Chapter Sixteen: Paris or Tokyo?

At precisely 7:35 p.m., Tohru and Yuki's plane landed at the main airport of the city, Charles de Gaulle. They departed from the plane quite tired but still feeling as if though it was afternoon, considering back home it was still only 1:35 p.m. and for Tohru it was the first time she had ever been in a foreign country. After grabbing their suitcases at baggage claim, Yuki hailed them a cab and they began their drive into the city of Paris. All around her Tohru was amazed by all the lights she saw. Yuki explained that was the way Paris was at night, lit up like a big crystal ball. Finally the cab arrived at the apartment building, and after paying the driver, Yuki led the way up to his apartment.

"Come on in Tohru" he replied with a bit of a sigh as he opened the door, "I doubt Machi's home yet. She still usually at work at this time."

"It's eight o'clock though," Tohru said with a nod as she came in.

"It doesn't matter. She'll be home soon I'm sure. She knows we're going to be here tonight anyway. She might come home early."

"Okay" Tohru nodded again as she moved into the living room and noticed the large window that you could see everything, "Wow. What a view you have."

"Yep" Yuki smiled, "There's the Eiffel tower right there."

"Have you ever been there?" Tohru asked excitedly.

"A few times. I'll definitely take you while you're here. After all it is one of the most important landmarks in Paris."

"One of the?"

"Oh yea there are several. You hungry at all?"

"Now that you mention it" she nodded, "I am a little. Do you want order out?"

"No" Yuki smiled again, "I have something better in mind."

"What is it? I can make you something," she offered, "If you have the right ingredients."

"Other way around" Yuki shook his head.

"Huh?"

"You're the guest in my home now. I serve you."

"You can cook?"

"Believe it or not I did pick up a few things in Paris," he replied as he began to take out supplies and ingredients, "Kind of got tired of the whole take-out thing," he added.

"Well. That's great. I'd love to try it."

"Coming right up" he grinned making Tohru smile as she sat down at the table for two.

"So what can you tellme about the Eiffel Tower?" she asked.

"Well for one thing it's one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. It has exactly 1, 665 steps."

"Oh my" Tohru gasped, "That's a lot."

"Yea" Yuki nodded as the frying pan simmered, "It was built by a man who also built a lot of other recognizable monuments around the world. And everybody knows about it. It's had thousands of visitors."

"Is it your favorite spot in Paris?"

"Not really" Yuki shook his head, "I mean it's great for what it is, but I found something better."

"What is it?"

"Why tell when I can show you?"

"Huh?"

"You're here to have a good time right" he grinned as he placed her plate in front of her and his down in front of his chair, "Not to just hide out."

"I guess you're right" she nodded as he sat down and she picked up her chopsticks, "Well time to try your cooking" she picked up some food and tasted it, "This is really good" Tohru smiled as she enjoyed the meal.

"Yea it's amazing what you can do when you really put your mind to it isn't it?" he agreed and then both of them laughed.

(Next Scene)

Later that evening Tohru had gone to bed early and Yuki was still awake finishing up the dishes. As he placed the last dish in the cupboard he heard the familiar key being placed into the door and wiped his hands on a dish towel before walking towards the hall where Machi was bent over taking off his shoes. As she stood up her back to him he walked over slowly and placed his arms around her.

"Welcome home" he whispered.

"You too" she smiled as she placed her hand on top of his before turning around and embracing, "When did you get in?"

"Around eight o'clock. There is some leftover dinner I made if you want some."

"Good because I am starving" she nodded as they walked into the kitchen his arm still around her, "Is she here?"

"She's asleep already. It's her first flight. She's never been on one. And it was a, how can I say itdifficult choice to come to Paris for her."

"You still haven't explained why though" Machi replied as she sat down in the chair that Tohru had been sitting only hours before.

"I'll explain while you eat" Yuki reassured her as he handed her meal.

(Next Scene)

"So he's still causing problems huh?" Machi said with a frown as she and Yuki sat in the living room each with a wine glass in their hands.

"Apparently so. He won't give up. And the last e-mail he sent Kyo was what made them to decide to do this."

"Poor girl. But imagine being away from your husband and kids because ofit."

"It was really hard for her" Yuki nodded taking a small sip of his wine, "And it also made me come to a decision of my own."

"What's that?"

"It's not important just yet. I am just happy to be back with you again."

"Me too" she nodded as he leaned and kissed her gently on her lips, "I missed you so much. I hated being apart all these months."

"I didn't like it either" he admitted as he stood up and took the wine back into the kitchen.

She stood up and joined him in the room as he placed the wine on the counter.

"So what are you plans while she's here?"

"Sight- see I guess. Like I said she's never been anywhere but Japan. This will be a good experience for her."

"Maybe I can take some time off to help you."

"Do you think you can?" he asked a bit excited.

" I think so" she nodded, "After all I do know a lot more about Paris then you do," she added with a smug grin.

