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. No lemon in this part, and it's told from...well, I'm sure you'll figure it out.

Part Two - HONESTY AND AGONY

Lillies.

That's what her couch smells like. Just like her hair. I wonder what shampoo she's using now.

With a sigh I feel myself relax into the couch. It's in serious need of repair, but the cushions are just comfortable. Closing my eyes, I lean my head back, my mind wondering through the events of the day so far.

I know I've surprised Tohru with wanting to take her to lunch, but I couldn't sit at my desk for anther minute. Work is relatively boring. I would've thought being an architect would be more exciting. Working for Momiji's father isn't helping either. I'm still trying to get away from the Sohmas. But the harder I try the more I get pulled back in. I hate it.

The only good thing is that I now have the one thing I've always wanted most in my life. Her name is Tohru Honda.

And tomorrow's our wedding day.

I'm vaguely aware that the bathroom door has opened and there are footsteps in the hall. That awareness is still dull as I hear Tohru's soft step approach me. I smile lazily through my daze of thoughts and lift my head to look at her.

"Yuki?"

My awareness quickly sharpens as I notice Tohru's red-rimmed eyes. She's crying. Or at the very least she WAS crying. There are still tears in her eyes, clinging there, waiting to be shed.

My body acts of its own accord, carrying my upward from the couch and to Tohru's side in several long strides. My mind, meanwhile, goes into overdrive, trying to think of a cause, a solution.

I know she's emotional and that the wedding has her stressed to her limit, but she was fine when she arrived. What could've happened in such a short time to set her off? Did something happen at Ayame's? I'll never forgive him if he's said or done anything to offend my fiancée.

I take one of her hands in mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Tohru, what is it? What's wrong?"

She closes her eyes, the tears falling faster now. Her face contorts into a grimace that looks almost painful. A loud sob escapes from her and her body seems to limp. I grasp onto her shoulder with my free hand hoping to hold her up. With the other I lead her over to the sofa and sit her down gently. She doesn't want to let go of my hand however, so I sit down beside her.

Resting her forehead on my shoulder she chokes out. "Gomen, Yuki. Gomen."

It's difficult to make out what she's saying through the tears, but I know she's apologizing. What is she apologizing for, I wonder? I want to know what it is that's bothering her. I want to make it better. I hate seeing her cry.

Resting my cheek on the top of her head, I let out a frustrated sigh. Grasping her right hand in my left on top of her thigh, my right hand begins to lightly caress her left shoulder and neck. There's closeness in this position. It's the closest we've ever come to hugging each other without triggering my transformation. Familiarity and warmth all in one. But the warmth is dowsed by her continuing tears.

I have to get her to tell me what was wrong!

"Gomen, Yuki." Her tears take a few minutes to subside, then she raises her head from my shoulder. She tries to smile but I know it's forced.

"Tohru, what's wrong? Please tell me."

She nods as if to agree, allowing the last of her sobs to disappear before speaking again. "There's something I want to tell you."

My stomach plummets automatically. There are a number of reasons running through my head now. Some of them are better than others, but there are two that stick out most prominently in my mind.

She found out that she's pregnant.

Or she's seeing someone else.

The last seemed damn near impossible, but I couldn't get it out of my head.

As she sits up, wiping away the last of her tears, she gives me a serious look that I've never seen on her face before. My heart jumps into my throat and I find myself holding my breath until she speaks again.

"Yuki, I think you should know that...ummm...there is...was...someone else."

'Was.' My breath escapes between pressed lips, but my heart jumps further into my throat. My stomach is in knots and my muscles are frozen. I'm somewhat shocked, eyes wide as she continues to look at me with those serious eyes. Determined eyes. Such determination. What is going on?

"Tohru, we can--" We can work it out. We can do anything together.

"I'm the reason Haru had to leave five years ago, Yuki. It's all my fault."

I can't help but be confused as more tears appear in Tohru's eyes. Her fault? Akito told us that Haru had done something decidedly wrong. Therefore he was being sent away to school until he graduated. While we were curious as to what that "something" was, Haru would only smile and shake his head.

"It's a secret," he said.

Hatori knew no more than we did and Akito was not divulging details. Even Shigure, for all his planning, knew nothing of what had happened. Kisa and Hiro definitely knew nothing, and Rin, well she doesn't talk to me so there was no point in asking.

Momiji, however, seemed to know a little more than he let on. But the poor rabbit was so badly beaten by Akito, so frightened, that I doubt he would've been able to talk if he could've. Besides, Momiji was always good at keeping secrets.

Tohru's tears are starting to fall again. My silence must be cutting at her. I want to say something, but I'm truly at a loss.

"Why is it your fault, Tohru?"

"Because I'm in love with him," she says between sniffles. "He had to leave because he...Akito said...." The rest dies away on an emotional coaster of tears.

I'm truly shocked. I'm sure I look a sight right now, with wide eyes and a slack jaw. But it answered a few of the questions I had back then. The times Tohru was missing from lunch. The strange way Haru acted around her, the look in his eyes if someone even so much as looked at her the wrong way. They were seeing each other in secret. The realization was like a slap in the face.

And she's in love with him!

That's hitting below the belt, so to speak.

Her use of the present tense surprises me further. It's been five years. We've been seeing each other for more than three of those years. When she agreed to go out with me, I was thrilled beyond description. When she said she loved me, I knew I had her.

I never guessed that someone had stolen her heart long before I had the chance. I've been sharing her all along, and I never knew.

