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 Rin's POV. I apologize now if she seems extremely out of character, but I was truly inspired to tell her side of the story after some truly inspiring reviews from the Furuba Lemon Basket ML. *huggles ML*

Part Three - WAITING

"Now announcing the arrival of Delta Flight 55 from Atlanta, Georgia, USA at gate A3. Repeat. Delta Flight 55 from Atlanta, Georgia, USA at gate A3. Passengers will depart as soon ad the plane is finished docking."

I pause only long enough to hear the announcement. When I realize it's not the flight I'm looking for, I continue walking.

The airport isn't overly crowded this afternoon. Most business personnel left earlier this morning, trying to make their final meeting for the week before heading home. Other travelers are simply trying to get to their destination without much hassle. Vacationers trying to get to the beach or loved ones trying to make it home to their families. In either case, the number of people in the corridor is sparse.

That's good. I hate crowds.

I normally don't do things like this. I stick to the shadows when I can. Hell, I rarely go outside the main house for my own purposes let alone for someone else. I'm no one's gopher. That's Hatori's job.

But in this one case, I'll make an exception.

And all because he's coming home.

Haru.

I'll never understand the entire circumstance surrounding his departure. Akito had told me that Haru had been a bad boy and that he was being punished. The marks he'd inflicted first hand were definitely a sight to behold. The fact that they were on Haru's person made it even more intriguing. Haru didn't do much without a fight.

I helped tend to him for the few days Hatori said he needed to remain at the Honke. Momiji, too. It was the first time I'd spent so much time around either one of them. Thankfully, Momiji slept most of the time. It gave me more time to speak with Haru. I changed his bandages, dressed his wounds.

Yet, for all the trouble, Haru wouldn't tell me why he's gotten such an ass-kicking. I knew he'd been seeing someone. Akito had pointed that out to me without hesitation. I just wanted to know her name.

"It's a secret," was all he'd say.

GAH! Since when did he keep secrets!? And from me! Bastard!

The day he left was a strange one. He'd left the Honke early, just after sunrise. But his plane wasn't scheduled to leave until one o'clock. Where could he have gone?

It took me a while to figure out that he'd gone to Kawaia High. I'll never know what he found so appealing about attending a public school. I guess he wanted to see his friends one last time.

I sat next to him on that tree branch, watching the graduates walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. When Tohru's name was called, I saw a flash in Haru's eyes. It was a flash I hadn't seen in so long. He'd been with me the last time I'd seen that gleam in his eye. Longing. Love.

Then I knew. In that instant I KNEW who it was he'd been messing around with. Akito would've had a field day! And Haru wouldn't have been the only one who suffered.

With a sigh, I stop walking to stare at an electronic board. It's nearly half past two. His flight should be arriving soon. The right hand column is blinking 'on-time'. Yeah, I'll believe that when I see it.

So why didn't I tell?

It certainly wasn't for HER sake. Although, admittedly, I have very little against her. She's too innocent for her own good, but that innocence has given something to the Sohmas that they hadn't had for a long time.

A family.

I'd done a lot for Haru. I'd watched him as a child. He was always so lost...and I don't just mean he couldn't follow directions. His father threw himself into the family business. His mother paid little, or no, attention to him. Haru was always sad. Angry and in despair.

It hurts me to think of him like that.

Growing up, he put up a brave front in front of everyone, including me. Even after the first night we'd been together, the night he turned thirteen. The front was still there, still invisible. Only I knew the truth. I helped him. Soothed his anger. Eased his pain.

But I'm not sure it can compare to Tohru's contribution. Humph. Do I even care?

On the outside, no.

On the inside, hell yeah!

I love you, Haru. Nothing will ever change that.

Not even Akito and his twisted machinations.

His vacant room still haunts me in dreams. Akito had seen to our separation personally. He took great pleasure in it. He takes great pleasure in everything he does, so long as someone is in pain. Still, I took comfort in the fact that I could see him around the Honke. Sneak a look at him in his room when he was sleeping.

I never stopped loving you. Can you ever forgive me for being weak?

I miss him. And I can't tell him how much.

Because he loves HER. Even though she's marrying the rat, he still loves her. It's in his letters, in his voice when he calls. He won't say it -- not in words -- but I know him. Better than he thinks.

He loves Tohru Honda.

I'll never admit how much that hurts.

"Now announcing the arrival of Air France Flight 275 from Paris at gate C10. Repeat. Now announcing the arrival of Air France Flight 275 from Paris at gate C10. Passengers will be departing the plane shortly."

I pull a tiny scrap of paper from my purse. Flight 275 from Paris. That's his flight. Now where is gate C10? The board said gate C17.

Why do they have to change things like that? So suddenly?

Why does life change like that?

As I stand from my seat I can see the sign for the right gate. Below it though is a madhouse of people. I'm not sure if they're trying to get on the plane or waiting for people to get off.

So much for the airport not being crowded. Shit.

Carefully I make my way over. There's an empty spot against a wall with a good view of the main doors. Perfect. I slip in unnoticed and fold my arms over my chest. My eyes are locked to the doors, waiting for them to open.

There's a strange feeling in my stomach as well. A ball of warmth falls into the pit of my stomach, threatening to push my stomach acids up into my throat and possibly out through my nose. Yuck. I recognize it immediately as nerves. I don't get this way to often.

Why am I nervous? It's only Haru.

Whom I haven't seen in five years.

Whom I love more than life itself.

Whom I want by my side more than anyone else.

HA! Wouldn't Shigure love to hear that last thought?

Dammit, I'm thinking too much.

The door swings open and passengers start to filter into the main gate. The crowd seems to thicken as those waiting try to catch the attention of their loved ones. As they filter in, I catch a smock of white above the crowd. A smirk rises to my face. That can be only one person.

And that ball of warmth pushes further into my stomach. My heart begins to pound and I suddenly can't breath. There's nothing I can do to stop any of it.

But I'll be damned if he sees me like this.

With a calm sigh I raise my hand into the air. Dark eyes peer from the crowd. They meet with mine briefly and I see a smile pass across his lips. There's a flash in his eyes, but it's different from any I've seen before. There's no love there. Simply happiness, exhaustion and...a hint of surprise.

He didn't expect me to pick him up. Surprise. But I only did this for him. Him and no one else.

Can we be together as before?

Or do you have other plans?

I guess only time will tell.

~TO BE CONTINUED~