Disclaimer: Fruits Basket belongs to Natsuki Takaya. Not me. I do not claim the characters or story, but the words were all written by me, and the specific scenes came out of my head

-Darkness.

Everything, shrouded in oppressive shadows.

Everyday, another endless abyss of hunger, fear, and loneliness.

Every time, wishing for it all to end.

Wishing for a less despicable, less pitiable existence.

This was a world of false hope. Living in darkness, yet beyond one door, freedom. He could even see, through a few narrow openings in the door, the world was there. The real world. But not his world.

Every time these thoughts, these feelings, started to overwhelm him, the face appeared. A shadowed face, obscured by the brightness of the light he was now unaccustomed to. The light, so like a halo around the face. It was like an angel just out of reach. His own guardian angel, so near, yet so far away.

And then the face would fade again. And he was alone. Again.-

Warm sunlight filtered through the thin, breezy curtains, soaking thoroughly into Kyo's tensed muscles, relaxing them. Slightly. His eyes, flung open only seconds before, stared fixedly at one spot on the opposite wall, refusing to blink. Damn it. The dream. It wasn't a new dream, but it had become increasingly frequent in the last few months. It was the third night in a row now.

Kyo dragged himself wearily out of bed, cursing under his breath as his tightened muscules rebelled horribly. His stomach churned, daring him to be sick. No. Not today. Not ever. This would not, would never, defeat him. He was stronger than this.

"Good morning, Kyo-kun!"

Kyo blinked groggily at the sound of the voice before managing some form of an unintelligible grunt as a reply. He fell heavily to the floor beside table, cradling his head in his arms, shielding his eyes against the sunlight that was altogether far too bright.

"Kyo-kun overslept today! He's normally up very early, isn't he? Even Yuki-kun was awake before Kyo-kun!" Tohru chirped, carrying her breakfast and Kyo's to the table, having just finished preparing it. She placed his plate carefully on the table before him and knelt beside him, her usual cheery smile already fixed in position. She glanced over to Kyo's lowered head, concerned about his lack of response. "Kyo-kun? Is Kyo-kun alright? Do you feel sick?" She leaned over and smoothed back Kyo's messy hair, placing her small, cool hand on his forhead, checking for fever. He flinched back, lightly nudging her hand away, though somewhat regretfully.

"I'm fine," he mumbled, turning his head away sharply. He hated the fact that he caused those lines of worry to crease her pretty face, yet a bit... gratified to know that he could.

"But Kyo-kun looks so pale! A-are you sure you're feeling alright? I could get some medicine..." she said quickly, half-rising from her seat.

"Stupid! I'm fine, so just eat!" he snapped, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back down. Tohru gazed at him, her eyes wide and unsure. "Kyo-kun..." He loosened his grip and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me," he said, his tones gentler, quieter.

"If I may interrupt, baka neko..." came a cool voice from the other side of the table. Kyo choked and flung himself back, his face blushing crimson. "K-kuso nezumi! What are you doing, sneaking up on people like that!"

Yuki shot him a look that was pure contempt. "I have been here all along, baka neko. Perhaps you should use your eyes more often, unless you think it may damage your woefully small brain even further," he sneered. "Ah, Honda-san... are you leaving already?" he asked politely, watching Tohru jump up and grab her bag, ignoring Kyo's audibly muttered curses.

"Um, yes. I have classroom duties this morning, so I thought I'd head out early today. I don't want to- ah!" she cried and broke off as the telephone rang. She took a few swift steps in its direction before hearing Shigure's bright voice answering it.

"Mii-chan, don't worry, I'll have the pages finished by tonight, I was only kidding- oh! Ha-san, what a surprise! Why would Hatori-san be doing calling here this early? You wouldn't want to speak to Tohru-kun, would you?" he rambled, winking cheerfully at Tohru's puzzled face. "What's that? Ahh... I see. Alright then. I'll talk to you later, Ha-san. Yes, yes, I'll be sure to do it," he said, his face suddenly somber. He turned to Tohru and declared brightly, "Ha-san says hi!"

"Um... what was all that about, Shigure-san? You sounded a bit... worried," she asked hesitantly, her eyes watching his face carefully.

