Three: Hope

Featuring: Fruits Basket

oOoOoOo

Watanuki was shoveling the snow out of the walkway when new visitors arrived. It was important to keep up the beautification of the yard. Yuuko believed sincerely in keeping up appearances. Though it seemed pointless to Watanuki because he knew that no one actually saw the yard from the outside world, he still followed orders.

Mokona was playing with Maru and Moro by throwing snowballs at each other. They were cutely dressed in matching coats, mittens and differently colored scarves. The kuro-manjuu was even wearing a miniature ear mufflers and a tiny scarf around its fat neck. The day was turning out great.

He looked up and saw a trio of teenagers standing right outside the gate. There were two boys standing on either side of a girl. If he wasn't mistaken, they were all of the same age. Watanuki guessed that they were fifteen like him.

One of the boys was as pale as the snow that fell from the sky. His black hair gleamed with a purplish sheen and his deep violet eyes glittered like jewels. Watanuki resisted the urge to shiver. That boy reminded him of cold statues left out in the night.

The other boy contrasted with his companion. Flaming orange hair, amber eyes and tanned skin. He was tall and muscular but his movements were fluid and vaguely feline. His aura was warm like a flame.

Watanuki then noticed the girl. She was of average height with ordinary facial features. Her hair was long and dark brown in pigtails tied by blue ribbons. She had bright blue eyes and an engaging smile. He was instantly reminded of Kunogi Himawari.

Maru and Moro stopped throwing snowballs. They ran towards the gate, laughing delightedly. The little girls immediately took the hands of the boys, deaf to their protests. "Customers for the mistress! Customers for the mistress!"

He stopped what he was doing to watch the boys struggled with the inhuman grip the servants possessed. It was always fun to observe first-timers.

"What's with these little girls?"

"Excuse me but can you let go?"

"Customers! Customers! Customers!"

"For Mistress! For Mistress! For Mistress!"

Poor people, Watanuki thought.

Maru and Moro successfully dragged their quarries into the shop's yard. Watanuki saw the barrier actually ripple when they stepped in. They didn't seem to notice.

The girls dragged the protesting young men inside the shop before the door closed behind them.

Watanuki shook his head, grinning. He turned to the girl and blinked.

She was still standing outside, looking lost. Her blue eyes were filled with tears. She was looking around her as though she was searching for her friends. Watanuki realized that she couldn't see the shop.

The magical shop that granted wishes was in a separate dimension. It was currently open to all the dimensions to facilitate the balance of the many universes. On a regular day, Yuuko's shop could only be found in present-day Tokyo, Japan to cater to its citizens. The shop was only visible to those who need it.

He sighed softly and put down his shovel before walking towards the gate. The dark-haired boy exited the property as cautiously as possible. He exhaled and then he was right behind her.

She started. The girl turned to him, eyes pleading. "Do you know where my friends are?"

Watanuki didn't say anything. The shop's existence was a secret. It would only reveal itself to those who need it at the right moment and at the right place. Before that, it was kept as a mystery. He smiled kindly.

"They'll be back soon, I'm sure." The young man said soothingly. He tilted his head towards a nearby park. "I'll wait with you, if you want."

"Oh thank you!" She said gratefully.

He gazed at her, smiling. Yes she was definitely like his Himawari. They had the same sort of tangible sweetness that melted defenses. He had a feeling that he liked her already.

oOoOoOo

"Where the hell are we?"

"Don't ask me."

"Stupid mouse!"

"Idiot cat!"

"Mistress will see you now."

The little girls let go of them and hurried forwards to open the huge sliding shoji doors. Butterflies were stenciled on the delicate rice paper. They blinked when the thought they saw the designs flutter their wings and preened. Fragrant smoke wafted out of the huge receiving room.

"Welcome," a sweetly seductive voice said. "Welcome to the shop of wishes."

The boys exchanged glances.

Before they could bolt, the twin girls pushed them inside- hard. They landed on their hands and knees. The two immediately got up to regain their dignity before their eyes landed on a beautiful woman lying on a red chaise lounge.

The doors slammed shut.

"Who the hell are you?" Kyou Sohma demanded.

