Author's Note: Don't own Howl's Moving Castle and you'll see why. And this chapter is going to be rushed because I'm getting lazy. p

WOOOOOOOO! I have over 100 reviews! I never thought that I would get 100 reviews! THANK YOU SO MUCH MY READERS! Now if I'd get 200 reviews, I'll be ecstatic, but I doubt it. 100 is already a lot so THANK YOU! This chapter is dedicated to ALL OF MY REVIEWERS!

Reviews:

silveryuki06: I'm sorry! I didn't mean for you to get confused. This story isn't over yet. The last chapter would be a bad chapter to end it. When you it saying 'The End' then it's over. I'm glad you like it!

furubafanatic749: If FurubaFanatic3036 is your sister, then wow! I didn't expect siblings to read this story.

Aria's star: Nope, you didn't offend me. Besides, what you said in your last review gave me a better idea for something in the future chapter, but I won't say what. X I'm glad you liked the dress too! I was trying for something different than the book, and I guess I got it.

keepoath: I agree with ya 'bout Kyoru couplings. Anyway, there's ALWAYS a happy ending. I just didn't want it to come TOO soon.

Pearl Dragon: You give me so much compliments. (blush) I'm not that good, really. Oh, and since it seems like we can e-mail each other, then we don't have to do this as often. LOL Anyway, if I don't reply for a long time, then it's probably 'cux it won't send so I'm sorry in advance if it happens AGAIN.

FurubaFanatic3036: Akito's evil no matter what. What did you expect from him? Here's the next chapter!

HanajimaFan3036: OK, I'm typing the chapters as fast as I can. I have another story I'm working on so please be patient!

FirePhoenix36: I hope this was soon. Thanks for the review!

Er…hmmm…: Umm…I like reading reviews, but don't worry. I'm still writing this story.

inu-yuki lover100: Nope, not the end yet. If it were, then a lot of people would be made at me right now. LOL I'm glad you liked the last chapter!

flute4ever300: Thanks for the fact. I wish I knew exactly how it looked like. Anyway, I'm sure pplz would be made if you do that.

Bunnyluver3036: You'll just have to wait and see what happens.

math-nerds-unite: They'll get back together….but you just gotta wait! As for Kagura's feelings, you'll find out in the next chapter…I think.

DemonSaya: I'm glad you like it…I think….

Mint Aizawa36: You're FurubaFanatic3036, right? I'm so confused!

FurubaFanatic3036, HanajimaFan3036, FirePhoenix36, Er…hmmm…, and Mint Aizawa36: If you are the same person, then just review once please! If you do review more than once for a chapter, then use the same penname so I won't get confused like I am right now. If you five are all different pplz, then let my say I'M SORRY! (acts like Ritsu) PLEASE FORGIVE ME!

RRE (Read, Review, and Enjoy!)

Chapter 16

--And so the Last Date Ends Here—

"Everything worked as planned, correct?" an eerie voice said.

"Of course. I won't fail you like Yamato," his accomplice replied.

"It's nice to know I can trust someone," Akito commented.

"Thanks, but it's note over. We still don't know what happened after that," Motoko added.

"We'll find out soon enough. And when we do, I expect not to see you anymore. I assume you will be jumping on Yuki?" Akito gave a mischievous grin.

"Yup. I'll be there to help him overcome his misery," Motoko smiled. "He's mine…all mine. Now if you'd excuse me, I have to plan out how I'm gonna to win him."

"Have a safe trip," Akito told her. 'Because you're going to need it,' he thought.

Motoko briskly stood up and walked out of their meeting, which was held in a dark, old storage building in a deserted part of town. Akito had always called them up there late at night whenever they had to talk in private so it was just her alone in the streets that night…

"There's nothing to be afraid off," she told herself when she heard trashcans banging, and the wind howling louder. "It's probably just a stray cat looking for food. You'll be fine, after all, you've been here numerous of times with Akito."

Something fell and made a loud clattering noise when it hit the ground, and to make matters worse, the light on the lampposts went out. "But now I'm alone," she whimpered to herself.

"My, my…what's a pretty little girl like you doing here?" a low, masculine voice interrupted her thoughts.

Motoko gasped and turned around to see five masked, dark, buff figures. They were each carrying a weapon except one was had a big bag.

"Wah…What do you want?" she stammered, trying to slowly walk backwards to run and escape, but the men caught on.

One of them grabbed her, and the others bound and gagged her and stuffed her in the bag…

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Tohru had cried herself to sleep, and when morning arose, she was feeling a little better and had told her friends the general reason she had cried. She told them that their date had gone horribly except for the present he had given to her, and that he wasn't her type.

