A/N: Whoo-wee! It's been a while since I seen you guys, let alone since I have written a story! Well, I have fallen trapped into the world that is known as Furuba, aka Fruits Basket. So yes, I wrote a fanfiction. This one is funny/sad/romantic/angsty/and somewhat long...don't believe me? Read the first chapter! See how long that is!! Goodness, it took me two days to write! Heh, well, I hope you enjoy it! Review then read...I mean, read and review...but nicely! If you are mean, then I will...cry. You don't want me to cry do you? You do?! How rude! Anyway, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits basket or any of the characters! Wish I did though...sighs
Momiji's Birthday- Chapter one
The sun rose slowly, bringing a new day into light. The sunlight made it way over the mountains of the Sohma estate, contrasting a reddish-orange glow over the land. As it began to turn into golden sunshine, it fell over every house, one by one, until it reached a house on the outskirts of the property. As it slowly crept up the steps, entering the house of Shigure Sohma, it first met a young woman standing at the entrance, smiling at the radiance of fresh daylight.
"Ah..." Tohru took in the smell of the new day, closing her eyes as the smell of the awaking earth filled her senses. She opened them slowly as a breeze blew past her, teasing her simple blue dress. She turned around, reentering the house and started for the steps. As she placed a foot onto them, she heard the sliding of a door. She turned her head, seeing a groggy-looking Shigure as he slipped out of his study. Tohru giggled, turning and bowing politely at him.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Shigure-san!" she greeted him, standing up slowly as she finished, "I see you slept in your study once again...would you like some coffee?" Shigure was so out of it he didn't even notice Tohru was talking to him, let alone realize she was standing there. With a few blinks of his eyes, Tohru's figure came into focus and he gasped,
"Oh, Tohru-kun!" Shigure, grinned, slipping his hands into his gray, sleep-wrinkled yukata, "Didn't even notice you were there!" he walked past Tohru, heading toward the downstairs bathroom, "Be a dear and make some coffee for me, I seem to be having some trouble waking up. Oh, and also, some of those delicious cucumbers rice balls. Those always get me going! Thank You!" he moved the curtain that separated the bathroom from the rest of the house and stepped inside. Tohru blinked confusedly at Shigure's departure then smiled sweetly,
"Hai!" she turned her attention back to the steps and peered up. Before she went to wake the others up, she thought it would be in the best interest of everyone to make some breakfast.
"I'm sure if they smell breakfast being prepared," Tohru told herself quietly, moving away from the stairs and into the kitchen, "They'll most likely get up on their own! They tend to do that anyway..." she moved the hanging blue curtain aside and stepped inside. She walked over to the sink, rolling up her sleeves and turned the water on. She smiled as she ran the water over her hands and looked about for a towel. It was then she noticed that the rice cooker next to the stove was already in use, steam rising from it toward the ceiling. Tohru's eyes perked up in surprise and she quickly took her hands from under the running water. She expected the rice cooker, looking at it as if it were a foreign object. She stood upright and looked around the kitchen. She hadn't seen anyone when she walked in or since she woken up. She was sure everyone else was asleep, not hearing the usual bickering of Yuki and Kyou or the constant displeasing attempts to get in Yuki's good graces from Hatsuharu. Tohru gasped as she realized her hands were dripping water onto the floor and quickly searched around for a towel. She reached for one hanging over the stove and pulled it down. She wiped her hands dry, focusing on the small puddle she had created on the floor. Just as she was about to scoop down and wipe up her mess, a small creaking of the floorboard outside the kitchen caught her attention. She set the towel down gently on the wooden counter and turned in the direction of the noise. It began again, as if someone was creeping by, trying to be unnoticed. Tohru blinked and began to exit the kitchen.
