Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Continuing the interesting twist in Tohru and Hatsuharu's relationship...Here's the finale! This part is told from Rin and Yuki's POVs. LIME warning for the beginning. And if you're thinking what I think you're thinking...EW! GROSS!

Part Six - TIME TO HEAL

~RIN~

I honestly don't know what I was thinking that day. He was right there in front of me, or rather behind me. I should've grabbed his arm and dragged him towards the car kicking and screaming.

But I didn't.

I should've told him in the airport terminal. I should've pulled him aside and told him once and for all how I truly felt. Just opened my mouth and let the words come right out. Akito and his punishments be damned!

But I waited too long.

Tohru had arrived.

And Fate dealt me one final blow.

I knew I still could've pulled him to the car, but what was the point? I knew where his heart was and it wasn't with me. Kami, that hurt.

Funny, it never did before.

Walking away was the best thing I could do. He deserves to be happy, more so than the silly riceball. But if she can make him happy, who am I to argue?

"I'll see you two tomorrow."

I knew there would be no tomorrow as I walked into the parking garage. If Tohru was at the airport it was because the stupid rat had told her to be there. Why can't he be selfish like a normal person and keep HER away from HIM?

Why can't I?

Anger festered in my stomach as I drove away. I didn't bother to picture what might be happening, instead keeping my thoughts focused on a single point on the road. I didn't know where I was driving, I just went, letting the car go wherever it wanted. I hated Haru for being able to move on.

I hated myself for not being able to do the same thing.

And to make matters worse...I went to _HIM_.

He was sitting in his study when I arrived. He looked deep in thought, staring at his computer screen as if trying to figure out the meaning of life. I knew his thoughts weren't that deep. He wasn't capable of such grandeur. He did, however, take notice to my presence without having to turn around. To look at me.

Damn bastard.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Rin?"

"I'm still trying to figure that out."

He turns to look at me then, giving me the same examination he'd been giving his computer monitor. I hate it when he looks at me like that. And he damn well knows it. I'm already pretty angry, but that won't stop him from fueling the fire.

"You had to come here for a reason, ne?"

That's true. Unfortunately I don't know what that reason is. "Yeah," is my only answer.

"Do you need to talk? Certainly you didn't come here because--"

Fury boils within me and I start yelling at him irrationally. "Dammit Shigure, I don't know why I'm here. I just...I want...." My words die as my fury does, the boiling in my stomach turning to knots. I don't know what they mean, so I don't bother to explain.

Standing from his desk he approaches me. When he stops he's still giving me that damn clinical look. It's something that looks somewhat out of place on his face. It's more of a Hatori look. He raises an eyebrow at me and smirks. Clearly a Shigure look. I look away, clenching my fists at my sides.

"What is it you want," he asks, his voice softer and quieter than the accusing tone he'd been using before. It astounds me the changes he can go through, even if it is all an act.

Taking a deep breath -- and holding it -- I gather the strength to look him in the eye. There's curiosity there...and a hell of a lot of amusement. He has far too much fun in these circumstances than he should be allowed.

I open my mouth to speak, ready with a smartass retort that probably wouldn't have even been all that insulting considering his curse. He stops me with a finger pressed against my lips. Either he knows what I'm going to say or he's just being impatient.

Damn dog!

Instead he grabs one of my fists and leads me over to his chair. He sits down, pulling me down into his lap. With one arm snuggly around my waist, he uses his other hand to force me to look at him. With a light chuckle he closes what little distance there is between us and kisses me softly.

I know exactly what this will lead to, what it leads to every single time, but I can't bring myself to stop him. Not this time. Can't stop the gasps and moans he elicits from me. I no longer have the strength. Besides...why should I?

I deserve to be loved too, right?

I know it isn't love as he deepens the kiss. I know it isn't love as our hands begin roaming and clothes begin falling to the floor. I know it isn't love, even though I cry out his name as he plucks at my breasts with his mouth. As I impale myself upon him, I know it isn't love. And in that last moment before all reason leaves me and I feel the light wash over me, I know it isn't love.

So then why can't I fight him?

My strength is gone. Haru's gone. Kami, help me. I'm not strong enough.

Haru, I wish you all the happiness in the world.

But how can I ever be happy without you?

Only he knows the answer.

You'll tell me, won't you Shigure?

