Sometime mid-May 2003.

Scribbler's ramblings: Well, this is a very explainy chapter…so yea…get your info from that.  I hope you enjoy this next chapter, if you don't feel free to flame me! :D  Just please make them constructive.  And gomen Tenshi, but Kajiko will be returning sometime…I think.  On with the lame story :B

Disclaimers: Fruits Basket does not belong to me, it belongs to its creator Natsuki Takaya.

Individual jets of yellow lit up the horizon, each flashing on and off, accompanied by loud explosions.  Three small blue stars split in the atmosphere, one by one emitting a circle of cerulean that would fade into mere smoke.

Finally a sparkling violet tail, twisting red tail and a tail of straight white collided in midair.  They exploded as one, sending a dazzling outburst of white, red and purple orbs into the air.  Each smaller orb would burst, revealing smaller jets of gold plummeting towards the earth like spiraling shooting stars.

Applaud was heard everywhere accompanied by whistling and cheers.  In the background, you could hear the shuffling of those who were packing up, hopeful to get out of the parking lot before the rest of the gargantuan mass could.

"That was some display," Uotani said, "I especially liked the last one, it reminded me of something … "

"I preferred just staring at the midnight sky and blue moon," Hanajima remarked.

"Yes, tonight's blue moon was funky.  I'll definitely miss it when it goes away," Uotani said, taking one regretful glimpse at the sky.

I won't, Hanajima thought, the strange denpa I've been receiving is finally over, but I know that every time that scarce blue moon arrives…but she couldn't complete that sentence, because Hanajima didn't know what happened every time it came.  All she could do was look at the slowly fading moon, hopeful that it would shine some light on her peculiarly occupied mind.

-=+=-

            Transparency of the mind.  The white light shone from multiple directions through Yuki's, Tohru's and Kyou's thoughts and memories.  There was no present, only the past.  The feeling was indescribable, because it felt so much like dying.  Your entire life up till then would flash before your eyes, joyous thought after thought, painful memory after memory.  Seventeen years of existence had been crammed into mere seconds, as they were forced to relive their lives.

-=+=-

            Okaasan, what's happening?  I see you, and yet you flicker before my eyes … a part of me is missing, the last piece of the puzzle is gone and yet I still feel so comforted.

            Yuki, where are you?  Why aren't you here in my greatest time of need?  Why aren't you …

-=+=-

            Tohru-koi!  Kuso!  Why couldn't I save her?  Why couldn't I protect her!?  The one person that I truly loved is now being snatched away, and I'm not even there to shield her!  Now there is no one to shield …

-=+=-

            Hate?  Love?  Tangles of feelings are running through my mind and I can barely grasp at them.  What does it matter now, I don't even know anymore … Tohru-kun?  Are you calling me?  Is that you?  Tohru …

-=+=-

            Simultaneously, the three woke up, collapsed on the floor of the House of Mirrors.  Hatori's jaw was hanging, utterly aghast at what he had just done.  He could've destroyed their minds, tarnished their sanity, stolen their memories!  Why hadn't he heard Yuki's warning?  Why?!  "Yuki-kun, Kyou-kun, Tohru-kun … how are you feeling?"

            Kyou and Yuki got up from their awkward position on top of Tohru.  She squirmed her way from under them, and sat up.  They remained silent, still shocked from what had just happened.  Suddenly Yuki piped up, "Hatori-san, why haven't Kyou and I changed?"

-=+=-

            "We really wowed the crowd didn't we Aya-chan?" Shigure commented, nudging his singing partner on the side.

            "We certainly did my beautiful Shigure-chan.  Did you see the lady in the second row?  She was crying tears of joy because of our beautiful singing," Ayame replied, tossing his silver locks over his back.

            "Yes, and that little boy in the fourth, I think he fainted from all his happiness."

            "And look at all the fresh produce they threw at us!  Two basketfuls!  Tohru-kun will have a fit when she sees the size of this ripe eggplant!"

            Momiji looked at his two elders quizzically.  Their rendition of "Michael Row Your Boat Ashore" had been less than perfect…much less.  But he didn't want to burst their bubble, and simply nodded.  The two had placed a miserable less-than-last.  The judges were so "surprised" with their performance, that they had not only ranked the songbirds last, but less than that … (which isn't really possible)

            "Speaking of Tohru-kun and her bunch, are they still at the House of Mirrors?" Shigure asked.

            "They should be, after all, I didn't see them in the crowd … " Ayame responded hesitantly.

