A/N: So, here I am again for another chapter! I don't know how much longer the story will last. I really need reviews, opinions help when going through writer's block! And the poem at the beginning of this chapter, it's by Emily Dickinson (oh I love her poems….they really are better than they're made out to be).

Disclaimer: Don't own furuba…duh…..

Chapter 7: Destinations

Pain has an element of blank;

It cannot recollect

When it began, or if there were

A day when it was not.

It has no future but itself,

Its infinite realms contain

Its past, enlightened to perceive

New periods of pain.

I changed my mind about taking a walk and decided to return inside. Honestly, hearing Yuki cry on the rooftop was simply an unbearable sound. The agony carried from his mouth to my ears and rested in the depths of my heart. It seemed as though we were one and the same, sharing the same pain and heartbreak.

Entering the house, I walked past Shigure's office. I stopped outside the door as I had only one day ago.

"If you need me, I'll be in here."

I raised my hand to knock on the door, but some force within caused me to hold my fist in mid-air. I stood there for five minutes, deciding whether or not to talk to him.

My thoughts were broken by the ringing of the phone. I ran and picked it up. "Hello, Sohma residence."

"Hello," said a dull, monotonous voice. "This is Saki Hanajima. Is Tohru available?"

I gasped and tried my hardest not to cry. As a result, I could not find the strength to speak.

"I know it's late, but she promised that she would meet Uo and me at the park, and when she never came, I realized that something had happened to my dear Tohru. Is she asleep?"

Every fiber in my body was screaming, "Tell her the truth. She's her friend; she needs to know that Tohru may never be coming back." But I could not bring myself to speak.

"There is pain, I see."

With that, I hung up the phone and went upstairs to sleep.

I changed into my kitty-cat pajamas. Just looking at them made me want to cry; I mean, it hurts to miss someone, but the hurt increases when simple belongings become a reminder of the person. Crawling into bed, I pulled the sheets over my body and turned off the light. I closed my eyes and tried my hardest to fall into a motionless state of mind.

But I didn't really sleep. Shutting my eyes reminded me of everything that had happened, but opening them only seemed to reaffirm all that I was thinking. At 2:00 in the morning, I finally gave up and climbed up to the roof. Yuki was still sitting there, but he was no longer crying. I sat next to him, and we both remained silent for a very long time.

"So . . . do you really want to see Kyo again?" Yuki finally asked.

"I'm not sure . . . I'm not sure how I feel about him, or anything anymore. Not after today, anyway," I said. Yuki nodded in response. "It doesn't seem like I have much of a choice, though."

Silence again. The moon shone bright, and the air was cold and crisp with the season of autumn. "I guess . . . you're feeling the same, Yuki-kun?"

A single tear fell down his face. "That's just it." He turned towards me with an explanation. "I know how I feel, and I can't face her. It will simply be too painful."

"Why?"

"Because . . . I still love her. Even after all she has done. I still care for her."

I gave him a hug and we continued to sit in silence. Eventually, the sun rose, and we realized it was time to pack and get ready for the trip.

"I'll pack my things and meet you downstairs for breakfast," I told him. "Don't worry, I'll cook for the three of us. We all need strength for the flight."

Thank goodness I always packed enough clothes to last me for weeks. I had just finished our laundry yesterday morning, so all of my clothes were clean. I placed my jumpers, turtlenecks, and the rest in my suitcase. I looked at my kitty-cat backpack.

"Maybe . . . Tohru will like it . . ." I stuffed it in my bag and went downstairs.

Before making breakfast, there was one more matter that had to be attended to: telling my mother. I called her and explained.

"Well, you can't very well go against Akito's orders. I'll give Hatori some money for you, and don't be afraid to call if you need anything. I love you, and please be careful!"

"I will, mother. I love you too. Bye."

I started preparing breakfast. Yuki came downstairs a few minutes later with his luggage. "I'm going to take some money out of mine and Shigure's saving accounts this morning. I'll be back in time for breakfast." With that, he was out the door, and I continued cooking.

I'm so nervous . . . what's going to happen?

"What's . . ."

"…that sad face for?"

I yelped. Shigure had sneaked up behind me. I smiled and said "Nothing. Yuki will be back soon; he went to the bank. The food is almost ready. Do you have everything packed?"

"Yes . . .I stayed up all night writing." Funny, he looks like a rested man with a full twelve hours of sleep and coffee to boot. Are all writers that nocturnal?

"Oh, is that for me?" he asked as he noticed the coffee brewing. "I didn't know I had coffee mix in my house!"

"You don't need coffee."

"Oh, but I'm so tired," he said, trying his best to let out a fake yawn. I giggled in spite of how sad I felt. At that moment, Yuki entered the kitchen.

"You're just in time. Breakfast is ready."

We all sat down at the table. "So, Yuki, Kagura said you went to the bank?"

"Yes. We both need money for this trip."

"Oh, so you robbed a bank! How exciting!" Shigure exclaimed. However, his smile soon turned to a frown. "I can't believe you didn't tell me! I should call Aaya and tell him about this-"

"Stop being such an idiot. You know we have savings accounts there."

They continued to bicker, and I observed the commotion. Shigure seemed so relaxed, so care-free. It was as if nothing bothered him, as if yesterday had never happened and we weren't really being forced to go on this trip.

An exterior built . . . to hide the pain within . . .

After finishing breakfast, I cleaned the dishes and brought my luggage downstairs. Hatori arrived soon after.

"Tori-san! You're early!" Shigure yelled, running up to the dragon and shaking him by the shoulders.

"You're not seriously considering wearing that . . . are you, Shigure?" Hatori replied. "A kimono is not appropriate for wearing to America. You know this."

"Is that why you came early?" Shigure asked.

"Just change, and make sure you pack suitable clothes. I know you own more than kimonos."

With that, Shigure changed into a suit and, as a result, looked very much like Hatori. They could almost pass for brothers.

We all piled our luggage into the car and left for the airport. Hatori handed me an envelope. "From your mother," he stated. I nodded and placed the envelope in my purse.

As expected, the ride to the airport was incredibly quiet, except for Shigure's whimsical remarks. "Do you think we'll get to meet any high-school girls in America?" he whined.

Hatori sighed and continued to drive. When we finally arrived at the airport, Hatori handed us the tickets, and we went through security. After a long, gruesome wait for Shigure (he forgot that contraband, such as food, was not allowed in suitcases) we all walked down the long hall to the plane.

Stepping upon the plane, I looked at my homeland one last time. No matter what would happen or where I would go . . . there was no turning back. Life as I knew it may never be the same.

A/N: Okay, what did you think? I need opinions! And a new twist will be coming really soon, so it's gonna get even more complicated!