Chapter Five: The Letter

When Tohru arrived home later that evening she placed the roses in the kitchen. Both Yuki and Kyo noticed the vase but they didn't say anything. Shigure was the only one with the nerve to ask.

"So Tohru did you have fun skiing?" he asked as they sat down to dinner.

"Oh yes" she smiled, "I never knew that skiing could be so enjoyable. At first it was kind of hard, but then I picked it up in no time. I'm still no expert though."

"That's good" Shigure grinned, "Momiji mentioned in the car on the way home that you met up with an old friend, is he the one who gave you the roses?"

"Shigure!" both Yuki and Kyo exclaimed.

"Oh it's all right" Tohru said, "As a matter of fact yes, he was the one who gave me the roses. It was for the five years that we were friends."

"Five years? That's an awful long time" Shigure replied, "Must have been interesting seeing him again?"

"Yes" Tohru nodded, "It has been a long time, so it was very surprising."

"I'll say" Kyo spoke up, "He just showed up out of nowhere. I still can't believe he ruined our race like that."

"If it bothers you so much stupid cat" Yuki replied cynically, "Then next time we'll race again, only I'm sure you won't stand a chance."

"Oh yea? We'll see about that. Next time I'm gonna make you eat those words rat boy!"

"I guess I'd better start cleaning everything up," Tohru said picking up their plates.

Kyo and Yuki stopped arguing as she walked into the kitchen.

"So tell me boys" Shigure smiled mischievously, "Was this young man handsome?"

"How the hell would we know that?" Kyo shouted.

"Well, all I'm thinking is, he sent Tohru roses. And a man never sends a girl flowers when they want to be just friends. He usually has other intentions in mind."

"Not all men have as crude a mind as you do Shigure" Yuki replied.

"Oh Yuki" Shigure sighed, "Why are you so cruel to me? All I'm saying is that the two of you should keep an eye on our little flower."

"She'll be fine" Yuki said.

"And who's to say if she will ever see that guy again anyway?" Kyo added.

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The next few days went by smoothly. Shigure had another deadline to meet so he was hard at work. Kyo was now taking extra lessons at Kazuma's three times a week. Tohru walked home alone that breezy winter afternoon. Yuki had to stay behind for the student council. It was getting closer and closer to the time when the seniors were graduating, and he had a lot of programs to plan. Tohru entered the house and looked at the mail on the telephone table. There was a letter addressed to her. She slowly picked it up and read it.

My Dear Tohru,

Your grandfather and I have received word from your other grandfather that you are no longer living with him, due to certain circumstances. I must say we were quite surprised, but we asked for your new address. I've had it for some time now, but it wasn't until we talked to Tai Ushida, (you remember of course) told us that he had seen you and that you were well, that I thought about writing to you. Your grandfather and I now live at the summer estate with the rest of the family, however he does have to come into the city from time to time for business. We are going to be in the city this week as a matter of fact and we were hoping we could see you.

We will be staying at the Tokyo Palace, Room 561. It is the penthouse, and the only room on the floor. Just tell the concierge downstairs who you are and they will direct you. Please say you'll come, oh and dear call me at this number when you decide.

Lots of love,

Grandmother

At the bottom of the letter was the hotel phone number. Tohru read the letter over and over. Finally she sighed, folded the letter back in the envelope and walked upstairs.

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That night everyone ate their supper in silence. Kyo gazed at Tohru's face as she ate. So did Yuki. Shigure watched the whole scene with amusement.

"Will you guys excuse me for a minute, I have to make a phone call" Tohru replied.

"Sure Miss Honda" Yuki nodded.

"I'm done too," Kyo said standing up and taking his dishes into the kitchen.

Tohru pulled the letter out of her pocket and dialed the number. The phone rang for a few minutes until someone at the hotel picked up.

"Tokyo Palace. How may I help you?" the man asked.

"Uh hello there, can I have the extension to room 561 please."

"Yes Mam."

A few more seconds and Tohru's grandmother picked up.

"Oh Tohru darling, how are you? I was hoping that you would call."

"I'm fine grandmother. I was very happy to hear from you. How's grandfather?"

"Oh he's just fine dear. So are you going to come to see us?"

"Um yes of course. When would you like to see me?"

"I was thinking Thursday night. I know you work on Fridays."

"Yes that's true" Tohru replied, "Okay then I will see you Thursday then. What time?"

