Chapter 5: Shock

Disclaimer: Not mine. Nothing is mine. Not Furuba, nothing.

Tohru ran upstairs, tears streaming down her face, and Shigure's words resounding in her head. She opened the door to her room and sat down on her bed, crying. She didn't even notice when Yuki opened the door and sat down next to her.

"Tohru, it's okay."

"How can it be okay?! He's dead. He seemed so healthy last time we went to visit him," Tohru choked out through muffled sobs.

"The last time we visited him was last spring. His condition changed dramatically since then. "

"What was wrong with him? Besides the fact that he was born to ..."

"Akito was born to die and was burdened with all the curses. He couldn't change that. He was constantly sick, not only physically, but mentally as well. Nothing Haitori said or did could cure him."

"So, so, how did he die?"

"He had been sick for about a month, then he caught a cold from one of the Sohmas up at the main house. He got weak, too weak to live, and ordered Haitori to put him out of his misery, and well, Haitori did. But he did mention, "Yuki sighed," That he wants you to marry a Sohma, any Sohma, so I guess we have permission."

Tohru threw herself on top of Yuki and cried into his shoulder with a smile on her face. Akito had died, it was true, but he had given them permission to marry.

Yuki spent the night with Tohru, comforting her and letting her sleep.

"I'm so sorry for having you go through this," Yuki whispered before letting Tohru drift off to sleep.

"It's not your fault," Tohru said, a bit groggy.

Her eyes were red from crying. Yuki felt guilt in the pit of his stomach, but had no idea what it was for. He knew he was being selfish, hogging Tohru, but how would Hana and Uo respond to the death of someone they didn't even know, but their best friend did?

By eight p.m., Tohru and Yuki were both asleep on Tohru's bed. Yuki was having a flashback dream. Yuki was sitting in a dark corner with Akito standing over him. They were young and Akito was holding something that looked like a whip.

"You think you can defy me? Do you? Do you," Akito said.

Akito raised the whip.

Yuki woke up, covered in a cold sweat. Tohru was still asleep.

"You're an angel," Yuki murmured, gently pulling back some strands of hair from her face.

Thursday dawned, grey as ever.

Tohru had fallen asleep in Yuki's arms.

Tohru woke up. She had been dreaming about Yuki. She rubbed her eyes and rolled over, intent on getting out of bed, but shrieked when she saw Yuki lying next to her. Yuki jumped, surprised by Tohru's scream.

"Tohru! I'm so sorry! I just watched you sleep to make sure that I was here to comfort you if you cried again and I must've drifted off myself."

"Oh it's alright," said Tohru, clutching at her chest, "I just got scared."

"I can understand, it must be hard for you to digest that you shared a bed with your boyfriend."

Tohru, who in any case, was still in shock, smiled feebly and nodded.

Shigure poked his head in the door.

"Is everything okay in here? I was about to shower when I..."

He stopped speaking, noticing Tohru and Yuki in the bed.

"If you so much as even think what I know you're thinking, I swear I will smash that perverted head of yours in with a rock," Yuki said defensively.

Shigure's eyes widened and he quickly walked away from the room.

"Thanks," Tohru said with a slight smile.

"You're welcome, my love," Yuki said, kissing Tohru on the forehead.

"I should probably get dressed and start breakfast," Tohru mumbled sleepily.

"Good idea. I think I'll take a hot shower and then come down for breakfast."

So, Tohru dressed and hurried downstairs to start breakfast. By the time Yuki and Shigure had come downstairs, Tohru had prepared a breakfast of miso soup and rice.

When they were seated, Tohru looked around, realizing something was wrong.

"Where's Kyo?"

"He's probably still in his room, you can go get him if you like," Shigure said, munching on some rice.

Tohru went upstairs and knocked on Kyo's door.

"Kyo? Are you there? Breakfast is ready," she said.

"Come in, Tohru," Kyo said.

Tohru opened the door. Kyo was sitting at his desk, his head in his hands.

"What's wrong, Kyo?"

"Nothing, but I want to ask you something. Come here," Kyo said, patting the desk.

Tohru walked over and sat down on the desk. She was nervous. Did Kyo want her for something?

"Tohru," he started, "I have a question."

"Okay."

"Do you," he was cut off by Yuki opening the door.

"Tohru," he said, shocked.

"Yuki," Tohru ran over and hugged her boyfriend.

"What're you here for," Kyo asked, aggravated.

"I came to get my girlfriend, and you, for breakfast."

"I don't feel like eating today. I wanted to ask Tohru something about her friend."

"Alright, but don't do anything stupid."

Yuki let go of Tohru, "I'll see you in a bit."

"Okay, I'll be down in a sec," she said.

Yuki left the room, closing the door behind him. Kyo waited until Yuki's footsteps couldn't be heard. Tohru sat down on the bed.

"You wanted to ask me about Uo?"

"Yeah," there was an awkward pause, "Um, l was wondering, I wanted to get your permission first since she's you're friend."

"You want to ask her out," Tohru cut the rest of Kyo's sentence off.

"Yeah," said Kyo, looking down at his feet, "was I being predictable?"

