Did you read the last chap? Not many hits so check if you aren't sure! Don't want you to miss anything!

Yuki was about to turn the corner when he saw his mother and father at the end of the hallway. He froze and turned around before they spotted him, He was about to run to his room but stopped himself realizing he couldn't avoid them forever. No matter what they did he decided he wouldn't hide or they would use him for their own selfish purposes. He wanted to show them he wouldn't let them push him around like a rag doll. The only way he could get the future he wanted is for him to start fighting now. Yuki took a deep breath walking down the hallway with both of his fists clenched in tight balls as he neared his parents. He quietly let out a sigh of relief when he passed them.

"Yuki!" a heartless voice called, beckoning him back over to them.

"Yes?" Yuki choked out trying to hide his anger as he glanced over his shoulder at them. Their expressions remained unchanged, retaining the cold strict appearance. He shivered slightly, a fear and hate of his own parents still lingered inside of him, and he detested that feeling. He hated being a coward but at least he was facing them. Most of the time he tried his very best to avoid them, they never had anything good to tell him. The best thing he had ever heard come out of their mouths was probably when they told him that his teacher got sick or something, at least then he got to sleep. Being a prince meant he had his own personal teacher who came five days a week six hours each to teach him pointless things he didn't care for but he had no choice, if he didn't go the slim freedom he had would be cut down to no time outside of the palace at all.

"Come here," they ordered.

Yuki obediently went over to them not meeting either of their gazes. Those eyes of theirs, they held no love that he could see, he loathed looking into them and feeling that lonely feeling again. The feeling that told him no one would ever care for him truly and that he didn't matter. Now he felt as if being with Tohru was the only thing that kept him sane. Looking back on his life prior to meeting Tohru he couldn't figure out how he was still able to smile. His brother, Ayame, didn't even start to care for him until recently, at most a couple of years not that he really cared whether Ayame worried about him or not.

"I don't want this disrespect! Greet your father and me properly!"

"Good morning Mother, Father…" Yuki told them, his eyes remained glued to the floor. It was a sad fact that the floor was more interesting to look at than their faces. Both of his parents exchanged a quick glance, neither of them liking this attitude change in him. They couldn't figure out what brought this shift about, a few months ago he wasn't so defiant. Back then he would do whatever he thought they wanted fearing the pain of punishment, his expression now didn't seem to care what happened one way or the other.

"That's better, now let me see your face," his father commanded grabbing his chin and abruptly turning his head so he could see his cheek. Yuki flinched; his face lurched from side to side as his dad examined the area where he had been hurt.

"Good… No scars… You can hardly see the marks anymore…" his mother commented coldly. Not one person besides Ayame and maybe Hatori found out that his mother had done that to him. She was good at covering things up.

"Too bad Princess Machi and her family have decided to spend the rest of the year across the seas. They won't be back until next spring. When they return though your engagement will begin," He informed Yuki.

Yuki jerked his head out of his father's hand. They really didn't care about his well being; they just wanted to make sure he looked fine for a stupid arranged marriage he concluded silently. That was the stupidest reason for caring about his well being he had ever heard. He honestly preferred them not being concerned then worrying about cuts because they affected his appearance. Maybe if he completely ruined his face they'd finally leave him alone but then Tohru might ignore him as well. She didn't seem like the kind of girl who acted like that but there was a chance she wouldn't recognize him. In the end he couldn't bring himself to do anything to his face. His father smirked at this.

"Is that all?" Yuki asked hiding his impatience.

"Yes…"

It almost seemed like his father was trying to warn him that this was the last year of freedom he had. Yuki frowned deciding not to get worked up about it just yet as he walked away.

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Two weeks later, his injuries had entirely faded off of his cheek. It was around noon when Tohru met him at the edge of the forest. He was currently tugging her through the forest like an impatient little boy. Tohru followed after him slightly dumbfounded, she had never seen him act like this before. To her he always seemed like such a calm and collected person not this hasty guy dragging her through the woods. She didn't even have enough time to enjoy the fact that he was holding onto her hand.

"Come on Tohru," Yuki urged.

