Yay, a new chapter. This is the second to last chapter and I'm sorry for not giving anyone the heads up. Really... I didn't even give myself the heads up since I'm typing as much to this story as I can but with it still making sense and I think I've reached my limit here. Most of this chapter I just typed but I apologize for any errors. I'm so tired but I can't sleep... keep having nightmares. -shrinks and shivers- To make things worse... I still don't own Fruits Basket! Anyway, onto my list of thankies. Thanks to KyoxSakiFan, HarryPotter'sgirl17, kyoskitten, animeboylover, Love Inc., Funday111 and Super-Kyo.
KyoxSakiFan: Oh, I know! I bet Kyo would totally agree.
HarryPotter'sgirl17: Yeah. Cats are odd creatures but that's why we love them so much. :)
kyoskitten: Glad you like the story. Thanks for reviewing.
animeboylover: Alright. You put it in all caps, too. Thanks so much. Aw, that's so cute. I'll keep it in mind for the epilogue I want to write.
Love Inc.: Yeah! I'm on a roll with the reviews starting in caps. I would have done the same if I was her. I'm super shy when it comes to dating and things like that. Probably where I got the random idea from. :/
Funday111: Heh, you're really into it but that's great. Hope you find the chapter to your liking!
Super-Kyo: Thanks. Aw, is she a bit out of character? Damn. I was trying to keep everyone as in character I as could to keep the story going. Hopefully this chapter isn't too bad then.
o-o-o
Already Kyo got on his shoes and was running around the wooded area. He didn't even bother to stop for an umbrella but then was glad he didn't. The rain was coming down pretty hard but with the wind and him searching for Shinta, it would just get in the way. Where could he have gone? He was just chasing some stupid birds! His thoughts yelled when he began ran from tree to tree and bush to bush. There were so many places for him to look that he didn't even know where to seriously start. "Shinta!" he finally yelled out when his temper soon got the better of him, "Where are you?" The calls were unanswered and then had a thought that somewhat scared him. What if he's not here but… in town? What if he gets hit by a car or taken by someone?! Tohru will never be the same! This all got Kyo's feet frozen to the wet soil as he trembled from the cold rain but also from his thoughts. Rapidly, he shook his head to the thoughts, water droplets flying from his now dark orange hair.
A few seconds later and the Sohma was jogging through the mushy soil and towards town. He was careful not to fall in the shifting mud but also tried not to be too slow in finding the black furred cat. The rain started to lighten from heavy to average and Kyo could see a clearing of trees and lights glowing in the rain ahead of him. More steps carried him into that clearing and looked around to see he was now on a sidewalk with no people around though the usual car here and there would pass. "Shinta!" Kyo shouted again but nothing came to answer. Okay, were would I hide in weather like this? He asked himself and instantly ran down the sidewalk to find any sort of shelter. He checked everywhere from discarded boxes to under cars but had no luck. As quickly as he was searching, he was growing desperate and called out, "Shinta? Where are you?!" but stopped as a car drove past. Luck really mustn't have been on his side since the car drove through a puddle of water, creating a wave of water to splash at him.
"Oh, come fucking on!" he screamed, feeling the water sink into his already wet clothes. His shouts got some odd looks in return but he didn't care since he saw a dash of black cross the street. The sight of it made the redhead forget about what had happened involving the car and followed the black animal across the street. "Shinta?" Kyo asked out when he lost track of the mysterious creature as he twirled in circles to look around. He didn't see the blue-eyed cat but what he did see was the rain coming to a slow stop and the clouds shifted to reveal sunlight. The rain… it finally stopped. He told himself as he looked into the sky but then away to dodge the sun's rays from blinding him. Taking advantage of the rain finished, he brushed his face with his hand and shook it to get off the rain water that sting his eyes. Now that it stopped raining, it should be easier for me to find him. Back to the search mission, Kyo wandered the sidewalks but this time not in much of a rush since the weather climbed back to its usual summer type.
