A/N: Please don't hate me for putting Kyou with someone else. He's my favorite character and I absolutely love the idea of him and Tohru together, but this fic just jumped into my head. Please R&R. Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket, but I sure wish I did! :)

BTW, Please R&R, it helps me keep the will to continue.

I hear Yuki, "Bakaneko, Honda-san sent me to get you! Time for school." I leap off the roof with my book bag. I look at Tohru's startled face.

Guilt feeds my voice, "Sorry," Tohru smiles happily, while Yuki nods grudging acceptance of the apology. "Let's go." Only today, I don't feel any need to take her hand as we walk.

School is a boring place, but full of interesting people. For example: the Yankee and spark-girl are very interesting. Not even they can compare to the shy American girl staring out the window. She seems so lonely. Something about her cries out as a kindred spirit, even more so than Hana or Uo. I see her glance my direction and blush again.

After class, I begin to walk over to her for a few minutes before lunch officially begins. I feel slightly nervous, but I'm not sure why. I talked to her last night. Then, I hear it.

"That American girl is strange and stupid. I tried talking to her and she ignored me."

"I heard that she was into girls. That's why she doesn't talk to guys."

That was it. I'd heard enough. I stalk over, and I can feel her eyes on me suddenly, "Perhaps, she couldn't understand you. The girls are purposely speaking slower so she can understand. You really shouldn't jump to conclusions. The next one I hear will find you out that window." I slam my hand on his desk for emphasis.

"Cool off, cat friend! We didn't mean to offend you." They chorused. They quickly left for lunch.

I look over at Riri as she stares at me, as if trying to decipher what I said still. I glance over at Yuki as they head for lunch with Uo and Hana. He smiles and nods. Then, I see him stop with terror written on his face as he backs away.

That means. Oh crud! I see Akito walk in. We were the only ones left in the classroom. Hatori was close behind. "So. what do we have here? A mangy cat, my special rat, a stupid rice ball. oh, and who's this prize?"

She stands up, oblivious to the fear and hatred in the air. "Riri Brown, honored sir." Words of respect were twisted into words of sarcasm and bitterness as she spoke. Akito's lips pulled back in a sneer.

"Hatori, I like her. Give her everything she needs. I will let the cat keep her."

"I am no one's to keep." Her voice firmly cut off Akito's. His eyes flashed with anger as he turned back towards her.

"Yet, you don't know where you belong. You were." A slap resounded across the room. Her body was tensed with rage.

"It is none. of. your. business. what has happened to me. I will give you this though, you've done your homework. Now go do something useful that even you can do, leave. me. ALONE!" A brutal kicked snapped at his shin causing him to fall back in shock.

Of course, Akito wasn't the only one in shock. However, I recognized that glint in his eyes as Hatori righted him. "She comes with us. NOW!" Hatori, refusing to answer, started to grab her arm.

He found mine in the way, "No." My voice was soft but firm.

"Fine then. I'll take her from you. Hatori, erase her memories. all of them." She turned towards Akito and walked to him.

"Brave words, Akito, but they don't scare me. Let me forget, let me rest, and you'd be doing me a favor. Don't you want me to suffer, Akito? Knowing that I can be close to some one, but never close enough: to know that I might not be able to hold my own children? I'm strong, Akito, but leave koneko and me to our own painful lives. I only ask that we be accepted into the family, despite what will be said."

I was surprised when he calmly nodded, as if he'd seen something important in the blue depth of her sincere eyes. "Let's go, Hatori. Make sure that she and the cat have everything they want; money is no object. Do the same for the rat and Tohru, they're under her protection." Hatori nodded.

Hatori paused at the door as he was leaving, "I'm coming over tonight. Momiji, Haru, and Ayame will accompany me. Riri, your attendance is required." Then, as if nothing had happened he turned and left.

Slowly, and blinkingly, Riri turns to me with her face flushed and confused. It was a very cute expression, "Who was that? What just happened? And who's coming over? What's going on?" Her voice softly whined in a cute, although pitiful way. I smile and ruffle her hair. Some things will never change.

Somehow, I know that this isn't the only bridge we'll have to pass. Akito will be back, and there will be other problems, but for the moment we don't have anything to worry about.

Reviews:

Hatsuharu Sohma: I wanted to let you know that I took your review seriously, and spent all of this morning trying to add some back-story. If it needs some work, then let me know and I'll do it.