(Chapter Six: Ritsu's Distraction)

The meal turned out to be quite wonderful and Tohru found spending her time with the Zodiac members at this particular event was quite delightful. The entire meal, Akito remained quiet but smiling the whole time. So much that it unnerved Yuki to the very point that he wanted to scream out loud and demand what was going on. When the tea was being passed around, Akito finally turned to Tohru.

"So Miss Honda" he replied slowly, "You've been rather busy in the last couple of months haven't you?"

"Um yes I suppose so" she nodded, "With graduation coming up very soon I've been very busy."

"That's not what I mean," Akito said as all the others at the table listened in, "What I mean is, I saw your film."

Hatsuharu and Momiji looked at each other and nodded. Ritsu watched their expressions as they turned back to Akito and Shigure raised his eyebrows.

"My film?" Tohru replied.

"The Zodiac curse" Akito explained as Yuki raised his eyes from his plate.

"Oh you did" she grinned nervously, "What did you think of it?"

"I found it quite fascinating actually. And to think so close to the real thing" he eyed her curiously.

"Well I" she started to say but Shigure stood up.

"I can explain that Akito" he said.

"Oh?" Akito raised his own eyebrows, "You can?"

"You see" Shigure replied, "A while back Tohru was doing another film. A small role. And there was this actor who was fascinated with the Chinese Zodiac. But he was also a very gifted screen writer and apparently he wrote his character based on Tohru."

"Yes Shigure" Akito nodded, "I figured that part out much myself. But what has me worried, is that our characters were very accurate too."

"Well I can explain that too" Shigure said nervously, "You see Yuki and Kyo and even Hatsuharu they went to the set quite a few times, and Mr. Quincy the writer found them interesting and quite if you can believe it unexpectedly he made their characters and quite surprisingly."

"Oh boy" Yuki shook his head as he thought, "He's drowning."

"Quite surprisingly nailed it right on the head."

"Mhm" Akito said not really believing him.

"You see Tohru had nothing to do with it. Nothing at all."

"I didn't say she did, did I? I was simply complementing her on being so multitalented."

"Huh?" Tohru looked over at him in surprise.

"You really are Miss Honda" Akito looked back at her directly in the eye, "First a singer and now an actress. It's really fascinating" then he stretched a little as everyone continued to stare, "And now I think it's time for some evening entertainment. Hatsuharu will you do us the honor of playing the piano while we dance. And Momiji bring out your violin. I love it when the two of you accompany each other."

"Of course Akito" Momiji nodded but thought, "Even though I haven't had a lesson in two years. But it didn't stop me from playing though" he stood up.

"Everyone" Akito stood up as well, "Please get a partner and join us on the dance floor" he spoke to the entire group over at the other table, "And Miss Honda I know that tonight you have no partner, because he can't be here" he said to her directly, "So I was wondering if you would allow me to take his place?" he held out his hand at the stunned girl while everyone watched.

"Uh" she looked at his hand confused, "Of course" she replied taking his hand and allowing him to lead her on to the dance floor.

Soon many people joined them on the floor, including Shigure and Rin, Kisa and Hiro, and Kagura and Ritsu. Yuki walked over to Hatsuharu and Momiji who had begun playing while several of the parents began to dance as well.

"Was that what you wanted to tell me?" Yuki whispered to Haru as he stood by him.

"Yep" Haru nodded, "We got to do something Yuki."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"I don't know, but we have to. I promised Kyo I would look after her."

"I know" Yuki nodded, "I agree but."

"Here's an idea" Haru replied, "Cut in on him."

"What?"

"Cut in on him. Take Tohru away from him. As far as you can."

"I don't know Haru" Yuki shook his head, "He'll get angry."

"So? At least she'll be safe."

"All right" Yuki nodded, "I'm going" he sighed as he walked over towards them.

(Next Scene)

Yuki moved slowly through the people towards Akito and Tohru. Then before he knew what he was doing, he had tapped Akito on the shoulder making him stop dancing.

"Yuki?" Akito looked at him, "What are you doing?"

"May I cut in" he replied bravely.

"Excuse me?" Akito said angrily as Tohru watched on in confusion.

"Miss Honda promised me earlier in the evening when I asked her if I could have the first dance, right Miss Honda?"

"Uh" she looked at him and saw the insistence in his eyes, "Yes you're right" she nodded, "I did promise him the first dance. I'm sorry Akito" she tried to pull away but he gripped onto her hand.

