Book Eighteen: Love Conquers All

Chapter One: Good News

The crisp winds of the spring beginning started the next week, as Tohru sat at her desk at work listening to someone on the other end of the phone.

"Uh huh" she nodded sadly, "I understand. Just please let me know" she hung the phone up with a sigh.

"Tohru" Hideto Sohma came out of his office.

"Oh Mr. Sohma" she grinned, "Can I help you?"

"No. But it is about closing time. And it is Friday."

"Oh no" she shook her head, "That's not necessary."

"Nonsense" he replied with a smile, "Besides I hear you have a lot to plan, according to Momiji that is."

"Huh?"

"He told me about your engagement. Congratulations."

"Oh thank you sir" she bowed her head appreciatively.

"So go on home and get a good start."

"Well we haven't exactly set a date yet" she smiled, "But I thank you anyway. I'll finish putting these in the filing cabinet" she indicated to three large folders, "And then I'll head out."

"Okay" he nodded walking back inside his office, "Have a good weekend."

"I will sir. You too" she stood up and opened the filing cabinet putting the first big folder in.

(Next Scene)

Tohru walked out of the elevator and out of the big double doors and began to walk slowly home. But as she came up to the corner she saw Yuki waiting for her.

"Yuki" she said surprised coming over, "What are you doing here?"

"Thought you might like an escort home," he replied grinning, "Besides we got to keepan eye on you Miss Honda when Kyo's not around."

"You guys worry to much" she smiled taking his arm, "But thank you very much."

"Your welcome" he nodded as they walked home.

As they walked and got closer to the old school Yuki noticed that Tohru's face held such sadness and that she looked in extremely deep thought. He stopped and looked at her directly in the eye.

"Miss Honda" he said, "What's the matter?"

"Huh? Oh it's nothing Yuki" she shook her head.

"Let's sit down" he suggested indicating a near bench, which she complied and he sat down next to her, "Now tell me the truth. You haven't been able to get in contact with Miss Ward yet have you?"

"Mnm" she shook her head again, "Not at all. I have been in contact with Rebecca on and off for the past week but nothing. Yuki if I can't get a hold of her" she turned to him tearing up, "What are we going to do?"

"Well are you sure that we need her to do this?"

"I'm positive" she nodded fervently, "I don't want Akito to pass away before she can see him again. I so sure that she loves him and that he loves her."

"I don't know" Yuki shook his head, "Akito's never been one of those people to open his heart to anyone."

"Maybe not, but I know he did to her. The way she described the relationship was so familiar. And even the way they parted. She sounded so depressed when I talked to her that last time and then Akito suddenly gets ill when he was doing so well it just makes sense that this is the reason. He needs her Yuki I can feel it. And the thing that scares me the most is that I won't be able to do what I wanted to do in the first place when we start searching."

"What's that?"

"The dreams. I can't get them out of my head. Maybe the journal was a false one but it did lead me to the truth it was almost as if Takara, Kiyoshi, and even Aya Sohma were trying to give me a guide."

"You were the one who was having most of the dreams that's true. But Miss Honda if it was a Sohma who caused the curse in the first place, how are we really ever going to solve it?"

"I know how to solve it. But I have to find her first" she cried, "I just have to."

"Miss Honda" Yuki replied gently taking her in his arms and embracing her tight, "You have done more than enough of your share and even if we never figure it out, it will not be your fault that Akito has passed on. You just remember that. You tried your best and that is all that matters."

"Yuki" she placed her head on his shoulder the tears slipping now her face slowly, "Thank you."

From where she stood Machi spotted them and frowned slightly as she walked home from the school. She continued to frown as the wind blew her hair into her eyes shielding her from the pain that she felt deep in her heart at this very moment.

(Next Scene)

Tohru and Yuki arrived home and he quickly said goodbye to Shigure and her since he was going to see Machi that evening. Shigure nodded from the table and said he also had plans that evening so Tohru and Kyo were on their own for dinner. As Yuki left Shigure walked to get ready for his date with Aoko. Tohru walked into the kitchen and began to look in the cookbook for a good recipe. Her cat Kyoko came in meowing for something to eat herself. Tohru petted her gently and took out her cat food all the while still quite sad that she hadn't been able to get a hold of Kandis. As she poured the food in Kyoko's bowl she heard the phone ring and immediately went to answer it.