"Sohma-kun?" she asked, in case it was Yuki creeping by, "Kyou-kun?" in case it wasn't Yuki after all. The creaking stopped as soon as Tohru's presence was known. Tohru stopped moving as well. Her sock-covered feet stood still on the cool wooden floor and she held her breath for a moment. Soon, a worst-case scenario played into Tohru's mind. What if it wasn't Yuki or Kyou? It was indeed too early for Hatsuharu and Momiji to be awake...and Shigure wouldn't creep around his own house...or would he? Tohru's heart began to beat rapidly. If it were certainly an intruder, what would she have to defend herself with? Besides a running rice cooker and a damp towel? The knifes and other sharp utensils were all the way on the other side of the kitchen and Tohru was too close to the door to run back and get them before anyone could grab her...she didn't know what to do. Maybe if she screamed, Shigure and the others would come to her rescue...but what if they were already dead themselves!? Tohru bit her bottom lip in terror. Sohma-kun and the others...what if...she began to fear the worst. There was nothing left to do but rush to the phone and call for help! The phone was right outside in the hallway and hopefully, if the burglar was facing the other way, she could grab it and run upstairs. Tohru shook her head, not wanting to see the others in their bed...dead. Her hands came up her chest as she gathered enough courage to take another step forward. Then another...another. Her hand came trembling to the curtain, touching the fabric softly. Closing her eyes, Tohru pushed the curtain back with all her might and made a break for the phone. As she raced into the hallway, she didn't know that right outside the door was her so-called intruder and she smacked dead on into him. Tohru cried out as she collided with the figure and fell back onto the floor.
'I've...I've been stabbed...' Tohru's eyes were shut so tightly as she sat on the floor, feeling a sharp pain in her stomach, 'I've been stabbed or shot...or maybe even speared. I heard some people use spears nowadays...I'll never see Kyou-kun...Momiji-san...Hatsuharu-san or Shigure-san again...not even a glimpse of Sohma-kun...I'm dying and there's no coming back from it...oh...Goodbye, everyone...I'll always remember you. Uo-chan...Hana-chan...remember me...'
"Tohru! Are you okay?"
Tohru's eyes opened slowly as she heard Momiji's voice seep into her ears. She gasped as she saw him standing over her, still dressed in his bunny-printed pajamas. His blonde hair was a mess of curls, noting that he probably hadn't seen himself in the mirror yet. Tohru gave a sigh of relief as Momiji ran over to her side and tried his best to help her up,
"Gomen nasai, Tohru! I didn't mean to knock you over like that!" Momiji apologized with a worried smile. Tohru pushed herself up on her hands and with the help of Momiji, she stood upright. She wobbled a bit as she regained her stability and looked down at Momiji, who was brushed off her dress with his hands.
"Momiji-san..." Tohru spoke quietly, still trying to cope with the fact that she was still alive. She gasped, causing Momiji to jump a bit and looked down at her dress. There was a large black spot but other than that, no sign of any actual danger or piecing of her skin. Tohru's hands ran rapidly over her dress, crying out in what Momiji couldn't figure out to be pain or excitement.
"Tohru, are you okay?" Momiji asked, his face showing utter confusion.