"Yuki?"

With a sigh, I try to collect what I can of myself. "H-hai?"

Her tears are clearing up, but she won't look me in the eye. "Gomen nasai."

I wish she'd stop apologizing. It was beyond her control, I'm certain. Beyond Haru's control, or anyone else's. Pushing my heart from my throat and trying to quiet the knot in my stomach, I take both of her hands in mine.

"Tell me. Tell me everything."

She's surprised by my kindness. I have to admit, I'm somewhat surprised myself. I never really wanted to share Tohru with anyone else. That's why I fought so hard against Kyo...although sometimes it wasn't even a challenge. I had thought that I could protect her. But I'm quickly realizing that protecting her and wanting her for myself are two different things.

"All...all right."

She tells me everything in detail. About the instant messages. The first time they'd met and they thought they were meeting with someone else. Their secret lunchtime encounters at school. Little is left out save for some juicy details I'm sure Uo-chan or Hana-chan would've preferred to hear.

Tears start to form in my eyes as she talks about their final encounter one day after school. Haru had been badly beaten by Akito. That's why he'd been missing from school. She'd seen the bruises for herself. Momiji, too.

Then there was the email she received the next day explaining the depressing situation. Akito's will was law. As suddenly as it appeared, POOF! Haru's gone and she's graduating from high school.

I'm not sure what to feel. My body has gone numb. Is that good? Bad? Indifferent? She's being so openly honest with me that it's difficult to be angry with her. The situation, of course, makes me madder than a hatter, but I can't hold that against her.

Her hand reaches up to caress my cheek and I flinch at her touch. I don't mean to, but my body is acting on it's own accord. I grab her hand as it quickly retreats. She didn't expect this reaction from me, the confusion is written on her face. Placing her hand back to my cheek I ask the first thing that comes to mind.

"Why did...why did you agree to go out with me?" It's a stupid question, but I have to know the answer.

"Yuki, you...you helped me through alot. You were always there for me, always there when I needed someone." She pauses in thought then adds, "That meant the world to me back then. I...I needed someone to help me get over Haru, although I'm pretty sure I never did.

"I wanted someone to love me. I needed someone. That's not to say I picked you because you were convenient." She shakes her head. "That's not it at all! Yuki, you're love means everything to me. And I love you. I really do."

"But, you still love Haru?" Her words are true. I can see it in her eyes as they rise to meet mine. "The truth, Tohru. I promise I won't be angry."

And surprisingly I'm not. I can't be angry at Tohru. I am a bit angry at Haru for not telling me about this, for keeping it a secret. That secret has ripped Tohru to pieces. All those emotions running behind those beautiful brown eyes. It's not in Tohru's nature to lie. She doesn't even have to verbally answer my question. The answer is right there.

As she goes to answer I raise a finger to her lips. I want the truth but the truth hurts too much. Haru must've known this, otherwise he never would've gone to Europe. He did it to keep Tohru safe. For that, I can't be angry at him either.

I would've done the same thing.

"Yuki, look at this."

She hands me a letter, folded into a tiny little rectangle. I look at her oddly and accept the paper. As it unfolds I recognize the writing. It's from Haru.

My eyes scan the paper, my body frozen in shock. Or is that anticipation. I had only heard from Haru a few times since he'd left. Neither of his letters mentioned anything about his relationship with Tohru. He'd even wished me luck with Tohru. Suddenly I did feel angry, but after finishing the letter all energy left me and I slumped back into the couch, shocked once again.

/Take care of yourself and be happy with Yuki./

Why? Why did he say that? If he still loved Tohru then why--!?

The answer is gleamingly obvious. Akito. He doesn't want Akito to know that Tohru is the person on the computer. He's protecting her, even now.

/Take care of yourself and be happy with Yuki./

Tears start to fall from my eyes. I can sense Tohru beside me, one of my hands grasped tightly in hers. She's apologizing again. Telling me that she loves me. That she cares about me. I want to believe her. I do believe her.

I believe Haru too. He wants me to make her happy. I want to make her happy, too. But I don't think I can do that. Not as long as I have to share her.

"Yuki?"

I don't know what to do.

"Yuki please say something! Onegai!"

So I tell her the truest thing I can, straight from heart and direct from the soul.

"You should...go. To the airport."

Her hold on my hand loosens and she looks at me like I've positively lost my mind. Maybe I have. I quickly lean forward, brushing my lips against hers in a light kiss. She's too shocked to respond but that's all right. I don't want to see anymore of her tears, hear any more of her apologies.

She's breathless as I pull away. "Yuki? I don't understand. I know I've hurt your feelings but--"

I quiet her with another kiss, this one deeper and more passionate than the last. My body is numb again. I'm trying to feel and not feel at the same time. I guess I'm still in shock, too. This is all too much to take in at one time.

"Go to the airport," I tell her, pulling away for the last time. I can't bring myself to smile, standing from the couch. "His flight will be arriving soon."

She starts to cry again as I turn my back on her and head for the door. Through the sobs I hear more apologies. But more importantly I hear a muttered:

"Arigato."

The last of my heart breaks at that sound. But I know, as I leave her apartment, that I'm doing the right thing. Letting her go is the best thing I can do. It's the only thing I can do.

Maybe I'm just being selfish.

Tohru, I love you.

All I want is for you to be happy.

And if I can make you happy again, you'll come back.

Right?

~TO BE CONTINUED~