Marmalade

Chapter 2: Problem solved…sort of.

By Takara-star-chan

A/N: I do not own Fruits Basket. It belongs to Natsuki Takaya.

----

(The next day)

Tohru walked into the kitchen wanting something else to eat. Today hadn't started off as a particularly good day. She threw up again; although this time she didn't pass out, and didn't make as much of a mess. She went to go put on one of her favorite skirts, only to find that it was tighter than it was last week. The night before, she had yet another dream about that little girl.

Things just kept getting weirder and weirder.

It was now lunch time again. She felt like eating pickles…and ice cream. So, she did. (But…she didn't put the pickles in the ice cream)

She sat at the table with her plate of pickles and bowl of ice cream racking her brains again. What in the world was wrong with her? She had asked herself that question dozens of times the last few days. Everything that she thought it could be…wasn't. She sincerely thought that there was one other thing missing that she hadn't thought of.

"Oh, what is it?" she said in frustration.

At that moment, Kyo walked in to the kitchen. He stared at her in surprise. "Pickles and ice cream again?"

"Yes, Kyo-kun," she replied, not looking at him.

He sat down next to her and reached for her hand. "I'm sorry these last few days have been horrible for you."

"You think I'm totally weird, don't you, Kyo-kun?"

"No," he replied quietly. "Your actions and the things happening are strange. You're not weird. I don't think that you can necessarily help all of these things happening. That's what it seems like."

She looked up at him sadly. "One part of me feels like I've considered everything it could be. The other part of me is telling me that there's one more thing I haven't considered. I just don't know what that last option could possibly be."

Kyo sighed. "Look. I'm sure whatever it is, you'll figure it out soon. In the meantime…don't worry yourself to the point that you need medical help."

"I'll try," Tohru said, a tear falling again.

"That's all you can do, for now," he said wiping off another tear that began to fall down her face. Then, he sat in silence for a moment. "I've got something else to tell you."

Tohru looked at him again. "W-what is it?" She tried to stop crying.

"I got a call from Shishou earlier. Akito is planning a New Year's celebration for all the former zodiac members and their close friends and family. We're invited."

Her eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yes. So, I was thinking…how would you like to go back to the Sohma estate for New Year's?" Kyo smiled at her. "I thought that getting you out of the house would do you some good."

"Yes!" Tohru exclaimed, jumping in his lap, and hugging him. "I would love to go! Oh, yes I want to go!"

Kyo laughed at her outburst. "That's what I thought. Okay, we'll go then. I'm just glad to see you acting like yourself again."

"When will we be leaving?" Tohru asked.

"You will be leaving tomorrow by train. I have to stay here for two more days. I have to help Kayui with a few things for the dojo before I can go. Then, I'll meet you there. You'll get to see Uotani, Hana Jima, and Rin. Everyone else, too. So, you shouldn't be lonely."

"Okay," she said with a nod. "I can't wait!"

----

-Sohma Estate-

Kazuma turned to Isuzu and Hana Jima. "Guess who's coming to the New Year's celebration?"

They looked at each other, then back at him.

"I have no idea," Isuzu said, shaking her head.

"Really, Kazuma-san. Who is it?"

"Kyo and Tohru are coming back for New Year's," he said smiling. "I'm sure you both will be happy to see them."

Hana smiled sweetly at Kazuma. "How delightful! Wouldn't you say, Isuzu-san?" It'll be fun to see Tohru-kun as well as tease Kyo-kun again. I can't wait to tell Arisa!

Isuzu sat with wide-eyes. Then she said, "I guess." Of course, she was trying not to sound sentimental. She was of course excited to see Tohru.

"We should buy Tohru-kun a present," Hana said to Isuzu.

"Um, sure. What did you have in mind?" she asked with a sigh.

"I'm not really sure yet myself. I just wanted to know what you thought, Isuzu-san," Hana said with a smile and a nod.

"Well, I'll leave you both to discuss this," Kazuma said, walking out of the room, carrying the newspaper.

When he was gone, Isuzu said, "You know, acting all sweet-polite and smiley…I know that's not really who you are. Deep down you are a maniacal person with a hidden agenda."

