Lady Serena: So I'm finally updating and the plot is unfolding! Yay!

Kyo: Whatever.

Haru: That's nice.

Yuki: I'm looking forward to it Serena-san.

Lady Serena: (raised eyebrow) What's up with them?

Yuki: (grins) They tried to attack me while I was asleep…and paid for it dearly.

Lady Serena: (giggles) Why would they attack you?

Yuki: They were trying to dress me in a French maid outfit…(eyes darken) but I caught them red-handed so now they are going to suffer.

Kyo: (growl) I'm not going to suffer! I'm not a pervert like you two!

Yuki: Says the guy who also tried to make me cosplay.

Haru: (pout) What about me? Why should I have to live without sex?! It's cruel and inhumane to deprive me!

Lady Serena: (blush) Oh…so that's the punishment. Serves them right.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Fruits Basket!

Warning: Yaoi! Rated T for now but may go up to M later.

Pairings: Yuki/Haru/Kyo, slight Rin/Haru, hinted Tohru/Kyo

Song: "Lithium" by Evanescence

Breathless Dawns chapter two

Haru's POV- 1st person

Things between me and my lovers had been awkward lately. I could see the tension curling through Yuki's body and the fiery anger boiling in Kyo's eyes. They tried to hide it…but it was always there…the desire…the thirst for battle. I knew this would happen eventually. The cat and the rat have been bitter enemies all of their lives so them being together (in a romantic relationship of all things) was going against their nature. I love them both, but being stuck in the middle was not an appealing notion.

Three days after Kyo and Tohru's mysterious "talk", things came to a head. The impending fight came after school as I walked with them to Shigure's home. Tohru's friends had agreed to walk with her to work. The tension was so thick I could barely breathe as I watched them nervously out of the corner of my eyes. As expected, it was the feisty kitty that cracked first.

"Alright, that's it! I've had enough of this bullshit! What the hell is your problem ya damn rat?" Kyo exploded.

Lithium, don't want to lock me up inside.
Lithium, don't want to forget how it feels without...
Lithium, I want to stay in love with my sorrow.
Oh, but God, I want to let it go.

Yuki stopped abruptly and pivoted on his heel to shoot Kyo with an icy glare. My heart froze and I instinctively stepped back and to the right to be out of range for any misplaced attacks.

"You stupid cat…do you honestly not know what this is about?" he hissed through clenched teeth.

I noticed Kyo flinch slightly at the venom laced through Yuki's tone. But the hot-head his his unease well and slipped into his comfort zone: anger.

He practically turned red as he roared, "Of course I don't know! I asked you, didn't I? I haven't done anything to piss you off so what's the big deal?"

I winced as I saw the flash of hurt in my kitten's eyes before they hardened once more into furious rubies. He truly had no idea what he had done to deserve such harsh treatment. I was completely clueless also and turned to regard Yuki warily.

The rat-cursed boy responded coolly, "That talk with Honda-san…what was it about?"

Come to bed, don't make me sleep alone.
Couldn't hide the emptiness, you let it show.
Never wanted it to be so cold.
Just didn't drink enough to say you love me.

I'm sure my eyes were as wide and filled with surprise as Kyo's were. Where did that come from? Sure, at the time, I had been curious as well but had dismissed it quickly. It was none of our business what Kyo spoke of with his friends. Everyone knew how close he is to Tohru so it was no surprise that he confided in her and vice versa. So why was Yuki on edge about one simple conversation? If I was shocked by Yuki's words, then Kyo's response truly blew my mind.

His eyes narrowed and he growled, "That is none of your damn business."

It wasn't so much the words which stunned me…but the brief hint of sheer panic I had witnessed in his eyes as his body became rigged, worried me.

I wasn't sure if Yuki had seen it as well, but he shot back, "I bed to differ. I have every right to know what goes on between you and Honda-san. What were you saying— or doing—behind out backs?"

The 'our' implied Hatsuharu as well and he sent me a frustrated glance. Of course I wanted to speak up…to stop them… before they said something they would regret. They were centimeters away from crossing an invisible line and I feared the outcome if they did so. I opened my mouth but was beaten to the punch by Kyo.

He said, "What are you implying?"

