Hi, friends! It's been over a year since I've updated... I am so sorry. I'm so grateful for your continuous support despite my lack of updates. I will eventually finish this fanfic no matter how long it takes. I'm trying to get back into writing for this fic, so I'm sorry if this chapter is lackluster compared to any other chapter I've written. I'm getting back into the swing of things. Thanks again and I hope to update you guys again soon!

Weeks: 15

Three weeks had passed since Tohru's return to school. During that time, not much had changed; Tohru and Kyo were still treated like outcasts. The two were no longer bothered by the isolation; in fact, the isolation had made them more comfortable with each other. Having only each other to talk to, Tohru and Kyo had gotten closer.

Meanwhile, Yuki had yet to set things straight with Tohru, but the rice ball didn't mind. She wasn't one to enjoy confrontations, so she was glad that the matter of their relationship could be avoided. She wasn't sure how she felt anymore and thinking about it only made her feel anxious.

Tohru had been busy every day of each week with making up schoolwork, so she hadn't had much time to enjoy herself. Today was the first time in a while that she could do something other than schoolwork.

The trio headed out to do some grocery shopping. What had once been a simple chore became a much-needed vacation.

"Yuki-kun, can you pick up the vegetable oil and spices? Kyo-kun, can you pick up the rice? I'll go get the fruits and vegetables," said Tohru while pushing along the grocery cart, her flowy yellow top swaying as she did so.

The store was busy as shoppers fumbled around to grab their groceries and find the best deals. Even so, the rice ball had a tranquil smile on her face that felt foreign to her; she hadn't been relaxed for so long. It feels so nice to be out and holding something other than a pencil in my hand.

Yuki, mesmerized by the rice ball's smile, gazed at the rice ball, causing the girl to blush and smile shyly.

"Are you okay, Yuki-kun?" inquired the brunette, a baby pink tint on her cheeks.

The prince jolted back into reality. "Y-Yes. Here, I'll take the cart. It must be difficult to push around."

"I'm fine! I'm not that weak, you know," said the brunette, a hint of playfulness in her voice.

The prince smiled, his usually cold grey eyes warm and kind. "I know."

The cat scratched his head at the couple and shook off feelings of jealousy. "I'll go get the rice, then."

"Ah, right! Ehe I almost forgot about shopping," said Tohru, smiling to herself. I'm in such a great mood today! Hm, maybe my mood swings are acting up again. Just yesterday I was feeling so down. "I'll go grab fruits and vegetables. Remember, Yuki-kun, vegetable oil and spices."

The rat nodded and watched the rice ball turn around and wheel away the cart.

Tohru slowly made her way down the aisle, but spotted a little boy in a shopping cart. How cute! The rice ball stopped and waved to the toddler who giggled and bounced enthusiastically in response.

The toddler's father held the shopping cart in place while his mother grabbed packs of diapers. After placing the pack into the cart, the mother patted the child's head and smiled at her husband.

They seem happy. The rice ball watched the complete family, seeing herself in the scene with her own child. She would one day push along a shopping cart with her baby bouncing in the cart seat. She imagined showering her baby with kisses and hugs, stopping only to smile at Kyo-kun, who somehow ended up in her daydream. Tohru snapped out of her picturesque fantasy. Why did I imagine Kyo-kun as the papa? Is that what I truly want...? Ugh, no way! I can't let myself predetermine who the father is! Besides, I'm equally okay with either Yuki-kun or Kyo-kun being the father... I think...

The brunette stared off into space, lost in her own thoughts. Yuki, having stayed in the same spot rather than actually completing his given task, watched the rice ball. He wondered what she was thinking.

A woman bumped into the zoned-out Tohru, who fell to the ground.

"Hey, watch it!" snapped the lady. "What do you think you're doing just standing around in the middle of the lane?"

Tohru scrambled to get back on her feet. "S-Sorry!"

Yuki, who watched the whole ordeal, couldn't help but feel anger. He marched over and helped the rice ball up.

"You should've watched where you were going," said the prince to the woman, his tone cold and sharp.

The woman rolled her eyes at his words but immediately apologized after falling for his perfect features. "You-you're right! I should've been more careful. I'm sorry, Miss!"

The brunette took the rat's outstretched hand and stood up. "It's no problem, really! I'm sorry for standing there. I guess I zoned out for a bit!"

The grey-haired prince was still clearly upset and firmly held onto Tohru's hand. "It is a problem. You're carrying a baby and need to be careful."