"I'm fine!" Tohru waved her hands at Momiji. She made a fist and knocked herself in the head, "Clumsy me, I didn't even see you there, Momiji-san! Gomen nasai!" Tohru chuckled nervously. Momiji blinked again then smiled, giggling,
"That's okay Tohru! We should both be more careful!" Momiji turned around, toward the steps, still smiling, "Well, I'm going to go get ready for today! See ya in a little while." Momiji began up the steps, Tohru watching him closely. She made a worried look then smiled, placing her hand on the steps' railing,
"Momiji-san," Tohru called after him, causing Momiji's hair to stand up on his head as he came to a halt. Momiji turned his head slowly and nervously back to Tohru and grinned,
"Hai?" Momiji asked, trying to hide the anxiety in his expression. Tohru placed a foot on the bottom step and smiled sweetly at him,
"Are you all right? You seem a bit uneasy this morning..." she looked to Momiji's hand, seeing a large permanent marker inside and pointed to it, "and is there a reason you are carrying Shigure-san's marker?" Momiji looked down at the marker in his hand and gasped,
"Wha-wha...how did this get here!?" Momiji looked just as surprised as Tohru. He lifted the marker up and scowled at it, "Tricky one, aren't you, Marker-san? Jumping into my hand without me even knowing of it! How rude!" Momiji shook his head as Tohru stared confusedly at him,
"A-Ano..." Tohru spoke up, causing Momiji to look back down to her. Momiji grinned, waving a hand at her,
"Actually, Tohru, I was coloring with it! I was taking back to Shigure's room when we bumped into each other!" Momiji started back down the stairs and handed the marker to a surprised looking Tohru, "Could you put it back for me? Please?" Tohru looked at the marker for a moment then back up to Momiji. Momiji smiled gently at her, waving the marker a bit in her face. Tohru smiled back, taking the marker from him. Momiji grinned,
"Arigato!" Momiji thanked her. He bent over, placing a small kiss on her forehead. Tohru gasped a little as Momiji kissed her, a slight blush crossing her cheeks. Momiji bounced back and made his way back up the stairs. "I'll be back for breakfast, Tohru!" Tohru watched Momiji disappear up the stairs and smiled. She looked back down at the marker and looked up in the direction of Shigure's study. She began to walk toward it when she heard a growl from the kitchen, catching her attention.
"Nani?! You left the rice cooker going unattended!?" Tohru recognized Kyou's voice at once. Tohru smiled, turning in the direction of the kitchen and pulled the curtain back. Sure enough, there was Kyou, scowling down at an unattended rice cooker. His cat ears were showing out of his orange hair, noting that he was annoyed severely by it. Tohru smiled anyway,
"Ohayo, Kyou-kun!" Tohru greeted him, causing Kyou to look up. He saw Tohru, standing with the curtain pushed aside, smiling her head off as usual. Kyou nodded, his face going back to irritated. He sighed, turning the dial on the rice cooker to off and opened the top. Tohru opened her eyes, watching Kyou reach into the cabinet for a rice bowl. Her smile faded a bit as Kyou began to scoop rice into the bowl, still looking a bit angry. Tohru twisted her lips a bit then smiled again, walking into the kitchen,
"Would you like anything to go with your rice, Kyou-kun? Like some pickled plums or something?" she looked up to the ceiling in thought as Kyou watched her, an eyebrow raised, "I think we have some sorbet noodles left from last night in the refrigerator..." she smiled back at him, "I could heat them up for you if you'd like!" Kyou blinked at Tohru a bit then shook his head, opening a drawer to retrieve some chopsticks.
"Nah, I don't want anything heavy to eat this morning." He sighed, bringing his food out of the kitchen into the dining area, "I promised Shigure that I'd help Haru cut down those tree limbs by the upstairs windows." Kyou plopped himself on top of a cushion in front of the table, "Not that I want to work with that emotional imbalanced cow, I'm just tired of hearing those damn tree limbs hit my window every night!" he stuffed some rice into his mouth and began to chew, "It's annoying!" Tohru stood behind him, smiling and still holding Shigure's marker in her hand.
"Really? I hadn't noticed it!" she chuckled lightly but stopped as Kyou flashed her an aggravated look. Tohru pressed her lips together, her laugh fading into a weakening whimper. She held her breath until Kyou slowly turned back around, going back to his plain breakfast.
"Well, if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask!" Tohru bowed and started off back toward Shigure's study. Kyou watched Tohru out of the corner of his eye as she left then brought his chopsticks away from his mouth. He looked down at the rice, sighing as he did, then slowly began to eat again.
"Poor girl is so naive...I bet she didn't even notice that giant spot on her dress..." Kyou began to chuckle lightly, going back to eating in silence.
Tohru stopped in front of Shigure's study. She listened, trying to hear any signs of Shigure's presence inside. When she heard faint talking, she supposed that maybe he was on the phone or something of that sort. Tohru slowly pulled the door open, walking inside the room.
