DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fruits Basket, although I do own some of my own character, Ryu, who appeared in what like 4 chapters, 5 maybe.... I don't own my brothers' new bunny either. It's the cutest little bunny, his name is Taryk. I would have named him Momiji if he had been like a yellow color but this one is grey so... anyway....

A/N: For all of you impatient people wink here is the next chapter. Haha! A bird just hit my window. It was funny, anyway.... I would like to address the issue of the curse being broken for a moment. My good friend BEE and I were discussing how the curse could be broken and we decided that Kyo would have to forgive Yuki in order for the curse to be broken and that's what I did, I hope it turned out okay... Enjoy!

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It's the Thoughts that Count

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Chapter Nine: A Normal Life

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Tohru felt herself waking from her perfect world. The light from the morning sun was shining in her eyes. She shut her eyes tight, trying to go back to her perfect world but to no avail. She sighed letting a tear fall down her the side of her face. Her shoulders began to shake with silent sobs.

"Tohru..." a soft voice broke into her thoughts. "Tohru its alright."

"Yuki..." Tohru whispered afraid to open her eyes. She shut them tighter and shook her head. "No. I'm only imagining it."

"Tohru, open your eyes," she felt a soft hand on her cheek wiping away the tears.

"Yuki..." she slowly opened her eyes. Smiling down at her was Yuki. He didn't look completely healthy but he was fine. She jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yuki! You're alright!"

"Tohru," Yuki smiled hugging her tightly. "I missed you."

"I'm so glad you're alright. I thought you were going to die," Tohru said through tears of joy.

"To tell you the truth. So did I," Yuki sighed as Tohru pulled away from him slowly.

"You're still you..." she said in awe. "Why didn't you turn into the rat?"

"Kyo broke the curse although I don't think anyone knows that," Yuki smiled. "I guess no one told you."

"No, I've been sleeping I guess," she smiled wiping her eyes. "But how did you get better so quickly?"

"I'm not sure. I think it was everyone here that helped me to be pulled back and when Akito died, I knew I would be able to come back," Yuki smiled. "I knew I couldn't leave you here. I love you too much."

"I love you too Yuki," Tohru smiled hugging him gently. She sighed and laid her head against his shoulder. "I'm so glad you're okay."

"Toh...ru..." Shigure walked into the room about to wake up Tohru. He stopped in the doorway with his mouth wide open. "Yuki! You're alive! It's a miracle!"

"Its good to be back," Yuki smiled as Tohru looked up with a smile.

"Yuki is alive! Yuki is alive! Yuki is alive!" Shigure danced out of the room and downstairs to the kitchen. Kyo was drinking milk from the carton and Kagura was making something for breakfast. "Guess what? Yuki is alive!"

"Uh... well I didn't expect him to die this soon," Kyo scoffed at Shigure.

"No! I mean he's awake and standing and moving and talking," Shigure explained quickly.

"Are you sure you're okay? Did you smoke something this morning?" Kagura asked.

"No! Well... I had a cigarette but that's not important! I'm telling you Yuki is doing good," Shigure said as Yuki appeared in the doorway with Tohru. Kyo and Kagura just stared in amazement. "What's wrong with you guys?"

"Shigure, you can be quiet now," Yuki said quietly. "I'm fine."

"Yuki!" Kagura squealed running up to him and giving him a hug. "You're alright!"

"Its good to have you back," Kyo smiled holding his hand out to his cousin as Kagura let him go.

"I missed you guys," Yuki smiled taking Kyo's hand for a moment then they both let go. "So, what does a guy have to do to get some food around here?"

~*~

So, Shigure called everyone up to tell them that Yuki was okay and everyone came over to see him. Hatori gave him a thorough inspection and deemed him healthy, he just needed some food to gain back everything he lost while he was sick. Haru was over joyed. By the dinner time, Yuki was sick of everyone fawning over him and decided he wanted to get out of the house.

"Tohru, would you like to come have dinner with me?" he asked when they had a moment alone.

"Are you sure you're up to it, because if you're not then we really should stay home but I'd love to if you really think you can but if you're still sick we should stay home," Tohru said quickly.

"I'm fine, really," Yuki laughed. "Besides, tonight is the banquet so none of the girls will be there and Kyo and Kagura are getting ready to leave."

"Okay... but Uo and Hana were going to stay until everyone got back," Tohru said thoughtfully.

"Tell them they can come too," Yuki smiled. "I'll pay."

"You two go and have some fun," Uo said walking up and leaning casually against the door. "You're better now, there is no need for us to stay."

"Yes, Tohru is happy again. We have other things we can do anyway," Hana said in her monotone voice.

"Are you sure, I don't mind," Yuki smiled.

"Positive," Uo said as she and Hana walked past them out the door. They waved. "Have fun you two!"

"They're great," Tohru smiled. "Should I go tell Shigure?"

"I'll do it. You wait here," Yuki smiled kissing her cheek as he walked by. Tohru stood, frozen and wide-eyed. She slowly put her hand to her cheek and then began to feel her face flush. She was shocked and yet happy. "Are you ready?"

"Huh? Oh, yes of course," Tohru grinned as Yuki offered her his hand. She smiled and took it without hesitation. They walked down the driveway towards town.

"Ah, young love," Shigure grinned putting his head on Hatori's right shoulder.

"My little brother is all grown up," Ayame cried into Hatori's other shoulder.

"You two are pathetic," Hatori grinned watching the two disappear down the road.

~*~

Kyo and Kagura walked into the banquet hall holding hands. Its was beautifully decorated in reds and whites. Kyo smiled and offered her his elbow. She took it with a grin and he lead her to an empty table. He pulled the chair out for her and she sat down. He smiled and sat down next to her. She looked around and saw a table full of fan club girls all bawling because their Prince had disappeared. She smiled and shook her head in amusement.

"You look beautiful," Kyo whispered in her ear.

"Well, you look very handsome," Kagura grinned ruffling his hair with her hand. "There, much cuter."

"Hey! That took forever," Kyo glared at her smiling face.

"Well, I like your hair better messy. It gives you a kind of wild look," Kagura smiled.

"You think so," Kyo said thoughtfully.

"Of course," Kagura grinned as Ryu walked in with a senior girl. "Well, it didn't take him long to find another date."

"You're not regretting anything are you?" Kyo asked sadly.

"Kyo, I love you. I always have and I always will. I don't regret anything," Kagura smiled kissing him on the cheek.

"I love you too," Kyo blushed a litttle.

~*~

"Dinner was great. Thank you," Tohru smiled as they walked through the park as the sun began to set.

"It's the least I can do. You were there for me all week when I needed you the most. Thank you," Yuki smiled sitting down on a bench looking over the park. Tohru sat down next to him. "I was so lost. I couldn't find my way back. Something wanted me to die. Just fade away. But I didn't want to."

"But everything is normal now... right?" Tohru asked laying her head on his shoulder.

"Its perfect now that we're together," Yuki smiled lifting her head up to his. They moved closer and their lips met. They sat, locked in each others' embrace.

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A/N: Fear Not for this is not the end of the story! There may be a chapter or two left. Did you like it? R&R! Wah! Its so depressing now that its almost over. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter.