Chapter Two: Wedding Plans

When Tohru and Kyo arrived back they saw Shigure in the sitting room with Aoko. He smiled as they came in and.

"Hello you two. I trust your evening went well?"

"Oh yes Shigure" Tohru nodded as they both sat down on the other side.

"It's good to see that" Aoko replied, "I'll go make you both some tea."

"Oh you don't have to do that Aoko" Tohru said, "I can take care of it."

"No way. Sit back down" Aoko replied with a smile, "You do far toomuch already Tohru. I'll take care of it."

"I've been telling her that for years" Kyo said shaking his head, "But she always insists."

"Well this time I insist. Sit back down Tohru. I'll get it."

"Okay" Tohru nodded as she walked into the kitchen, "Did you have a good evening Shigure?" she replied turning to the novelist.

"Mhm" he said with a nod, "Uneventful but still fun. So how about you two? You seemed to be talking about something when you came into the door."

"Oh that" Tohru smiled as Kyo stared at him a bit angry at his nosiness, "Kyo and I have set a date for the wedding."

"You have? Really? So when is the big day?" Shigure asked excitedly.

"April 14th" Kyo replied.

"Wow. That's soon. You have so much to plan Tohru. Are you sure you want to get married that soon?"

"Yes" Tohru nodded, "It's the perfect time. Besides the girls and I are going for a fitting on Sunday at Ayame's shop, so that is all settled."

"And have you decided what you are going to wear Tohru?" Aoko asked as she came back out with their tea.

"No not really" she shook her head as the older woman sat down, "I mean Ayame thinks I should go with a western style wedding dress. But a traditional wedding kimono is a good idea too."

"Mhm" Shigure nodded, "You can never go wrong with tradition. But what do you really want to wear Tohru?"

"Well to tell you the truth I am kind of leaning towards his suggestion."

"Why is that Tohru?" Kyo asked after he had a sip from his cup.

"Because ever since I was a little girl my mom would talk about how much she couldn't wait to see me in a wedding dress. The Miyoshi family is not very traditionalist like the Honda family so I have always been kind of torn. But I think it is something my mom would really like to see, and I do want to please her so; I think that is what I want to wear. So I can fulfill my mom's dream."

"That's so sweet Tohru" Aoko's eyes shone, "You must have really loved your mother."

"Yes I did" she nodded, "I know that she and Kyo's mother will be watching on our special day as well as in the future as well. Right Kyo?" she said as she took his arm.

"Yea" he agreed with a gentle smile.

(Next Scene)

Later that evening Shigure escorted Aoko to the door. Kyoko followed them and meowed at him as he opened the door. Shigure bent down with a smile and petted her making her purr.

"It really is funny how well you get along with her since you are the dog of the Zodiac Shigure" Aoko said with a grin.

"Yes. We do really get along well" he sighed; "I sure am going to miss her when she leaves with them" he looked back into the sitting room sadly.

"Is it the cat you're going to miss" Aoko observed, "Or those two kids? After all you have taken care of them all this time."

"True" he nodded, "I knew someday that they would leave. I just didn'tthink it would happen so soon."

"I know. But you won't be alone" she replied embracing him, "I will be right by your side."

"Have I told you lately how much I love you?" he grinned holding onto her and looking deeply into her eyes.

"You may have told me once or twice today" she smiled back, "I love holding you Shigure. I am just glad I can now" she replied pressing herself in his chest.

"So am I" he smiled, "Because I tell you one thing Aoko Harada, one of these days I am going to steal you away from the world and keep you to myself."

She laughed.

"I would like that. It's been far too long since anyone has stolen me away from anywhere. Well" she looked up into his grey eyes, "Good night Shigure."

"Good night my love" he kissed her and then she departed.

Shigure watched as she left and then closed the door behind him. He thought back on the first day he had met her. She had become Mii's new assistant and he had taken an instant fancy to her. They started out slowly on several small dates. Finally on their eleventh date Shigure had revealed his love for her and the Zodiac curse. When she discovered that the man she loved so dearly was cursed with such an adorable animal, she simply petted him after he had transformed and said it didn't matter. He was still the same person she had known, that being cursed made him no different in her eyes. As Shigure thought of these things, tears slightly welled up his eyes. Then he pulled away from the door and walked back into the sitting room.