            "And seeing that the only way to the fireworks was past the talent show stage … The rest of the festival rides should be closed now too.  They should be there," Momiji added.

            As they steadily approached the House of Mirrors, they stumbled upon a black and white mammal with seemingly hundreds of kids draped over its back.  The animal was clearly disgruntled, sending snorts of steam into the cool night air.

            "Haru-kun?" Momiji snorted, suppressing a laugh.

            Don't tempt me Momiji, I'm just about ready to turn this place into a rodeo! Haru thought to himself. 

A five-year-old girl had just started pulling at his earrings, "Mommy, why is this donkey wearing earrings?  I want earrings Mommy, I want these … " 

OI!  DONKEY!?!  THAT'S IT!  Haru started bucking wildly, his hooves trampling some blossoms in the nearby tulip display.  Thankfully, Shigure and Ayame had sensed his displeasure and removed all the children from his back.  Now they were working on corralling him into some nearby bushes, in case Haru "pung"ed back into human form.

-=+=-

            "Eh?  That does seem to be true Yuki-kun…" Hatori replied, equally as confused as the rest of them were.

            Yuki got up slowly, pondering about why the curse wasn't taking effect.  Kyou jumped up too, still surprised at his non-morphage (morphage? Meh, whatever).  Tohru shakily got to her feet, the combined weight of both young men collapsing on her had weakened her already delicate body.  Kyou stooped down and leant a hand.  Together they got up, Tohru clasping onto the arm of Kyou for balance.

            Hatori gave a surprised glance at the three of them.  Kyou and Tohru?  Together?  Yuki was standing right there! … But he didn't seem to care … Hatori frowned, "Are you all feeling okay though?"

            Before any of them had a chance to answer, Kajiko groaned atop Hatori's knee.  She peered upwards to stare directly at the dashing doctor.  "W-where am I?" she gasped, quickly sitting up.

            "You fainted remember?  Kyou-koi over here popped up behind you and nearly scared the living daylights out of you!" Tohru said, launching into an elaborate lie, "I swear, the entire building trembled from your scream."

-=+=-

"Shigure-san, Ayame-san, here are his clothes … although I think I saw a little girl running away with one of his chains … " Momiji said, carefully folding Haru's black pants and vest over his fair arm.  He had adorned himself with a few of Haru's accessories, and looked quite comical.

Suddenly, there was a very loud "pung" and billows of grey, white and black smoke came from the tall, leafy bushes Haru was hiding in.  "Ahh!  Mommy, there's a fire in those bushes, there's a fire … " screamed the earring puller, as she ran towards her mother.

Haru stepped out from the bushes and hushed the little girl, "It's okay, I've put it out, girlie."

However, the little girl had lost interest in the blaze and was mesmerized with Haru's weakly glinting earrings, "Mommy, those are the earrings on the donkey, those were the ones I wanted, those … "

"Shh, dear," her mother calmed the girl, "I'm sorry sir, she's not usually so talkative.  I guess it's just all the excitement from the blue moon."  Briskly, she gripped the hand of her daughter and the two walked toward the parking lot.

I don't think she's the only one affected by the blue moon, Haru observed, spotting Yuki, Kyou, Tohru, Hatori and Kajiko exiting the House of Mirrors.

-=+=-

            "Oi, there they are!" Uotani said, motioning to Hanajima to follow her.

            I hope that Tohru-chan is all right, Hanajima thought, remembering the chills that shocked her during the fireworks show, there seems to be no odd denpa…demo, there is something different about them.

            Hanajima and Uotani quickly approached the rest of the group, who were amicably chatting about their accomplishments and the great time they had enjoyed.  "Tohru-chan are you all right?" Hanajima immediately questioned, a note of concern on her face.

            "I'm perfectly fine Hana-chan, why do you ask?" Tohru replied, still clutching the arm of Kyou.

            At that moment, Hanajima noticed that it was Kyou at Tohru's side and not Yuki.  Uotani had seen that too, and was just about to clobber Kyou in the back of the head for being such an ecchi when Tohru said, "Come on Kyou-koi, I guess we better get going … the rides are closed, and I know that a lot of people will be rushing to get out of the parking lot."

            Kyou-koi?

-=+=-

            Kyou's heart fluttered when she said that name.  Why do I feel so strange?  Tohru-koi's been calling me that for a while now.  After all, we got together a month ago.

