Chapter Eight: Tohru Makes up her Mind

Tohru walked to Hatsuharu's house briskly that afternoon. She opened up the gate slowly as she had so many times before and walked over to the building. She knocked on the door and a few seconds later it was answered by a surprised Hatsuharu.

"Tohru. What are you doing here?" he replied.

"We had a singing session this afternoon didn't we? Or did I get the date wrong?" she said worriedly.

"No. No" he smiled shaking his head, "Come on in."

She walked in and removed her shoes.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yea. Everything's fine. Let's just practice" he searched in his box of song sheets.

"Hatsuharu" she walked over, "Are you sure everything's okay. I mean you heard that Rin's back in the hospital didn't you?"

"Yea" he nodded slowly picking up a single sheet of music, "I actually tried to visit her."

"How did that go?"

"Not so good. She threw a vase of flowers at me. We'll just leave it at that."

"Oh."

"So how about this one" he said handing her the sheet and sitting down at the piano.

"Okay" she nodded as he began to play.

He played the tune and started off the singing. As he sang Tohru listened to the lyrics and she became very sad. She stared out the window that was nearby. When it was her turn, she sang but her heart wasn't in it. As they reached the chorus once more, Hatsuharu stopped playing and stared at her in her concern.

"Tohru is something the matter?" he asked.

"I'm sorry Hatsuharu" she replied backing away, "I have to go."

"Huh?" he started to stand up.

"I just have to go" she sprinted over to her shoes and put them on.

"Is there something I can do for you?" he said coming over.

"No" she stood back up and opened the door, "I'm all right. I just have to go" she ran out the door.

"Tohru!" he called as she took off for the main gate, "What in the world was that all about?"

(Next Scene)

Tohru ran. She ran as the tears fell from her eyes. They wouldn't stop. They just continued to fall. When she had gotten far away from Sohma house she stopped.

"What is the matter with me?" she thought, "Why can't I stop crying. Hana. Uo" she looked up realizing, "They're both at Hana's house right now. I have to talk to them" she began to run once more.

(Next Scene)

She ran through the city and past the train station. She arrived at Hana's house just as the rain began to fall. She knocked on the door. Hana was the one who opened it.

"Tohru" she said surprised, as Uo joined her in the hall.

"Hana. Uo" she spotted her.

"Tohru what's the matter?" Uo replied in concern.

" I have to talk to you. I have to talk to you both right now."

"Okay" Uo nodded pulling her in, "Come on in."

"Yes Tohru come in" Hana added, "I'll go get you some tea."

"Okay" Tohru nodded as Uo and her sat down in the sitting room.

Hana came back in with three cups of tea and they waited patiently as Tohru drank it. Finally she placed the cup down and looked at them.

"You two are my best friends. And you don't know how much I treasure that relationship. But I have to tell you something. Something I was afraid to tell you before."

"Okay" Uo replied.

Tohru stood up.

"You see lately, it's been on my mind. I can't stop thinking about it. Not since it happened."

"Since what happened Tohru?" Hana asked.

"For both of you to understand. I want you to know. I wanted to tell you. For months now. When I found out myself, I couldn't believe."

"Tohru you're talking in circles" Uo said, "What are you trying to say?"

"Do you guys remember, do you remember the dance and the song?"

"Sure" Uo replied.

"It was beautiful Tohru" Hana said.

"Do you remember what happened afterward? When I dashed out of the room in tears? At the time I told you that it was because of my mom, but that wasn't true. It was a lie. I told you a lie."

Uo and Hana looked at each other surprised.

"You see, that song touched me in a way I didn't think it would. And I found myself believing in the lyrics. I found myself singing it to a certain person. And that is what made me cry. Because the lyrics were so true."

"You were singing to someone?" Uo replied.

"Who?" Hana asked.

"I have to admit it to myself and to you guys that lately, he's all I think about. And it makes me happy and sad all at the same time."

"Wait a minute Tohru?" Uo stood up and walked over to her, "Are you in love?"

"Yes" Tohru nodded slowly realizing it finally herself, "Yes Uo I am."

Uo nodded while Hana looked away a little sadly.

"But the question is, who is he? Obviously it's Orange top or the Prince but which one? I mean I have my suspicions and I always have. But who is he?"

Tohru was silent for a moment as Hana once again turned to the other two.

"Tohru. Tell me. Which is it? I don't think it's the Prince. But I could be wrong."

"Yuki" Tohru replied, "Yuki is the sweetest boy I have ever known, "Tohru smiled, "He really is like a prince, and he doesn't even try. In many ways I love him a lot" she paused, "But it's a different kind of love. He is more like family to me. Like a brother that I can confide in like you two."

"So I was right then?" Uo said.

"You're in love with Kyo aren't you Tohru?" Hana stood up and joined them.

"Mhm. I didn't know how much, until recently. But it doesn't matter. We can never be together."

"What do you mean it doesn't matter?" Uo replied angrily, "Why not? Why can't you be together?"

"It's complicated Uo" Tohru said.

"Does it have anything to do with that man?" Hana asked.

"What man?" Uo said.

"You know? The one we met at the hot springs. The one with the dark electric waves."

"Oh yea. Akito right. Tohru is it because of him?"

"Well partly. He doesn't exactly approve of relationships in their family," she answered.

"So what? I say you go for it anyway."

"There's another reason Uo. If I reveal how I feel, someone will get hurt in the process. I can't hurt him and I don't want the other one to get hurt if I do say something. Everyone in that family who has tried to have a relationship has been hurt because of it. Hatsuharu, and Hiro. Kisa, Rin and even Hatori. No I can't let him go through that" she shook her head sadly.

"But Tohru" Uo replied, "Haven't you been through a lot too? Don't you deserve some happiness yourself?"

"She's right Tohru" Hana nodded, "I don't think you should let this Akito person ruin your chance of being happy."

"And I'm not going to stand for this either. I will talk to him myself," Uo said angrily, "Tohru you deserve this. I really think that you should tell Orange top the truth. And do it now. This is what your mom would want for you."

"Mom" Tohru thought.

"We're not going to tell you what to do Tohru" Uo replied, "We know you'll make the right decision, and we do appreciate that you came to us first."

"Yes Tohru" Hana nodded as Tohru embraced them, "Whatever you decide we are behind you."

"Thanks you guys" she replied, "I needed to hear that."

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Okay that's it for today! See you all again on Wednesday for the last two chapters of Book Seven!

Next Chapter: Awkward Moment

Tohru returns home and she and Kyo might have to face the music! Find out what happens next time!