Dreaming of You // A HaruxRin Fansite

Manga Summaries

Here you will find detailed summaries of the SECTIONS in certain manga chapters that have anything to do with our beloved Haru and Rin. Hopefully you will find this section very informative and will help you to realize exactly why HaruxRin is such a unique couple. ^^ I have to repeat: These summaries are not summaries of ALL the manga chapters in Fruits Basket, nor are they summaries of the WHOLE chapters from start to finish. They are simply "snapshots" of the parts that involve Haru/Rin.These summaries begin at Chapter 43, which is the first chapter of Volume 8, since that is the first chapter Haru talks about Rin.

Chapter 43

This chapter opens up with Momiji barging into Kyou, Tohru, Uo-chan and Hana-chan's conversation. After the group's messing with Kyou's head, Momiji finally reveals exactly WHY he's in there: Haru had gone Black and was totally wreaking havoc on their classroom. Kyou, Tohru, and Yuki immediately make their way to the classroom, and the sight really IS terrible.. the classroom is smashed into pieces and Haru is filled with unusual rage. Things get pretty heated up, particularly between Kyou and Haru, but, courtesy of Mayu, Haru "cools down," literally, after she dumps a bucket of cold water on Kyou and Haru's heads. Blah-blah-blah.. Haru returns to normal and apologizes to Tohru for being so violent, as he had previously grabbed her by the arm when he was still Black. Haru goes off to kill some time whilewaiting for his mother, whom the teachers had called, and as he walks off, Momiji reveals that Haru had "been down lately.." and Yuki follows after Haru to find out more, and Haru opens up to him..

Haru: I... got dumped. It didn't sink in at first.. but as the days went on, I got more and more irritated. And today, I was thinking about it, and getting worked up... and I just snapped.

He goes on to say..

She got hurt bad, and she changed. Suddenly.. she dumped me.

And there's a panel of a girl from the neck-down, so that we can't see her face, and this mysterious figure says, "I don't need you anymore. I'm tired of you."

And this is perhaps the most emotional we've seen Haru as he goes on to say,

Haru: Why? Why? ..why.. do I still want to see her so badly? [voiceover] It's not like I can easily give up...the feelings...of needing her.

Yuki then asks Haru what he will do next, and Haru is unable to come up with an answer.

So this is the first chapter where Haru's love interest is officially introduced, and it's apparent to the fans that this girl really means a lot to him. After all, he went Black for her and destroyed the whole classroom. It's also one of the rare glimpses [I think that this was really the first time we got to see it] inside *himself*, of him showing some pure, raw emotion. And from here on we realize that Haru's not just a minor character who's just THERE, but that he's got some secrets buried under that laid-back exterior.

Chapter 45

Haru makes a very short appearance, only towards the end of this chapter. Yuki makes a rare trip to the Main House, and Haru is surprised, although he doesn't show it. Yuki reveals that he "snuck in", and Haru rummages around for his camera so that he can take a picture of him and Yuki. [Basically, Haru hadn't come to school that day, so Yuki had gone to visit him to see what was up.] Haru's excuse is that he'd wanted to see what happened next on his game, so he played hooky.

Yuki: So..then, are you all right? About Rin?

Haru: ...yeah. I'm not going to give up on her yet. I don't think Rin realizes just how much I like her..

And after this Haru proceeds to sort of tease Yuki about his inability to call Tohru by her first name. That's basically Haru's only appearance in this chapter, but he confides to Yuki that he really does have strong feelings for Rin.. and it sort of shows the bond between him and Yuki, you know? I think that at this point, the only Jyuunishi Haru's ever *truly* opened up to is Yuki. And if you've noticed, Yuki tends to open up to Haru, as well. It's a nice brotherly bond. ^^

Chapter 48

We catch our first glimpse of Haru quite unexpectedly.. Tohru's asking Kyou and Yuki what they'd like for dinner, and a voice replies, "Shougayaki [Ginger pork]." And this voice belongs to none other than Hatsuharu, who's looking VERY nice under the sprinklers, all.. wet... *__*

*ahem*

Momiji decides to take Kyou, Tohru, Yuki, and Haru to "play", and he takes them to this sort of haunted-horror mansion type of house. Tohru is COMPLETELY freaking out about this entire thing, and Haru decides to make her feel better in his own, special way. XD Which involves making up stories about these bloodied-up figures that keep randomly popping up from nowhere..

