It had taken him a long, rough, and rigorous week to finally learn the location of the two graves. Yuki Sohma had spent hours searching for this place instead of sleeping. Every minute of night in which he was alone he spent looking for the graves. It was the most difficult task he had ever encountered, looking for something when he had no clues or hints of where to look. For all he knew the graves could have been across the ocean and he'd have no way of knowing. That was the main reason he was so thrilled and shocked to learn that the guards had found the sight so quickly.

In a way he was disappointed as well, that even with all of that effort the ones who had found the temple were his guards, not him. He cast those feelings aside since what mattered was that the place had been found not who found it. Today began his journey to take his princess there. With the intention of only pleasing her he had no idea if bringing her there would really please her or not but he was on his way to find out.

Instead of hanging around by the lake or market place today Yuki had called Tohru and told her that he was going to take her somewhere special. That somewhere where he wanted to take her had to be far away if they needed a car to get there. He had chosen the least flashy car that was at his palace which was still nicer than the average car. It was black, sleek and shiny as if it had been recently cleaned. Yuki sat in the driver's seat lazily driving to their destination. Tohru sat next to him with both of her hands on the window as she gazed out. At first she had thought he was taking her to some romantic place as a date, but from the looks of their surroundings she wasn't so sure anymore.

The dirt road they were going down seemed to extend forever. Looking down the straight path she could swear that they were the only ones to come down this road in a while. Neither of them had seen another car in the past half hour, and they had only started this journey forty minutes ago. Thick trees bordered the roads on either side. They sat close to one another; less than half a space of land was between the trunks of each other. The branches and leaves of the tops of the trees intertwined into one another blocking out a lot of sunlight. Without any street lights or any other signs of technology they both had a feeling that if they had come here at night it'd be one scary ride.

"Yuki, where are we going?" Tohru asked looking around at the unfamiliar scenery.

"That's a secret," Yuki answered beaming mysteriously.

Tohru looked at him curiously. He just smiled widely gently staring straight ahead at the road. After another ten minutes they slowed to a stop at a small deserted temple. It was the first building they had come across for miles, and it didn't look like there would be any other signs of human life for another few miles. Yuki reached for the piece of paper with a map and address scrawled across it. Looking up from the piece of paper to the crooked numbers on the temple he sighed and set the paper back down. This crummy place had to be the place where her parents were buried.

He opened the door stepping out of the car calmly examining the place for a second before walking over to Tohru's side and opening the door for her. As he did this one of the address numbers fell off the temple landing on the ground with a crash. Tohru jumped up in her seat from the sound nearly hitting her head, and she would have if Yuki hadn't placed his hand on her shoulder to keep her from going too high. She peered up at him timidly then stepped out scanning the outside of the temple quizzically wondering why they were in such a worn out place. This was no place for a date of any kind.

"What are we doing here?" Tohru asked.

Yuki just grinned not answering her question. Some things were better to learn on one's own. Besides he wanted this to be a surprise. Tohru headed to the temple knocking on old door; there was no response. He walked up standing beside her protectively. Not sure how safe this place was he didn't want to risk the chance of her getting hurt in any way. She slowly opened the door revealing an aged, old room. Inside everything was falling apart, spider-webs weaved across the corners, dust coated the room and the wood panels on the wall were peeling off. Yuki shuddered; the temple sure was freaky. The place was deserted; it was likely that no one had been inside for a long time.

"Come on…" Yuki urged her grabbing her hand.

She nodded deciding to trust him and let him drag her inside and out the back door. The door was held up by rusty hinges which squeaked loudly when he opened it. This place had the image of a haunted house or at least someplace where a ghost lives. The temple being an old graveyard for two people would have made the idea of ghosts a scary thought if Yuki had believed in them. Yuki didn't believe in spirits and such but he knew the burial sight of royalty, no matter how hidden, would be the target of many thieves. He held her close as if he thought a robber or someone would jump out of nowhere and take Tohru from him.

Outside rested collapsed old trees, dead, dry plants and too many weeds to count. They colored the bright spring surroundings a dull brown. It was hard to imagine that just outside of this place flowers and trees were in full bloom. In the center of all the mess sat a large, square object that appeared to be an altar of some sort, made of dark marble. Tohru glanced around curiously before she squinted and read the small engraving in the middle of the structure.

