I don't need to say that I don't own fruits basket characters but I do own the other ones. So that is the last time I'm going to tell you that.

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Open My Heart: Birthday Surprises

Annika rushed into her room, mad at herself at her lack of emotional composer. She couldn't believe that she couldn't control them like usual. She wished that she hadn't said anything about her birthday. Annika had just planned on going shopping and buying herself a birthday gift. It's not like she ever got much of a birthday at home anyways, sure her father was a wealthy man, but both her parents were never really there. She was in charge of caring for her younger siblings. So she never really got a birthday. But she always made the best of it and they had always been happy birthdays. Especially when she and Izzy had come up with random things to celebrate her birthdays.
Sighing, Annika changed into her pj's before climbing into bed, and snuggling up against her big fluffy pillow and falling asleep.
Kyo spent another thirty minutes on the roof, he didn't think he should have gone after her when she left, so instead he was thinking about her birthday.
'Should I do something?' was the thought that kept running through his mind. After a while he decided to get some real help. Kyo climbed down and went in search of Tohru Honda. He found her in the kitchen getting some things read to cook for tomorrow's dinner. His cheeks were red from asking someone for help even though it was against his better judgment.
Kyo cleared his throat, "um… Tohru?" Tohru turned around and looked at Kyo.
"Oh Kyo-kun! Is there something I can get for you?"
"um…" Kyo looked around just to make sure no one was around to see him asking someone for help for once in his life, "Tohru… I need help" His face blazed an unnatural red.
Tohru smiled happily, "What do you need help with?"
"I… I… Well… don't tell her I told you, but tomorrow is Annika's birthday… and I thought… I thought I would do something for her. But I don't know what to do for her. So I thought… that you might know what to do" Kyo looked around as if he might be caught with a bomb in the house.
Tohru remained silent for a while thinking about his request. She thought of multiple things that he could do, but most of them were things that might be considered too personal. But it was obvious that Kyo liked her or else he wouldn't have even bothered to think about doing something.
"I know of something that you could do. I'd have to get up REALLY early if I didn't go tonight so that I could go fetch it but I wouldn't mind that, and… why don't you serve her breakfast in bed? That would be really nice; I know she would like it. Were you thinking about getting her a gift?" All Kyo could do was nod his head. Tohru giggled, "Well… I'm sure that she would like that! Well…. Why don't we just go shopping real quickly? I know of a shop that I'm sure you can find something that you would like to get her. Come!" She walked out to the stair case and yelled up the stairs, "I'm going shopping and I'm bringing Kyo with me! So don't stay up late!" With that Tohru and Kyo went out to shop. It was till only 8 but it was already dark outside. When they came home it was close to 9:30 with two bags, one with food, and the other with the gifts that Kyo himself had picked out.
They spent the next half hour to an hour wrapping the gifts and discussing how things were going to flow.
Sun filtered through the window, once again waking Annika from her sleep. She rolled from side to side trying to reclaim sleep, but finally deciding to get up. Her hair was in disarray when she finally sat up and her eyes were still the color of a deep emerald green from her crying the night before. The clock on the wall stated 9 am.
When she looked around she found a bowl sitting on her bedside table. Fruit Loops float in milk gracefully inside the bowl. A smile spilled across her face, she picked up the spoon next to the bowl and started to eat out of it. The sweet fragrance of her Fruit Loops made her giddy with excitement. 'This day could have its ups to it' she thought happily. Annika savored every bite of her Fruit Loops until every last bite was eaten. Annika got up from her bed and started heading towards the door when she saw three boxes set on her the top of her desk.
Annika set the bowl back down and walked over to the beautifully wrapped boxes. First she opened the smallest of the boxes; once it was open there inside laid another box. But this one was more extravagant. It was black, with a silver butterfly fluttering above a gold and silver hand fan accented by a colorful floral motif. The inside of it was lined in red felt with a mirror on the inside top lid. Also a small tune started to play, it was soothing to the ears and made her smile, she also found a pair of Shou Porcelain Earrings inside. Then she moved on to the second box, which was longer, and skinner then the other. When she opened it she found a fan, as she opened it she discovered it was full of blues, whites, greens, pinks, and purples. Pink and white cherry blossoms flowing across the scene. Quickly Annika opened the largest of the three boxes to be literally out of breath. Inside was a silk blue Yukata with white cherry blossoms and folding fans gracefully splashed out across the fabric. Underneath the Yukata was a note, it took Annika a moment to decipher what was being said but at last she understood.

Dear Annika,

Last night you told me that today would be your birthday. So… I thought that I would try and help to make this day an enjoyment instead of a dreary one. I even found your 'Fruit Loops'. But I ask just one thing, don't tell anyone! At least… not now. Especially that damn rat!

