Christmas was quickly approaching and Shigure's entire household frequently left on mysterious errands. There was a low hum of anticipation amongst the young people. Shigure was having a party on Christmas Eve and had invited all of the juunishi. He had also given Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki permission to invite friends if they so desired. Tohru was the only one to take him up on the offer, as she had really wanted to invite Uo and Hana.
Shigure had been quite confident that it would turn out that way. He prowled the house humming under his breath "High school girls, High school girls," more and more frequently as the day came closer. Yuki and Kyo would look at him with disgust and Tohru simply smiled at him.
"Shigure-san, we aren't in high school anymore."
"That's true Tohru-kun but they are still cute young girls just like yourself."
More often than not if Yuki or Kyo heard him, he would end up eating one or two knuckle sandwiches. He was having such a good time!
Three days before the big day Tohru wandered into his study. "Shigure-san, did you invite Mii-san and is Ayame-san bringing Mine-san?"
"Yes Tohru, they are both invited."
"Wonderful, this will be so much fun. I'm so happy!" Tohru whirled out of the room on a fresh flurry of cleaning and Christmas preparations.
On the second day before the big event Tohru glanced at him at the dinner table. "Shigure-san, are you sure you don't want me to do all the cooking? I really wouldn't mind."
"Tohru-kun, for the sixth time, I do not want you to have to trouble yourself with the cooking. I want the caterer to take care of the food and I want you to take care of having a good time and helping to entertain our guests."
"Hai, Shigure-san. I will be sure to do that. I am making a dessert for everyone though."
"Tohru…"Shigure sighed in exasperation. "I will look forward to anything you might care to prepare," he said with a smile.
It was the day before Christmas Eve and Tohru was working in Hatori's clinic. The two of them were wrapping up his paperwork because it was going to be closed except for emergencies until after the New Year's celebrations.
"Hatori-san, are we just about done here?" Tohru asked.
"Yes Tohru-san, we are almost done." Hatori smiled at the young woman. "I guess you must have something else you need to do to get ready for the party tomorrow night, right?"
"Not really, I just wanted to take a few minutes and visit with Akito before I left to go home. I did promise him I would stop by every day I was here when I accepted this position. We've been here for most of the day and I have not had a chance to keep my promise."
"I can probably finish up here if you want to run over there. There is only about a half-hour's worth of work remaining"
"Are you certain Hatori-san"
Hatori nodded his head. "Run along Tohru-san. Check back here before you go home please."
"Thank you. I will return in a little while."
Tohru left Hatori's clinic and started across the courtyard to Akito's quarters. Akito had been watching out his window wondering if the girl would keep her promise. He surprised himself by realizing he would be disappointed if she did not and he had to punish her. He saw her crossing the courtyard and by herself this time. "Hmmm…I wonder where the rabbit is. He never allows Miss Honda to come over here by herself."
He stepped away from the window so she would not see him watching and continued to monitor her progress. Momiji suddenly materialized from a stand of trees and Akito turned away. He should have realized the rabbit still didn't trust him with Tohru-san.
"Tohru, hello" Momiji called with a smile.
"Momiji-kun, hello. Have you been busy today?"
"Yes I've been studying and tending to some of the flower beds."
"Do you garden too, Momiji-kun?"
"Not very often, but I do like to tend to the flowers occasionally. I'm not anywhere near as good a gardener as Yuki-kun, but it saves me from getting bored at times."
"I think that's fantastic that you like flowers Momiji-kun."
Momiji shrugged his shoulders. He had really only been waiting for Tohru to come across the garden. He had been certain she would since she always kept her promises. "I'll walk you the rest of the way to Akito's," he said with a smile.
"Thank you Momiji-kun."
It was only a couple of minutes later and they were at the entrance to Akito's apartments.
"I'll see you later Momiji-kun, I have to go back to the clinic after my visit here."
"I'll watch for you and walk you back to Hatori's. It may be getting dark by that time and you shouldn't have to walk alone in the dark."
"That's very kind of you Momiji, but I'm sure I will be okay."
"I insist, Princess Tohru."
She smiled gently, "Then thank you Prince Momiji."
She knocked on Akito's door as he headed back down the hallway.
"Come in," was heard from the other side.
Tohru pushed open the door and entered Akito's audience room. She knelt quietly and awaited his acknowledgement.
Akito turned from his window to look at her. "Good Evening Tohru-san. It must be a busy day over at the clinic. I was not certain if you would keep your promise today."
"Akito-san, I would never break my promise. Besides, I like visiting with you."
"Are you certain of that Tohru-san?"
