Hello!  I've decided to write a sequel to my previous FB story, "A Solitary Freedom", once again, from Yuki's point-of-view.  Enjoy!

Sentences in quotes and regular font are spoken, those in regular font but not in quotes are Yuki's thoughts and observations.  Sentences in italics are memories.

Disclaimer: Fruits Basket and its characters are the property of their respective owners.  This piece is not for profitable purposes.

A New Day

Chapter 1: An Unexpected Turn of Events

I sit, quietly sipping tea with Haru and Momiji.  While Haru is polite and silently drinks his, Momiji loudly slurps and noisily comments.  Even so, I smile, glad that they remain as I have always known them.  Momiji slams his teacup on the table, fortunately, the tea level is low enough that it does not splash over.

He becomes strangely quiet and still for a moment before saying, "I wonder how Toh-ru is doing."

My arm stops in mid-motion, but I recover quickly and take another drink.

Still composed, Haru looks up from his cup and says, "I've known, Yuki, that you saw her again."

Startled, I am unable to completely contain my surprise as I feel my eyes widening.

"That one day that you replaced Kureno, since you returned to the estate, the dullness in your eyes has gone."

Momiji stands up suddenly and says, "Yuki, you saw Toh-ru!?"

Realizing that there is no escape from this, I calmly place my cup on the table, and give Haru an angry look, since it is highly likely that Momiji will not keep this a secret.

"Yes, I did see Tohru-san that day – the only time that I have been granted such a gift.  I met her at the marketplace, we shopped together and I treated her to a smoothie – as I had done before."

"Ah, how nice," Momiji responds.

"That time was very precious to me."
"What did she say about us?" Momiji asks.

My eyes slightly averted, I respond, "She – she remembered me only as a classmate, and didn't ask about any other Sohma."

Haru visibly frowns while Momiji slumps onto his knees on the floor.

Momiji traces his index finger along the floor and says, "She didn't mention – any of us."
"Not even Kyo?" Haru asks.

I shake my head no.

Wanting to provide some consolation, I quickly continue, "But, the meeting taught me something important…"

"Yuki."

Startled, I look over and see Kureno at the doorway, what is he doing here, and how much has he heard?  Hatori and I are usually the only ones Akito lets see him.  I look at Momiji and Haru, Haru looks as if he has not noticed, while Momiji gapes.

"Kureno," I respond.

"Hatori has asked that you come with me."

Momiji says, "Yuki," worriedly, while Haru gives me a momentary glance before returning to his tea. 

Remembering my earlier promise if Akito decides to follow through with his threat, I stand up confidently and walk over to Kureno, leaving the perplexed Momiji and the collected Haru behind.

I follow Kureno out into the hallway.  After we exit the house, we follow the path towards the main house, and, when we enter Akito's room, Kureno shuts the door.  He steps more into the room while I remain in place. 

He looks at me with a serious expression and says, "You are aware, of course, that Akito has been afflicted with a virulent pneumonia."

Of course, how could I forget?  It has been making his temper worse.

Trying to suppress my annoyance with Akito's behavior and Kureno's obvious assessment, I nod my head yes but remain silent.

"His condition has worsened, and Hatori thought it necessary to hospitalize him.  Hatori is unsure whether Akito will overcome this illness."

I freeze when I hear this, Akito – might not be coming back?

"You are to accompany me to the hospital."

My mind racing, I try my best to regain my composure.

"Fine."

If Akito doesn't return, then, at last – no, I should be careful, my plans may not yet come to fruition.   Kureno steps past me and opens the door once more; I follow him as he exits.  Walking behind him, we approach the car and I enter the passenger side.  Kureno starts the engine and I lean my elbow against the door, with my hand, open-palmed, resting against my face.  Triggered by my conversation with Momiji and Haru, I think of the meeting with Tohru-san, already two years ago - and the words she said that gave me hope.   

"I had many wonderful memories of our years together that I could treasure forever, and I knew, through these, that she lived on in my heart."

Since that time, when Tohru-san granted me that solitary freedom, my days have not been filled with bleak dread and despair, but with the liberty to take joy from the precious and treasured memories of the times I shared with her.

I end my reveries as I notice the car stopping.  I move my elbow and proceed to exit the car after Kureno finishes parking.

"His condition may surprise you, but it is important not to worry or agitate him about this."

Still somewhat distracted, I respond by nodding my head.  Realizing that, once again, I am outside of the Sohma estate, I take in the scenery and the people around me. I am still surprised by changes that I notice, but am not upset by them.

As we approach Akito's room, I see Hatori outside in the hallway.  He looks towards us and acknowledges us with a nod.  We file into the room, Hatori first, then Kureno, and then myself.  Although I try to mentally prepare myself, I am still shocked when I see him there.