"Ah? Oh, nothing, nothing at all! Ha-san simply wanted me to check and see if I still had a book I borrowed a few years ago," he grinned, reaching out to pat Tohru's head like a puppy's. "Run along now, before you're late to school."

"Oh. Ok. Well... I'll be off now," she said, smiling over at Yuki and Kyo as she slipped out the front door.

Yuki watched the door for several moments after she left before shooting a glance at Shigure. "What was that really about?"

Shigure chuckled and stepped up to the table. He settled himself comfortably on one of the floor cushions and scratched casually at his chest beneath his brown robe. "It appears that Ha-san had a bit of a message for us... or more accurately, you two." It really is interesting how alike these two are, Shigure thought lazily, watching happily as the two boys narrowed their eyes in open mistrust of the novelist.

"From Akito."

It was remarkable how much effect that one little word had. Kyo's crimson eyes flashed furiously, his hands clenching into solid fists. In stark contrast, Yuki seemed to freeze up. His breath caught in his throat and his arms went limp on the table they rested on. Truly remarkable.

"Yes, I thought you'd be interested. His message is, simply: One month." Shigure's mouth contorted itself into a wry smirk of twisted pleasure. He did love these sorts of things.

"Graduation," Yuki whispered. He shot a glance at Kyo. Despite Shigure's claims that this message was for both of them, in truth, it was more for Kyo. He knew that. He knew that all too well. If Yuki was honest with himself, he knew that he too pitied the cat. Pitied its curse. Pitied its undeniable future. "Kyo..." he started.

"Shut the hell up, kuso nezumi! You don't have a clue, do you, you bastard!?" Yuki flinched and looked away. The cat's face was still pale, but a red flush of anger crept steadily up his neck and across his cheeks. "How would you know what it's like to-!" Cold fury choked back his words. Firey crimson eyes glared murderously from beneath his sweaty brow. Without another word, Kyo stalked stiffly out of the room. Shigure sighed heavily at the sound of feet pounding heavily at the stairs. "Ah well. At least he didn't break anything. Yet," he added dramatically.

Yuki stared, unmoving, at the table. "Baka neko," he muttered softly.

Shigure shot Yuki a look. "This doesn't change the fact that it's going to happen sooner or la-. That it's going to happen soon," he corrected himself. "We all knew it would happen. We just need to deal with it one way or another," Shigure pointed out. Yuki shook his head numbly. "I... I'm going to school now."

Shigure watched wordlessly as Yuki pulled himself upright and slunk out of the room in silence to gather his things. This would undoubtedly be interesting. He couldn't help but be eager to discover how this played out. Despite his cool, practical facade, he had little interest in assisting Yuki nor Kyo. Yet he wanted no part in Akito's plans at the same time. He decided to just sit back and watch the show... for now. Heaving another great sigh, he levered himself to his feet and glanced once around the room. It was really almost unnerving how that short conversation left the cozy little room so cold. Shigure gave a short little laugh under his breath. This will be interesting, he thought to himself, making his way to his study.

No one left in the room, the sound of small, quiet feet racing at last away from the house was left unnoticed.

"Tohru? Tohru...? Tohru!"

"Ah! Yes?!" TOhru squeaked, suddenly jerked from her daze. "Um, sorry? W-what did you say?" She laughed weakly, tugging at her hair in fake nonchalance.

Uo gave Tohru a suspicious look. "You ok? You've been out of it all day," she said bluntly. "You feel sick or something?" she asked, her voice slightly concerned. "You need to take it easy. You don't need to work so hard all the time, you know." Ignoring Tohru's weak protests, she continued. "Anyway, what was I saying? Oh, right. Have you stared studying for the finals yet? We only have a month left, you know."

"Eh? Oh... not really. I guess I didn't realize they were quite so soon. Other... other things have been on my mind lately, I suppose." She smiled apologetically, missing Uo's dubious look. Hana reached over and patted Tohru's arm gently. "Don't worry about it, Tohru-kun. I haven't started studying yet, either," she reassured Tohru, smiling softly at her.

"Tch. I wouldn't use you as an example to her, Hanajima," Uo brushed off carelessly. "In any case, you can just ask the Prince to help you. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to be able to help," she said, smiling wryly.