Hana and Uo knew this wasn't true, but didn't want to ruin her cover up.

While they were getting ready to leave the room, Hana opened the TV.

"…the bag floating in the water turned out that there was a young woman in it. She was bound and gagged. The police had identify her to be Motoko Minagawa, a senior at Tokyo University…Anyone who has any knowledge of her death, please contact us…"

Hana closed the TV once she heard this. "We must make sure our Tohru-kun never ends up like her," Hana told Uo.

"Naturally, seeing how we're her best friends."

"K, I'm ready to go!" Tohru said excitedly. Her face and eyes were slightly pink, but everything else was fine. Just dab some makeup on her cheeks, and it looked fine, but nothing could cover up her eyes.

Today, she wore regular jeans and a purple tube top. She had on purple heels, and purple ribbons were tied on both side of her hair.

"Last date for you and tomorrow we get to spend some quality time tomorrow and the next day!" Uo shouted, raising her fists. "We should've planned it better, huh? Stupid contest ruining Tohru's birthday and you didn't even have a nice birthday. I'm going to get that Yuki back."

"Uo-chan, don't. I mean the date was horrible," she lied, "but that's how some dates are. Let's just forget about it." Uo and Hana noticed that her happy face was depressed by just saying his name.

Soon, the three girls were in the hotel lobby. Julian was already there with flowers in his hand.

"Hello," he asked politely.

Tohru plastered a happy face, "Hi!"

"These are for you," the green hair man said, giving her the flowers.

"Thanks. They're so pretty," Tohru smiled.

"Not as pretty as you," Julian said as Tohru blushed.

Uo snorted. "Lame pick up line," she said under her breath so that only Hana could hear.

"I guess we should leave then…" Julian gave a nervous grin as he felt Uo's and Hana's eyes bore his.

"OK. See ya then, Uo-chan, Hana-chan," Tohru waved before following Julian.

"We're following them, right?" Hana whispered.

"Of course. Let's just make sure we don't loose them like yesterday," Uo replied in hush tones.

"I'm guessing that you don't have any plans, right?" Julian asked nervously, slightly shifting his feet.

"Nope. You can take me anywhere as long as I get back tonight. Hana-chan and Uo-chan would get mad if I returned really late," Tohru jabbered.

"I know it's early so how about we go to a movie. I'm sure it won't be crowded there," Julian suggested.

"That's fine. Do we need the limo?"

"I have a car," Julian shook his head, taking his keys out. He had a silver Honda Accord.

He drove them to the nearest Movie Theater. Just as he predicted, there weren't many cars in the parking lot compare to the evening.

"So what do you want to watch?" Julian stuffed his hands in his pocket as they walked up toward the ticket counter.

Tohru stood there, looking at the ads of the movie. She really liked the one movie Yamato had taken her too, but seeing something new couldn't hurt.

The singer stared at each of the choices for a few seconds, but couldn't make up her mind. "I don't know. There's so many that I want to see. Um…how about that one?"

Tohru pointed to an anime movie called Howl's Moving Castle. "I know it's a kiddy movie, but it sounds really good."

"All right then, Howl's Moving Castle it is," Julian said as he went to buy the tickets.

A few minutes later, Hana and Uo bought tickets to that movie. They were in their disguises once more.

Two hours later, the movie was over, and Tohru came out happy. "I loved the ending! Sophie and Howl are so cute together! Sophie's mom was kinda mean to betray her daughter though."

"I'm glad you liked it. I know where we should go for lunch," Julian changed the subject. Truth be told, he didn't like that movie very much.

"OK. I'm getting hungry," Tohru admitted. "So where are we going?"

Julian smiled. "You'll see."

The car trip was long, and as they got closer to their destination, Tohru could smell the sea breeze.

When Julian parked the car, and they got out, Tohru exclaimed, "The ocean!"

They were at the ocean, but that wasn't the only thing there. There were outdoor numerous booths and shops. Ships were honking now and then, and seagulls cawing could be heard.

"Wow!" Tohru cried out. Lots of people were walking around and looking at the shops. The singer could smell some different fragrant of foods blending in the air.

"Eat or browse?" Julian asked.

"Uh…browse," Tohru said excitedly.

The two walked around, and Tohru carefully gazed at the objects they had for sell. There were trinkets, antique stuff, clothing, stuff animals, etc.

While they were looking around, a necklace caught her gaze. It had a thin silver chain with a rat on it. Tohru cautiously picked it up. It looked so much like Yuki's rat form that she was about to cry, but immediately placed it back where she found it.