Haru: See that person? He looks scary, but he's really a fine, upstanding man...but when he was ten years old, he was separated from his mother...today, she's finally here to see her long-lost son. She had her reasons for leaving home, but now she has come to tell him she regrets her actions. *rips the mother's fake, plastic statue head from the wall and holds it close to the son's face* It's an emotional meeting. And they lived happily ever after.

But as Fruits Basket always does, it can have you laughing hysterically one moment, and then strangely depressed or a lot more serious the next.

The scene shifts to Hiro entering a dark, gloomy room, holding a bouquet of roses. There is a female figure on the bed, head bent.

Hiro: You won't give up, will you? ...Rin.

The figure on the bed raises her head and we finally catch our first real glimpse of this mysterious Rin.

Rin: Who..would give up?

All in all, not a whole lot of Haru/Rin-ness in this chapter, but it's where we first see Rin, so it's all good. It gives a bit of foreshadowing, as well. After all, throughout the whole series, Takaya-sensei gives us these tiny little hints of a darker story hidden underneath the cheery layers of Fruits Basket, and this is where it starts to get a little darker.

Chapter 53

Rin makes a sudden appearance in this chapter, basically coming out of nowhere right in front of Shigure. It's implied that she and Shigure have probably talked before, because she wastes no time and says, "The reason I came.. you already know, right?"

She's very direct and straightforward with him, and for once, Shigure is actually serious and answers without wasting any time and spouting any junk.

Rin: Well? Just answer me.

Shigure: What exactly do you want me to say?

Rin: Answer me! Gure-nii.. [something like, Big Brother Shigure.]

Shigure: Do I look like such a simple man to you?

Rin: Not at all.

Shigure: Are you stupid then? Or is this foolishness just a tactic of yours?

The scene switches over to Tohru, Momiji, Yuki, and Kyo... and at the very last page of the chapter, there's a picture depicting Rin and Shigure *uncomfortably* close to each other...

Chapter 54

So everyone's at the beach [along with Haru, looking VERY nice with his sunglasses on.. *___*] They're talking about where Shigure is, and Haru comments, very smartly,

Haru: I think Shigure will definitely come..

Yuki: Why do you say he'll DEFINITELY come?

Haru: Because.. he'll be able to see Honda-san in her swimsuit.

[LOL] And after some time, Yuki spaces out while watching Kyou *teach* Tohru how to swim *properly*, and Haru puts a hand on his forehead, as if to check for a fever, asking him if he feels dizzy because of the sun's rays or if it's because of what he's "feeling".. once again showing exactly how insightful Haru is. Later on, he switches into competitive gear as he drags Kyou off to have a swimming race... lol. Kyou's not very happy about it, but Haru very accurately predicts that if Yuki joins, Kyou'll definitely join. Yuki agrees, and Kyou, as Haru predicted, grows enthusiastic and declares that he'll definitely win.

The scene switches over to Hiro and Kisa, who are indoors.. Kisa decides that she wants to go out too, and goes to tell her mother. As Kisa leaves, Hiro catches a glimpse of Rin, walking outside.

The scene switches over to Yuki, now with a fever. Here's a snippet of that strange Haru-humor we all love..

Haru: Yuki, is it okay for me to go take a bath now?

Yuki: ?? You don't have to tell me, just go.

Haru: I was afraid you'd be lonely without me..

Yuki: Hurry up and get out of here!

Again, no Haru-Rin interaction in this chapter, but there is that lovely Haru-humor we all love! =]

Chapter 55

Kisa and Tohru are all happy and hugging, and Hiro's a little bit away from them, and Haru remarks, "Looks like someone got ditched..." LOL.

Hiro sulks a little bit after being made fun of, and Haru tells him, bluntly..

Haru: You're going to get points taken off for your attitude. The worse your attitude is, the more insecure Kisa feels.

Hiro: I don't think that's any of your business, is it?! [And strangely enough, in his mind's eye, he sees the back of a young girl, with long black hair..]

Chapter 58

Momiji decides to have a watermelon-breaking contest, and Haru does an awesome job of breaking awatermelon in half with his hand... XD, it was really, umm, nice. ^^ [Yeahh, have you figured out my huge obsession with Haru yet? ^.^]

The scene shifts to where Yuki and Haru are talking and Yuki sees Tohru putting a blanket over Hiro, Kisa, and Momiji, who are asleep. Haru notes this, and says, out of the blue,

This is a trial for us all!

