Riceballs in a Fruits Basket: The Final Books

Introduction:

"Oh hi there. It's me Tohru Honda. I know it has been a while since we last talked but there is so much going on right now. At the moment as it stands we are exactly three weeks away till Graduation. Yuki, Kyo and I have been very busy studying for our final exams and Kyo has also been very busy preparing for what happens afterwards. He's been going to the dojo a lot more the past month. As for Yuki, he's been preoccupied with preparing the new Student Council President to be since he and his Vice President Kakeru Manabe will be leaving this year. As for myself I have been preparing too. Preparing mostly for what I am going to do after that day. That wonderful yet sad day. Oh I hear Kyoko meowing at me. She must be hungry. Any way I just wanted to get you caught up with us. See you later!"

Book Fourteen: Graduation

Chapter One: White Day

Momiji Sohma walked briskly down the hall towards the Student Council office. He smiled a bit as he passed some of his friends and waved hello. As he approached the office Nao came out of it with a stack of papers.

"Oh do you need any help with that?" Momiji said grinning at the short boy.

"Actually no" Nao shook his head, "I got it. Do you need something?"

"No" Momiji shook his head as well, "I just need to talk to my cousin Yuki."

"Oh. Well he's in there with Kakeru" Nao shrugged, "Go on in."

"Thanks" Momiji smiled as Nao rushed down the hall and he opened the door, "Yuki!" he called as he walked into the office.

Yuki who hadn't heard him enter, was bent over a stack of papers himself, standing in close proximity of Kakeru. They both appeared to be in deep thought as they pointed at objects on the paper in front of them. Kakeru was the first to notice Momiji coming over.

"Oh hey there" he smiled as Momiji stood in front of the desk and Yuki raised his eyes.

"Momiji?" Yuki replied a bit surprised, "What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you about something Yuki" Momiji grinned, "You don't mind do you? I mean it is lunch after all."

"Well I suppose not" Yuki shook his head, "Although I do have a lot of work to do."

"Go ahead Yun Yun" Kakeru smiled, "I can take care of this. Go take a break."

"Okay" Yuki nodded coming from behind the desk, "But only a quick one."

"All right" Momiji agreed, "We can just go take a walk. Besides what I have to ask you won't take very long."

"I'll be back soon," Yuki told Kakeru as he was closing the door.

"Take your time!" Kakeru called.

(Next Scene)

As Momiji and Yuki walked Yuki breathed in the fresh cool air. He smiled a little, somewhat relieved that he had decided to take a break.

"So it looks like you really are busy in there" Momiji replied.

"Yes" Yuki nodded, "With all the preparation for Graduation and preparing Nao to take over as President it's a lot of work."

"Still it's pretty exciting right?"

"Yea. So what's up Momiji? What did you want to see me about?"

"Oh right. Do you remember what we talked about last month? About White day?"

"Yea."

"Well have you considered it? I mean it is coming up."

"I don't know about it Momiji."

"Oh come on Yuki it will be fun" Momiji urged, "Besides we all need a break after the exams come up after this week and I also happen to know that the girl you like you'll be leaving her behind this year."

"That's true."

"Did you get her anything for White Day yet?"

"No not yet."

"Well then this is perfect."

"Why are you so set on this anyway?" Yuki asked a bit curious.

"Well to be honest" Momiji grinned, "There's someone I want to take up there."

"Someone?"

"Mhm. Think about Yuki we can all go up there. Me and my girl, you and yours. Kyo and Tohru. And even Kisa and Hiro said they would go if everyone goes. And Haru too."

"Well if that many people are interested I guess it wouldn't be a problem. But I don't know if Machi will come with me?"

"Well just ask her Yuki. White Day is this weekend. I'll talk to Kyo about this and then he can ask Tohru. But I really wanted to make sure that you came. It won't be fun if you don't. Besides. This may be our last chance to be together like this cause after you graduate everyone is going their own separate way."

"That's true" Yuki nodded finally smiling, "I think it's a great idea. I'll ask Machi later this week and let you know."

"Great!" Momiji exclaimed, "I am walking home with Tohru and Kyo this afternoon. I'll ask him then."

