KyonKyon: Sorry for the long delay! I wanted the story to be just right and after much thinking, I can finally get it rolling!! Thanks for the support everyone! Enjoy!

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Tohru struggled to hold in her laughter but she couldn't.

Bursting into peals of laughter, she turned away from the funny sight.

Hatori was scowling slightly with his hands on his hip.

" What?" he asked, feeling a bit of heat on his cheeks.

" I'm sorry, Tori…didn't mean to laugh at you…but…you look so…adorable in that apron!" laughed Tohru, waving her hands in front of her.

" Hmm…I did say I wanted to help and look what I got…hmph…" Hatori said grumpily.

" And I love you for that…" Tohru said, creeping up his and putting her arms around him.

A week of happiness since they came to Hokkaido. Sure, the weather was so cold and it was almost always snowing out there but their spirits were sky-high with the intoxicating effect of freedom and love.

The first thing Tohru noticed was the lack of utensils.

" He obviously was not kidding when he said no one knew about it…" Hatori deadpanned but soon found himself shopping with Tohru.

" These?" he asked, pointing to the bowls, which he held up in his hands and Tohru nodded.

Walking around with the bags in their arms, they laughed like they had never laughed before.

Looking down at Tohru who was holding onto the bags and his arm, he felt a fuzzy feeling in his chest.

Her laughter was so intoxicating…

His fears was pushed aside…with her there, who needed to be afraid?

When nights came, Hatori found himself unable to sleep without gently holding Tohru's hand. They were sharing the bed, no hanky-panky, of course, but Hatori took comfort in the fact that Tohru was right there beside him.

He loved the feeling of waking up beside her, knowing that another day was coming with her smile to light it up…

He truly couldn't fathom how he had survived all those years…thinking of those times made him feel like he had been living in a cave.

Maybe he was…

Eyes that couldn't see…

Ears that couldn't hear…

Heart that couldn't feel…

For the first time he felt so alive, so free!!

He never wanted this to end!

Never!

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You could say that the spark of lust was ignited by a certain observation by Tohru. As she was cooking, she happened to look up just as Hatori came in.

Her jaws dropped open as she looked at Hatori who stood there, feeling self-conscious for the first time in his life.

" Ha…Tori…" she managed to choke out.

" I…I always wanted to wear these…I've never worn jeans before, would you believe it? Even as a teenager? It feels funny…" Hatori admitted and Tohru swallowed.

He looked HOT.

Boy, was she glad that he had NOT worn jeans when he was a teen. Hatori would've been jumped and gang raped by women.

The jeans were a perfect fit on his slim and muscular legs, hanging onto his hips with a loving touch.

Tohru imagined running her hand down those legs, feeling that rough texture of the jeans and…

" Ouch…" she cried out as she accidentally touched the hot pan.

Instantly Hatori was by her side, looking at her injury and Tohru felt embarrassed.

What's wrong with you? It's not as if you've never seen Hatori before! Stop ogling at him! She thought to herself, scolding herself.

Looking down, she met Hatori's smoldering gaze, leaving her short of breath.

Looking into those clear crystal gray eyes, she felt herself drown in its depths.

She didn't know who made the first move but all of a sudden they were kissing with a passion that made her bones melt…

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Snuggled up in bed with Hatori, Tohru felt so happy and content.

His broad chest lifted with every breath he took and Tohru gently stroked his arm, playing with his fingers.

" Do you know that…the first time I saw you, I fell in love with you?" she said softly.

" Hmm…really?" he said and Tohru heard his reply rumble in his chest.

She giggled and nodded.

" I remembered thinking how calm you looked among the chaos…you seem to stand out in the crowd, grabbing my attention from everything…later when you handed me that note…to come and visit you, I guess you could say, I was frightened out of my wits!"

" Frightened?"

" Yea…Yuki told me about your ability to erase memories…and I was so afraid that…you would erase mine on the spot if I refused you…" Tohru said and Hatori chuckled.

" You're so silly, Tohru…"

" Yea, I know…that's why I fell for you…but…seriously…I was so afraid that…I just wasn't certain whether you would like me…after Kana…" Tohru said and feeling stupid, she tried to swallow the lump in her throat.

His fingers gently raised her eyes and in the darkness, Hatori could make out her bright tears.

Leaning forward, he kissed her gently.

" Nothing in this world…make me happier than having you by my side…Kana was my past…I loved her…and that was in the past…"

"I know…just that I feel stupid…but I also feel…sad…for Kana and you…I mean…when Momiji told me about Kana and you, I felt…so sad…even then you were so concerned for me…I…as I got to know the Sohma's better, you could say that slowly but surely, all of you etched yourself into my hearts…all of you are important to me…"

" I know…I know…" he whispered softly and the night fell silent as the 2 settled down while it snowed outside.