Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or it's Characters.

I remember my first ride skiing down a snowy mountain slope. It's something I always wanted to do but could never afford to. You brace yourself first at the top of a hill and… down you go! You can feel the cold air and snow hitting your face as you race down faster and faster. It's certainly a rush! But when you ski to the bottom, or even if you tumble to the bottom, you know you'll eventually come to a stop and the scary feeling will be over. There may even be people down there to help you.

But what if you had to ski down a slope without knowing what was waiting at the bottom? What if you didn't know whether there were helpful people, or the edge of a cliff or some tree trunks? Could you do it? You know… if you had to?


Tohru Honda was fidgeting with the crochet threads of her new hat as she stared thoughtfully out of the train window.

The voices of her two friends seemed to fade as the trees covering the hilly countryside flew past the window. More specifically, the leaves: green shifting to auburns, saffron yellows, and browns. What was it Ayame said?

"Autumn is an amazing season for fashion! The shifting colors are reflected in the fabrics. More wonderful layers are required to stay warm."

He took a sip from his pumpkin spice latte.

"Speaking of which, Tohru..."

Somehow Ayame worrying about her was a bit worse than the others because he was so… Ayame. Sure her clothes were a little patched and threadbare. But she'd rather be a little cold than impose on someone's generosity.

She immediately shot down his idea to make her a Fall wardrobe. How could she live with herself? After squirming enough, she got him to dial things down to just taking her shopping. Furthermore, he'd cash in a favor in order for her to pay him back.

That's why the train felt so warm and cozy now. To be honest, she wasn't used to the whole... layering thing but she had to admit, Yuki's brother had good taste. Her smile widened as she fingered the sleeves of her light blue sweater dress, cinched at the waist with a wide braided belt.

Hopefully the return trip would be over soon. All this waiting was giving her too much time to think and over-think about the past week's ski resort field trip. It was a bit dangerous and not something she'd do on her own but she was grateful for the experience. The extra shifts at the part-time to pay for it were totally worth it!

Stumbling gracelessly in the snow is actually pretty funny when you're with the right people. It's being together with people you've shared almost four years with that matters, right? Kyo should have been there too but he had some martial arts tournament to go to.

That had disappointed Tohru. But she was glad he had something to strive for with his whole heart. Perhaps now that she had her new dream, she'd have that too. But it was too soon to tell how she would make it happen.

A grey-haired boy sat in the back of the train, joining in the idle chatter of a few fellow members of the student council.

He seemed at ease and poised regal even, delivering witty remarks to the lively students around him. But that calm pond-like surface did nothing to reveal the frenzy of activity underneath.

He spared a quick glance at Tohru. In that instant, he could just barely make out the red floppy hat and brunette hair, the dark brown lace-up boots rhythmically scuffing the floor. Inwardly, he sighed. She never looked back at him once.


Yuki couldn't help but smile at the sight of Miss Honda clambering awkwardly up the bank of the hill. The brunette hesitated as if wondering who should have her meager belongings if she didn't survive the hill.

"If you want, I'll go with you!" he yelled. She turned, striking him with a view of wide eyes and rosy cheeks kissed by frost.

"Okay!"

He smoothly ski poled next to her.

"On three…One!"

She shot him a wild look of 'oh my gosh'.

"Two!"

He gave his best reassuring smile.

"I'll do it!"

Tohru screamed. And she was off, with Yuki racing only slightly behind.


Soft sunlight dappled the rice ball girl's face as she tried to go to sleep. Tohru's mind danced and danced around endlessly around one thing. She just knew she couldn't look behind her or her fragile nerves would crumple to the ground. The dance must go on.

Yuki Sohma had confessed his feeling for Tohru the first day of the field trip.

At the bottom of the slope, with a breathless, bright-eyed Tohru, Yuki suddenly said,

"Tohru, I've loved you for a while now."

He took a moment to breath.

"Would you be my girlfriend?"

To his frustration, he sounded no more moved than if he had been proposing a business deal. He regretted planning and rehearsing each word immediately. But it was done.

The young woman was speechless with eyes as wide as saucers. He smiled but squeezed a fist behind him. Time. She'd need time to think about this. No need to make her give an answer right away. He squeaked out something to that effect, coughed, and quickly rejoined the rest of the students in the line to the ski lift.

And now Miss Honda would not turn around on the train.

She had yet to give him an answer.