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Chapter 14 Getting There
Last night had been eventful and so tiring but Tohru awoke feeling light and refreshed. Kyo's presence against her lips still remained, and her fingers delicately touched them feeling that fading feeling.
Tohru had woken up extra early, taking time to pack all the necessities. After showering she woke up all the boys, giving them each their breakfasts. As they all ate, Tohru tugged their luggage down the stairs and next to the van. Shigure would drop them off at the High School, since they had so much stuff.
That morning, when Tohru had first seen Shigure, they had their moment of silence each smiling. Words were not needed for the immense joy each felt. But Shigure did promise Tohru that when she got back from the trip, he would have everything arranged and finished for her.
The morning went by quickly, and they all piled into the car at five. They needed to be at the school in half an hour. Everyone was extremely quiet, still tired no doubt, I would be too if I had only gotten about four hours of sleep. The van ride was quiet, but when they arrived at the school Tohru quickly scampered over to Hana and Uo.
"Good morning Uo! Good morning Hana!" She giggled happily.
"OH gees Tohru, please its just too early" Uo moaned yawning
"She means, good morning to you too" Hana replied sipping at her tea.
"Yeah whatever. So, how was your big birthday last night?" Uo asked curiously
"It was amazing! I had so much fun. Oh my god I have to tell you the best news! Shigure wants to adopt me!"
"What?"
"Are you serious?" Hana asked
"Of course. That was his gift to me. He wants to be my father!"
"I...can't believe it..." Uo replied, sounding almost angry
"I know isn't it great?!"
"Great? How can it be great Tohru? Are you just going to abandon Kyoko and your old life?" Uo screamed.
Tohru took a step back, nervous having her friend yell at her. "Of course not Uo. Shigure said I could keep my last name, for Kyoko's honor..." She stuttered
"That doesn't matter Tohru! You've changed, look at you! All you care about are those idiot Sohmas! You gave up your old job so you could clean and cook for them, you're always upset about those bastards because they treat you so poorly! And you want to be adopted into that family? You know just because your mom and dad are dead you're ready to turn away the rest of your family?"
"Uo..." Hana growled in a warning tone.
"I can't believe you'd throw yourself to those dogs just so you can officially be their slaves! Have you no dignity in yourself?" Uo screamed louder, now actually drawing some attention to them. "Well?" She screamed again fuming with anger
Uo's anger was abruptly stopped by a burning sting against her cheek. She looked to Tohru in disbelief who had just slapped her.
"I am Tohru Honda...and I will always be a Honda. Uo you're supposed to be my best friend. You're supposed to be happy for me! Don't you understand that this is what I want? And you just selfishly steal away all my joy, because you think I have no disregard for them! Do you even know my family! NO YOU DON"T! You knew Kyoko, and she loved you like a second daughter, and I'll always love her, there isn't a day I never think about her. But don't you think, you know what goes on in my mind! DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME THAT I'M A TRAITOR UO! I AM NOT THEIR SLAVE! Those people were kind enough to take me off the streets and give me a home, in return for some simply work! They never treat me poorly, and yes the Sohmas have their problems, but we all have some."
'You think that idiot Shigure can be your father?!" Uo screamed back at her tearing
"MY FATHER DIED WHEN I WAS YOUNG UO, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN SOMEONE CAN EASILY REPLACE HIM! He died...before I could even know him. But Enishi gave me life, and loved my mother dearly. Shigure will never take that place in my heart! But can't I for once be happy? IS THAT REALLY TOO MUCH FOR YOU TO BARE? YOUR BEST FRIEND HAVING A NEW FATHER? Uo, you're so blind, and selfish. You don't want me to change, and be with them, because you're afraid I won't be there for you, you should know me better than that. I thought you were my best friend, but apparently you were the traitor here" Tohru replied turning her back to her.
"YOU'RE AN IDIOT TOHRU! A REAL IDIOT, AND DON'T COME TO ME WHEN THEY HURT YOU!"
"HURT ME? Hurt me like you are? Crushing my heart and leaving me to bleed! Oh yeah like Shigure would do that to me!"
"You'd be surprised Tohru, you'd be surprised" Uo replied harshly
"Enough of this Tohru. You don't need this" Kyo replied taking her into his arms gently
"Just you wait Tohru" Uo growled again "That comforting shield will one day be gone, and you'll have to fight your own battles! I will enjoy, the day you fall"
"SHUT UP UO!" Kyo screamed walking Tohru away. The rest of the Sohmas all glared at her with such hate. Uo was somewhat startled by it, the overpowering glares from the four of them. They all followed Tohru and Kyo, and even Hana looked away.
