Back with the next chapter of LLF! Enjoy!

Weeks: 8

"I'd make you my woman, Honda-san."

Tohru's vision blurred from the cloud of smoke filling the room. A black school uniform hit the floor. Once the smoke cleared, Tohru could see a furry white animal clinging onto her shoulder, his face buried into her shirt. She was too embarrassed to look at him. She kept her focus on the picture frame on the wall straight ahead.

Does he really see me as a woman?

Someone might have mistaken the brunette for a statue. She couldn't do anything but stand there, dumbfounded, while Yuki held onto her.

Yuki stared up into the face of the girl he loved. His large grey eyes flickered with passion and feeling; however, Tohru's empty eyes stared into a distant place, her cheeks tinted pink.

The rat let go of the rice ball, falling to the floor with agility.

"Honda-san," he called.

Tohru flinched. Her eyes wandered until they locked with his. She immediately averted his stare.

"Y-Yes, Yu-Yuki-kun?"

"What do you think of me?"

"You're a..." She paused. She gave her response some thought. "You're a kind person."

The rat sighed. "You know what I mean, Honda-san. Please answer my question from before. Do you see me as a man? I mean, not literally, since I'm obviously not human right now but... Can you imagine a future with me?"

"I..." The brunette was blushing profusely. She could hear how fast her pulse was in her ear.

She took a moment to think about her relationship with Yuki. She had always relied on him when she was in times of trouble, even when she didn't want to rely on him. Occasionally, he would do things that stirred strange feelings in the pit of her stomach. Wherever he touched her, her skin would burn and tingle for minutes after the contact was over. Was that what having a "crush" was like?

"I think of Yuki-kun as... a man," whispered Tohru. She jumped at her own surprise of saying that out loud. She clutched the end of her shirt, forming a big lump of cloth in her palm. Please, Yuki-kun, act like you didn't hear me... Please...

There was silence. Maybe he really didn't hear me. She let go of her shirt, all wrinkled up now thanks to her grip.

The rice ball decided to leave quickly before he could formulate what she said.

"I'm... I'm going to take a bit of a rest," stammered the rice ball, bolting down the hallway leading to her room.

"Wait!" called Yuki. There was a puff of smoke and a naked boy. He grabbed his pants and pulled them on, chasing after the brunette whilst pulling down his shirt.

The brunette sighed and slowly turned around, afraid of seeing a nude teenage boy. When she saw the prince fully clothed and human again, she was extremely relieved. His grey strands were tousled from his quick clothing change, making Tohru blush even more. Now that I think about it, Yuki-kun is very attractive with a slightly messy image... What am I thinking right now? I've lost it.

"Did you mean it when you said you see me as a man?" asked Yuki, his excitement obvious.

Tohru cringed and mentally hit herself. "Y-You heard that?"

Yuki nodded and pointed to his ears, giving the rice ball a mischievous grin. "Rats have great hearing."

"Ah, right..."

Yuki took a step closer to the brunette. Her foot moved back hesitantly. Before she could back away, he clutched Tohru's hand.

"Please date me, Honda-san."

"What? Date?!"

Yuki put a finger to Tohru's lips. "Shh. Kyo might hear you. Cats have better hearing than rats."

"Yuki-kun, this is so sudden! I-I-"

Yuki smirked. "Well, I was going to ask you to marry me, Honda-san, but I thought you might pass out if I asked."

"Marry?!" Tohru felt dizzy.

Yuki shushed her again.

"Calm down, Honda-san. Your yelling may not be good for the babies."

"Ah, okay... Yuki-kun... I don't know about us two dating. We both have more important things to worry about... and what about Kyo-kun?"

Yuki scowled. "What about him? Why should he matter when we're the ones deciding we want a relationship?" Yuki glanced curiously at the rice ball. "Unless, you have feelings for my cousin?"

Tohru stared at the rat, not saying a word. It took her a moment before responding.

"N-No, of course not," she mumbled. "It's ju-"

"Then it should be fine, right? Us dating?"

Tohru bit her lip and looked towards the ground. But, Kyo-kun...

Yuki sighed, pushing locks of his grey hair out of his eyes. "Sorry, Honda-san. I'm being pushy, aren't I? I guess this is just the type of guy I am... my true self. It's ugly, isn't it?"

Tohru felt a tug at her chest.

"No, it's not ugly at all... I actually like hearing your honest feelings. It makes me feel closer to you, Yuki-kun."

Yuki blushed. "I-I'm only like this because it's you."

The rat's face became serious again. He brushed his thumb against the rice ball's cheek.