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile at Sohma house Hatsuharu was walking around the area when he spotted Rin sitting on Kagura's front porch so he walked over.

"Rin?"

"Haru" she looked up surprised.

"Evening" he nodded, "What are you doing out here?"

"Just some thinking. How about you?"

"Oh I was just taking a walk."

"Well can I join you?"

"Sure" he agreed with a smile, "If you want to."

"Mhm" she nodded standing up and walking beside him.

They walked behind Sohma house and towards the woods where they had met so many times before.

"So you didn't tell me," he replied as he brushed a branch out of his face since he was passing it, "How long you were staying?"

"Well actually I'm probably not going back."

"You're not?"

"Mnm."

"Why not?"

"Haru" she started with a sigh, "While I've been away for the past year I've done a lot of thinking. About me and us. I wondered where it all began. The time when I started feeling so ill and why I am so messed up in the head and it didn't dawn on me till I was there, what it was."

"What?"

"It all started the day I tried to cut you out of my life. I am so messed up in the head because for the longest time I have denied how I truly felt. Instead I tried to do the unselfish thing and protect you from Akito's wrath" she looked at him directly, "You were right about me you know. I did just stop seeing you because of him."

Hatsuharu nodded as she continued.

"I suppose it took me so long to say anything, meaning a whole year" she turned her back to him, "Is because I thought you would have found someone else by now. I mean you're graduating next week. I was afraid" she hang her head her falling into her eyes.

"Suzu" Haru whispered and then frowned as he walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind; "I told you before you left didn't I. I would wait. I would wait forever for you and I still mean that. I could never love anyone as much as I love you. Never. I have never stopped even if you did try to push me away. I knew the reason. Well I didn't at first but then I did and I understood, you were trying to just protect me from him. And I think that is so brave of you. I love you even more for that."

"Mhm" she nodded, "But the funny thing is, I don't hate him. I don't hate him for what he did to us. Or to me. I just don't hate him. Is that strange?"

"No. Because Akito did what he did because of what he is. I'm not saying that what he did was right, but we don't know the real reason. I can't hate him either. It could be because of something Tohru said to me once. Akito is probably hurting too Rin, he just doesn't show it and maybe he does these things because he's afraid too. Tohru can't be angry at him. No matter how many things he has done to her she still forgives him and accepts him the way he is. She truly is the most selfless person that I have ever known."

"Yes she is. She's something special" she replied turning to him.

"So are you" Haru added, "At least you are to me and you always have been."

"Haru. You know" she said slowly, "I didn't stop either. I never stopped thinking about you even for a second and I missed you so much. So very much. It killed me to be away from you for so long. But I am back now. I'm back to stay, because I know there is only one cure for the way my head is. And that is you. I need you Haru. Please tell me that I am not too late?"

"Of course you're not" he smiled and took her in his arms, "You're right on time" he swallowed trying to not tear up.

"Haru. I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too Suzu. So much. My love."

(Next Scene)

The next morning Tohru spent a good twenty minutes on the phone with the florist. She was to meet him later in the week to discuss the arrangements. As she hung up the phone she picked up a folder with all her information portraying to the wedding. She walked into the sitting room where Yuki was watching something on television. When he saw her come in he clicked it off and turned to her. She sat down and sighed heavily.

"Is everything okay Miss Honda?" he asked.

"Oh yea. It's just a lot of work to plan a wedding. I just got off the phone with Mr. Kinoshita at the flower shop. Kinoshita? That was the name of one of the students in our class wasn't it?"

"Um I think so" Yuki nodded, "If I am not mistaken it was the name of one of the girls in my fan club" he rolled his eyes.

"That's right. It was Minami Kinoshita. I wonder if they're related? Still I have to meet with him soon to discuss the arrangements."

"Well what are you doing today? I mean we cango there now."

"You'd go with me?"

"Sure" he nodded with a smile, "Besides you would get it out of the way."

"That's great. Well I'll call Mr. Kinoshita back right now. And then I'll get ready."

"Okay" Yuki agreed with a smile as she walked back into the hallway to call the florist.

A couple minutes later Yuki and Tohru were walking towards the city. They came to the florist about twenty minutes down the road from school.

"Hello!" Tohru called, "Mr. Kinoshita!"

"Be right with you!" he called from the back.