"Hello Sohma residence" she replied politely.

"Tohru" Ritsu's voice came over loud and clear.

"Ritsu? What a nice surprise. Are you looking for Shigure?"

"No actually Rebecca wanted me to call you. Listen Tohru are you doing anything for dinner this evening?"

"Well I hadn't really planned on anything special just yet. Why? What's going on?"

"Rebecca wanted me to invite you over, to talk to you about something. I'm not sure what but she said it was important. Do you think you could make it?"

"I'm sure it would be no problem," she agreed, "Just let me call Kyo and then I will give you a call back. Your number is in the phone book right?"

"Yes" he replied, "I gave it to Shigure the last time I saw him. Oh I hope you can come Tohru. It's been so long since I last saw you."

"Well I will try to make it" she smiled at his compliment.

"Invite Kyo if you want to as well. I almost forgot that he is more than welcome too."

"Okay. Goodbye Ritsu. I'll call you back as soon as I know."

"All right. Good bye Tohru" he hung up the phone.

Tohru did the same and then walked over to the doorway to take her cell phoneout of her purse. It only took a few moments for Kyo to pick up. She told him about the invite and he encouraged her to go, saying he was invited to spend some time with Kazuma anyway and was just about to call her himself. He told her that he would pick her up on his way home. She agreed and then clicked the phone off after both of them said goodbye. Then she called Ritsu back letting him know. Finally she ran upstairs to get ready for her plans that evening.

(Next Scene)

Yuki rang Machi's door quite eagerly that afternoon.

"Come on in!" she called.

"Okay" Yuki said with a puzzled look on his face, "That's unusual. Machi!" he called as he entered in.

"Yuki" she replied indifferently, "What are you doing here?"

"Uh. I thought we were meeting each other today."

"Oh. Right. I had so much to do with the student council this afternoon I must have forgot."

"Oh. Are you okay?" he asked as she straightened up the coffee table for the second time since he had entered the room.

"I'm fine. Why do you ask?" she said not looking at him.

"Because you already cleaned the coffee table once."

"Well maybe I didn't like the way that it looked" she replied.

"All right" he said coming over and taking her hand, "What's going on?"

"Nothing. I already told you" she removed her hand from his grasp.

"You're lying to me."

"No I am not. I told you it was nothing. Besides you should be off comforting someone else don't you think?"

"What? What are you talking about?"

"I saw you. Together this afternoon. You and that girl."

"Miss Honda? Machi I thought I made it perfectly clear about her."

"Yea you did. But if that was the case why did you look so cozy this afternoon" she slammed a magazine onto the table and stood up from it.

"You are misinterpreting something you saw. I was comforting her yes, but because she needed comfort. Machi Miss Honda is engaged to my cousin Kyo."

"She is?"

"Yes. They've been engaged for a couple weeks now."

"But the way you were holding her was not normal."

"Machi" Yuki sighed, "Come here."

"What?"

"Just come her."

"All right" she walked over and Yuki pushed her down onto the couch.

Then he stood over so that she was facing her directly.

"Now listen to me and listen clearly. I love only you. Get it. That is not going to change. The way I feel about Miss Honda is not the way I feel about you. It's true at one time I had loving feelings towards her. But it wasn't the same kind of love. I love Miss Honda. I will not deny that but not in the same way. She is like a little sister to me. Someone I want to protect. Don't you see? I love her like a brother and I have for a long time. She is happy with Kyo and I am happy for them. I will say this as many times as you need to hear it. I love you. No one else. I am not going anywhere I promise you. Please stop comparing me to someone in the past. I am not going to hurt you like he did. Believe me. I was comforting Miss Honda because she is sad right now. That's what brothers do, just like Kakeru does for you. It's no different Machi. Do you understand now?"

"Yes" she nodded, "I'm sorry Yuki" she replied lowering her head, "For being jealous over nothing."

