Chapter 13: A Sudden Proposal

It was cold again, which I suppose was normal considering the New Year's celebration was just a day away. Oh mom, I'm so nervous. It'll be the first time I went to a party with a family so big as the Sohma's. What if I don't wear the right thing or I say something that offends someone. I mean I'm sure they aren't….

"Tohru." I jumped and spun around. Sure enough Akito was right there and I bumped right into him.

"Akito, you scared me… okay maybe not scared, scared more like just startled, but that's not right here. What I mean is that I didn't hear you coming and… I'm rambling again."

"Which must mean you were thinking too hard. You're going to get yourself sick over those stupid animals yet again. It's just New Years."

"How did you know I was thinking about New Years?"

"Because you're so predictable."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. I just… I never went to something as big as…" He kissed me again and I felt my face turn red yet again. I really need to work on not being so embarrassed. I'm sure mom kissed dad all the time, but they were married….

"I'm sure they'll be just as foolishly happy to see you as you are to see them so stop concerning yourself so much. It's annoying." I smiled. Akito really was a good person. He just had a harder time showing it then most, but he always seemed to know what I needed even if he did speak a little roughly sometimes.

"I hope they're happy to see me. It's been so long since I've seen them all, you know?"

"That stupid rabbit is here all the time."

"I guess that's true but I haven't seen Kagura, Hatsuharu, or…"

"I get it." I smiled as we went into the house. Oh, mom I'm so happy.

"Are you hungry? I could go make something to… eat. Um… Akito?" He was looking at me so intensely, I guess I hadn't really expected it. He really was handsome especially when he smiled which he did so rarely. He kissed me and this time was different somehow. My heart started pounding really fast, I thought I'd faint.

He pushed me back against the wall. "I'm not hungry..."

"Oh." I shivered. I never felt quite like this before and I had a feeling things were really going to move fast if I didn't say something. It's not that I didn't want to be with Akito like that, but we weren't even married and I… wow… no wait… um… How did I end up on the floor? "Akito, wait…" I didn't even recognI never felt quite like this before and I had a feeling things were really going to move fast if I didn't say something. It's not that I didn't want to be with Akito like that, but we weren't even married and I… wow… no wait… um… How did I end up on the floor? "Akito, wait…" I didn't even recognize my voice. It was so airy.

"What?" I pushed him back a little bit and tried to catch my breath. I guess I never expected things to move so fast. I mean we did love each other and we even lived together which was almost like being married right? But wait mom always said that some things really should wait until things are for certain, not that I doubted Akito's intention. I just… "Tohru?"

"I think we should wait before um…. Well, mom always said that some things should wait for marriage and well we aren't married yet… I mean maybe I'm wrong but it seems well…."

"So marry me." He said it just like that. He really was a lot bolder than most. I never really expected it, but he meant what he said. I could see it in his eyes. I really wanted to answer, but another part of me really needed a moment to think.

"Please excuse me." I slipped out of his hold and went to my room shutting the door behind me. Oh mom, this is so much to take in. I was nervous enough about New Years and now this.

I sat down on the floor and thought about things. Everything was just so new to me. I mean in just a year I'd lost my family again… at least I thought I did, I fell in love with Akito, and I moved into the main house. Now he asked me to marry him and I wanted to. I really did but I had to take a moment to breathe. I hope he didn't take offense to it.

Akito has done so much for me. He listened to me rambling even if he thought it was annoying, and he made me feel things I never felt before. He even comforted me when I was upset and stuck up for me when I was angry. Then again he always kind of seemed mad at the Sohma's, but hopefully that'll change. I hope so especially if I'm going to marry him… but I haven't said yes yet.

Oh, I hope he doesn't think I rejected him. It's just the way things were going I almost…. Oh no. I really hope he's not mad or upset or something especially with tomorrow being such a big day. I guess I should talk to him, be bold…. Well as bold as I can be.

Alright, I opened the door and went back to his room. His door was shut… okay. "Akito, can I talk to you?" He didn't answer. I sighed, I guess he really was upset. Maybe I should talk to him tomorrow… no, I made up my mind. Mom always told me to finish what I started. Maybe that doesn't apply here… I've made up my mind. I opened the door and looked around. "Akito… oh."

He was sleeping. Maybe everything that happened made him tired. He looked so peaceful. I sat down next to him and brushed his bangs away from his face. He really was a good person, even if the others didn't see it yet, I was certain they would eventually.

I leaned down and kissed him softly. He woke up and I pulled away. I hadn't meant to wake him, I guess I just… I have to tell him.

"What do you want?" I guess he was mad at me.

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry if it seems I ran away, I was just really nervous and things were getting so… you know… and um… I'm rambling again. I know you hate that I just…"

"Yes or no, Tohru." He said simply.

"Yes, I'll marry you."

"That wasn't so hard now was it?" Akito looked at me a moment and I felt my face get really red again.

"Since you're up, I guess I'll go get dinner started." I excused myself before he could say anthing else. I guess I was more nervous than I thought. Even so I couldn't help but smile. Oh mom, it's good to be in love.

(A.N. Well it's been awhile. I hope you like this chapter. I think they'll be one or two more. Please read and review ^_^)