CHAPTER 8! This is dedicated to all of my faithful reviewers!

Chapter 8: An Unexpected Stay

"Tohru! We need to run faster!" Yuki shouted as they ran past people, in an attempt to make it back to the train station in time.

"Yuki! We're never going to make it!" Tohru said back, making an effort to keep up with Yuki.

The couple made their way down the street, bumping into many people in their attempts.

"Sorry!" Tohru said as she bumped into a young child.

About 10 minutes later they arrived at the train station, gasping for breath. Yuki ran up to the ticket window and tried to talk to the man sitting behind the desk.

"Please sir… can you tell me if the train back to Tokyo has left yet?"

"Um… yes it left about 5 minutes ago."

"Is there any way to get back to Tokyo at this time of night?" Yuki asked, in search for answers.

"No… not at this time of night. The buses stopped making their routes about an hour ago."

"So there is nothing you can do for me so we can get back home tonight?" Yuki asked.

"Not tonight."

"What about these train tickets? They were for that train that just left!" Yuki exclaimed.

"I can exchange them for tickets to a train that leaves tomorrow morning if you would like."

"And how much is that going to cost?" Yuki asked. Tohru, who had been standing there quietly, moved closer to Yuki.

"I'll tell you what mister," the ticket salesman started, "I will exchange these tickets for you free of charge. Under one condition."

"Anything!" Yuki said.

"You take this young lady to a hotel immediately, you can't stay outside all night you know!"

Yuki looked at Tohru and gave her a reassuring look.

"I will." Yuki said as he handed the man his now-worthless tickets. As the salesman exchanged the tickets Yuki gave Tohru a reassuring smile.

"There you go sir." Yuki took the tickets and put them into his pocket.

"Thank you so much." Tohru said as Yuki pulled her away from the ticket window.

"I can't believe we missed our train." Tohru said as they left the station.

"We are going to have to call Shigure and let him know that we're not going to be back until tomorrow morning." Yuki said. Tohru nodded her head.

"Where are we going to stay tonight?" Tohru asked as they wandered about the streets, putting her fingertips on her necklace. Yuki took Tohru by the hand and looked over into her eyes, "Don't worry about that. Let me take care of everything." Tohru knew Yuki was being honest when he said that, as Yuki always was.

"Okay." Tohru said after nodding her head.

Later that night

Yuki led Tohru into a hotel after about 20 minutes of walking around town. Yuki walked up to the reception desk and rang the bell for service. A receptionist assisted them immediately.

"How may I help you two?" she asked, looking at Yuki.

"We are going to need a room, just for tonight." Yuki responded.

"Well let me see what I can do for you…," the receptionist started to type some things onto her computer. A few moments later she looked up from her screen a smile on her face.

"Well fortunately for you we have one bedroom left… are you two going to share a room?"

Yuki looked at Tohru with puzzlement. How come he had never thought of that before? Tohru looked back at Yuki, a questionable look was on her face.

"If that's the only room you have left… then we'll take it." Yuki said.

"Okay! Here is your room key," She said as she handed him the key, "You room number is 568. It's on the 3rd floor."

Yuki took the key, thanked the receptionist and led Tohru to the elevator. As they waited for the elevator to come to the first floor, Tohru received a reassuring look from Yuki. It was his way of telling her that everything was going to work out fine. The elevator doors opened and they both stepped inside. Tohru pushed the 3rd floor button and the doors closed again.

As they got off the elevator they made their way through the halls to try to find their room.

"Here we go… number 568." Yuki said as he put the key into the slot. The room was beautifully furnished and very cozy.

"I should probably call Shigure now." Yuki said as she made her way over to the phone. Tohru wandered around, examining their rooms. The phone rang 3 times before Shigure answered.

"Shigure? I'm sorry… did I wake you up?"

"No Yuki… where are you guys? I thought you guys were supposed to some in an hour ago! Where are you?" Shigure sounded worried.

"Tohru and I missed our train back to Tokyo so we are going to have to spend the night in a hotel. We just wanted to call you to let you know that we are okay and that we'll be back tomorrow morning."

"You missed your train, huh?"

"Yes…" Yuki wondered where Shigure was going with this.

"I see… well Yuki it looks like you have yourself in a pretty good situation, you naughty, naughty boy."