"What? Where are we going?" Tohru asked.

"The lake," Yuki answered.

"The lake? Why?" Tohru asked trying her best to keep up.

"A surprise," replied Yuki.

"A surprise?"

He stopped abruptly letting go of her hand. Turning around to face her she could see that he was happy. The reason for his grins she didn't know but the smile suited him well. She tilted her head to the side curious to know what the surprised was. Yuki's expression turned more serious showing her that he wouldn't tell her what was in store for her. Tohru frowned feeling her eagerness double a quality not like her. Knowing him his surprise couldn't be anything bad, he had proved himself to be a charming and gentle guy too many times to count already.

"Yes… Close your eyes…"

"Eh?"

"It won't be a surprise if you see it… Don't worry! We're very close. I won't let you run into anything," Yuki reassured her.

"Promise?"
"I swear on my life that I won't let you get a single injury," Yuki vowed.

Tohru smiled and closed her eyes trusting him easily. With him, she felt as if she had nothing to fear, it wasn't hard to let him guard her. She lifted her hands up gesturing for him to take them wanting the support and just to feel his arms against hers. Yuki smiled and held onto both of her hands. He eyed her peeking at him through a slit in her eye scowling at her. Her eyes shot open gasping never having seen him angry before. A grin played across his mouth seeing her panic. She let out a breath of relief before peering up at him innocently. He put his fingers over her eyelids sliding them shut.

"Promise you won't open your eyes?" Yuki asked her in a suspicious voice making her giggle.

"I promise…"

Yuki removed his fingers from her eyes after hearing her vow; he retook one of her hands, gripping it in his carefully guiding her to the lake. Keeping her near him he prevented her from tripping over anything on the ground. She clung to him biting her lip; she wrapped her hands around his arm securely. He looked down at her before gazing at the scenery, he beamed. He gently turned her around hold to face in the right direction. Slipping his arm out of her he whispered to her, "You can open your eyes now…"

"Tohru gasped, "They're so lovely!"

A week ago Tohru was standing one hand out reached caressing a light pink cheery blossom on the sakura tree. A strong gust of wind plucked the blossom from the tree. She reached out and caught the blossom cupping it in her hands. Tohru smiled admiring the beauty of the petal, she was here, waiting for Yuki to arrive. It was a little earlier than the afternoon, he shouldn't have trouble waking up as she suspected. Little to her knowledge he was standing right behind her. He had been there for a few minutes watching her.

"Do you like flowers?" Yuki asked.

Tohru jumped up startled releasing the flower, the wind snatching it and taking it into the distance. She peered back at him, fear and shock planted on her face. The terror faded quickly when she saw his face but the surprised remained. He stared back at her quizzically; she hadn't even known that he was back there. She glanced back at the horizon watching the blossom grow smaller and tinier for a second before turning her attention back to Yuki.

"You scared me!" Tohru exclaimed.

"Sorry… I'll make it up to you," Yuki replied with a sheepish smile.

"Yes… I do like flowers… They're very pretty! I guess I've always liked flowers," Tohru answered his question.

"Do you have a favorite flower?" Yuki asked running his hand down the sakura branch.

"Yes… I've always loved roses but they aren't grown here often, are they? It's a rare treat to see them," Tohru grinned.

Yuki smiled plucking a blossom and placed it behind her ear. The light pink blossom decorated her brown locks well, going with her faint pink dress. She beamed looking up at him. His hands hovered by her face before pushing a few rebelling strands of hair back behind her ears with a grin. He was careful not to disturb the place of the flower.

"You are so cute," Yuki murmured soft enough so she could barely hear it.

Tohru blushed, her jaw dropped, her mouth open to protest but no sound would come out. She was speechless, stunned silent. He had told her things like that before but they always managed to leave her timid. Yuki chuckled softly adoring how her bashful face looked. He already got ideas for how to repay her for scaring her.

