Journey to the Past
By Mayumi Takanashi
Yuki and Kyo walked slowly back to class. The bell rang, but they were already in their seats. They sat in the same places as they did in their first year. Tohru sat in the front row, being careful to avoid Kyo. Obviously, he had frightened her with his harsh words, and Kyo began sulking when he realized this fact.
When the teacher finished with the roll call, he asked Kyo who he was. He remembered how he was not registered at this school until a few months after this day, which made him flush red. In a rage, he opened the window and jumped outside, falling down at least another story. The entire class gasped in amazement.
For the next three classes, Yuki was not concentrating on his schoolwork. Twice he was asked a question by a teacher, and twice he did not even know he was being spoken to. The person he was concentrating on was Tohru. A couple of Prince Yuki Fan Club girls noticed this, and for the rest of the hour they scowled at the girl who was attracting so much of the Prince's attention.
Yuki sighed. Everything seemed so insignificant compared to what was about to happen. It was all unimportant. Why was he just sitting here when the person he cared the most for was about to loose the only one she had left. Her father was dead, and now her mother would die as well. An orphan. She would become an orphan. Yuki drew a sharp intake of breath as he realized this. He saw the situation in a whole new light. She would become an orphan.
"This just isn't right,"he thought. "How could someone as kind, as caring, as selfless as her lose both her parents? Miss Honda is the last person in the world who deserves this. Why her, of all people, why her?"
"Excuse me. May I speak to Tohru Honda?" asked a man at the door.
"This is it," thought Yuki. "This is the moment that will change both of our lives...forever."
It was like a movie in slow motion was playing. Tohru got up to speak to the teacher. After a few moments, they ran away down the hall. Saki Hanajima and Arisa Uotoni, her two closest friends, followed her out. Yuki sat in shock.
He remembered how at this very moment, two years ago, when he just sat here in this same desk. How did he feel about this at the time?
"I thought, 'Something must have happened to someone in her family. What a shame.'"
Yuki clenched his fist tighter and tighter. Suddenly, he jumped up out of his seat and slammed his fist into his desk.
"How could I have thought such a thing?"
Many students turned their heads toward him. Others gasped in fright at Yuki's violent act of rage. He ran out of the classroom, leaving many astonished faces behind.
-Journey to the Past-
Kyo was standing at the outside gate. He saw Yuki sprint up toward him, then stop in front of him, breathing heavily.
"Well?" said a very impatient Kyo.
"It happened," Yuki said simply. Even though these words were quite vague, Kyo understood the entire meaning of them.
"Did she come out yet?" asked Yuki, regaining his breath.
"Nope," Kyo replied.
"Well, she should soon."
It was only a couple of minutes, but it seemed like the longest wait either of them had ever had to endure in their lives. Each second was being dragged out for hours.
"Look," said Yuki, pointing toward the front door of the school building. Kyo turned his head and saw Tohru coming towards them at a fast pace. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, and her eyes were red from crying.
"Excuse me, Miss Honda, please wait," shouted Yuki. Tohru stopped running and looked at the two of them.
"Are you walking to the hospital?" asked Yuki politely.
"H-how did you know I was going there?" Tohru questioned.
"We can go with you to the hospital, if you want," Kyo offered.
"Oh, you don't need to do that. You both have school. I couldn't let you," Tohru replied, looking over toward the street. It was apparent that she was in a hurry.
"We insist," said Yuki.
"Well, we don't have any time to waste, so let's get a move on!" Kyo said aggressively.
Tohru didn't seem to know how to respond to that.
"Um, thank you, Prince Yuki," she said quietly. "And you too," she finished, nodding toward Kyo.
They began running down the street, the boys following right behind Tohru.
"By the way, I'm Kyo," he shouted over the sound of their loud footsteps.
"And there is no need to call me a 'prince,'" Yuki yelled.
"Okay!" Tohru responded.
They continued making their way to the hospital.