Author's Note: I don't really know what Japanese commuter trains are like, so I based the train ride on what I know of American trains. Also, I have no idea how long it takes to get from Tokyo to Okinawa, and how close a beach would be there, etc. Just work with me, OK?
Saturday dawned another beautiful day. The temperatures were beginning to rise, but it was still bearable outside. It was a fine day for an outing. Yuki and Tohru made their way to the train station in the early morning, chatting all the way. Somehow getting away from the house and school made Tohru feel a little freer again, and she decided to fully enjoy her day with Yuki. "That's an awfully large picnic you've packed there" Tohru said pointing at the overstuffed satchel Yuki was toting along. "Well, I didn't want us to go hungry" he lied. It was actually crammed with clothes and essentials. He was grateful for Tohru's gullibility just then. The two boarded the train, and found seats by the windows where they could watch the world go by. Tohru decided Yuki was acting a little nervous. "Maybe it's his conscience" she thought. "He feels guilty, like I do, going out with me now that I'm betrothed, I'll bet". Tohru sighed heavily at the thought and resisted the urge to slip her hand into his. Yuki turned to look at her. Their eyes met and they shared a little smile together. It had been awhile since they had done that and it felt good to be on the same wavelength again. "Where are we going", Tohru queried eagerly. "You'll see" Yuki said in mysterious tones. It was going to be a big surprise alright. Yuki was sure of that. He took her hand in his, and they sat and watched the scenery go by for a long time, never daring to speak; neither of them wanting to think or talk about the situation facing them; neither of them wanting to break the spell of their precious time together.
Tohru woke with a start. She was hunkered over on the empty seat next to her. Where was Yuki? How long had she been asleep? The sun was high in the sky now and the train still sped on. How far had they gone? "Are you hungry?" Yuki approached carrying food he had purchased at the dining car. "What about the picnic you packed?" Tohru asked astonished as she sat up straight. She was feeling slightly disoriented. "Oh, we'll save that for later" Yuki said looking away from her. He was going to have to tell her soon. He handed Tohru a package of plum onigiri, which he knew she was very fond of, and took his seat next to her. Tohru looked at her watch. "We've been on the train for almost three hours, Yuki! Where are you taking me?" Tohru was playful, but a little more insistent with her question this time. She bit into a rice ball happily. "To America" Yuki said matter-of-factly as he stared straight ahead out the train window. Tohru looked at him. He wasn't smiling- Yuki was serious! "I didn't want to catch the plane from Tokyo in case we were followed" If they were followed, he knew it would be his crazy family, not Grandpa who would be the perpetrators. Yuki continued. "So I got us a flight from Okinawa, but it is a bit of a trip I'm afraid". His eyes met Tohru's. He was dead serious. "We have a stop-over in Hawaii overnight, and then on to the mainland tomorrow. You'd like to see California, wouldn't you, Disneyland?" He hoped he'd see her smile. She didn't. "Yuki, what about school? What about your family?" Tohru's mind was racing. "Does anyone know what we are doing?" "No" Yuki said simply. He knew he hadn't dared breathe a word of it to anyone for fear Akito would find out. "When will we go back?" Tohru asked in a be-muddled tone. "Never" said Yuki with the same cool directness. Tohru stared at him, incredulously. Yuki felt the heat rise in his cheeks, and he couldn't contain his emotions any longer. "I can't lose you Honda-san". Yuki looked at her with fierce eyes, and the knot in his chest squeezed harder. "I can't give you up to some", his throat tightened in anger;" some guy who doesn't even know you, let alone care about you!" Yuki was almost shouting now, and nearby passengers were turning to stare. He quickly assessed the situation and toned down his delivery. "Miss Honda, I love you. I can't live without you. I didn't want to trick you. I just feel so desperate!" Yuki's face flushed, and he looked into Tohru's eyes hoping to find forgiveness and understanding there. Tohru looked shocked. She didn't say a word for a long while, but sat thinking. "I love you too, Yuki" she finally said simply, looking into his eyes. "So much", she touched his face, her eyes taking in his expression. "But this isn't right" Tohru continued, a little sadly. "We can't just run away from life". "I want to stay with you too, but not like this" Tohru gestured to the two of them and the surrounding train car. "We would be throwing away so much; education, home, friends, family. There has to be another way". Tohru's eyes searched Yuki's for a glimmer of agreement as the train sped on towards Okinawa.
It was almost midnight by the time Yuki and Tohru arrived. Yuki pulled the loaded satchel up the walk, and the two joked together as they approached Shigure's house. "Well, well" Shigure called to them from the porch. "I was beginning to think you two had eloped together or something". Tohru and Yuki looked at each other and burst out laughing. "I didn't think it was that funny" Shigure said to himself as he scratched his head, a little confused.
Sunday was a late morning after a long, happy day together. Yuki awoke around noon and lay in bed thinking about their aborted trip to the United States. Instead they had found a lovely picnic sight by the ocean and enjoyed the time together on the beach until dark. Over the afternoon, Yuki and Tohru promised each other they would not give up, but would find a way to save their relationship. They were determined to stay together. There had to be a way. Yuki had admitted, Tohru was right after all about his plan to save her. It had been rather half-baked. They had agreed to find another way around the betrothal dilemma, although there didn't seem to be one at the time. Yuki thought hard about it on the long train ride home that night while Tohru slept with her head cradled in his lap. Somehow it was easier to be rational and brave with Tohru by his side. Yuki wasn't sure it was even possible, but he had decided what he must do now.
That day the phone rang once again for Tohru, and once again Grandpa had news. "It seems the young man who was my betrothed got cold feet". Tohru smiled. "He begged his parents to let him choose his own bride in his own time, and for now they are willing to try it his way". Tohru announced this to Shigure, Yuki, and Kyo, trying to mask her extreme relief and excitement only slightly. "So", Tohru took hold of the white ribbon. "Allow me" Yuki offered, and with great gusto, and flourish he cut off the offending ribbon with his pocket knife, shredded it and placed it gingerly in the trash can. "Thank you groom-san!" Yuki thought to himself. He suddenly felt a great liking for this mysterious man who had come and gone from their lives like the shadow from a passing cloud. "He's bought me some time" Yuki was thoughtful. "Now for plan 'B'", he said aloud to himself resolutely as he descended the stairs to his room.
Monday was a happier day at school. Tohru felt a little freer without the burden of the white ribbon, and Yuki seemed in good spirits too. In fact the entire group of friends caught the contageous good feelings of the two. It was a needed relief. The balmy weather outside matched the light hearts of Tohru and company that day, but the respite from angst was not to last.
"Yes Grandpa?" Tohru spoke into the receiver hesitantly that night. "Um, so soon? ...yes, alright….tomorrow night then…. I love you too. Goodbye". Tohru put down the phone. Her freedom had not lasted. She looked at Yuki who was watching her expectantly. "Grandpa says he has another man for me to meet". Tohru's eyes pleaded with Yuki for help. She didn't know what to do. "Oh", said Yuki, and that was all he said. He turned and went right up the stairs without another word. Yuki's door stayed closed for the rest of the night leaving Tohru feeling abandoned. Weren't they going to face this together? It seemed now Yuki was perhaps angry, or no longer interested, or was just plain giving up on her. Tohru's heart ached, and she faced a long, lonely night worrying about what the future would hold for her- alone.