"I felt like I was being awakened today, Honda-san. Right when you so confidently said I wasn't the father." He held a strand of the brunette's hair between his thumb and index finger. "It made me realize how much I wanted to be loved by you."

His feelings are so soft and innocent.

"Why me?" asked the rice ball, her voice quiet.

The prince smiled. "You seem to be the only one who sees me as a real person. Everyone else views me as either just another cursed Sohma or a celebrity of some sorts."

"I see..."

"I'll take really good care of you and the babies, Honda-san. Please, just let me."

Yuki-kun would make a great dad... and he treats me well. He's almost perfect. Even with those lingering thoughts, Tohru still had doubts.

"I don't think you'd be very happy with me, though," said Tohru, blushing. "I don't know anything about love or dating."

Yuki laughed. "That's alright. We'll figure it out as we go."

Tohru took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. She ignored her hesitation. She opened up her eyes and smiled.

"Okay, Yuki-kun. Please just call me 'Tohru' from now on."

The prince blushed. His heart pounded faster than ever before. She's so cute.

"O-Okay... Hond- I mean, Tohru."

The cat lounging on the roof was restless. He had been trying to take a nap, but how could he? Especially when he could hear every word coming from the halls below him.

Tohru and the rat... together. I knew this would happen. Yuki wins again. And I lose... again.

He clenched his teeth. Tears streamed down his face, their heat stinging his skin. He hastily wiped them away with his forearm, burying his head between his knees.

"That... that damn rat," he muttered, his voice cracking.

He could still hear them talking in the house. About how they were going to keep this from Kyo. How it was none of his business. How his feelings didn't matter.

My feelings don't matter... When have they ever mattered? This damn curse. If it weren't for this curse, I would be a normal kid. Maybe I would even have friends. Maybe people would listen to me. Maybe I wouldn't be hated. Maybe I wouldn't even know who Tohru is. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

"I wish I never met that idiot. I wish I wasn't even born," mumbled Kyo.

He stayed up on the roof, pitying himself for a while longer until he heard the roof beneath him creak with careful footsteps.

"Kyo," called a chilly voice.

Kyo looked towards the source of the voice and glared. A grey haired boy stood on top of the roof, looming over Kyo. He sat down, a short distance away from the cat.

"Get outta here. This is the one place I have left. Do you have to take this, too?"

Yuki ignored the orange haired boy. "I know you heard us downstairs."

"Yeah."

There was silence.

Yuki cleared his throat. "I meant for you to hear it."

"I know," Kyo replied without missing a beat.

"I'll take good care of her. You know it's for the best."

The cat knew. He stayed silent.

Yuki sighed. "I'm... safer."

"I know. That's the only reason why I didn't barge in down there," admitted the orange-haired boy, suppressing his anger. The cat's true form is too dangerous... curse this true form shit!

Yuki stared at his hands awkwardly. "Thanks for not doing that. You would've shaken her. She likes you... a lot more than I thought she did. Thank for losing to me for her sake."

"That makes me feel worse."

Yuki laughed. Kyo looked up, shocked.

"Listen, I'm not liking this 'brotherly moment' type thing, so can you just freakin' leave?"

Yuki sighed and stood up. He felt the need to apologize, though. Even he knew that he didn't deserve this victory. He shook himself of the feeling.

This is the best for Honda-san-I mean, Tohru.

He left, trying to convince himself that this really was the best for the rice ball. It wasn't working.

A few hours had passed, and Tohru was preparing for a walk. She had read that daily exercise was good for pregnant women, so she decided to start walking.

Everyone's had dinner, so I'm sure Yuki-kun and Kyo-kun will be fine while I'm gone. Tohru gleefully rubbed her belly. It's time for some alone time with mommy!

Tohru stepped out of the house, shuddering from the chill. The nights were getting colder as fall came closer. She hugged her body tightly, rubbing her warm hands over her arms.

Just when she was thinking about retrieving her jacket, a small blanket was draped over her shoulders.

"It's cold out here, Honda-san," said Yuki's gentle voice.

Tohru smiled, immediately recognizing the prince's voice. She turned around and gave him a playful smile.

"I thought I told you to call me by my first name," said the rice ball, readjusting the blanket.

Yuki blushed. "Sorry... Tohru."

The rice ball lit up. "Would you like to walk with me, Yuki-kun?"

"Of course."

"We haven't visited the secret base in a long time. I think it's time to pay the leeks a visit," said the rice ball, walking alongside Yuki.

"That's a good idea. But I didn't plant anything over the summer since I knew it wouldn't rain that much this year."

"It's alright! I want to visit, anyway. I feel at peace whenever we go to the secret base."

The new couple treaded the forest trails that felt so familiar.