The streets were still empty but gradually filling with people as time went by. Still, Kyo was going nowhere in his search for Shinta. "I just saw something run by here…" he whispered to himself, retracing his steps to where he lost the black animal. He slowly began walking as he continued to whisper to himself until he saw a black head poke out from under a parked car. Almost instantly, he froze in his step and looked at the animal that appeared to be a black cat. It's Shinta! It has to be! Kyo still didn't move but watched the cat slowly look around as if seeing for itself if the rain had stopped. Every movement from the careful cat was watched by the Sohma, who grew more and more hopeful in being able to get Shinta back home. I just need to be careful about taking him. He'll most likely try to scratch the shit out of me. He planned and slowly made his way to the hiding animal when it finally took its entire body from under the car.
Getting close enough, Kyo jumped forward to swipe up the cat and got a shriek out of the cat. "Sh, be quiet. It's just me… Kyo. I'm taking you home." He whispered into the terrified cat's ear though it just cried out even louder. He didn't even reply to the cat as he started back to the house. The rebellious cat soon became too much as the Sohma had to stop walking just to shift his hold on it. A dragged out cry later, the black-furred animal turned in his tan hands to face him. "Will you just-" he was going to warn but stopped when he was glaring into peridot green eyes. "Your… your eyes." Kyo slowly said in a low voice of pure confusion. This cat… its eyes are green. Shinta has blue eyes. Fuck! I've got the wrong cat! He yelled in his mind as he held out the cat to take more observation of it. Everything was just like Shinta besides the eyes but he stopped at the stomach with wide eyes. "You really aren't Shinta." He said, staring at the black belly with white sprinkles. Damn, I'm not even close with this cat! Pulling open his hands, the cat jumped away from him and ran off without even looking back.
"Now what?" he asked himself, leaving the car from where he had found the cat. Now, Kyo felt lost in what to do. Just when he thought the cat was Shinta, it turned out that it wasn't even him. Shit, he has to be here somewhere. He slowly began to wander the streets, regretting even sending the cat to chase birds in the first place. Stopping on a corner, he began to think what his next few moves should be and then crossed the street to the other sidewalk. The cat Sohma then heard talking and looked to see a girl that seemed to be just a little older than him. She was talking to something that wasn't in his line of sight though she did have an animal carrier with her. "Come on. It's okay." He heard her say and then Kyo decided to get closer to see what she was talking to. Finding a good spot to watch without being noticed, he watched the girl who now looked like she was speaking to a cat.
"Don't worry, Baby. Just come here." The girl cooed with her hand out to the cat. Her hand slowly got close enough to its black fur and she gave it a gentle pat. Slowly, she gained the trust of the animal as he crawled out to her. From Kyo's position, he got a full look at the cat and gasped quietly, "its Shinta! I know it's him." Seeing the blue-eyed cat gradually grow comfortable around the woman, he soon grew confused on what to do next. He found the cat but he couldn't just go and take him from her. One thing he felt unsure of was the animal carrier that she had by her side. In just seconds, he found out its purpose as the woman somehow got Shinta into the plastic box and locked the small door closed. "Alright. Let's get you to the pet store. You'll have a nice home in no time, Baby. You're a cute cat, you know." She said, standing up and taking up the carrier. The blonde girl continued talking with the cat as she walked but then stopped when Kyo stepped in front of her. As she stopped, he saw her shirt that had a badge of the pet store's name and other information to show she was a worker. She works in the pet store Tohru got Shinta from. There's only one pet store in this area anyway.
The girl stopped and looked into Kyo's red-ish eyes. "Oh, excuse me." she politely said and walked around him but stopped to hear him talking to her. "Wait. That cat." He said and pointed to the carrier, "He's my friend's cat that got lost. She got him from your store. Thanks for finding him. Can I… can I have him back?" After saying those words, he quickly wanted to take them back now that he really didn't know where he was going with them. Brown eyes stared at him and then blinked, "I'm sorry but if your friend purchased him from us, we're going to need the receipt or any kind of documents." She explained and frowned when Kyo sighed angrily. "I'm sorry, Sir, but it's to ensure the animal has a great chance of finding a good home." She said and then continued walking to the pet store to drop off Shinta. This isn't working out! Can't she just give me the damned cat?! Kyo asked himself and then followed the woman into the store. Along the walk, she kept looking over her shoulder to the male with a frown but then continued walking anyway.
