(Chapter Ten: Saying Goodbye for Now)

Rebecca waited patiently for Ritsu that morning at the same bench that they had met at so many times before. On her lap was a bag of goodies for them to share. Finally she spotted Ritsu and waved him over with a smile.

"Good afternoon Ritsu" she replied.

"Good afternoon Rebecca. I'm not late am I?" he asked as he sat down.

"Mnm" she shook her head.

"What do you have there?"

"Oh. Just something I thought you would like to have with me" she opened the bag, "They're jelly buns."

"What did you say?" he asked surprised.

"Jelly buns" she repeated, "Do you like them?"

"I. I love them" he replied as she handed him one, "Thank you."

"Why do you look so surprised?"

"It's just I always imagined eating these with someone special."

"Oh Ritsu" her eyes softened, "You're not making this very easy."

"What do you mean?"

"Well the thing is, this has been the most wonderful three weeks of my life."

"Me too."

"But, I have to go home for a while. To the states. But I am coming back" she said when she saw his face fall a little, "I just have to settle my affairs there. I've already got the apartment here so I will be returning. Plus Kandis has to finish up school since she is coming back with me."

"I see. When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow evening. But I would like to see you one last time before I go."

"I'd like that too" he nodded.

"Now, let's finish up these jelly buns shall we?"

"Okay" he nodded again taking another jelly bun from her as she handed it to him.

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile at that same moment Tohru was downtown picking some things up for Shigure while he was at the office. It was Sunday afternoon and Yuki and Kyo were very busy once more working on their secret project. As she walked along the sidewalk she noticed Ritsu coming into the city with his head bent down a little.

"Ritsu!" she called as she walked over to him, "Ritsu" she tapped his shoulder.

"Oh" he smiled a little, "Hello Tohru" he bowed his eyes.

"What are you doing down here?"

"I just met Rebecca for a little while this morning."

"Did you have fun?"

"Yes, but I found out that she is leaving tomorrow evening. To go home."

"Yea" Tohru nodded, "Kandis told me so earlier this week. Are you okay?"

"Yes. She said she's coming back. I just don't want her to forget me."

"How could she forget you?"

"I'm getting a hotel in the city tonight so I can say goodbye to her tomorrow, plus I want to buy some things downtown."

"Well then I have a few things I have to get. I can accompany you."

"I'd like that" he grinned holding out his arm.

"Good" she smiled back taking it gently.

The rest of the afternoon they spent getting the supplies they needed. Finally it was getting close to lunchtime.

"Say Ritsu" Tohru replied, "It's getting kind of late. We should stop for lunch."

"You know you're right" he nodded, "It has been awhile since I last ate."

"In that case let's stop. My treat."

"Oh no" he shook his head, "I couldn't allow you to do that."

"What do you mean?"

"I couldn't call myself a gentlemen if I let you do that."

"But it really is no trouble."

"Exactly. I will pay for it" they walked into a small restaurant.

"Okay" she nodded finally, "If you insist."

He nodded also and they found a nice comfortable booth. The waitress took their orders for drinks and then Tohru turned to Ritsu.

"So have you and Rebecca been having a lot of fun?" she asked.

"Oh yes" he nodded, "We have spent almost practically everyday together. I helped her look for apartments as well. I really am gonna miss her."

"She'll be back" Tohru reassured him.

"I hope so. I have never felt this way about a girl before. Do you remember when we first met and how I told you that the one thing I wanted to do with someone special was to eat jelly buns?"

"Mhm" Tohru nodded, "I sure do."

"Well today, Rebecca brought jelly buns and we ate them together. I thought that as a sign."

"Sure sounds like one to me" Tohru smiled.

"Tohru can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"How did you know? That Kyo was the one for you?"

"Oh that. I don't know exactly. I just did. It's just one of those things that felt right you know? I felt so loved in his arms. Now that I can be in his arms" she sighed a little, "I want to stay in them forever" her voice became low.

"Is something wrong?" he asked concerned when he saw her face.

"No" she shook her head, "It's nothing. I guess the real way I knew was really when I started to think about him all the time. I couldn't get him off my mind."

"I see" Ritsu smiled.

At that same moment someone was in the booth across from Tohru and Ritsu. He was talking loudly on his cell phone and as he hung it up he noticed the pretty girl from where he sat.

"Something wrong Mr. Ushida" his partner who sat across from him asked.

"No" Tai shook his head, "Everything is fine."

(Next Scene)

Tohru and Ritsu began to eat their meals and Ritsu could see that she suddenly became so quiet.