"Shigure-SAN!!" Tohru cried out the last part of Shigure's name as she saw the unthinkable. Shigure peeked at Tohru from behind what Tohru now saw a naked woman, standing in front of Shigure with her arms stretched across her chest. What was hiding the rest of her, Tohru didn't want to know!
"Ah, Tohru-kun!" Shigure smiled, a paintbrush in his mouth, "What a nice surprise!" Tohru was shaking; her face in pure shock. Shigure's smile faded as the naked woman looked back at Tohru, raising her eyebrow.
"Tohru-kun," Shigure sighed, going back to being hidden by the woman's body, "It's not polite to stare." Tohru shook her head quickly and smiled, being sure to close her eyes tight,
"Hai! Gomen Nasai, uh...uh..."
"Oh, how rude of me!" Shigure's head popped back out with a grin, "Tohru-kun, this is Yuri Sotama, a model! Yuri, this is Tohru Honda! You know, the nice girl I told you about!" Shigure's head slid back out of view and Yuri smiled at Tohru,
"Nice to meet you, Honda-san." Yuri stepped down from the stool she was standing on and turned in Tohru's direction. Tohru didn't want to open her eyes for anything, but if she did, she would see that a towel covered the lower part of Yuri. "I would shake your hand...but as you can see, I'm a little..." Yuri chuckled lightly, "preoccupied."
"Oh, no! That's quite all right!" Tohru protested, sightlessly trying to find her way to Shigure's desk by feeling around the room, "I only came in here to drop of something! There's no need to pay attention to me! Just go ahead about your business, I'm just about to leave!" her hands came to the cool oak of Shigure's desk and inside her head she let out a cry of rejoice. She quickly placed the marker on the desk and turned swiftly around, so that she could finally open her eyes. She stared straight ahead, not being able to see the odd looks she was receiving. Shigure and Yuri exchanged glances as Tohru began to slip out of the room. Tohru's foot stepped outside the door but froze as Shigure cleared his throat,
"Uh, Tohru-kun?"
Tohru turned her head slowly around and grinned, closing her eyes once more, "H-Hai...?"
"You have something on your dress there..." Shigure's finger pointed out the spot that completely slipped Tohru's mind. Tohru opened her eyes and looked down at her dress. She remembered the spot then but was no completely sure where it had came from. It was then it hit her. On impact with Momiji, he must have jabbed the marker accidentally into her stomach. Tohru grimaced at the large spot but knew it was capable of being removed. Besides, it was an accident. Tohru looked back up to Shigure,
"It's all right, I'm sure it will come OUT!" she cried out again when she saw Yuri's naked form again. Shigure chuckled as Yuri began to grab a robe off the rack next to where Shigure was seated. Tohru bowed quickly, and then ran out off the room quickly, leaving a trail of blowing papers behind her. Yuri blinked as Shigure stood up from his seat and walked over to his desk.
"Is she always that eccentric?" Yuri asked, watching Shigure as he picked up the marker he had been looking for all morning. He smiled at it then looked at Yuri,
"No...sometimes she has her eyes open."
Tohru panted as she leaned against the wall in the hallway. She sighed deeply, shaking her head of the event that had just happen. She opened her eyes slowly and gradually dragged herself into the kitchen. She stepped over to the refrigerator and opened it. She bent down, picking up a large ceramic bowl covered with foil. She groaned as she lifted it up into the air and kicked the door close with her foot. She heaved the bowl over to the counter next to the stove and sighed as she let it down. She turned the dial on the stove, on low heat and began to bring seasoning out from the top cabinets. She uncovered the foil from the bowl and looked inside at the cold sorbet noodles. She frowned a bit, finding them not as appealing as they were the night before. She reached down underneath the counter and brought out a large cooking pot. She placed it on the stove and reached over for the bowl of noodles. She poured it slowly into the pot, scooping the stubborn parts of it out with a spoon. She stirred it into the pot, putting the now-not-so-heavy bowl down again. She let go of the spoon, letting the noodles heat up by itself. She looked around a bit and nodded as an idea came to mind. She took a teakettle from above the stove and brought it over to the sink, humming happily to herself. As the water filled up in the kettle, Yuki walked into the kitchen, still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He was already dressed; a simple white silk long sleeve shirt with navy blue pants. His hair was in its usual state, expect the fact he was constantly brushing his bangs out of his face. He looked up as Tohru turned around, both being surprised by each other's presence.