Kyo

Annika could have shouted for joy. This day just couldn't get any better! She picked up her bowl and practically skipped down the stairs. Upon entering the kitchen she found Tohru, Kyo and Yuki standing in the kitchen. Remembering what Kyo said she didn't say anything making a mental note to find him later on and thank you generously for the lovely gifts that she would now cherish for all time. But there was no hiding the bounce in her step. She set her bowl in the sink, and then bounced upstairs. Yuki looked at the other two curiously.
"Is there something that Miss. Annika knows that we should know?"
"The hell with you" Kyo yelled before walking out of the room.
Tohru just laughed and shook her head, "No I'm sure everything is fine. Don't worry about it"
Annika took a quick shower, and then went back to her room to admire Kyo's presents to her. After a while soft knock was heard at the door.
"Come in Tohru-kun!" Next moment Tohru walked into the room with a big smile on her face, "Oh hi Tohru!!!"
"Happy birthday! I know I wasn't supposed to know, but Kyo needed a bit of help. He didn't know what to get you or do for you so he asked me. I hope you don't mind!" Worry covered her face as she looked at her friend. But a very happy Annika was the only thing she got.
"Oh I don't mind at all! It was very sweet of you to help him out! Thank you!" Annika picked up the jewelry box and opened it and sighed when its lovely melody began to play. "This is such a lovely tune"
Tohru giggled, "Yeah it is, the song is called 'Sukiyaki Song' by Duo En. Kyo picked out all of this stuff by himself. I just showed him where the shop was and where to get the Fruit Loops. I also gave him the idea to 'give' you breakfast in bed. But other than those couple things, everything was him. Just thought you should know that. And I'm glad that you liked it. Oh and here is something from me. I didn't know if you'd need it, but it might come in handy one day." Then Tohru took out a journal with silk binding and colorful dragonflies covering the cover. It was absolutely beautiful.
"Thank you!" Annika said breathlessly. Tohru giggled. Then the two girls talked for an hour to two. After that Annika went for her usual run. When she came back she took another shower then went outside. The afternoon sun spilled across the leaves and she was just about to sit down to enjoy when she heard shouting coming her way.
"I'M GOING TO BEAT YOU DAMN RAT!"
"You can try neko"
Annika sighed; the two were at it again. Couldn't they be quiet at civil for one day? The fighting spread out onto the yard so she sat down by a tree near the forest and watched. They kicked and shouted and punched and yelled some more. None on them even noticed that she was sitting there watching the whole scene. Kyo kept saying that he was going to beat Yuki and Yuki just stared at him with venom 'dripping' out of his eyes towards Kyo.
After a while Annika got a bit bored so she stood up and took two steps before a large mass made contact with her stomach making her and the mass fly into the forest. Next she knew she crashed into another tree. POOF, smoke was everywhere. But Annika didn't really care all she could do was try and breathe. She fell to her knees gasping for air and tears streaming down her face from not being able to breathe.
'Damn why the did THAT have to happen, scratches I can hand… getting the window knocked out… no. I can't do that.' She didn't even notice the orange cat licking her arm.
"Damn it! I'm SO sorry! I should get help!" He started to turn around to head back to the house, but Annika had grabbed his tail lightly, Kyo turned around to look at her. Annika tried to smile at him
She even tried to talk through it, "Wind (gasp) knocked (gasp) out" and she pointed to herself and gave thumbs up to show that she was ok. Kyo walked back over and rubbed up against her like cats showing her that he was sorry. It took a couple minutes before she could get her breath back and by that time Yuki and Torhu had found them. When she was able to breathe again she sat up with a smile and looked at Kyo who had turned back into a human, his face was livid but he didn't say anything.
"Well… that was interesting!" Annika laughed as she stood up. She began to tilt a little bit, being a little dizzy from the lack of oxygen, but she felt Kyo's hand on her arm to steady her. "Ah… thank you!" She said.
Tohru looked at everyone, "Well… she's not hurt, so let's go and have tea. Yes I think that's a good idea" She turned and led the way back to the house.
Later that night Annika was sitting on the couch watching TV when she heard the phone ring, but she let someone else get it. A couple minutes later Shigure came into the room.
"Annika, the phone is for you" Annika stood up and went to answer the phone cordless phone in the kitchen, Kyo, Yuki, and Tohru were also in the kitchen. Annika picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Anna!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" A young girl's voice called.
"OH MY GOSH! IZZY!!!!!!!!!!!!" Annika jumped up and down and squealed, her mind totally forgetting that there are others in the room. "I'm so glad to hear from you! But isn't it like… REALLY late over there?"
"Yeah it's actually rather early, but I wanted to make sure that you at least heard from me before you go to bed. I figured that you'd have things to do earlier today so I decided to call later"
"I'm glad that you did call!" Annika was so excited that she didn't even notice when she switched over to her native language, "non ho pensato che lei farebbe!"(1)
