@(^_^)@

Does anyone know how any reliable companies which sell Fruits Basket manga over the internet ?

Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers. I really appreciate your comments and constructive criticism. And a special thanks goes to To-orima Nokurai for correcting my Japanese grammatical mistakes, as well as Kikari-chan for putting in the effort at trying to find out Tohru's father's name. Arigato-gozaimasu to everyone !!!       

Disclaimer: I do not own "Fruits Basket", it is the property of Natsuki Takaya. The story line is mine though, and so are any characters of my creation which I may choose to introduce.

I hope you'll enjoy my fic (and if you don't, please tell me how I can better this story through your reviews)

Summary: A/U. Tohru Honda and Yuki Soma have been friends since childhood. As they grew up, that friendship developed into something more. But will the arrival of Yuki's controversial cousin, Kyo, change the bond between the two sweethearts ? Is Tohru attracted to Kyo's fiery character ? '…why do I feel myself drawn to him ? Why does my heart start to beat faster in my chest and my breath become shorter when he's near ? It has never been like this with Yuki. With Yuki, it is a tenderness that I feel, a gentleness and warmth … Is it the sheer masculinity and power that Kyo radiates, which attracts me to him ?'

" "- speech

' '- thoughts ( italics also display thoughts)

Thank you to all the wonderful people who reviewed my fic ! Love you all !!

Growing Up

Chapter 5a

Tohru did up staying at the Soma residence to cook dinner. Yuki had insisted that the didn't need any help, but Shigure, too lazy to walk into town again, and Kyo, who didn't want to die of food poisoning, encouraged the young woman to stay, or rather Shigure begged (with his most adorable puppy-dog eyes look) while Kyo refrained from protesting.

* * *

"Tohru-chan, this looks delicious !" Shigure exclaimed as he set eyes upon the feast on the dining table.

Tohru blushed prettily.

"Iie, Shigure-kun, it was just a little welcome dinner for Soma-san… it isn't much." She said shyly.

"Not much !" Kyo burst out, belatedly realizing that it had come out sounding like a reprimand.

"-ano, Honda-san, it looks wonderful." He amended, wincing. Yuki sent his cousin a venomous glare, but Tohru just smiled.

"Arigato, Soma-san !" She said brightly. "But please stop calling me Honda-san, Tohru will do just fine."

Kyo gave her a small smile.

"Well, in that case, call me Kyo."

"Kyo-kun…" Tohru said experimentally, liking the sound of that name on her tongue. Subconsciously, she picked up a piece on vegetables with her chopsticks and deposited it in Yuki's bowl.

"You don't eat enough greens, Yuki-kun !" She scolded.

Shigure laughed.

"Ohoho ! Nothing can get past our little flower !" He shot her a devilish grin. "But Tohru-chan, I need some looking after, too ! Perhaps a little back massage instead…"

Yuki and Kyo, both punched the author, who flew through a paper wall and landed in the hallway.

"Ecchi dog !"

"Hentai author !"

"Shigure-kun !"

Yuki held Tohru back as she started towards the fallen author.

"Don't worry about him, Tohru-chan. He deserved it."

"Yeah, don't let this meal go to waste." Kyo chimed in when Tohru still fidgeted.

"But Kyo-kun, Shigure-kun-"

"-is a perverted old man. He shouldn't try to take advantage of you, Tohru-kun." Kyo knew better than to say that this would teach Shigure a lesson; the man was incredibly thickheaded when it came to some things. 

* * *

The meal continued with no further mishap, and Shigure did finally manage to drag himself back into the dining room.

I know this chapter was incredibly short, but never fear, I have the next chapter all done and ready to be posted. It just tales place at a different time frame.

Inquiry: Can someone tell me the name of the girls that always harass Tohru on the matter of Yuki ? I think the name is Mina, but I'm not sure. Sadly, I cannot get my hands on any Fruits Basket manga or anime tapes. T_T

Enjoy the fic and don't forget to always R&R !

~*~//Rose-chan\\~*~