The next two weeks passed in much the same manner. There wasn't a person close to Yuki and Tohru who hadn't noticed the change in the young couple's demeanor. There seemed to be lots of gaiety, lots of whispers, lots of intimacy, and something secret going on between the two of them suddenly with the arrival of the newest white ribbon. Everyone who counted in their lives had their suspicions, but Haru, who was the only person besides Yuki, Tohru, and Grandpa who knew what was happening, was true to his word. He hadn't even hinted at any possibility of Tohru and Yuki being engaged.
The night for the ring exchange finally came. It was a Wednesday, and Yuki acted particularly jumpy all day at school. He was full of nerves at the prospect of meeting up with Tohru's relatives, and at what she would think of the ring he had picked out for her. The event, like weddings, was the kind of stuff that unnerved any man. Haru had offered his condolences. "It sucks man, but it's what ya gotta do if you want her. You'll be fine." "Do you think her uncle will remember that I called him a low life and hit him with a forehead pin a few years back?" Yuki said this with a grimace. He did truly wonder. Haru grinned. "You what?" he chuckled. Yuki recalled the only time he had been in Grandpa's house- the day he and Kyo had gone to find Tohru and bring her back to live with them. They had basically let themselves in, which wasn't exactly kosher. It was tantamount to breaking and entering. On top of that, Tohru's uncle had as much as called her a slut when he found out she had been living with three guys. That was the reason Yuki had attacked him. "He's a moron", Yuki thought, but he could just picture the scene that might ensue if he were recognized as one of the guys Tohru had "shacked up with". The thought left Yuki more nervous than ever. "Way to impress the in-laws", Haru quipped. "I know", Yuki said mournfully. He wondered why this couldn't be a simple affair just between Tohru and himself.
Tohru, on the other hand, couldn't have been more excited about the evening ahead. She hadn't witnessed the altrication between Yuki and her uncle, so she was looking forward to introducing her family to the man she loved without apprehension. She was also excited to finally receive the ring that Yuki had picked out for her. He had been secretive about it- only taking her ring size. He was planning on surprising her just as promised. Arisa and Saki were as suspicious as ever, seeing Tohru so full of anticipation. "I'm still trying to decide what to wear", Tohru twittered. Even though she was just going to her grandfather's house, she knew the event was still to be treated as formal. "I was thinking of wearing my lavender dress" she continued, "because it would match his eyes". Tohru was deep in thought, but Hana and Uo shot a look at each other. How many people did they know that had eyes the shade of lavender? Another incriminating piece of evidence had just been uncovered, and it validated all the more their suspicions about Yuki and Tohru, but they kept silent.
A moment later, there was Yuki approaching the girls. "Excuse me, may I borrow Miss Honda for a moment", he asked being overly polite. Uo sniffed, crossed her arms, and turned her back to Yuki. She hadn't spoken to him since the day he and Tohru were caught kissing behind the school, and Yuki had been trying his hardest to be a gentleman around them ever since. "I'll be just a minute", Tohru told her friends. Yuki and Tohru stepped a few feet away from them. "Hi" Tohru beamed up at Yuki, "Hi" Yuki replied with a smile, hoping to conceal his nerves from her. "About tonight, Yuki continued in hushed tones, "I'm going to play like I have meetings after school, and that I'm going to a friend's house to study, so I won't see you before". "That's alright" Tohru continued to beam at him. "I figured you wouldn't want to travel together. It wouldn't look right, right?" Tohru was obviously really excited, which made Yuki happy, but put the pressure on him all the more. "Right" He said and chuckled at her exuberance. "I'll see you there", Yuki smiled at her, and kissed her forehead, then turned and walked away.
"Can't he say anything to you without kissing you these days?", Uo hissed when Tohru returned. "Really, Arisa", Hana admonished, "It was only on the forehead". "Still", Uo shot back at her, "Tohru's getting her ring tonight. Can't the prince get a clue?" Uo was not convinced that Yuki was really Tohru's intended. He had flatly refused to ask for Tohru when Uo had suggested it, and in her mind that fact was irretractable without positive proof. "Oh, well, um", Tohru stammered, "I just think Yuki is…feeling protective of me these days". "Right!", Uo let out a snort of derision. "What ever". She consoled herself in the thought that once Tohru had the ring on her finger, her engagement would be contracted- legally binding- and then she could throw it in Yuki's amorous face. If he dared to touch Tohru after that, Uo would feel justified in flattening him.