"Sohma-kun!" Tohru gasped a bit. She then smiled, holding the heavy kettle up a bit higher, "Ohayo gozaimasu!" Yuki looked from Tohru down to the tea kettle then smiled, looking back up to her,
"Ohayo gozaimasu...Honda-san." Yuki looked over to the stove as Tohru went back to her work, setting the kettle down next to the heating noodles, "Making breakfast I see..."
"Hai, I was going to make it earlier but I...well, I got a bit distracted. I'm sorry it wasn't made before you awoke." Tohru turned back to Yuki, her hands together as she smiled.
"Oh, but that's quite all right." Yuki shook his head, smiling back, "I'm not very hungry anyway. But tea sounds nice, if that's what you are making."
"Uh huh!" Tohru nodded, strolling over to the herb rack next to the sink, "Thanks to you, Sohma-kun, I have enough herbs here to make some tasty tea!" Tohru smiled as she picked up a bag she made of the rosemary from Yuki's garden. Yuki felt his cheeks burn a little and shook his head again,
"Thank you, Honda-san. But the herbs would be no good without your skills of making delicious tea..." Yuki walked over to the stove where Tohru was pouring the rosemary into the boiling water. Yuki smiled at Tohru as she placed the top on the kettle. She looked over at the heating noodles and then turned Yuki.
"Sohma-kun," Tohru smiled sweetly and pointed to the cooling rice cooker, "Would you turn the rice cooker back on please while I get some cucumbers? I promised Shigure-san that I'd make some rice balls for breakfast." Yuki blinked and looked over to the rice cooker a bit worried.
"Um..." Yuki stared at the cooker for a minute then back at a puzzled looking Tohru, "Are you sure about that?"
Tohru nodded, "Hai, you only have to turn it on. There shouldn't be a problem with that, ne?" Yuki nodded, smiling lightly,
"Mmm...okay..." Yuki walked slowly over to the rice cooker as Tohru smiled. She left the stove for a minute and walked back to the fridge as Kyou walked leisurely into the kitchen. He flipped his rice bowl in one hand, whistling a tune to himself. His whistling slowly stopped as he took gaze of Yuki standing over the rice cooker. His eye twitched, holding the bowl loosely in his hand.
"What the hell are you doing in front of any type of cooking appliance?" Kyou growled, causing Tohru to look from the fridge. She smiled at Kyou, holding two whole cucumbers in her arms.
"Did you enjoy your breakfast, Kyou-kun?" she asked as she walked over to the counter once more, placing the veggies on a cutting board.
"Yeah, yeah!" Kyou snorted, walking into the kitchen further, keeping a glare on Yuki, who was obviously too busy to pay attention to the boy, "And I don't want it to come up by you telling me that damn rat was the one who made it!" Yuki sighed, slowly becoming irritated, but kept his gaze on the rice.
