Thankful

By: Fei Ku

Hello everyone! This is my first Fruits Basket fic. and I think I'll be proud of this one. One day Akito decides to drops by Shigure's house to visit Tohru and some surprising things happen! Plus Tohru's sick! Oh no! I can't tell you more than that or I'll spoil the story so plz read! Oh, and by the way, all these characters belong to Natsuki-sensei! Okay… action!

"It's such a beautiful day today!" A young girl said as she folded the laundry. Newly folded, white bed sheets were placed in a laundry basket. "I love Spring; it's my favorite time of the year!" She hummed a cute melody as she ran her finger through her finished progress. Tohru was glad it didn't rain today. The news has been mentioning scattered storms all week and she's never had a chance to catch up on her house duties because of it. The balcony was still wet, but it still brings her heart some joy to see a clear sky.

Tohru broke out of her daydream and started out the door. "I better start on the next load, before it rains again!" She carefully picked up the hamper and ran downstairs. She heard each foot step she made as she ran down the stairs. As she ran towards the laundry room she noticed a boy lying on the floor!

She gasped and dropped the basket. She stood by the assumingly dead body, her hands against her chest. "Uh, Kyo?" There was no answer; just the sound of grumbling filled the air as she knelt down to assist him. "Kyo, are you alright?" Again, no answer. Tohru began to scream, "Oh no! Kyo! Kyo's sick! Somebody help! He's not answering!"

The orange-haired boy sat up, "Could you be anymore damn loud!?" He growled.

She calmed down, "Oh, Kyo. You're okay! I was- so worried." She wiped a tear from her eye.

Suddenly a purple-haired boy ran into the room. "Tohru?" He started as he ran towards her, "Are you alright, Tohru? You gave me such a shock!"

"Oh, Yuki. I-I'm sorry. I just thought Kyo was sick… the way he was laying there." She looked down, embarrassed. Her face turned red from the thought of her being so ridiculous.

"Hm, should have known it was his doing." Yuki knelt down, "You know how Kyo gets when it rains… that's all that is. He is the cat after all!" He giggled.

"Oh, that's right." I forgot that they were part of the zodiac. Especially Kyo since the cat isn't included in the rest of the 12 animals. Oh, I'm such an idiot! I should have known. Cats hate the rain, or water for that matter.

"Miss Tohru," Tohru was caught completely off guard as Yuki's hand was pressed against her forehead. "Are you catching a fever? You're burning up, and your face is red."

"Uh… no." She shook her head. Oh no! I'm so embarrassed, I-I turned red! But I can't tell him that! But if I don't he'll think I have a fever! Yuki leaned closer, still examining her fever. I'm so nervous! Yuki's so close w-we're breathing each others air! I'm getting dizzy! Tohru's face turned brighter.

"Hey!" Tohru turned to face-, "How the hell was this my fault!? You're the one suffocating her over there, pretty boy!" Kyo yelled as he struggled to keep his balance.

"Shut up you stupid cat!"

"Hell no, you damn rat! I'm gonna kick your ass!" He got in his ready stance as Yuki turned his gaze towards him.

Tohru began to calm down since Yuki wasn't so close. Tohru leaned back as she tried to recover her missing heartbeats. "This is, the first time I'm glad they started to fight." She sighed as she pulled herself up. Suddenly a force flew through her and she started to fall! Her fall was broken when she landed on something. She looked up to see-, "Ah! Shigure!"

"Oh, hello Tohru! I just came out here to see what all the noise was." Shigure's glasses made him look more grown-up than he was.

"I'm so sorry!" She bowed, "But,"

"Hm?"

"Why didn't you turn into a dog?"

"Oh! I knew my in-progress shojo novel would be good for something!" His novel was in front of his body. "Yuki, Kyo… please try not to get blood all over my house."

"Oh Tohru!" Shigure grasped her hand as she turned her attention towards him. "Your red! Are you sick?"

"Uh, no!" My face is still red?

"Oh poor Mistress Tohru! You work yourself to death almost everyday!" He pulled his face closer to hers, "May I heal you… with a kiss!"

Yuki and Kyo punched Shigure as Yuki pulled Tohru towards him. "No you won't!"

"Such cruel behavior!" He whined as he rubbed his cheek.

"Shigure you sick bastard!" Kyo yelled, his fist held high.

"Everything… is so confusing today!" Tohru felt dizzy again. Suddenly Tohru collapsed!

"Tohru?"

"Tohru!"

I'm hot! I feel… sick!

Hm? What happened? The last thing I remember was that- ah! What was that force that went through me? It makes me feel that-that something's about to happen. I'm asleep…

Tohru slowly opened her eyes to see that she was in her room. A slightly wet cloth was placed on her forehead. She placed her hand on the cloth, "What? Was I… really sick!?"

The door suddenly opened and Yuki slowly walked in with a pot of stew. "Oh, you're finally awake!"

"Ah, Yuki!" Tohru sat herself off, the cloth fell to her lap.

Yuki placed the bowl on her dresser as he walked over to Tohru's bed. "Are you okay, Tohru?" He grabbed the rag as he felt Tohru's temperature again.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't know I was actually sick! I thought it was just… um?

"Just what?"

"Nothing." Tohru started to get red again as she tried to hide her face in the covers.

"You're getting sick again!"

She started to get nervous. Oh no! Calm down Tohru! Calm down!

"Maybe this should help," Yuki leaned in closer until his forehead was touching Tohru's.

"Yuki, no don't! You don't have to-!"