Tohru turned, checking her dress in the mirror. It was five o' clock now, and she was about to leave for Grandpa's. He had wanted to send her a taxi again, but she said she could walk the few blocks. It was farther than Tohru had let on, but she hated to see Grandpa go to the expense. She smoothed the lavender satin of her outfit. The dress was simple. It had a slightly flaring skirt that fell from an empire waistline to just above her knee. Spaghetti-straps adorned her milky shoulders. She ran a brush through her hair, and pulled the top back into a flower hairclip. Then she slipped on her heels and grabbed her bag, and hurried down the stairs.
"I'm leaving now" Tohru called to anyone who was listening. "Ah", Shigure set down his pen, and emerged from his study to see her off. "My, my", he smiled, "You look positively ravishing! Whoever this guy is, he's going to have a heart attack when he sees you". Shigure was not exaggerating. He liked what he saw. "You sure you want to go through with this, Tohru-kun?" he questioned in a fatherly manner. "You won't be able to back out after tonight", he added. "Yes, I'm sure", Tohru answered with confidence. "Because, you know, you could always marry me", Shigure said with a grin. He was only half kidding. He had brought this up to her several times in the past, in the same offhand manner. Tohru smiled at him, but still wasn't sure how to take this. Shigure was always so hard to read. "Well, goodbye", Tohru said, thinking this was the best response to Shigure's proposal. "Be safe", Shigure said as he helped her on with her coat. He walked her to the door, and stood waiving goodbye as she disappeared down the walkway.
Tohru arrived at her grandfather's home a little after six. She was greeted by a "You're early", from her scowling aunt. "Yes, well, I thought I could help with the dinner preparations", Tohru offered hesitantly. "Brides don't cook their own engagement dinners", her aunt said flatly. She was annoyed thinking Tohru was suggesting she couldn't handle it on her own. "Thank you so much", Tohru said with a bow. "I hope it isn't too much trouble". Tohru felt the discomfort of being around her father's family for the umpteenth time. They hadn't liked her mother, and they were determined to merely tolerate her. Grandpa came around the hallway corner, "Tohru! You're already here darling" he smiled and rushed forward to embrace her. "Hi Grandpa!", Tohru chirped, and threw her arms around him. "Are you ready for tonight?" He asked her. "Yes" Tohru beamed at him. "I'm very happy Grandpa", she smiled. "I am too", he offered, "for your sake". His eyes twinkled at her.
"To hear Grandpa talk, you'd think you were marrying Prince Charming". Tohru's cousin had just stepped into the room. "Hello", Tohru bowed to her politely. Her cousin did not reciprocate. "I keep telling him nobody's that perfect", she rolled her eyes and scowled at Tohru. "Yuki is", Tohru thought to herself, "when he wants to be." She just smiled sweetly at her cousin who was clearly jealous of her. They were about the same age. "That's a nice dress", Tohru offered, even though it wasn't true. It actually looked a bit taudry- like a street walker. The skirt was tight, and way too short for propriety, and she wore knee-high, black patent leather boots with stiletto heels. Fishnet tights covered the exposed part of her legs. The black straps of her top kept falling off of her shoulders, and her midriff was exposed to the world. "Well, I wanted to impress your 'prince'", her cousin simpered. She gave Tohru a long look up and down with critical eyes, and then chortled and sauntered into the kitchen.
This kind of treatment went on for the next hour. Tohru greeted her uncle who barely acknowledged her presence. Her older male cousin arrived in his policeman's uniform. He had been recently accepted to the force, and was very loud about recounting his prowess at beating out the other candidates. Each of the inlaws had had something skeptical to say about Tohru's intended. They especially took exception to the fact that none of the Sohma family could be bothered to grace them with their presence that evening. Of course, Tohru knew none of the Sohma's had actually been invited. "They're very busy people", Tohru had offered hesitantly in their defense. "They're snobs!" Her aunt shot back at her. It was obvious her family couldn't wait to meet Yuki so they could tear him apart. Tohru shifted nervously in her seat. She hadn't counted on things being this uncomfortable.
At seven o' clock sharp the door bell rang. Tohru sighed relief and sprung from her seat. "I'll get it Tohru", Grandpa insisted. "You wait here like a lady". The cousins all lined up in the living room to get their first look at Tohru's fiancée. Tohru's aunt removed her apron and smoothed her hair. "Hello", Yuki's melodic voice could be heard from the entry hall. "Welcome, Yuki-san!" Grandpa greeted Yuki warmly, and ushered him into the front room where everyone was waiting. All jaws dropped as Yuki came into view. There he was, his silver hair throwing off light in contrast to his black ensemble which also made his lavender eyes illuminate inside his beautiful face. His jacket and slacks had simple detail, and weren't particularly dressy, but were very classy none the less. A black shirt, open at the collar completed his monochromatic outfit, and with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine in his hands, he looked like any girls dream date.