Tohru looked over at Yuki as Kyou approached the sink, then looked up to Kyou, "I...don't think he did. Sohma-kun just came downstairs a few minutes ago." She opened the drawer below her and picked up a midsize knife, "Isn't that right, Sohma-kun?" Yuki nodded, not looking up from the rice cooker though. Kyou smirked, scoffing as he turned around, leaning his back against the kitchen sink,
"Good, cause the last thing I would eat is something made by him!" Kyou shook his head, "Not no way, not no how!" Tohru smiled weakly, beginning to cut the cucumber into pieces. She was surprised a bit that Yuki hadn't said anything to Kyou's verbal insults. Usually, the two would be at each other's throat, which would result in Tohru having to tend to Kyou's injuries. But...nothing! Tohru finished the first cucumber and began on the second one as the timer on the rice cooker went off. Yuki's eyes lit up a bit and he quickly turned the rice cooker off. Kyou watched him with an eyebrow raised then shrugged. He turned his attention to Tohru, picking up on of the diced cucumber pieces and popped it into his mouth. Tohru giggled as Kyou chewed away on the cucumber and began cutting again. Yuki stepped away from the rice cooker and smiled over at Tohru, tucking his hands behind his back,
"All finished, Honda-san..." he announced. Tohru set the knife down and walked over to expect the rice. She gasped, clapping her hands together happily,
"Prefect!" Tohru praised Yuki's work, "This is prefect, Sohma-kun!" Yuki smiled as Tohru commended his work. Kyou scoffed, popping another piece of cucumber into his mouth.
"So what?" he smirked, brushing his hands on his pants, "Anyone can make rice! It's so simple. Yet, I am still surprised that he actually didn't burn it...good job, Yu-ki-kun!" Kyou began to crackle and Tohru turned toward Yuki. She could see the anger in his eyes as Kyou began laughing. She felt her heart race a bit as Yuki began to approach Kyou slowly. Kyou slapped his knee in his moment of laughter, which was abruptly stopped as Yuki yanked him by the collar of his shirt. Kyou gasped out chokingly as Yuki brought his face close to his, his eyes piercing into his with anger. Tohru gasped, turning around quickly to see the soon-to-be fight.
"I should drop you where you stand..." Yuki threatened Kyou in a low tone. Only being shocked for a moment, Kyou slapped Yuki's hand away, standing back to bring himself into a fighting stance,
"Oh, yeah? I'd like to see you do that, you damn rat! Come on! Bring it on; I've been wanting a piece of you ever since you were born!" Kyou's fists stood ready, just in case Yuki was good on his word. Yuki brushed his bangs aside and glared at him,
"Anywhere, Anytime, you stupid cat..."
Kyou's eyes flashed with anger and he growled loudly, charging at Yuki, "I dare you to say that again!" Before his fists made contact, Yuki simple moved aside, knowing Kyou's blind rage only made him easier to dodge. But what Yuki failed to realize was Tohru was standing mere feet away from the scene. When it finally hit Yuki where Kyou was heading for, his face turned from amused to pure fear.
"Honda-san!" he called out, turning his body around to her. Tohru's eyes went blank at the sight of Kyou's fist hurdling straight for her, his fist out to claim a nose. She screamed out, the high pitch of her voice causing Kyou to open his eyes and see just what he was about to do. A gasp escaped from his lips and soon he joined in Tohru's yell, both screaming as his fist came closer to her face. There was no time to react. Tohru was so stricken with fear that she couldn't move. Kyou was moving so fast that he didn't have an opportunity to move, and if Yuki were to grab Kyou's muscle shirt in order to stop the Neko from punching Tohru into oblivion, it would still come in some contact with Tohru's nose. Yuki closed his eyes, quickly thinking how far it was to the nearest hospital. Even though the thought of Kyou getting arrested for assault and battery made him feel somewhat better, there was no doubt that Shigure would also be in trouble, not yet holding legal rights to Tohru! Yuki held his breath in order for the sound of Tohru's ear shattering pain and the upcoming apologizing of Kyou. At least this gave him a reason to really knock the catnip out of that stupid cat. But when no noises came, expect of one that sounded like flesh meeting flesh but nothing breaking, Yuki's eyes slowly peeled open...
Everyone in the room blinked as Kyou's hand was held tightly in the grasp of Hatsuharu. Tohru's gaze pulled away from Kyou's hand and up to Haru as the boy stood next to her, a towel hanging from his shoulder, and she gasped.
