Here is chapter 10. This chapter is dedicated to ElvanBeauty for being kind enough to point out a pretty major error on my part. I accidentally forgot to explain Akito's motives. As you already know, if Hatori and Kyo survive, the curse will be broken, but everyone in the zodiac will die. Likewise, if they are killed, the curse will remain, but everyone will survive which would give them (the zodiac) time to find another possible cure. Akito faked the whole 'dying' thing. Truth is, the curse would break, but everyone would survive EXCEPT Akito, as he is already very sick. Therefore, he is trying to kill these two in order to keep the zodiac under his command for all eternity, as he believes that if the curse is broken, they will forget about him.

I hope that made sense…

I am sorry for the lateness of this chapter as well! As you may already know, I decided to continue Corrupted Hearts, so I have been working back and forth on the next chapters to these both.

One more thing, the poll has been posted! Please go take a look! I don't have any plots for Fruits Basket, but I may eventually have another one once I get to work on another story.

Alright, I lied. I have one more thing to say. This story is getting pretty close to its end. I would expect around 12 – 13 chapters (including the epilogue). This is another reason to go vote!

LINE BREAK

Previously:

"This is Shigure Sohma. How may I help you?"

"I do not believe you can help me, but I can help you."

"…Who are you?"

"That is not important, but if you must have a name, you can call me Raven…listen, I know where Hatori is."

"You do?!?" The dog could not hold back his excitement, but it quickly faded as he listened to the other man's grim tone.

"Yes, but I fear he hasn't long…he needs medical attention, and fast. His pursuers do not know he still breathes, but when they find out, everything will be over for him…I have a plan, but it will be difficult to pull off…"

"I will do everything it takes to save him…please, Raven. Tell me what you have in mind."

"Then here is my idea."

LINE BREAK

"Where did that dog run off to again?"

"He said he had something important to do, baka."

"Well duh! I said where did he go? He's been gone for some time now."

"Who knows…knowing him, he's probably off trying to get some poor woman or something."

"Heh, probably. That pervert."

"You aren't any better. I saw you staring at Tohru the other day when she was cooking."

"You are calling me a pervert?!? You walked right into the bathroom when she was taking a shower!"

"…that was an accident."

"Yeah right, rat boy. Drop the act – we all know you are in love with her."

"Then should I point out that you seem to have quite an interesting relationship with Miss Uotani."

"I DO NOT, baka!"

"I'll keep yours a secret if you keep mine."

"…deal."

LINE BREAK

Shigure twitched nervously as he drove along a narrow road, glancing around as if expecting some kind of sneak attack. His head was spinning with outcomes, and he couldn't seem to gather his thoughts enough to gather a sufficient plan. Could he really trust Raven? He wondered, hands clamped tightly on the steering wheel, white knuckles contrasting dramatically with the black leather. What condition was Hatori in anyway? That guy had sounded pretty serious back then…and what odd directions.

Start Flashback

"Take the back roads only, and do not let anyone follow you for too long. If it seems like they are, confuse them or sneak off onto another road. Got that?"

"Yes, I understand. But why all this secrecy?"

"When his attackers find out he survived, do you honestly think they will just let him get up and walk out?"

"Well no, I suppose not. But still…"

"No more questions." Raven's voice had taken on a haunted tone – one of someone who has seen far too many deaths before. "Just come here, to this clearing. I will be waiting…and hurry."

With that, the line was dead. Shigure slowly lowered the phone, practically looking through the wall before him, before turning on his heels and gathering his coat.

End Flashback

LINE BREAK

"I'm going out for awhile. Can you watch over Miss Honda for me?"

"Sure, but why the hell are you being so friendly today? It's not like you…"

"You're the one to talk. I'm going. But Kyo?"

"Yes?"

"…nevermind."

The cat's curiosity quickly grew and spun rapidly. Kyo growled in annoyance as the door was slammed in front of his face.

"Stupid rat…"

Tohru watched the whole thing, an odd feeling swirling in her chest, but she shook it off and turned back to cleaning the kitchen half heartedly. Her concentration dimmed as she recognized the feeling as being that of worry and…regret?

'Yuki…please, be careful.'

LINE BREAK

Shigure sighed nervously as he pulled into the designated clearing. He scanned the area carefully, and finding no one there, leaned back in his seat to wait. As tired as he was from spending many nights making phone calls and running around town in search for his friend, he knew no sleep would come until the doctor was safe at home.

The next few minutes felt like an eternity to the poor dog - He hadn't even realized he had dozed off until he nearly jumped through the roof as another car zipped into the clearing, braking hard. There was no time to ponder the driver's reason for speeding as another car sped in right behind it. His heart seemed to plummet from his chest to his foot.

"Oh no…"

They were doomed.

TO BE CONTINUED

Once again, thank you for reading thus far! I would definitely expect another two – maybe three chapters to this fic.

Till next time! (Sorry for stealing your catchphrase, sandy! :P)

HK