Something Wrong
Yuki woke up early the next morning. Soft beams of sunlight filtered through his shades, stretching their hands over his face. He blinked drowsily and sat up.
FLASHBACK
"I've decided to let the boys go on a world tour for three years."
"Are you serious?"
"Of course...pack your bags, Yuki..."
FLASHEND
He closed his eyes and curled up his legs, resting his forehead on his knees. 'This is surreal...it can't be happening...what is he planning?!' He threw back his covers and changed into his gardening clothes. He needed to relax and breathe...
* * *
Tohru's eyes flashed open as she heard a door gently close. Yuki. She jumped out of her bed and scrambled into a dress. 'Something must be wrong...something must be bothering him a lot...he woke up so early...' She tied up her hair and ran out of the house. The secret base.
* * *
Yuki picked up a handful of soil, letting the rich brown dirt slowly drift out between his fingers. A light crackle of leaves drew his eyes up. Tohru stood there, watching him uncertainly. "Y - Yuki-kun...why are you up so early?"
He sighed and got up, brushing his hands lightly. "Couldn't sleep. Did I wake you, Honda-san?"
She shook her head furiously. "N - no...demo, what's the matter? What's troubling you? Aren't you happy? You get to go see the world!" She beamed. "I bet it'll be so much fun!"
He smiled lightly at her enthusiasm. "I suppose...that's true."
"Elegant France! Exotic Spain! Grand England! Carefree America! So many places...so many new experiences!" the girl's eyes were starry and Yuki grinned. She suddenly stilled and smiled sadly.
"What?" he quickly asked, alarmed at her sudden change in mood.
She shook her head and beamed brightly, pumping a fist in the air. "Nothing! Absolutely nothing! I'm just so happy for you all!!" She quieted and then blushed a little. "But Yuki-kun...I just wanted you to know...that no matter what happens over the next three years...I'll always be supporting you all."
The boy was taken back. "What?"
The girl flushed, "I - I mean...after three years, I want you to know that...I'll still be here...waiting for you guys..." She smiled cheerfully. "So please don't - don't forget about this little friend of yours! I'll forever be here welcoming you back home to Japan!"
It was a like a pound of brick suddenly came crashing into Yuki's stomach, knocking the wind out of him. 'Of course! Of course! This is the catch! This is the catch! For my freedom...I leave Tohru behind...how could I be so stupid?!'
"Yuki-kun?" Tohru asked concernedly.
He blinked and said grimly, "I'm fine, Honda-san...just decided to have a little meeting with Jyuuni...'
* * *
"Hell no!" Kyou slammed his hands on the table. He reddened as everyone stared at him; luckily, Tohru had been "sent out" to do an errand for Shigure and wasn't present for this meeting. She couldn't be; the whole purpose of this gathering was because of her. Kyou cleared his throat, "I mean, like I really care about going to see the world...just more screaming girls following us...nah, I'll much rather stick to Japan and continue my martial arts training..."
Momiji piped up. "Uh-huh! We can't leave Tohru! She has no one here...and I'll miss her too much!"
Haru folded his arms. "I also don't really care...seeing more of the world will only mean more places to wander and get distracted by..."
Shigure grinned, "Translation: much more ways to get lost!"
Yuki nodded solemnly, "Then it's settled...we won't go."
* * *
Meanwhile, Tohru hummed happily as she strolled home. She swung her bag of groceries up and down gently.
Flash. Click. Whirl. Flash. Click. Whirl...the girl walked on, oblivious to the fact that she was being watched and photographed.
"Where's Jyuuni? Ain't they always hanging around this girl?"
"Probably at home...but we got enough information on them already."
"Oh man, those lil bastards so damn filthy rich...couple thousands for just one puny song...we deserve to get our own lil "treasure" too..."
"Oh, do shut up...we gotta concentrate now...guys, which one?"
"I say the purple hair one...looks tiny and weak..."
"You kidding me? I saw him kick that carrot hair dude through a wall!"
"Oh...then how about that guy then?"
"Just because he got beaten up by that girly boy doesn't mean he's weak! I saw him pummeling that oreo haired guy!"
"Okay...then that guy then!"
"No way! He may seem all polite and cool one minute but then I so swear, the kid goes mental...tearing apart everything in sight!"
"Fine...the blondie..."
"He does seem like the perfect choice...but I think I'll kill myself just being stuck with him for five minutes...the brat is totally hyperactive..."
"Boss suggested the girl..."
"Hmmm...yea, she is perfect...close to Jyuuni and as weak as a toothpick...not only that, she also looks dumb...I bet we wouldn't even have to do anything and she'll trust us..."
