Chapter 3

Slow Motion Runner: Thanks for the review! I put Yuki and Kyo's reaction in this chapter, so enjoy.

The café they stopped at was very small. This was their first date, so they preferred it to be a very small area. Tohru picked at the small cake she had bought, hoping to find the ingredients to make it. Hatori stirred his coffee nervously, not knowing what to say. They weren't blushing, but very nervous about this dating. Sure, they loved each other with feeling…but could they pull it off so the others would accept it? Hatori clutched his coffee and took a sip, making an effort to speak. "Where do you want to go shopping Tohru-kun?"

"How about you decide first, considering you're doing the driving."

"I don't want to decide for you, especially since this is a date."

"How about we head to the clothing store first then?"

"Good ideas, you better finish your cake though. I've got to finish my coffee." Tohru nodded as Hatori began to sip his coffee once again. His movements were not as slow, and Tohru was trying to get back to normal movements, as she stood up after finishing. Hatori nodded as she went to the bathroom, and Hatori silently paid the bill as he went to his car. He started it up, and then got out, waiting for Tohru.

Meanwhile…

Yuki and Kyo brainstormed, they had to know what was going on with her. "She could be in love with someone. Did she act weird around you Yuki?"

"Not really, the same as she does you."

"Well, maybe we should ask Shigure."

"You know Shigure, he'd just do one of his 'Little flower' lectures."

"Then we'll need to ask the family to be on watch, we can call and get them to spy around."

"Good idea, you take one half, I'll take the other." The two began to think of how to approach the idea; Kyo went by phone. Yuki went to the main house.

Meanwhile…

Hatori and Tohru entered a clothing store, there were so many to choose from. Hatori had agreed to choose it, so long as Tohru wouldn't mind him paying for any clothes she or himself wanted to purchase. Tohru looked at one rack, seemingly staring for ten minutes at a yellow and orange plaid skirt. Hatori seemed to stare at a single black button down suit shirt. He heard Tohru grasp a few pieces of clothing, going into the dressing room. He decided to get a few more shirts, considering he'll probably need them one day. He silently looked towards the dressing room, deciding to go and see what she had chose. What he saw took his breath away, and it was amazing that he didn't lose his breath completely. "Tohru-kun…you look…gorgeous."

"I…do?" A blush showed on both of their faces, Tohru was wearing a shin-length black skirt with a slit at knee down, and the shirt was a dressier look than she usually wore. It was green, and it was perfectly molded to her body. They couldn't even look at each other; it felt like something would happen if they did. "I think this works…ready to…go Hatori-san?"

"Y-yeah." He finally picked up the shirts he had dropped; he waited for her to change back to normal as they came to the counter. The clothing purchase total was around fifty dollars, but he didn't really care. The most of the purchase was his shirts.

Meanwhile…

Yuki arrived at the main house at time to see Hatsuharu; he smiled at seeing him. This would mean everyone else was here except Hatori. "Hey."

"What's up Yuki?"

"Did Kyo call you?"

"Just now."

"Then can you gather everyone up?"

"Sure thing." Hatsuharu left off, and Yuki sat in Hatsuharu's room waiting. This had to be done.

Meanwhile…

Hatori made his way to a special place, he had once wanted to show Kana the very place. Of course, this was the place he wanted to show her after they were married…but he couldn't now. He sighed a little, only to meet a soft and gentle voice to his ears. "Hatori-san, are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm quite alright Tohru-kun. I was just thinking about something that Shigure was telling me. It annoyed me greatly, considering it was about a book he was planning to write on his most favorite subject." He sighed again, this time in relief. He didn't want to lose Tohru, she said she loved him…and he knew she would be the one that would make him happier than with Kana. He parked the car on a small lot with a lot of grass on it; it had once been a farm store. He opened the car door; letting Tohru come out slowly, it was dark enough to trip if not careful. He took her hand as he led her to an area that made her gasp in surprise. The stars filled the night sky to seemingly form a picture; she could imagine snow falling with the picture. "I wanted to show this to you, it's the place I went to be alone in the past."