            His mind raced with certain memories, memories of him and Tohru going out to the grocery, and her sweet smile.  Of the first time he transformed, and the look of panic upon her face … transforming.  Why didn't I transform when I landed on Tohru-koi back in the House of Mirrors?  Is there something wrong with me, a certain time bomb in my body that's causing it to shut down?  Or maybe am I really…cured?

            He turned to face his Tohru-koi …

-=+=-

            Yuki's eyes narrowed with an unknown feeling.  Kyou-koi, why does it sound so wrong to me? 

His best friend and Tohru-kun had been an item for a while now, and he had enjoyed seeing them together.  It made both of them so happy; Kyou was not alone anymore, and Tohru finally had someone to … protect her.

            Protecting her … why does that seem so significant to me?  She is my friend … but every time I see her, her and Kyou-kun, I feel something that just isn't … isn't right.

            But he had no need to ponder about these feelings, there was a more pressing issue at hand.  His inability to change into a nezumi when Tohru-kun fell on him was puzzling.  There is a possibility … maybe that I'm … free?

            A burst of joy shook his entire body, but he stifled the beam.  He couldn't be sure and he didn't want to get his hopes up.  But Kyou's next action dissolved his doubts …

-=+=-

            Taking the risk, Kyou turned and wrapped his arms around Tohru.  Pulling her into a quick embrace, he knew he would feel her sweet warmth for just a second, and then the inevitable would happen …

            But this time, it didn't.  There the pair stood, both comfortable in each others' arms, and Kyou still hadn't transformed into the orange neko.  Dazed and in utter paradise, he released her, staring into her surprised eyes … he was free.

-=+=-

            The initial thought that crossed her mind was, Nani?!? (of course, being the Tohru she is).  Eh?!  Kyou-koi is actually hugging me!  And he still hasn't transformed!  Her thoughts stopped there … he hasn't transformed.  There's no logic in that!  Is  it possible that what happened in the House of Mirrors had some effect on him … on them?  But that's not possible!  After all, Hatori's power is only supposed to be able to erase memories … not curses!  And if it was powerful enough to rid Kyou-koi and Yuki-kun of their curses, what else did it destroy?

-=+=-

            "It seems that the magnified flash had a very unfavorable effect on the three," Shigure mentioned calmly.  It was the morning after the Blue Moon Festival, and Hatori had just finished telling him the complete account of what had happened. 

            "Yes.  I believe that Kyou-kun and Tohru-kun are together now…and that Yuki-kun and Kyou-kun are supposedly best friends…" Hatori replied.

            "Not to mention that the curses of Yuki-kun and Kyou-kun have been completely destroyed," Shigure added, smirking weakly.  Kyou and Yuki had tested this over and over again, taking turns hugging a very frazzled Tohru.

            "I don't like this Shigure-san … I just know that something bad is going to happen," Hatori commented.

            "What could go wrong Hat-san?  After all, they're happy and there seems to be nothing wrong with them.  They're free after all … free of this curse that was bound to them since they were born.  Not even Akito-san can stop this new found feeling.  Maybe you're just nervous because of your stint with Ka—"

            Hatori visibly stiffened.  A flicker of despair passed over his usually stoic face and he glared at Shigure, "—jiko.  I mean Kajiko of course.  You're just nervous because you were going to erase her memory, and that makes you nervous because you're always nervous when you erase peoples' memories.  You were nervous when you erased—" Shigure paused again, "Gomenasai Hat-san, I…" he started, but Hatori had already walked out of the room.

-=+=-

Scribbler's ramblings: Agh! I know bad ending, but I'm too lazy and uncreative to write anymore…oh well.

Just a warning about the next chapter, though it will reveal some of the storyline, it will mainly be very light fluff between Kyou and Tohru.  That chapter should take me a pretty long time to do, because I'm a Yukiru fan ;_; The lengths I go for my so-called friends.

And yet I shall go to further lengths shamelessly advertising their stories in my chapters!  Or at least this one …

The Matrix by kcarrie is a parody of (duh!) the Matrix, with a Fruits Basket twist … well I wouldn't actually know, although I've read her story, I still don't remember how the original Matrix went.

Missing Love by BaKaBaBi.  A super silly story, with multiple quirky pairings and multiple quirky … things.  One shot.

One More Time by … me!  Yay … I guess, I think it's a one shot, I don't really know … I might get around to updating it I guess … sometime …

Review constructively, otherwise I shall set your hair on fire!  Like mine is right now!  *stares at slowly burning locks*  And if you're bald, then I'm out of luck (or should I say you're out of luck, j/k).