Disclaimers on the characters of Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya. I don't own them, so don't sue.

Sighing with a smile on her face, Kisa slipped her notebook and pencil case into her schoolbag. Once finished, she stood up from her chair and grabbed her sweater from the back of her chair.

"Sohma-san!" Two classmates came over to her seat. "Come join us for dinner! We're going to with a few other friends and you should come as well! It'll be fun!"

Kisa blinked at their invitation but then bowed in apology. "Thank you for your offer! But I already have plans for tonight. I'm sorry! Maybe next time?"

"Ehh? Really? What a bummer!" A classmate pouted. "Are you sure though? If it is homework, I'm sure we can work on it together tomorrow after class!"

"No, it's not homework. I am really sorry," the blonde female smiled ruefully. "But please have fun."

The other student cocked her head to the side before a wide grin appeared on her face. "Ah! I got it, Aki-chan! Sohma-san has a date tonight! Isn't that right, Sohma-san?"

Her friend gasped in mock horror at the blunt question. "Nanao-chan! You can't just say things like that!"

At their words, Kisa felt her face turn pink and tilted her chin downward from embarrassment. Her classmates only laughed in girlish humor. Nanao teased, "Aw, Sohma-san does have a date tonight! You're so lucky to have a boyfriend, Sohma-san!"

"Heh?" Kisa looked unsurely at the two other women. "W-What do you mean?"

"It's nothing, Sohma-san! Nanao-chan's just jealous," Classmate Aki said reassuringly as she tugged on Nanao-chan's arm. "Anyway, we hope you have fun on your date tonight! Maybe next time you'll bring him along with us when we have dinner!"

"Mm! I will! Sorry again," the Sohma said meekly and waved goodbye to her classmates as they giggled and walked out the classroom. Her hand then fell over her fiercely beating heart. It was strange hearing her classmates say that she was going on a date with her boyfriend. How did they figure it out so easily anyway?

Shaking her head, Kisa glanced at the clock on the wall before hurrying out the door. Hatsuharu-kun was going to be waiting for her outside of the school gates! It would be bad to keep him waiting any longer than he should!

Just as she worried, she spotted him sitting down on one of the benches along the school pathways. He was staring as groups of students tromped past him. She approached him quickly and greeted him once she was at his side. "Hatsuharu-kun!"

"Kisa," he called in return. He stood up and smiled down at her. "All done for today?"

"Uhn!" Kisa nodded and they began to walk with the flow of people out the school gates. "Did you wait very long?"

"Not really," Hatsuharu answered and grabbed hold of her right hand with his left. Kisa blushed prettily at the contact. He asked her, "Where do you want to go eat? I'm not really familiar with this district…"

"If you don't mind, we can take the train downtown? There are more places to eat around there since this is more of a residential neighborhood," Kisa suggested as they strolled downhill. They were already walking in the direction of the train station, which indubitably would be packed with students going out and workers going home.

"That's fine with me," Hatsuharu said before picking up another thread for conversation. "How do you like your college?"

"It's not too bad but it is different living away from home," she admitted as she recalled the bouts of homesickness during her first few weeks on campus. Home was a good hour away on the rail and tickets were expensive if she were to go home every weekend. Even though her mother made sure to call her every Saturday morning, Kisa did miss seeing her mother in person. Also, the school curriculum and lecture styles took some getting used to. She attended about six lectures a day and spent a good portion of her evenings completing assignments.

Then she looked at him with a question in mind. "Was it easy for you during your first year?"

The taller male thought on her words with a blank face. She knew that Hatsuharu lived at home as he went to a nearby university but there were times when she would not see him for a solid two or even three weeks. Now that she was in his shoes, she wondered if he ever felt lonely. Having classmates and new friends was a great thing, but sometimes, she craved for the familiar faces of her home.

"I guess it was easier for me since I was closer to home," he said plainly. "But the transition period varies from person to person. You just have to take it at your own pace."

Kisa nodded and smiled. "I understand."

They arrived at the train station and entered the platform. It wasn't long before a train pulled up and swept them off to their destination. They were lucky enough to find two seats.

As the train rocked, she stared down at her schoolbag in her lap. She could feel the solid warmth of Hatsuharu next to her and she could smell the faint traces of his cologne. An unusual wave of relief washed over her and suddenly she felt very silly for feeling the pangs of homesickness. If Hatsuharu could bear with the transition, why couldn't she?

She was pulled to his side as his arm reached behind her shoulders and locked her in a one-arm embrace. Slightly startled by his movement, Kisa turned her head to ask him what was wrong only to catch his dark eyes staring down at her. She bit her lower lip as she felt her cheeks heat up from the intensity. She couldn't stop her stammering, which she found was happening more frequently today. "W-what is it, Hatsuharu-kun?"

"You know, Kisa, if you have a difficult time or if you just want someone to talk to, you can always call me, right?" He told her seriously without breaking their gazes.

Kisa was surprised but also calmed by his words. It was funny how he always knew what she was thinking, but in a way, it was also nice. She nodded with a brighter smile this time. "I know. Thank you, Hatsuharu-kun."

"Hmm," Hatsuharu hummed and then ducked in so that his nose bumped against hers. Before she could squeak, he kissed her lightly on the lips and pulled back.

By now, Kisa knew she was red as a tomato. It was embarrassing to share something so intimate and in public too! She hid her face in one of her hands and the other she lightly hit his knee. She could almost imagine him giving her a look that expressed nonchalance which made her want to hit him again but he stopped her and pressed his cheek against her crown.

"Say, what do you want to eat downtown?" He asked her as if he were asking about the weather.

"Soba? Maybe okonomiyaki?" She suggested.

For the rest of the ride, they discussed what they wanted to eat with her right hand encased in his.

AN: I'm back! This story focuses more of the in-betweens that I wrote without much detail in Splashes of Fruits. I hope you enjoy it!