"Here lies the former King and Queen. Pay your respects…" Tohru read aloud what she could; the rest of the message was chipped off.

Tohru looked around with a confused face. Yuki knelt down in front of the alter clearing away the brown leaves and dry mud around the bottom of the structure revealing two plain tombstones made out of matching marble. Her eyes widened when she saw the names carved into the stones. She dropped on her knees staring at the graves in disbelief. He touched her shoulder trying to see if she was alright. Tears were starting to form in her eyes. Whether those tears were out of joy or sadness he couldn't tell yet.

"Mom… Dad…" Tohru breathed.

Shakily she placed her hand on the cold, flat stones. Her tears dropped on the graves as a smile formed on her face. Seeing the smile, Yuki let out the breath he had been holding in glad to see that she was happy rather than sad. Tohru traced the names Kyoko and Katsuya Honda. It was a miracle; Tohru couldn't believe she was here. This was the best place Yuki could ever bring her, the best gift he could ever give her. There was no way that she could ever be content with how many times she'd thank him for this. She had a feeling that no matter how many times she said those two words it'd never be enough.

"I finally found you both… I finally get to say goodbye…" Tohru whispered.

Yuki took her other hand which was freezing cold and gave it a light squeeze. It made all the effort he and his guards put into finding this temple all worth it. His guards had given him the map and directions thinking they had bent over backwards to find these graves but what they hadn't known was the nights he had spent in search for these graves. He hadn't slept much at all this past week, at most a total of thirty hours the whole week and, yet he hadn't chosen to rest. Instead he took her here the day after he learned of the location. Yuki had wanted to show Tohru right away, he didn't even take time to go investigate the place himself. Looking at Tohru now, he was glad he hadn't chosen to wait.

"I want you two to meet my friend who brought me here. He has helped me so much already… Mom… Dad… This is Yuki-kun…" Tohru introduced the man beside her to the two graves.

"You really have a special daughter…" Yuki said sweetly.

Tohru's cheeks flushed a light pink. Yuki smiled at her pleased to see that his choice of words had expressed his true feelings and brought a blush to Tohru's face. Those pink cheeks suited her face so well; they brought an extra ray of light to her beautiful face. She kept her face directed at the ground in attempt to conceal her red face she tried to find something she could change the subject to.

"I wish I had some flowers or something…" Tohru mumbled swiping the tears from her eyes with a smile.

"Oh! That reminds me… I'll be right back…" Yuki told Tohru as he got up and left her alone for a minute. He opened the door and exited but not before looking back and giving her a smile. Yuki walked to the back of his car quickly. Opening the trunk he rummaged around until he found what he was looking for, the bundle of roses he had picked from the lake. He had cut them just minutes before he went to pick up Tohru.

"Eh?"
She cocked her head to the side slightly confused. Lifting her shoulders and letting them drop in a shrug she turned her attention back to her deceased parents. Tohru knelt down in front of them in a bow with her nose touching the cold marble. The brunette remained there for a moment in complete silence before she whispered, "Mom… Dad… I really really really like Yuki-kun… I don't know how to act in front of him anymore; I want him to like me back but… It's hard… He does so much for me like this and I have no way of repaying him. I don't know what to do…"

"Just be yourself…"

Tohru lifted her head in confusion. She could have sworn she had just heard her mother tell her the advice she hah always told her when she was in a crisis. In the loudest voice she could utter one word came out slightly above a murmur, "Mom…?"

Yuki paused before the door leaving his hand raised in front of the door knob. From inside he could hear Tohru speaking and didn't want to interrupt her. He stood there waiting until he heard silence. Yuki stayed inside for another minute before he opened the door and returned holding a bouquet of colorful roses. He walked over to her and extended his hand until the colorful arrangement was in front of her eyes. Tohru gasped happily taking the roses from him. It really did seem like Yuki had everything planned out for this trip.

"They're so pretty… And from the lake as well… Thank you… Mom and dad will love them…" Tohru smiled faintly as she held the flowers close to her face.