She now entered the store with Kyo not too far behind but he quickly lost her as she went into a room marked for just employees. "Shit." He cursed and waited for the girl to come back but only got questioned by another employee. "Hello, Sir. Anything I can help you with?" the man asked but the redhead just shook his head. The worker was about to leave until Kyo held out a hand for him not to leave. "Actually, yeah." He said, getting the man's attention and the two talked about what he had told the female worker but only got the same answer. Trying not to throw a fit, he just nodded and left the store to get back home so he could find the receipt. If I can get him back by showing them the receipt then fine!His thoughts said as he ran back home to find the piece of paper.
The run got in back there to see Yuki outside holding a plastic bag. "Yuki!" Kyo called out and saw the other Sohma stood when he heard his name. Running to him, the redhead asked, "That bag. What's in it?" and then pointed to it. Yuki seemed confused and then slowly lifted the white bag. "It's the garbage. I told Tohru I'd throw it out for her." He explained and gasped when it goes snatched from his hold. Quickly, Kyo searched through the bag as his thoughts came alive again. It has to be in here. She probably threw out the receipt so it ended up here. The rat Sohma didn't say anything to let the other know he owed an explanation. Red-ish eyes saw a small piece of paper and tugged it from the bag but frowned when it was folded in half. "Pet store won't give me back Shinta so I need the receipt." He simply said, making Yuki nod slowly. Unfolding the piece of paper, Kyo saw it really was the receipt and quickly left to get back to the pet store. Watching him rush, the silver-haired male slowly shook his head and then continued to throw out the trash.
o-o-o
"Now they'll have to give me back Shinta. Damned cat better be grateful!" he whispered as he pushed open the door to enter the store. Going towards the counter, he stopped and came face to face when the blonde woman from before. "Good evening! Oh, I remember you." She greeted with a smile and Kyo nodded to her. "I have the receipt, here." He said and then put the paper onto the counter, giving it a gentle push after that. Turning her brown eyes to the paper, she took it into her hands and nodded as she turned to the computer. As she typed and clicked again, Kyo curiously took a look around the store since he hadn't really been able to before. Some animals were asleep but he shivered to see a few cats and even dogs staring at him between the metallic bars of their cages. Turning away from them, he looked out the window and finally noticed why the blonde worker has told him that greeting. The sky was darker now with glowing stars and though he couldn't see the moon from where he was, Kyo was sure it was out, too. "Okay." The woman finally said as she looked back to him and returned the receipt, "The identification numbers in the computer and on the receipt match." Quickly looking back to the screen, she read out loud, "Male, short haired, black fur, light blue eyes." And Kyo nodded to them all.
Leaving the computer for good, she began to talk to him again. "Okay. Sorry about any inconvenience. I'll get him right now." She said and then left to go back into the room that was marked for employees only. She didn't take long and returned with Shinta who was still in his carrier. Walking behind the counter again, she set the carrier onto the counter and nudged it forward. "There you go. Have a good night." The female said and Kyo didn't take the carrier but looked into it to see Shinta. Their eyes were locked onto each other though the Sohma noticed something about the light blue eyes he was looking into. They were filled with some type of emotion though it wasn't anger or anything like that. It was something new, something different. The two didn't make a sound or move until the worker asked out, "Is… is everything alright?" and Kyo just nodded. Saying this thanks quickly, he took up the carrier and began to walk outside.
The fast paced walk was silent, which kind of surprised Kyo until he shifted the carrier so he could look into it. Shinta's bright eyes seemed to glow in the darkness and he knew he was still being stared at. "Shinta." He simply said as he looked forward and then back to the carrier when he saw nothing was in front of him. Looking back into the black animal's eyes, he finally found out what was different. Are… are his eyes softer? Does he not hate me anymore? He questioned and saw Shinta move slightly, and then give a full cry. Hearing it, Kyo looked away and slowly nodded. "Yeah. That store really was weird, huh?" he whispered but then stopped when he got back into the forest section of the way home. It was a bit hard but eventually, he made it back home and stopped to sigh. "We're home." He said out loud as he stepped onto the porch and then into the house. When he entered, he kicked off his shoes and then went into the main room to see everyone there.
