Chapter 2 A Moment of Hope
Tohru walked into the kitchen, that had become more familiar over the past 3 weeks. It was Saturday, and Tohru felt like making something nice for Haru this morning. About 30 minutes later, Haru walked in, hipnotized by the captivating smell of pancakes and eggs. He walked over to Tohru and grabbing her around the waist, and planting a loving kiss on her lips. She returned it, laughing childishly. She loved how he could just look at her, and steal her away in a single glance. They sat side by side at the table, eating, and starring into each other's eyes. After they finished breakfast, Tohru got dressed, and started out the door, but stopped when she felt someone gently grab her hand, and pull her into an affectionate hug. She pulled away, looking into the eyes of the man she loved.
He looked at her, a trace of worry in his eyes. "Where are you going?"
She smiled kindly. "Just to the market, then I thought about going to Shigure's afterwards... is that okay?"
He smiled at her, stealing her away to a world that existed only to them. "Of course, I was just making sure you weren't leaving me."
She hugged him tightly. "I don't have the heart, I love you too much-" she blushed furiously. It was the first time that she had told him that. He had told her many times before, but she could never bring herself to answer the same way. He tilted her head up, so that they could look at each other in the eyes. He bent down, and kissed her gently, then wrapping his arms around her, never wanting to let go. She starred into his eyes, then walked out the door, leaving him leaning against the door post watching her go with a smile on his face.
Tohru walked along the street of stores, trying find the one that she wanted. She was so busy looking around, that she didn't see what was infront of her. She collided with a boy, both of them falling over. She got up quickly, gathering her things, rambling her apologies, and how she should have been watching where she was going when she felt a hand on her shoulder, and a shocked voice that spoke her name.
"I'm sor-" She looked up.
"Tohru?" Asked Yuki, offering his hand to help her up, when she graciously excepted. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the house with Haru? Did you leave him?" He asked in a worried tone.
She let out a giggle. "No, I'm just doing some grocery shopping, then I planned on going by your house later on... is that okay?" She asked tilted her head a little, looking him in the eyes.
He smiled. "Of course! In fact, I'm doing grocery shopping too myself, mind if I join you?" He asked in a way that she could not refuse. She knodded her head, and they started walking along the side walk, doing their grocery shopping, Tohru, pretty much telling Yuki what he needed for what meal, when she stopped suddenly.
She tugged on his sleeve, stopping him, turning him around to face her. "Yuki... have you lost weight?" she asked in a worried tone.
He shrugged his shoulders. "Things haven't exactly been the same since you left, no one has been themselves lately. Things are just a bit strange that's all. In a nut shell, we really miss you." He looked at her, her eyes over flowing with tears.
"I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. If only I hadn't left." she managed to say in between sobs. He pulled her close, hugging her comfortingly. She cried into his shirt, rambling on and on about how everything was her fault, and if only she had done this or this, this wouldn't have happened. He held her at arm's length, looking her straight in the eyes.
"Nothing that is happening at that house is none of your fault."
"But-" she protested, but Yuki cut her off.
"Now, since we're done with all the shopping, let's go to the haouse, and get something to drink. Everyone will be thrilled to see you...okay?" He asked her. SHe knodded her head, and they walked back to the Sohma House.
Kyo lay on the roof starring at the sky, wondering what Tohru was doing at that moment. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of a voice that lifted his heart in joy in hope. He sat up, and looked down the road to see Yuki walking with TOHRU! He could tell that she had been crying because her eyes were red, and she looked refreshed. He jumped down from the top of the house, and ran toward her as fast as he could. Her eyes lit up happily, as she ran into his open arms laughing joyfully. He squeezed her tightly, spinning around in circles laughing like crazy. He finally set her down, looking at her.
"I've missed you sooo much! It's been way to long since I've seen you." She said smiling at him.
"Is that Tohru I hear?" Came a muffled voice from in the house that could only belong to one person... Shigure. He ran through the screen doors up to Tohru. He took her hands in his shaking them. "Yay! My lovely flower has returned to me! You may now start cooking again, and don not worry, you will have your prize, as promised.
The three teens looked at each other quizically. "Prize?" They said together.
He looked at them. "Oh, but don't you remember, I said that when you came back, you may chose to marry Kyo or Yuki, seeing as I'm too old. Don't worry, I'm sure that they have been waiting for this moment since they met you..." He was cut off by two pairs of angry fists colliding with his head, knocking him unconcious. They turned to look at her, both blushing furiously. Kyo was first to break the awkward silence.
"So... are you here to stay, or is it just a visit?"
"It's just a visit, I told Haru that I would be home around 6 to make him dinner." she answered shyly.
"Oh." Kyo said sadly. Then lightened up before Tohru could see his face.
Shigure took Tohru by the hands, with a serious look on his face. "Well then, we mustn't waste any time. You must hurry and make us dinner first. Your cooking is the best to be heard, and we have been eating take-out ever since you left, and the house could use a bit of cleaning too before the boyz school starts... if you don't mind."
"Shigure!" Yuki and Kyo yelled together.
"Come on guyz, don't you want Tohru to cook too?" Shigure asked, a sly look on his face. "And besides, it has been a while since any of us has had REAL food in a while."
The boys said nothing, starring at their feet. Tohru laughed. "Well then, let's go inside, if you want me to make you food for the next couple days."
They all look at eachother. "You don't have to do that." Kyo said helpfully, but she was already half way to the house. He smiled to himself shaking his head. Yuki followed him into the house, wishing that she would come back to stay.
Yuki and Shigure went their separate ways when they got inside, and Kyo went to the kitchen to help Tohru with the cooking. He walked in, and suddenly a rush of memmories came to him in the familiar smell, making him cringe.
He walked up to her. "What do you need help with, I'll do anything you ask."
She thought for a moment. "Umm... could you get the pots and pans down, I can't reach them."
He knodded his head and went to get them down. "So, you're still as short as you used to be huh?" he said with a small laugh. Then he became serious. "I'm glad you haven't changed."
"huh?" she asked looking at him.
"N-nothing" he said blushing. "So, are you ready for the new term?"
She smiled. "Of course I'm excited."
He looked at her like she was crazy. "You're excited? Why"
"So I can see you more, I really miss ya'll." She replied sniffling back some tears.
He wrapped his arms comfortingly around her as she cried into his shirt. "We really miss you too Tohru." He wispered to where she couldn't hear him.
After dinner, she gave everyone hugs, and left out of their lives... again. After she was out of sight, Yuki and Kyo each went their separate ways, leaving Shigure with a sad look on his face.
"This house is so empty without you Tohru." He sighed, and walked to his office, to bury his depression in a million books.
Tohru walked along the dirt path out of the woods, and into the sunshine when she heard a familiar vioce call her name.
"Tohru. Over here."
She turned, and smiled, seeing that it was Haru. She ran into his open arms, hugging him tightly.
"I thought I would come and pick you up, it isn't safe for a girl to be out walking this late alone." He said starring at her with affection. Her eyes widened. She remembered that day, so long ago that Yuki and Kyo had both said that exacxt same thing to her. She sighed
They walked home together, Haru never letting her go.