His more refined cousin coughed delicately. "Excuse us for intruding."

Her gaze swept over them. It made them feel like she saw right through their bodies and straight into their souls. "A pair of cousins, eh? Charming."

The boys exchanged uncomfortable glances.

"Tell me what you want." The woman smiled mysteriously. "And I'll grant it for a fair price."

"Who are you?" the orange-haired young man asked brusquely.

"Ichihara Yuuko at your service," she answered lazily. "Tell me your names in return."

"It's terribly rude to intrude on your privacy," the pale boy said softly. He bowed. "My name is Sohma Yuki. This idiot is…"

"Sohma Kyou," his companion cut in.

"Now that our introductions are finished," Yuuko sat up and stared at them steadily. "Let's get down to business. What is your wish?"

The boys averted their gazes.

She knew what they wanted. Their hearts told her. Heart-reading was always her best ability. It was her unique gift. She was grateful for being born with it or running the shop would have been difficult.

Yuki was the first to speak. "Remove the curse. Please."

Kyou stared at his cousin before nodding towards her. His fists were clenched.

Yuuko sighed softly. Staring at the two boys made her heart grow heavy. They've been through a lot, she could tell. They've been suffering all their life.

The Sohma family was cursed since time immemorial. The ancestors of that particular clan had roused the wrath of the gods of the Chinese zodiac. She knew that selected members of the clan could turn into an animal representing the Juunishi when hugged by a member of the opposite sex. If hugged by the same sex or by another cursed person then they won't turn into an animal.

The curse lasts a lifetime. There was no escape. While the Juunishi was alive, they serve their "god" or the head of the family who watches over them. They were servants until they die.

Removing such a curse would require a very heavy price.

Yuuko didn't offer them tea or refreshments though they needed it badly. Watanuki was outside, tending their companion. She knew that everything was going according to plan. Their wishes were in her hands.

She pointed to the two of them. "Sit down."

They sat.

"Why are we here? I've never seen this shop before," Yuki said slowly. She realized that he was just trying to make conversation. "I've never heard of a shop that makes wishes come true."

Skeptical mouse, she thought involuntarily.

"You're here because you're meant to be. There are no coincidences in this world. There's only hitsuzen," Yuuko replied with a touch of amusement. "Why do you think she decided to camp in your tract of land? Why do you think you offered to take her in?"

They stared at her, mouths open.

She really loved this part. "All of it happened because they were supposed to just as you are meant to sit in front of me to discuss the payment of such a wish."

"Can you grant it?" Kyou's voice had a hint of desperation. "Can you take it away?"

"If I do, will you be ready to pay the price?" she replied.

"How much is it?" he asked, slightly frustrated.

"You know as well as I do that we're not talking about money here," Yuuko retorted with a raised eyebrow. "You both know that magic exists because of your cursed forms. You're well aware that I'm no ordinary person."

Kyou rubbed the back of his neck. He'd raised his hackles since he entered the shop. It didn't feel right. "I see."

"What can we pay you?" Yuki asked. He wanted this. He wanted her to grant his wish.

Yuuko's voice was quiet and serious. "Do you really want this wish?"

They nodded eagerly.

"I don't want to be a Juunishi anymore," Kyou said angrily. "I want to be… normal."

Normal enough for Tohru… Someone who doesn't turn into a cat when hugged. Someone who can love without becoming afraid… Someone just for her…

"Be careful what you wish for," she murmured ominously "or it might just come true."

"But we do want it to come true," Yuki said firmly. He thought about their cousins and relatives. He remembered their suffering and their anger. Their lives were twisted enough as it was. If he could remove the curse from them…

Then Hatori, Shigure, Momiji, Kisa, Hiro, Ritsu, Kagura, Ayame, Isuzu, Hatsuharu, Kurenai would be free.

"If I grant your wish then you must give her up," Yuuko said seriously.

oOoOoOo

"I really hope they'll come back," Tohru Honda said quietly. She stared down at her hands. "They didn't even say where they were going."

"You're really worried about them," Watanuki observed.

She turned to him, grinning. "Of course, they're my friends."

He saw that didn't need any encouragement to continue talking.