Yuki bowed politely to Tohru's aunt and handed her the flowers. She let out a grunt of surprise. "It's very nice to meet you" Yuki said bowing deeply. "Thank you for opening your home to me", he continued, as he bowed to her uncle and handed him the bottle of wine. They were speechless for a moment. Yuki was obviously far from what they were expecting. "Um", Tohru's uncle stammered, "the pleasure is all ours", he said as he regained his composure. "Allow me to introduce our son and our daughter", he gestured towards Tohru's cousins who were beside him. The son bowed politely while his sister stood there gaping until he gave her a shove. She quickly bowed as well. "Charming", Yuki said as he bowed to her. He fought the urge to roll his eyes. "And of course, you already know our other guest of honor", Grandpa chuckled and gestured to Tohru who had risen from her seat expectantly. Yuki stepped towards her outstretched hands and took them in his. "Hi", Tohru said shyly. "Hi", Yuki replied. "You ready for this?" Tohru whispered, suddenly sympathetic to Yuki's predicament. "Yeah", he smiled.
"Well", the uncle sputtered, "why don't we be seated. Then we can get to know each other better". He made a quick motion to the dining room. As they made their way to the table, the girl cousin attached herself to Yuki's arm. "I hear you're the student council president at your school", she simpered. "That's right", Yuki said simply. "That is just so impressive", she continued as they sat. She took the seat across from him and leaned forward exposing her cleavage just a few centimeters more. "Well, not really", Yuki said blinking, and he turned his eyes to her left where her father sat. "You know", the uncle looked at Yuki inquisitively, "you look very familiar to me". Yuki chuckled lightly. I'm told I have that kind of face", he lied. He hoped to throw Tohru's uncle off his trail. "What does your father do for a living?" the uncle continued, thinking this might help him cue into his memory of Yuki. "He's into investments", Yuki answered evasively. "A stock broker?" the uncle guessed. "Not exactly" Yuki countered, "real estate, actually". "So he sells real estate?" the uncle pressed. "No", Yuki replied, "he owns it". "So, you're a policeman", Yuki changed the subject by turning his attention to the son. "Yes, thank you for noticing", Tohru's cousin beamed proudly. Of course, how could Yuki miss it, the uniform and all?
"Just made the force a month ago", with that the cousin recounted his triumph at becoming a public servant all over again. This epic took them up to dinner, which the aunt did her best to serve with flourish. "This is lovely. Thank you so much", Yuki said politely to her as she sat down beside him. He smiled at her with that handsome face of his. She lost her composure, and giggled like a school girl. "Mother!" the daughter shot her a death look. If anyone was going to flirt with this guy, it was going to be her. Dinner went by with mostly pleasant, if strange conversation. The uncle pried about Yuki's family background, the son recounted his escapades giving out parking tickets, and the daughter and aunt both competed for Yuki's attention each in their own way. Tohru was very quiet all this time and Yuki kept trying to steal sideways glances at her sitting next to him. He wondered vaguely if he had done something wrong.
After dinner they retired to the living room where the uncle broke open the bottle of wine. He noticed, with relish, that it was well aged and offered Yuki some. "No, thank you", Yuki raised a hand to stop him. "I don't imbibe". "Never mind the fact that I'm under age", he thought to himself eyeing the over-eager fledgling policeman sitting across from him. After a bit of the wine, the mood in the room became more genial. Yuki sat quietly with Tohru at his side cuddling her hand reassuringly. She still hadn't said much. After a couple of drinks, the uncle continued his quest to figure out where he had seen Yuki before, throwing question after question at him in a barrage-type of interrogation. The aunt smiled at him coquettishly from her perch across the room on the love seat, and Tohru's cousin became agitated that Yuki was not paying attention to her. She stepped up her advances towards him, which Yuki politely continued to ignore, until at one point it seemed she would climb right into his lap. Yuki stood up at this move. He was getting a little nervous about accidentally transforming.