Izzy laughed, "Oh course I would call! Silly! So real quickly, how if Tohru, Yuki, Kyo and that other man that you told me about?"
Annika giggled, which everyone turned to look at her, they had never heard to her giggle before, laugh yes giggle no, "Il Tohru fa grande! Ha sempre un sorriso sulla sua faccia. Il Yuki è tranquillo ma molto amichevole... Lo Shigure è come pervertita mai. E... Il Kyo... bene è grande. Oh Izzy! Il Kyo me ha dato il presente di compleanno più meraviglioso mai!" (2) Every member looked at her when they heard their names but they didn't say anything.
"Do tell Anna! Don't leave me hanging," Izzy commented.
"Il Kyo me ha dato una bella carillon con un paio di suoni di orecchio dentro, poi me ha dato un che il piegando ventilatore che ha dei fiori di ciliegio su esso, e poi migliore di tutto il, me ha dato un respiro portando Yukata che è blu e ha dei fiori di ciliegio e che i piegando ventilatori su loro! Non posso tenere da Izzy sorridente! Il Kyo ha fatto oggi probabilmente uno dei giorni migliori nella mia vita!"(3)Kyo began to just watch her, and inwardly he was amused at hearing his name so many times. He thought it was cute the way that her face was so bright and every now and then a slight blush would creep into her cheeks.
"That's wonderful! They must be beautiful! Have you worn the Yukata yet?"
"No ho non ancora. Penso forse domani o qualcosa."(4)
"Sis?"
"Yeah?"
"Does Kyo like you?"
"Spero cosí. Per io l'ama realmente. So che è soltanto è stato un breve mentre, ma me fa sorride e non posso fermare per pensare di lui. La bontà fa desidero che lei era qui proprio ora. Desidero che lei potrebbe incontrare Kyo. È il kinda rude sull'esterno ed il kinda rude dapprima. Ma una volta lei prende il passato che Kyo è una persona cosí sensibile."(5) Annika had such a love struck smile on her face, Kyo smile but only just the tiniest bit, and he had a feeling that he might know what she was saying. He felt weird thinking that but it was true.
Izzy laughed, "Anna I've NEVER heard you this love struck! What has this boy done to you?"
Annika blushed a bright red, and laughed nervously and realized that she had been speaking Italian and decided to go back to English, "I don't know Izzy. We'll see what comes out of it. I might just be being stupid and putting my hopes too high." At this point Kyo was the only one in the room, drinking milk out of a glass while watching Annika across the room.
"I doubt it. I think he likes you, I mean those gift must have cost a lot of money especially if their as beautiful as you say they are" Annika's face paled to the a snowy white.
"You don't think…"
"Yeah I think so Anna. He must have spent a lot of money on you, so I don't think that you're putting your hopes too high."
Sighing, Annika saw something out of the corner of her eyes. Surprised she turned her head to find herself looking into the deep red eyes of the very guy that she was talking to her sister about. Her face turned an unnatural pale white.
"La sorella, è nella stanza, penso che sia stato lí il tempo intero."(6) Annika had to pull the phone away from her ear as her sister was laughing so loud. Her face became stern, "Isabella Conte! That isn't funny!"
"Oh yes it is! But luckily for you, you were speaking in Italian. And unless he can understand Italian he has no clue as to what you said about him. Although he may be curious, you did say his name a few times. Well anyways my dear sister, It's really early and I would like to catch a couple more hours of sleep before school. Didn't you have school today?"
Annika smiled warmly, "Yes of course. I'm sorry to have kept you this long. We were let off of school today. Which is rather nice now that I think of it!" Annika laughed, but glanced over at Kyo who was still watching her. "Well good night, good morning which ever you would like to say Izzy. Tell Tyson, Aidan, Abri, and Damean that their older sister says hi! Give them my love as well. And" There was a pause as she glanced at Kyo once again, "Tell mother and father if you see them that I say hi as well. Please."
"Anna…" Izzy paused, "I… ok I'll tell them. But… just so you know, before I go that is, Papa and mother aren't doing so well"
Annika sighed sadly, "I know, I remember the fight that they had the night before I left. But still tell them I think of them if they aren't in a mood. Ok?"
"Ok Anna. I will talk to you later. Good night"
"Goodnight Izzy" With that Annika hung up the phone, she stared at it for a couple seconds thinking about that last but of information. But she recovered quickly.
Turning around she looked at Kyo, "So… I never got to thank you for the gifts and my Fruit Loops" Kyo just looked at her. "I really do appreciate it, the gifts were beautiful."
"It was no problem." Kyo stated. Annika smiled at him warmly and walked out of the room and headed upstairs to her bedroom. She changed into her black short boxer shorts, and a green camisole before walking, almost running down the stairs and back into the kitchen. Kyo had just gotten up when she came back in. Annika stopped dead in her tracks, completely awe struck. In his hands was a bowl of Fruit Loops. Kyo smiled and handed her the bowl and spoon. "I had a feeling that you would want it. The box is in the top cupboard by the fridge" And with that he walked out of the room.
'How did he know that?' She thought to herself, 'That's kinda freaky, nice but freaky' With a smile she walked upstairs with her bowl of Fruit Loops.