Yuki hung up the phone on Shigure. Why would he ever think something so foul of me? Oh yeah… that's the sort of person he is… Yuki looked over at Tohru who was standing in the doorway to a room.

"What are you looking at?" Yuki asked as he walked over to Tohru to see what she was looking at.

"There is only one bed. You can have it! I'll just sleep on the couch or something…" Tohru didn't finish her sentence. Yuki had put his index finger over her lips.

"Why would you do that? You know very well that I am going to sleep on the couch tonight." Tohru knew that there was no use fighting with Yuki, because once he had his mind set… he wasn't going to change it.

"Now why don't you take a nice hot bath and get freshened up. I'll get us situated out here." Yuki said as he motioned towards the bathroom. Kissing her forehead, Yuki went to get some extra pillows from the front desk. Tohru watched him leave, a smile was on her face.

When Yuki got back with the pillows, Tohru was still taking a bath. He could hear her humming softly in the background to a tune he didn't recognize. He placed the pillows on the couch and sat down. Tohru's humming ceased and her water was turned off. A few moments later Tohru walked out of the bathroom, her wet hair clinging to her back. She was wearing one of the robes they supply in the bathroom, and the sudden sight of Yuki sitting on the couch scared her a little. A small gasp escaped her mouth.

"I didn't mean to scare you." Yuki said, laughter escaped his mouth.

"It's okay…," Tohru said walking over to him.

"Why don't you sit down here?" Yuki asked pointing to the couch. Tohru sat down next to Yuki and realized how close she was to his face, his body.

Tohru looked at Yuki's face up and down a few times. He did the same.

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable with me." Yuki explained.

"Why would you say something like that?" Tohru asked.

"You know… with this whole situation and all, I just want you to relax."

"I am!" Tohru exclaimed.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course!"

"We should probably get to sleep now… it's already quarter to eleven and we have to get up early tomorrow morning." Yuki pointed out as he checked the clock.

Tohru's eyes followed his gaze and realized that it was really getting to be late.

"Okay… well I guess I'll see you tomorrow." Tohru said, getting up. She walked over to her room to get some extra sheets from her bed for Yuki to sleep on. A few seconds later Tohru reappeared from her room with a few sheets. She began to make up Yuki's bed on the couch.

While making Yuki's bed, Tohru felt a hand rest on her waist. She suddenly stopped what she was doing and turned around to find Yuki almost 2 inches from her face.

"You worry too much about what everybody else needs. You need to focus your attention on some of your needs." Tohru felt herself blush. Both of Yuki's hands were now around Tohru's waist. Tohru looked down at her waist and brought her right hand up to touch her necklace.

Yuki brought Tohru in closer so that they were no more than 1 inch from each other. Tohru could feel Yuki's steady rhythmic breathing on her face. Both oh their eyes met and locked for the first time since they arrived at the hotel.

"Let me worry about you for a while." Yuki said just before he kissed her. Tohru moved her hands from her necklace to around Yuki's neck. The way Yuki kissed her, Tohru knew that he truly wanted to protect her with everything he was.

Yuki pulled away and said, "Goodnight Tohru."

"Goodnight Yuki." Tohru walked into her room but had a hard time falling asleep. There were so many things were on her mind.

Oh mom… I am so sure that you would've liked Yuki. Too bad you never had the chance to meet him… Please watch over us mom. Tohru thought to herself.

She quietly got out of bed and walked over to the doorway and peeked around the corner to see what Yuki was up to. He was peacefully sleeping on the couch, all sprawled out. He looked so innocent when he was asleep, like nothing in his life was wrong.

Tohru crept back to her bed and had no trouble falling asleep this time.

The next day Yuki woke up first. He moved around their room quietly so he wouldn't wake up Tohru before she needed to. There was another hour before their train left for Tokyo.

Yuki peeked into Tohru's room to find her happily asleep. Remembering what happened last time when he was peeking into her room, Yuki closed the door quietly and went back to the couch until Tohru woke up herself.

About 20 minutes later a still-half-asleep Tohru emerged from her bedroom. Groggily, she rubbed her eyes and smiled at Yuki.

"Good morning Yuki." Tohru said through a yawn.

"Morning Tohru." Yuki replied.

"What time is it?" Tohru asked.

