Falling for a Prince?

By: Senko Tenrou

Author's Note: Okay, minna! This may be a boring chapter because I am already stuck in the hell hole known as writer's block... gomen. Read, enjoy, and review onegai!

Previously...

"Boys, stop it! Don't fight! Not here! Please, save it for later before you make fools of yourselves!" Tohru scolded.

Both boys hung their head. "Sorry," they said simultaneously.

Tohru smiled sincerely. "It's okay. Just, please, don't fight."

Yuki nodded apologetically and nudged at Kyou to do the same.

"Don't worry, it won't happen again, Honda-kun." Yuki said.

Kyou laughed sarcastically but Yuki ignored it reminding himself of what he just said. 'It won't happen again, it won't happen again, I won't let it happen again. I promised that and I intend to keep that promise.' So he shut his mouth and told himself he would all out ignore Kyou for the rest of the time they were out… for Tohru.

Chapter 5: Do you like the rain?

The rest of the weekend passed by quickly and uneventfully; nothing out of the ordinary seemed to happen—not even a violent fight between Kyou and Yuki. They really had taken her scolding seriously! Finally, they actually listened to her; she felt kind of proud. Though she didn't understand why they actually listened when they never did before?

.

Tohru awoke on Monday morning to a shadowy, overcast sky. She sighed. 'Why does it have to rain today?' she asked as she gazed out into the depressing, blanketed sky from her window. The rain splashed roughly against the window. Tohru sighed again and quickly changed to her school uniform.

As she entered the kitchen, she saw Yuki already at the table, reading. She walked out slowly and soundlessly so not to disturb him.

"Good Morning, Honda-san." Yuki spoke suddenly.

Tohru froze. How'd he know she was there? "Uh. 'M-morning, Yuki-kun! No gardening this morning?" she asked.

Yuki looked up from his book. "No, it's too wet." He responded.

Tohru nodded and smiled, "Oh, of course. I would guess that's true… I'll just go start breakfast now…" she said sheepishly, walking away quite quickly.

"Wait, Honda-san, I would like to help if it's not too much trouble." He said hurrying over to her.

Tohru stopped and turned around. "No, don't worry about it Yuki-kun. I can't make you do that; I'm earn—"

Yuki silenced her with a finger to her lips. Tohru heart began to pound harder and a faint blush appeared. 'What's the matter with me?'

Yuki chuckled almost silently. "I know. I know, Honda-san; you're earning your keep. But you need to understand that there is no reason for you to do that. You live here now; there's no reason for you to do all the work. So I ask of you to let me help." Yuki explained calmly. "Will you let me help you?"

Tohru nodded numbly. The blush had vanished from her cheeks, thankfully.

Yuki smiled. "Let's get started then, shall we?" she asked walking off to start. Tohru followed dazedly. "Whoa! What a nice reaction, Tohru?! Keep it up!" She mumbled mockingly.

"You say something, Honda-san?" Yuki questioned.

Tohru blanched when she realized she had said that out loud. "N-no, I didn't say anything, Yuki-kun." She responded hurriedly.

.

Breakfast was finished and Kyou, Tohru, and Yuki slipped into their rain jackets and grabbed their umbrellas and were all off to school.

"I hate rain!" Kyou exclaimed as they walked.

"Why?" Tohru asked innocently.

"It's wet!" Kyou yelled.

"So?" Tohru questioned. She obviously didn't understand why; she liked the rain.

"He's a cat." Yuki chirped. "Cats don't like rain."

"Oh. Oh yeah! I kind of… forgot." Tohru sweat-dropped.

"Do you like the rain?" Yuki questioned Tohru.

Tohru grinned. "I love the rain!"

"Is there any reason for it?" Yuki asked.

"No. I just do for some reason. How about you, Yuki-kun, do you like rain?" she asked.

"I don't know; I've never really thought of it before." Yuki answered honestly.

"Um, hello? Why are we talking about rain here?" Kyou asked, irritated with all the concern over his least favorite topic.

Tohru and Yuki blinked. "Um… I don't know." Tohru answered finally. She glanced to Yuki for help on her answer, at a lack of what else to say…

Yuki, however, shrugged and looked away, showing he didn't want any further questions.

.

Tohru's first two classes went by slowly. During her third class, she found herself staring out into the dreary rain. The rain seemed to lull her to sleep. It was so gloomy, yet calming. She felt her eyelids become heavy as she drifted off to sleep.

Yuki smiled when he looked to see Tohru, who sat in front of him, asleep. She really did look beautiful when she was asleep. He looked up and saw the teacher looking at her strangely so he decided to wake her. Yuki tapped her lightly on the shoulder and she shot up.

Tohru looked around wildly until her gaze fell on Yuki. She settled down immediately and blushed slightly.

"Honda-san, you were sleeping. Are you feeling alright?" Yuki asked in a whisper, very troubled at her behavior.

Tohru nodded almost hesitantly. Yuki noticed and the concerned mask made it across his face again. "You're absolutely sure?" he asked just as low as the last. Before Tohru could answer, they were interrupted. "Honda-kun and Sohma-kun, would you mind if I interrupted? I would like you two to stop talking so I could continue with my lesson…" the teacher reprimanded, looking aggravated.

Tohru looked down, blushed with embarrassment, and nodded slightly.

