(Chapter Four: Tohru Spills the Beans)

When Kyo arrived home that night he still had quite a worried frown on his face. Tohru watched him as he ate his dinner slowly. She could guess pretty well what was on his mind. The truth was it was on her mind as well. So much so that on Thursday afternoon instead of walking to work she stopped closer to home and sat on a bench pondering a great many things. As she sat there a pair of tall boots appeared in front of her. Tohru looked up and saw Kandis with a worried expression looking down at her.

"Tohru? What's wrong? What are you doing here?"

"Oh" Tohru shrugged her shoulders, "I'm just sitting here and thinking about things."

"Really?" Kandis replied sitting down next to her, "Because you look awfully down."

Tohru sighed and turned her sad eyes downward, staring at the grass at her feet.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"I wish I could Kandis, really I do" Tohru said, "But it's not an easy thing to talk about. I mean it might surprise you."

"Tohru" Kandis smiled, "I already know everything about the Zodiac curse. What could be more surprising than that?"

Tohru looked at her with a bit of a scared look on her face.

"Oh? It's that bad huh?"

"It's not really a bad thing" Tohru shook her head, "Just a surprising one. I admit even I was quite shocked and confused when I first learned about it."

"Well whatever it is," Kandis, replied, "If it's got you this down, then it is not a good thing. Please Tohru tell me what it is, and I will do my absolute best to advise you any way I can."

"Okay" Tohru finally consented, "Thank you."

"No problem. Now what is bothering you?"

"Well it is like this. You know how Kyo is the cat of the Zodiac?"

"Yes?"

"You see Kyo's curse is very different compared to the rest of the Sohma family. Where they transform into one thing, Kyo is cursed with two forms."

"Two?" Kandis raised an eyebrow.

"Yes" Tohru nodded, "You know that bracelet Kyo wears all the time on his left wrist?"

"Oh yea" Kandis smiled, "I love that bracelet on him. He looks good in it. What about it?"

"It. It keeps his other form in tact."

"Other form in tact? What do you mean?"

"Without that bracelet Kyo would transform into that other form and nothing would be able to stop it" Tohru shuddered.

"Tohru" Kandis said eyeing her and a bit nervous to ask, "What does this other form look like? Is it a monster or something?"

"Exactly" Tohru nodded once again, "It is the cats evil spirit. The grotesque form is that of a monster. A scary monster with sharp teeth and claws and a very awful smell. That is Kyo's true form."

Kandis remained quiet while Tohru continued.

"I saw the form about two years ago, when I first moved into the house. His master showed it to me because he felt that I could accept Kyo as he truly was. At first I was terrified of the form, so much that I wasn't sure that I could face it. But then I realized that underneath it was still Kyo and that I still despite everything wanted to be with him. On that day was the day I truly realized how much I honestly cared about him, because it wasn't because of his outer appearance but because of his good heart. That was the day my feelings for Kyo changed. The day I started having loving feelings toward him really."

It was a few moments till Kandis spoke again.

"Wow! That's an amazing story Tohru. Imagine you loving him despite that sort of problem."

"But that is not why I am so sad."

"Huh?"

"You see Kandis, since Kyo is the cat of the Zodiac there are certain guidelines he has to follow. One, he can never be involved with the Zodiac banquet every new years, because that is in the story. Another thing is he is shunned by pretty much most of the family. And last, this is the most horrible of all after high school he" Tohru stopped the tears trickling down her cheek, "He will be locked up forever."

"What?" Kandis exclaimed angrily, "Why?"

"Because it is tradition and it is because what his father wants. All the cats before him have suffered in the same way since they are in that form. But I don't believe that Kyo is like that. He is kind and gentle and he would never use his form to hurt anyone."

"Well isn't there some way to prevent that from happening?"

"There is one way" Tohru replied with a nod, "Kyo has to pass Akito's test. Then and only then will he be free."

"Akito is that head of the family guy right?"

"Uh huh."

"What is the test?"

"I don't know. Kyo won't tell me."

"I see" Kandis frowned and then embraced her friend, "You poor kid. Don't worry. We'll think of something."

"But what? I don't honestly know what to do."

"You leave that to me sugar" Kandis smiled, "I'll take care of it."

(Next Scene)

Kandis walked home with Tohru that afternoon since she had been invited over for dinner. While Tohru did the laundry and fixed supper Kandis snuck upstairs, determined to talk to Kyo. She knocked on the door and he opened it quite surprised to see her.