"Oh no, I couldn't impose on him like that!" she exclaimed, her cheeks tinged with pink. "Yuki-kun already has his own exams to worry about; I can't be a bother to him like that!"

"It's no bother at all, Honda-san." Tohru gasped and swung around at the sound of the voice. Yuki stood just behind her, smiling tolerantly down at her.

"Yuki-kun! You surprised me!" she said shrilly, her heart pounding. He laughed gently at her startled expression. "Honda-san knows I'm always glad to help," he reminded her.

"Exactly. So don't worry about it," Uo declared in a matter-of-fact tone of voice. She reached out and patted Tohru firmly on the head. "You'll do fine. And then it's graduation, and out of school for good!" Hana nodded serenely beside her. Tohru couldn't help but smile and be reassured. Who could worry with friends like Uo-chan and Hana-chan to stand beside her?

"Which reminds me... Where's Kyon today? I was hoping to be able to give him some grief about the exams. He's skipping today?" Uo pouted, folding her arms and leaning casually against the wall.

Tohru glanced briefly at Uo's face before gazing down at her hands. She scuffed her foot lightly against the floor. "Um... that is..." she started, at a loss for words. "He was..."

"Kyo was feeling a bit... unwell today," Yuki supplied coolly. He shot a sharp look at Tohru's discomfort. He'd noticed that she'd seemed a bit out-of-sorts today. Why? She'd been fine earlier.

"Right. 'Unwell'. He just doesn't want to take any more of the teachers' bull," Uo snorted. "Ahhh... whatever," she yawned, stretching her arms stiffly above her head. "Hey Tohru, do you want to come shopping with us after school? Hana said she found a really great shop the other day." Hana nodded her agreement. "Tohru-kun would look wonderful in some of the clothes there," she affirmed quietly.

"I'm so sorry! I need to study," Tohru said unhappily, her face downcast. "I really want to, but I'm afraid that I won't be able to pass the exams. I... I really have to..." she murmured. Mother...

uo's eyes softened. Tohru really did work hard. She pulled Tohru into a loose, one-armed hug. "Don't worry about it. We can go shopping anytime. Just do your best, ok?" She smiled easily down at Tohru, her smile widening as the smaller girl's face perked up. It was funny how making Tohru happy could make anyone smile. She was just that sort of girl. "Well, the bell's gonna ring soon. We'd better start heading to class. Lunch is always over way too soon." Uo turned sharply, wheeling Tohru around with her. Side by side, they led the way back to the classroom through the currently deserted hallways.

"Ah! I see! Thank you so much, Yuki-kun!"

Yuki couldn't help but smile at Tohru's utterly thrilled expression. "It's no trouble, Honda-san. Once you get the hang it, it's quite easy. You'll be a pro in no time." Tohru's cheeks flushed happily. Yuki-kun was just so good to her. Even as the warm rush of joy settled in her mind, she felt a sudden, sharp pang in her stomach. How much longer would this go on for? Her hopes and fears, dreams and nightmares seemed to fall heavily on her chest, fighting to overpower her. Deep within her, she felt a burning desire to ask about her anxieties; yet at the same time, she knew that she shouldn't; she couldn't. She dropped her gaze from their books and fidgeted slightly.

"Um... Y-yuki-kun?" she said quietly, her eyes fixed nervously on her hands folded neatly on the table.

"Hmmm?" he looked curiously over to her. "Honda-san? What is it?" Those eyes. Those eyes, so full of unconditional trust and affection. Where had they gone? He'd noticed it today especially. The change was only subtle, and she tried to hide it behind cheerful words ands bright smiles, but her heart didn't seem to be behind it anymore. Her hands... the skin over knuckles wAS drawn and white, one hand clenched tightly over the other. Why? "What's wrong, Honda-san?" He reached out a hand and placed it lightly on her's. He could feel the tension in those hands, and wanted so much to help. So much. Why was he so incapable at times like these? Why was he so

-powerless?-

Tohru shook her head quickly and gave him a shaky smile, avoiding his eyes. "Ah... nothing. Thank you so much, Yuki-kun, for helping me. I- I need to start dinner before it gets too late." She made to get up hastily, but Yuki's hand tightened, restraining her.