"It's okay" he replied raising her head back up with his hand, "That tells me that you really love me, but the next time you're mad at me in the future, please just tell me."

"Okay" she nodded with a smile as he leaned his head against her own.

"I love you."

"I love you too," she said as he moved closer and they kissed.

(Next Scene)

Tohru rang the doorbell at Rebecca's apartment and Ritsu answered it with a smile.

"Good evening Tohru" he replied letting her in.

"Evening Ritsu. I am glad that you are here too. You're looking well."

"You too Tohru" he said leading her into the sitting room, "Considering everything you went through last week."

"You heard about that?" she asked surprised as they stood near the couches.

"Yes. I heard about it when I went to visit the main house. I knew that Ushida character was trouble but I didn't think he was that dangerous. Of course we all know what kind of character Rei Sohma is so that wasn't as surprising."

"Mhm" Tohru nodded sadly as Rebecca came into the room making her smile, "Rebecca."

"Hey there Tohru" she smiled back as she embraced her tight, "I'm so glad that you could come. I heard about your engagement to Kyo. Congratulations."

"Thanks" she smiled again as they all sat down, "We haven't really set a date yet but we both are very excited."

"I know exactly how you mean" Rebecca grinned holding up her left ring finger up, "Ritsu and I are planning one of our own as well."

"That's wonderful you guys" Tohru said surprised turning to Ritsu, "I didn't know that you two are engaged."

"Well not many people know yet, just mother and Rebecca's family at home. It's not gonna be anything too extravagant. We plan on having itat the Hot Springs and having mainly friends and family."

"That sounds good" Tohru nodded, "When?"

"Um. Pretty soon" Rebecca replied, "Next winter we're thinking."

"Will you guys be living here in the city?"

"No actually" Ritsu shook his head, "We're probably going to be moving back to the Hot Springs. My mother is getting up in age and she needs more help."

"But what about your career Ritsu? I thought you wanted to be a painter?"

"Oh he can still be a painter Tohru" Rebecca grinned taking his arm gently.

"You see" Ritsu took up the cue, "Since I have been working at the museum I've had a lot of opportunities to meet all kinds of people who are interested in art. I've even had a couple of shows too, of my work."

"Really? How come you didn't let us know?"

"Oh it wasn't that big of a deal" he blushed, "Any way I've talked with some of those people and they say I can be a freelance artist. You know like Machi's father is? I can paint wherever I want and then just send my work in."

"So it's a great idea that we are thinking of moving to the Hot Springs you know" Rebecca replied, "We can help his mom, he can still paint, and someday Ritsu's going to own the Hot springs so I want to learn all I can about how to run one."

"That's great news you guys. I'm so happy for you" Tohru said with another winning smile.

"Yea. We're happy too" Rebecca nodded as the teakettle went off in the kitchen.

"Oh" Ritsu replied, "I'll go get that. You two can talk" he winked as he left the room.

"He looks so happy" Tohru commented, "I'm glad too. Ritsu was always down on himself."

"Yes I know" Rebecca said with a nod, "I was like that once so I can sympathize.

"Can you guys hug now?"

"Huh? Oh yea. We've been able to hug for two months now. Ever since he proposed. I don't know why it automatically happened."

"None of us do" Tohru shook her head, "It just happened one day."

"I'm not upset about that though. I am very happy. I've always wanted to hold him after all."

"Mhm. So Ritsu tells me you wanted to talk to me about something."

"Oh right. I totally forgot. I heard from Kandis this afternoon. Just after I got off the phone with you.."

"Really?" Tohru's eyes became wide, "How is she? Is she okay?"

"She's fine Tohru" Rebecca looked at the girl gently, "She's coming home in fact."

"When?"

"Soon that's all I know."

"Well how soon?"

"She said by the end of the month. She said she didn't know when. But definitely by the end of the month."

"That's good. I'm glad she's okay and that she's coming back."

"So Tohru, do you really think that Kandis is the key?"

"Yes"" Tohru nodded fervently, "After all she is the only person that Akito Sohma has truly loved" she looked at her friend directly, "And that is saying a lot."

