(Chapter Ten: At Peace for Now)

When Tohru and the others arrived home the last day it was already evening. Tohru and the two boys had ridden home with Haru since Kyo needed to stretch out. Hatori had also examined him the next day and said he would be by to visit Kyo later in the week. The wind was blowing fiercely that night as Tohru prepared dinner. Yuki and Shigure were both under the blanket in the sitting room. Tohru served them dinner and then headed upstairs, where Kyo was waiting. She knocked on the door and then entered in. Kyo was lying on his mattress with his eyes closed. Tohru walked cautiously over and placed his tray of food by the mattress. Then she ran her fingers lightly through his hair. As she prepared to stand up he took her hand gently making her turn back around.

"Don't go so soon please" he replied letting his eyes flutter open, "I would like your company."

"Of course" she said as she sat back down, "Are you comfortable?"

"Mhm" he nodded, "I'm all right. Just a little sore. How about you? Are you okay?"

"Yes" she replied, "I'm fine. I am glad to be back home though."

"Yea me too" he agreed stretching his back, "Any way to get away from there."

"Mhm" she nodded.

He noticed as her eyebrows furrowed as if she was in deep thought.

"What's on your mind?" he asked her.

"Huh? Oh it's nothing."

"C'mon."

"Okay. Well I was just wondering about something that was said during your conversation with Akito. Something that didn't make any sense to me."

"What's that?" he said sitting up.

"You said that you made a deal with Akito about you being locked up."

"Oh you heard that did you?" his eyes became wide, "Don't worry about that?"

"But Kyo. Is there really a way or a chance that you might not have to be locked up?"

"Yes" Kyo nodded, "But it's not something I want you to concern yourself about. It's my problem. Besides the less you know the better."

"Are you sure?"

"Uh huh. Just concentrate on the next two months we have left together all right. Let me handle the other situation. Okay?"

"Okay" she nodded again, but in her head she thought, "I wonder why he won't tell me the conditions of his deal with Akito?"

"It's better if she doesn't know" Kyo thought, "Because in the long run, it would probably end up hurting her in some way. I just know it."

(Next Scene)

From in his room Yuki sat at his desk finishing up his work. With all the excitement that had gone up at the lake, he hadn't any time to finish it. But as he sat there he found that he couldn't concentrate on work. Something else was on his mind.

"What am I supposed to do with the knowledge I have now about Kyo? Basically if he doesn't defeat me then he will be locked up forever and then Miss Honda will be sad. But do I just drop all my pride and help out someone I loathe as much as him? I don't know" Yuki shook his head, "This is gonna take some thought and maybe I should talk to someone else about this. But the question is who?"

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile at the main house Kureno was walking down the halls after having put Akito to bed himself. He walked to his room and opened the door with a sigh. He crossed over to his bed and sat down, removing his socks. Then he walked over to the window and opened it. He gazed at the stars and closed his eyes.

"Happy New Year" he replied slowly as the moon came into view and he opened his eyes, "Arisa."

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Okay! That's the end of Book Eleven! I hope you enjoyed it! See you next week for the start of Book Twelve!! Bye!!!

Next Time on Rice-Balls in a Fruits Basket:

Book Twelve: Discovering Love

A new year has come and so have new experiences. Kandis and Rebecca have returned once more to Japan only to find themselves also a part of the Sohma love tree. See love blossom on the next book of Rice-Balls in a Fruits Basket on Tuesday September 23!!