"Hatsuharu-san!" Kyou looked from his captured hand up to a tired yet smirking Haru.
"H-Haru...?" he asked, as if it was just a figure of his imagination. Yuki was frozen in pure shock, staring at the relieving yet confusing scene. Haru shook his head at Kyou, his black and white hair swishing from side to side as he did,
"Tsk, Tsk, Kyou..." he smirked again, looking at Kyou accusingly, "Are you so frustrated at Yuki that you have to take out your anger on poor Tohru? That's a not very gentleman like, don't you say?"
Kyou blinked at Haru but quickly grew pissed, yanking his hand away from the cow's,
"Shut the hell up! It was an accident, you idiot, I would never hit Tohru on purpose!" Kyou brought his fist up to his view, rubbing it slowly. He looked up unhurriedly at Tohru, who was looking at him worriedly, "Are you all right?"
Tohru nodded slowly, "Hai..." she brought her head down a little, still looking at Kyou as he gazed back down at his fist, as if he was scolding it with his eyes. Tohru sighed inwardly, looking to the floor. Thank goodness...
Haru walked further into the kitchen, past Kyou and over to the kitchen sink. Yuki watched him closely as he washed his hands and wiped them on the towel over his shoulder. Haru could feel Yuki's eyes on him and he slowly turned his head toward him with a smile,
"Ohayo, Yuki..." Haru smiled, going back to drying his hands. Yuki swallowed a bit, nodding,
"Ohayo..." Yuki tore his vision away from Haru and looked over to Tohru as she and Kyou stood silent, both staring down. He walked over to Tohru, stopping next to her and placed a hand softly on her shoulder. Tohru jumped a bit and then looked up to Yuki,
"Are you sure you are okay, Honda-san?" Yuki asked with a smile, "I know there isn't any physical harm but still..." Tohru smiled back, shaking her head with a slight chuckle,
"Hai, I'm quite sure I'm just fine." She looked over at Kyou, seeing him still looking down at his fist and smiled sweetly, "Are you okay, Kyou-kun?"
Kyou's eyes perked up at Tohru's voice and he nodded slowly, "Mmm..." he dropped his fist to his side and began to turn around, going over to the rice cooker, "I'll make the rice balls..." Tohru smiled a bit brighter, nodding,
"Hai! Arigato!" she turned to Yuki with the same smile, "Would you help me make the tea, Sohma-kun?"
Yuki returned the smile with a nod, "Hai, it would be my pleasure, Honda-san." She and Yuki walked over to the stove, both being watched by Hatsuharu. The boy blinked slowly then shrugged. He reached up into a cupboard and pulled down a few teacups. He placed them side-by-side then walked over to the refrigerator, going to retrieve some milk. As he opened the door, Shigure walked into the kitchen, whistling a tune to himself. He lulled his tune and looked about, seeing his younger cousins helping Tohru in the kitchen. He smiled at them, his eyes closing from the warming scene.
"Ayah...what is this? My cousins in the kitchen, helping Tohru-kun prepare a delicious breakfast? How it warms this little heart of mine to see a garden of helpers with a beautiful flower! I'm speechless, absolutely speechless!" Shigure's cheeks flooded with tears as he finished his speech with a few whimpers.
"If you're speechless, then why don't you shut up?" Kyou scowled as he molded a rice ball in his hands, placing it next to the three he had already prepared.
Shigure's tears came to a abrupt stop and he cleared his throat, "Understood. But I have a question for all of you first." Everyone turned their head to Shigure as the man tucked his hands inside his yukata.
"I was just wondering which one of you took it upon themselves to scribble over every calendar in this house, marking out March 17th?"
Looks were exchanged across the room and soon no answer could be found.
"March 17th?" Tohru asked as she stopped filling up a tray with teacups, "Why would someone scratch out that day? Is there something special about it?" she looked to Yuki for an explanation but the rat looked as confused as she did.
"I don't know what is so mysterious about March 17th, besides that's the annual field day at School."