"Okay. I got to get back to the office. Enjoy the rest of your lunch" Yuki walked back into the building.

"Thanks Yuki!" Momiji called and then thought to himself happily, "Oh this is going to be so great. I can't wait to ask her."

(Next Scene)

Momiji talked animatedly with Tohru the whole way home that afternoon. She had invited him over earlier in the week for a snack since it had been awhile since they had seen one another. Kyo was quiet most of the way home and didn't really say anything until Tohru walked into the kitchen to make some tea. He stared at Momiji with a bit of a frown on his face since Momiji was grinning quite a bit.

"All right you little brat" Kyo replied, "What's up?"

"What makes you think anything's up Kyo?" Momiji said still smiling.

"Ahem" Kyo cleared his throat, "You're never this happy unless you have something going on."

"Well actually Kyo there is something I wanted to talk to you about. But just you though."

"Hmm?"

"You see" Momiji lowered his voice, "I don't want Tohru to know about it just yet."

"About what?"

"Have you got her anything for White Day yet Kyo?"

"No. Not yet."

"You do know it's coming up this weekend don't you?"

"It is?" Kyo said surprised, "It is" he realized. Oh man I have been so busy lately. I haven't even had time to think about it."

"Well I have your solution."

"Huh?"

"You see Yuki and I thought that it might be fun for us to take our girls to some place special this year. Like the Hot Spring."

"Our girls? Wait a minute. You've got somebody?"

"Uh huh" Momiji nodded with a smile, "I can't wait to ask her. And Yuki's got his girlfriend. He's gonna ask her later in the week. You can take Tohru up there."

"What?"

"Come on it will be fun Kyo. It would be nice and relaxing after all the exams. Plus it would give you guys plenty of time to spend together."

"That's true. We haven't spent any time together. In fact lately, hardly any at all."

"Then this is perfect."

"Well Tohru does like it up there" Kyo closed his eyes and sighed, "And I know she would like to go with everyone. Okay Momiji. You win."

"Hmm?"

"I'll ask Tohru later this evening if she'll go there with me for White Day" Kyo smiled a little.

"Great. That means I can ask Andie tomorrow at practice and Yuki can ask his girlfriend later in the week. This is going to be such fun."

"Don't go crazy huh?"

"Oh I won't" Momiji shook his head, "I do have to get everything ready though."

"Here we go" Tohru interrupted them, "I brought your tea and snacks Momiji" she sat the tray down.

"Thanks Tohru" Momiji smiled taking a cookie from the plate.

"So what are you guys talking about?"

"Oh exams" Momiji said with a crunch of the cookie he was holding and winking at Kyo.

"Oh okay" she nodded with a smile as she handed Kyo his tea.

(Next Scene)

That evening as the sun began to set Kyo walked outside to where Tohru was bringing down the dry laundry. Yuki was in the sitting room working on his homework.

"Tohru" Kyo said as he approached her.

"Oh Kyo. What is it?"

"Nothing I just wanted to ask you something."

"Okay" she turned around to face him.

"Well you see. White Day is coming up this weekend."

"Oh you're right it is."

"And with exams coming up things are gonna be kind of stressful around here."

"Yea. Yes it will."

"So I was thinking. Well actually this isn't my idea. But. Since you and I haven't spent any time together that. Okay I'm just gonna say it."

"Okay."

"Tohru will you come to the Hot Springs with me for White Day?"

"Huh?"

"We're all going. You know for one last trip. To get away."

"Really Kyo?"

"Yea. Momiji said he's gonna ask his girl and the damn rat is supposed to ask his. It's a whole group going up there. So I didn't want to let you feel left out. So what do you say do you want go?"

"Yes it sounds like fun" her eyes were glowing, "Oh Kyo this is a great idea. It would be one last chance to spend with you guys in a nice relaxing place."

"That's what Momiji is thinking. Okay then" Kyo smiled, "I'll let him know that you said yes. Are you coming back in?"

"Just as soon as I finish out here."

"Do you need any help?"

"Mnm. I got it."