"Of course."
"In that case, perhaps you would join me for tea this evening?" Akito asked as he held out his hand to assist Tohru in standing.
Tohru looked at the outstretched hand with some surprise. Akito had never offered to help her up before. Perhaps they really were friends. She took the proffered hand and easily stood up. "Thank you Akito-san."
Akito looked at the small hand in his. "Of course Tohru-san. Now if you will follow me." He dropped her hand and led the way into his sitting room. As always, Tohru looked around in delight.
"I have loved this room since the first time you brought me here for tea," she said with a gentle smile. "Akito-san, I just know you have a kind heart because you enjoy all this beauty."
"You are indeed a foolish girl, Tohru-san."
"Perhaps, but I still mean what I just said."
Akito ignored the comment and motioned her to sit on the cushions to his right. Sonomi-san entered the room with the tea tray and a selection of sweet breads.
"Place the trays there on the table and leave us."
"Hai, Akito-san."
"Thank you Sonomi- san " Tohru called as she was leaving the room.
"You are welcome Miss Honda." Sonomi smiled just once at the two people she left sitting in the room, but neither saw it.
"This is delicious Akito-san. I must tell Sonomi-san the next time I see her. By the way, Akito-san, will you be coming to Shigure's tomorrow. I especially wanted to see you tonight to find out if you had been invited."
"Yes, I will be there Miss Honda. Shigure would not dare hold a juunishi party without inviting me, you know. He has been especially careful since the graduation banquet."
"Oh, hai, he has tried to include you in any formal functions. He does love you very much, Akito-san and I know you love him too."
"Perhaps, perhaps not, Miss Honda. I really do wonder where you get your rose colored glasses?"
"Rose colored glasses, Me? What do you mean Akito-san, I don't wear glasses."
Akito sighed, "It was nothing Tohru-san. Please finish your tea."
Tohru finished her tea and rose to go. "Akito-san, please excuse me for leaving after such a short time but I still have much to do to prepare for tomorrow. Also, it is late and Shigure-san worries if I don't come home."
"Of course, Tohru-san, I will see you tomorrow at Shigure's."
Tohru met Momiji as she was leaving and he walked her back to Hatori's quarters.
"Hatori-san, I have returned."
"Tohru-san, welcome back. I manage to finish the remaining charts so you may feel free to go home now. I know you have much to do in order to get ready for tomorrow. Momiji, be sure she returns home safely."
"Of course Ha'ri-san. Let's go Tohru."
Momiji requested one of the cars to return Tohru to Shigure's house.
"Momiji-kun, this really isn't necessary, I can take the bus."
"But Tohru, I don't want to take a bus and I do want to talk with you for a little while. Ha'ri-san has kept you so busy that we haven't really talked in quite a while."
"I'm sorry Momiji-kun. That is true isn't it? Okay, we can take a car."
Momiji chattered away about school and his upcoming graduation. "You will come see us graduate, Haru and me, won't you Tohru?"
"But of course Momiji-kun, I wouldn't miss it. I think Hatori is closing the clinic that day so that everyone who wants to can attend."
"Yayyy…that makes me happy. I got to see you graduate and now you get to see me graduate. That's another thing we have in common, right Tohru."
"It is Momiji-kun. I am very happy I am still here to see you and Haru-san graduate. I was so afraid Akito-san might send me away right after I graduated, but he was kind enough to let me stay. I think maybe we are finally friends."
Momiji thought for a moment. He remembered the trip to the park and the times he had watched over Tohru and Akito's meetings since then. "I think you may be right Tohru. Please continue to be careful though."
"Of course I will. Kyo and Yuki-kun are always telling me that as well."
The car arrived at Shigure's house. "I won't come into tonight Tohru. I have some things I still need to do before tomorrow. Good Night, take care."
"I will Momiji-kun. Good Night, Be Safe."
As she walked in the door she saw Kyo and Yuki in the living room watching TV. "I'm home," she called.
"Ah, Tohru, welcome back," Shigure called as he came out of his study.
"Welcome home Miss Honda."
"Hey, Tohru, aren't you a little late tonight?"
"I suppose so, but we had a lot of paperwork to finish up so Hatori-san could close the clinic for the holidays. I also had to stop and see Akito-san before leaving, after all I promised."
"Well, I'm glad your back."
"Thank you Kyo for worrying about me."
Kyo turned back to the TV. "I wasn't worried."
"Yes he was Miss Honda, just as I was. We were just speaking of coming to Sohma house to pick you up." Yuki commented.
"You damn rat, I was not worried."
