A/N: I have no idea what's to become of this fic ((laughs to self)) it doesn't seem to be gaining much popularity and there's only one reader that I know of that has reviewed twice. Jee is it that bad? I've read up to vol 6- yay go me.

Actually I despise this chapter...I think it's moving too quickly, but you know if I kept it completely in character none of this would ever happen. So yes, I'm lettin my fangirlism get the better of me.

I'm looking for editors if anyone is interested. Details can be found in my LJ, which is linked on my profile- credit will be give to those involved.

Lol, anyway on with the dreadful tale.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket.

"So crucify the ego befor it's too late

To leave behind this place so negative and blind

and crynical."

-'Reflection' TOOL

A low groan escaped the strained floorboards under the weight of Kyo's feet as he ventured down the dim, recently abandoned corridor. Every member of the house was asleep soundly in his or her bed, as they should be at this hour of night, except the restless neko. He had long since given up on the constant tossing and turning between his sheets; sleep just wouldn't come to him. His animal instincts had driven him crazy to the point where he could no longer stand being pent up in his bedroom, it was starting to feel more like a cage. Curious as to why he was patroling the halls or how it would help his condition, Kyo still held hopes that it might soothe the fitful beast with in.

Kyo, always looking for an excuse to point the finger, of course blamed it all on the silvery orb looming over the roof of the Sohma house. He absolutely hated it when the moon was full because it always meant strange behavior for the cursed members of the family. There was no doubt in the boy's mind that the celestial body was the cause of his insomnia. Making another round up and down the length of the hallway, Kyo wondered why he seemed to be the only effected tonight. There was no howling from Shigure and Yuki seemed to be resting just fine as well. This sucks! Why am I the only who has to suffer when they're Sohma's too?

So here he was, wandering around aimlessly in the dark consumed by his own thoughts; thoughts of Tohru and plans to finally beat that damn rat. In fact, he might have been traveling up and down that empty hall all night if his ears hadn't suddenly perked up at hearing a distressed whimper stir from behind Yuki's bedroom door. Unsure of what he had heard, the curious cat pressed his ear up against the surface of the wall for further evalutation. The call came again, sounding only as a faint cry. What the hell is he up to?

As his long,slender fingers enveloped over the brass handle memories of the last time he dared to venture into the nezumi's room plagued the helpless cat. With the moon in effect there was no telling what might happen in there. He didn't want to go in Yuki's room- he really didn't, but found himself being drawn in like a moth to the flame. With a hesitant sigh, he bravely slipped into the prince's chamber.

His body quickly tensed as the sweet spice of the room instantly hit him in the face. It was familiar scent that Kyo would often catch traces of during his countless battles with the boy, but the strength of the auroma now was enough to make him light headed. Squinting through the dark and taking a few misguided steps forward he found Yuki resting alone in his bed. What the hell? Raising a skeptical eyebrow the petulant cat turned to leave the resting boy be.

"No...," the rat pleaded just as Kyo was halfway through the doorway.

The thin hairs on the back of his neck began to rise, "Yuki are you awake?"

"Stop messing around you asshole!" Kyo cried, returning to the room.

Another displeasured moan rose from Yuki's bed and Kyo could barely regocognize the thrashing motion of the shadowed figure. Despite his desire to leave, a tinge of concern kept Kyo's feet firmly grounded. His breath was caught in his throat and his limbs stiff; his cat-like sense failing. Being the only part of his body at liberty to move, his eyes shifted around the room begging for an escape.

"Yuki...," he gasped at last, but the nezumi remained silent.

Taking a few heedful steps forward, Kyo let his apprehension carry him . His view clear, he studied Yuki's furrowed brow and the sweat adorning it as small beads slipped down past his ears absorbing into and darkening his already dust colored hair. Inspecting the way his slim frame quivered and writhed between the prespiration soaked sheets, Kyo felt the uneasiness in the pit of his stomach grow. He's having a bad dream... It was too late, Kyo had let his curiosity get the better of him.