"Did I say something to offend you?" he asked politely.

"No" she shook her head again a bit surprised, "Not at all."

"It's just you seem so sad all of a sudden. As if talking about Kyo made you upset. And I don't know why it would because you love him so much."

"Oh Ritsu" she nodded sadly, "You're right. But it's not because I don't love him or anything. I mean I do. But with only one month left with him, I feel so lonely all of a sudden."

"I see. You're graduating soon aren't you? I didn't think about that. I didn't mean to bring it up. I'm sorry for being so insensitive."

"You don't need to apologize to me Ritsu. It's all right. It's just sometimes I can't help but feel that I might just lose him forever."

"That certainly will never happen" Ritsu shook his head, "At least I believe that the two of you will be together a long time."

"Let's hope that that's not the truth" someone spoke up.

Tohru looked over to the side of her and gasped. Tai Ushida was standing right next to her with a big smile on his face.

"Tai?" she replied, "What a surprise?"

"Imagine my surprise seeing you here Tohru" he smiled even more, "And with a friend?" he eyed Ritsu.

"Actually this is Ritsu Sohma. He's a cousin of Yuki and Kyo's. Ritsu this is Tai Ushida. An old friend of mine."

"Oh" Ritsu replied uncertain, "Nice to meet you."

"Same here" Tai nodded.

"What are you doing here? Are you working for my grandfather downtown?"

"Actually I work permanently here now. Your grandfather stays up at the main house most of the time now."

"Oh I see."

"Listen Tohru" he said noticing the ring on her finger, "I'd love to get together with you some time."

"That would be nice but I'm afraid that I am very busy at the moment."

"Well then we'll have to set up a date. Or perhaps I could come to your house since I know where you live?"

"Perhaps" she nodded sheepishly.

"Great. Nice meeting you" he replied to Ritsu quickly as his partner waved him over.

"You too" Ritsu nodded with a bit of a worried frown.

Tai winked at Tohru and then departed the restaurant. Tohru sighed heavily and Ritsu looked at her with curious eyes.

"Tohru who was that?" he asked.

"I guess I better explain a few things."

(Next Scene)

About ten minutes later as Ritsu walked her home Tohru had revealed to him all about Tai Ushida.

"Kyo won the match" she explained, "But in the end Tai wasn't a very gracious loser. He still to this day doesn't think that Kyo's good enough for me. Oh we're here. Have I been talking the whole time?"

"Yes" Ritsu nodded, "But that's okay. I'm glad you told me."

"And now I have to tell Kyo the bad news."

"I wouldn't worry about that guy Tohru. He seems to be nothing but a show-off. Nothing will ever come of it."

"I hope so" she nodded, "Would you like to come in?"

"I'd love to, but I need to go find a hotel and work on something this evening. But thanks for the offer."

"Okay. Good luck tomorrow with Rebecca."

"Thanks" he smiled putting his hands in his coat pockets, "Good night."

"Good night Ritsu."

Ritsu watched until she was safe inside and then trudged back down the road heading back to the city once more.

(Next Scene)

As Tohru entered the door Yuki who took her bags from her greeted her.

"Good evening Miss Honda" he said with a smile.

"Good evening Yuki. Is Kyo here?"

"Yes" he nodded, "I think he's in the sitting room."

"Okay. I have to talk to him about something."

"Okay. I'll put these in the kitchen for you."

"Thank you" she nodded and entered into the sitting room, "Kyo."

"Hey you" he replied switching the television off and jumping up with a smile, "You're finally back. I was starting to worry."

"I'm sorry" she said, "I was with Ritsu today. But I really have to talk to you about something."

"Okay" he replied with a raise of his eyebrows and a slight frown on his face, "Let's go talk out here," he pointed to the outside porch.

She followed him outside and the both of them sat down.

"Now what's on your mind Tohru?" he asked running his fingers through her hair.

"Well I had a wonderful day spending time with Ritsu, but I ran into someone I hadn't counted on."

"Uh huh" he nodded, "And who was that?"

"Tai Ushida."

"Oh" he stood up a bit surprised, "How did that happen?"

"Well we were sitting down for lunch, which was pleasant and he came over to see me some time in the middle of it."

"What did he say?"

"Not really much. But I got the feeling that if Ritsu hadn't been there he would have said a whole lot more. Maybe even have sat down."

"Well I'm glad that Ritsu was there. I knew I should have gone with you today. Something told me not to let you go alone" he sighed, "Was there anything in particular you remember him saying?"

