The last few weeks had passed in a blur. Tohru continued to perform her duties with her typical adeptness around the house, but her usual radiant smile had gone, and she didn't hum or sing anymore as she worked. And she didn't socialize with the family anymore either. When she wasn't working, Tohru shut herself up in her room, almost as if she was afraid to garner any more memories with the Sohmas knowing she would have to leave them all behind in a matter of months. This had been the hardest part for Yuki. It was as if he had lost her already. Then one afternoon, Hanna and Uo paid a visit to the Sohma household. After gathering up some snacks, the girls retired to Tohru's room to talk among themselves. Yuki was glad Kyo was gone to the dojo again because he planned to eaves drop on the girls. He knew it was wrong, but Yuki couldn't help it. He had to know what Honda-san was thinking; what she was feeling. He positioned himself in the hallway where he could best overhear their conversation without being seen. "Tohru, you just go tell the old fart to butt-out of your life. Kyoko wouldn't have put up with this!" Uo was indignant, and feeling especially protective of Tohru, having noticed her change in demeanor over the last few weeks. "Yes, Tohru, there is no reason to put up with this treatment" Hanna offered in her serene, almost monotone voice. Yuki felt hopeful at this advice. Perhaps the two could sway Tohru into defiance of her grandfather and this imposition on her freedom. "I can't do that" Tohru said sadly. "He is my grandfather, and my guardian, and he has been so kind and thoughtful to me always. I can't disrespect him and break his heart that way". No matter how miserable, Tohru always thought of others happiness before her own. For once Yuki wished she would be a little less big-hearted. "Well, maybe it won't be so bad" Uo offered. A knowing look came over her face, and an idea came into her mind. "Maybe he'll come up with someone really great for you, and you will be happy". It was uncharacteristic for Uo to be so upbeat, but she had thought of something. Yes, she would have to look into that for Tohru's sake. "What is she saying?" Yuki muttered. He cringed, and the color rose in his face at the thought of Tohru finding happiness with another man. Then he felt guilty for being so selfish. Shouldn't he wish her well? Shouldn't he want Tohru to be happy? "Yes, I'm sure Grandfather will choose wisely for you" Hanna mused "because if he doesn't Megumi and I may have to take action". Her voice trailed off as she became absorbed in her own thoughts. Yuki envisioned Hanna and her brother wreaking havoc on the unsuspecting bridegroom through their psychic powers. He smiled wryly at the thought, and for once was glad for Hanna's unique gift rather than being frightened by it. "But", Tohru stammered, and her face flushed. "How can I", she paused trying to find the words and the courage to say what was in her heart. "How can I have……..babies with someone I don't even know!" Tohru had said it as delicately, but as succinctly as she could, and the directness of her words stabbed at Yuki's heart. It was the unspoken thing he had been trying to ignore as well. The thought of another man having her, his angel, was more than Yuki could bear. He could listen no longer, and tore down the stairs and out the back door.
Yuki didn't come back to the house until dusk. He had stayed at the secret base for the rest of the afternoon, and he felt the slight sting of sunburn on his nose and cheeks, but he didn't care. His heart stung far more. Tohru, Hanna and Uo were just coming downstairs as Yuki came in through the back door. "There you are, I've been looking for you", Uo sidled up to Yuki with a glint in her eye. "Come outside here for a minute so we can talk". Yuki wasn't sure what to make of Uo's request, but he obeyed, and Hanna followed. Tohru went to the kitchen to finish the dinner preparations. "All right Prince", Uo grabbed Yuki by the shoulders and looked at him squarely. "Now's the time to show what you're made of" she snapped. Uo had a fierce look in her eye. "Yes", chimed in Hanna quietly," you want Tohru to be happy don't you?" "Of course", stammered Yuki, unsure of what he was really agreeing to. "Well, then get your ass down to grandpa's house and demand Tohru's hand in marriage!" Uo barked "Yes, go now" Hanna insisted as well. "It's not that simple", Yuki paused. How could explain his impossibly complicated family background to the girls. It wasn't that he hadn't thought of doing just that, asking for Toru, but Yuki's life was not his own. If his parents had a say they would certainly expect him to marry a rich heiress of some sort in order to secure more worldly wealth for the family, as if they didn't have enough already. Yuki was well aware how important money was to them. That was the sole reason he had ended up in Akito's possesion. And then there was Akito herself. She had her own plans for Yuki after high school, and god only knew what that would entail. "It's not that hard either!" Uo spit the syllables at him, pulling Yuki back into the volley of words. "I thought you cared about Tohru!" Uo glared menacingly at Yuki. He tried to calm her with his words. "I do care, deeply, but my parents…" "Oh, I get it! You think you're too good for her, is that it? Well, maybe old Orange-top won't mind making Tohru his bride then!" Uo shouted at Yuki in a rage, hoping her words would sting him. They did. Uo was on edge now, and starting to maneuver herself into fighting stance. Yuki mentally prepared for whatever she could dish out. He was not going to go to blows with a girl, but he was also not going to allow her to land any hits if he could help it. "No", said Hanna flatly, her words putting a halt to all the posturing going on between the two. "Yuki-kun is in turmoil too, but he honestly can do nothing for her", Hanna offered softly with a faraway look in her eye. The waves had spoken, and again Yuki was grateful for her gift. "Man, that ruins my plan", Uo kicked the dirt in defeat.