The Sohmas led Tohru to the other side of the bus, so she could cry without the other's seeing.
"I don't understand what Lady Uo's problem is" Yuki replied with his arms crossed in front of his chest.
"She seriously has an attitude problem" Momiji replied nodding
"What did we do?" Haru asked.
"Nothing...you all did nothing" Tohru replied as she hugged at her knees. "I don't understand it"
"It's okay Tohru. We'll work it out, maybe she was just overwhelmed by it" Kyo whispered sitting down next to her.
"I hope she's alright. I've never seen her so upset" Tohru whimpered
"Emotions can be very confused sometimes. Sometimes we say things, we don't mean. Just leave her be, time to cool down." Kyo replied softly again
"Whatever" She replied sadly. Everyone escorted Tohru to the bus, and made sure that Uo and Hana got on the other. They didn't want even more of that crap on the bus ride, it was three hours, and they just could not deal with that.
Tohru took a seat up against the window, and gazed out it sadly. Haru had been able to sneak by the rest of the Sohmas and sat down beside her. No one seemed to yell at him today, because they all just wanted to sleep.
The bus pulled out into the highway, and Haru could only watch as Tohru remained so glum. He wasn't sure what to do, but he slid his arm around her gently, which actually startled her, and she looked up to him surprised
"Guess I've really been out of it huh?" Tohru replied deplorably
"Its okay Tohru. I know its really upsetting you" Haru replied unemotionally.
"I thought she'd be happy...that's all..." she replied wearily
"Why don't you sleep for a while. I'm sure this bus ride will help Uo to see it better." Haru replied
"I'll try..." Tohru replied sadly, and she rested her head against his gently, and he wrapped his right arm around her carefully.
"Just sleep Tohru. It'll all work out, don't worry" he replied softly.
And she did. Tohru slept for a good long while, and it seemed the whole bus fell asleep too. Yuki and Momiji were out real quick. Kei had his walkman around his neck, still playing as he snoozed. Kyo looked out the window, and gazed at the back of the bus seat that was ahead of here where Tohru sit. Kyo tried to stay awake, but with these early hours and lack of sleep, he too wandered off into dreams.
Two of the three hours they spent asleep. But it seemed like everyone awoke later, and they all looked about and moaned of how tired they were of just sitting there. Tohru gazed out the window ecstatic. "Oh look at the lovely forest Haru! Doesn't it just remind you of home?" she asked happily
"Yeah it does" Haru replied, leaning over with her as they looked out the window. The scenery was lovely, and it felt great to leave the busy city. You could breathe easier. Haru helped Tohru by pointing out the different trees, flowers, and other things. The two were even lucky enough to see a deer dart by "Did you see the deer Tohru?"
"I did I did! It's so cute Haru!" Tohru giggled
"You think all animals are cute" Haru replied rolling his eyes grinning
"Yes I do!" She replied confidently sticking out her tongue. Haru only rubbed her head playfully.
"Are you feeling better now?" Haru asked gently
"A little. I'm still worried about her, but I don't feel like crying much now" Tohru whispered
"That's good Tohru." He replied rubbing her shoulder "People act differently, when emotions get to them. Sometimes its just overpowering"
"Like you and Dark Haru?" She asked quietly.
"Yeah" He nodded to her "I never mean for it to happen. There's just suddenly, a lot of rage that erupts, and its just there. I feel myself slip so far away, and I'm not even the same person." Haru replied unemotionally. Tohru gently took his hand, and Haru tried to hide his blush as he looked to her.
"I won't let you slip away again." She smiled gently.
Haru wasn't really sure what to say. But Tohru's gentle smile was enough reassurance for anyone. He nodded to her slowly and found himself smiling too. He hugged her gently, and then leaned against her and went back to sleep. Tohru continued to look out the window, and didn't realize that Kyo was still behind them listening. Kyo was upset by what she had said, but tried to realize that it was only Tohru being her selfless self.
"Alright Group 1! We're officially here!" Sensei Honda shouted as he stood up at the front of the bus. The students moaned all rubbing their eyes "Welcome to Suzuki National Park" the class finally realized they were there and started to get excited. "When we all get off you're all gonna have to unload the bus"
The kids moaned. But the guys only flexed their muscles, bragging about how strong they could be. Momiji and Kei flexed and showed off to Tohru, who could only grin and laugh. Kyo, Yuki, and Haru meanwhile, ended up unloading the entire busload of cargo.
After hauling their luggage through the woods, Tohru didn't have to carry anything, everyone was fighting over carrying her bags, but at least someone was carrying it. The group arrived at the camp ground, where the other groups that were on other buses congregated. It was hard for Tohru, because she knew that Uo, Hana, and herself were supposed to share a tent.
