Disclaimer: All characters owned by the great Natsuki Takaya.

A/N: Finally! I was able to upload this. I hope you all enjoy!

*Update 8-20-11*

This story is finally off hiatus. Expect monthly updates until completion.

Chapter One

Tohru had been thinking about it for days. Every time she saw him her stomach felt all fluttery. Sometimes when he spoke she couldn't think. And then there were the times he would smile and the world seemed to stop. She used to see him every day and he had never affected her like this before. What was going on? It was time to consult her two best friends, Uo-chan and Hana-chan. They would know exactly what was wrong.

Tohru sat through lunch contemplating how to bring this topic up. Her eyebrows furrowed as she stared in great concentration at the riceball in her hand. There had to be a way…

"Earth to Tohru. Is something the matter?" she jerked her head up in front of Arisa's waving hand. The Yankee stared down at her in concern. "You're completely zoning out."

"Eheh," Tohru sweatdropped. How long had they been trying to get her attention? "Sorry, Uo-chan. I was just thinking."

Hanajima's cool gaze bore down on the slender girl before her. "Something is troubling you," she stated. "Do tell."

Tohru looked up slightly fearful. Could she do it? Would they think she was strange? I mean, she didn't have to say who was causing these feelings. Tohru took a deep breath. "What would you do if every time you saw a certain person they made you feel…funny?"

"Funny?" repeated Arisa, painted eyebrows rising higher. "What exactly do you mean?"

Tohru could feel a blush slowly rising in her face and she looked highly uncomfortable. How exactly could she put her feelings into words? "I'm not quite sure. But things happen. Like my stomach gets all tingly…and stuff."

"Tingly?" Hanajima repeated. "Is this person someone we know?"

Tohru could feel her face light up even more. "Kind of…"

Both girls stared at the little brunette. Dawning realization spread across their faces as she sat, hands folded, staring neatly into her lap. Uo's voice cut through the silence.

"No way. No fucking way!"

Tohru's head shot up, desperately seeking enlightenment in the other girl's eyes. She looked frantically between Uo-chan and Hana-chan. "What?" she questioned. "What? Did you figure it out?"

The two girls looked at each other, neither knowing how to break the news to their adorably innocent friend. Finally, Hanajima opened her mouth. "I believe this is what you would call," the raven-haired girl delicately selected her next words, "…a crush."

Tohru looked back and forth between her two friends. Had she heard correctly? This feeling was…a crush? But how could that be? Surely this was not the case! Not now! Not on…him. Ok, maybe on him. I mean, he was attractive and she knew other girls liked him too.

Uo grinned at the confused look on Tohru's face. "So who is it?" she asked, eyes lit up in mirth. "Orangey or the Prince?"

"N-nani?" Tohru squealed, face turning, if possible, even pinker.

"Aw, come on! You hang around with them so much I just know it's gotta be one of them!" Uo gave her a knowing look. "I'm right. Aren't I?"

Tohru gulped. Hana slid an arm around her shoulders. "It's ok, Tohru-chan," she patted the brown-eyed girl in a soothing sort of manner. "Despite all the fuss Arisa makes, it's not a big deal. We'll keep your secret."

Tohru gaped, mouthing wordlessly at her two best friends. "Y-You really think I have a-" she lowered her voice to whisper her next words, as if it were dangerous just to say them out loud, "-a crush?"

Uo smirked. "It's so obvious I don't even have to think about it twice."

"Oh dear," Tohru murmured to herself. This could not be good.

~0~0~

After school, Uo and Hana walked Tohru out of the building. Tohru was a little flustered. Arisa had been trying all day to get Tohru to tell her who her secret crush was.

"Pleeaase?" the blonde whined again. "I swear I'll be okay. Even if it is Carrot Top."

"Arisa, don't harass her. Tohru's a delicate being," Hana reprimanded.

"Oh, alright," Uo threw her arms up in the air, admitting defeat. "But I will find out eventually. We all will once you two start going out."

Tohru 'eeped.' "G-going out?" she repeated quite weakly and looked like she might be pass out at any second.

"Of course!" Uo carried on, oblivious to Tohru's obvious discomfort. "I mean, you are going to tell him you like him, aren't you?"

"Like…him?" she repeated vaguely once again. She suddenly looked fearful. "I can't do that! What if he doesn't like me back?"

"Of course he will like you back, Tohru-chan," Hana smiled as though talking to a small child. "Why wouldn't he?"

