Author's Note:

Well, here's the next chapter of Learn To Love. Let's hope this one gets up in a less amount of time than the last one, eh?

Disclaimer:

I don't own Fruits Basket (Natsuki Takaya) nor Beauty and the Beast (Disney), although I do own the series/movie.


Learn To Love

Chapter Three

"Agreement"

By: Winter Sapphire


Tohru bit back a gasp of awe as the enormous castle loomed ahead of her, shadowing the land as far as she could see.

She sighed, urging Rin forward, "Come on, Rin… I'm sure if they're anywhere, they'll be in the only shelter for miles."

The gates opened rather smoothly, despite their rusted appearance, as if they had been opened recently. It was quite unnerving, considering the castle seemed to be deserted. There were no guards, no maids… just dead leaves and dirt.

With her nerves threatening to send her into an unconscious heap on the ground, Tohru quickly dismounted Rin, closing the gate behind her.

"Rin," she whispered, gently caressing the horses nose, "Stay here and wait for me, okay?" The horse gave a slight snort in response, which was enough for Tohru.

Turning towards the entrance of the castle, Tohru took a hasty step forward, muttering non-comprehendible words under her breath as she did to help calm her down. She felt like a bundle of nerves as she reached to grab the handle, and her sickly pale skin was enough to prove that.

Mustering up all of her courage, Tohru pulled back, and the door swung open with a bang.

The inside of the castle wasn't any less intimidating. If anything, it only caused her to shake more violently.

It was just as deathly silent as it was outside, but she could feel someone – or, rather, something- watching her.

And, if possible, she began to shake even more.

"U-Uo-chan… Hana-chan…?" she breathed out, barely in a whisper. Something stirred in the shadows, and her eyes quickly darted over to it. Nothing. It had been her imagination.

A shadow moved again, and Tohru found herself holding her breath as it ascended up a flight of stairs. She hadn't imagined that. Against her better judgment, Tohru found herself chasing the silhouette.

What awaited her was not what she expected. The room was… well, bland, to say the least. There was only one window, sending a ray of light shining into the room from the outside, illuminating the rows of barred doors against the farthest wall. Hesitantly, she closed the door behind her with a thud, flinching slightly at the eerie sound it created and silently thankful it had already been opened when she had first arrived.

A small voice caught Tohru's attention, "Tohru-chan…? Is that you?" Tohru started, jerking her teal eyes to look towards the voice. A girl was in a cell, a girl that looked awfully familiar.

Suddenly, it hit her, and Tohru quickly ran over to her weak looking friend, "Uo-chan! Oh, are you okay! I knew I shouldn't have let you go! Who put you in there? Why were you put in there, even? Oh, I need to get you out! Where's Hana? Is she okay?" She paused for a moment in her ranting, her eyebrow furrowing up in thought before she continued, "Aren't dungeons supposed to be below the castles, not… well, above them?"

Arisa bit back a groan. This was doing no good for her headache, "Tohru… please… I don't know why… Or who, for that matter… Just… get out."

"Eh?" Tohru blinked, tilting her head to the side slightly in confusion.

"There's… there's something in here. In this castle. I… I didn't get a good look at it, but it's not human! You have to get out of here, before it gets you, too!"

Tohru's eyebrow furrowed. Not human? Was Uo going crazy? "What are you talking about, Uo-chan?"

"A cat." Hana's voice suddenly cut into the darkness, starting Tohru.

"Hana-chan? You're okay, too?" Tohru felt immediately relieved as Saki's pale face came into view. She had been hiding in the shadows.

"A cat," Saki repeated again, her eyes quickly darting towards the stairwell before she emphasized, "It… he, I mean. He moved like a cat: cocky, arrogant, self-centered-"

"Surely, you don't mean that," a snarling voice interrupted, causing Tohru to whirl around and stare with wide eyes towards where it came from. She hadn't heard anyone coming up the stairs, let alone open the heavy wooden door and close it again.

Tohru's eyes squinted slightly as she attempted to see through the darkness, but the stream of light blocked the darkness behind it from view.

"What… who are you? Why did you… why did you lock up my- my friends?" she stammered, unnerved with the fact that he could see her, but she couldn't see him.

The answering voice sounded even harsher, "You dare to question me, you ignorant woman! You have invaded my property, so I'll be the one asking the questions!" Tohru flinched involuntarily at the harsh tone of his voice, pressing her back up against the barred prison of her friends. The tone of his voice quickly changed, as though he felt pity for her. He spoke in a soft voice, "Understand?"

She nodded mutely, squeezing her eyes shut in fright. Why was he so harsh… just because she was looking for her friends?

The man coughed, clearing his throat, "Right then. Why are you here? Who are you?" He asked, the arrogant drawl in his voice less noticeable. Tohru couldn't help but relax slightly, letting her eyes open back up to the darkness.

"I… my name is Tohru," she whispered, "Tohru Honda, and… and…" she paused, taking in a shaky breath before continuing, "And I'm not going to say anymore until I can see who… who you are."


And I'm not going to say anymore until I can see who… who you are.

The mind repeated over and over again in Kyo's mind. His nostrils flared slightly in anger and frustration.

"Who do you think you are, woman?" he demanded, narrowing his eyes to slits. He heard her shudder slightly before she continued.

"I… well, I can't see you… It… it makes me a little bit… un-uncomfortable?"

She sounds uncomfortable, Kyo thought, snorting slightly at the way she appeared so weak, "Fine, Honda-san," he spat her name in disgust. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he took a step forward out of the enshrouding darkness and into the stream of dim light in front of him.

In reality, it took only a second. But for Kyo, it seemed like it took too long. In the past forty-eight hours, three people had seen him – which was three more than how many had seen him in the previous three years.

"It's pathetic," sneered Kyo, "That you wish to see what everyone else loathes."

He was engulfed in light, the ugly vomit-colored skin surrounding his narrow head appearing first. His deep purple eyes glinted in a mixture of emotions, observing Tohru to see her response as the rest of his body became visible.

To his surprise, the look on Tohru's face didn't resemble disgust. It seemed to be more of… shock. Sure, there was a little fear… but she wasn't disgusted by what she saw.

Kyo snorted slightly, ruffling his ears like a bird would its feathers. He glanced away, exhaling through his nostrils.

"Tell you what… I'll let them go-"

Tohru cut him off, letting out a squeal of delight, "Oh, thank you! Thank you! You don't know how much that means to me!" She turned around, grinning her rather silly grin at them, "Hana-chan, Uo-chan, we can go home!"

"I wasn't finished!" Kyo bellowed, causing Tohru to whirl around and face the beast's body again. He glowered slightly, twitching as if trying to keep his calm. He took a deep breath, before turning his sight back on Tohru and keeping her eyes locked with his.

"They can go. However, you have to stay."


Shigure watched from the shadows at the scene before him: the protesting cries of this girl – this Tohru's – friends and Kyo ordering them out of the room as the young woman huddled herself in a corner. It was an agreement.

A small smile tugged at his lips. It was about time.


Author's Note:

I'm so sorry for the gap between updates! I had totally forgotten to work on this with school, art, piano, et cetera… Yeah. Review! And forgive me! Oh, and I'm sorry for changing my username on some of you (i.e. Lil' Tapioca Sunshine ;). My friend's dog just has a smooth running name, doesn't she? Winter Sapphire. Such a good name.

- Winter Sapphire