"Miss Honda, would you like to take a walk after dinner," Yuki asked, ignoring Kyo's outburst.
"Of course Yuki-kun. Let me change and I'll prepare the meal."
Tohru went upstairs to change into a more casual outfit and returned to the kitchen to cook.
Half an hour later, the four residents of Shigure's house were sitting around the table eating another of Tohru's appetizing offerings.
"Tohru-kun, another delicious meal. Thank you very much. I must go upstairs to write some more. Mii-chan is such a slave driver." Shigure shuffled off sniffling.
"Cut the dramatics Shigure."
Shigure grinned and continued to his office. He could always count on getting a rise out of Kyo. It wasn't quite so easy with Yuki though.
"Miss Honda, let me help you with the clean up and then we can walk," Yuki suggested.
"Thank you, Yuki-kun."
"I'll be in the living room if you need me to help," Kyo suggested.
"Thank you Kyo-kun, but there isn't that much to do tonight."
"Okay."
Yuki helped Tohru put on her coat and they stepped outside. The snow was falling lightly as they began walking toward his secret base.
"Yuki-kun, is there something on your mind? It has been a while since you asked me to walk with you like this."
"Yes, Miss Honda, there is something on my mind. As you know, in three months Kyo and I will be going to Tokyo to attend the University there. We are both concerned about leaving you here alone to deal with Akito."
"Yuki-kun, there is no need to worry. Akito-san and I have become friends. And even if we were not, there is still Hatori-san, Shigure- san, and Momiji-san to turn to if I am troubled. They all watch over me very kindly if you and Kyo-kun cannot."
"I know that but still, tell me Tohru-san, does Akito treat you well? It seems you have been spending a lot of time with him since you went to work at Hatori-san's clinic. Does he ever get angry and threaten you, Tohru-san?" Yuki said Tohru's name with a certain degree of shyness. It felt awkward on his tongue, but if Kyo could be so familiar with her as to call her Tohru, then surely this was okay.
Tohru stopped and turned to Yuki with stars in her eyes. "Yuki-kun, you have made me so very happy just now. Just to hear you say my name is wonderful. Thank you so much." ("oh mom, he finally said my name. It sounds so wonderful coming from him doesn't it.")
Yuki stammered for a moment and then repeated his question.
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to not answer your question, I was just so surprised to finally hear you say my name. Akito has been very kind to me. He has not threatened me in a very long time and almost never yells. Is that what you wanted to know."
"Yes, Tohru-san. It is and it does make me feel a little better, but as you know, I have a hard time trusting Akito-san. Please promise me you will continue to be careful when Kyo and I have to go."
"Of course Yuki-kun. Cross-my-heart. It makes me feel so warm and wonderful to know how much you think of me. Oh, here we are at the secret base. Is there anything growing right now or did you just want to take check on the ground."
"No, no there is nothing growing at the moment. I just wanted to be sure it was ready to plant when the weather warmed. Tohru-san, will you take care of my garden while I am in Tokyo? I don't know of anyone else that I would trust to do so."
"Yuki-kun, please don't sound so sad. Of course I will watch over your garden. You'll be coming home at breaks, won't you? "
"If Akito consents, we will be coming home at breaks."
"I am sure Akito-san won't mind. He is very fond of you."
"I am sure he is Miss Tohru," Yuki said with a touch of sarcasm. The young woman at his side was totally oblivious to the tone of his words.
"I am so happy you know that Yuki-kun. Akito-san really does care for each of you."
Yuki looked at Tohru, disbelief clearly written on his features.
"It is true. You will know this someday."
Yuki smiled at Tohru. "Ever the optimist Tohru-san. Perhaps you are right."
Kyo continued to sit in the living room not really watching the show on the TV. "I wonder if that damn rat is finally telling Tohru how he feels. He better not be telling her that I am worrying about her. I will so put him in orbit if he says anything stupid like that. "
A few minutes later, Yuki and Tohru walked in the door. Tohru smiled at Kyo. "Thank you for worrying, Kyo-kun, but all will be well, you'll see." Tohru continued upstairs to finish her last few preparations for the Christmas Eve party.
"Good night Tohru-san," Yuki said as she left.
Kyo glanced over at him.
"What are you looking at you stupid cat?"
"Nothing'" Kyo tromped up the stairs to his room.
"Good night Tohru-kun" Shigure called as Tohru walked passed his study en route to her room.
"Good night Shigure-san."
Shigure smiled as he closed his door. "Yuki-kun has finally progressed to calling Tohru-kun by her first name. There may be hope for him after all." And then he turned back to his monitor.
8
