Hi everyone! Thanks for giving my first fanfic in a couple years a chance! I just wanted to explain a few things before we got started. This is the prologue, which, of course, you can tell by reading the chapter name. It is the only chapter that is done in Yuki's perspective, unless I decide to do an epilogue, when I get there. I JUST started reading the Fruits Basket manga, however, I have watched the anime, and I've done my research. I realize that Kyo and Tohru end up together, but Yuki is so much better to Tohru than Kyo is in the anime, so the pairing just made a lot more sense to me, plus the anime just left it hanging, so I felt like it was open to interpretation regardless of the manga. So this chapter is pretty much my explanation of the reasons I've come to determine that Yuki has romantic feelings for Tohru. It's a lot of things you've already seen in the anime, if you watched it, and may have read in the manga, but bear with me. We'll be gaining new ground shortly. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Fruits Basket or any of its characters, nor do I receive any monetary compensation for this original literary deviation.

"It felt like I was living in a jail, under watch by Akito or other relatives, so I went to a coed high school and left home. But the result is still the same...I can't leap the fence. Still living at one of the Sohma family member, Shigure's, home…Still can't deal with 'normal' people… I didn't plan to refuse… But there's no way I can be with anyone. It's like I didn't want to fall in too deep and drew a line for myself, because I am this way…I can't get rid of my self-pity and cowardice."

I remember all these thoughts running through my head, walking, ashamedly in my zodiac-form, back to Shigure's house with Miss Honda as the admission spilled from my mouth. The staggering loneliness and hopelessness I felt bore down on me, weighing me down more and more as we walked. I remember wishing Miss Honda would contradict me, reach out to me, tell me there was someone I could be with…her. She had proven Akito wrong by wanting to my friend despite my curse. If only she could want more.

I remember the sudden downpour of rain pulling my mind away from such silly thoughts and turning it toward a more reasonable matter as I transformed back. But still, I was happy she decided to follow me to my secret base to help me protect my vegetable garden. Even if I couldn't have her the way I wished, it was nice to pretend that I could while we spent time together, without the stupid cat vying for her attention as well. I loved the days when she was all mine. Especially that one, when she told me she was happy, because I spoke about myself. She wanted to be closer to me. I remember the joy I felt stir inside my heart, that, at that moment, had suddenly began to beat more quickly. And I remember that was the first time I ever smiled a real smile.

I remember the day Miss Honda came and told us the renovations in her grandfather's home were completed, and the instant feeling of pained emptiness that it gave me. It was as if someone had ripped a piece of my heart out of my chest to keep it for themselves, leaving a gaping hole behind. I wanted to convince her to stay, but I had known from the start this was how it was to be. I almost felt ashamed of myself for letting her get so close to me. Even though I knew it wasn't the last time I would see her, I felt as though the chapter of our cherished friendship had ended. It was such a relief to save her from that terrible family of hers, to take her back home to be a part of our family again.

I remember when Hatsuharu came to fight Kyo, and he called Miss Honda Kyo's girlfriend. I was jealous he would assume such things. Why Kyo? Why not me? And his threats regarding her were enough to send me into a rage. If I hadn't been feeling so ill, Kyo would not have had a chance to get near the damned ox. I remember waking up to Miss Honda tending to me concernedly, while listening to Haru contentedly, albeit, to my dismay. When she called me 'Prince' Yuki, at Haru's request, I was so caught off guard and embarrassed that I transformed. I had never imagined her thinking of me in the way the silly fangirls at school did, but, for that brief moment, I almost hoped.

I remember the day Momiji took us all to the hot springs for White Day. I was glad Miss Honda would get a chance to relax after all the hard work she'd been doing for us at home, in school and at her job. Some time away was sure to do her some good. I discovered her ping pong skills were so atrocious, that I had to run from the room just to stop myself from bursting into laughter. When she followed me, I laughed, a true laugh, able to shed my composed demeanor for the briefest of moments in front of her and only her, for the first time in ages. I remember the way her eyes lit up when I gave her the White Day gift I found for her. How lovely she looked with the golden ribbons tied in her hair and the rosy blush that rested upon her cheeks as I pressed the length of ribbon to my lips. How I wished I was brave enough to press my lips to hers. I was too afraid of rejection. I couldn't imagine any girl wanting to be with one so…limited. Someone that couldn't even hold her. So I was contented to continue admiring her in silence.

I remember when we visited Ayame's shop. I asked Miss Honda to come with me, but whether she came because she was curious to see the shop or because I asked her to, I'll never truly know. For some reason, I think it was a little of both. While Ayame was trying his best to 'bond' with me, Miss Honda was dragged away to be dressed by his strange assistant, Mine. I must say, Miss Honda did look adorable, but, unsuprisingly, any romantic moods or feelings were quickly dispelled by Ayame's embarrassing behavior. Still, I felt my feelings toward her growing ever stronger.

I remember the date that Shigure suggest we go on while Kyo and Kagura where out on a date of their own. Her embarrassed reaction was cute, and it seemed like she might actually be interested, so I remained calm and collected, hoping that I seemed self-assured, when really my stomach was in knots. I suggested a walk to the secret base. The blush that spread like wildfire across her cheeks made my heart skip a beat. I had always wanted someone to feel close to, and here she was, perfect in every way, willing to go on a date with me. Although I didn't think Miss Honda would be capable of telling anyone no, it still felt like an accomplishment. I was disappointed when she turned the conversation to Kyo, and even more so when we discovered Kazuma, Kyo's master, had returned.

My thoughts turned to the most recent events. That stupid cat was always ruining everything for me. From the very beginning Miss Honda's sympathies lay with the cat because of the legend in which he was discluded from being a part of the zodiac. I couldn't understand why she would feel sorry for such an ungrateful lout. He was a clumsy oaf, who constantly caused more housework for her, and he was constantly yelling at her inappropriately. I always felt he should be more respectful of Miss Honda. Still she pitied him, because he wasn't included as part of the family. Because it was the rat who decieved him the cat the folktale, I was to blame for Kyo not being accepted into the Sohma family as one of the zodiac. It always made me feel guilty that it was my animal that distressed her over the fate of the cat. It felt as though, in this way, Kyo had beaten me. I knew she cared for me, but her interest in the cat was undeniable, and it seemed that they were only getting closer. Especially now that she had seen his true form. His curse only engendered more hearfelt sympathy and care for him.

I've decided that I am going to admit my true feelings to Miss Honda. That foolish cat doesn't have the sense to swallow his pride and tell her how he feels. Maybe, just maybe, if I can beat him to it, I'll have my chance to be truly happy, to be the one that Miss Honda decides to love. At the very least, I need to know if she feel anything close to what I feel for her toward me. Now, if only I know how to put my thoughts and feelings into words. Somehow, I would find the right time to say the right words.