AN: Nyah, next chapter. Sorry if it seems a bit OOC, I'm still getting used to doing stories with Fruits Basket. I don't I did too terribly, though. Feedback is welcomed, as well as critiques.

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His body felt strangely warm and dry, although he could faintly recall fuzzy memories of rain. It was also impossible that he had gotten recaptured- the cold that inhabited his previous cell was permanently imprinted in his mind. Was he dead, then? Perhaps the blood loss had finally gotten to him…

"Mom! He moved!"

"That's great! He'll probably be waking up any second."

There was the feather-like touch of a hand grazing his skin, the contact causing him to flinch. His eyes snapped open, though immediately shut from the overwhelming light, which was actually a dim lamp. But to him, it felt like the sun. Slowly opening his eyes once more, he pushed himself upwards, wincing at the pain in his wounds as he moved.

"Please, don't move too much. The holes haven't healed yet…"

He looked over at the source of the young, feminine voice, his eyes locking with a pair of large, soft brown ones. They belonged to a girl about his age, with straight brown locks that fell a bit past her shoulders. Her clothing was slightly plain, perhaps made more for comfort. She reached a hand out in concern, but he shied away, his mouth a thin line and crimson eyes cold. Who was she? Did she find him when he collapsed? More importantly, where was he now?

He took a moment to observe his surroundings: He was on the floor of what looked to be a small living room, inside the girl's house, most likely. It was a drastic change from his cold, dank prison, though one far from unpleasant.

"Hey kid, nice to see you awake." This time, a woman appeared next to the girl, a smile on her face as she knelt down beside him. Short, auburn hair adorned her head, shifting slightly along with head as it tilted while she inspected him.

"It looks as though your bleeding has slowed, for now. You should be thankful my cute daughter found you." She grinned, wrapping an arm around said girl's shoulder.

He looked down, realizing with a start he was wearing a clean, white shirt, along with the fact his wounds were now covered with fresh bandages. He came close to flushing in embarrassment at being dressed- and undressed- though he turned his head so his display of emotions wasn't noticeable.

"Are you feeling alright?" The girl noticed how he turned and had suspected it to be from illness. He nodded, still not sure whether he should speak to these people or not. His instincts pestered him to escape, but then there was the part of him that wanted some company after so many months.

"You looked starved- I'll get you some food, 'kay?" The mother, again. She stood, disappearing into what must've been the kitchen.

"I'm so glad you're okay. I'm Tohru Honda." The girl smiled, ducking her head in a small bow as she introduced herself. There was a pause, as she expected him to introduce himself in turn. He watched her warily, still hesitant on speaking. Still, these two had rescued him, so they deserved a bit of his cooperation.

"Kyo." He muttered, averting his eyes as he spoke. Just his first name was fine… Not many people knew him by it anyways. No, it was his last name that was the problem. The name of his family…

"Here you go, orange-top."

Kyo gave the woman a glare, though all thoughts of anger were forgotten when the aroma of food filled his senses. REAL food, not that stale bread and water crap. He snatched the bowl offered to him, grabbing the spoon and shoveling the thick soup into his mouth. He didn't care what kind of food it was, or even if it was poisoned- this family didn't seem the type to poison random strangers.

In no time at all, he was setting aside the empty bowl. Tohru picked it up, and gave him another smile. "I'm glad you liked it- I haven't made leek soup often, but my mom said it was good for curing sicknesses…"

Leek soup? Kyo whipped his head in the opposite direction, putting a hand over his mouth in disgust. He had eaten that? Now that he knew what he had obliviously consumed, he felt slightly queasy. Leeks were by far his least favorite food…

"Do you live around here, Kyo?" Tohru sat beside him once again, talking conversationally, yet her voice held the hint of concern from before. Why did she care about him, when she had no clue who he was, or what he had done? When, even now, he was most likely being searched for… Kyo pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the dizzy waves spiraling through his head as he stood. Tohru leaped to her feet, gently touching his arm.