"Do you think I'm stupid?" he whispered to Yuki, "Walk away now" he ordered.

"But" Yuki protested as Akito pushed him back.

"Right now" Akito said firmly, "Don't cause a scene."

From where he danced Ritsu broke away from Kagura and ran to the table. He grabbed his cup of punch and took a deep breath, because what he was about to do, was probably the bravest thing he had ever done. He began to walk fast towards the three people. As he approached he acted as if he didn't know where was going and bumped right into Akito, the cup splashing all the punch onto Tohru's dress.

"OH NO!" he shouted starting to freak out, "Oh Tohru! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry. I am such a klutz! I should help you! Oh!!" he held his head as Yuki finally got hold of Tohru's hand and Akito stepped back in anger and frustration.

Kagura took up the cue and ran over and took her hand.

"Tohru we should get this cleaned out, before it stains."

"Oh I suppose I should. But Ritsu" Tohru replied.

"Don't worry Miss Honda" Yuki replied as Haru and Momiji stopped their playing and everyone stopped dancing to gaze at the scene that was happening before them, "I'll take care of him. Go."

Tohru nodded and followed Kisa and Kagura out of the room. Ritsu was still at the feet of Akito begging for forgiveness.

"I'm so sorry Akito" Ritsu begged, "I don't expect you to forgive me."

"I don't forgive you!" Akito shook his head angrily, "You pathetic! Worthless little worm! Kureno!" he shouted.

"Yes Master Akito" Kureno appeared.

"I'm tired. I want to go to bed," he ordered stalking out of the room giving Yuki an angry glare.

"Yes sir" Kureno nodded following after him.

As they left Ritsu rose from the ground. Yuki came over to him confused.

"Ritsu are you all right?" he asked.

"I'm fine" Ritsu nodded with a smile; "I better go check and see if Tohru's all right though" he departed.

Yuki watched as he left, confused at first but then realizing and smiling himself.

(Next Scene)

Outside near the bathrooms Kagura and Kisa were doing all they could to get the punch off of Tohru's dress. As Ritsu approached Kagura became angry but Tohru calmed her down her with her question.

"Ritsu are you all right?" she asked worried.

"Oh I'm fine" he nodded, "The question is, are you all right?"

"Huh?"

"I'm sorry about this Tohru," he replied calmly as he knelt before her, "But it seemed to be the only way to help you."

"Help her?" Kagura exclaimed, "How does punch spilling all over her help her?"

"Kagura" Tohru said slowly, "What do you mean Ritsu?"

"I saw that you were having some trouble with Akito, so I decided to help by distracting him. I hope nothing's ruined."

"Actually no" Tohru shook her head as Kagura listened in quite surprised herself, "Luckily the punch you spilled on me wasn't red. It came right off. Ritsu that was so nice of you to do that."

"Yea it really was" Kagura added finally understanding.

"It was my pleasure. It was the least I could do for all the things that you have done for us. But I am going back inside now. Akito has left, so you can come back and be in peace."

"Thank you. I'll be in a minute. Kagura, Kisa you should go with him."

"Okay Sissy" Kisa nodded.

"Hurry back" Kagura added with a smile as the three of them left.

Tohru smiled but then jumped a little as she heard a sound from behind her.

"Pst! Pst Tohru!" the voice whispered.

Tohru looked behind her and saw Kyo crawling out of the bushes.

"Kyo what are you doing here?" she asked with a surprised smile.

"I came to see if you were okay."

"What do you mean?"

"I saw you run out of there."

"You saw me?"

"Yea I've been watching the whole thing" he replied. "Everything. I saw everything. You okay?"

"Uh huh" she nodded, "I'm fine. Thanks to everyone. How are you watching everything?"

"I'll explain that later" he said quickly, "Listen I want to ask you a question."

"Uh huh?"

"After the banquet can you meet me up on that roof over there?" he pointed to a smaller house, "I want to watch the sunrise together."

"Of course" she nodded again with a smile, "I'll be there."

"Great" he grinned getting ready to take off, "There's a ladder behind the house, so you can climb it. Have fun" he gave her a quick kiss, "And I'll see you later!" he ran.

"Okay" she said with a wave, "Later."

(Next Scene)

About an hour later the banquet ended and Yuki and Tohru departed the room with Hatsuharu saying he would catch up. They also had said goodbye to everyone else, especially Ritsu who everyone was quite proud of.

"Good night" Tohru replied to the last group that left.