"Yes, and I know she likes you back, so go ahead. That way if you two end up married," a dreamy expression came over Tohru's face, "Uo and I will be cousins in law-in law. I think?"

"Whatever, but I'm not jumping into marriage yet. I haven't even asked her out."

"But what about Kagura?"

"Kagura knows I don't love her. She's my cousin and she's two years older than me. She thinks that I love her because we played together when we were young."

"Are you going to tell Uo about the curse?"

"I might. I'll have the perverted dog check with someone up at the main house about it."

"Alright, I'm going downstairs to have breakfast."

"Wait."

Tohru paused, her hand on the doorknob. Kyo walked over to her and ruffled her hair.

"Thanks. You know, you really are something."

When Tohru had finished eating and taken her shower, she went back to her room and searched for accessories to go with her outfit for the Christmas ball. When she had finally found a pair of silver earrings and grey silk gloves, she sat down on her bed. She was uninterrupted for some time, until someone knocked on her door.

"You have visitors," Shigure said from the other side of the door.

"Okay, I'll be right there." She said.

Tohru got up from her bed and walked downstairs. When she got downstairs, she saw Uo and Hana standing in the hallway.

"What're you guys doing here," she asked.

"We decided that you needed a visit," Uo said.

"And here we are," Hana finished.

Tohru walked over and hugged her two best friends.

Kyo came downstairs at that very moment. His eyes widened at the sight of his crush. She was smiling. The Yankee was smiling, not in a sarcastic sense, but happily.

Then she noticed Kyo, luckily Tohru was leading Hana into the kitchen for lunch. Uo came closer to Kyo.

"I had no idea you were coming," he said.

"I wouldn't have expected you to," she said with a laugh, "You're not the psychic one."

"Well, um," Kyo looked up; Uo had come closer to him.

"I was going to go have lunch," she said, walking towards the kitchen.

"That's actually what I was heading to myself," he said, smiling.

When they had all finished a delicious lunch of Onigiri and Gyoza (dumplings), Kyo invited Uo upstairs and Hana, Yuki, and Tohru cleaned up.

While the others washed dishes, Kyo and Uo sat in his bedroom and talked. After a few minutes of talk, Uo got up and walked over to the window.

"You know what," she said, "I think you're a really special person, Orange top."

"Well, you're kind of special, too, Yankee," he said smirking.

He walked over and stood next to Uo. She turned to face him. He looked inquisitively at her. She was smiling. He smirked, her words echoing in his head.

Kyo zoned, he obviously zoned enough that Uo was able to grab Kyo's hand without him noticing. Kyo came to his senses and looked down. He saw Uo's hand on his. He began to sweat. He had never held hands like this before. It was actually the first time in many years that he had allowed anyone to do this. But Uo's nerve was obviously pretty strong, seeing as they weren't even going out. Kyo allowed it, as long as she didn't try to hug him, he was okay. He leaned towards her and laced his fingers with hers.

"You know, um, well," he started. Uo looked at him inquisitively. "Would you want to, well I doubt you would, but, do you want to go out with me?"

"Um," she looked at her feet, considering.

Kyo's heart sank; she was going to say no. She would never want to go out with him. Why had he even bothered to ask?

"Okay," she said, "I'll give you a shot."

"Alright! Now I, well," he shouted, his heart back in its normal place, "I'll be right back."

Kyo walked across the room, a new spring in his step. He opened the door and went downstairs to Shigure's office.

"Hey dog," he said, flinging open the door.

Shigure looked up, "Yes?"

"Can you call the main house and ask if I can tell someone about the curse, because, well, they might hug me?"

"Hold on, I was actually about to do that when you came in."

Shigure picked up the telephone on his desk and dialed ten numbers on it.

"Hello, Hatori, I know you must be very busy right now, but I have a question to ask you," Shigure paused, obviously listening to Hatori , "Alright, here goes, Kyo wants to tell someone outside of the household about the curse, is that alright," Shigure paused again, "Ok, I'll tell him," Shigure covered the mouthpiece and nodded.

Kyo closed the door and ran upstairs. He arrived in his room to find Uo sitting on his bed. She turned to face him when he shut the door.

"Hi, um," he stuttered, should he do it?

"Hi."

"Um, I have something to tell you," he walked over and sat down on the bed next to her, he took a deep breath," My family, it has a curse. We turn into the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac when we're hugged by a member of the opposite gender who is not a member of the twelve. I am the thirteenth. Hug me."

Uo hugged him, puzzled. Kyo transformed in her arms.

"You're the cat? Yes, I know the story, Kyoko used to tell us about it."

Kyo put his head on her shoulder. She petted him gently. He purred contently. His girlfriend was ok with him, she accepted him. There was a poof and a cloud of smoke filled the room. Uo was shocked. A naked Kyo was sitting on her lap. She hid her eyes while he got dressed.

"You didn't warn me about that, damnitt," she said.

"I'm sorry, I was just so happy that you accepted me that I forgot to tell you."

Uo laughed, "It's alright, I was just shocked."

Kyo sat back down next to her on the bed, blushing.

"I love you, Yankee."