"It's about 9:30… our train leaves in forty minutes." Yuki replied. Tohru nodded her head and went back into her room to get dressed in the clothes she was wearing yesterday.

As they checked out at the front desk Tohru glanced at the clock on the wall.

"We are going to have to leave as soon as we check out Yuki."

"Why don't you call Shigure and let him know that we are going to be home before noon." Yuki suggested. Tohru went over to a pay phone and dialed Shigure's number.

"Hello?" Kyo said after 2 rings.

"Kyo? Is Shigure home?" Tohru asked.

"No. He went out somewhere this morning, but he said he'd be back before you guys got here. What happened to you guys?"

"Well all that happened was that we missed our train yesterday, but everything is okay now. I just wanted to call and let you know that we'll be back before noon." Tohru looked up and saw Yuki waiting for her. "Kyo listen… I have to go but I'll see you soon!"

"When you get back could you make some food for us?" Kyo asked.

"Sure… why?" Tohru asked.

"Shigure tried to make us dinner last night… but it was SO TERRIBLE!" Kyo said.

"Sure Kyo. I have to go now…I'll see you when we get home!" Kyo said goodbye and hung up the phone.

Tohru walked over to Yuki and they left the hotel.

They arrived at the train station with 10 minutes to spare. They boarded the train and found their seats. They were with another couple again, but it was okay.

As they sat down the couple looked up from what they were doing but said nothing. They were younger than the first couple by at least 15 years.

Tohru looked at Yuki with more respect than before. He didn't try to take advantage of her while she was asleep last night, and she respected him for that. She knew at that moment that Yuki Sohma was the perfect guy for her. She couldn't be happy unless she shared her life with him.

"What is it" Yuki asked, feeling self-conscious.

"Nothing…" Tohru said, leaning back on Yuki, careful not to make him transform. She could tell that Yuki was trying not to embrace her. She could tell that this simple position was not enough for him, he wanted to hold her.

"Don't worry about it." Tohru said, hoping that Yuki understood what she was talking about. Yuki understood because he took his left arm and placed it gently on her hip.

"Tohru? Yuki? Is that you?" Shigure said as he walked into the kitchen.

"It's us!" Tohru responded.

"Oh Tohru! We were so worried about you!" Shigure said as he emphasized every word.

"Glad to see you too Shigure." Yuki added.

"Hello Yuki!" Shigure said, as if he didn't forget him. Kyo walked into the kitchen and a look of relief spread across his face.

"Tohru! Finally!" Kyo exclaimed. Tohru smiled at him and began to make lunch.

"What is that all about?" Yuki asked.

"When I talked to Kyo earlier, he asked me to make lunch when I got back." Tohru answered happily. Kyo sweatdropped.

"And why would Kyo be hungry? I fed him while you were gone!" Shigure complained. Kyo, having common sense, went up to the roof. Shigure, still wanting answers, followed him.

"What was wrong with my cooking?" Shigure questioned as he followed Kyo up to the roof.

"Those two will never change." Yuki said. Tohru was already making lunch for everybody.

"What did I tell you about worrying over everybody?" Yuki asked as he walked over to her.

"I know I know…"

"Let me handle this." Yuki offered. Kyo walked back into the kitchen, trying to get away from Shigure, who was still following him. When he heard what Yuki said he sweatdropped.

"Don't let that damn rat cook! Tohru just please make us some lunch." Kyo begged. Tohru smiled and continued her cooking. Her mind began to wander, thinking about a bunch of different things. The time when Yuki and her shared their first kiss, the past few days, her mom, and the encounter with Akito crossed her mind.

"Yuki?" Tohru hesitated.

"What is it?" Yuki asked.

"I need to tell you something." Tohru said meekly.

"Okay." Yuki replied, not knowing what to expect.

"A couple of days ago…" Tohru started.

"What happened?" Yuki said with worry.

They both heard their front door open and close harshly. Then footsteps that were faint grew louder as they approached the kitchen.

"What was it you were about to tell Yuki, Tohru?" Tohru recognized that voice. She looked up slowly from the floor and found no one other than Akito, standing in the doorframe, waiting for an answer.

A/N: Baka cliffhangers! I always hate when people leave their chapters with a cliffhanger… sorry! Did y'all think I forgot about Akito? Of course not! Thanks to all who have reviewed! I appreciate every single review! I love you guys so much! Until next time, bubbles078