Chapter 60

This opens up with Rin, dressed in her typical black, revealing ensemble.. and she's with Kagura, who's trying to convince Rin to go to the summer cottage, where everyone else is. [It struck me, how much Rin and Kagura look alike, with the dark hair and dark eyes, but Rin looks more mature..]

Rin: Stop waiting for this senseless love to come. Even when I see it, my heart aches.

The scene shifts.. and in a dark room, Haru is with Akito. Akito seems to like Haru, constantly touching him and caressing him. Haru tells him, strangely enough..

Please don't smile like that.

Another scene change, on the beach. Yuki's in a good mood, actually laughing and smiling, and Haru remarks,

You..like this, is what I like.

Which reveals, yet again, this strange bond that he has with Yuki.

Chapter 61

The chapter begins with Rin, stumbling, panting and heaving as she struggles to walk. As she looks out the window, she sees a view of the ocean. She is undoubtedly at the beach where the rest of the Jyuunishi are.

Yuki is off by himself, and as he looks around, he catches a glimpse of Rin..

And Rin covers her face with her hand..

Well, Tohru's doing laundry when the wind blows off one of the sheets she had been hanging. She chases after it, and discovers, in the woods, a black horse lying on the grass. Yuki emerges on the scene, calling this horse Rin, and he introduces her to Tohru as "Sohma Isuzu," which is her given name [Rin is her nickname] and tells her that she is the Horse.

Rin changes back into her human form, naked, and Tohru hurriedly drapes that extra laundry sheet over her figure. Yuki seems to have a knack for pissing her off, and upon asking her what she was doing here, Rin grabs him by the collar..

Rin: Shut up! What I do and where I go is none of your business! If you tell anyone about meeting me here... I'll kill you.

After hurling some more threats and insults at Yuki, Rin runs off and changes into her clothes. She's extremely angry, and kicks at the sand.

Chapter 65

Skipping ahead, basically, Akito came to visit with Tohru, physically and emotionally hurting Tohru and Momiji, who had gone to tell Shigure and Hatori the moment Tohru showed up to protect Momiji from Akito.. Haru, Yuki, and Kyou are watching the entire scene from the window, angry at themselves for being unable to protect Tohru from Akito.

Haru: "To protect"... isn't such an easy thing. Yuki realizes that he's referring to Rin.

Then there's some slight comic relief as they're trying to set off fireworks, and Haru decides to point his firework at Kyou. XD

Kyou: You're pointing it at me. You're pointing it at ME!!

Haru: That's okay. You... can definitely dodge it. I believe in you.

Chapter 67

After Tohru leaves from Kazuma's dojo to ask him about lifting the curse, she unexpectedly meets up with Rin, who's wearing a different school uniform [she goes to an all-girls school]. She bluntly and coldly tells Tohru to stay away from the Sohma's. She marches up to Kazuma and demands to know why Tohru was there. Kazuma answers ambiguously, "She came to ask the same question you did." Rin grips the doorframe tightly and vows,

I won't let her... do anything unwanted.

Chapter 69

This chapter opens up with a flashback of Haru and Rin visiting Yuki in a dark room. Yuki recalls Rin saying at random moments, abruptly,

I've had enough. I'm going home.

The scene shifts over to school, where Haru and Yuki begin to have a conversation about Rin, and he has a flashback of Rin, injured, in the hospital.. where she says to him,

I don't need you anymore. I've gotten tired of you.

Haru then says,

Haru: Rin can be pretty harsh when she talks. She has no problems saying things that are hurtful. But...she won't say things to protect herself either. I've no confidence after all. Maybe she spoke her true feelings. Maybe I've been hurt by all this..quite a bit.

Their conversation is interrupted when Kuragi Machi, treasurer of the student council, runs into them. Yuki comments that the student council is made up of a "bunch of unknowns," and Haru replies with, "Then that's good for you."

As Yuki is going home from school, he sees Rin, runs up to her and grabs her by the arm. He confronts her about her relationship with Haru, and remembers..

Yuki: During that time I was still in that room, you came and visited with Haru, right? You'd always say, "I'm going home," but now that I think about it, after you said that and left, just about every time, I think someone came and checked on things. I realized, there's no way Akito would have allowed anyone to visit me back then, but Haru would come and visit. And you...were protecting Haru? So that Haru wouldn't get in trouble. And even now, you're still trying to protect Haru from something..?