Julian noticed what she picked up and peeked behind her. "Do you like it?" he asked.

"I just thought it was interesting," Tohru lied.

"I see. Well, if you see anything you like, feel free to tell me," Julian winked.

"No! I couldn't ask you to buy something. I have money. If I want something, I can pay for it, see?" Tohru said as she started to panic and grabbed the nearest thing to her, which happened to be the necklace with the rat on it.

Tohru's eyes widen as she saw what she grabbed. 'Out of all the things,' she thought as she went to pay for it. She wasn't going to cry now, not in front of Julian.

"Here, let me put it on you," Julian offered, taking the necklace.

"Thank you."

When Julian put it on, his eyes wandered to her hand. "It sort of matches your charm bracelet too."

Tohru looked at her wrist. She had forgotten it was still there. The twelve charms representing the Chinese Zodiac, and how she was trusted with their secret. Of course she couldn't tell Akito or anyone.

"You OK?" he asked, waving his hand in front of her.

"Huh? Sorry, I'm fine. I was thinking about stuff," Tohru plastered a fake smile. "Come on. Let's go to the next booth!" Tohru said cheerfully, grabbing his arm and pulling him to the next shop.

While they were browsing this store, Julian's stomach growled really loud, catching everyone's attention.

Tohru let out a giggle. "I think it's lunchtime."

Julian and Tohru went out the shop, trying to find something to eat.

"So what do you want to eat?"

"I've never been here so whatever you'll have, I'll have," Tohru said.

The two decided to have some dumplings and miso soup. After that, for dessert, they had some crepe. Then, they spent some more time looking through the shops and booths.

After a few hours, it was time to head back to the city. On the way home, Julian noticed a fair. They stopped there, hung out and ate dinner.

Julian and Tohru played some games. Julian mostly played to win Tohru some prizes as souvenirs.

Before heading home, Julian led the singer to a nearby park. They strolled around and talked.

All day, Tohru kept on fingering her necklace, and he noticed, but didn't say anything. She tried not to remember yesterday's experience, but it was really hard to when you love someone, but it was never meant to be.

"How were the other dates you had?" Julian causally asked.

"It was fun, but it's going to be hard to choose," Tohru replied. She saw Julian's face sadden. "Oh, but it's not going to be so hard. I only have to pick from three because the other two didn't want to continue," she added, biting her lower lip.

"I see," he stated with a smile. His face brightened up a bit. "I can't believe I even made it this far, you know? It was nice to meet you even if I don't make it to the next round." He gently grabbed Tohru's hand and kissed the top of it.

Tohru's face instantly turned red. "I still don't know how I'm going to pick. You and the other two are very handsome and kind."

It was Julian's turn to blush.

He walked her to her hotel, leaving his car at the park.

"Bye," Julian said before leaving.

"Bye, Smith-kun. Thank's for the date," Tohru waved.

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Meanwhile, at Shigure's home, Kyo was still angry, but his anger was slowly decreasing. Not going to the dojo had helped him a lot, but he still couldn't stop thinking about Kagura with another guy.

Now, he was moping around in the kitchen, trying to get something to eat.

Yuki was studying again, but his eyes kept on wandering off to the bear that Tohru had given him.

He had to get out of that room for awhile. Every since he got home from his last class, the rat had been cooped in his room.

Yuki's stomach growled. He finally had an excuse to take a break. Hoping to be alone, he found Kyo in the kitchen.

"Oh, it's only you," Kyo snapped. His tone was a little warmer than usual.

"What's that supposed to mean, you baka cat?" Yuki grabbed some food from the fridge.

Kyo muttered, "Nothing." The cat left to the living room and flipped on the TV. Yuki followed him after he got his dinner.

"…And so the police suggested that Motoko Minagawa was kidnapped by some thugs. The thugs then supposedly raped her (indicated by the bruises and cuts) and then drowned her so they wouldn't be found…Next up…"

Kyo flipped the channel. "Who would've thought she would get kidnapped? I guess your fan club is going down," Kyo commented, not turning around to face Yuki.

"Minagawa…" Yuki mummered. "It was her!" he exclaimed.

"What? What are you talking about now, you d--- rat?" Kyo quickly turned his head around, annoyed.

"How did I forget? She was the one who recorded me," Yuki mumbled, not feeling hungry anymore.

"Recorded you?" Kyo raised an eyebrow.

"It's none of your business, baka cat," he snapped at the cat as he stood thinking for awhile. "Akito!" Yuki growled.

"Yo, rat, are you going delusional?" Kyo spat. "You talking to yourself is getting on my nerves."