"Kandis? What are you doing here?"

"I came home for dinner with Tohru" she closed the door behind her, "And I came up here because I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Okay" he nodded sitting down and picking up his weights, "Shoot. I'm listening."

"All right. First of all I want you to know that Tohru was very upset this afternoon and that is how I found her."

"Upset?" Kyo put the weight down, "Upset about what?"

"Kyo" Kandis said slowly, "She told me about your situation after high school. About you being locked up?"

Kyo's eyes became wide and he turned his head slightly to her.

"But to tell you that she would of have to told you" he started to say but didn't finish.

"That's right" she nodded, "She did tell me. She told me everything about your other form."

"I see" he began lifting the weights again, "Then doesn't it bother you to be up here alone in this room with me?"

"Kyo" Kandis smiled, "Your form no matter what it is doesn't change who you are."

"Thanks" he smiled slightly, "So now you know. What's your question?"

"Have you even tried?" she asked getting a bit angry, "Have you even tried to meet this Akito guys request?"

Kyo stopped lifting his weights once more and turned all the way around.

"I don't get what you're trying to say?" he replied a bit irritated.

"Listen Kyo. I really, really care about that girl. And I was so happy that you two have managed to stay together. But she told me you only have two months left until you have to separate. I want to know if you are doing everything you can to beat this?"

"Not that it is any of your business" he stood up and walked over to the book shelf while she crossed her arms, "But yes. I have been trying. I have been trying for several years. Okay. So are you happy now?"

"What exactly do you have to do?" Kandis said, "Tohru wasn't very clear with those details."

"That's because she doesn't know."

"Why not? Why haven't you told her?"

"It's complicated."

"I think you should tell her. It would put her mind at ease."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"I just can't."

"But why?"

"Because" he said as Tohru came up the stairs and was about to knock on his door, "Because it would only cause her more additional pain.

Tohru stopped and listened at the door as Kyo sighed and walked over to the window.

"More pain?" Kandis replied confused, "I don't understand."

"Look, if I tell you, will you promise not to tell Tohru. I don't want her to hurt anymore than she already has."

"Sure. I promise."

"Okay. It's like this. When I was ten years old I was told about being locked up after highs school. Naturally I wanted to find a way out. But the only one who can give you that option is the head of the Zodiac. And that person is Akito. So I went to him. He told me what I had to do in order to be free."

"And what is that?"

"He said that if I could beat the damn rat, you know Yuki in a fight that I would be free. Then and only then."

Tohru gasped behind her hand as she listened to him. She shook her head and the tears came down her face once more.

"So you see. Tohru cares about the damn rat. He's like a brother to her. If she were to find out it would absolutely break her heart. I can't do that to her. I am doing everything I can to beat him. I go to the dojo as much as I can and I train. More than anything I want to beat this."

For the second time that day, Kandis didn't speak for a few moments. But then she pulled away from the wall and walked right over to Kyo placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Well Kyo" she replied, "I can see now why you didn't want to tell her. And I can only imagine how difficult this is for you. But despite how Tohru feels about Yuki I think that you should really go for it."

Kyo lifted his eyes and looked straight into hers.

"Do your best to defeat Yuki. If that is what it takes for you to be free and to be with Tohru then that is what you must do. Don't hesitate. Reach your goal!"

"Thanks" he nodded with a grin, " I will," he said as she walked over to the door and opened it, Tohru had disappeared sometime before, "And you will keep it a secret?"

"Of course" she nodded back, "You know I don't know who this Akito guy is, but it seems to me that he used this whole thing to put a wedge between you and Yuki. It's just a thought" she smiled as she closed the door.

Kyo scratched his head and pondered her last words.

"That can't be right" he thought, "Or can it?"

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Okay I finally got it done! See you tomorrow for the next two chapters!!

Next time on Rice-Balls in a Fruits Basket:

Chapter Five: Triple Date

Yuki puts his plan into action to get Ritsu and Rebecca together. Kyo, Tohru, and Kandis have come along for the fun, but what with the Prince Yuki fan club as well as Motoko Minigawa showing up this is going to be some evening!!

And

Chapter Six: A Love for the Rabbit

Momiji has been spending a lot of time away from home lately. Since the Zodiac banquet he now has rekindled his love for the violin, with a new teacher. But with this new rekindled love for the violin may come a new kind of love all together! See you next time!!!