Rin brushes off his comment rudely, telling him that it's her own business and that he doesn't know anything. In an attempt to probably get back at Yuki, she says,

Rin: Do you know why you're able to live in Gure-nii's home? It's because Haru asked it. That you be taken out of there. That you be saved. At the time, Shigure made some comment, "If you call me 'sensei' I'll do it" but Haru, like an idiot, continues to keep to those words even now.

Yuki looks sad, and says, But the number one idiot is you.

Rin: Why don't you just concern yourself with your own life?! Just don't concern yourself with me again. Bastard!

Unexpectedly, a new voice joins them, taking both by surprise.

Bastard, huh..?

Haru is standing there.

Haru: It's not nice, calling someone a bastard... Rin..

And Rin's eyes widen, previously angry expression falling away and revealing a more frightened one.

Chapter 70

As soon as Haru showed up, Rin seemed afraid, looking down, away.. Haru reached out for her..

Rin: Don't come any closer. Don't touch me.

Haru: *withdraws his arm* You really don't need me? I see. Then, in that case, it's okay for me to go off and die.

Rin looks taken aback and drops her guard, and Haru pulls her to him sharply and very suddenly for a kiss. Yuki looks surprised, and Rin struggles to push back, but Haru's not letting go of her, and eventually, she kisses him back. The kiss looks pretty intense.. They break the kiss, but Haru keeps a close hold on her.

Haru: Did I not understand anything? Everyone meant to understand you, and yet, that most precious voice, did I miss it? You're still the same as on that day. You still can't stand..on your own?

These words have a big effect on Rin, who pulls back and slaps him. She then runs off, and Yuki questions Haru on whether they should go after him, and Haru replies that in "serious mode" he would run after her, but that he wouldn't be able to catch her anyway, since she's the horse.

Haru: I am seeing more clearly now, quite so.. anyway, Yuki, you don't have to worry so much about us. Rin is someone I've got to be level-headed about. And you have other things you need to concentrate on. Yuki..you're kind. Give it a try. Find the place that you're wishing for.

Yuki: Haru..you're..sweet, huh.. to me.

Haru: ..maybe we were sisters in our past lives..

To which Yuki laughs, openly.

Haru: A person who will understand you, a person who will find you.. is waiting out there. So just keep on trying your best.

And then, it's very faint, but it almost looks like a tear is slipping down Yuki's cheek.

Meanwhile, Rin has stopped running and is sitting down, head bowed.

Insert some Kyoru moments, and then the scene changes to Haru visiting Shigure.

Haru: Sensei, Rin came by earlier, didn't she?

Shigure: Hmm? Yes, that's right. She came by, so?

Haru: ...why do you talk as if you were testing people? Is there a reason?

Shigure: Haha.. it's good to be young. Without experience in how to live, struggling desperately as if you were going to drown, even though you could float if you just drew on your own strength.

Haru: With our type of tasteful life style.. with struggling, you can attain what you want afterwards, right?

Shigure: *smiles* Well, then, please struggle well, Haru-kun. Go on and be direct about the things you care about. After all, she was your girlfriend.

Haru: So I was right. Forbidden to talk?

Shigure: For the moment.. I can't protect you.

Haru: Will you tell me if I call you "honey"?

Shigure: *blanches* Ha..ha..sorry, but that is a definite NO. You're really one interesting kid, though.

And so ends our first actual Haru/Rin interaction. XD How about that KISS, huh? Have to admit that I greatly, greatly loved that scene. And it's obvious that despite Rin's attempts at pushing Haru away, she still definitely cares for him.. She kissed him back, after all, and allowed him to hold her. Their [complex] relationship is just beginning..

Chapter 78

The very first picture in this chapter is a flashback of Chapter 70, where the infamous Haru/Rin kiss takes place. There's a voiceover by Rin..

Rin: That's not it at all. Haru understood me. He treasured me. He loved me, so... So because of that...

The scene switches over to Hiro and Kisa walking home together, and Hiro's pregnant mother comes out. Rin is watching this from the shadows with a small, very slight smile on her face. Hiro notices her and hastily excuses himself to catch up with her. He's very concerned about her.

Hiro: Rin..your face is as pale as death... have you not been eating enough?

Rin: Why are you always bothering me? [note: The expression on her face is completely different from before, where she had a TINY smile on her face. now it's just cold] If it's about you happening to be there at *that* time.. forget it. You have a kind mother and a papa who loves you, so go live your peaceful life.

Hiro: Do..you.. blame me for that?