He kissed her on the forehead. Uo looked dumbfounded, rubbing the spot where Kyo kissed her, as if not sure what had just happened. The door opened. Yuki, Tohru, and Hana stood there, looking at the couple. Kyo and Uo turned to look and gave a sigh of relief.

"I sensed an energy wave from this room," Hana said, surveying the room.

"Umm...I can explain," Kyo started.

"No need, I'm a psychic, did you forget that? I know you kissed Arisa on the forehead."

Kyo's eyes widened, Uo blushed furiously, Tohru clasped her hands, and Yuki put his head in his hands.

"Umm...Yeah...That sounds....about right," Kyo said, stuttering.

Uo blinked, still in shock, "Um yeah, he did."

Tohru and Yuki stood in the doorway and Hana stood in the middle of the room.

Nobody said anything for a good five minutes until, "I have an idea! I'll be right back! Meet me in the living room!"

Tohru ran out and went into her room to fetch her Dai-Hin-Min cards. When she reached the living room, she was delighted to find that everyone was sitting around the table.

"It's Dai-Hin-Min time," she exclaimed joyfully.

They dealt the cards and began the game. This time Uo and Kyo didn't fight. They sat next to each other and their fingers were laced under the table. Hana won after twenty minutes of playing.

Tohru sprung up, "Does everyone want tea?"

Everyone nodded in consent. Tohru returned five minutes later, carrying a tea tray.

They drank in silence until, "We have something to announce."

It was Yuki. The others all turned their heads towards he and Tohru who were sitting next to each other at the end of the table. Tohru was beaming and blushing and Yuki had a satisfied smile on his face.

"Are you going to say," asked Hana.

Yuki took a deep breath then, "Tohru and I are unofficially engaged."

Kyo looked taken aback, Uo blinked in shock,(A/N: Gee, she's having a hard day, isn't she?) and Hana burst into tears.

"I told you I could see our little Tohru as a new bride," Hana sniffed.

Uo was still too shocked to say anything, then, "I wasn't expecting that."

The rest of the afternoon was uneventful, unless you count the fact that Ayame showed up at around five p.m. carrying a bag of gifts for the household. After an explanation to her friends that Ayame was Yuki's older brother and designed clothes, Ayame shoved a garment bag under her nose and insisted that she try it on.

"It's for the New Year's party, this will make you fit in perfectly," he said.

Tohru ran upstairs and got changed, then walked back downstairs. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, the others gasped. Tohru was wearing a pink kimono with a matching pink headband that had many silky ribbons spouting out the top of it.

"My, my, Tohru, you look wonderful," Ayame shouted, obviously pleased with his work," How does it feel?"

"It feels wonderful," Tohru said, twirling around.

"You look lovely, Tohru," said Yuki, hugging his girlfriend.

"It's a lovely dress, what was your name again," said Uo.

"My name is Ayame."

"It's a lovely dress, yes, but what is it for? It's surely not for school," said Hana, looking at Ayame

. "It is for the family New Year's party up at the main house," said Kyo, "I don't go, but I might this year, if you would like to come with me."

"I would love to," said Uo, "But what should I wear?"

"Oh come down to my shop tomorrow," said Ayame handing business cards to Hana and Uo.

"Alright, but I don't have anyone to go with," said Hana.

"Who's your date for the Christmas ball," asked Ayame.

"Some Hatsuharu Sohma, I know he goes to school with us, but he's a year younger," she was cut off.

"Oh don't worry, I know him! I'll tell him that you want to go to the ball," said Ayame with a wave of his hand.

"Oh you don't have to."

"But I would love to!"

"Alright..."

"So are you both coming tomorrow," Ayame asked.

Hana and Uo nodded, not wanting to be impolite to a person that they had just met.

"Wonderful! Now I have a present for my younger brother," said Ayame, shoving a box into Yuki's hands, "And something for the hot tempered one," he shoved a bag into Kyo's hands, "And one for Shigure. Now where is he?"

"Aya," Shigure's head poked out of his office door.

"There you are," Ayame cried," I have something for you as well," he shoved a box into Shigure's hands.

"For me," Shigure said, surprised.

"Yes, for you."

"Why thank you!"

"Um, I think we'll be taking our leave now," said Uo, looking away from the two men. "Goodbye then," said Tohru, waving.

"I'll see you later, ok," said Kyo, as he gave Uo a pat on the head.

"Bye," said Yuki, waving.

"Goodbye all," said Hana, and she and Uo walked out the front door.

Hana and Uo walked down the path leading into the city for a few minutes before, "Kyo is a real softie," said Uo.

"He is? I always saw him as a tough guy."

"No, he kissed my forehead today. I think he actually cares about me."

"Really? Even though you called him a stupid bastard more than your fair share of times?"

"Yeah, really. I'm actually reconsidering that present I got him. Maybe I'll sell it online and get him a book or something. I noticed a lot of martial arts books in his room."

"That would be a good idea."

They walked in silence the rest of the way home, only saying goodbye when they reached Uo's house.

Hana looked down at the business card that the Ayame character had given her. It gave the location and time of her fitting the next day.

"Well, I guess I'm getting another dress," she said to nobody.