"Hatori-san, it's absolutely gorgeous! It makes me think that we are looking into a world of star paintings! Or a new way of seeing the sky!" Her voice was happy, and a delicate blush was on her cheeks, she looked so beautiful that way. The astronomical painting made him more at peace, as he looked strait in her eyes; he cradled her face with his hand, as their faces got closer. Their lips touched, and Tohru's arms went around his neck. He only deepened the kiss enough to slightly put his tongue in; he didn't want to rush anything.

Meanwhile…

Everyone had finally gathered in the room, and Yuki finally began to speak. "Honda-san has been acting weird since last week, I want to make sure if something's wrong. We all need to keep Tohru around, and I believe if we keep around her at certain points of time, we'll see what's going on."

"How come Ha-san isn't here Yuki?" Ayame had been at the main house to talk with Akito, but Yuki didn't much care at this point of time if he was there or not.

"He is checking up on her physical status."

"Well, I think I know what's going on."

"Then what is it nee-san?"

"I think Hatori likes Tohru, he asked to got to dinner that week to tell her that, you know?"

"What do you mean?"

"He has feelings for her you idiot! Do you forget that Romance is my specialty?" Yuki was about to ring his brother's neck, but he calmed for only a sec as he spoke again.

"So, how do we get him away from her?"

"You're jealous? I'm so displeased brother. You shouldn't be fighting what Hatori has for the past few months." Ayame laughed silently as he left the room, he had suspected his brother had liked the flower of Shigure's home. He would have to tell Shii-chan right away, just to keep things in order.

Meanwhile…

Tohru and Hatori had broken the kiss after five minutes, yet they didn't want to lose each other's company. She looked at him, now totally sure of her feelings. "I really do love you Hatori-san. I truly feel that way."

"I feel the same, Tohru-kun. I hope we'll be able to do this another time…maybe we'll be able to go out for dinner instead." He smiled and blushed delicately at the same time as her; he then offered to help her get back in the car as he drove home. The ride home was almost like a haven for the two, now full of love for each other.

Meanwhile…

Yuki was angry now, not to mention what Kyo would find out. Hatori wasn't trying to steal Tohru on purpose, but he hadn't gotten the chance to tell her! He felt so angry, but knew that Hatori had got to his true feelings before he did…and he didn't live in the same house as her! He couldn't do anything other than tell Kyo the truth, he had to conclude in his mind.

Meanwhile…

Ayame got to the phone, about ready to call Shigure as he dialed the number. He smiled; Hatori was finally finding someone for him. No mind his little brother wasn't going to get his chance to his feelings heard for it. "Hello; Shigure speaking."

"Shii-chan! Guess what Ha-san has been up to!"

"Other than taking care of the flower of my home?"

"He's dating her! I saw them walking by my store!" He truly had seen it, it was rare…but he had seen them walking to the clothing store two doors down.

"Wow, so Ha-san has finally found happiness without Kana-kun!"

"Yes, we must meet with him about it!"

"Does Yuki know?"

"Of course he does!"

"I can just imagine the steam now, we shall meet at the store at some point Aya."

"Goodbye Shii-chan!" The phone clicked back on the holder, this was classic. He was happy for Hatori, and at the same time for Hatori's fate.

Meanwhile…

Hatori finally managed to get back to the house; he silently walked her to the door, feeling Shigure looking at him. "Tohru-kun, you better to get in, I'm going to talk with Shigure." She smiled a softly and blushed as she entered the house, she was tired…and went upstairs immediately. "What do you want Shigure?"

"Ayame told me about you dating Tohru-kun."

"I've already been found out…great. Yuki and Kyo are going to kill me."

"I'll keep them from doing that, or you could just medicate them."

"I'll stay with you doing something to them."

"Ha-san, Ayame already wants you to come to the shop to talk about it."

"Alright, just let me get some peace and quiet before you two do something to make me get a headache." Hatori left, obviously annoyed, but more worried about Yuki and Kyo's reaction.

Meanwhile…

Yuki arrived home half and hour after Hatori had left, and Shigure looked at Yuki with curiosity. He simply listened as he acted as he was typing on his laptop. "Stupid cat, I know what's wrong with her."

"What is it pretty boy?"

"She's dating Hatori." Kyo looked shocked at Yuki and anger rose in them both. They didn't attack each other, and Shigure smiled. Tohru no longer was free to be taken, and they were both flustered.

I'm updating Alice 19th fic next, read and review!