Rebecca nodded and then smiled when Ritsu came back in with a tray of tea for all of them. They each took a cup and then changed the subject back to weddings.

"Ayame is planning your wedding?" Ritsu said surprised.

"Mhm. He's the wedding coordinator. We do know that is going to be at Sohma house, Oh he's also working on the wedding outfits too."

"Have you decided what you are going to wear yet?" Rebecca asked.

"I can't really decide" Tohru shook her head, "Whether to go with a traditional wedding kimono or, actually" she giggled a little, "Ayame really wants me to go with a western style wedding dress."

"Well whatever you decide Tohru" Rebecca replied, "I'm sure you will be beautiful in it."

"Thanks Rebecca" Tohru smiled as Ritsu nodded in agreement.

(Next Scene)

About an hour later Kyo was strolling in the city towards Rebecca's apartment. He gazed up at the buildings and was about to cross the street when he spotted someone familiar coming his way. Uo came over with a smile on her face.

"Hey Orange top" she replied, "What are you doing in the city this evening?"

"I'm on my way to pick up Tohru" he said, "How about you?"

"I've got to go to work" she replied as she walked past him, "Oh by the way congrats."

"Hmm?"

"Tohru told us about the engagement although I haven't seen you for awhile so I thought I'd tell you."

"Oh thanks."

"So have you set a date yet?"

"No" he shook his head.

"Well what are you waiting for?"

"Hey give me a break. A lot's been going on lately. We'll decide on one soon."

"You'd better" she replied with a grin as she turned her back to him, "Or I might have to kick you in the ass to do it."

"Whatever Yankee" he scoffed.

"See you later Orange top!" she called with a wave of her hand but not looking back.

"Yea" he nodded and then smiled as he crossed the street.

(Next Scene)

When Kyo arrived at the apartment Tohru was already waiting for him. He said hello to Ritsu and Rebecca and they congratulated them again for their engagement. They smiled and thanked them and then left the apartment Kyo walking with his arm around her. As they walked along the streets Kyo turned to Tohru.

"So did you have fun?" he asked.

"Yes. I also heard some good news."

"Hmm?"

"Kandis is coming back."

"Really?" Kyo's eyebrows shot up, "When?"

"Soon. Sometime at the end of the month."

"Wow that is good news. Now you don't have to keep looking for her."

"Mhm. Oh and Rebecca and Ritsu are engaged to be married too. They plan on getting married in the winter."

"Speaking of which" he stopped, "You know, we haven't exactly set our date yet."

"You're right. We haven't."

"Well maybe we should."

"Hmm? Are you sure?"

"Yea. We can't postpone it forever. Besides the apartment's ready now and I really want to get it out of the way."

"Hmm?" she looked at him surprised.

"Don't get me wrong, I am not in a rush or anything but I want to marry you before something bad happens like it did before. I don't want to take the risk again."

"I understand" she nodded as they continued to walk, "So sooner then later."

"Definitely. But not May. Too many bad things happenedto you in that month."

"Well how about next month?"

"Next month? Do we have time to plan for that?"

"I'm sure we could since Ayame has already started. The problem is picking a date."

"Hmm? You're right. What is a good day?"

"Well since we are planning on an April wedding, how about April 14th."

"April 14th? Why then?"

"I don't know. I just like that number."

"Hmm? April 14th huh? How far away is that?"

"Well it's a month from this Thursday coming up. It's White day after all."

"A month from Thursday? That's not a lot of time. But I'm sure we could do it" he replied with a grin, "Okay" he said turning to her, "I'm sure that we can do it."

She smiled back and embraced him. He once more wrapped his arm around her and the two of them talked about the different ideas that they had for the wedding.

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Okay here's the first chapter of the week. See you guys later for the next one!

Haru's girl: Please E-mail me. I can't seem to find your other place on the website. I really want to ask you something in order to write the next chapters coming up later in the week. Thanks again!

Next Chapter: Wedding Plans

The date has been set now comes the fun stuff! Flowers. Dress. Ceremony. All of these things are going on in Tohru's head along with thoughts about Kandis's return. See all the fun in the next chapter!