The rest of the evening had been strained; the conversation at dinner sparse. No one felt much like talking. Kyo was unusually subdued, and ate his dinner quickly, and then had gone to bed. Uo and Hanna left shortly thereafter and Tohru had retired to her room as well. Even Shigure had to admit, "Things just aren't the same around here lately", and he shook his head and disappeared into his study.
The second fateful call came a few days later. Again, it was dinner time. They were just finishing the meal when the phone rang once more. Shigure was again the one to answer. "Tohru, its Grandpa" he said lightly and offered her the phone. Yuki and Kyo lifted their heads in attention. It seemed to Yuki he was having de ja vu, and it left him with an ominous feeling. "Hi Grandpa", Tohru spoke cheerily for a change, but it didn't last. "Tomorrow night? But that's so… soon. Yes……I'll be there. Goodbye". She hung up the phone and stared blankly at the floor. "Grandpa wants me to …meet someone" was all she could manage before falling silent, and making for her room. This time Yuki didn't follow. He couldn't bear it. He went to his own room and cried.
The next day Tohru went right to her room after school. "Welcome home", Shigure called after her. "A package came from your grandpa today". He says he wants you to open it right away". "Thank you, I will" Tohru called back to him, and then shut her door. Yuki was slow getting home that day. He wanted to make time stop if he could so that Tohru would never make it to her appointment that night. "If I could just hold back time and freeze things just as they are, I could live contentedly for the rest of eternity", he thought. "If only I could just stay near her. Is that so much to ask?" He clenched his fists in frustration. Yuki felt the powerlessness that was so familiar to him fill his heart. Like so many times as a child when he had had everything taken away by Akito, Yuki would now loose his most precious possession, his love, this time to a faceless, nameless opponent. "Maybe he won't like her", Yuki thought sarcastically. He knew it was foolish to consider. Who wouldn't love Tohru instantly as he did? But maybe there was a way to make her seem totally unattractive. That was it! Why hadn't he come home sooner? He could have helped her get ready! Yuki began thinking of all the disgusting things they could do to repel this would-be bridegroom, and he quickened his pace.
He arrived right before the taxi came to carry Tohru away from him. She made her way down the stairs at the sound of the horn honking out front of the house. Too late, his plan wouldn't work. She was already dressed. Yuki caught his breath at the sight of her. She was dressed in a soft silk kimono. It was a rich blue, and had a pattern of cherry branches filled with pink blossoms all around. Tohru's hair was up in neat braids on her head, and woven into the braids were tiny white flowers. She looked like a china doll complete with traditional sandals, and in Yuki's eyes she was every whit a princess. Tohru sighed deeply, and looked at Yuki who was gaping at her. She couldn't help but smile shyly and blush under his intense scrutiny. "Grandpa sent it today. He wanted me to dress traditionally for tonight" she said softly. "He chose well" was all that Yuki could muster. No, there was no way this man would refure her now. The taxi horn blared again, making Tohru jump. "I'd better hurry!" she gasped, and disappeared out the front door. Yuki watched her get into the taxi, and drive away. His eyes followed them until he could see the car no more. "There goes my heart" he thought, and turned to go back into the house, aching. That had been the night before, and Tohru had returned home sporting the white ribbon- engaged to a faceless, nameless man Yuki would never know.
The school rooftop door swung open again and Haru stepped out into the sunlight behind Yuki. Although Haru had a penchant for getting lost, he did seem to have sonar where Yuki was concerned. Haru walked over and took a seat by him without a word. They sat there in silence for a long while. "Why don't you just kidnap her" Haru said bluntly. He had a way of thinking outside of the box. "Oh, sure!", Yuki shot back. "I'll just throw Tohru over my shoulder and carry her off into the sunset!" "Works for me" said Haru, just as flatly. Then, after more silence passed, "It's a test, Yuki" Haru added, reminding Yuki of his many admonitions in times before. Haru quietly rose and made his way to the stairwell, and was gone. Yuki sat for a while longer thinking. Haru was a man of few words, even cryptic at times, but he had helped Yuki after all. His thoughts spun around in his mind formulating a plan. It was reckless, but he was feeling desperate. He had to take action soon before this betrothal was legalized, and Tohru traded the white ribbon for a diamond ring. Yuki suddenly jerked to his feet; his body straight at full attention. He hastily made his way down the stairs.
"Tohru, I have a request", Yuki tried to mention this in an offhand manner. He worried that his voice would betray his true intentions. Dinner had come and gone, and it was clean up time once again. "What is it?" Tohru asked sweetly as she handed him a dish to dry. She seemed less pensive these days. Perhaps the suspense had subsided some with the actual choosing of a mate, and she had resigned herself to her fate at last. "Will you please spend Saturday with me?" Yuki asked, again trying to sound casual. "You mean go out together, like a date?" Tohru questioned. She and Yuki had been on very few official dates, although they spent a lot of time together. She had always cherished that time, but now….. "I'm not sure that it's right for me to be doing that now" she said a bit dismayed. Her eyes fell on the white ribbon that shackled her left wrist. "Please", Yuki pleaded, "for old time's sake". "I would really like to have one more nice time with you". Yuki's eyes grew round like a puppy's, begging her to say yes, and he had guessed rightly that Tohru would not be able to refuse. "Alright", she smiled. "It will be fun!" "Yes!" Yuki thought to himself in triumph. Step one of his plan was complete.