A balding blond haired man came from the back with a huge smile on his face. He was slightly chubby and he squinted his eyes when he talked but he greeted Tohru and Yuki with a polite bow.

"I am so glad that you were able to meet me today Miss Honda" he replied, "These are the wedding arrangements. Please take a look at the selection and then let me know what you would like. Oh" he looked up when he heard the door open, "Excuse me a moment. Minami!" he called to the back.

"Coming dad," the blond said coming out of the back and immediately gasping when she saw Yuki and Tohru, "Yu. Yu. Yuki" she stuttered.

"Hello again Miss Kinoshita" he replied with a smile, "You're looking well."

"Uh" she blushed slightly and then frowned thinking, "What is he doing with Tohru Honda?" then she glanced down and saw the ring on Tohru's finger, "An engagement ring?" she gasped in her head angrily, "And they're looking at wedding flower arrangements? Why this is unforgivable. This is really unforgivable."

"Minami!" her father called, "Help the customer up front."

"Okay dad" she muttered stalking away with a distinct frown as he once more turned to Yuki and Tohru.

"I'm sorry about that. Now have you found anything yet? Or do you have any ideas?"

"Well I have some."

"So when is the big day?" he asked eagerly as Minami stared at the two of them from the front while the other customer paid for her flowers.

"April 14th."

"My goodness that is coming up isn't it. So let's see. What did you have in mind?"

"Well I was thinking for the bridesmaids and the basket arrangements sort of to have a cherry blossom theme."

"Why's that?" Yuki asked as Mr. Kinoshita scribbled down what she suggested not really paying attention to their conversation.

"Because Kyo's mother was named Sakura right?" she grinned.

"Oh that's a good idea" Yuki grinned, "Cherry blossoms for his mother's name."

"And what about your bouquet?" Mr. Kinoshita asked holding his pad and writing down her request.

"Well I don't really know" Tohru bit her bottom lip.

"Well since you are already going with the mother theme" Yuki replied, "What was your mother's favorite flower?"

"I do know that. Let's see if I can find them" she looked at all the flowers while Minami tapped her foot angrily against the floor.

Her father frowned at her and then turned back to the couple.

"I don't really see them," Tohru said with a slight frown.

"What are you looking for Miss Honda?" Mr. Kinoshita asked.

"White lilies."

"Oh we don't usually carry those this time of year."

"Well that's not a problem" Yuki smiled.

"Why's that?" Mr. Kinoshita said as Tohru looked at Yuki curiously.

"Because back at Sohma house we have a whole bunch in our garden. I'm sure it will be no problem to get them, if you really want them that is?" he looked at Tohru directly.

"That's great Yuki" she smiled, "Thanks for the suggestion. That's okay right Mr. Kinoshita."

"That's perfectly all right" he smiled back, "You seem to know a lot about flowers sir."

"Oh I don't know that much" Yuki blushed slightly.

"Don't be so modest Yuki" she said taking his arm, "Really. He's an excellent gardener."

"Really? Well why don't we go to the front and ring you two up" he replied leading them to the counter where Minami was waiting.

She froze up as she saw them approach and began to punch in the figures.

"Well I certainly hope everything is to your liking" Mr. Kinoshita said to them, "You both will be very happy with our arrangements."

"Uh" Yuki's eyes became wide.

"Huh?" Tohru turned slightly pink.

"Did I say something wrong?" he asked when he saw their nervous expressions.

"Uh I think that you have made a misunderstanding" Yuki replied.

"No I was just complementing on what a lovely couple you two make" he smiled at them.

"No I think what Yuki means," Tohru said, "We're not getting married," she giggled slightly.

"Hmm?"

"This isn't my fiancée" she replied.

Minami's ears perked up when she said that.

"No" Yuki shook his head, "She's getting married to my cousin Kyo. I'm just here to help with the flower arrangement."

"Oh I'm so sorry" Mr. Kinoshita blushed, "I didn't mean to make that mistake, but when you came in together I just assumed."

"That's okay" Tohru nodded as Minami pulled out the receipt.

"We are going to be family just not that way."

"Well, I hope everything is to your liking Miss Honda and your fiancées."

"Thank you Mr. Kinoshita for all your help today."

"My Pleasure. I'll be calling you. Minami hand them the receipt."