"You shouldn't stand- you lost a lot of blood, remember?" She drew her hand back as he once again shifted away from her touch, surprise crossing her face. He ignored her, making his way to the door. He couldn't stay in one place… Especially not with such a harmless family. Who knows what he would do with anyone who associated themselves with him, or anyone in their 'family'. Gritting his teeth against the pain in his bullet wounds, he pulled the door open and walked through, Tohru still trailing behind him.

Outside, the darkened sky heralded the quick approach of night, although the sun hadn't disappeared quite yet. There were the beginnings of a beautiful sunset as red began to color the sky, along with hints of orange and gold as the sun continued to sink. Kyo merely stood there, transfixed by the sight. How many of these had he missed, stuck within those walls? How many of these wondrous scenes had passed him by…

"I can't stay here." He muttered, freeing his eyes from the sky with some difficulty.

"Why? We can call your parents, they'll understand, won't they?" Tohru stood behind him, her voice quietly pleading. "Please, just stay with us until you heal…"

Kyo turned, shoving past her and forcing his body into a brisk walk, breathing growing steadily ragged as his weakened state caught up with him. Still, he continued on, lifting his head to glance about in an effort to put a name to his location. It looked like a pretty small town- at least, compared to the ones he usually wound up in. How far had he been taken from where he collapsed? Hopefully it was far enough for them to have lost him, he didn't think he'd be able to fend them off if they came knocking.

He kept walking, the passing only a few people on the street. There weren't many out right now… The silence caused by such a lack of life was a bit unnerving.

A group of people across the street caught his eye, and he slowed, looking at them suspiciously. Judging by their dark clothing and matching armbands, he guessed it was a gang of some sort. They would most likely try to pick a fight… He turned away, hastening his gait as to not draw their attention.

"Sorry I'm late!"

A bulky figure suddenly crossed in front of him, Kyo ramming into him as he attempted to stop. Pain shot through him, but he managed to pull himself back, muttering a quick apology before moving to brush past him. A hand shot out to grasp his arm, iron grip tightening as he was yanked back.

"What the hell did you run into me for, scrawny kid?" Spittle flew into Kyo's face as the man leaned down, shouting. Kyo glared at him coldly, eyes narrowed. He grabbed the man's wrist with his free hand, yanking his arm free and immediately dipping into a crouch, his fluid movements a blur as he shot out a leg against the man's knees. His opponent fell, shock etched onto his face.

Voices arose from across the street, the angry cries and shouts swiftly drawing nearer as the rest of the gang came to assist their fallen comrade. He turned his head to give them a glance, eyes widening slightly as he saw the glint of metal. They were armed. He didn't waste a moment, leaping to his feet and tearing down the sidewalk, his feet strangely quiet for one running so fast. Well, he had practice. Lots of it, actually.

"Dammit…" He hissed, wrapping his hand around his stomach. Blood once again blossomed from the wound, staining both the bandages and shirt. The weak feeling once again swept over him after the thrill of the fight left, slowing his steps. His pursuers, however, had no such obstacles, and their voices rose in volume every second. Would he really meet his end in their hands? Honestly, he would rather have a more dignified way to go, especially with his past reputation…

"Kyo! This way!"

It was Tohru. She grabbed his arm, pulling him to the side and into one of the yards lined up across the street, dragging him down to crouch behind the bushes beside her. Incredibly tense, he sat there silently as the gang passed by, relief filling him as their footsteps faded in the distance.

"That was a close one, huh?" Tohru breathed, awarding him with another small smile. He nodded, keeping a hand to his stomach. She led him across the yard, staying off of the street in case there were more of the gang members about.

"Thanks…" Kyo said quietly, his uneasy tone suggesting the fact that he rarely thanked anyone.

"You don't have to thank me." Tohru replied, glancing back at him, "Just stay with my mom and I until you've healed, okay?"

"…Alright."

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AN: Wh00t, here's the end. Please review xP