Chapter 8: Knight, Princess, and from Drab to Fun

Princess Sango

Hana and Arisa had left after lunch but Ayame stayed and he smiled as I placed Sachiko back into her crib, "Did your friends approve?"

"Hai, they did, as long as I'm happy and Hana's wave reading said everything was fine, they're happy. I just hope that Sachiko won't hate me when she finds out that you're not the father and Yuki is. I doubt I'll be able to tell her about Yuki…" Tohru trailed off as Ayame took both of his hands on both sides of her face and looked into her eyes.

"Tohru, I will do all in my power to make sure she won't be hateful, and if she's related to you she couldn't have a hateful bone in her body. Sachiko will grow up strong; she'll be just as beautiful as you and Yuki, because this was a sign of love and trust. You're going to have to believe Tohru, and when the time comes, it comes," Ayame answered her confidently.

Shigure stepped in at that moment, "Que sera sera, haven't I been telling you that? Tohru-kun, you're so cute and nice, no one could hate you, please believe in that Tohru."

Tohru looked up at the two men and she hugged Shigure and Ayame at the same time. Sitting down on the floor she felt Ayame curl up at her side as she leaned up against Shigure's stomach, "I know that Shigure and Ayame, I'm trying really hard, really, it's just that I feel a little different because it felt like Yuki threw away all that we had." Hugging Ayame and Shigure again so they wouldn't transform she sighed, "I'm trying, I'm really trying."

Shigure gently placed a paw on her shoulder and licked her face in a friendly kiss, "Tohru, please stop, be happy again, be the dear flower we all know and love, but if we're asking too much of you…"

"N-no, I'll try harder, really!" Tohru stammered but then with a poof Ayame and Shigure stood naked and she covered her eyes.

Ayame and Shigure pulled on their clothes quickly and leaned into Tohru's face while both told her it was okay to look. Uncovering her face she smiled at them and Shigure sighed, "It's getting late, I better get home, and Tohru please take care." Standing up he walked over to the crib and leaned over, "Be safe Sachiko, and try to be good for your mother."

Then he walked out, leaving Ayame and Tohru both on the floor. Looking at her Ayame smiled, "Are you feeling better Tohru?"

"Slightly, I think I'm going to go lie down for awhile though, please Ayame, take care of Sachiko while I'm sleeping please," Tohru answered and stood up and walked out of the room.

Ayame sighed and watched the girl leave, a sad smile on his lips as he took his hand down and caressed the small baby's cheek when the phone rang. Picking it up he greeted the person, "Hello? - Oh Yuki, what are you calling here for?- Tohru's resting right now, please don't try to call again, she's having a hard enough time as it is so leave her alone. Good-bye."

Hanging up the phone while his brother kept squabbling, he sighed and walked out of the room he walked past Tohru's which was slightly ajar. Creeping in slightly he saw her sleeping but she was mumbling in her sleep, turning on the light he stared for a moment. Coming closer he could here her mumbling as if she was talking to him. "No Yuki-I don't know if we could-what? Oh, Shigure-san said he would be back soon, Yuki…I know what we want, but it anyone walks in on us…Uhh, Yu…ki…no…"

She gave a small moan and Ayame sighed, she was thinking of her first from the sound of her voice. It was gentle and loving, but a slight fear of being found out by one of the other two occupants of Shigure's house. Kneeling over the bed he gently shook her shoulder, "Tohru, wake up…"

Tohru's eyes opened and then she looked at Ayame, "Is something wrong Ayame?"

Ayame shook his head, "You were sleep talking Tohru…"

Tohru immediately blushed, "I keep having that dream, I don't know why…"

Ayame sat down next to her and casually placed a hand on her shoulder, "Tohru, it was a time in your life where you were happy, Yuki was your first, wasn't he?"

Tohru blushed, "Hai Yuki was my first but I still don't understand why I have this dream, it haunts me but makes me happy all the same…"

Ayame replied with a simple answer, "You just lost him, and your mind doesn't want you to forget him, and the happy moments you had with him Tohru. I think one of those moments was when you and him, well you know…"

Tohru blushed even redder, "I didn't know Kyo had died, I didn't plan anything this way. I-I thought everything would be fine, I just wished Yuki had told me what was wrong, why he had pulled away from me. Being told from everyone else but him, it hurt me directly. Ayame, do you think I'll be able to look him in the face again?"