Over the next couple months Annika and Kyo and made it a silent habit to spend time at least every other night on the roof together talking about anything and everything. They were like best friends and no one would have known unless they heard it from someone else. Even though they fought just as bad as Kyo did with Yuki, they were also the closest person to either other.

Every morning since her birthday Annika found a bowl of Fruit Loops sitting next to her bed on the night stand. And while she ate her Fruit Loops she would talk to Izzy online. Then when she was done with her breakfast she would say good bye, take her dishes down the kitchen and go on her morning run. Every once in a while Kyo would join her on her run, but then he would complain about how long she ran with never taking a break, then he wouldn't come with her for a few days then he would do it all again. No matter how much one of them complained about the other their feelings for each other were plainly seen through out the house.
But it wasn't until late in June that something really decided to take place. It was late in the night, the stars were out and Annika and Kyo were sitting on the roof talking about people that they knew. Kyo was talking about Kazuma Sohma when he stopped and looked at Annika who was staring up at the stars. It took Annika a while to realize that Kyo had stopped talking.
"Why did you stop?"
Kyo shrugged, "I guess I thought-" Kyo immediately stopped himself, 'Kyo, your going soft. You can't let this girl make you start saying mushy stuff… that's just gross come on man!'
Annika sat up and looked at him, "You thought what? Come on you can tell me" The look in her eyes made his wall start to break down.
'No… no Kyo don't let her do this… don't give in' Kyo looked at her, he hesitated for a moment, but finally decided to actually speak the words that neither of them had said, but had wanted to say, "I was just thought that… I was actually thinking…" He began to get frustrated for the lack of words coming into his brain, finally he stood up and nearly shouted, "I like you and I've been wanted to know if you'd be my girlfriend!" 'Great Kyo, you just sounded like a little kid. Great going, now I'm sure she's impressed' Shock numbed his mind. He had never expected to say all that.
Annika looked up at him also surprised by his confession, but none the less her heart soared. Slowly she got up onto her feet and looked at Kyo, her face her usual calm and kind. She took the few steps between them and took Kyo's hand. She raised his hand to hers and kissed it. "Of course. I would love to be your girlfriend Kyo. I'll more than willingly be that" Annika smiled up into Kyo's still shocked face. Annika couldn't help but laugh, he looked so cute when he couldn't process everything going on. Kyo raised his hand and touched her face, and without even thinking about what would happen, he leaned in a kissed her lips. POOF in Annika's arms lay an orange cat who purred loudly as it snuggled up to her.
Sitting down the two spent another hour or so looking at the stars in blissful silence. Kyo curled up on Annika's stomach soon fell asleep

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Translations:

(1)I didn't think that you would
(2)
Tohru is doing great! She always has a smile on her face. Yuki is quiet but very friendly... Shigure is perverted as ever. And... Kyo... well he's great. Oh Izzy! Kyo gave me the most wonderful birthday present ever!
(3)
Kyo gave me a beautiful music box with a pair of ear rings inside, then he gave me a folding fan that has cherry blossoms on it, and then best of all, he gave me a breath taking Yukata that's blue and has cherry blossoms and folding fans on them! I can't keep from smiling Izzy! Kyo made today probably one of the best days in my life!
(4)
No i haven't yet. I'm thinking maybe tomorrow or something.
(5)I hope so. For i really like him. I know it's only been a short while, but he makes me smile and i can't stop thinking about him. Goodness do i wish you were here right now. I wish you could meet Kyo. He's kinda rough on the outside and kinda rude at first. But once you get past that Kyo is such a sensitive person.
(6)
Sister, he's in the room, i think he's been there the whole time.