"This is true" he nodded as he embraced her once more, "That would be great if you could."

"I think it won't be any problem. Not tomorrow but some time this week."

"She's here for two weeks, so there's no rush."

"She's really here for that long?"

"Kyo's got to get everything ready for her before she gets back. Two weeks seems like a long time but it will go by fast."

"And do you plan to go back with her? When she does?"

Yuki was silent for the moment and then he looked deep into her eyes. Machi gazed up into hers as he stroked his hand down her cheek.

"We'll talk about that later. It's not important. The point is I am here now."

"You're right" she nodded, "Let's spend as much time together as we can."

He nodded, closing his eyes and taking every essence of her into his senses. He held onto her tight, not wanting to let go, and more certain then ever that he would never be happy unless she was with him.

(Next Scene)

Back in Tokyo the next morning Kyo walked into the kitchen only to find Kandis cooking breakfast.

"What are you doing?" he asked a bit confused.

"Making you breakfast" she giggled, "Is there something wrongwith that?"

"Not really. It's just not necessary" he shook his head.

"Don't be ridiculous. It's the least I can do for you allowing me to stay here. Besides if Tohru were here isn't this exactly what she would be doing? Aren't I supposed to play the part?"

"Yea only to a certain point. Don't get carried away."

"Don't worry I won't. Besides I have someone who is very worried about me."

"Akito" Kyo nodded.

"He's already called twice to make sure everything is okay. He's so romantic" she sighed.

"Yea. Also very, very suspicious" Kyo replied as they walked into the sitting room and she placed his plate down in front of her.

"No not necessarily. He's gotten a lot better about that."

"Uh huh" Kyo nodded not really believing her.

"He has" she insisted.

"Or maybe he has a reason to really worry about you then?"

"What would that be?" she asked as she scooped some food up with her chopsticks.

"Oh I don't know. Maybe the fact that you are carrying his child" Kyo smiled.

"How do you?" she started to say.

"Look I know the signs" Kyo replied, "Tohru went through the same. Does he know?"

"Yes" she nodded, "Of course he does. I mean we haven'tgotten a definiteanswer yet, but."

"You're sure" he finished for her.

"Positive. I don't need Hatori to tell me I'm pregnant."

"Well I guess a congratulations is an order" Kyo said, "Tohru would say so if she was here."

"Yes she would" Kandis nodded, "Thank you," she laughed a little.

"So does this mean that you guys will be getting married soon?"

"I don't know. He hasn't exactly popped the question."

"He will" Kyo reassured her, "I'm sure he will."

"Good morning all" Hatsuharu replied as he came into the room.

"You're late" Kyo said a bit irritably.

"Sorry about that Kyo" Haru grinned, "Had to handle a few things to do with the band. You know before I have to become almost non-existent to them for two weeks?"

"Okay. Okay. Okay" Kyo nodded, "But are you finally going to tell me how I and the rest of my property is going to get down to Kyoto?"

"Of course I will Kyo. Patience. The first thing you have to worry aboutis allowing Ushida see that you are closing down the dojo. That is the first step."

Kyo nodded again as he stood up. "You're right. I know you're right" he sighed, "That's going to take a couple of days tops."

"So take a couple of days. I'll be helping you. Miss Ward will be here to keep up the pretense that Tohru and the twins are still here and I even managed to talk to Miss Uotani. She said that she and Miss Hanajima would be happy to help out by stopping by to keep up the pretense."

"What a great idea" Kandis grinned.

"Whatever works" Kyo shrugged, "But you be careful just the same okay Kandis. Because if anything ever happens to you Akito will kill me and Tohru will never forgive me."

"Everything will be fine Kyo" she reassured him with her winning smile, "I can handle things. I like being the heroine. And anyway I can help you get past that bastard, it's worth it."

"I salute that" Haru nodded with a grin of his own, "Come on Kyo. Time to start closing down the dojo. But we're really relocating it" he added in a sarcastic whisper to Kandis with another smile.

"Good luck you guys!" she called as they departed and then turned to look at the dishes on the table, "Now what do I do?" she wondered aloud.

As Kyo and Hatsuharu walked down the street they both noticed the black car that was parked outside.

"That's not the same car" Haru said extra quietly to his cousin.

"They come in shifts" Kyo replied, "I'm used to them by now. Anyway the fact that they're here means they haven't figured anything out yet."

"I know they will figure it out in time. But what they figure out will not be what we have in mind. What they find is what they think won't be the truth."

"I have no idea what you said. But I think it's right. Besides closing down the doors of the dojo, you have something else up your sleeve don't you?"

"You know me too well" Haru grinned even more as he opened the doors of the dojo and they both walked in, of course noticing that a new black car, Nakagami's car in fact was parked just outside the building.