"Uh huh" Minami handed Yuki the receipt with a starry gaze in her eyes.

"Uh thank you Miss Kinoshita" Yuki replied taking it from her carefully. "Good seeing you again."

"Uh huh" she stared at him as they walked out the door, "Wow" she leaned on the counter, "He's still so amazing."

"Minami" her father replied.

"Huh?" she stopped daydreaming.

"Back to the back" he pointed.

"Oh right" she sighed pulling herself away from the counter.

As Yuki and Tohru walked home Yuki put a hand to his forehead and shook his head.

"We probably shouldn't mention to Kyo that that happened back in there."

"Probably not" she nodded with a giggle.

"Well now that you got that done, what's next?"

"Hmm? I know. Yuki will youcome with me to Ayame's shop this afternoon? I have to tell him about my decision to go with the wedding dress."

"Uh" Yuki looked at her warily but then sighing and nodding his head, "Let's go."

She took his arm and the two of them headed for Ayame's small shop.

(Next Time)

When they arrived Mine Kurami who was quite delighted to see them greeted them. She led them to the back.

"Ayame! Tohru is here to see you!"

"Oh" Ayame called loudly from his workroom, "Just the girl I wanted to see. Hello Tohru" he smiled kissing her hand but then looking up and seeing Yuki, "And brother dear you have come to see me. How about a kiss."

"Stop it or I'll hit you" Yuki replied simply.

"So Tohru how is everything going?" he said taking her arm and sitting her down.

"Just fine Ayame" she smiled as Yuki sat down next to her, "Um I've decided to go with the wedding dress idea."

"You have? Oh Tohru" he took her hands in his while Yuki rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, "I am so glad. Mine and I have been working on so many designs. Mine can you bring me my sketch book?" he called.

"Of course Ayame" she smiled running to the room.

"She is such a dear. Now when is the big day?"

"April 14th."

"Hmm? That doesn't give us much time, but fortunately for you we have already started making your dress."

"But how did you know that I would say yes to the dress?" she replied surprised.

"Oh I just had a hunch. Oh thank you" he smiled sweetly as Mine as she handed him the book, "Here's what we had in mind. What do you think? Just some of my ideas."

"These are amazing Ayame" she said in awe, "But I really don't know what I want yet."

"Okay. Okay. No rush. What I really wanted to talk to you about is the bridesmaids" he flipped to the back, "Since you're all coming in for a fitting tomorrow I wanted to have a color idea. Now since you're getting married in April the color should be light."

"I agree" she nodded.

"So these are my ideas" he showed her the samples, "Which color do you think would best suite you? You get in this too Yuki" he smiled widely at his younger brother."

"Uh okay. Suite her or suite them?"

"Well it naturally it has to suite Tohru first. Which color do you think matches her personality?"

"Well to be honest" Yuki replied, "I like the pale blue one."

"I do too Yuki" she nodded with a smile.

"I knew you would Miss Honda" he said with a smile of his own, "That's why I picked it."

"Yes it is a good color for her. And it would look good on all the girls right?" he asked Tohru.

"Let's see. Kagura" she counted on her fingers, "Kisa. Uo. Hana. And Rin if she decides to. I think all of them would look good in that color. But Ayame I was wondering do you have a pale purple color too?"

"Oh yes right here" he pointed, "You know that color is you too."

"Yea it is" Yuki nodded.

"Hmm? Decisions. Decisions. What do you think Tohru?"

"I kind of like them both."

"I know" he replied dramatically, "We'll use both."

"Huh?"

"We can do that. It's going to take some artistic talent but I have plenty of that coursing through my veins" he said vainly as he brushed his hand through his hair.

"Oh boy" Yuki thought, "Here we go again."

"Do not fear Tohru!" he shouted, "I will come up with the best design for you!" he laughed heartily on the end of it, making Yuki cringe and place a hand to his head shaking it miserably.

"Why does he always do this?" he thought.

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Okay that's it for now! See you all on Wed for the next two chapters!

Next Time on Rice-balls in a Fruits Basket:

Chapter Three: Momiji's Wish

For many months he has been watched from afar by his younger sister Momo. On the one day he encounters her will he decide to finally ask what he has been longing for most of his life? Find out next time!

And

Chapter Four: Kandis Returns

She's back! But how will she take the devastating news about Akito? Keep reading to find out!