Hi! Here's the second and final chapter. Enjoy!
Runic Knight, Sakura Avalon or Kinomoto, Ryoko.Kilala, & Yuki the Rat: Thank you very much for your reviews, I hope that you enjoy this last chapter, too!
Disclaimer: Fruits Basket and its characters are the rightful property of their respective owners. This piece is not for profitable purposes.
Chapter 2: A Gift
"Ayame-san…"
Mortified, I turn around and see Honda-san, her face displaying an expression of shock.
I bow low and quickly say, "I'm sorry, Honda-san, I had no idea he would do anything like this. I was a fool for thinking he would have been honest."
I notice movement from my peripheral vision and then see that she has bowed down so that we are eye level.
She smiles calmly and says, "It's all right, Yuki-kun. It's a lovely park, and Yuki-kun has been studying so hard, I think it's nice that Ayame-san has let him have this break."
I smile in return, relieved that she is not upset. We both straighten and scan the area. I've never been here, maybe Onii-san knows it because it is close to his home. Unconsciously, I find my view drawn to her, her beautiful and pleasant smile, and how her hair is swept by the gentle breeze. No one can match Honda-san's beauty.
"Yuki-kun, is something wrong?"
Embarrassed, I answer, "No, not at all."
I look in front of us and say, "Honda-san, it seems there are walking trails up ahead, would you care to accompany me?"
"Of course," she responds.
We start to walk quietly and, as we reach the point where we will choose a trail, I say, "Honda-san, which one would you like to follow?"
She looks at all three and I smile as I can see that she is thinking intensely, just like Honda-san, to always try her best.
"I think it may be nice if we follow the one that goes through the woods."
"I think that's an excellent choice, Honda-san, I would have made the same."
"Really?" she says with a smile.
I nod my head in response.
"Shall we go, Honda-san?"
She shakes her head yes vigorously in response.
As we walk, I find my view drawn to her. Her face is turned upwards, admiring the trees and the rays of sunlight that break through the ceiling of leaves and branches. I am surprised when she moves ahead of me quickly.
I approach her and realize what she has been admiring, a bed of wildflowers. She looks at me with a smile.
"Aren't they beautiful?" she asks.
I nod my head in response. She bends down for a closer look, and I bend down beside her, pick one of the flowers, and, to her surprise, place it in her hair above her right ear.
As she blushes, I smile and say, "Though this one is the most beautiful."
Her blush deepens, and, for only a moment, our eyes meet each other.
Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, I stand slowly and hold out my hands with a smile.
She takes them and I help her stand.
"Thank you, Yuki-kun."
"Of course, Honda-san."
We start to walk again. I glance at her and smile, she notices me and smiles in return.
We eventually reach the end of the trail, and I turn to Honda-san. I am about to ask her what she would like to do next, when I see her watching people out in small rowboats on the pond.
"Honda-san?"
She turns her face towards me and says, "Yes, Yuki-kun?"
"I was thinking it might be nice to go boating, what do you think?"
A broad grin crosses her face and she shakes her head yes.
"Shall we go then, Honda-san?"
"Ok, Yuki-kun!"
We walk together to the pond. When we reach a free boat, I step in first, and then reach out my hand and help her into the boat.
She looks as if she may take one of the oars so I smile and say, "It's all right, Honda-san, thank you though."
Appearing concerned, she says, "Are you sure, Yuki-kun?"
I nod my head yes in response, and she smiles. I begin to paddle, and am happy to see how excited she looks.
"How lovely," she says.
I look at her and respond, "Definitely."
She blushes again, but then shifts to the side and bends over the side slightly.
Concerned, but not wanting her to lose her balance, I wait to see what she is planning. I watch as she gently places her hand along the surface of the water and watches the ripples as they form.
"It feels nice," she says with a smile.
"I'm glad," I answer.
Soon after, she lifts her hand from the water and sits once more facing me. We smile and boat in silence.
Time passes and I look at my watch and notice that it is already much later than I would have wished.
She noticed me looking, and glances at me with an expression of curiosity.
I say, "Honda-san, we probably should be going back, Onii-san may be coming soon."
She smiles and says, "Ok, that sounds good to me, Yuki-kun."
I row back and, after we arrive, I step out first and help her.
She looks at me and says, "Should we check the parking lot?"
I am about to agree with her when I see an ice cream stand.
"We'll go soon, but, first, why don't we have some ice cream?"
She looks surprised but then smiles and nods her head yes. Side-by-side, we walk together to the stand. We both choose strawberry ice cream in a waffle cone. "I'll pay for this, Honda-san."
Appearing flustered, she says, "Oh, no, I should pay my part."
"An ouji-sama can't let a hime-sama do such a thing," I say with a smile.
She smiles and I pay for the ice cream.
"Thank you, Yuki-kun."
"Of course."
We carry our ice cream towards a bench, where we sit and eat.
Soon after she starts, she turns to me and says, "It's delicious!"
I nod my head in agreement, and we both continue to eat.
Enjoying her presence so much, I am surprised when I feel a hand on my shoulder.
I look up and see Onii-san between us, one hand on my shoulder, the other on Honda-san's.
He grins and says, "My, isn't this sweet. I certainly hope the ouji-sama treated the hime-sama."
Embarrassed, I push his hand away, but he merely laughs.
Angered that he has interrupted, I reply, "Let's go now."
Feigning fear, Onii-san says, "How scary! Yuki must be upset because I…"
Before he can finish, I cover his mouth and say, "Be careful what you say, Onii-san."
Sounding worried, Honda-san says, "Yuki-kun, Ayame-san."
I move my hand away and smile at her as I say, "I'm sorry Honda-san."
Appearing relieved, she smiles.
Onii-san replaces his hands on our shoulders and says, "Ouji-sama, hime-sama, shall we be going?"
Although I would like to stay longer with her, I also know that we should be going, so I nod my head in response.
"Ok, Ayame-san."
He removes his hands and we stand up and approach him. We walk to the car and get in, and Onii-san immediately begins babbling, and continues the remainder of the car trip.
When we arrive, we step inside and Honda-san turns to Onii-san and bows as she says, "Thanks so much for bringing us there today."
"Of course, of course," he answers with a broad grin.
She then turns her face towards me and says, "It was a lovely afternoon, don't you think so, Yuki-kun?"
I smile kindly and respond, "Most certainly, Honda-san."
Our eyes meet again and we both smile.
Too soon, she looks away from me and then at Onii-san and I as she says, "Please excuse me, I need to start dinner."
"All right, Tohru."
"Thank you, Honda-san."
She bows slightly and then starts towards the kitchen.
When she is out of sight, Onii-san leans in towards me and says, "Aren't you going to thank me, little brother?"
"You stranded us there!"
He grins and says, "But didn't you just say you had a 'lovely afternoon'?"
Knowing that that is the truth, I find myself unable to respond.
"It's all right, I don't need a thank you. I was happy to do this. Though next time, I want you to take the initiative."
Mortified, I say, "Onii-san!"
He smiles, and laughs as he exits, leaving me standing at the door.
I remain standing for a moment, but then decide to walk back to my room to do more homework before dinner. As I go, I say quietly, "Thank you, Onii-san."