Author's Note: Merry Christmas! I really have nothing better to do at the moment, but, it is claimed to be believed that Santa is now in Florida! That really wasn't necessary to point out right now, but, anyways! Here's Chapter 2! Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!

Chapter 2

The Bond Created

Yuki loomed anxiously over Tohru as she was changed and put into warmer clothes and covered with blankets. "What have I done? The one person in my life that I love, I've hurt. I'll never be able to forgive myself if she never wakes up again," warm tears dropped onto Tohru's hand.

Yuki looked down at the floor from his current position which was by Tohru's bed in the temple. One of the monks came in with a bowl of some steaming soup. "Something to warm you up," he left.

But, the soup was left untouched. He couldn't digest anything when the love of his life was lying there, motionless, in between life and death. Couldn't fate give him one more chance?

Meanwhile, Tohru's dreams were visited by none other than Kyoko. "Tohru. He's quite a cutie. He loves you. Cease the moment. Take the chance. You won't regret it. Go on now. He's waiting for you,"

Tohru opened her eyes to see Yuki peering anxiously into her face.

"Tohru!" his eyes lit up for a second and his voice was hinted with worry and relief. "You scared me! Never do something like that again!" he grasped her hand and held it firmly.

She didn't say a word. She remembered her mother's words. "He loves you,"

"Do you… love me?" she whispered while tears glistened in her eyes.

"Of course I do! I… I've loved you since the day you moved into live with us. You healed my wounds that I thought would burden me for the rest of my life. You're my light in the darkness, and I love you with all my heart,"

"What about Leiko?" she worriedly whispered through her tears.

"I don't love her. I never loved her. I just thought that she could help me through the pain when I realized that you would never love me. But, I broke up with her. And now I know how you've felt about me. I don't care what Akito or anyone says. I love you and I'm never letting you go," he hugged her fiercely and waited for the oh so familiar pop.

But, strangely enough, it didn't come. Tohru started to regain her strength little by little. Her head was clearer and she could think properly. "Megumi," she smiled.

"What?" Yuki pulled away from her as she sat up and leaned against the wall.

"Megumi's Hana's little brother. He specializes in curses. He had this book and you were listed in it. I asked if he could try to release those that were cursed. He said that he would try his hardest. Taking off curses usually take about three days. I guess it worked," she smiled dreamily. "This New Year, Megumi and Hana are going to be the first one's that I call,"

Yuki sat there in a daze. All his life, this was what he wanted. And here it was. Right before him. His curse that he hated so much. The bond that he shared with Akito because of it. It was all gone. All thanks to Megumi. "When I see Megumi, he's getting heaps and heaps of rewards. It's the least I could do," he smiled cheerfully for the first time that night.

"I'm sure that he won't be complaining!" Tohru laughed.

Yuki joined in. After their laughter had subsided somewhat, Tohru regained some of her sweetness again and said. "The other's are probably getting worried. We should give them a call. Shouldn't we?"

"We can't go back in this weather. We're snowed in right now. And not only that, they don't have phones here," he gently reminded her.

The truth dawned on her. "Oh, that's right," she laughed at her mistake. "Silly, silly me!"

Throughout the night, the two talked and laughed. And the bond that the two had already shared became greater and their love grew stronger. But, they weren't ready for the events the next day.