Haru looked to Yuki and shook his head, "No, that's March 19th."
Yuki nodded, "Oh yes, that's right."
"Well, I'm sure that the calendars did not mark themselves out." Shigure frowned, looking at each of them, "And I know Tohru-kun couldn't have done it...but then again, she did bring me my missing marker." Shigure's eyes locked on Tohru suspiciously, "The marker that holds the same ink used on the calendars..."
Yuki glared at Shigure, along with the rest of the boys, "are you suggesting that Honda-san did this?"
Shigure shook his head furiously, "ME? Of course not!" Shigure stepped into the kitchen, gliding over to Tohru and wrapping an arm around her shoulder, "I know my little flower here would never do such a thing as to desecrate the sacredness and informational importance that a calendar holds!" he tweaked Tohru's cheek and cooed, "Would you, Tohru-kun? No you wouldn't! No you wouldn't! Tohru-kun's a good girl, yes she is! Yes she is!"
Kyou slapped Shigure's hand away from Tohru's face and glared at him, "Then who do you think did it, you dumb dog!?"
"Maybe Tohru-kun could tell us..." Shigure rubbed his chin then grinned down at Tohru, who blinked back, "Maybe Tohru-kun could confess-I mean undress-I mean ADDRESS the situation!" Shigure wiped the sweat from his forehead and took in a deep breath, "Now, Tohru-kun, where did you find my marker at?"
Tohru thought for a moment as Kyou and the others watched her closely. Shigure was grinning from ear to ear, tucking his hands back into his yukata. Tohru's eyes lit up and she smiled once again at everyone,
"I know, Momiji-san asked me to give it back!" she proclaimed with a finger, "he said he was col...or...ing..." Tohru's lips came to a close as everyone realized who was the culprit. "Oops..."
"Momiji, I should've known!" Kyou slammed his fist into his palm and grinded it into it like he would always do to Momiji's head, "that damn rabbit can never keep his hands off stuff! Always touching things that don't belong to him!"
"Calm down, Kyou-kun," Shigure hushed the cat who was riveted in anger, "I'm sure Momiji has a logical explanation why he took it upon himself to write on every calendar in the house-MOMIJI GET DOWN HERE!" Shigure's annoyance was shown before he even got to the end of his sentence. When no answer came, Shigure quickly calmed and smiled at everyone,
"Well, I say we all go up and see what Momiji has to say about this. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Damn straight!" Kyou was already halfway out the door before he turned back to everyone, "Let's go see what he has to say this time!" Kyou exited the kitchen, being followed by Shigure.
"Poor Momiji-san..." Tohru sighed out as Shigure and Kyou were no longer seen, catching Haru's and Yuki's attention, "I didn't mean to get him into trouble...I hope he won't be upset with me..." Yuki looked from Tohru to the door of the kitchen,
"I don't think he will, Honda-san. If anything, Momiji usually gets himself into trouble a lot. I'd say it's his adolescence that leads to his mischief."
Hatsuharu sighed, drawing their attention and began to exit the kitchen as well, "I'd say we better get up there before Kyou ends up saying or doing something that will result in Momiji crying. Besides..." he stopped briefly at the door and Tohru could almost see the hurt and worried look in his eyes, "They wont know what they're doing until it's too late..." he pushed the curtain aside and started up the steps quickly after Shigure and Kyou. Tohru watched in a daze as Haru left but was snapped out of it as Yuki began to leave the kitchen as well. He smiled at Tohru, pulling the curtain aside,
"Breakfast will have to be put on hold, Honda-san..." he tilted his head to the side, signaling Tohru to follow him. Tohru nodded looking at the forsaken yet prepared food. She sighed and paced over to Yuki. Yuki smiled as she scurried over to him and took her hand. Tohru's eyes opened a bit wider as Yuki held her hand and led her up the steps.
"I just hope we get there in time..." Yuki said as they walked up the steps. Tohru nodded. She just hoped everything would be okay...