Grandpa, who had only had one drink, took this as his cue to get down to the business at hand. "Yuki-san, I believe you came here to conduct some business with me, did you not?" Grandpa smiled warmly at him. "Yes, thank you", Yuki sighed with relief. He was ready to get out of there that was for sure. Grandpa spread the contracts out on the table which had been cleared of the dinner. The rest of them gathered around to witness the event. He turned to hand Yuki a pen, but before he did, he stopped. "You know, what I am promising to you now, is the most precious thing I have". Grandpa turned his gaze on Tohru who hung back a little behind Yuki. "Come here child", he held out his hand to her, and Tohru stepped forward with a shy smile. "This is the only child of my only son", Grandpa continued misty-eyed. "And she is very dear to me". Tohru smiled at Grandpa and teared up as well. "Are you prepared to treat her like the treasure that she is?" he turned his gaze on Yuki. "I am sir", Yuki said softly, and he gave a little smile at Tohru who had a tear rolling down each cheek now. "Well then", Grandpa handed Yuki the pen with a smile.
Yuki and Tohru looked at each other. "Are you sure?" he asked Tohru before he put the pen to the paper. "Yes", Tohru smiled and squeezed his hand. Yuki took a deep breath and began to sign the numerous pages of the nuptial agreement. As he did, the atmosphere in the room became very stiff and formal, and he felt the weight of the responsibility of caring for Tohru more strongly than ever press down on him. Yuki handed the pen back to Grandpa, who, in turn, signed his portion of the documents. When they were both finished, Grandpa and Yuki looked at each other. "Welcome to our family, son. You will be a great asset to us, I know", Grandpa said genially, and he put his arms around Yuki in a warm hug. Each of the other family members offered congratulations and hand clasps, and pats on the back. Yuki was grateful neither of the women tried to hug him. Then he knew it was now his cue.
"If you would allow me sir, I have a token of our betrothal to offer Tohru" Yuki said with decorum. Of course they all expected this. It was part of the tradition. Yuki pulled Tohru aside, a little away from the others. He wanted to pretend, at least, that they did not have so many eyes on them. He bent down on one knee in front of her, and held out a tiny velvet box. He felt his heart leap into his throat making it hard to speak, but he persevered. "Tohru, I love you, and I would be the luckiest man in the world if you would be my bride". Yuki mustered a smile through all his nerves. "Yes, I will", Tohru said softly taking the box from him. It all felt a little like a rehearsed play, but Tohru knew she would never forget this moment as long as she lived.
Tohru opened the little box, exposing her engagement ring to the world for the first time. She stared at it. Her mouth dropped open, and her eyes grew wide. She looked from the box, to Yuki, and back to the box several times without speaking. "Is there a problem?" Yuki questioned, not sure what Tohru was thinking. "Yuki, I can't wear this!" Tohru said incredulously. "You don't like it then?" he wondered. This was the one thing he had worried about most. "No, I, I think it's absolutely gorgeous", Tohru corrected, "but…" "Put it on then", said her uncle who was straining to see the ring. "Allow me", said Yuki taking the ring box from Tohru. He carefully slipped the ring out of the box and onto her left finger. Tohru looked overwhelmed as she stared at her outstretched hand. The others gasped. Her finger held the absolute largest solitaire diamond any of them had ever seen. "My god, Look at the size of it!" Toru's aunt shrieked. "Just how big is that thing?" the uncle queried. The wine had made them lose their sense of propriety. "It's just less than three carats", Yuki offered. He wasn't offended. "It can't be real", Tohru's cousin said. Her voice was full of distain and jealousy. "Oh, it's very real", Yuki shot back at her. He didn't mind returning rude for rude. Then he saw Tohru's face. She looked almost frightened of it. The diamond dwarfed her tiny hand. "It's insured" Yuki soothed, "so even if you were to lose it…", "I won't lose it!" Tohru squeaked with frightened determination. "I, I won't ever take it off!" She looked at Yuki, her eyes huge and full of tears. "Relax", Yuki tried to calm her again. "It's just a ring". "Tohru", Grandpa interjected, "you had better get used to the finer things in life". His eyes twinkled at them both approvingly.
Once Tohru had finally calmed down, and the bottle of wine had run dry, it seemed the time was right to finally make an exit. Yuki thanked them all once again for making him welcome. There were claps on the back and deep bows all around, and then finally, just he and Tohru were at the door to say goodbye. "Thank you", Tohru was finally able to say. "My pleasure", Yuki said squeezing her hand. He looked one more time at his ring on her finger. "I dare any guy to ignore that!" he said playfully. Tohru laughed, but suddenly had insight into why Yuki had chosen this particular ring. He wasn't trying to flaunt his wealth at all. He just wanted the ring to be highly noticeable, one that, once posted on her finger, would act like a giant stop sign to any other male who might take a liking to her. He was marking his territory. "I'll see you back at the house", he said softly, "and you aren't to walk home, either", he added sternly. "I've already called for a taxi. It will be here soon". Then Yuki kissed her gently, and left. Tohru sighed watching him go. It had been quite an evening.