"Hold still Miss Honda." Tohru couldn't help, but feel nervous. I never noticed before… How cute Yuki looked. Yuki smelled good to Tohru. Her heart started to beat fast, and uneven.

Finally Yuki pulled away, "Do you, feel better?"

"Yes, thank you." She lied. She sat up again, expecting to get her food. Her sigh was shaky from being so nervous. "Didn't you… bring something else in here with you?" She said breaking the silence, since Yuki forgot he brought some food with him.

"Oh!" He quickly ran towards her dresser where her food was. "I almost forgot!" He handed her the slightly warm food.

"O-oh! Thank you Yuki!" She dipped her spoon in her stew. She felt relaxed by the delicious scent the food gave off. She slowly tasted the stew and a joyous feeling came over her. "It's delicious! Did you make it for me Yuki?"

Yuki looked away, feeling disappointed, "Uh, no, Kyo did. All I do is burn food, not make it."

"Well I won't know that for sure until I try it!"

Yuki looked back at her and smiled, "Why thank you Miss Honda. But I-I won't be making anything soon."

"Then… I'll wait!" Tohru said, trying to make him feel better.

"Thank you." Tohru took another bite and put her spoon down.

"Uh, Yuki?" A devastating looked appeared across Tohru's face. "Is, um, anyone from the Sohma family coming to visit anytime soon?"

Yuki seemed surprised on how Tohru looked, "Uh no. I'm sure no one is coming for a while. At least, no one you know."

"I see…" Then… what was that feeling in my chest I felt earlier? Was it because of my cold?

"Why do you ask?"

"Oh nothing!" She tried to hide her fear. "I was just wondering! Th-that's all!"

"O-oh. Okay then," Yuki walked towards the door, "Then I'll come back later okay. So you just rest for now!"

"Thank you, Yuki!"

Yuki closed the door behind him as Tohru got lost in her own thoughts. I'm so happy I have Yuki, Kyo, and the others to support me. Though… I shouldn't get sick in the first place. I don't want to… oh! I'm so confused! Why do I feel so weird today!? I just know something's gonna happen soon. I just know it! Tohru's stomach began to tighten as she proceeded on finishing her dinner. Tohru believed she had met all of the Sohma's… at least the ones with the curse. But… who else could there be?

Tohru quickly fell asleep right after she had finished eating. Thoughts clouded her mind as she continued to think about what happened earlier that day. She knows she should just let it go, but… still. Her thoughts woke her up in the middle of the night. She noticed there was a note left where her bowl was. "It's from Yuki and… Kyo?" She quickly grabbed the note. (Manly to see what Kyo wrote.)

Dear Tohru,

I see you ate all of the stupid cat's stew. I'm surprised you didn't get sick from it.

Growl: How dare you! At least I can cook unlike you, you damn rat! You'd burn down the whole house if you cooked! So don't play with me!

Anyway Miss Honda, please get better soon!

From,

Yuki

and Kyo

P.S. Hey! Why the hell is my name smaller!?

Because you're worth nothing! Sorry Miss Honda, the stupid cat's

still paranoid about the rain.

Tohru couldn't help, but laugh at their strange letter. It filled her with joy to see that they cared about her. She felt like walking around a bit… and catch up with her chores. She walked towards the kitchen to get a glass of water. As she was drinking she heard footsteps coming from outside. "Hello?" She slowly walked towards the door. "I-is anyone out there?" Tohru's hand continuously shook as she struggled to open the door. The door slid open and she saw… Akito! "Akito?" Wh-what's he doing here!? It's not like anyone was expecting him! Maybe this was the force that went through me today? Tohru froze at the door.

"So," H-he's speaking to me! Wake up Tohru! Wake up. She slowly looked up at the young boy just outside her door. "So, aren't you going to let me in, Miss Tohru Honda? He slowly walked up to the front door step. Tohru got nervous and dropped her glass. Cool, and supposedly refreshing, water splashed on the floor.

Tohru was too afraid to speak. Fear ran through her whole body. All she could manage was a faint, "Of course." I don't want to be alone. "I-I'll call Shigure, Yuki, and Kyo down for you." She moved out of his way as he stepped inside Shigure's house.

"There is no need." Tohru broke out of her trance.

"What?"

"I only want to talk to you… only you." His stare was icy.

"O-okay. I'll lead you to a room." What could Tohru do? It's not like she could just send him out. I guess its okay… if he just wants to talk to me. Tohru led him to the, I guess, living room. "Would you like some, uh, water?"

"No thank you." Tohru felt uneasy sitting right across from him. She felt his chilling stare, even though she was so far away. It was like a stabbing pain in her chest. Tohru waited for Akito to speak first since she knew there was a reason he visited her. Akito being up to no good was far from Tohru's mind. She's never even meet him before, but Shigure always seemed to talk about him and Yuki and Kyo all said how much they despised him. Was Akito really that bad?

Since Akito hasn't said a word in about an hour she wanted to break the chilling silence. All Akito did was stare at her, sitting as comfortable as he wanted to. Tohru opened her mouth to speak, but words refused to come out.

"So," Tohru broke out of her image.

"Y-yes."

"Do you really think… you can actually continue to keep living here?" Akito's voice was icy. "How dare you be so happy!" The ice shattered and one of them stabbed Tohru.

"W-what are you… you talking about?" Tohru refused to let those words sink.

"You heard me!" His voice turned louder, eviler. "You don't deserve to live in this house!" He stood up, "I will make you regret, ever being involved with the Sohmas!" He stepped towards her as she crawled back.

-To be continued…