I find the Rin/Hiro interaction quite interesting. He's like a little brother to her, but she always brushes him off. He cares an awful lot about her, though..

Then there's a flashback to that conversation Rin had with Shigure.

Rin: Tell me. You know, don't you, Gure-nii? The way to lift the Juunishi curse.

Shigure: What makes you think that I would know?

Rin: You're at Akito's side, in Akito's confidence. Because "Akito's fond of you."

Shigure: ..fond of me? "Akito's fond of me!" Haha, how nice. The one Akito's fond of must know all kinds of secrets, huh? Even if that was the case, what makes you think I'd tell you? Do you have some kind of collateral?

Rin: I have only myself. I'll give you me. Use me however you want for the rest of my life.

Shigure: ... you're desperate, huh? For Haru's sake. ..but... regrettably, in truth, I don't know anything either. Not about how to do such a thing. I can't give you the answer you hoped for.

Rin: You LIE! It's a lie! Don't try to fool me!

Rin doesn't believe Shigure, and Shigure goes on to say that Akito has no reason to tell Shigure any secrets; his life deserves no special mentions. Shigure gives Rin no answers, except for a some advice, to go ask "God" himself.

Rin: I've been thrown off-track, I think. I can feel it. I knew it the whole time.

She suddenly collapses, sweating and heaving.

Rin: I wanted to be born in Haru's heart.

There's a flashback of Haru and Rin together, in bed.

Rin: ..To always be together. So that if Haru died, I would be able to die with him.

Haru: Then we wouldn't be able to kiss or do anything, though.

Rin: Haru..but..Haru..I..

Rin suddenly snaps out of her flashback, realizing that she had somehow fallen unconscious. She is barely able to walk.

Rin: I feel worse..and worse. Wait. Maybe I'm still inside.. a dream.

And then she has a flashback of Akito, holding Haru, and Haru, standing stiff and unmoving.

Rin: I hate this. I'm always seeing this dream that I hate. I've got to wake up. I've got to find it. I've got to find a way. Let it end. Just let it all end..

She's inside Shigure's house, but finds that he's not there. She suddenly collapses and falls to her knees, coughing and coughing. All of a sudden, Tohru appears, but Rin somehow mistakes her for someone else and completely loses it:

Rin: Don't be angry! Please don't be angry!! Don't be mad, Mama.. Papa... don't be mad!

There's yet another flashback of a younger Rin with her parents, who were always happy together. Then one day, Rin asked..

Why are Mama and Papa always having so much fun? Are you really having fun? Is there nothing you're sad about?

Rin's mother: For whose sake do you think we do it for?! For whom do we try so hard every single day... don't mess around with me!

Rin: And the play...was over.

Her parents didn't love her, didn't need her anymore, and the happiness had fallen away.

Rin: I'm scared. Haru. I'm scared. I'm so scared. I just...can't go on.

Chapter 79

This chapter is almost entirely a flashback from Rin's point of view. Rin's parents have completely changed now and they, to put it simply, hate her. We see a younger version of her walking along, stumbling, and suddenly coughing and passing out. A younger Haru kneels in front of her.

Haru: Ah.. good. You're still breathing. Just..wait a minute.

As Haru goes off to get his teacher, Rin remembers that before everything changed, they used to always play with each other. There's a cute scene of chibi Haru and Rin playing, and Rin telling Haru that she likes his hair, and Haru giving her this adorable, blank, wide-eyed look. ^___^

Anyway, Rin wakes up in a hospital, and Kazuma [y'know, Kyou's Shishou and father-figure] is there, talking with the doctors. Rin starts to grow upset, repeatedly saying, "I have to go back! I have to go home!"

And in the doorway, Rin's mother appears.

Mother: It's okay if you don't come back anymore. It's fine. Go somewhere where I can't see you anymore. Because I... don't understand anymore. Because I just don't know how I can possibly love you anymore.

We don't need you.

Rin is completely broken by this, clutching her head in her hands and weeping softly. Haru grows angry and confronts Rin's parents:

Haru: What are we supposed to do when our own parents tell us something like that!? Say you're sorry! Apologize to Rin!!

Kazuma has to physically restrain Haru from jumping on Rin's parents. His heated words, however, have no effect on Rin's parents, and they simply walk out the door. But Rin, still crying openly, manages,

Rin: Haru...thank you.

Haru doesn't reply, but looks angry and silently furious.