"Sorry… I forgot a vase or something to put the flowers in… I'll go look for one in the temple," Yuki offered. It was insane, after all he did here he was apologizing for not bringing a vase.

"I'll help you! You did so much already!" Tohru exclaimed as she set the roses down and got up to follow him. He waited with a small smile holding the door open for her to enter.

Together, they searched through the old rusty, mostly broken items that were left scattered around. It didn't look like there was anything that was in good condition left in the place. Tohru blinked picking up a vase on a table by her. A grin began to form across her face; the vase looked alright except for the broken top. She was about to call out to Yuki until she felt something furry touch her feet. The vase slipped out of her hands shattering on the ground. A scrawny rat scurried across the floor past Tohru. She screamed jumping back from the rodent.

Hearing her shriek Yuki whirled around worriedly asking, "Are you alright?"

Embarrassedly Tohru pointed to the rat, frozen in the middle of the floor from her scream, surrounded by the shattered ceramic. His eyes drifted from the rat to Tohru before he smiled finding her unharmed. Yuki burst out laughing clutching his stomach. He laughed partially because her expression was beyond description with words but also because he couldn't help but be drowned by his own relief.

"It's just a rat!" Yuki choked out in between laughs.

Tohru timidly looked down as the rat ran away.

"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to laugh," Yuki apologized running his hand through his silver locks.

Tohru chewed the inside of her cheeks flared a dark red. He frowned not wanting her to feel so nervous anymore. Looking around the room he searched for something interesting he could point out to distract her. His eyes settled on exactly what they had been looking for in the corner of an old bookcase. Yuki leaned over and grabbed the plain gray vase that he just found. Wincing he realized the top of the vase was chipped. The sharp uneven ceramic pierced his skin leaving a cut across his palm. His eyes widened momentarily accidentally drawing Tohru's worried brown orbs over to him.

"What's wrong?" Tohru asked noticing his change in nature.

"Nothing… I got a vase. Let's get out of here," Yuki told her forcing a smile and ignoring the pain running through his left hand.

He didn't want her to worry. Thinking it was just a small scratch he decided not to bring it up. Tohru stared at him for a minute not fully believing the answer he gave her, but on the other hand she was delighted to see that he had found a vase to hold the flowers in. She didn't move until he passed her and grabbed her hand with his unharmed hand tugging her out of the temple. Yuki led her back to the grave site with a weak smile. Setting herself before the graves she held out her hand for the vase he was holding.

"Be careful, the top is damaged so it's sharp," Yuki warned as he gave her the vase.

"Yes…"

Her eyes widened when she saw the red edge of the jagged top. At first she thought it was paint but she frowned when she ran her finger over the warm liquid finding it still wet. Yuki hadn't noticed her discovery. He was busy unscrewing the cap of the water bottle for her to fill the vase with. He laid the bottle on the ground beside her ready to be poured into the vase.
"Blood…" Tohru whispered looking directly at Yuki fixated on the red liquid.

"Nn? Did you say something?" Yuki asked.

"No…" Tohru replied with a smile as she crouched over in front of the graves with the vase. She pushed aside a thin layer of dirt and placed the vase down covering the base with a little dirt for support. Noticing the bottle of water she poured half of the water into the vase saving the other half so he could at least clean his cut. Tohru bit her lip trying to figure out a way to bring up his wound without being a complete idiot.

"Can you hand me the flowers?" Tohru asked placing the water back down and looking back at him.

Yuki nodded picking up the roses that sat in front of him. He held out the bouquet to her, but to his surprise she grabbed his left wrist instead of the flowers. Tohru decided to be impulsive and just allow her thoughts to drift away. Turning it over so that his palm faced upwards she revealed the deep cut that had turned a dark red with a hint of purple. A pain shot through his body making him drop the bouquet. The flowers hit the grass with a soft thud. She stared at the wound horror glazed over her eyes.

"You're hurt! Why didn't you tell me?" Tohru gasped.

"It's nothing…" Yuki mumbled pulling his hand back from her.

"How can you say that?! You're bleeding!"