Ayame looked into Tohru's watery blue eyes which have cried so much in the last two weeks. Stroking her brown hair, he tried to ease her mind of the pain, "That's up to you Tohru, I know that right now you're probably frightened to even think about it, talking to Yuki, seeing him again but only as a friend. Tohru, he's going to move on, and you, what about you, are you going to be able to move on?"

Tohru sighed and looked away from Ayame's golden eyes, "I don't know to tell you the truth Ayame, but I'll try, just like I told Shigure and you. It's the best I could do, but I am afraid of seeing Yuki right now." Letting a small yawn escape her mouth, Ayame smiled at her.

"Maybe you should rest up," he told her, letting go of her hair and pulling away until she grabbed at his long sleeve.

"Ayame can you just stay here, just until I fall asleep, but if you have something else to do…" she stammered when he didn't answer right away.

Giving her a reassuring smile, Ayame nodded to her, "A knight always looks after his princess." Blushing, Tohru lay back down once more and Ayame turned off the light as a small nightlight shown. He watched as Tohru closed her eyes and soon was close to sleeping. Thinking to himself he gently began stroking her hair again thinking to himself, Yuki, you've left this woman heart broken, and worst yet, you can't do much about it can you? I'll help her for you, for this woman that was in this life now is trying to move on.

Week later…

Tohru smiled at Ayame when he made the sudden proposition, "Let's have a day at the pool Tohru, just you, Gure, Tori, Momiji, Kisa, Mine, and me?"

"Don't you and Mine have to work, and what about Sachiko, she can't swim yet…" Tohru answered looking at Ayame, slightly amazed, "Who would watch her?"

"Well I asked Kagura, and she told me she was more than happy to come here and watch her Tohru! Now go get your swimsuit on, Kagura should be here soon along with the others," Ayame answered, waving her off as a knock on the door was heard.

Tohru laughed and nodded, going to go change. Going into her room she opened her dresser and found her swimsuit. Pulling the one piece on she looked at the mirror that was full-length, and sometimes she was surprised that her figure was able to stay the same, well besides her breasts from breast feeding. Shaking her head she placed a dress cover up over her bathing suit and came out to and stopped by Sachiko's room.

Going inside she leaned over the crib and kissed her child's sleeping form. Walking out of the room and back into the living room she saw Ayame telling Kagura what she was expected of. "Okay, leave everything to me, I'm more than capable!"

Tohru came out and she ran up to Kagura and hugged her, "Thank-you so much Kagura-san!"

Kagura hugged her back before backing off, "I'd love to help, and if you have time later today, I'd like to spend time with you."

"Okay, I'll see you later than Kagura-san?" Tohru asked.

"Hai, go on ahead, everyone's already been waiting, sorry for being late Ayame-san," Kagura answered as she ushered Tohru and Ayame out the door.

Tohru laughed and Ayame grabbed her hand and squeezed it, "Feeling separation anxiety?"

Tohru leaned against his shoulder slightly, "Yes, after all, I haven't left her for any long lengths of time."

"This time with your friends would be good for you Tohru-chan, and Arisa and Hana even decided to meet us here. I didn't tell you that, but I guess it's okay right?" Ayame asked, looking down at the dear princess who had become as vibrant and lively as ever again.

"Hai, I think it will be good for me, thank-you so much Ayame!" Tohru answered, squeezing his hand as they made their way to the Sohma pool which was just installed. Seeing everyone there, Kisa greeted Tohru with a big hug, "Nice to see you all again!"

Shigure, Momiji, and Hatori waved as Hana and Arisa came and hugged Tohru also. After everyone was through greeting each other, they played in the pool. For Tohru, after awhile she decided to rest for a couple of minutes, and Mine joined her. Tohru was laying down on her stomach and felt the cool shade of a tree from above and the breeze from the wind. Sighing she closed her eyes and rested her head on her folded arms.

"Tohru-chan, do you mind if I sit here?" Mine asked her. Tohru shook her head and Mine sat down next to her, "Ayame-san always goes on and on about your child Tohru, when he does show up at the office. I thought it was amazing how dedicated he is to you and her."

"He's not the father, Ayame is the uncle, but he's filling in for Yuki. I'm getting better at mentioning this, but we're not telling Sachiko this, or else she'll look for Yuki. If that was to happen…I don't think I could face it…" Tohru answered, looking up at Mine, "Please don't tell anyone else, and don't mention it to Yuki if you happen to see him."

Mine nodded to her and smiled at her, "It's good to know that Ayame cares for his family, especially if it's something as big as that. Do you want to come join us again?" Tohru nodded and followed Mine to the pool, while feeling like she was free and happy, unlike last year, when she was really depressed.

TBC…