"Not really. He just said hello to me. I introduced him to Ritsu. Oh he did mention wanting to see me again. Maybe even stop by the house."

"Good" Kyo nodded, "If he stops by the house I can give him a piece of my mind," he snarled angrily.

"Should I not have told you Kyo?" she said worried, "I mean I almost didn't because of all the stress you are under right now."

Kyo sat down once more and took her hand gently.

"No" he shook his head, "I'm glad you told me. Tohru, that's the most important thing in our relationship. Is that we are honest with each other. No matter what I am going through or what stress I'm under, I want you to be able to talk to me. I want you to be able to tell me how you feel. I'm never toobusy for you. Okay?"

"Okay" she nodded.

"That's whatthis ring means" he held onto her finger, "I take the good with the bad" he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead, "No matter what."

(Next Scene)

The very next day Ritsu sat waiting at the bench for Rebecca to arrive. On his lap was a package of something he planned to give to her. She arrived a couple minutes later and they talked for a few minutes.

"I really am going to miss you Ritsu" she replied.

"I'm really going to miss you too Rebecca" he said back.

"Becca" she replied.

"Huh?"

"Becca" she repeated, "It's what everyone I care about me calls me. I would really like you to also."

"If you prefer it."

"Yes I would. Because I like you Ritsu. I like you a lot."

"I feel the same way about you, Becca" he replied remembering the nickname, "In fact I have something for you. Something so you won't forget me" he handed her the package.

"Ritsu. You didn't have to do this."

"I know" he nodded, "Open it."

Rebecca undid the wrapping very delicately and pulled out a small painting. She gasped when she saw it.

"It's a picture of the sunset we watched together," he explained, "So you could remember it. I couldn't forget it all, so I painted it for you."

"Ritsu" she said the tears welling up in her eyes, "This is beautiful. I love it. Thank you so much."

"Thank you so much" he nodded sweetly, "For three wonderful weeks. The three most wonderful weeks of my life."

"I feel the same way" she nodded, "And how can you think that I would ever forget you. I can't. Not after all you meant to me. In fact. I love you Ritsu."

"You do?" he said a bit surprised.

She nodded and moved in closer.

"If you want to know how much" she kissed him and he kissed her back, "I'm gonna miss you. Don't forget me."

"Never" he smiled as they once more shared one last bag of jelly buns that she had brought just for him.

(Next Scene)

Later that evening as Tohru and Kyo did the dishes Yuki remained behind in the sitting room with Shigure who was reading his paper. He sighed heavily and leaned on his right elbow. Shigure peered over the paper and cleared his throat.

"Ahem. You know Yuki I know I haven't been around much lately, but I can tell there is something on your mind. Care to share?"

"I don't know" Yuki shook his head.

"Come on Yuki. Kyo and Tohru are in the kitchen right now. They won't even hear us. It might make you feel better," he added.

"Shigure" Yuki began, "If you knew something. A secret that could help someone you care about but also could help someone you didn't care for at all, what would you do?"

"I don't think I quite understand your question?"

"It's not my question" Yuki retorted, "I never said it was for me."

"Mhm" Shigure smiled behind his paper.

"Would you help the person you care about despite what you felt about the other person?"

"That is quite a puzzle. For some people they would say that they would remain as they are. Keeping the secret, never revealing what they know. But as for me, I would probably more than likely help out the person I care about, even though it might make the person I don't happy."

"But why would you do that?"

"Because ultimately I will feel good about myself for helping out the one I cared about and for helping even the one who I might despise. I would feel good either way. And I like that feeling."

"Hmm?" Yuki said out loud, "So that's what you would do huh?" he stood up and walked out the door while Shigure continued to smile.

"That boy" he shook his head, "I never know what's going on his head anymore. Still" he thought to himself as he smiled, "Still he's come a long way if he is even considering helping Kyo out."

(Next Scene)

Yuki gazed at the night sky and sighed one last time.

"Maybe Shigure is right. In the long run I want to do what's best for her. Even if it means helping in a way that I never thought I would."

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Okay Book Twelve is complete!! Hope you liked it and I will see you all at the end of the week for Book Thirteen!!

Next Time on Rice-balls in a Fruits Basket:

Book Thirteen: Conflicting Emotions

Tearful goodbyes, struggles, big decisions, and even new hellos all happen in this book! Between Kyo trying his best to defeat Akito's bargain and Yuki deciding whether he should help out, is there a new relationship that might develop between the two of them that they never thought possible? See you all next time!!!