"Y-You're right. But, it's not this lady's fault." The rice ball turned to the woman and gave an apologetic smile. "Please return to your shopping. Everything is fine now."

The woman nodded, still awestruck by the prince's beauty. She walked away, leaving the rice ball and rat to their conversation.

Tohru slowly slid her hand out of the rat's grasp. He looked at her with hurt in his eyes. His sad gaze pained the brunette, who immediately felt bad for rejecting his affection. She reached out her hand to hold his again, but he pulled away from her, quickly grabbing the shopping cart.

"I'll push the cart. Please lead the way," said Yuki, avoiding the rice ball's gaze. Tohru nodded and walked in front of the cart without another word to keep from making matters worse.

The silence between the two lovers felt strangely awkward. The air felt heavy with words both people wished to say but could not explicitly articulate. The two were too immature to handle a relationship, yet, in a few months, they would be forced to handle the life of another human being.

Yuki was the first to break the silence. "Honda-san," he said, reverting back to his formal speech. "I love you."

His sudden, impactful words made the rice ball come to an abrupt stop. She could feel her heart pounding against her chest, resonating deep in her ears. She slowly turned around to face him, clutching her chest tightly. Do I love him? How do I know what love feels like...? Tears brimmed her eyes as she managed to choke out a hesitant response, "I'm sorry."

The prince gave her a gentle smile. "You don't have to be. Just know that I love you, Honda-san. I love you so much that... I'm ending it with you. We're not ready for this yet, so let's focus on becoming good parents before..." He hesitated but forced himself to continue. "...developing a relationship."

The rice ball breathed a sigh of relief. I feel so free... I'm sorry Yuki-kun. I'm not mature enough to know how to love someone as wonderful as you. She smiled as tears dropped down from her glossy blue eyes. "Does that mean..." Tohru wiped away her tears and laughed. "...you're breaking up with me in a grocery store?"

Yuki chuckled. "I guess so."

He smiled through the heartbreak. He had hoped that maybe Tohru would respond with the words he so longed to hear: "I love you, too." Instead, he had heard "I'm sorry." He felt that smiling would be the only way to keep himself from breaking down. Tohru, I will always be ready for you to come back. I will always be in love with you.

The trio returned home with the groceries. Kyo felt out of the loop as he watched the interaction between the former lovers. They somehow seemed happier and more carefree. I guess their relationship is great again. At least things don't feel awkward anymore around the house.

"Honda-san, Kyo and I will take care of groceries. Please go upstairs and rest."

The rice ball smiled and thanked the two boys. Normally, she would have refused help; however, as her pregnancy progressed, she couldn't seem to fight the constant exhaustion she felt.

The brunette headed upstairs and decided to give Shigure a quick greeting before heading to her room.

"Shigure-san," called Tohru, knocking on the dog's door. She heard shuffling behind the door and a loud yelp. "Sh-Shigure-san, are you okay in there?"

The door slid open, revealing a very disheveled Shigure standing at the entrance.

"Hello, my flower," said the dog zodiac in his best cheerful voice. However, his bloodshot eyes and croaky voice conveyed a very different tone.

Tohru stared deep into his black pools, her face full of concern. "Were you... crying?"

Shigure chuckled, his voice empty of any genuine amusement. "No, of course not! A tough guy like me doesn't cry."

"Please, tell me the truth. Why are you upset?"

"For someone as oblivious as you, you sure are sharp to others' feelings." Shigure ran his fingers through his jet-black hair and sighed. "Someone I love is very sick."

"I see... I'm sorry, Shigure-san. You don't have to continue if you don't want to."

Shigure shook his head. "No, it's fine. You would've found out eventually anyway. This person is someone I have always loved. She used to be a wonderful woman, but she's changed. She's just a monster who hurts others now... Still, I feel drawn to her. I don't want to care about her, but I do. For everything she's done, she deserves this sickness, but I can't stand the thought of her dying. I'd be broken if she were gone."

The rice ball teared up, moved by Shigure's love for the sick woman. "I-I didn't know you were in l-love with someone."

The dog zodiac smiled and used his thumb to wipe away the brunette's tears. "I didn't mean to make you cry. Don't worry. I have enough love to go around. Soon enough, you'll be first place in my heart."

"Don't j-joke like that," cried the rice ball as she sobbed into her hands.

Too bad I'm not kidding. Good thing you're oblivious.

"There, there. I think I'll pay her a visit. Maybe my feelings will be laid to rest after I visit her." See you soon, Akito.

Somehow, the distraught dog zodiac ended up being the one comforting the comforter.