Well, the votes are in and an overwhelming percent of you have voted Haru! I hope that you've enjoyed my story and continue to read more of them, I've loved doing this, and I really do appreciate the great comments and feedback, you guys really know how to make a girls day hugs and kisses so, this is the climatic conclusion to Alone at Sohma House, enjoy!

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Tohru had decided. It had kept her up all night, and even made her sick to her stomach a few times, but she had made up her mind.

She was in love with Haru.

He was all she could think about, and despite her feelings for Yuki, she had decided that her love for him was more brotherly, and that what she and Haru had was different. Very different. She had never acted this way before until he came that night. She had never even thought of kissing a boy, and now that's what she found herself longing for. She knew it was unfair and wrong, but that was what it was, it would have to be faced eventually. Picking Yuki would also bring feuding into the Sohma house, and tension between her and Kyo. Besides, she reminded herself, those girls in Yuki's fan club were able to got crazy and do something terrible to Tohru, and its not like Yuki had no one else to be with. She was nothing like those girls, they were all the pick of the school, and she was just simple, ditzy Tohru.

She had finally gotten the nerve to speak to Yuki, she had stopped him in the hallway in school between classes.

" Yuki, we need to talk…"

" Um, I'm kinda busy Honda…Tohru. Maybe later."

" No, its has to be now!"

Yuki was stunned by her demand, so he stopped to listen. But her words were blurs and stumbles to him, although she could barely speak, he had zoned out and seemed to pay no attention.

" Is that alright Yuki?"

" Hm? Oh yeah Tohru, that sounds fine."

Tohru was taken back by his acceptance; maybe he hadn't loved her after all. Or maybe he just wanted her to be happy. She was glad he had made it so easy for her; she thought she would have felt horrible for the rest of her life for this. He walked away easy enough, nodding politely at the fan club girls, sending them into a squealing frenzy. Tohru continued down the hall, but was whipped to a locker by her arm, a strong hand locked against her upper arm. She shrieked, and was pulled hard against a rough chest.

" Your scared of me now? Toru c'mon!"

She looked up meekly, realizing it was Haru, and she laughed nervously and rubbed the back of her neck.

" I'm sorry moo moo, I didn't realize that was you. You just startled me is all…"

"Don't call me moo moo in school, that's embarrassing."

" Really? This must be embarrassing too." She giggled and stood on tip toe, taking him by surprise and kissing him quickly, then pulling back to see the shock on his face.

" What are you doing? Do you want people to know?"

" If you do. I have nothing to hide from anybody now, do you?"

" No it's just that…."

" You didn't want word to get to Yuki? He already knows…."

" Really? Well then, I suppose there's no harm in this…"

He grinned mischievously and slid a strong arm around her waist, his free hand gliding along the curve of her back. She giggled and playfully punched his shoulder, pulling away and impishly walking away.

" You're going to be late for class."

" It wouldn't be the first time.

Later that day, Tohru had finished her chores around the house, and had the day off at work, so she just relaxed by the garden her and Yuki had been raising together, and couldn't help but wish he was there. Something inside her still clung to Yuki, but she had made her choice and told him, there was no turning back now.

" Tohru, I thought I'd find you out here."

" Yuki, you're still talking to me? Your not mad about…"

" About what? Tohru, you know I would never stop being close to you, for nothing."

She smiled gently, blushing a bit as she bit her lower lip. " You mean you're not angry for me choosing Haru?"

" What? What do you mean you chose Haru?"

She blinked, confused. She had told him earlier that day, right? His face was distraught and his eyes were filled with a pain she couldn't bare to see.

" I told you today in school Yuki…"

" That's what you were talking about? I hadn't been listening Tohru! Why, why Haru? He's wrong Tohru, that guy will get you in trouble quick. You should really think on this…"

" I have thought on it. I like the fact that Haru will make me something other than sweet little Tohru; I like the feeling of being changed. Yuki, I see you as a brother, someone I love, but not that way…please tell me you understand."

Yuki had turned away from her. His heart stabbed achingly, his breath was caught in his chest. That had been why he loved Tohru. She had been different from the other girls in school, sweeter, kinder, and loving. But Haru had given her a glimpse into what she could be, something that Yuki could never do. He had wished that Tohru 'd realized that it was only a crush, but in the end it had been him that was only a crush. He loved her, he truly did, but he wanted her to be happy, if that meant she would end up with Haru, then so be it.

" I understand Tohru. Just please say that we can still be…"

" Of course Yuki! I would never change what we have; you'll always have a place in my heart. Thank you so much."

She knew that his heart was aching, and so was hers. They embraced each other, her face buried into his chest as tears stained his soft white shirt. The sun had begun to set, sending splashes of orange and crimson shooting around them, barely warming their skin. She looked up at him, and he met her eyes. Although she had told him her love was different, she had known there was a part of her that wanted more. He gently moved an oaken strand behind her ear, making her blush as she lowered her head, yet not tarring her gaze from his.

" Oh Yuki…"

He smiled and held her once more, whispering gently past her ear. " I know Tohru, I just want you to be happy. Then she kissed him. It took him by surprise, her lips softly grazing his neck, and he pulled back a little, a confused look on his boyish face.

" I know I chose Haru, but just for now, let me be with you, this one last time…"

He understood what she was asking. He pulled her close to him, she rested her head against his shoulder as the looked over their garden into the setting sun, their breathing in sync as they sat there this one last time, together.

She had fallen asleep quickly; she had been so comfortable against Yuki, in that moment. He had taken her to bed, laid her gently on the large bed, and had opened the window, the way she liked it. She had slept motionlessly through the night, and had woken gently just before twilight. He was beside her, his long arms wrapped around her protectively, as if he hadn't wanted to let her go. He was still sleeping peacefully, his face nuzzled into the chocolate strands of her hair, breathing softly.

" Yuki…" She spoke softly, as if she hadn't wanted him to wake up. But he had.

" That was it, wasn't it Tohru.That was the last night it would ever be this way…"

" Yes Yuki. I'm sorry, but it had to be this way, it was fate…"

" I know."

He raised from the bed, stretching slowly, then without looking at her, left. She lay there still, remembering the night before, how perfect it had been, and how quickly it had ended. But in her heart she knew that this was the right choice in her mind she knew that it would be all right, and that in the end, it was happy. She sat up easily, yawned, and then went to the phone, to call Haru to wish him a good morning.

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Wow, I'm proud of myself! I think I ended that nicely, how bout you? Anyways, I may make a sequel to this story, maybe not, e mail me and let me know. For the last chapter, signing off….

Your loving chibi author cries and waves bye

porcalin