of all, she missed Shigure. Saki and Arisa had called her the night before. Saki told her about how she was going to be graduating with honors, while Arisa dropped the ball and yelled that Kureno had proposed. Feeling over joy for her friends, she had cried to them and told them about her little affair with Shigure. She admitted if Shigure was with her, she didn't think she'd hate it as much as she did now.

Looking for a certain spice in the kitchen, her grandfather aimlessly walked around. He was never good in the kitchen. Suddenly their was a knock at their front door. Running as fast as he could, he answered the door. A young man stood at the door. "Why hello." The grandfather said. The young man looked rather familiar. "Yuki?" The young man smiled at him.

"Hello sir."

"Why, YUKI!" He embraced the young man who only chuckled, lightly embracing him back. "What are you doind here?"

"I'm just visiting. I told Tohru I was coming." He smiled. "Oh, um this is for Tohru." It was a little package. "It's a gift."

"Oh." He took it and looked up at the young man. He was a lot taller than he last remembered, of course he was getting rather old. He pushed the thought aside and offered a seat. "You have a seat, while I take this up to her real quick." The grandfather laughed. "I love surprises." He gestured towards him.

"Oh?"

"Yes. I'll give her the gift, then you go up and surprise her!"

"Okay." The young man laughed. He watched as Tohru's grandfather slowly glided himself up the stairs.

"Tohru, sweetheart?" Tohru was sitting at her desk, finishing up her homework.

"Huh?" She turned to face her grandfather.

"A gift has come in for you." He pulled out the terribly wrapped present. "It's from Yuki." She giggled to herself, seeing the wrapping, she wasn't surprised. He said that he'd be coming in a few weeks.

"Thank you grandfather." He nodded his head and left Tohru alone to bask in the little gift. As she began to tear at the wrapping, she could see a title begin to show from underneath. Darkest Passion? As she continued to tear, she suddenly realized what it was. It was Shigure's manuscript.

"Well." Tohru's father returned to the kitchen. "She got it." The young man nodded his head, a gesture to show thanks. "You know." The grandfather pointed out, "I remember your hair being a lot lighter. . .and a grey-ish tone." The young mans eyes widened, then softened. "Did you dye it?" The young man only laughed.

Starring down at the book, she slowly flipped through the pages. Stopping when she reached the dedication page, the words took her by surprise. 'To the woman of my dreams, Tohru Honda.' She felt her heart drop. She closed the book and starred at the title.

"So!" Haru stretched himself out, sitting in the kitchen with Momiji and Yuki. He saw the brochure sitting in the middle of the table. Snatching it before Momiji could, he decided to examin the little thing. "You're going to California?"

"Yes. Next week." Yuki placed their dinner on the table. "I'll be visiting, Tohru."

"How come Shigure isn't going, too?" Momiji asked, a bit curious to his older cousin's whereabouts.

"That's a good question." Haru opened the brochure and smiled. He began to laugh. Yuki glanced at his cousin, raising a brow.

"How exactly do you plan to go to californina-" He turned the inside of the brochure towards Yuki, "without a ticket?" Yuki's eyes widened. Shigure had fooled him. Taking the brochure, he smiled to himself. 'Shigure, you crazy bastard.' He chuckled.

She stood, walking towards her desk, she placed the book over her mouth. She tried so hard to hold in the tears, but moving the book near her was the worst move she could've chosen. His scent was all over the cover and it's pages. The pain came so quickly, so fiercely, she nearly staggered under it. Blindly she stummbled back towards her bed, sat on it, and buried her face into the book. She cried.

Shigure could hear her crying as he came up the stairs. From the doorway he could see her, rocking herself for comfort. He rubbed his hands over his own face, scrapping away the guilt. "Well!" He said in an easy voice. "You sure had me fooled."

Her head shot up, and now he could see the heartbreak in her eyes. She couldn't believe it was him, so she wouldn't. She began to rise when he waved at her.

"Don't stop crying." She fell back to her bed. "It does me some good to know what kind of a fake you are!" He smiled at her, mockingly. "Fine!" He mocked her voice, "I'll be fine without you, Shigure." He laughed hard, she struggled against the tears, but couldn't win. As they began to fall freely, she buried her face in her palms, the book dropping to her floor. He laughed again, "Woo!" He claped his hands together, "you really had me going there, Tohru."

She closed her eyes tightly. Even with him mocking her, she didn't want it to end. She didn't want him to disappear like he always did. He looked at her, saw her eyes shut, he dropped to a knee and cupped her face. "What are you doing here?" She cried out. Her eyes still shut.

"I came here for you." She began to sob again, just like in her dreams. She knew it wasn't real. "Tohru, please open your eyes."

Slowly, but surely, she did as he said. As her eyes flew open, she could feel the tears falling like rain drops. He was actually there, it wasn't a dream.

"Why?" He glided his thumb across her cheeks, wiping away her salty tears. "What are you doing here?"

He pulled her into his arms,"I forgot to tell you something." She looked up at him.

"You traveled over a thousand miles just to tell me something?" It had to be a dream, what man in their right mind would spend over a thousand dollars to tell someone something when they could have easily called over the phone.

"Yeah, I know. It's crazy." He released her. He began to walk around her room. She still couldn't believe he was in California. "I forgot to say a lot of things."

"Like what?" She wanted to reach for him, but she was scared if she touched him he would shatter and she'd wake up.

"I forgot to tell you if you moved I'd miss you too much." He turned to face her, he stood by her window. Glancing out, he could see the California hills, the sun beginning to fade behind them. "I forgot to tell you that I wouldn't be able to live if you left me all alone." She didn't know what to say, so she kept her mouth shut and just listened. "I forgot to tell you, that I need you in Japan. And I forgot to tell you that I-"

Before he could finish his sentence, she ran to him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him. "You still love me?" He asked her, a bit shocked by her actions.

She smiled up at him. "I never stopped." She embraced him tightly. "I can't believe you're here." She buried her face into his chest, taking in his scent. "I thought you didn't want me anymore."

He buried his face into her hair and took in her scent. Sweet strawberries filled his nostrils. He smiled, "I could never stop wanting you. Everyday is an endless surprise with you, Tohru." She looked up at him, both their eyes were cloudy with desire. He watched as she slowly walked towards her door, shutting it closed. She strided back to him, feeling his strong arms around her, he kissed her sweetly. Lifting her off her feet, he carried her to her bed, lying her down.

She guided his hands downwards, cupping her, they began to kiss again. Slowly entering her, he looked into her deep brown eyes. The moonlight captured both of them. He moved slow, she tugged at the sheets, moaning out his name. He brought his lips next to her ear. "I love you, Tohru Honda."

Her eyes flew open, they glistened in the moonlit night. Releasing the sheets, she cupped his face with her fingers. "I love you, too-" Kissing him passionately. "Shigure Sohma." He smiled at her. That night, for the first time, they would be making love as a true couple. And they would each shed their last tears of loneliness.

chinky-FIED note: WOO! They're finally official! Epilogue coming soon :)