(Next Scene)

For the next couple of days Yuki and Tohru spent a wonderful time touring Paris. It was Tuesday of the first week and they were standing on one of the many bridges gazing at the water and the flowers around them. Yuki had brought his camera, which, as he explained not only had he become a pretty good cook, but also an avid picture taker. As he took a picture of the water Tohru gazed out and smiled as he removed the camera from his eye.

"So she really is going to spend some time with us?" she said after he had told her about Machi.

"Yep. She got the next three days off after today. She knows a lot more then I do anyway."

"That's wonderful."

"I'm quite happy about it myself" he nodded with a smile.

"You know. It might be the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time together," she said a bit coyly with a mischievous grin.

"What do you mean?" he looked at her with a raise of his eyebrows and trying not to smile himself.

"You know what I mean. This as good time as any isn't it?"

"I don't know."

"Why not? I mean what do you have to lose?"

"I don't know" he repeatedwith a shake ofhis head, " I mean she could say no."

"And she could yes. But you haven't given her the opportunity to have you?"

"Not in so many words."

"What's stopping you?" Tohru asked laughing, "If anyone deserves this Yuki it's you. Believe me. I think you should go for it."

"You think so?" he looked at her directly.

"Yes I do. If not now, then when?"

Yuki thought for a moment and then turned to her once more. "Will you help me?"

"It would be my pleasure" she nodded taking his hand.

(Next Scene)

When Yuki and Tohru arrived back at the apartment after having ring shopping all afternoon, Yuki picked up the phone and dialed a number with trembling but elated fingers.

"Machi" he replied.

"Yuki?" she said a little surprised to hear from him, "What's the matter? I thought you'd be out."

"It's nothing" he reassured her, "I just wanted to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"I was wondering if you could meet me for dinner tonight. You know go out. We haven't done that in awhile."

"No we haven't. But what's the occasion?" she asked a little curious.

"Nothing special" he smiled to himself, "I just want to go out with you."

"But what about Tohru?"

"She's fine with it. In fact she encourages me to. So what do you say will you meet me?"

"Where?"

"Our favorite restaurant."

"We haven't been there in a long time."

"I know. So is that a yes?"

"I'll be there. I'll see you then."

"Okay. I love you."

"I love you too" she replied back as she hung up not really sure what he was up to, but she was certain he was up to something.

Yuki turned to Tohru with a smile and she embraced him tightly. He smiled at the realization that this night could be the start the life he had always longed for.

(Next Scene)

Machi and Yuki enjoyed a wonderful evening of dinner at their favorite restaurant and towards the later part of the date; they were walking side by side on one of her and Yuki's favorite spots. Yuki turned to her and smiled.

"Machi" he replied as he took her hand.

"Yes Yuki."

"I can't tell you how happy I am here to be back beside you. I hate itwhen we're apart."

"So do I?"

"Do you remember that question that you kept asking when I arrived?"

"Yes."

"I like it here in Paris. It's great, but it's not home. Japan is where all my family is. It's where I really belong. You do understand that don't you?"

"Of course I do" she nodded, "You think I don't feel the same way?"

"Then you don't want to stay here?" he asked quite surprised.

"Yuki" she shook her head, "Paris has been good for me. But it can never be home. Especially if you're not here."

He smiled gently.

"I've decided that I am going to finish upwith whatI came here for. I plan on coming home in the spring. I'll be home for Christmas of course and New Years. And I know it's a little longer than I said it would be before, but I do have every intention of coming home. Coming home to be with you."

"I'm glad you're saying that" he smiled even more, "It makes it a lot easier to ask the next question."

"Next question?" she said laughing a little, "I didn't know you had anymore."

"It's the most important question I think I will ever ask," he replied kneeling before her and holding onto her hand, "Machi I don't honestly think I can go another day without you by my side. The separation we had has been hard for me, and I don't want to continue where we're at. I want to go on."

"Yuki" she said her eyes becoming wide.

"I want you to be more than just a companion. I want you to be my partner in life" he pulled the ring from his pocket and opened the box, "Machi Kuragi, I kneel before you right now, in order to ask you to marry me. Will you? Will you marry me my love?"

"Oh Yuki" she gasped as the tears formed in her eyes, "It's beautiful."

"But" he said afraid she was hesitating.

"No" she shook her head at his reaction, "I am not saying no to you. Not this time. Yuki" she held onto his hand, "I love you. So much. I will."

"You will?"

"Yes" she nodded as he smiled the tears forming in his eyes, "I will marry you."

He placed the ring on her finger and then stood up embracing her tight; finally happier then ever that it was his turn to make his dream become reality. Finally it was time for Yuki Sohma to have the life he so richly deserved.

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Yea Yuki! So happy for you. No I really am. I am so glad I was able to get these two together. They both have been through so much in their past and now they can finally move on together. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Only three more to go and then Book One will be done!

Next Chapter:

Chapter Seventeen: New Home in Kyoto

Tohru and Kyo attempt to make their new home in a new city. But starting up the new dojo and meeting new neighbors might prove quite challenging for the young couple.