Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Oh look! ANOTHER SEQUEL! =P This story continues the interesting twist in Tohru and Hatsuharu's relationship...I.M. and Truth and Consequence...now five years into the future. Very little lemon planned, but it will appear (even if I have to kill the plot to do it ^^). Each part is told from a different point of view (POV).

Part One - A LETTER FOR TOHRU

"Tohru-chan, hold still."

"Ah, gomen, Kagura-san. But my feet are starting to hurt in these shoes."

"I told you to wear flat shoes instead of heels," Kagura replies.

"Gomen ne...."

Another voice, somewhat muffled, adds, "I need you to wear them so I can finish pinning the dress for Ayame."

"Aa, I know, Mine-san...but...."

"Just a few more minutes," Mine replies. With a sigh of relief she sits back on her heals, pleased with her work. "There! Now turn around. I want to make sure it's even."

"Oh, you look gorgeous, Tohru-chan! It's perfect."

I do a small spin, catching only a brief glimpse of myself in the mirror. The person reflected back at me, wearing the long white gown with sequins and lace, her hair neatly pinned and curled, looks not at all familiar.

The dress is more formfitting than I'd like, but the skirt flares at my hips, giving it the desired effect as I twirl and it wraps around my ankles and feet. The sleeves are all lace from shoulder to wrist. The neckline is rather steep...at least for me...but the most revealing part of the dress is the back.

There simply isn't one!

I'm not used to such finery. I had wanted something simple yet decorative. Something more like...well, like me. After stores of nothing, Ayame finally convinced me that HE would put together the perfect dress. I tried to refuse but he insisted. Only the best for Princess Tohru, he'd said. And how could I refuse him, knowing this would be the best present he could ever give me.

My own wedding gown.

And he was right. It is the perfect dress.

I'm just not sure if it's the perfect dress for me.

"Kawaii! Ayame will be so pleased it turned out this well," Mine squeals happily next to Kagura. They're both happy for me. And I'm happy they're happy.

"Go ahead and take your shoes off," Mine instructs me. "Kagura, help me with the dress."

"Hai!"

My feet throb happily as my shoes are taken off. Lifting my arms, I allow Mine and Kagura to take the dress off. I feel lighter now with the dress gone and I sigh in temporary relief, collapsing into a chair before I start to dress again.

Perhaps I'm simply stressing over the situation too much. Planning a wedding takes a lot of time and energy. Especially trying to plan a wedding in just six months. Besides, it's normal to get the jitters the day before your wedding. At least, that's what Uo-chan and Hana-chan told me over the phone this morning.

But...I've had these jitters for the past five years.

Ever since HE left I've felt...I don't know...unwanted? No that's not right. I think...I think I've felt...unloved. Yes, that's it. Which is a silly notion really. The others care, I know they do. Even if they don't know the truth behind it all. Still, I didn't realize how much I depended on HIS strength of will. HIS courage. HIS love.

And as suddenly as I'd found it, it was gone.

Haru, how are you? Are you doing well?

"Tohru, hurry! Or we'll miss the bus!" Kagura calls to me.

"Hai! Coming!"

Shigure, Yuki and Kyo were a great help, supporting me in my effort to go to a community college for culinary arts. All they knew is that Haru was going to a new school. It was sudden and quite strange, but none of them were going to question Akito's authority.

Not even me.

Yuki was especially strong for me in those first few months after Haru had left. I think he mistook my crying -- all those tears -- for those of a wounded friend and not those of a broken hearted lover. Perhaps it made no difference to him. It made little difference to me in the end. He cared for me at a time when I needed to be cared for. That's what mattered.

Maybe that's why I agreed to marry him.

Yuki asked me out on an official date after our first year in college. We saw each other on and off since he went to school in Tokyo and I still lived with Shigure. We kept our relationship quiet for a while, then just before Christmas, we revealed ourselves to the family. The only person unhappy was Akito.

But he didn't say a word. Not one. How odd.

Finally, after my second year in school, I was able to get a place of my own. Shigure was sad to see me leave, but he helped to move my things into my new apartment. Kyo and Kagura, who had recently started dating, also helped. Yuki took a few days off of school to come home and help me move. I told him it was too much trouble, but he told me it was worth it.

"Are you sure you'll get home okay from here?" Kagura asks me as we step off the bus. If she noticed my lack of attention on the bus, then she didn't mention it.

I nod, smiling. "Hai. It's only a short walk."

"I'll see you tomorrow morning then." She gives me a tight hug before running off down the street to Shigure's house. I begin walking to my apartment in the opposite direction. My thoughts still torment me.

We spent that first night in my apartment together, Yuki and I. Together, together. Intimately together. It was both relieving and bittersweet. An enjoyable experience to be sure. But while I poured my heart into our lovemaking, I was never so glad that Yuki couldn't hold me when it was over. I cried myself to sleep that night, thinking about what we'd done.