"Okay" he nodded with a smile and walked back inside.

Yuki watched him as he walked into the kitchen and then turned back to his work.

"I guess now that Kyo's done it" he thought, "I better ask Machi tomorrow. It might be kind of fun" he smiled as he finished the final problem.

(Next Scene)

The next morning when Yuki entered the Student Council office he spotted Machi all by herself at Kakeru's desk.

"Good morning Machi" he smiled as he walked over.

"Good morning Yuki" she smiled back, "You're in a good mood this morning. Considering everything going on."

"Yes I know. It's because I have a question for you."

"A question?"

"Mhm" he said sitting on the desk very casually, "You doing anything this weekend?"

"Not anything in particular, why?"

"Well this weekend is White Day and have a present for you."

"What a present? You didn't have to do that" she smiled sweetly.

"I know. I just wanted to. The thing is I would like to invite you to accompany me and my family up to our family Hot Spring this weekend."

"Hot Spring?" she said surprised.

"Uh huh" he nodded, "My cousins are all going up there with their partners this weekend. So do you want to go?"

"Wow Yuki really?" she replied excited.

"Uh huh. That is if you want to go?"

"That sounds so exciting. And what a relaxing end to our final exams."

"Exactly. So is that a yes?"

"Absolutely. I'm sure my dad won't mind either."

"Just ask him first" Yuki moved away from the desk.

"Considering it's you Yuki, I'm sure he won't say no."

"I know. But if he still has a problem there will be some adult supervision. After all my family does own this place."

"Really?"

"Yep."

"I can't wait."

"Me neither" he nodded with his princely smile.

(Next Scene)

Later that same day Momiji rushed to his violin lesson thoroughly excited. He had heard from Yuki and Kyo that Tohru and Machi had both agreed to go on the trip. Now with his heart pounding in his chest he hurried to the room and opened the door. Inside Andie was playing her own violin.

"Andie" he replied happily as he walked over.

"Oh hello Momiji" she smiled at him.

"What are you doing here?"

"I had no lessons this afternoon. So my dad said I could watch your practice."

"Well I'm glad you're here" Momiji said putting his case down and reaching into his right hand pocket of his pants, "Because I have something for you" he handed her the envelope.

"What's this?" she replied still smiling.

"Open it."

"Okay" she tore open the envelope and pulled a small piece of typed paper, "To Miss Andie Sullivan. You have been cordially invited to spend a weekend of fun, adventure, and hot baths. Please say you'll come. Happy White Day. Love Momiji. What is this?" she asked her eyes shining and almost laughing.

"It's your White Day gift. For the chocolate you gave me last month. You see I am inviting you to spend a weekend with my cousins and me and their girlfriends up at our family Hot Spring."

"Hot Spring?"

"Uh huh. Say you'll go with me Andie. Everyone else has already agreed to go."

"I don't know what to say. It's sounds exciting. I've never been to a Hot Spring before. I have to ask dad first."

"Okay" Momiji nodded.

"He's in the next room. I'll be right back" she stood up, "Don't go anywhere" she replied as she departed.

"I won't" he smiled back.

A couple moments later Maestro Sullivan came back into the room a smile on his face.

"So Mr. Sohma" he said as he entered, "You want to invite my daughter to a Hot Spring?"

"Yes sir" he nodded, " I hope that's all right. My family owns the place and a bunch of us are going up there. Right after exams. It's gonna be a lot of fun and there will be adult supervision in case you were wondering."

"Oh can I go Dad please?" Andie begged practically on her toes.

"Well" Maestro Sullivan said scratching his chin thoughtfully, "This would be an interesting opportunity and it has been awhile since you have been anywhere exciting. I trust that you will handle everything Mr. Sohma?"

"Of course."

"Then I give my consent."

"Oh thank you so much Dad" Andie embraced her father tight.

"Yes thank you so much Maestro Sullivan" Momiji shook his hand.

"Not at all. Now let's get to your lesson."

"Yes sir" Momiji sat down and pulled out his violin, "This is great" he thought as he looked at Andie who was smiling, "This is gonna be the best trip ever."

(Till Next Time)