Rin goes on to explain how she next lived in Kagura's house, and she'd hide herself in her room because it was still painful for her. When her pain grew to be too much, Haru would appear at her window, and they'd sneak out together. Rin [voiceover]: He would take me to places... we'd talk about trifle things. Haru had always been there for me, and he'd come visit me when I was sick. The memories of my time with Haru were happy. When I was with Haru, there was no pain."

There's a cute conversation between the two of them, and Haru's commenting on how the kids at his school don't seem to like his hair or attitude, so he'd have to get some piercings. Rin replies that his logic is amusing, and we see her smile for the first time.

Rin: Haru's a weird guy. A nice guy. I'll end up growing attached to him. I'll fall...in love..maybe. But I can't do that. A person like me, my "love" would be warped.

Scene switches, to Haru and Rin in a room, and it looks like they are studying - at least, Rin has a book on her lap - and Haru bluntly says:

Haru: Rin, let's kiss.

Rin: Wh..why?

Haru: Because we love each other.

Rin: We..we can't. Akito..would be..mad.

Haru: ..but, if you were to be with someone else, I wouldn't be able to stand it. Or do you think other guys would be better?

Rin: *drops the book on her lap* Haru, I..That's not it! I..

*voiceover* I love Haru. Without Haru, my sorrows would have overwhelmed me. I want Haru, every bit of him. My desire for him deepens every second. My "love" will crush Haru one of these days. He will hate me, want to leave me. If I were to lose Haru..

Haru: Do you feel sorry for me?

Rin: No..it's not like that!

Haru: I love you. So I want you. Rin, do you not want me? Do you not want us to be together?

Rin: ....

She's struggling within herself, and her face is beet-red. In the end..she gives up, and she kisses him. The kiss leads into something more.

The scene switches over to one with Akito. It seems like Akito has summoned Rin, and he questions her on the rumors about her and Haru dating. The "look" on Rin's face clears it all up for him.

Akito: Which one of you sweet-talked the other into it? Was it Hatsuharu? Or you? Which one of you has incurred my anger? You know when I'm angry, I can't really control my actions. Remember the incident with Hatori's left eye?

And Rin, frightened for Haru, lies.

Rin: It was me! It was me who talked him into it!

Akito slaps her, hard.

Why do you touch my things? Or did you think you could win against me? He grabs her by the collar, pushing her against a window. You're no good, are you? Completely useless. Your darkness will just devour Haru! Know just how little you are actually worth! You're nothing but another meaningless life! Learn your place already!!

You.. aren't needed.

Rin has a fleeting flashback of her parents' words, startingly similar: We don't need you. Tears stream down her cheeks as Akito pushes her, without hesitation, out the window.

Rin, voiceover: But Haru, he wanted me. There was actually a person who wanted *me*, a person no one needs. That was happiness for me. Thank you. I was happy. But it's okay now. That's enough. Haru, this time, I need to make you happy. Escape from me and Akito. From all your bondage. I want to free you. Haru's true "happiness" is not with me. Search for it. Go out and find it. When nothing remains in my hands, then it can..end.

Hiro saw the whole incident, but Akito prevented him from doing anything about it. This is the reason Rin broke up with Haru; this is her tragic and dark story. Haru has no idea that this has all happened to her.

In the present times, Tohru is watching over Rin's unconscious form. In her sleep, a tear falls down Rin's cheek.

Chapter 80

Rin wakes up to Tohru watching over her, and she's extremely jumpy and startled. Tohru calls for Shigure and Hatori, and Hatori tells Rin that she should go to the hospital. Rin is adamant: She doesn't want to go to the hospital.

Rin: I HATE HOSPITALS!

In her mind's eye, she sees her mother, standing in the doorway of her hospital room, telling her that she isn't needed. Rin, in a desperate attempt, opens the window and is about to climb out, but is physically restrained by Hatori. Rin is stopped from running away, but she also isn't taken to the hospital.

Scene change: Rin is in bed, her entire body covered by the blanket. Yuki is there, looking at the plate of untouched food beside her bed.

Yuki: Rin.. you won't eat?

Rin: ... If you.. call Haru, I won't forgive you.

Yuki: I won't try to tell you what you should do with yourself. But I'm going to tell you one thing. Haru is still in love with you. He really..loves you.

Yuki exits the room, and Rin has a flashback of Haru telling her about Tohru.

Haru: It's thanks to that girl that the aura between Yuki and Kyou has calmed down.

Rin: Is she that amazing a girl?