Yuki motioned Kyo to close his mouth, which, surprisingly, he did. "Akito and Minagawa-san probably were working together so I can either forfeit the contest or get Tohru to hate me. It was probably her who gave Tohru the tape, and after that, Akito probably didn't have any use for her so hired men to kill her," Yuki analyzed, placing his chin on his hand, which was being held up by his other arm. "It makes sense…"

"Woah…woah…woah," Kyo got up from the couch and stood up. "Are you saying that Akito killed her? Then why don't you turn him in and then you and your girlfriend could live happily ever after?"

Yuki nodded his head. "It would only make sense, but I have no evidence. Besides, why are you siding with me all of the sudden?"

"I dunno. We both hate Akito, and if you can figure out that Akito murdered what's her name, then you can probably help me," Kyo said.

Yuki raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "Again…?"

Kyo nodded.

Yuki gave a long sigh. "What is it now, you baka cat?"

"It's…me, I think," Kyo started.

Yuki held in his laugh when the cat started and politely nodded.

"I've been going to the dojo ever since I found out that Kagura had a boyfriend."

"Really? All this time I was seeing less of you here, I thought you were with Kagura," Yuki remarked, seeing how serious Kyo was actually being.

"No! Just because you see less of me doesn't mean I'm with Kagura. If you haven't noticed, I'm a lot angrier now, but I don't understand," Kyo's blood boiled as he clenched his fist. "When she told me she had a boyfriend, I told her I hate her."

"Do you?" Yuki asked,

"Do I hate her? No. I love her, but I couldn't tell her that when she has a boyfriend," Kyo said rudely. Yuki was surprised the cat would ever be able to say those three words.

"Anyway, the only reason I'm going to the dojo is because I'm trying to take my anger out, but somehow I'm only getting angrier. Shishou said the dojo was closed this week so I can't go. Weirdly enough, I feel less angry, but I can't stop thinking about Kagura with another guy," he finished.

"You need a psychiatrist," Yuki said plainly.

"Don't make fun of me 'cux I don't see you happy with your girl," Kyo bellowed, ready to punch Yuki.

"My reason is different. I've already told her how I feel, but Akito's the only thing standing in the way," Yuki stated. "Akito's not standing in your way, is he?"

Kyo glared at him. "No."

"Of course not. The only thing in your way is Kagura's boyfriend, your true feelings (saying 'I hate you' made it worse), and your jealousy," Yuki explained before heading back to his room. "Knowing Kagura, she still likes you, but because of your lack of consideration, you are too late."

"If she still likes me, then why is she with another man?"

"Because you've made her wait too long and the fact that you never showed much care for her."

Kyo stood there in silent. 'The d--- rat was right,' the orange hair man thought. 'I am jealous. I haven't shown her compassion. If Kagura can deal waiting for me for over fifteen years, I guess I can wait for her. If she can forget me, then I can forget her. Her happiness is all that matters now…' the cat moped.

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The three days until she had to announce the top two went by fast. Those three days, she had forgotten about it since Uo and Hana were making sure she had the best birthday ever, even though it was late. It was only until Uo had reminded her the night before Friday that she remembered.

"Hey Tohru, do you know who the final two are?" Uo asked, as they were about to head for bed.

"Yikes! I have to announce it tomorrow, don't I?" Tohru panicked.

Hana nodded. "I thought you already knew? I'm guessing that Daisuke Yura and Yu…" Hana stopped. The last couple days, saying his name only made her feel like crying.

Tohru knew what Hana was going to say. She was thinking about it right now. Tohru played with her necklace. She hadn't taken it off ever since her date with Julian. She didn't take of the charm bracelet either.

"I don't know who to pick. Yamato-kun, Ryo-kun, and Julian-kun are all very kind," Tohru thought aloud.

"If you like all three of them, then write their names on a sheet of paper and draw two," Uo suggested.

"That's a great idea, Uo-chan!" Tohru exclaimed, as she went to get three scraps of paper and a cup.

"Hana-chan, Uo-chan, why don't you pick the two," Tohru proposed, when she had the three names written down and mixed it in the mug.

Uo and Hana drew one each and read it out loud.

"I drew…"

"And the other one is…"

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Author's Note: Cliffie! Don't worry, it's not that big of a deal since Yuki's not going to be in the next round. sigh.

Anyway, have any of you seen Howl's Moving Castle? (Not many pplz have heard it) It's SO GOOD! You gotta go see it. (I feel like a kid 'cux it's an anime movie.) Sophie and Howl 4ever!

Review please!