Yuki had planted a variety of rose bushes creating a border that separated the trees and the lake. Every kind of rose she could imagine was there, red, orange, pink, yellow, white, hot pink, dark red… Tohru ran around adoring all of her favorite flowers. So this was his surprise, it was the kindest thing anyone had done for her in her whole life. After he had heard that she didn't get to see roses often he had gone out and bought all the rose bushes for her. An entire day was spent planting them in their secret place with hopes that she'd enjoy it. She stooped down in front of a pink rose smiling widely. Placing her hands around a rose she brought her nose close to it, taking in the sweet fragrance.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it!" Tohru cried jumping up running back to him and throwing her arms around his neck.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She exclaimed before giving him a soft peck on his lips.

Yuki's cheeks instantly became flushed. Tohru withdrew embarrassedly blushing. She focused her eyes on the floor, her cheeks burning darkly ashamed to have done that to him. He couldn't say anything; it was hard to believe that she had just kissed him on purpose this time. She took a step away from him shyly. Yuki leaned forward holding onto her shoulder stopping her from moving any further from him.

"Sorry… I was too excited…" Tohru muttered averting his gaze.

Yuki silenced her with a more passionate kiss catching her off guard. It was a dream, she had kissed him and now he was kissing her back. They both had the same thoughts on their minds. Tohru was taken back by his kiss; it didn't take her long to realize he was a good kisser. On the other hand it did take her a while to react to his kiss. By the time she remembered she was supposed to kiss him back he was already pulling away, breaking the kiss. He looked at her awed face touching her cheek wondering if he had done the wrong thing.

"Are you going to apologize every time you give me a kiss?" Yuki asked her playfully.

"…Not if you don't want me to…" Tohru murmured timidly wrapping her arms around his neck pressing her lips against his once again before he took her stiffness earlier as a rejection.

He placed one hand behind her head and the other on her back pulling her closer to him, deepening the kiss. His tongue parted her lips, she stood there flabbergasted. She had never kissed a man before; she didn't know what to do now. At least that's what she thought; her body knew what to do just fine. Her grip around his neck tightened, she started to fear that he would choke to death but she remained unfazed. They soon broke apart for air both a shade of dark red.

Yuki ran his tongue over his lips, the sweetness of her lips lingered, his whole body craved for more. He could swear her lips tasted of sugar or honey, something delicious and addicting. Not only the taste but the feel look and everything about her left him wanting more, another kiss or two, maybe ten. So much for the satisfaction of a kiss, he didn't feel content at all.

Tohru was almost shaking; her heart was racing faster and faster. She felt warm all over, butterflies going wild at the bottom of her stomach. She glanced at Yuki desire burning inside her. Tohru practically pounced on Yuki knocking him onto the ground attacking him with another kiss. He kissed her back before grabbing onto her waist and flipping her over so he was on top of her instead of the other way around. Supporting his weight with both of his arms outstretched on either side of her thin frame he bent over coating her mouth with warm kisses.

Yuki gently licked her lips savoring the taste before he moved down caressing her neck with his lips. A soft moan left her mouth before his lips returned to hers hungry for more. After a few more minutes they broke apart nearly breathless gazing at each other. The only sounds were their rapid pants tirelessly trying to pay off their oxygen debt. Her chest rose and fell in rapid movements barely an inch from his own. He kept himself positioned over her his eyes peering into hers. Tohru gazed back into his warm, dreamy grey orbs helplessly overwhelmed by emotion.

Continuing to stare into her wide brown eyes he questioned what he just did. That type of kissing so quickly, that attraction and lust was neither of them. It almost seemed like neither of them could control their own bodies.

"It was just kisses…" Yuki tried to reassure himself.

The gentle touch of his lips, his shy hesitant deep kisses lured her in like a soothing, enchanting almost mesmerizing song. Her pale slender neck and soft rosy lips, the sweet kisses made him feel new emotions that he had never experienced before; a feeling of want and need for something completely forbidden. He knew that being with her was never going to be allowed but that only served to make him treasure her even more. He uncovered a side of her she never knew existed, feelings that were blurry and hidden before are now so real and clear; that feeling was love yet she was oblivious to it. It was simple he was the one for her, like she was the one for him.

Review for your review obsessed Author! And keep in mind the question from the last chap! Who do you want to be the arranged spouse of Tohru, Akito or an OC?