"Yes, please continue. We're sorry for the interruption." Yuki apologized coolly. Tohru nodded in agreement.

The teacher walked back to the front of the class and continued with the lesson.

As soon as the teacher turned to the board Tohru twisted around to speak with Yuki. "I'm sure I'm just fine, but thank you for asking." She whispered.

Yuki smiled and nodded in return.

Tohru smiled back hurriedly then quickly spun around in her seat so not to get caught.

.

After all classes ended, Tohru and the boys walked out of the school silently. It was still raining when they left though it wasn't as hard as that morning.

Tohru grinned when she saw it. Kyou gave her a strange look then increased his step to get home quicker.

Tohru shook her head at Kyou's behavior. She just couldn't understand why anyone wouldn't like rain! She ran through the puddles giggling like a child and spinning around and around. Yuki smiled at her childish behavior; it had been a long time since he had seen her so happy, if ever.

Suddenly, Tohru slipped in the puddle, as she twirled, and fell. She blinked twice then started laughing causing Yuki to give her a strange look. He ignored her odd behavior and ran towards her. "Honda-san! Are you alright?" he asked worriedly.

"I'm fine, Yuki-kun." Tohru answered with another giggle. She heard Yuki sigh in relief and then felt herself being pulled up. Tohru looked down to see that Yuki had taken her hands and was now pulling her to her feet. She blinked and smiled slightly, 'Such a gentleman,' she thought warmly.

"Come on, Honda-san, we had better hurry before the rain soaks through our jackets," he said, laughing slightly. Tohru smiled with a nod of agreement. Yuki hurriedly pulled her down the street. "Are you absolutely sure you're okay, Honda-san?" he asked again.

Tohru sighed. "Yuki-kun, you worry too much!" she scolded laughingly, "I'm positive I am fine, alright?"

Yuki sighed also. "Well, you should be happy I'm worried," he said, a kind smile on his face, "I don't worry about just anybody." As soon as those words left his mouth he froze. 'Did I just… say that to her?' Yuki immediately looked down, frown dropping, wincing, and awaiting his, most likely harsh, response… but it never came.

Tohru, momentarily forgetting about the curse, launched herself at Yuki. Though, she instantly regretted it.

Poof!

All that was left in Yuki's place was a small grey mouse. Tohru's eyes widened. "Oh my God! Yuki-kun, I totally forgot about the curse! I am so sorry… It won't happen again, I swear! I am s—"

"Honda-san, it's alright, but can we please hurry home?" Yuki interrupted, still managing to stay polite, "It's freezing down here!"

Tohru quickly nodded, gently set Yuki in her coat pocket, folded his clothes quickly, and ran down the street. She made sure to keep a secure but gentle hold on Yuki so he would not transform back until they made it back.

Tohru's hand was warm and cozy, he noticed offhandedly. He unconsciously snuggled closer to the warmth. It seemed a whole lot warmer than his raincoat. His wet fur quickly dried in the safety of Tohru's pocket. He suddenly felt Tohru's grip tighten, probably in surprise of his wriggling. Therefore, Yuki only writhed to make himself comfortable. "Stop squirming, please?" he heard Tohru request.

"You're crushing me!" Yuki protested. He heard a gasp and the tight grip lessened. "Thank you." He said. He never got a response but he was pretty sure she had heard him. Yuki could tell they were moving quickly by the repeated pounding of feet to the cement sidewalk that was heard. 'Thank God! I want to get home quickly, not that this is uncomfortable but it would be nice to be able to actually move!' He snuggled back into the warm hand. "Pure bliss," Yuki mumbled quietly.

.

Tohru ran into the house and immediately let Yuki out of her pocket. She went to go throw the sopping wet clothes in the dryer and Yuki scaled the stairs as quickly as possible. He made it to his room just before…

Poof!

Yuki transformed back into human and sighed with relief. "Phew! Just in time!" he exclaimed and quickly redressed. Yuki stayed in his room, planning to do homework, but ended up staring out into the finally clearing skies.

A slight smile spread across his face as he watched the sun finally peek through the heavy blankets of dark clouds. Yuki heaved another sigh as he watched. That day's events ran through his head over and over. He still couldn't believe he had blurted that out!

"I don't worry about just anybody,"

'Hah! Nice line, Yuki! You almost blew it, you idiot!' What he really didn't understand was why he was acting so negative towards himself. He had never acted like this before… he used to be so confident in himself! 'So, why? Why is what she thinks so… important?'

'That's what happens when you're in lo—' A little voice of his mind echoed.

'Don't even start about that! I don't love her!'

'Yeah, yeah! Keep telling yourself that, Yuki!'

This argument raged on in his mind as he stared out the window. These sorts of arguments seemed to flare up very often lately, though he had absolutely no idea why.

"How about you, Yuki-kun, do you like rain?" Tohru's earlier question rang through his head over and over. He'd finally found his answer 'Yes, Honda-san, I love the rain… because every time I'm in it, you seem to be there with me, every time.' Though he knew he would never say that out loud it's always nice to think about.

YAY!! DONE WITH ANOTHER ONE!! YAY!! I'm so happy I've gotten all these reviews… keep them coming please!

PLEASE REVIEW!!!!

4th Of July, 2004

Woohoo! That's all I have to say…

Senko T.