"How about eight o'clock?"

"Okay. I will see you this Thursday at precisely eight o'clock."

"Good. You don't know how happy you have made me Tohru."

"Don't mention it. Goodbye grandmother."

"Goodbye Darling."

Tohru hung up the phone and sighed.

"Is everything okay Miss Honda?" Yuki asked.

He was standing in the hallway, leaning on a wall with his arms crossed. He had a concerned look on his face.

"Oh yes" Tohru smiled, "Everything's fine. That was my grandmother. She wants me to see her and my grandfather this Thursday."

"Are these the grandparents that you haven't seen since your mom's funeral?" he asked.

"Uh huh?"

"How do you feel about that?"

"Well to be perfectly honest, I am a little nervous about it. I mean I haven't seen them in a long time, and my grandfather isn't the warmest of people."

"Miss Honda, I tell you what, how about I accompany you that evening?"

"Huh? You would do that for me?"

"Of course. I'll be there for moral support."

Tohru placed her hands together and smiled.

"Oh Yuki that would be wonderful. Thank you so much."

"It's no trouble. I'll be happy to go" he smiled back.

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"What?" Uo asked the next day as they ate their lunch, "You mean you grandmother actually wrote you a letter and now you are going to see her and your grandfather tomorrow night?"

"Mhm" Tohru nodded.

"How do you feel Tohru?" Hana asked.

"I'm okay. I mean at first I was worried, but Yuki offered to go with me, so I won't be alone."

"Well that was awful nice of the prince" Uo replied with a grin, "I'd rather you have someone at your side when they start asking those future questions again."

"Yes" Hana agreed, "The only reason you escaped them so well the last time is because Arisa and I were there with you."

"I know" Tohru frowned, "Having Yuki there will make it easier to turn them down."

"Remember Tohru" Uo held up her fists, "You are a strong and independent girl and you can make it on your own. Just keep telling yourself that."

"I will Uo thank you" Tohru smiled.

"We will pray for you" Hana said.

"Thank you" Tohru replied with tears in her eyes as she hugged her two best friends, "Thank you both so much."

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Finally the day arrived. Uo and Hana gave Tohru another pep talk. She walked home with Yuki and Kyo and started dinner early. She and Yuki had informed Shigure the night before that they had plans the next night.

"A date? Oh how romantic" he sighed happily.

Yuki struck him on the head.

"It's not a date idiot."

Then Tohru had to explain to Shigure what was really going on. He wished them luck as they left to go to the hotel. Kyo watched them leave as well. They were both standing in the front of the house. Kyo scowled a bit.

"Jealous Kyo? Wishing you were going too?" Shigure replied playfully.

"I am not jealous!" Kyo's face turned red " Shut up if you don't know what you are talking about!" Kyo yelled storming back inside.

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Yuki and Tohru arrived at the hotel at exactly 7:55. They walked inside and went to the front desk. A young man was standing behind it writing something on a pad of paper.

"Be with you in a moment" he replied.

Yuki and Tohru just looked at each other.

"Okay" the man, said looking up, "How can I help you?"

"Um I'm Tohru Honda, I have an appointment to see my"

"Oh yes" the man nodded, "Just go to the elevator and punch in five. It will take you directly to their room. Your grandmother said she would be waiting for you" he led them onto the elevator.

"Okay. Thank you" Tohru bowed.

"Thank you miss. And enjoy your stay at the Tokyo Palace" he smiled as the doors closed.

"He was certainly friendly" Tohru smiled as Yuki, pressed the button five.

"Yes, but you think he could have at least waited till you finished the sentence before he answered" Yuki replied, "It's funny though, he said that the elevator will take us directly to their room."

"Uh right" Tohru said with her head down a little.

"But the only rooms that I know of that work that way are usually penthouses."

"Right again."

"But Miss Honda."

"Oh we're here" she interrupted him as the doors opened.

They were now in a very fancy hallway. A servant greeted them and showed them to the living room. She took their coats and offered them some tea, which they both declined. Yuki gazed around the room in wonder. Out of one of the far rooms a very elegantly dressed older woman came out. Her short white hair was curled and she had three pearl necklaces around her neck.

"Tohru darling" she embraced her, "I am so glad that you could come."

