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Yuki the Rat: Thanks as always for reading, hope you like this chapter!

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Chapter 4: An Afternoon with You – Part II

I soon catch up to her and she smiles at me for a moment as we walk side by side to the section she had selected.  As we approach, her pace quickens and her eyes widen.  She steps up to the glass and watches, her head and eyes darting in all directions to view the life swimming in the tank.  I move so that I am standing near her. 

Hearing my approach, she turns to me and says with a broad grin, "Isn't this amazing, Yuki-kun?"

I nod my head yes and say, "Most certainly, Tohru-san."

She resumes her delighted watching once more while I observe the fish as well, impressed by the number and variety.  We continue like this, consulting the map and walking together to the different areas.  At each location, she displays wonderment, another one of her many endearing qualities.  As we near completion, I notice on the brochure a café located on the first level.  Not only would staying there increase the time I will be able to spend with her, but I also conclude that it is an appropriate setting in which to discuss important matters.

I turn to her and say, "Tohru-san, would you like to get a snack in the café?" 

I point it out to her on the brochure.

She nods her head yes and says, "That does sound like a nice idea, Yuki-kun, let's."

We make our way there, and when we arrive, the hostess seats us and provides us with menus. 

She glances it at it thoughtfully for a few moments, and then looks to me with a smile as she says,  "This reminds me of the time I went with Yuki-kun to get a smoothie."

I remember both times that this happened, but also understand that she remembers only once.  I am reminded also again of the last time the three of us were together in a café such as this.

"Shall we go to eat?"

"That's fine with me, what do you think, Kyo-kun?"

"Uh, yeah, sure."

"Is there anything in particular that you'd like, Tohru-san?"

"Oh, no, you two can decide."

"No, you're supposed to decide – I mean, since it's your day."

"There was another time similar to this that Tohru-san does not remember."

Startled she looks to me with a questioning look.

"A time when it was more than you and I."

"More that you and I?"

I look her resolutely in the eye and say, "Tohru-san, I haven't told you everything – yet."

Still surprised and confused, she remains silent.

"Do you remember, Tohru-san, how I said that you lived in Shigure's house with him, myself, and another?"

"I do remember, the Neko-san of the Juunishi, I believe his name was Kyo-san.  We spoke briefly when I met the Sohmas."

Even though I should not be, I still find myself startled by her references, the formal –san, but, more importantly, the association once again with the cat of the Juunishi.

"When Kyo came to live in Shigure's house, Akito made him transfer to the school that you and I attended, and the three of us were in the same class."

A look even more startled crosses her face.

"Kyo and I – we never got along, but your presence improved things between us, even Haru noticed – he told you about it once."

She blushes as she says, "I certainly couldn't have done something like that."

I smile slightly as I say, "That's exactly what you said to him when he told you that."

Her expression becomes a mixture of surprise and embarrassment.

"But there was more, Tohru-san.  Although I cannot understand or convey Kyo's feelings, I believe that his and mine were one in the same.  To each of us, you were the most important person in the world."

Her face reddening, she stammers a reply, "I – I don't know what to say, I…"

I smile and lean towards her slightly as I answer, "Whatever you feel is fine, Tohru-san.  Nothing is nor should be expected, after all that is happened."

She looks downward and says in a quiet and sad voice, "But what of my feelings, the ones that I have lost?"

 "Kyo and I never knew what was within your heart."

She lifts her head and I am surprised to see a startled expression upon her face. 

She looks downward once more as she says, "Then, did they mean - no, that's terrible of me to think that.  Of course they were a gift – to a friend.  I was very fortunate, to have two people who saw me as their best friend."

Confused, I wonder, is she referring to the ribbons?  Did she think when I told her about them that she and I had…?

To my shock, she stands suddenly, her face red as she says, "It's been very kind of you to do this for me, Yuki-kun, I'm sorry I've been a burden."

She starts to walk quickly towards the exit, and, concerned about what her thoughts may be, I stand and follow her and move so that I am ahead of her and say, "Please wait, Tohru-san."

She stops but her face reminds downcast. 

I see tears start to fall as she says, "I've been foolish, when you first told me about the ribbons, I – I had thought that maybe, in the past, and in the present…"

I take hold of both of her hands and she lifts her face to look upon mine.

"Although I was happy to have you in my life and as such a good friend, I faltered, never pursuing to know the truth about your feelings, fearful of the consequences as the rat of the Juunishi, but more so of learning that our feelings may not be the same."

She straightens, seeming to have gained strength as she answers, "I may not remember my feelings in the past, but I do not see how they could have been different from what they are now."

She takes her hands from mine and moves forward and embraces me as she says, "Like this, is how I want to be."

I return the embrace and say, "Then this is how we shall stay."