It was nearly noon when Tohru emerged from the house. Her hair was up in ribbons, and she had on her nicest dress. She had gone all out for her date. That much was obvious, even from a distance and it made Yuki all the more upset. He cut through the house on his way out in order to wash his hands and grab his wallet. On his way down the stairs Yuki bumped into Kyo who was pulling on his sneakers. "Where do you think you're going, rat?", Kyo snapped with an ominous tone. He rose to his feet slowly, never taking his eyes off of Yuki. "Out", was Yuki's terse reply. He didn't have time to get into it with the cat right now. He might lose her. "Are you going to follow her?" Kyo queried and took a step towards Yuki. His fists were clenched, and his eyes narrowed. Yuki thought about saying something flippant like "what's it to you?" or "so what if I am?", but instead he just said "yes" and took a step towards Kyo, meeting his gaze squarely. He had no intention of backing down. Kyo moved as if he was going to grab Yuki by the shoulder, and Yuki made ready to block, but instead, the cat stopped. Kyo dropped his guard and looked down at his feet. "Good", he said to the floor. Yuki wasn't sure he had heard right. Was Kyo, his arch enemy, agreeing with him? Kyo looked up at Yuki with wary eyes. "I can't follow her myself. I have to go to the dojo. Shishou just called. So I'm counting on you". Kyo looked sternly, but earnestly at Yuki. Yuki was shocked. He didn't know what to say. Kyo was asking for his help- his rival, the cat, who hated him more than anyone in the world- was counting on him? "But if anything happens to her", Kyo balled his fists up again, "I'm taking it out on your carcass, you damn rat, you hear me?" His eyes burned into Yuki, who was pulled back into reality by Kyo's words. "That is more like it" he thought. Yuki didn't speak, but met Kyo's gaze with just as much intensity. Then he turned and quickly left.
He thought he had lost her at first, but there were only so many ways to the main road, so Yuki caught up to Tohru with ease. She made her way to the train station, platform 3, and stood, obviously waiting for someone. Yuki hid behind a pillar, and waited. He could hardly wait to get a look at this guy who had haunted him for all these weeks. After a few minutes, no one showed and Yuki relaxed some. Was this guy not going to show? "Well, in that case," Yuki thought, "I guess it's a good thing I'm here. I mean, I can comfort Tohru, and help her to feel better". Yuki began to imagine himself consoling a devastated Tohru, and her gratitude to him for coming to her rescue. "This may turn out better than I thought", Yuki mused. He was jarred from his daydream by a familiar voice. "Yuki, imagine meeting you here- a mystery". It was Haru who had snuck up on him. Yuki's heart raced. "Haru! Get behind the pillar! Honda-san might see you!", Yuki hissed. What was Haru doing there anyway? Yuki grabbed him and pulled him out of Tohru's line of sight. "Why are you spying on Tohru?", Haru asked with a half grin. "Honda-san is meeting the worst kind of guy here on a date, and I decided to follow her". Haru's smile widened at this. "She needs protection" Yuki continued. "You know how naïve she is." Yuki was trying to justify his actions, to himself as well, and hoped Haru would agree with him. "You are so predictable" Haru chuckled, and a knowing smile crossed his face. Then he stepped out in the open where Tohru could obviously see him, and walked towards her. "Haru!" Yuki lunged forward and tried to grab him, but it was too late. Tohru spotted the two of them. She broke out in a huge smile, and waived emphatically from her spot on the platform- as if she were expecting them! Haru approached with confidence, but Yuki hung back. He was trying to think up an excuse he could give for having followed her. Tohru laughed delightedly. "Haru! You were right! He did come!" She chirped as Haru bent down and gave Tohru a peck on the cheek. She burst into giggles and threw her hands over her mouth at the sight of the approaching Yuki. He felt his face flush. She was laughing at him again. "Oh, Yuki, I am so sorry!" Tohru exclaimed. "I didn't want to trick you, but Haru wanted to play a little joke on you, and I played along." Tohru's eyes were begging for forgiveness, but sparkling with mischief as well. Yuki did not understand what was happening, and the look on his face showed it. What joke had Haru played? And where was Tohru's date? And why did Tohru act like she was expecting him? "Yuki, I'd like you to meet T-Bone" Tohru said as she gestured towards Haru. Haru just grinned. "What?" The truth began to dawn on Yuki. "You're T-Bone?" He stared at his cousin in disbelief. "That's right" Haru answered flatly, but kept grinning. "But," Yuki faltered. His thoughts were whirling as he tried to match his image of T-Bone to the real item. "You see Yuki," Tohru began, "Haru and I have been chatting all this time online, but he asked me to keep it a secret." Yuki tried to piece things together in his mind as she spoke. "Last night Haru bet me that if I told you I was going on a date you would follow me," she continued," I didn't believe you would care that much, but you did!" She giggled again. Tohru acted like she had won a prize. She was obviously pleased with the results of the joke. "I figure it's about time you took her out on a date", Haru interjected with a smirk. "So let's go. Rin is meeting us at the theater". Yuki felt a little foolish, especially at the thought of having to be tricked into a date. But he looked at Tohru. She was blushing, and smiing, and her eyes sparked at him so beautifully. She was so happy and so eager to go out- with him- not some other guy after all. He couldn't help but give up and enjoy it. "Alright", Yuki smiled, "I surrender", and he took Tohru's hand. She beamed at him, and gave his arm a squeeze. As they walked away, Yuki wondered what he would tell Kyo. "Oh well" he thought. He'd worry about that later. He turned to Haru. "So you're in home ec class?", Yuki asked? "Yup", Haru answered, "so's Momichi." "But why?", Yuki questioned. He really did want to know. "I think Momichi is there for the food" Haru offered, "but I just really like the company" Haru smiled. Yuki thought about that for a minute, and decided he hadn't been totally wrong, about T-Bone after all. Then Yuki's guilt about his jealousy overcame him again. "I owe you an apology, Haru" Yuki offered meekly. "How so?", Haru asked. "Well, I heard your alias, and I pictured some rough-type guy with chains and 'T-Bone' tattooed across his chest". Yuki felt a little ashamed. "Oh, I have the tattoo, but it's not on my chest." Haru smirked. He gave Yuki a knowing look. "But," Yuki stammered. "Exactly", Haru continued. "I thought about having them put rump roast, but that seemed kind a crass, ya know?" Haru smiled. Yuki stopped and looked hard at him for a moment incredulously. Tohru was seemed oblivious to the conversation which Yuki was glad for. He didn't ask any more questions. He was pretty sure he didn't really want to know what Haru was thinking after all.