"Wake up!" he commanded, grabbing the boy by the shoulders and proceeding to pull him back into conciousness.

After a few forceful tugs, Yuki shot up from the bed; sheets rustling as they settled around his waist. His erratic breathing echoed through the barely furnished room, ricochetting off the walls and screaming in Kyo's ears. The prince's chest heaved and shuddered with every intake and exhale, his hazy eyes searching the room gravely before resting on the cousin at his bedside. The cloud of fear and anguish that filmed over the plum colored orbs was like nothing Kyo had ever seen from the calm and poised nezumi. They held a large, child-like quality and were glistening with a lace of eager tears.

"What are you doing in here?" Yuki whispered, wincing at the unfamiliar husky-ness in his voice.

The rat wasn't one-hundred percent aware of his surroundings, but he could clearly see the apricot haired boy and the transparent worry plastered on his face. Kyo's fingers were intwined in the sheets at the edge of Yuki's bed, leaning forward with his mouth slightly agape. Their eyes met in an awkward gaze and it was instantly like fire and ice.

"You were making so much damn noise!" Kyo retorted, relieving his hands of their grip around Yuki's bed and folding them across his chest. "You're such a freak! Can't you even sleep like a normal human being?"

The violet haired boy supressed a chuckle, he knew Kyo's claim wasn't the real case. The concern that Yuki witnessed pass over the boy's flame colored eyes was pure and soley for him. For once there was no Tohru or other outside forces making him care, Kyo was there out of his own will and worry. Still, it was amusing to see the cat get all worked up and try to play it off as nothing.

"I'm sorry I kept you up," he sighed, running a hand across his clammy forehead. He rubbed the damp tips of his hair between his fingers and groaned- he felt slimy all over.

Once again Kyo found himself dumbfounded and edgy at the boy's words. "What's with all apologies lately? What the hell's gotten into you?"

The rat's eyes narrowed. What's he accusing me of?

"Well if you'll shut up long enough I'm gonna go get some sleep," Kyo muttered, heading for the door in hopes to escape the graceless conversation that was obviously headed for disater.

"I can't escape the main house, not even when I sleep."

Kyo's hand stopped just short of the doorknob. So close... With solemn eyes, he turned around to face his cousin. Yuki's eyes had averted their gaze to his hands which were folded neatly in his lap, tears dangerously close to the edge. Don't do this Yuki; don't confide me. So much has changed already...

"Being here, away and with Tohru it's really helped," his hands were trembling, "but there's just some wounds that won't close. I feel like no matter how much I run or how far I go he's always going to be there looming over me."

"Akito you mean?" Kyo settled himself on the floor beside Yuki's bed.

"Yes," he continued, " but it's not just that. You know what it was like for me there and how much I wanted to escape- escape being a Sohma. I guess I'm too afraid, I'll never really make it anywhere. I don't want to be a slave to anyone- not to Akito and not to fear."

"Listen, you're a Sohma and you are always going to be a one. That's just something you're going to have to learn live with and accept or else you'll never be happy," he closed his eyes," I'm the cat- do you think that's something I wanted? I'm the cursed of the cursed, but if I didn't accept it I doubt I would have made it this far."

"But-"

"And as far as Akito is concerned, stop being a wuss and face him. Stop cowering everytime that asshole calls! That's what is fucking wrong with this family, they consider everyone's suffering as 'normal' and do nothing about it. So you're going to have to help yourself. I know you're a stronger person then this so let bastard have it!" Kyo advised.

Once the shock faded, Yuki grinned, "Thanks... stupid cat."

"Dammit now get some sleep," Kyo laughed gathering himself off the floor, "and don't expect me to tuck you in."

Kyo took a deep, relieving breath once back into the security of the hallway. That was too fucking weird! Ambling back down the corridor to his room, he was nearly blinded by the moonlight pouring in through an unshaded window. Scowling at sphere it hit him- I wasn't the only one effected by it!