Hana only smiled. "What an interesting thing you say to me, Isuzu-san. You are sort of correct. I am kind of a scheming person. But, I do pride myself on being polite at the same time."

"Yeah," Isuzu said sarcastically. "Sure. If you say so."

Then, Kagura walked in. "Did I just hear correctly? Are Tohru-kun and Kyo-kun really coming back for New Year's?"

"Yeah," Isuzu said boredly. "You heard correctly."

"Hm. It'll be…awkward when I see Kyo and Tohru," she said frowning.

"Why?" Hana asked in surprise. "Why would it be awkward? I'm sure they will be glad to see you."

Kagura sighed. "Well…I have been on awkward terms with both of them for a while."

"That's for sure," Isuzu said with a snort.

"Shut up! Anyway, I was head over heels in love with Kyo-kun for the longest time. Then…after I had told Kyo-kun why I had originally fell in love with him… it started getting a little more strange between us. Also of course, he was in love with Tohru-kun, and her with him…and I got in a fight with Tohru once over it. Sooo…the three of us are caught up in a strange situation. But, it'll be even more awkward…with my new situation," Kagura said nervously.

"What situation would that be?" Hana asked curiously.

"You haven't heard about it yet?" Isuzu said, shaking her head.

"No, I haven't," Hana replied looking over at Kagura. "I'm curious to know though."

"This is where it gets even stranger. Another person who was in love with Tohru, found that he also likes me. I find that I like that person too. He's younger than Kyo-kun though…although only by a year. I'm going out with Momiji-kun right now," Kagura replied, blushing. "Odd how that turned out, huh?"

"I'd say so," Hana said, eyes wide. "At the celebration, that will definitely be an odd situation."

----

(The next day)

Tohru held Kyo's hand as the train pulled into the station. Then, Tohru turned to him, and kissed him. "I love you Kyo-kun."

He let go of her hand. "I love you too. I'll see you in a few days. Okay? Now hurry and get on. The trains leave fast, you know."

"I know," she said, smiling at him. Then, she picked up her bag, and quickly boarded the train. As it began to pull away, she waved at him.

----

As the train headed toward familiar ground, Tohru began to smile. The city was even more beautiful than she remembered it. She couldn't wait to see who had come down to greet her off the train.

When the train slowed to a stop, she picked up her bag and stepped out onto the platform. She knew that there would be someone here to greet her, but as to who, she wasn't told. Then, she heard someone call her name.

"Tohru!"

She turned toward the sound to see Arisa running towards her. Hana and Kazuma close behind. When Arisa had reached her, she embraced her tightly.

"Oh, I am sooo happy to see you. You have no idea. I missed you so much!" Arisa practically squealed.

"I missed you too, Uo-chan! I'm glad to be back!" Tohru said, smiling, and hugging her friend back.

Then, Hana came to embrace her as well. "Oh, Tohru-kun. It's been too long. Too long. You should come back to see us more often!"

"I wish…but it is kind of expensive to come back so much! I'll try to come back as much as I can though," Tohru promised.

"Hello, Tohru-san. It's so good to see you as well," Kazuma said with a smile. He pulled her into a hug too. Then he pulled away, placing his hands on her shoulders. "I assume Kyo is doing well? He sounded a little sad on the phone the other day."

Tohru's eyes widened. "I've been having some issues. I still am. There's something wrong with me, we just have no clue what it is. It's…really making both of us stressed."

"What's going on, Tohru-kun? Are you sick?" Hana asked in concern.

"If I knew…I'd tell you. My body is acting strange. It has been for a while," she said shaking her head. "But…I am glad to be here. I am really excited to see you all."

Arisa and Hana looked at eachother in worry.

"Well…when you're here, maybe you should see Hatori. Maybe he could pin point on what's wrong," Arisa suggested.

"That would be a good idea," Kazuma said. "I can call him to see if he can see you later."

"Okay," Tohru said with a nod. She was glad that she could maybe finally get some answers.

----

Back at Kazuma's house, Tohru, Arisa, Hana, and Isuzu were talking and catching up. Kazuma was in the other room making the phone call to Hatori.

"So…what exactly has been going on with you?" Arisa said in curiosity.

"You'd probably laugh if I told you," Tohru said shaking her head.

