Falling For a Prince?

By: Nikumu Chan

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket.

A/n: Sorry!! Really, I am… I'm soooo sorry… I've been, err, busy… and lazy… and everything else besides creative… But, I'm back and I just realized how long it's been since I updated with this story! I was surprised, really! I hadn't thought it was that long ago… What? Four months, almost?? I'm sorry, again. Err, maybe, I should just write, eh?

Chapter 8: Meet me

~*~ Previous Chapter ~*~

"Someone," she whispered with a dry, humorless laugh. "He's thinking about someone. And that someone isn't me," Though she always tried to see the good in situations, she saw none in this one. A tear slipped down her cheek and went unnoticed by the girl. One would think that knowing he cared about someone else means she would give up. But, not Tohru Honda; she wouldn't give up on her motto, 'Tohru Honda never gives up!' Hah! That certainly seemed laughable right now. Sure, she wanted to get rid of those feelings, to get rid of her heartache. But she couldn't push them away. She couldn't stop loving Yuki Sohma… no matter how hard she tried. She couldn't shake that feeling.

Even if that feeling was causing her pain, she couldn't just leave it behind.

~*~ On with Chapter 8 ~*~

Her tired face revealed the immense lack of sleep she'd gotten despite how cheerful she was. There was no way around it; she was tired. And, even though she smiled, she wasn't happy, cheerful, or joyful in any way, really. She was more ashamed than anything. Tohru was ashamed for her haste in following her feelings. One would think that she would be his first choice apart from the Sohma clan, right?

Wrong.

She was feeling particularly selfish, also. She didn't think it was fair! She, out of every girl who knew the Sohma family, was closest to them and knew their darkest secret! She should've been the one… not some other girl! Yuki didn't think about her, right?

She didn't know. It was a measly conjecture of 'no', though…

Tohru propped her chin in the palm of her left hand, leaning forward on the desk, as the teacher lectured about some science discovery. She knew exactly how important school was but she couldn't stop her thoughts from wandering. She sketched idly on the corner of the notes she'd taken, trying to keep busy. She stopped to yawn softly, setting the pencil to the side to cover her mouth politely.

She involuntarily glanced to the clock and realized that she was only in third period. Great… That would just make her day worse. She was tired, depressed, and really didn't want to go to work that night. But, she disciplined, you have to…

Sighing, she looked up, rather gratefully, as the bell rang.

~*~

Tohru yawned loudly as she approached the Sohma house. She was nearly glad that no one had come to pick her up from work. She looked horrible! She was so, very tired and sore.

Thanking god that everyone would be asleep, she silently entered the house and slipped out of her shoes. Just as she was ready to pull herself up the stairs and into bed, she stopped. Some one was watching her, she could feel their eyes. Some one in the house must have been up! She bit her lip and turned around, smiling falsely and hoping it wasn't Yuki. She couldn't face him yet…

Her smile almost left when she saw who was standing there.

Yuki.

"Yuki-kun? Why are you up so late?" Tohru blinked away her surprise.

"I was waiting." Yuki replied softly.

Tohru blinked again. "For me?" Yuki nodded shortly and, frowning, Tohru realized that he hadn't moved. "Did you need to talk to me?" Yuki nodded again. "What about?"

Yuki shrugged. "You're hurt…" he pointed out. Before she could open her mouth, he continued, "And I think it's my fault…"

Tohru blinked. Was she that that obvious? "I—I'm not. What are you talking about?" She sincerely hoped that it sounded convincing; denial had never worked but it was worth a try in this type of situation.

He shook his head. "That's not true. You can smile and laugh all you'd like but I can see it."

"You're seeing wrong, then," I hope… Tohru added silently.

"I never see wrong, Honda-san," Yuki confirmed immediately.

Tohru lowered her eyes and hopped from one foot to another. She knew it was true; she'd known he could read her emotions… She hated that. It made her feel so susceptible. Tohru didn't like that feeling much. She bit her lip and forced a yawn. "I'm sorry, Yuki, but I'm extremely tired and I need to get some sleep…" With all honesty, she had completely forgotten about rest.

Yuki nodded.

Finally letting herself recall the lethargy that had beleaguered her, Tohru bobbed her head up and down in return and turned to the stairwell. Just as she'd made the first step, she heard another soft call. She looked back hazily.

"Honda-san, meet me," he paused. "Meet in the park, tomorrow, immediately after school,"

Tohru blinked. "Sure," She nodded again and tip-toed up the stairs and into her room, closing the door tightly behind her and sliding to the floor.

Apprehension.

She hated that, too…

~*~

Short chappie!! I'm sorry, really, I am. But, at the moment, I'm being kicked off the computer. I really want to get a chappie up! Can you all not hate me? Please?? I'm sorry. Review!

Remember me,

Nikumu