"Well Miss Honda" Yuki said turning to her, "Should we head back to the house?"

"Actually Yuki" she replied back, "I have to be somewhere. So I'll see you later!" she took off.

"Okay" he nodded with a smile as Hatsuharu came out, "You ready Haru?"

"Yea" Hatsuharu nodded, "Where's Tohru?"

"She's meeting someone," Yuki said simply.

"Oh" Haru grinned knowingly, "Want to stay and watch the sunrise?"

"Actually no, I'm kind of tired. I'm heading back. Are you coming?"

"I'll be there soon."

"All right. Good night Haru. Or maybe I should say good morning?"

"Yea" Haru chuckled, "See you later Yuki."

As Yuki left Rin came out of the building and passed by Hatsuharu who called out to her, making her stop.

"Rin!" he shoulders tightened, "Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year" she replied her shoulders loosening up, "Haru" she left and he sighed heavily.

(Next Scene)

Tohru arrived at the small house and began to climb the ladder.

"Kyo are you up here!" she called as she climbed.

"Come on up" he said peering over her with a smile.

As she reached the top, she almost slipped but Kyo caught her in time.

"Careful" he replied, "It's kind of slippery up here."

"Thanks" she said with a smile as they sat down, "You been here long?"

"No. Just a few minutes. We still got a lot of time till sunrise."

"Mhm" she nodded, "But it's worth it. I didn't get hardly any time to spend with you tonight."

"I know what you mean" he smiled looking into her eyes.

"So" she replied playfully, "Would you mind explaining to me what you meant by watching?"

"Oh that. Well" he took a deep breath, "Ever since I was a kid, I always sort of watched the banquet, from a different place. Whenever they do it here I watch it from a large tree that's behind the main house."

"So you saw everything?"

"Uh huh. Everything. What was all that about anyway?"

"Well apparently, Akito has seen the Zodiac movie."

"He has?"

"Mhm."

"Well" Kyo sighed, "I've been thinking Tohru maybe it's time."

"Time for what?"

"He's never gonna stop you know. And to be perfectly honest I'm getting tired of it. I am getting real sick and tired of it. I know there's a reason that he invited you to this thing. And if it's the same reason that it has been every other time. It's time I do something about it."

"What do you mean Kyo?"

"You have been so open and honest about your feelings for me Tohru I should be the same."

"No Kyo" she shook her head, "You can't be serious?"

"I am serious. If Akito really wants to know, and he's never gonna stop bothering you till he finds out, why am I not telling him? I should tell him. Then maybe he'll leave you alone. And you and I can be left alone as well."

"You mean for the time we have left?"

"Huh?"

"Do you realize it's January tomorrow Kyo. Then it'll be February. And then we graduate. It's two months. We only have two months left."

"I told you not to think about that" Kyo replied a bit angry.

"I can't help it Kyo" she said sadly, "I can't stop. It's not something I can just forget. Two months Kyo, that's all. Doesn't it bother you in the slightest? Not even a little bit. In two months you'll."

"NO!" Kyo interrupted her, "No" he said again with a shake of his head, "I won't let it come to that. Tohru" he looked at her, "No matter what happens two months from now, nothing is gonna change."

Tohru looked at him with tears welling up in her eyes as he embraced her tightly.

"I will still love you. I will still do what I can so we can be together. With everything I am I will do it. This ring" he held onto her finger, "Is my promise and I will keep it."

"Kyo."

"Let's not think about that now" he moved away from her and brushed the tears from her eyes, "Now is the start of a new year for us. Instead think about what you want to wish for when the sun comes up."

"Mhm" she nodded as she looked towards the sky, "What about you Kyo? Don't you have a wish?"

"Mine already came true" he responded with a smile.

She smiled back and closed her eyes. When the sun finally came up Kyo sat behind her, his arms wrapped around her as she made her wish.

"Mom" she thought, "I wish more than ever this morning for something I want. I want more than anything in the whole wide world to be with Kyo. That is my greatest wish. To be with him until the day I die."

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Okay guys! That's it for this week! See you all next week for the last four chapters of Book Eleven!

Next on Rice-Balls in a Fruits Basket:

Chapter Seven: Day After

After too many failed attempts Akito is planning on confronting Tohru to find out the truth. And this time, nothing is going to stop him!

And

Chapter Eight: Kyo Takes a Stand

Enough is enough! Kyo has had it and this time he is the one who will be laying into Akito, but not in the way you think. See what happens next time!!