"Honda-san. Tell me what's wrong. Honda-san mustn't bottle up her feelings. You'll make yourself ill," he said, his eyes filled with concern. She had always been so susceptible to fevers. Whatever she was fretting over would definitely make her sick if this carried on. Yuki ran a gentle thumb over her hand, stroking it soothingly. "Honda-san can talk to me," he said softly.

No. She'd known. She'd known for so long. Yet she'd managed to put it to the back of her mind. She'd wanted to forget. She'd wanted to believe that it wasn't true. No...

Kyo-kun... Yuki-kun...

Her eyes burned terribly. She tucked her chin hastily, trying to smother the tears that filled her eyes, blurred her vision. She couldn't prevent them. She couldn't stop them. She tried desperately to blink them away, but to no avail. The action only caused a single tear to slide slowly down her pale cheeks. That one tear was like the key to a floodgate.

"I- I'm so stupid." Tohru laid her head down on her arms, trying in vain to hide the tears that broke free from her eyes. She'd tried to restrain them. She didn't want to cry. Not like this. Her chest heaved with sobs that she barely managed to stifle. Why did she have to be so stupid?

"Honda-san..." Yuki slid smoothly across the floor and knelt beside her. "Honda-san is not stupid. You're never stupid. You shouldn't listen to that baka neko," he said firmly, reaching out his other hand to gently touch her hair. Far from comforting her, her sobs only grew louder. "Honda-san...' he whispered, sliding his hand to her face, his touch feather light as he stroked her cheek softly, slowly.

They sat together like that, unmoving, for a long time. Seconds, minutes, hours... they all blended together. It could have been a moment, it might have been a lifetime. Neither could know for sure. Gradually, quietly, Tohru's cries softened, began to die down, leaving her crumpled and exhausted on the floor. She felt so helpless. Pathetic. Broken. She was so useless. She felt... numb. She could barely feel Yuki's hand on her face. She was vaguely aware of his cool fingers brushing away glistening tears from her hot cheeks, but was unable to move or say anything. Pathetic.

"Honda-san... doesn't have to be strong. It's ok to cry." He wiped the last of her tears from her eyes, marveling as he did the beauty of her eyes glistening, tears clinging to her eyelashes. Such a strange thought at a time like this. Tohru sniffled helplessly. She seemed so fragile. Yuki leaned forward slightly and pressed his forehead slightly against hers. Their eyes were the barest inch away as they each gazed openly at the other. Slowly, slightly, Tohru's lips twitched into a half smile. She broke away from the touch, regretfully, as Yuki liked to believe. Her face slowly faded back to it's usual color, the pink blotches blending smoothly into her rosy cheeks. Bloodshot eyes cleared as they sat together in silence, merely enjoying the closeness they shared. Only after Tohru seemed to have fully composed herself and returned to herself, did Yuki withdraw his from her face.

"Now. What was that about?" he breathed, his voice hardly audible. Tohru shook her head slowly to the side. How could she explain all of the emotions that rose within her, threatening to overwhelm her in even the shortest lapses of control?

"I'm feeling a bit... s-stressed, I guess," she said. "Graduation is so soon, and the exams..." She glanced meekly up at Yuki. "I'm a bit out-of-sorts," she said apologetically. "I'm sorry I troubled Yuki-kun."

"Honda-san never troubles me," Yuki insisted. He smiled tenderly at her, reaching out to brush her long bangs from her eyes. "Next time Honda-san feels that way... she should come to me. We'll take a walk to the secret base. It helps to get your mind off of things." Tohru's eyes closed with a rush of pleasure. She nodded happily, her cheeks glowing with a bright blush.

"Ok." At long last, Tohru climbed to her feet and looked down at Yuki. "It's getting late. I'm going to go cook dinner now," she said, her smile cheerful. She crossed the room on swift feet, flying over the floorboards. As she stepped over the threshold, she turned and gave Yuki a tender, warm smile. "Yuki-kun... really. Thank you... for everything." Without another word, she disappeared from doorway, her hair breezing out behind her.

All traces of a smile slid smoothly from Yuki's face as his eyes riveted themselves firmly on the spot from which Tohru had vanished. Despite all of that, a sick feeling remained in his gut, an unease too troubling to simply force to the back of his mind. This wasn't the end of the matter. Sighing slightly, Yuki resolved to keep an eye on Tohru... just in case.