It was a nice afternoon. The day was warm and bright, and a light spring breeze swept through the Sohma house. The screen doors were all open, allowing the people inside to feel somewhat more apart of the joyous, natural world.

Tohru had been scrubbing the porch, happy in her niche, when Shigure came out of his office, fanning himself lazily with his new manuscript. Yuki was in the main room, sipping tea and reading a magazine at the table. When he saw the packet of papers, he said sarcastically, "You actually finished that?"

"Of course I did!" Shigure had an appalled look on his face. "I think I deserve more credit than that."

Yuki was tired and not in the mood to deal with his cousin's antics. Shigure shrugged and trotted over to Tohru.

"Tohru-kun, has Mitchan been around? Oh, and where's Kyo-kun?"

Tohru sat back on the balls of her feet and wiped the beads of sweat forming on her brow. "No, I haven't seen her. And Kyo-kun's in his room, I think."

Shigure nodded. "You kids should get some fresh air. It's a lovely day, and you've been cooped up in that school all day."

Tohru shook her head and smiled. "I couldn't just leave this. I still need to wash the kitchen floor and start making supper."

Yuki closed his magazine and suggested, "We could take a walk. You work so hard, Honda-san."

Tohru seemed a little indecisive. "It wouldn't feel right just leaving my duties," she admitted, looking to the ground as if an answer would tangibly form in the soap suds.

Yuki stood, set the magazine on top of the television in the corner, and approached her. "How about, you finish up here, then we can go. And we'll be back in time for you to start dinner."

"An excellent idea," noted Shigure, who was now out of sight, down the hall in the alcove by the front door, sliding on his geta shoes as he prepared to leave.

Tohru beamed and nodded curtly. "Okay."

….

Once the cleaning had been polished off Tohru's list, she changed quickly into something a little less soapy. Throwing on a silky rose-colored blouse and a pair of brown capris, she bounded down the stairs to where Yuki stood waiting with a happy smile.

Kyo, hearing the movement outside his bedroom door and determining it was Tohru, stepped into the hall. He was decked in his black martial-arts garb, for he was going to the dojo that evening. The boy hastily grabbed his bag from his room and headed down the hall to see what Tohru was doing.

At the top of the stairs, he watched Yuki smile graciously at her --confidently at her?-- as she stopped beside him and giggled nervously.

Damn rat! Who does he think he is? Just because he asked her to that stupid dance, he's acting like he has some big claim on her. Kyo's lips twitched, and Yuki gave him a cheeky smirk as he walked away with Tohru.

"Did you have somewhere in mind?" Tohru asked suddenly, realizing how vague the idea of "taking a walk" was.

"We could visit the base, if you'd like," Yuki replied, letting the sunlight warm his pale face with a smile as the two departed from the house.

Excitedly, Tohru agreed, "Yes! Very much so! I haven't been there in awhile."

Yuki grinned; he loved the way she would get so enthusiastic about such trivial matters. Without hesitation, he wrapped his hand around her small one.

Tohru, surprised at the bold move, blushed furiously and said nothing. She was too nervous to really do anything at that moment. Yuki found some humor in this fact, and walked with an air of triumph.

"Honda-san," he said suddenly, grin fading into an expression of uncertainty, "What are you planning to wear to the dance?"

Tohru's face fell as she mulled over this. "I don't know," she confessed. Panic edged her tone.

I didn't think of that! The dance is formal, so, um, I'll need to buy a dress of some sort I suppose… But aren't dresses expensive? There's no way I could afford something nice right now…

Yuki could see her becoming more and more troubled.

"There's still plenty of time. Don't sweat it," he coaxed, smiling softly at her. An idea began forming at the back of his mind.

Tohru blushed again and nodded, believing him much like a small child would an adult--without a doubt, and trusting fully.

….

Kazuma noticed Kyo's terse and tense behavior as he sparred. The man knew his "son" well enough to tell that Kyo didn't feel like talking about whatever was bothering him presently, but Kazuma had to remind him over and over again not to be blinded by anger when fighting. This, of course, only made Kyo more and more frustrated, to Kazuma's dismay. The man sighed. He was distressed at seeing the flicker of hurt in Kyo's fiery eyes.

I wonder what's going on with him…