"No, seriously. You should tell us. Maybe we might know," Arisa said with a nod.

"Okay," Tohru said, taking in a deep breath. "Well…I've been having strange dreams. Every time, it was about a little girl. Then, the dream always ends badly. I'm eating lots of pickles and ice cream. My skirts aren't fitting properly. I've been throwing up every morning…It's confusing and frightening!"

The three of them stared at her in shock. Arisa's mouth was hanging wide open.

"Um…," Arisa said, eyes widening. "Wow. Those are some interesting issues…"

Isuzu spoke up. "You should have been to see a doctor. The real problem I think is completely obvious."

"That was a rude way to put it," Arisa said, shaking her head. "Although…she is kind of right."

Hana still didn't say anything; obviously in too much shock to speak.

"Um, Tohru," said Isuzu leaning forward. "You're on the pill aren't you?"

Tohru blushed. "Of course. Kyo-kun and I wanted to wait a while before-"

"Have you been taking it at the same time everyday?" Arisa asked, sitting up on her knees.

"Yes-"

"Have you been sick recently?" Isuzu asked, sitting up on her knees.

"Yes. I was prescribed medicines and anti-biotics. I'm fine now," Tohru said face beet red.

"I knew it," Isuzu said, obviously proud of herself. She looked over at Arisa. "Mystery solved. Don't you think?"

"Wh-what?" Tohru said in obvious confusion.

"I agree. Mystery solved," Arisa said with a laugh.

"Wh-what are you guys talking about? I'm so confused!" Tohru said, freaking out.

"Do you still not know?" Arisa said, shaking her head.

"No," Tohru said still confused and beginning to cry. "First I tell you what's wrong with me. Then you ask me if I'm on the pill. Then you ask me if I was sick recently. I don't understand!"

"There's the other clue right there. You've been really moody, haven't you?" Arisa said, hugging Tohru, trying to comfort her.

"Why don't either of you just tell her?" Hana said, shaking her head. "You're obviously upsetting her."

Just then, Kazuma walked out with a smile on his face. "Tohru-san…Hatori-san says that he will see you right away. I will escort you up there."

"Okay," Tohru said, standing up.

----

When she had made it to Hatori's office, Tohru told him everything-even the things that her friends had mentioned to her earlier that had confused her.

At the end, Hatori was wide-eyed as well. "Well…Tohru-kun…I think why they had asked you if you had been sick recently is because anti-biotics tend to interfere with the effectiveness of the pill. Did your doctor not mention this?"

"No," Tohru said, nervousness and shock growing more and more inside of her.

Hatori reached inside of a drawer next to him, and pulled out a box. He handed it to her. "The restroom is right over there. The directions are in the box."

Tohru nodded, and stood up. "Okay."

----

When Tohru and Kazuma were walking back to his house, of course, Kazuma had asked her what the diagnosis was.

"I'm…still in shock right now," Tohru said, taking in a breath. "I'm not sure how to say it."

He looked at her in surprise. "You're…having a baby?"

Tohru nodded. "Now it's just a matter of getting up the courage to tell Kyo-kun."

"You will," Kazuma said with a sigh. "You should tell him sooner than later, though."

"I know," Tohru said, looking up at the sky. "I just don't know how to tell him. I'm afraid I'll just freeze up."

When they had made it back to the house, Tohru told her friends what Hatori had said.

"We knew it," Arisa said with a nod. "That confirms what we already knew. Now there's a matter of dealing with the one responsible…" Arisa said with an evil laugh.

"Eh?" Tohru said wide-eyed.

"Arisa…don't do anything stupid. You wouldn't want to upset Tohru-kun, would you?"

Arisa laughed again. "I guess not. But still…." She had an evil gleam in her eye.

"So," Isuzu said, ignoring Arisa's maniacal attitude. "What do you think it will be?"

Tohru stopped in thought. "You know…I'm not sure. Maybe a girl? I kind of get that feeling."

"Well, when you find out, be sure to tell us, Tohru-kun," Hana said, smiling.

"When are you going to tell Kyo?" Arisa asked in interest.

"I don't know. That's one thing I'm scared about," Tohru said shaking her head. "I just don't know how he'll react. I mean, I don't think he'll be mad….but…I don't know."