Haru: Nuh-uh. A normal girl. If you met her, you'd see, too. She's..kind.

Rin, voiceover: Haru..you're also kind. You're too kind. Kind people..I feel sorry for them. And that's why..I didn't want to meet that girl.

But, just after I'd broken up with Haru, when I went to Gure-nii's home, that girl was there. That..burning..impulse..

Rin is snapped out of her reverie when Tohru enters her room.

Rin: Stop it. Stop trying to lift the curse. What are you thinking? Do you look down on us? Do you pity our awkward bodies? That kind of thing isn't any of your business! You're a kind person, so why don't you just go to your kind world and live like you're supposed to!!

Rin, voiceover: That's not what I mean, but this is the only way I can say it. I hate it when kind people suffer.

Tohru: Are you..trying to lift the curse, too?

Rin: ..! That's none of your business! Shut up!

Tohru: Isuzu-san, do you know the way to lift the curse?

Rin: Shut your mouth! Stop butting in!

Tohru: I WON'T! I AM BUTTING IN!

Rin: *slightly taken aback* ....don't.. don't joke around with me!

Tohru: No! You may have something to stick to, but so do I.. there is something.. that I have to stand up for too!

Rin: SHUT UP! SHUT UP, THERE ISN'T! ...THERE.. There isn't one! There is absolutely no way to do it! Nobody knows.. Nobody knows how to do it.. We can't escape. I .. I don't know what to do anymore..

Tears begin to escape from her eyes, and all of a sudden, Rin takes off.

Tohru: Isuzu-san!

Rin, voiceover: I can't stand it. That's why I didn't want to come close to that girl. To a girl like that, who can make me feel these kinds of feelings. At that time, too, I wanted to burst into tears. I wanted to run to her and rest my head in her lap, like a child that returns to her mother, crying.

Pathetic.

I decided that I would never cry, but still..

Rin has stopped and is sobbing on the front steps of the house. Tohru has caught up to her and is sitting beside her, unsure. She tentatively reaches out a hand towards Rin..

When all of a sudden, Rin wraps her arms around Tohru and buries her head in her shoulder, crying.

Rin, voiceover: I can't help it. I'm this powerless. I'm this weak. I'm sorry.

Rin: ...I just.. don't know what to do anymore. I don't understand! I don't know anything. I can't do it by myself.

Tohru tightens her grip on Rin, and says, Being alone is scary. It's scary..to be on your own.

Rin, thinking: I can't stand on my own strength.

Chapter 81

Actually, Rin doesn't make an appearance in this chapter.. only in the first page, where Hatori comes over and takes her to the hospital.

The next day at school, Yuki is talking with Haru..

Haru: What a surprise, what a surprise.. that she would swing the I.V. stand around when I came to visit..

Yuki: Eeeh?!

[There's actually a very picture, it's tiny, but it's basically Rin, swinging the I.V. stand threateningly at Haru, and Haru watching with his typical impassive look.. XD]

Haru: Since she dared to hit a nurse, she can't have visitors anymore.

Yuki: ..."hit"..? No one was hurt, were they?

[Shigure was the one who told Haru about Rin being hospitalized]

Haru: Nah. But somewhere.. with all her weaknesses, ulcers, complications and so on, all the many reasons that prolong her hospitalizations.. she seemed spirited, so I'm relieved.

Yuki: ...tha..That's how you interpret it..?

Yuki, voiceover: He's so very in love with Rin.. He just can't help it. Surely he's not reasoning properly..

Haru: For the time being, I hope that she'll be good and stay in the hospital. And I'll visit her.

Yuki: ...even if she swings her I.V. at you?

Haru: At least she can't swing her bed at me.

Then he says,

Haru: But Yuki, you don't need to worry about me--

He's cut off by an extremely interesting message on the intercom, calling for their beloved President Yunyun. ^^ Anyhow, Kakeru Manabe, the vice-president that's constantly pissing Yuki off, shows up and gets Yuki all riled up again. Haru, watching this exchange, smiles. He bows slightly to Manabe and says, totally out of the blue,

Haru: Please...take good care of Yuki.

Yuki: ..wha..?

Manabe: Yes, sir! I will make sure to make your daughter happy!

LOL. Really hilarious scene. Then Haru, before leaving the scene, turns back once more towards Yuki, remarking,

It's been a good fight.