"So we all agree? Good...the plan's in motion then."
* * *
"Eh? What do you mean you're not going? Is something wrong?" Tohru asked anxiously.
"No -"
"Did I make you uncomfortable this morning, Yuki-kun? Did I talked too much?"
"No -"
"Oh no, I'm so sorry! I knew I should have kept my big mouth shut! I'm so sorry! I keep bugging you! I'm so nosy and dumb and -"
"Honda-san...it's not your fault. We just decided that...we're not ready to leave Japan. Besides, we still didn't finish our last year of high school...and we still need to graduate and go off to college with you, you know," Yuki smiled gently.
Tohru quieted and smiled a little. "I - I suppose...but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity...and I doubt that I'll be going to college anyway..."
Kyou cut in, "Whaddya mean you're not going to college?! If you think you're just settling down with some crummy job as a waitress or something, then you have another thing coming! I'm gonna drag you off blindfolded to college if I have to!" He paused and sat back down, red. Tohru blinked.
Yuki spoke gently, "What the baka neko meant is that you can't not go to college...it's too important to your future...and besides, you want to make your mother's wish come true, don't you? Didn't she want to see you graduate from high school and continue your education?"
Tohru nodded thoughtfully and beamed, "Alright then! Now I'm sure I can do it...especially with all of you supporting me!! I'll work hard and make sure to save up a lot of money!!"
The boys smiled back just as softly, but inside, their heads were calculating a plan.
* * *
RING. RING. Yuki picked up the phone. "Sohma residence, hello?"
"Oi, Prince...it's me."
"Uotani-san? Do you need to talk to Honda-san? I think she's out right now, buying groceries -"
"Nope, I need to talk to you."
"Me? Is there something wrong?"
"It's about Tohru."
"Honda-san? What about her?" a note of worry edged his voice.
"I don't know if she told you or anything...but then again, she probably didn't....never did like anyone making a fuss over her...so I decided to call you up and tell you myself."
"What is it?"
"Well, actually, I need your help. Tohru's so sweet and I just can't bear to not do anything about this..."
"Yes, yes...I'll help anyway I can. Now can you tell me?"
"Well, you see, next week is..."
Yuki's eyes widened and he spoke quietly. "I see. Why didn't she tell us? Don't worry...I'll tell everyone. Thank you, Uotani-san...see you in school."
Yuki woke up early the next morning. Soft beams of sunlight filtered through his shades, stretching their hands over his face. He blinked drowsily and sat up.
FLASHBACK
"I've decided to let the boys go on a world tour for three years."
"Are you serious?"
"Of course...pack your bags, Yuki..."
FLASHEND
He closed his eyes and curled up his legs, resting his forehead on his knees. 'This is surreal...it can't be happening...what is he planning?!' He threw back his covers and changed into his gardening clothes. He needed to relax and breathe...
* * *
Tohru's eyes flashed open as she heard a door gently close. Yuki. She jumped out of her bed and scrambled into a dress. 'Something must be wrong...something must be bothering him a lot...he woke up so early...' She tied up her hair and ran out of the house. The secret base.
* * *
Yuki picked up a handful of soil, letting the rich brown dirt slowly drift out between his fingers. A light crackle of leaves drew his eyes up. Tohru stood there, watching him uncertainly. "Y - Yuki-kun...why are you up so early?"
He sighed and got up, brushing his hands lightly. "Couldn't sleep. Did I wake you, Honda-san?"
She shook her head furiously. "N - no...demo, what's the matter? What's troubling you? Aren't you happy? You get to go see the world!" She beamed. "I bet it'll be so much fun!"
He smiled lightly at her enthusiasm. "I suppose...that's true."
"Elegant France! Exotic Spain! Grand England! Carefree America! So many places...so many new experiences!" the girl's eyes were starry and Yuki grinned. She suddenly stilled and smiled sadly.
"What?" he quickly asked, alarmed at her sudden change in mood.
She shook her head and beamed brightly, pumping a fist in the air. "Nothing! Absolutely nothing! I'm just so happy for you all!!" She quieted and then blushed a little. "But Yuki-kun...I just wanted you to know...that no matter what happens over the next three years...I'll always be supporting you all."
The boy was taken back. "What?"
The girl flushed, "I - I mean...after three years, I want you to know that...I'll still be here...waiting for you guys..." She smiled cheerfully. "So please don't - don't forget about this little friend of yours! I'll forever be here welcoming you back home to Japan!"
It was a like a pound of brick suddenly came crashing into Yuki's stomach, knocking the wind out of him. 'Of course! Of course! This is the catch! This is the catch! For my freedom...I leave Tohru behind...how could I be so stupid?!'
