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It was a Friday morning. Yuki and his fellow member of the student council stood in the platform. "As you all know, we are going to have our winter ball next month. The ticket for each costs 2000 yen because it is going to be held in a five-star hotel. It is inclusive of the food and the band that we hired." Yuki said.
"Unfortunately, we have only until next week Friday to collect all payments for the tickets because the band was requiring a down payment and the hotel also required reservation fees." The boy beside Yuki said.
The students were noisy with excitement. "What are you going to wear?"
"I wish Sohma-kun would ask me" "Who are you going to take?" "I still don't have the money."
Yuki cleared his throat and the students silenced. Kyo got angry. Everybody listens to that damn rat! "Are there any more questions?"
A female student raised her hand. "Where are we going to pay? To whom?"
"You could just go to the office of the student council and make your payment there to our treasurer." Yuki replied.
"Any more questions?"
The students were just staring back at him. "Okay, that is all." Yuki and his assistant left the platform and returned to their seat. The teacher resumed her teaching but Tohru's mind was reeling. Shit! Where would I get the money? The dress would be from Ayame-san but I don't have the money to pay for the ticket. She bit her lip. God, please help me.
"Tohru-chan! Hello, Tohru's friends!" Momiji bade her as he and Haru approached her and her friends while they were at the canteen. "Hello, Momiji-kun. Hell, Haru-kun. What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see you. I learned from Yuki that you're going to have your winter ball. I want to take you Tohru but Yuki said that it is for older people only and for your year level only."
"Is that so? I want to be with you too Momiji-kun. That was too bad." Tohru said but in reality she was relieved because she really did not want to go to the ball with a kid in her side. It would ruin her romantic dreams about the dance she was anticipating.
"So who's going to be your date?" Momiji asked her. Hanajima and Uotani looked at each other but remained silent.
The question threw Tohru off guard. What would I tell him? "I'm not even sure I would go."
"Ha? Why?"
Tohru was genuinely embarrassed. "I don't have the money."
"Gomen ne, Tohru-kun. But I can't help you either. I don't have money now." Momiji was sad but then he was suddenly struck by an idea. "Ask Yuki to pay for you."
"NO!" Tohru blurted out.
Everybody looked at her with surprise. Tohru blushed. "Err, I mean, that is not necessary. 2000 yen is a lot of money and I can't ask Yuki-kun. I'm sure he will have to use his money too for the dance and the girl he would date." Tohru did not want to ask Yuki for help because she knows that she would be indebted to him again. No way, no how, he was going to run to him.
"Well, if you're sure." Momiji said uncertainly. The bell rang. "Tohru-kun, we'll get going now."
"Ok." Tohru sighed with relief. Saved by the bell.
Uotani looked at Tohru. "Eh? You're not going to the ball? You were so excited last week." She asked as they were about to leave their table.
"I would love to go. But I don't have the money. I don't even have a date."
Uotani looked across the room. "What about carrot-top?" Tohru followed her gaze. Yeah, why haven't I thought of Kyo-kun?
Tohru awoke from sleep by the noises from downstairs. *clang* bang*clash* She checked her watch at the desk. 6:14. Who would be so active at this ungodly hour? Tohru yawned and wiped the sleep from her eyes. She made a quick prayer then changed her pajamas into suitable clothes. She went downstairs and found the living room a complete mess. Suddenly, Kyo appeared from the kitchen obviously angry with Kagura following closely behind him. Kagura was the first to notice her. "Tohru-chan! I'm so happy. I'm sorry, did we wake you up?" Kagura's faced showed that she was sorry.
"No," Tohru lied. "I was going to the market today. That is why I woke up early. Why were you happy?"
"Kyo asked me to go the winter ball with him." She announced.
Kyo protested. "I didn't. You beat me out of it."
One crazed look from Kagura and Kyo immediately shut up.
Tohru tried hard to smile. "That is wonderful news Kagura-chan. I'm so happy that you are happy." There goes my chance of going to the ball.
"Yeah, I'm so excited!" Kagura was beaming. "We can do each other's hair and make-up."
Tohru's face fell. "That is really nice. But I'm not sure I would go."
"Eh? Why?" Kagura's question was the same as that of Momiji.
"Why?!" Kyo demanded.
"I don't have money and I don't have a date." Tohru was pitiful.
Kyo looked away. He was planning on asking Tohru but Kagura was fast. He even already bought the tickets.
Kagura became sad too. She glared at Kyo. "Why don't you introduce Tohru to some nice young man you know?"
"Hmph!" Kyo ignored her and went outside leaving the two girls alone.
After Kagura left, Tohru decided to go to the market for real since she was also planning on going to Ayame-san's house to deliver the camera. She went to the dining room to ask permission from Shigure when she saw Yuki was already eating half-asleep. "Ohayo Shigure-san! Yuki-kun! I'm just going to the market today. What would you like me to buy?"
"Just get me some steaks. Round steaks. I'm craving for them recently. Here's the money." Shigure grinned as he gave her lots of money.
"Before I forget, what was the noise I heard this morning?" Shigure asked.
"Kagura-san came this morning but she already left." Tohru explained.
"I see." Shigure nodded knowingly. He was murmuring something about love being blind.
Just as Tohru was about to go Yuki spoke. "Ey, I'm going with you."
Shigure raised one of his eyebrows. "A date?" Shigure hummed a love song.
Tohru tried to contain her panicked self and anger. "Okay," was all she said because Shigure was still at the vicinity.
Tohru was really pissed because now she can't deliver the camera to Ayame and he can't get her the dress. "Why can't you leave me alone?"
They walked in silence. When they approached the market, Yuki decided to wait outside and just let Tohru do the shopping because he hated walking around. Tohru of course, was deeply grateful. Just as when Tohru was about to pay and she got her wallet, a man grabbed her purse. "Hey, hey!" Tohru ran after the man. Yuki saw her. "What happened?" He demanded to the shaken Tohru. "That man! He got my purse! Please Yuki-kun, please get it."
"Stay put! I'll run after him." But before Yuki got to the man, another man came from behind and stabbed him at his shoulders. Tohru saw the whole scene and quickly ran after him. Tohru was afraid he might get really weak and transform. She can't hug him in front of the many people looking on. Tohru was so scared that she just cried. "Yuki-kun! Yuki-kun!" All she did was to shake him and hope he would not faint. "Someone please help us." Fortunately a man in his thirties helped them and carried Yuki. Yuki was already groggy because of all the lost blood. "Miss, did you bring a car?" The man asked. "We have to get him to a hospital."
"No, but please let us just get a cab. I think I can manage from here." They can't go to the hospital but she can't let the man know why.
Tohru hailed a cab, thanked the man and told the driver to go to the Sohma mansion. God, please let him be alright. She felt really guilty. She prayed hard while the tears would not stop falling.
tbc