Utter silence as Yuki stared him down and refused to respond, At least he knew when to stop, but Kyo plunged head-first into the black hole.

He smirked, "What's wrong Prince Yuki… cat got your tongue?"

I can't hold on to me,
Wonder what's wrong with me.
Lithium, don't want to lock me up inside.
Lithium, don't want to forget how it feels without...
Lithium, I want to stay in love with my sorrow.

I felt my blood run cold and saw Yuki's hands clench as they shook violently. He had his head down, his soft grey strands dangled over his eyelids, so I could not see his beautiful violet eyes…but I knew they were sharp and cold with rage. Kyo had crossed the line, and Yuki was about to follow full speed ahead.

His head snapped up as he said without a trace of emotion, "What I'm trying to say is that you-are-a-whore."

Don't want to let it lay me down this time.
Drown my will to fly.
Here in the darkness I know myself.
Can't break free until I let it go.
Let me go.

Kyo recoiled as if he had been slapped and my heart tightened painfully. Did Yuki have any idea of what he had just done? He had destroyed our beloved kitten. I was enraged and numbed at the same time. Normally, Black Haru would have jumped to Kyo's defense and tried to rip Yuki's head off…but he was silent in my jumbled mind. I heard a gasp and glanced at Yuki, who seemed to have snapped out of his moment of temporary insanity, and had covered his mouth. His eyes were wide in shock and horror. He took a hesitant step towards Kyo with one trembling hand reaching out for him. His posture sung of apology but the damage had been done.

Kyo was shattered. He had paled to a ghostly white and his eyes had become lifeless and dull. His arms hung limply at his sides and tears trickled endlessly down his handsome face. I wanted to run over and comfort him…wrap him in my arms and whisper soothing words of love and assurance into his ear. I wanted to kiss away those awful tears. I wanted to turn to Yuki and pierce with a hateful glare as I demanded an explanation. Why so cruel? But…I couldn't. I was numb to my feelings. I felt empty inside and the only thing I felt…was cold.

Darling, I forgive you after all.
Anything is better than to be alone.
And in the end I guess I had to fall.
Always find my place among the ashes.

"Why?" Kyo whispered, nearly breathless.

Yuki shook his head, tears sent flying in all directions, and cried out, "I don't know…I just…I'm sorry. Oh, Kyo…I'm so sorry."

Black Haru would have bit back, "Sorry isn't good enough."

But he was gone now. I was just an empty shell. The world was fast losing colors around me. The only ones that remained were Yuki's glistening amethyst orbs and Kyo's striking orange hair and red eyes (which still lacked their usual warmth). How much longer until faded away as well?

Kyo turned and quickly grabbed his bag which he had dropped earlier before he sped away. I knew he would either shut himself in the dark solitude of his room or curl up on a distant corner of the roof. He was a creature of habit even though everyone could find him easily. Yuki sniffed pathetically and sighed as he also picked up his bag.

He turned to me and muttered, "What should I do? I just spoke without thinking. I know Akito…" he shivered at the name, "he called Kyo that terrible word when he…forced himself on him. Kyo told me. Knowing that…how could I say it? Tell me Haru…what should I do?"

"There's nothing you can do," a familiar cold voice said.

I can't hold on to me,
Wonder what's wrong with me.
Lithium, don't want to lock me up inside.
Lithium, don't want to forget how it feels without...
Lithium, I want to stay in love with my sorrow
Oh but God I want to let it go

We both spun around to face the unexpected intruder. I gasped and Yuki's eyes narrowed slightly.

I whispered in awe, "Rin, what are you doing here?"

She smiled and said, "Isn't it obvious? I'm here for you, Haru."

Lady Serena: (gasp) What do you think? Rin finally show her face! Yuki breaks Kyo's heart! Haru loses more of his emotions! Why did Yuki say such cruel things? How will Haru react to Rin's presence? Shockers ahead folks! Be prepared!

Kyo: Why the hell am I always so pathetic?

Haru: I don't like not being able to feel. I didn't even speak until the very end!

Yuki: I was so mean to my poor kitty! Make it stop!

Lady Serena: Sorry boys…you know how it is…more angst and romance ahead! Fluff will take a while but when it does come I think you will be pleased. Reviews please! PLEASE with yaoi on top?