Tohru Honda walked slowly down the forested path towards the humbler of the Sohma estates. As the evening summer sun slowly leaked away from the trees, she moved with an uncharacteristic ambling pace towards her destination. Her arms, usually laden with groceries or school books, were empty and crossed almost protectively over her chest.

"A trade?"

As Shigure's house crept into view, Tohru forced herself to calm her shaking steps and compose herself. Surely they'll worry if I can't even walk straight, she thought anxiously.

"What could you possibly do?"

Indeed, Tohru was so nervous about the prospects of her adoptive family forcing an explanation out of her, she failed to notice the red-haired boy sitting cross-legged on the roof watching her. Kyo Sohma eyed Tohru with cautious worry as she made her way to the house. He noticed the look of unease on her face and the way her fingers fidgeted nervously. This sight was unnerving to him, for Tohru nearly always came home with a look of, Kyo thought, nonsensical joy and a cheerful smile spread across her face. As she steadied herself a final time and entered the house, Kyo dropped swiftly down from the roof and followed her inside.

"What could you possibly give?"

Tohru found the kitchen and living room empty as she wandered into the house. Yuki was likely with his new-found friends of the sudent council and Shigure, probably tucked back in his office working on his latest literary masterpiece. Tohru didn't know where Kyo was. He had a tendency to disappear on whims and do as he pleased, but he appeared to be not at home. Good, she thought. If I'm making dinner I can stay busy at least. She began the methodical process of laying out ingredients and letting he knowing fingers take control so her mind could wander. The kind-hearted girl had a lot to think about. Today, she had made a choice. Although she had no regrets, she still trembled at the weight of it. It was a decision so important it could-

"Tohru."

"What could a stupid, ugly girl like yourself be able to do to save him?"

Tohru started and whipped around. She saw Kyo standing there, looking at her with guarded concern. Her stomach leapt, and her already conflicted heart pounded.

"Kyo! You startled me! How long have you been standing there?"

"Just got here." He replied.

"Oh! Well dinner will be ready soon! I'll try and go quickly," she said, and forced a smile and a nervous laugh. Tohru turned and with a quickened pace resumed her cooking, praying he would brush off her behavior and leave.

"Tohru."

She turned again and looked at him questioningly.

"Tohru," he began again. "Are you okay?" He stood unmoving before her, unembarrassed to ask about her feelings and with no trace of awkwardness. His question had an air of complete sincerity to it, and Tohru was unsettled that he could read her so easily.

"I'm fine!" She replied quickly, though she backed up defensively.

He took a step closer to her. "Tohru, where did you go today?

"I didn't..."

"Did something happen?"

"I..."

...

"You stupid, stupid girl. How dare you come to this house and confront me! To ask this of me!"

"Please. Please, I will do anything. Please. I want him to be happy. I don't want him to live a life confined to a little room!"

"So you will pay his debt? You will bear the burden of the cat's curse?"

"Yes."

"Ha! You will suffer. You will suffer as he suffers."

"I know."

"...Very well. I will allow this. You have one week left to stay in that house. Come here and Hatori will take care of you. Ha. Try not to make any good memories you don't want to lose."

"...I understand."

"If you let anyone know of this...the deal is off."

"I won't."

I won't.

"No, of course nothing happened!" she exclaimed. "Uo, Hana, and I just spent a long day together! And you know it was so hot today and the sun makes you tired..." Tohru smiled anxiously.

Kyo frowned. Tohru mumbled something about the rice cooking and tried to move around him. As she drew closer and went to pass, Kyo gently laid his arm across the counter in front of her, forcing her to stop. Startled, Tohru looked up at him. He looked back at her with a gaze so intense, she nearly shrunk back, but her body remained frozen. They stared silently at one another for what seemed like an eternity. She felt the warmth of his body so close to her and in the silence could hear his soft breathing. She wondered if he could hear her racing heart. I can't bear it. Finally,Kyo slowly opened his mouth to say something.

"Please. Tell me-"

"My my doesn't something smell absolutely delicious," a cheerful voice exclaimed.

Shigure Sohma bounded into the kitchen happily, causing Kyo and Tohru to jump apart quickly. Although he surely noticed the blushes fanning across the two's cheeks and the sudden awkwardness in the air, Shigure ignored it and busied himself with helping getting the table prepared.

Kyo gave Tohru one last look and slowly walked to the table and sat down, shooting Shigure an annoyed look.

Tohru quickly got the meal ready for serving and tried to calm herself for the millionth time that day. She had felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up with Kyo's close proximity to her and the blush that bloomed on her pale skin when they were discovered. She hoped it would fade quickly. Tohru turned to the table. Before her, Kyo was rolling his eyes at Shigure's oblivious babbling and a smiling Yuki walked into the kitchen. The scene struck her in its normality, but dearness to her heart. She knew her time to enjoy such a simple evening at home was coming to a close. I must cherish these times. I don't want to lose them....

But...

I have to do this.