Hello, here's the next chapter.
C.B.: Thanks as always for reading!
Disclaimer: Fruits Basket and its characters are the rightful property of their respective owners. This piece is not for profitable purposes.
Chapter 2: A Fleeting Moment – Part I
Kyo and I stand next to each other in an uneasy silence, waiting for Tohru-san to meet us at the front door. She is later than expected, which makes me wonder if she is all right.
"What is she doing?!" Kyo says.
I look to him angrily and say, "Can't you be more patient, or at least not verbalize your inability?"
He gives me a fierce look but says nothing.
Silence returns for only a short time more before I hear a door opening and footsteps.
Soon after, she is before us, appearing nervous.
She bows quickly a few times as she says, "I'm so sorry, Yuki-kun, Kyo-kun, I took too long to get ready."
Concerned that he may make a statement that could upset her more, I smile and say, "It's really not a problem. Please, take your time."
I glance at Kyo, who has his face turned to the side away from Tohru-san and I as he says, "Yeah."
I had given it much thought and planned out what we would do for the day. Smiling, I look to her and say, "I was thinking it might be nice if we started off our day together at the zoo."
She smiles brightly and looks first to me and then to him as she says, "I think that sounds like a nice idea, what do you think, Kyo-kun?"
I notice him looking at her, appearing embarrassed, and listen as he responds, "Whatever you feel like – it's ok with me."
"Thank you, Kyo-kun!"
He blushes as he responds, "There's nothing to thank me about."
"It's settled then. Shall we go?" I say.
"Ok!" she says, while he remains silent.
I open the door for her and follow her out, Kyo coming behind me. The three of us walk in a line beside each other, Tohru-san, between Kyo and I.
As we make our way to the train station, she looks up at the sky and says, "Kaa-san, it's a beautiful day, and I'm so fortunate, spending time with Kyo-kun and Yuki-kun."
I smile at her comment and notice a change in Kyo's expression as well.
We reach the station and hurry to the correct platform and make it onto the train within only a few moments of its departure. The ride is quiet, each of us lost in our own thoughts.
Once we arrive at the correct station, we walk the remainder of the way to the zoo, and, as we'd agreed previously, Kyo and I split the admission for Tohru-san, insisting despite her protests.
We walk through the gate, and Kyo moves ahead of us and picks up a guide map.
He walks back and holds it out to her as he says, "Here, use it to decide what you want to see."
She smiles at him and says, "Thank you so much, Kyo-kun."
He says nothing but smiles slightly at her.
He returns to standing next to her on the side opposite from myself, while I turn my head towards her and say, "Is there any exhibit that you'd like to see first, Tohru-san?"
She thinks intensely for a moment, and then answers, "Let's just follow the paths and see what we find."
Kyo offers no response and I answer, "That sounds like a good plan."
While Kyo and I stand by, she opens the map and carefully inspects it before looking in sequence at each of us and then pointing to a trail as she says, "Could we go here first?"
"Like I said, whatever you want to do, it's fine with me," he answers.
"Of course, Tohru-san, we're here to celebrate your achievement," I say.
In response, she says, "Let's go!"
Kyo laughs and I smile, and she looks at us both, appearing embarrassed.
We set off on our way, and see a variety of animals; grizzly bears, penguins, owls, and elephants.
It is only as we approach the warthogs that the irony of the situation dawns upon me, that like these animals whose spirits we possess, we will almost certainly lose our freedom, doomed to remain captives for the rest of our days.
Tohru-san looks to Kyo and I and points as she says, "Ah, look! I wish Kagura-san could see them!"
Remembering my earlier vow, I push aside my feelings and say to her, "Yes, I'm sure she'd enjoy it."
I look at Kyo and see him staring off in the distance silently, possibly he came to a similar realization.
I am surprised when she suddenly blushes and looks down.
"I'm sorry, I – I realized I shouldn't have said such a thing. After all…"
He looks back at her and says, "Don't apologize – there's no need."
"Tohru-san was showing her wonderful kindness," I say.
She raises her head and says, "Kyo-kun, Yuki-kun."
We both smile at her, and her face brightens.
"Shall we continue, Tohru-san?"
"Ok!"
She steps between Kyo and I, and we finish the remainder of the zoo.
As we walk towards the exit, she says, "That was so much fun, thank you both so much!"
I smile and say, "I'm glad that you enjoyed it. But, our day doesn't end here."
She looks at me, appearing surprised, and then smiles at both of us.