"Oh look," Uo suddenly commented brightly. "The Prince and Carrot Top headed our way."

"Yuki-kun and Kyo-kun…" It took a moment to register. "Ehhhh?" Tohru turned quickly around and almost fell over when she saw that he was standing there.

"Honda-san?" Yuki looked concerned at the flushed look on the girl's face. "We waited for you outside. Are you ready to walk back home?"

Tohru eyed Yuki's smiling face and Kyo's watching her expectantly. Suddenly her knees felt very weak.

"I…uh…I'm so sorry! I have some errands I forgot to do!" She took off running. The two Sohma boys looked after her little trail of dust in confusion. Even Hana and Uo looked surprised.

"Well…I didn't expect that reaction," Arisa remarked quite blandly.

"That reaction?" Kyo picked up on her words. "What the hell did you do, Yankee?"

"I didn't do anything, Orangey!"

"I TOLD YOU TO STOP CALLING ME THAT!"

"Alright, cat-lover…"

While Kyo and Uo continued their shouting match, Yuki turned towards Hanajima. "Is…Honda-san…er…alright?"

Hana considered this thoughtfully, gazing from Yuki's eyes filled with concern to Kyo, red-faced from shouting at her good friend. Either of these boys would be lucky to date her precious Tohru. That was true. But who would treat her like the delicate flower that she was?

Hana finally smiled. Yes. He would love her and make her happy. She was sure of it. His waves and hers messed together quite pleasantly. She looked up at Yuki who was still looking at her questioningly. "Hai, Sohma-kun. Tohru-chan will be just fine." Now if only he could figure it out.

~0~0~

After taking a ridiculously long time debating over whether to get Takeshi brand versus Kimura brand short-grain rice, Tohru realized she could not procrastinate any longer. She had to return to the Sohma house to prepare dinner for Shigure, Yuki, and Kyo. Not to mention the grocery store employees were starting to give her funny looks.

She gave a sigh and grabbed a bag of rice with the huge 'Kimura' label stamped across the side, and made her way to the check-out line. "Miss?" a voice asked, suddenly bringing Tohru out of her thoughts. She looked up at the young woman standing behind the register. "Is this all you're buying?" The woman indicated the lone bag of rice.

"Uh, yes. Why do you ask?" Tohru asked politely.

The woman smiled brightly. "Just making sure you found everything alright. You spent a good hour staring at those two brands of rice."

Tohru could feel her face heat up. Great. Now this woman probably thought she was deranged. "I-I-I just wanted to make sure I was making the right choice!" she heard herself squeak in an attempt to save face. "Yes, um, and I think I did. You know, uh, in picking the right one."

The woman ran the bag across the scanner. As Tohru handed over her yen the woman looked deep into her dark chocolate eyes. "Boy troubles?" she finally asked sympathetically. Tohru opened her mouth to speak but found the words would not come. Instead she nodded rather meekly. "I hope things work out for you. Don't think about it so hard and…take it easy. Alright?"

Tohru nodded again, grabbed her grocery bag, and practically flew out the door. She thought about the grocery-woman's comments. Was she really that obvious to read?

Oh! What should I do once I get back home? Tohru thought to herself. It wasn't like she could just avoid him. For kami sake, they lived in the same house! And he would definitely notice if she just stopped talking to him. Not that she could say much aside from gibberish when he flashed his rare and genuine smiles. Oh, just thinking about him caused her brain to cease functioning and sent her heart racing! How could she possibly act normal around him?

"You're home!" Shigure announced her arrival as soon as she walked through the door. He spied the grocery bag and grinned widely. "Ah, our precious flower making sure we are happy and fed! What would we ever do for dinner without you, Tohru-chan?"

"Probably order take-out like you usually to make us do."

Tohru felt her head turn at the sound of the voice. Instantly she felt her breath catch as her legs turned to jelly beneath her.

~0~0~

Preview next chapter:

"Baka, neko! What did you think Saki-san and Shigure were talking about on the phone?" Yuki eyed the cat. "Honestly, you're so dense."

"Shut up, stupid nezumi! It's not like I was listening to the entire conversation!"

"So what? If Honda-san wants to go have fun with her friends then that's her own business! She doesn't belong to you!"

Tohru felt the blush creep onto her face. Her neck heated up and her eyes widened. She doesn't belong to you! Yuki's voice echoed in her head. Did it mean anything? Did it mean she was claimed? Could it possibly mean that he liked her? She didn't know what to think. Her eyes swirled.