Her eyes almost held red flames in them; the fire swaying in a nearly wild dance. It was weird; it was strange; she didn't understand her emotions. These feelings of worry and concern had been warped into an emotion she hardly experienced, anger. This anger had taken over her body, and she was left watching Yuki's face drop. She hadn't meant to offend him. Tohru's mouth opened and her eyes flashed with their normal kindness, but her irritated side got the best of her and refrained her from going soft.

"I'm fine…' Yuki muttered.

"Don't lie to me! Maybe I'm unreliable to you… I'm not that smart but even I know that you aren't fine!" Tohru half yelled out of concern.

"If it bothers you that much I'll bandage it…" Yuki responded ripping the bottom of his white shirt to use as a bandage seeing that he hadn't brought any bandages with him. He hadn't anticipated an injury of any sort.

Awkwardly Yuki held the strip in one of his hands before he started to wrap the white strip around his left hand. She peered at him oddly with a face of confusion. It seemed like the man before her had never dressed his own injury. Then again, what could one expect from a prince who had his own family doctor? Tohru was missing this picture though, not having any bit of information about Yuki's family or status. She did see him having trouble though. Feeling the rage once in her dwindle away her usual affectionate nature took hold once again.

"Let me help you…" Tohru said softly as she took the strip from him.

"This is going to sting..." She warned quietly looking over at the water.

She picked up the set aside water and poured it over the open cut slowly. He flinched slightly not expecting her to do that, but he remained perfectly still, not making any movement away from her process of cleaning the injury. When the last drop of water had dripped out she turned her attention back to the white strip and rewrapped it around his palm. Winding it around his hands a couple of times she paused before she tied the bandage carefully so there was just enough pressure to hinder the bleeding but not enough to cause him any pain. That was the best she could do considering that she had no soap or anything else to wash the cut with. Yuki gazed at her with a smile but she ignored it, her lips forming a rare straight line.

"Thank you… I'm sorry… I just didn't want to worry you," Yuki confessed meekly not wanting her to start hating him.

"… When you lie and hide your injuries it makes me worry more… Next time, please tell me, okay?" Tohru asked tears brimming on the edge of her eyes.

"Thank you for the concern… But please don't cry… Your tears make me want to cry…" Yuki murmured using his right arm to pull her into an embrace.

He kissed the top of her head lovingly brushing her hair back behind her ear with his right hand. She leaned against his chest wrapping her arms around his waist. Tohru pressed her face against him trying her best to keep her tears and concern inside. In a way she was being a hypocrite since she didn't want to cry and make him worry. Yuki stayed silent stoking her back gently. This girl, she was something else. She was the first person to show this much concern over an injury of his. Maybe that was one reason he didn't tell her he was hurt because he wasn't used to telling anyone he was hurt. That and because he preferred to see her smile than cry with concern.

"You're welcome…" Tohru whispered blinking away her tears.

That concluded his small adventure to show her what she wanted most. At least what they both thought she desired most at the moment but on closer inspection it clearly wasn't what her heart had ached for all this time. The two of them sat their in each other's embrace, the graves and flowers completely forgotten and pushed aside. In the depth of her mind what they both longed for was this small sense of security; the tender engulfment of safety they felt as soon as they were around each other. It was true that finding her parents was important, but it was more explicit how much more being with this silver haired man meant. Her parents still harbored parts of her heart but subconsciously she had given the rest of it to Yuki…

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Yuki stumbled into the castle shortly after dropping Tohru off. He didn't feel well anymore. Holding onto the wall for support he stared at his left hand that was now pink and swollen. Yuki slowly unwound the bandage which was coated in sticky blood. The sight was disgusting; his cut had turned a dark purple, a bright red border surrounded it. Dried blood was smeared across his palm. The last thing he noticed before he collapsed to the ground was the pink lines running across his hand. Everything around him faded into the dark abyss.

Do not fear! Yuki is... not gonna die since there is no way there are four hundred more pages of this story for me to type if I killed Yuki. But as for the question I asked a couple chapters back it was a close call between an OC and Akito. You'll find out who won in chap 16 I think. So review! Oh and please tell me your opinion on this Should Machi-chan (Who does not even appear until like page 200) be paired up with Momiji-kun or left alone?