"Yuki-san and Kyou-kun took me in when they found me living in a tent in their land. Then they offered to give me food and shelter in exchange of household chores," she murmured, smiling. "They're really, really kind. I'm all alone so I look at them as if they were my family."

"You must be really good then," he said noncommittally.

"I love cleaning and cooking for them!" Tohru exclaimed, eyes shining. "I love seeing them smiling and happy after eating what I made. They treat me kindly so it makes me happy too."

Watanuki had no doubt about that.

"I wish they'd come back soon," Tohru murmured softly, sadly. "I don't think I'd know what to do if Yuki-san or Kyou-kun disappeared forever."

Comprehension dawned in his face.

She turned to him, slightly embarrassed. Her red cheeks and shining eyes made her pretty. "I'll miss Yuki-san the most."

Watanuki smiled. It was wonderful when someone loved you. He sincerely hoped that her most important person loved her back. He didn't want to see tears on her pretty face.

"The Sohma family is very kind," she said hesitantly "and I love them. I hope they'll all be all right."

"Hoping is always a good thing," Watanuki said, smiling in understanding. He tucked her bangs away from her face. His eyes were kind. "You must never give up hope. Everything will be all right."

Tohru smiled.

"I'll never stop hoping," she said cheerfully. "Because I know everything will be all right."

oOoOoOo

"What?!" Yuki and Kyou chorused.

Yuuko leaned forward and stared into their eyes. They stared ahead like deer caught in the headlights. It was creepy but they could see themselves reflected in the reddish-brown orbs.

"If I remove the curse then you must be ready to give her up," Yuuko said slowly, her voice wrapping around them like velvet. "She's your most precious possession, right? She knows your secrets and your sufferings. She's been with you after all these time. Her love for you is the exact price."

They didn't say anything.

"But you don't have to take her!" Kyou exploded. "You… You witch!"

She smiled in amusement. "I won't take her but I'll take all of her memories away. All of the memories she had with you. After that, she'll never remember any of you because you're all normal humans then."

"I'd rather stay as I am," Yuki said forcefully "if my freedom means taking Honda-san's happiness away."

"I don't believe this," Kyou muttered under his breath.

"Do you still want that wish?"

Yuki got up and bowed politely. "I'm sorry but I don't. I can't be selfish like that. We've always protected her from the same fate so we won't give her up for the same thing. Thank you for your time. We're leaving."

"Remember this, witch!" Kyou- who was reminding her more and more of Kurogane- said loudly. "We can only hope that we'll break the curse."

"There's nothing wrong with hoping," she murmured quietly as they left the room "or wishing at all."

Maru and Moro bade their guests' goodbye.

oOoOoOo

"Honda-san!" Yuki yelled as soon as he saw her. He ran forward, heartbeats on his ears. "Honda-san!"

She got up quickly and turned to him with teary eyes.

Watanuki stared at the spectacle in amazement.

Kyou followed his cousin just as quickly. The three stood face to face with each other, panting slightly. Tohru looked relieved. Yuki's cheeks were tinged with pink- from exertion? From embarrassment?- but he smiled suavely.

"We can't break the curse," Yuki said gently. "We're sorry."

"It's all right…" Tohru murmured. She didn't really care. They were wonderful as they were. "You didn't have to."

To Kyou and Watanuki's shared shock, they kissed.

The cat sputtered and hissed angrily. Snow slowly fell from the sky. The black-haired boy smiled when he saw how tight Tohru's grip on the front of Yuki's coat was. When they broke away, they were smiling.

"I don't really care," she said, beaming. "Because your curse is what makes you special."

Watanuki smiled.

Tohru told him stories of the Sohma household without actually disclosing any information to comply with her agreement with the clan. All he deduced was that the members of the family changed into animals that suspiciously sounded like members of the Chinese zodiac. She also told him that the Juunishi's tendency to transform was as much part of their personality.

As far as he knew, Tohru would love them with or without the curse.

Maybe there was still hope for all of them.

oOoOoOo

A/N: Yuuko doesn't actually grant wishes all the time. She lets some customers choose their fates. Yukiru was always a favorite pair of mine!