Kyo did his best to keep Uo and Tohru from running into each other. By the time the camps were set up, it was about time for dinner. On demand, Tohru volunteered, and disappeared into the cooking tent by the fire. Most of the Sohmas were put on fire wood patrol, but Haru slipped away to talk to Tohru again who was in the "make shift kitchen" chopping vegetables
"Are you sure you can cook for the entire class?" He asked smirking
"Its just with larger quantities of food" She replied somewhat snapping at him. The blade came down hard as she continued chopping, which made Haru aware of her mood.
"Would you not worry about Uo? She's fine. You two should probably just stay away from each other for a while, just some space you know?"
"I never said I was worrying about Uo silly. I was just afraid I might not have enough wassabi to go with the sashimi" she replied with a smile giggling. Haru only grew irritated with her attitude, and walked out of the tent. A half hour later, Tohru had the boys roast up some burgers and steaks, while she served the salads and everything else.
"Great job Tohru" one of her classmates replied
"Awesome" Kei replied
Tohru only blushed and rubbed the back of her head. From the corner of her eye, she found Uo and Hana in their class of forty. Hana looked to Tohru, and gave a weak smile, but frowned seeing Uo was only looking away.
Kyo had been sitting next to Tohru, and noted her anxiety. As everyone continued to eat, Tohru walked off into the woods with her flashlight. Tohru didn't want to see Uo's angry face any longer. She wandered along, trying not to stumble on the underbrush. Eventually, Tohru came out onto a bank of a small creek. The creek was no more then two yards wide, and was very calm. She sat down beside the edge, and hugged at her knees as she listened to the calming sound of the stream.
"Tohru? What are you doing out here?"
Tohru jumped quickly, and turned around to see Haru once again staring at her.
"Oh Haru, its only you. I'm just, here I guess' She replied gently, her eyes red and puffy, she must've been crying Haru realized.
"Hey, Tohru..." He started, her face was just so sad, it was hard to look at. He sat down beside her, and began to toss tiny pebbles into the stream. "Are you okay?" He asked quietly.
"I'm fine Haru, really, I'm fine" Tohru replied gently as she threw her own stone into the stream.
"Tohru...don't lie. I promise that tomorrow, we'll find Uo and work this out."
"I just don't understand Haru, why would Uo be so angry with my happiness?"
"I have no idea."
"She was close to Kyoko, that I could always see. Kyoko was the one to convince Uo to get out of her female Yankee gang. Mother had been to one to really play a huge role on Uo's change, really she was the one who saved her."
"I see...." Haru replied nodding as he watched Tohru throw another stone.
"I guess, she must figure that I'm abandoning my mom, in the sense that she thinks I don't care about Kyoko anymore. I guess, its like me, turning my back on her hero and most dear person. But I'm not Haru, I'm really not. I love my mom a lot, that's why I wanted to stay with my last name."
"I understand that Tohru. Maybe Uo doesn't. Sometimes, we become so focused on how we feel and what we think is right, we forget to listen to what other's think. I'm sure she's not enjoying this feud, but sometimes we need time to cool."
"I guess..." Tohru replied shrugging. Haru let out a sigh, he felt like an idiot trying to give Tohru advice. What could he do to bring back the happy Tohru that everyone was missing?
'Your cooking was amazing! I'm sure Shigure is at home moaning about how he misses it. I bet the house is filling up with garbage as we speak!"
Tohru looked to Haru and laughed finally smiling brightly. "Poor Shigure, but I did leave a few meals in the freezer for him to defrost"
"I doubt he knows how to work the microwave that old man"
Tohru laughed again thinking of Shigure at home, pushing the many buttons to the microwave trying to get it to work, only in reality it was unplugged the whole time.
"Poor Shigure" She replied again laughing
"You feeling better?" He asked hopefully.
"Much better, thanks." Tohru replied with a lovely smile
"What makes a journey worth while is getting there." Haru explained softly.
Tohru got up from her spot by the stream and she looked to Haru smiling.
"You're right. Now lets go, its getting late, I'm sure everyone's worried about us." Tohru replied holding out her hand to him. Haru took in gently and pulled himself to his feet. All the time he never once let go of her hand, and Tohru didn't really pay much notice to it at first, but blushed a little until she laughed again "Making sure I won't drift away ey?" She asked
"No, I'm just making sure you don't get lost in the woods"
Author's Note
Hey Everyone, I know this is a tad short and unproductive, but I wanted to have an intro chapter because the camping trip will be quite a long bunch. Since it's a week afterall, that's at least 7 more chapters, one for each day! I've been really busy with school, that's why I haven't updated, please forgive me!