Thinking about Haru.

Haru, I miss you.

Don't get me wrong. I love Yuki. He has so many of the qualities Haru did...still does, I hope. And I know Yuki loves me. He tells me so every day either through email or on the phone. Sometimes even in person. It's just...not the same kind of love, I think. He's more than a friend, but I can't quite think of him as Haru. No, not as Haru. He could never be Haru.

Maybe that's the problem.

When he asked me to marry him six months ago, so many things went through my head. Memories of Yuki and I. Memories of Haru and I. I loved Yuki...still love him, really, but I was also still in love with Haru. I wanted to wait for him, hoping beyond hope that he would one day return to me. But Yuki had taken such good care of me. I knew, beyond a doubt, that Yuki would stick by me no matter what. He would never leave my side.

Still Haru's touch haunts my thoughts, his image ghostly in the back of my mind. I loved Haru. I wanted him. STILL want him. STILL love him.

My heart stopped beating for that one instant. I opened up my mouth, uncertain of what to say. My eyes were wide in their usual surprised way and he smiled up at me, waiting patiently. It wasn't until I found it difficult to breath that I gave him my answer.

"Yes."

And it nearly tore my heart apart.

In that one instant I felt like I'd betrayed Haru.

I feel the need to confront Yuki with the truth, but I've promised not to tell anyone. No one knows the truth behind Haru's disappearance except for Haru and myself.

Maybe it's time someone else did.

I can't go through with this pretense anymore.

I don't want to hurt Yuki, though.

"Tohru?"

A male voice stuns me from my thoughts and I realize that I've walked from the bus stop all the way to my apartment. I'm just inches from bumping into an equally startled young man. Long gray hair. Warm violet eyes. It takes me a moment to realize who it is.

"Ah! Yuki! Gomen nasai!"

He smiles back at me. I've come to find comfort in that smile. Love it, even. "It's all right. I left work early. I was...hoping that I could take you to lunch."

"Lunch?" A quick glance at my watch tells me it's almost one. "S-sure. Just let me collect my things and we'll be on our way."

"All right." As he steps aside, I pick up the mail sitting on the hallway floor. I look through the envelopes carefully, noting that my credit card bill is due. As I unlock the door of my apartment, I notice a small envelope tucked away between two large flyers. I set my stuff on the kitchen counter and pull the envelope from it's hiding place.

"Have a seat, Yuki. I shouldn't be but a moment."

I hear him give a grunt in reply, then the squeal of my couch indicates that he's sitting. I make my way to the bathroom, carefully examining the envelope. There's no return address. I wonder who it could be from. The postmark is from Germany. Maybe it's Momiji writing to tell of his graduate degree!

As I sit down on the toilet seat and pull out the letter, a sudden feeling of dread and excitement overcomes me. Opening the letter I begin to read:

Dearest Tohru,

I do hope this letter finds you well. I wish I could've written sooner, but I didn't think it was safe. I understand that congratulations are in order. Please don't think I'm mad at you. I'm actually glad that you have found someone else who can make you happy. And who better than my cousin.

I'll be in town the day before your wedding. My flight should be arriving at the airport just before 3PM. I'm hoping that I'll get a chance to see you before your wedding. Even if just for a second. It would mean that much to me.

I will love you forever my little flower.

Take care of yourself and be happy with Yuki.

All my love,

Haru

I don't even realize I've started to cry until I see a tear fall down onto the letter, smearing the ink there. It startles me back into reality. Where am I again? What am I doing? Oh yes! I'm in my bathroom. Getting ready for lunch with Yuki.

My heart lurches. Haru's coming to town. He's coming home. And he wants to see me! It's all ready one o'clock now. If I go to lunch with Yuki I can still make it to the airport by three. But didn't he say he left work early? What if he didn't plan on going back to work? Then I wouldn't be able to see Haru at all!

Is that too selfish of me?

But then, the opposite is also true. I can't meet with Haru and keep it a secret from Yuki. My mind tells me I can, but my heart says 'no way!'. I just...can't.

I'm tired of secrets.

Folding the letter, I tuck it into the waistband of my skirt before leaving the bathroom. My tears have subsided, but a few stragglers remain. I wipe them away from my cheeks as I walk down the hallway to my living room where Yuki is waiting.

It's time.

"Yuki?"

He looks up at me with that charming smile. But as soon as he sees my red eyes, it disappears. He stands from the couch and is by my side in three strides. Taking one of my hands in his, he looks at me with nothing but pure concern and love.

"Tohru, what is it? What's wrong?"

Kami, I'm going to hate breaking his heart.

~TO BE CONTINUED~