Chapter 1

The air was frigid and rapid, no matter how fast he ran...the wind was determined to force him back. Back to that house, to nightmares and false hopes. The roads were particially covered with ice and no cars had passed for at least a good hour.

In a daze the blonde boy ignored the numbness of his hands and chest. Usually running distances at all left the greatest pain imaginable as his heart overworked. But not today. Keika was caught off guard as he ran across a patch of black ice, crashing to ground. He lay there a moment, face against the cold cement, and drifted into the past.

(Flash Back)

The afternoon had started off rather normal, lunch had been served and Hatori was in his office. Akito was in his room with Kureno tending to his every whim. It was getting close to Christmas, only a week away, and everything was turning out just normal and boring as every other Christmas.

Keika had been watching a holiday special, eating some ricecakes and hot cocoa. There was always one movie he'd watch every year, that of a child who's parents had been victims of a drive by shooting. And how the child found warmth and caring from a family she'd never knew. The first time he'd watched the movie, at the age of ten, he'd cried. Big deal, he was just ten at the time, he thought.

But when the phone rang everything became deadly silent, Hatori rushed out without saying a word. Keika hadn't bothered to ask but apparently someone in the family had been in some sort of accident. Someone was always getting hurt, even if it was a blizzard someone would be driving 90 miles per hour on icy roads. Idiots, that's what they were.

After a few hours and Hatori still hadn't arrived another call rang, and Keika groggily answered." This is the Sohma Residence, Keika Sohma speaking, can I help you? Shigure?"

It was Shigure all right and the news he told made the ill Sohma numb. He was right in assuming someone in the family had been hurt but...he'd never imagined that Kagura had been the one caught up in the accident. She had been at the mall picking out a gifts for the Sohmas' and Tohru when it happened. Just like in the movie, some man drove by...and Kagura had been the victim of a random drive by shooting.

The phone dropped from his now shaking hands, eyes wide from shock. Not Kagura, anyone but her. He heard Shigure call out his name countless times and he wasn't even aware that he'd ran out the door, without a jacket and socked feet.

(End Flash Back)

" Kagura..." Was all he managed, letting tears fall from his face, but he forced himself to his knees. He was so numb and if he lost her...what would he have left to cherish. Yes, he cared for the others Sohma's but...not the way he loved Kagura. She had caught his eye from the first day they'd met...in the park where Kyo and he were playing ball." Hang on...Kagura. I'll be by your side...as soon as I can...just...don't leave me..."

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I hope you enjoyed the first chapter so far, I know it's short. Personally this whole story is already completed but I'll just add a chapter a day so no one gets over-whelmed(even if it is evil muahahaha). Oh yes, Ritsu-kun, I'd like to thank you for letting me use Ichigo! Thank you!

To better explain who Keika and Ichigo are, I have a Fruits Basket RPG and Kei-kun is my character(I also RP Tohru) and Ichigo is Ritsu's character. All of our character are almost taken...and we've already celebrated the forums 1st Birthday! Yay! Curious? Read my profile and all the links to everything I'm in should be there in time.

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