He didn't have to say anything to get their attention and Tohru jumped up to her feet and ran to him. "You found Shinta?" she asked and then peeked into the carrier. Kyo nodded and put the carrier onto the table to open the small door to it. "I had to get him back from the pet store since they found him and took him in. I showed them the receipt and they gave him back." He explained when he saw the brunette eyeing the plastic cage. Opening the door, Shinta quickly got out, eager to be back home. Just as quickly as he got out, Tohru picked him up and cuddled him close to her. "There you are. I was so worried about you. I thought you weren't going to come back. What happened?" she kept talking to the cat as if it would respond to everything she said. Letting him go, she finally said, "I thought I was going to lose you but Kyo brought you back." And planted a kiss on Shinta's head, just between his ears. Watching the display, he reminded himself about the whole love thing with Tohru. Maybe I should bring it up. He wondered seeing Shinta slowly wander from Tohru to re-inspect the room for any changes.Taking fast advantage, he slowly got beside Tohru and wondered what to say. "So." He said without thought but then regretted it until it got her attention.
"About that boyfriend thing…" he said and then stopped to look around to see Yuki and Shigure slowly leaving as if to give privacy. I bet Shigure is going to try to listen in. That sneak. Kyo said in his thoughts, his eyes narrowing. He turned his attention to Tohru and saw that she was going to reply and quickly held up a hand. "Let's go outside with this one." He said and led her outside. Once they got outside, Kyo looked back to the girl and nodded for her to continue. "I was thinking about it and… I would." She quietly said and saw the cat Sohma gulp to himself. "Okay because I… you see…" he said, starting to feel a little nervous but the whole thing until he heard one of the things he treasured the most, Tohru's giggle. "I knew you would say something like that and yes!" she said, making the other feel lost. "I was thinking about everything… everything you said to me and did with me… and now I know." Tohru said, still in a quiet voice. She found out on her own… just like how Yuki found out on his own. Fuck, am I that obvious?! His thoughts raged but saw the girl talk some more. "So, yes." She simply said, making a smile slowly grow on his features.
Everything felt like pure bliss until his stomach dropped, remembering the incident with Shinta chasing the birds. I should tell her about it… but what if she hates me for it? No, she just accepted my love for her. She couldn't just turn her back on me now… I hope she doesn't do that. "Tohru? I have… something else to say." Kyo said, now his voice being quiet. The brunette just looked into worried eyes with her own confused ones and nodded. He didn't do anything for a moment and then took a deep breath. "It's my fault that Shinta went missing." He stated and saw Tohru look at him with now disbelief added to her confusion. "W-what?" she asked to prove her feelings and the redhead frowned. "It's my fault. I was jealous because you spent so much time with him while I was on the side struggling to show how much I care about you, how much I love you. So… there. It was all my fault." Kyo explained, his voice going from loud and fast to slow and gentle. The brunette said nothing and he grew more and more hopeless.
"Kyo… you didn't have to feel jealous. I do care for Shinta but this… this is a whole new kind of care. This is love." She said, her hands clapped together. Kyo slowly nodded and asked the question he feared the answer to, "So you forgive me?" he asked and saw her nod with a wide smile. "Yes. Just like my answer to the boyfriend question." Tohru said and then giggled happily. The happiness must have been contagious since he also found himself smiling. I don't believe it. She forgives me for what happened with Shinta and she even returned my feelings for her. It felt like too much to bare as he dropped a hand onto her smooth hair, "I love you." He whispered. "I love you, too." He heard Tohru reply with a blush on her cheeks and the words soon exploded in a puff of smoke. When it cleared, the brunette was holding a bright orange cat close to her. At her feet were clothing and on the male cat was a shirt that fitted him like an over-sized dress.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot about the-" she panicked but Kyo just shook his furry head. "Don't worry about it." He replied, trying to regain his tough tone. I wouldn't have it any other way, Tohru. He then spoke in his thoughts. "Maybe we should get back inside. I'll get your clothing." She said, putting Kyo onto the ground to collect the scattered clothes and then the shirt from his small body. Watching her, the Sohma nodded and followed behind her back into the house. As he did, he finally found the moon he was searching for from the pet store. Look at that… a new moon. Just like my relationship with Tohru. His eyes slowly closing in joy to the glowing sphere in the navy sky.
o-o-o
Just like how I typed in the top, I hope this chapter wasn't too bad or too out of character for anyone. This seems like the end of the story and it is but then it isn't. I do plan to write an epilogue but I already know it won't be long so I should have it up quicker than my previous chapters. Hugs to everyone.