"Yuki-kun?" Tohru asked concernedly.
He blinked and said grimly, "I'm fine, Honda-san...just decided to have a little meeting with Jyuuni...'
* * *
"Hell no!" Kyou slammed his hands on the table. He reddened as everyone stared at him; luckily, Tohru had been "sent out" to do an errand for Shigure and wasn't present for this meeting. She couldn't be; the whole purpose of this gathering was because of her. Kyou cleared his throat, "I mean, like I really care about going to see the world...just more screaming girls following us...nah, I'll much rather stick to Japan and continue my martial arts training..."
Momiji piped up. "Uh-huh! We can't leave Tohru! She has no one here...and I'll miss her too much!"
Haru folded his arms. "I also don't really care...seeing more of the world will only mean more places to wander and get distracted by..."
Shigure grinned, "Translation: much more ways to get lost!"
Yuki nodded solemnly, "Then it's settled...we won't go."
* * *
Meanwhile, Tohru hummed happily as she strolled home. She swung her bag of groceries up and down gently.
Flash. Click. Whirl. Flash. Click. Whirl...the girl walked on, oblivious to the fact that she was being watched and photographed.
"Where's Jyuuni? Ain't they always hanging around this girl?"
"Probably at home...but we got enough information on them already."
"Oh man, those lil bastards so damn filthy rich...couple thousands for just one puny song...we deserve to get our own lil "treasure" too..."
"Oh, do shut up...we gotta concentrate now...guys, which one?"
"I say the purple hair one...looks tiny and weak..."
"You kidding me? I saw him kick that carrot hair dude through a wall!"
"Oh...then how about that guy then?"
"Just because he got beaten up by that girly boy doesn't mean he's weak! I saw him pummeling that oreo haired guy!"
"Okay...then that guy then!"
"No way! He may seem all polite and cool one minute but then I so swear, the kid goes mental...tearing apart everything in sight!"
"Fine...the blondie..."
"He does seem like the perfect choice...but I think I'll kill myself just being stuck with him for five minutes...the brat is totally hyperactive..."
"Boss suggested the girl..."
"Hmmm...yea, she is perfect...close to Jyuuni and as weak as a toothpick...not only that, she also looks dumb...I bet we wouldn't even have to do anything and she'll trust us..."
"So we all agree? Good...the plan's in motion then."
* * *
"Eh? What do you mean you're not going? Is something wrong?" Tohru asked anxiously.
"No -"
"Did I make you uncomfortable this morning, Yuki-kun? Did I talked too much?"
"No -"
"Oh no, I'm so sorry! I knew I should have kept my big mouth shut! I'm so sorry! I keep bugging you! I'm so nosy and dumb and -"
"Honda-san...it's not your fault. We just decided that...we're not ready to leave Japan. Besides, we still didn't finish our last year of high school...and we still need to graduate and go off to college with you, you know," Yuki smiled gently.
Tohru quieted and smiled a little. "I - I suppose...but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity...and I doubt that I'll be going to college anyway..."
Kyou cut in, "Whaddya mean you're not going to college?! If you think you're just settling down with some crummy job as a waitress or something, then you have another thing coming! I'm gonna drag you off blindfolded to college if I have to!" He paused and sat back down, red. Tohru blinked.
Yuki spoke gently, "What the baka neko meant is that you can't not go to college...it's too important to your future...and besides, you want to make your mother's wish come true, don't you? Didn't she want to see you graduate from high school and continue your education?"
Tohru nodded thoughtfully and beamed, "Alright then! Now I'm sure I can do it...especially with all of you supporting me!! I'll work hard and make sure to save up a lot of money!!"
The boys smiled back just as softly, but inside, their heads were calculating a plan.
* * *
RING. RING. Yuki picked up the phone. "Sohma residence, hello?"
"Oi, Prince...it's me."
"Uotani-san? Do you need to talk to Honda-san? I think she's out right now, buying groceries -"
"Nope, I need to talk to you."
"Me? Is there something wrong?"
"It's about Tohru."
"Honda-san? What about her?" a note of worry edged his voice.
"I don't know if she told you or anything...but then again, she probably didn't....never did like anyone making a fuss over her...so I decided to call you up and tell you myself."
"What is it?"
"Well, actually, I need your help. Tohru's so sweet and I just can't bear to not do anything about this..."
"Yes, yes...I'll help anyway I can. Now can you tell me?"
"Well, you see, next week is..."
Yuki's eyes widened and he spoke quietly. "I see. Why didn't she tell us? Don't worry...I'll tell everyone. Thank you, Uotani-san...see you in school."