"Can we... hold hands, Tohru?"

"Yes..."

Yuki fumbled around in the dark to look for the brunette's hand. He finally found it, lacing his fingers with hers. Her hand is so warm... This night doesn't seem so cold anymore.

"Tell me when you get tired... A woman carrying twins may get tired more easily."

The rice ball laughed. "I will."

A few minutes later, Tohru was completely out of breath.

"Yuki-kun... can we..." Tohru took a gulp of air. "slow down?"

"O-Of course! Why didn't you tell me earlier if you were getting tired?"

"Heh. I thought... I could do it."

The rat led her to a nearby boulder, helping her sit on top of it.

Tohru sighed. "I'm only 8 weeks in and I'm already feeling pretty tired. Plus, I'm getting much bigger by the day."

Yuki had been noticing how quickly the twins were growing. Tohru's swollen abdomen was getting easier to spot, even when she wore baggy clothing.

"Can I feel your stomach?" Yuki was fascinated by the twins' rapid growth.

The brunette blushed. "Okay. But, there's no kicking or anything, yet. I read that I won't feel anything until I'm about 20 weeks."

Yuki reached out his arm and placed his hand on Tohru's abdomen. He couldn't feel anything, but still, he felt happy.

Tohru placed her hand over Yuki's.

"Babies, meet Yuki-kun." She struggled with how to introduce him. "He's... one of your papa's."

"Hi," mumbled Yuki, still fascinated. He looked up at Tohru. "How big do you think they are?"

"Each one is about 4 centimeters. Isn't that so tiny? But my belly is still this big." Tohru stared at the ground, no longer smiling. "I'm sure Kyo-kun would like to feel the twins, too. He's just too embarrassed to ask."

Yuki frowned at the mention of Kyo. Even when we're alone, Kyo somehow ends up here in a way. Maybe I should just change the topic.

"Should we give them nicknames?"

Tohru's gloomy expression disappeared, and her excitement returned.

"We should! I've been thinking about it for a while, but I never actually found cute names I liked."

Yuki rubbed his chin in thought. "What are your favorite fruits?"

"Mmm... I really like all sorts of fruits! But, I have to say that strawberries are at the top, along with peaches."

"Then how about Ichigo and Momo?"

"That's really cute! Baby A can be Ichigo and Baby B can be Momo. Plus, ichi means one, so it makes sense for Baby A to be Ichigo. I really like it, Yuki-kun."

Yuki smiled. After all of the stress he endured during the day, he really needed this time with Tohru.

"It's getting dark. Maybe we should go back," said Yuki, looking up at the sky.

"Okay. We'll visit the secret base another time."

Tohru quietly groaned as she pushed herself up from the rock.

"Careful," said the rat zodiac.

"Haha, I..." The rice ball stopped mid-sentence. Her ears perked up. "Did you hear that?"

Yuki nodded. It must be Kyo. "It's probably nothing. Let's go."

Tohru didn't budge. "It sounds like my name."

The voice became more prominent. "Tohru! Are you here?"

The rice ball walked towards the sound without hesitation.

"Honda-I mean, Tohru! Wait!"

Tohru didn't stop. It's Kyo-kun, definitely.

"Kyo-kun! Is that you?" she yelled.

A beam of light got closer and closer. The light shone directly into her eyes.

"Ow," said the rice ball, shielding her eyes.

"Sorry!" The light moved. "It's me, Kyo."

There was Kyo, holding a flashlight.

"Ah, Kyo-kun! I thought I heard your voice. What are you doing out here?"

"I came to... look for you," he mumbled.

"What was that?"

"I came to look for you! Jeez. What kind of girl leaves the house during the night by herself?"

Tohru bit her lip. I should've told Kyo-kun... now he's angry.

The rice ball fiddled with a strand of her hair. "Were you worrying about me, Kyo-kun?"

"I... yeah, I guess. Kinda."

Tohru blushed. I feel so happy and warm...

"I'm sorry... I should've told you before I left. But, Yuki-kun is with me, so I'm okay."

"Oh, I see..."

"Tohru!" called Yuki, out of breath.

Kyo abruptly turned and started walking.

"Wait! Kyo-kun!"

Tohru went to go after him, but Yuki grabbed her arm.

"Just let him leave. Let's walk back home slowly together."

Tohru half-heartedly nodded, still looking at the spot where Kyo had stood just a moment ago.

Yuki sighed.

"Even thought we're dating now," muttered the frustrated rat. "you still can't get over that cat, can you? I guess it'll take time."

"Huh?"

"Nothing. Let's go."

And that's the end of this chapter. Please favorite and review, etc.. I'll try to upload a new chapter soon.