Author's Note: Hello, everyone! Chapter Five is FINALLY here for all of you to see! I have been working on my other story, 'Hardships of Commitment' Well, here it is! It was originally going to be a happy scene, but, you know... Christmas Eve is just around the corner, so since that's my deadline... I kind of have to get the plot going a little bit! Hope you enjoy! Please, please, please, PLEASE read and review! ENJOY!

Chapter 5

The Parting of Ways

It was the night of the big dance, and it was wondrous! Everything was just perfect! There was a huge chandelier that decorated the ceiling along with other assortment of crystal lighting. The floor was a deep red and the grand doors were opening and shutting every few minutes as it admitted more couples in.

"Mr. Sohma! It's a pleasure to meet you," a sleek haired man came up to shake Yuki's hand.

"Same to you. Enjoy your night at the ball," he shook hands with his free hand and cheerily smiled at him. Tohru was holding onto his arm and looked up at him.

"Mr. Sohma! Marie Thomson. I'm one of your business partners with Sohma Corps. It's a wonderful event, this ball…" she smiled at him with her white sparkling teeth, and glanced at Tohru.

"Oh! And this must be your sister! Tessa, was it?" she was so perky when she spoke.

"No, this is my girlfriend, Tohru," he coolly corrected the woman. "If you would be so kind as to excuse me, we must greet the other guests," Yuki slinked away with Tohru walking at his side.

"She seemed nice," Tohru said with a hint of some sort of emotion.

"She's 47," he told her.

"I see," she drifted off.

"You know that the one I have my eye on is clinging to my arm right now?" he looked kindly down into her face while gently rubbing noses with her.

"Yes, I do. And I will always love you. No matter what," she gently whispered back and leaned towards him to gently kiss him.

A murmur of awe and envy went through the crowd and everyone tried to see the face of the girl who had caught the handsome man's fancy. Cameras clicked wildly so that it sounded like a chorus.

They pulled away from their embrace and Tohru smiled sheepishly at the crowd. Yuki leaned his head down and gently whispered something in her ear that made her blush with glee.

From the other side of the room, and certain enemy glared on as the couple continued to coo and drool all over each other.

"They make me sick!" this certain girl had long shimmering brown hair that was held in many braids that were coiled on the back of her head. The black dress that she wore added to her cold demeanor. This girl, Motoko Minagawa. Former president of the Prince Yuki Fan-Club when they were in high school. She returned from her voyage across the Pacific Ocean to the United States in search of her one-sided love affair. Finding out very quickly about the all time favorite Sohma Corps. She decided to pay him a little visit. But, what she wasn't expecting was that witch Tohru Honda to be there too, clinging to Yuki's sacred shoulder like she owned him. She tightened her grip on her champagne glass and grimaced. It was time to make a stand. She glided her way over to Yuki.

"Oh, hello!" she squealed as she reached Yuki. She reached an arm to pull him into a one armed embrace since she held her glass of wine.

"Uhhhhh," Yuki looked at her with a perplexed expression on his face. "Who are you?"

Motoko looked at him with despair. She looked at him slightly for a second before she started anew. "Motoko Minagawa. Former president of the Yuki Fan-Club…" she drifted off.

Yuki's surprised expression turned into one of cold indifference. "Oh, yes, hello. It's been quite a while, hasn't it?"

"Oh! It has! It's been way too long!" she gushed at him and took his other arm and pulled him away from Tohru and engaged him in a conversation while dragging him towards the direction of the cocktails.

Tohru looked alarmed and stared after them as she looked at how amiably they looked as they talked together. She smiled almost forcefully as she felt a twinge of jealousy.

Suddenly, Hana and Uo appeared. "Hey, Tohru. Isn't that the girl who was---"

"President of the Prince Yuki Fan-Club. Yeah," she remarked.

"I should beep them all with electric waves," Hana serenely replied.

"No, I don't think she's worth your time," Uo shook her head and crossed her arms.

"Ms. Honda," her chauffeur came towards her with a cell phone in one hand.

"Yes?" they all turned her attention towards him.

"You have a phone call from your Grandmother in Osaka," he gruffly replied.

"Oh? Excuse me, I have to take this," Tohru smiled reassured towards her friends and walked away from them towards the balcony. She took the phone from him and he walked away from her.

"Do you think that something's wrong?" Uo asked Hana.

"I think that we have reason to be a little concerned," Hana quietly said.

Meanwhile, Tohru talked into the phone earnestly.

"What? Oh no!"

"But, my coronation ball isn't until May,"

"No, no, no! I can't possibly---"

She paused.

"Alright. I'll come on the Friday plane. Goodbye,"

She shut the phone with a click. Her legs felt like jelly and it seemed as if they wouldn't hold her weight. She leaned against the column for support.

"Your grandfather is dying. I'm sorry, but, your coronation ball is going to be on New Year's Eve. You can invite your friends if you'd like. But, I'm afraid that you have to come by this Friday at the latest. Please, come quickly…"

Her grandmother's worried voice echoed in her mind. She looked out and saw the scenery below her. The snow that blanketed the ground, and the dark sky with the stars glittering in the sky. She sighed. She didn't get to enjoy her stay here for as long as she possibly could have.

Before she knew it, tears had gathered in her eyes, and she started to sob quietly to herself. From across the room, Yuki saw her crying to herself. He was alarmed. Was it because he was with Motoko. "Excuse me. I have to---" he couldn't think of an excuse fast enough for his liking. "I have to go," he ran across the room weaving through the guests.

"Tohru!" he halted to a stop. She gasped and looked up at him with her tears glittering like crystals on her face. Instantly, he was by her side. "What's wrong?" he hugged her and she buried her head into his broad shoulder. The huge column hid them from view to the other people. For a few minutes, Tohru continued to cry unstoppably into his shoulder. Finally, she managed to whisper, "I-I'm leaving…"