~YUKI~

I told them. None of them believed me. Ayame looked at me as if he'd lost his mind. Kagura nearly fainted and Kyo barely had time to catch her. Momiji started to cry, as did Kisa. Hiro comforted his cousin, but even he was astounded by my news.

I guess it is something truly unbelievable.

There isn't going to be a wedding.

Questions from all sides remain unspoken. I waited, but no one questions my reasons or Tohru's. It's a mutual agreement and for the best, I tell them. It's also a blatant lie, but no one calls me on it.

No one, except Akito.

He's truly happy about the decision. As if he had decreed it himself. I was surprised when he agreed to let me marry Tohru. There were alternative motives there, I just knew. For better or worse they never came to pass.

Maybe he knew this would happen all along.

Bastard!

"I'm truly sorry, Yuki, but it is for the best," he tells me, watching some birds flutter outside his window. There's a strange smile on his face, one that he seems to only reserve for me. He nods slowly as a bird lands on his finger. "It's for the best."

Yes. I suppose it is.

But then why does it hurt so much?

The next day my answering machine was blinking when I arrived home from work. It was Tohru. Her voice on my answering machine sounded so apologetic that it brought tears to my eyes. She apologized for herself and for Haru, who I'd talked to the night before. I guess she didn't know we'd talked. It was pretty much a one-sided conversation as Haru did most of the talking. But he didn't divulge any details on his whereabouts. I hadn't thought to ask.

Tohru, though, made certain I knew.

She had broken the lease on her apartment, packed a few things and went to Europe with Haru.

I had suspected this would happen, but the confirmation was a bit too much for me to handle. My heart couldn't take it and I fell ill. Hatori would've reamed me a new one if he hadn't felt so sorry for me. He stayed with me for a few days, then returned to the main house. He suggested that I move back home, but I shook my head no. There was no way. I was going to survive this.

I AM going to move on.

Tohru, where are you? How are you? I hope you're doing well.

Her message said she'd be in touch with me as soon as possible. I kept that hope in my heart. It gave me something to look forward to.

The sad thing is, I didn't want to hear from her ever again.

And yet, I can't seem to let go of the letter in my hand.

The postmark is from France and the writing is recognizably Tohru's.

It's been nearly a month since her phone call. I should open the letter and read. A part of me is dying to know how she's doing. Another part of me is afraid of what it will say.

I let the letter sit for another day before gathering the courage to open it.

Sighing, I open the envelope and pull out a decorative sheet of stationary. The note is short and written in the same handwriting as the envelope.

Dear Yuki,

I hope this letter finds you well. My moving was short notice and I apologize. I should've told you in person, but there just wasn't any time.

I have a job in London now. Working for a very upscale restaurant. My previous employer gave me a recommendation. I was quite surprised. And Haru commutes to Luton everyday. He's taken a job with a law firm as a consultant. He thinks its boring, but I know he enjoys it. At least he can make his own schedule.

Oh yes, I thought you should hear this from me. I just hope that Shigure hasn't already told you. Or Kagura. Or Momiji. At any rate, Haru and I have decided to get married. There won't be a ceremony or anything grand like we planned, but we are inviting a few friends to come celebrate with us. Ayame's even making me a new dress for the occasion.

I was hoping you could make it, but I'll understand if you don't want to come.

Do you hate me? Sometimes I tell myself that it's impossible. But most days I think you should. I know you only told me to go the airport because you wanted me to be happy. But I want you to be happy too, Yuki.

Can you do that for me? Can you be happy?

My new address is on the back. So is the information for the party. Please let us know if you'll be coming or not. I really do hope to see you soon. Take care and write when you can.

Love,

Tohru

My heart skips several beats as I reach the end of the letter. Carefully I fold it and place it back in the envelope. I don't bother to look at the information on the back of the paper. I'm not even sure I want to. Maybe later.

She thinks I should hate her. Oh Tohru, I could never hate you. I can't even bring myself to hate Haru. How could I ever hate you?

And yes, I can be happy. I'll do it because you asked me too. Maybe someday I'll be able to do it for myself.

Tohru, my love, I wish you all the happiness in the world. Be happy with Haru and with your new life.

I shall learn to be happy on my own. For that is the curse of the Sohma.

That is the curse of Fate.

~FIN~