"I'd better go too, Grandpa", she said to him back in the living room. "I do have school tomorrow". Grandpa walked her to the door, and she kissed him on the cheek just as the taxi drove up.
"Oh my god!", Shigure exclaimed as he examined Tohru's ring back at the house. "I guess he has money, this man of yours", he added, shaking his head. About this time Yuki came in the front door. "Yuki, come see this", Shigure called. "You have to see Tohru's ring". Yuki came obediently into the dining room. He was dressed in his school uniform again. Tohru held out her hand for his perusal. "Wow", Yuki said with mild interest. "It's lovely", he offered blandly, and then went to the fridge for a drink. "Don't mind him Tohru-kun. He's just jealous", Shigure said over his shoulder at Yuki. "He knows you're legally promised now, and that's sure to put a damper on his favorite form of recreation these days". It was a thinly concealed admonition at best. "What's that supposed to mean?" Yuki asked with a scowl, even though he knew very well what it meant. "It means", Shigure pulled off his glasses and smirked at Yuki, "Tohru is now officially off limits to you. No more making out". Yuki looked at Shigure. His jaw twitched almost imperceptibly.
"From the looks of it", Shigure continued, gesturing to Tohru's ring, "this guy means business, so I wouldn't cross him". Yuki smiled to himself. That was just the reaction to the ring he had been hoping for. "But don't fret, Yuki" Shigure added with flourish, "I'm sure Ayame can set you up with someone nice, if you know what I mean". As he said this he lowered his voice and winked at Yuki. "I'll pass thanks", Yuki said, disgusted. "Meanwhile", Shigure continued, "touch Tohru even once, and I will be forced to call the 'love police'". Yuki stared at Shigure as if he were mad. "Fine", Shigure said, "but when you're arrested don't plan on me bailing you out", and with that he went back to his study. Tohru looked at Yuki with great concern. "The love police?" she questioned in nervous tones. It was obvious she had believed Shigure's story. "Don't worry about it", Yuki chuckled. "The dog just likes to hear himself talk".
"Are you alright?" Yuki asked Tohru once they were finally alone. "I mean, you were so quiet tonight, I wondered if something was wrong". Yuki and Tohru made their way to the stairwell. "I'm fine" smiled Tohru, "it's just…", she hesitated, "it's just my family". She looked down as she spoke. "They are just so difficult. That was an embarrassing situation you walked into tonight", she continued. Yuki thought Tohru had made an understatement. "They didn't like my mother, and they are determined to hate me. I saw them preparing to hate you before you even arrived." She looked up at Yuki with admiration. "But you carried things off so beautifully. They couldn't help but like you. I was really quite proud of you, and I think Grandpa was too. Thank you". She said quietly. Yuki smiled at her, and then he remembered something. "Tohru, do you mind taking your ring off for a minute?" he asked. She looked at him questioning for a moment, then slipped it off her finger. "Look inside the band" Yuki instructed. She held the ring up to the light. There was an inscription inside which Tohru read aloud- "All my love forever, Yuki'". She looked at him beaming. "It's too beautiful", Tohru said quietly, "I don't deserve it", she teared up again. "It's beautiful, just like you, and you do deserve it- and more", Yuki insisted. "You're so good to me!" Tohru exclaimed. She reached up and kissed him lovingly. This time it was Yuki who broke it off. "Sorry", he said breathlessly, "but I don't think I can trust myself around you in that dress". He looked her over one more time with appreciation. "You really look lovely tonight", he said, and Tohru blushed. "Good night then", she said with a smile. She kissed him on the cheek, and turned towards her own room with Yuki's eyes following her.
The next day at class, Tohru's engagement ring was the talk of the school. Yuki ran into Uo-san and Hana-san in the hallway between classes. "Hi", he greeted them, "Hey, Prince", Uo gloated, "have you seen Toru's engagement ring?" She felt smug at the thought that Yuki had been usurped by the mystery fiancée. "Yes, I have", Yuki offered casually. "I saw it last night when she brought it home". "Pretty impressive, huh?", Uo gloated. "We call it the "god stone", Hana smiled. "Why?" Yuki wondered. Just then, another student from across the way erupted with "Oh, my god!" as they viewed Tohru's ring for the first time. "Nuff said?" Uo smirked.