"Thank you grandmother. Oh this is Yuki Sohma. He agreed to accompany me tonight so that I wouldn't have to walk alone. Yuki this is my grandmother Serika Miyoshi."

Yuki bowed.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Miyoshi."

"Oh my such a gentleman" Mrs. Miyoshi blushed, "Well sit down children. Your grandfather will be out in a few more minutes Tohru. He just had some last minute business to take care of."

"Oh that's no problem" Tohru replied.

"In the meantime would you like some tea, and Mr. Sohma I would love to hear a little bit about yourself."

"Oh well" Yuki said, "First off I would love some tea. There's not really much to tell. I know Miss Honda from school. And we sort of became friends from the start."

"Are you two seeing each other?"

Tohru blushed while Yuki who now had his cup of tea stopped stirring.

"Um no. Actually we are still just very good friends, right Miss Honda?"

"Yes exactly. Yuki and I are very good friends. I have a lot of good friends in Yuki's family."

Out of the room where Mrs. Miyoshi had just entered a tall balding man came out. He was wearing glasses and was very thin. He was dressed in a suit. He had a serious look on his face when he spotted Yuki but smiled as Tohru walked over to him

"Oh grandfather" she smiled, "It is so good to see you again."

"Hello Tohru" he embraced her, "It's good to see you too. It has made your grandmother very happy that you have come."

He sat down next to her grandmother as she sat down next to Yuki once more.

"Dear" Mrs. Miyoshi replied, "This is Yuki Sohma. He is one of Tohru's friends."

"It is a pleasure to meet you sir" Yuki bowed his eyes.

"Sohma huh? You have a lot of business men in your family?"

"I suppose so" Yuki replied.

"I do believe I work with some of them. Are you planning on going into business some day?"

"Well I do have plans to go to college after high school, but I don't really know what will happen in the future."

"Ah yes the future" Mr. Miyoshi pulled out his pipe, "That was one of the reasons that we asked you here tonight Tohru."

"Yes sir" she looked straight at him.

"It came to our attention that you stopped living with your grandfather and are now living with a friend. You will be graduating soon correct?"

"Yes" she nodded.

"Tohru. It is very important to your grandmother and I that you get all that you deserve. I hear that you are also still working."

"Yes that's right."

"Well that needs to stop. From now on I will pay for your tuition."

"Oh no grandfather, that's not necessary."

"Of course it is necessary" he puffed on the pipe, "You are our only granddaughter, and you are a young lady. Young ladies should not be working those types of hours. Don't you agree Mr. Sohma?"

"I uh."

He didn't give Yuki any time to finish.

"Have you thought about what you are going to do after high school?" he asked her.

"Well no, I mean I thought I would work."

"Out of the question" Mr. Miyoshi shook his head, "No granddaughter of mine is going to slave away at a job so demeaning."

"If you ask me" Yuki thought as he saw Tohru lower her face more and more, "You're the one who's being demeaning."

"Dear" Mrs. Miyoshi replied, "I think you have said enough for one night don't you" she placed a hand on his.

He puffed one last time on his pipe then stood up.

"I have some more work to do, so if you will excuse me. It was nice meeting you Mr. Sohma."

"You too sir" Yuki said holding back what he really wanted to say.

"Think about what I said Tohru" Mr. Miyoshi replied as he quickly embraced her.

"I will grandfather" she nodded.

He walked out of the room. Mrs. Miyoshi smiled then poured herself another cup of tea.

"More tea? She smiled.

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About an hour later, Yuki and Tohru exited the hotel. Tohru was very quiet as they walked. She just stared straight ahead.

"Miss Honda" Yuki replied stopping, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine" she nodded, "They just care about me, that's all. It's nice to have someone care that much you know. I really am very lucky."

"Uh."

"C'mon Yuki, maybe we can pick up something for dessert on the way home" she smiled back at him."

Yuki just stared at her as she walked on, as if nothing bothered her. He shook his head, smiled briefly, and then followed her down the street.

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Authors Note: The infamous grandparents make their appearance! Hope you enjoyed the chapter. I love Yuki in this one. It was just so sweet of him to offer to go with her. And I love how polite he is too.

Next Chapter: Shigure's Idea

Tai Ushida discovers Tohru's new home address. It's gonna take some pretty fancy footwork to convince him that she lives in a normal family environment. Find out how a plan of Shigure's ends up making a fool out of both Yuki and Kyo.