That's all the Haru or Rin we'll be getting in this chapter. I thought it was a nice chapter.. Haru went to visit Rin, Rin swinging her I.V. at him. ^.^ And then that sweet bond between Yuki and Haru, a lot like brothers, hmm? Still, I can't help but wonder about what will happen to Rin and Haru from now on. Tohru seems to be getting to Rin, so maybe Rin will finally allow Haru to grow closer to her.

I'm really loving Rin's character. There's just something so *real* about her, you know? I mean, Tohru's sweet, but there's no one in the world that knows ALL the right things to say at EXACTLY the right times. Rin is very REAL, this strong-willed character who tries to be strong but inside is weak and suffering. Sounds like a lot of us, doesn't it?

Chapter 82

Rin has been in the hospital all ths time, and Tohru has been visiting her.

Tohru, upon seeing the food that Rin has not eaten: Won't you eat?

Rin: There's only food I hate.

Tohru: What..are the foods you don't hate?

Rin: Jelly.

So Rin seems to have a soft spot for jelly. The fanfiction-writer in me just has this sweet HaruRin scene that's just brewing in my head... XD

So Tohru comes again, this time with a bag. She enters to find Rin sitting by the window, and her hair is tied back in pigtails. Tohru finds them EXTREMELY adorable, and Rin moves as if to take the ties off as a response. [Although, she doesn't ACTUALLY take them off. ^^] She explains that she only tied her hair back because they had been in the way during the examination. Tohru had brought her some jelly, and Rin tells her she'll eat it later, because she doesn't like to eat in front of other people.

Rin: Why are you coming to visit me? Is it what I think it is? Is it the Juunishi curse?

Tohru starts to completely freak out, apologizing.. and thinking to herself that Rin had been thinking of that matter all this time while Tohru had pushed it off to the side, and..yeah.

Rin: ..what's with you?

The scene switches, and now the two girls are outside. As Tohru speaks, Rin takes off her hairties.

Tohru: Akito-san said, that he was like God..and that all of the Juunishi will live by his side. That everyone will live in the same place, at the same place, forever. Is that what the curse is for the Juunishi? Is the curse that.."bond"..?

Rin: There isn't any way I could have memories of it, but God and the animals exchanged a promise.. many hundreds of years ago.. to be together for all eternity. No matter how many times they would die and be reborn, they wouldn't leave his side. They'll go to meet him. Always.

The "bond" might look beautiful to a person looking at it from the outside, but it's a heavy burden for a person under it. That's why, to us, it's a "curse."

Tohru then asks about Kureno, but Rin replies that Kureno's a "shady person" and that basically, she doesn't trust him. Tohru declares that she'll meet with Kureno, and stands up. Rin, with a completely impassive expression on her face [reminiscent of Haru, actually ^.^] grabs Tohru's ankle, causing her to trip and fall on her face. For the first time, there's a bit of emotion on Rin's face:

Rin: Don't go making people mad on your own!!

Tohru: ...I'm sorry..

Rin: Why do you want to lift the curse? The thing that you have to stand up for..what is it? The thing that you most treasure, what is it?

Tohru cannot answer, and there's a frightened sort of look on her face. Rin sees this, and stands up abruptly.

Rin: It doesn't matter. But..going on your own to see Kureno.. please don't go do those things.

Tohru, smiling: Isuzu-san, if you're telling me not to try and handle everything alone, then.. you're truly living up to your name now, aren't you?

Ahah, this got to me, so I actually looked it up. Tohru is referring to Rin's given birth name, which is Isuzu, and apparently, it's "written in two Kanji characters as "Dependable Bell"... pictures Isuzu's personality and appearance quite well... Rin is actually taken from the 'suzu' part of Isuzu, being the same Kanji character but with two ways to pronounce it." "Rin" is like the sound a bell makes, too, so that's pretty cute. XD

Anyway, after Tohru's comment of Rin living up to her name, Rin turns red and blows up a little bit,

Rin: Che! I don't need a flaky acquaintance like you!

Tohru leaves, and later on, Rin is eating the jelly Tohru had made for her.

It's all right.. if I show my true self in front of her. It's like how Haru was there for me. A person who gently opens the door, you just can't help..but seek out a person like that.

As she eats the jelly, she comments that it's delicious.

I thought this was an interesting chapter, especially with Rin's character development..ahaha, like the part where she blows up at Tohru. It's like we were given a little peek at her personality, huh? I thought that was sweet. I can't wait to see Rin's real, unguarded personality, when she's not trying to hide or run away from anything.