(Chapter Two: Yuki's Decision)

The rain poured down against the glass as Hatsuharu went to answer the door Tuesday afternoon. Standing under an umbrella was Kyo.

"Kyo what are you doing here?"

"Go get your duffel bag" he ordered.

"Huh?"

"Go get your duffel bag" Kyo repeated, "You're going to the dojo with me this afternoon."

"What for?"

"You need some help working out your anger. Now go get ready."

"Kyo this is really not necessary."

"This is not an option. This is an order. Either get your duffel bag on your own, or I am going to drag you into your room, pick up your bag, and drag you all the way to the dojo. I'm standing in the rain damn it. Hurry up!"

"Okay. Okay" Haru put up his hands, "I get the message. I'll go get my bag."

"Thank you" Kyo said sarcastically as he waited.

Hatsuharu was back in a few seconds and the two of them under their umbrellas headed for the dojo side by side.

(Next Scene)

When they arrived they got into their Guis and practiced some moves. After awhile of hitting the punching bags Hatsuharu had to admit that he felt better. Soon he and Kyo decided to take a break.

"Thanks Kyo" Haru said out of breath.

"For what?"

"For dragging me here today."

"Figured you needed it. This way you can take your anger out on a bag and not a desk."

Haru chuckled and shook his head.

"You got a point."

"You mind telling me what the hell that was all about anyway?"

"No" Haru shook his head, "Rin is leaving for awhile."

"Where's she going?" Kyo said surprised.

"An institution. To get some help."

"Is she coming back?"

"I don't know."

"Whoa. That's harsh."

"Tell me about it. But you know what that's all about don't you Kyo?"

"What do you mean?"

"With Tohru. You only have one month left ."

"I know. I just try not to think about it. Keep training as hard as I can" he stood up and flexed his fingers.

"Did you ever think that maybe there might be another way to get out of this thing Kyo?"

"Another way?" Kyo looked at him amused, "No. There is no other way."

"Well there might be."

"How do you mean?"

"Do you remember you told me about that letter months ago?"

"Yea? What about it?"

"Well I was thinking. That's your father's alibi to lock you up right? He blames you for your mother's death. But we both know that that's not the truth. And your father does too."

"So? It's my word against his."

"But you have that letter as proof that you didn't."

"Haru I don't understand. I can't exactly take the letter to Akito."

"I wasn't talking about him."

"Huh?"

"There are other people that you can take the letter to and get their consent."

"Who?"

"The family elders."

"The family. No" Kyo shook his head, "No way they're not involved with this sort of affair."

"Well yea they are. I mean Akito only gets to give out the test. But they make all the family decisions besides most of the Zodiac ones."

"This is a Zodiac one."

"Not exactly. And I have it on good authority that a lot of the times Akito has to get their permission for certain things. And your father had to get their permission as well for this."

"How do you know that?"

"I just do."

"You really are the eyes and the ears of that place aren't you?"

"I guess so" Haru nodded, "Me and Momiji. So what do you say Kyo? You can take the letter to the elders."

"How do I do that?" Kyo scoffed.

"Well that's easy. All you got to do is talk to Kagura."

"Kagura?"

"Mhm. Her grandfather is on the council and she might be able to persuade him to talk to you."

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

"C'mon Kyo. What could it hurt?"

"It's not that" Kyo shook his head, "It might not work."

"Well if it doesn't, it doesn't. Just keep practicing anyway. But this might be an easier way to clear your name and allow you to be free and with Tohru."

"I don't know."

"Think about it Kyo. What do you got to lose?"

"Actually. Nothing if I do it that way. But everything if I continue the way I am going. Okay" he finally nodded, "I'll go talk to her tomorrow. See what she can do."

"Great" Haru grinned.

"What's he doing here?" Kyo suddenly grumbled as he saw Yuki enter the dojo.

"I'll go talk to him" Haru offered running off.

"And I'll go hit the damn punching bag" Kyo said back.

(Next Scene)

"Hey Yuki" Haru replied as he came over.

"Haru what are you doing here?" Yuki asked surprised.

"Uh Kyo suggested I come here for an afternoon of punching the bag. You know to get my anger out."

"Oh. Well Miss Honda asked that I bring these riceballs along for him" he handed him the bag.

"Thanks" Haru grinned taking it, "I'll give it to him."

Yuki eyed Kyo as he hit the bag over and over. Haru noticed his staring and looked at his cousin curiously.

"Something wrong?"

"No" Yuki shook his head, "He really is working hard isn't he? I guess he's got a good reason" Yuki sighed.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean. Forget it" Yuki turned to leave.

"Wait a minute Yuki" Haru said, "Um come with me" he pulled him out of the room, "What's up? What did you mean just now?"

"I know why Kyo is doing this?"

"You know?"

"Yes" Yuki nodded.

"Oh."

"Miss Honda is a good reason."

"Yes. One of the best reasons. But I don't know about him. He's real determined. But he probably will never beat you."

"Well it might be because. Never mind."

"What? What were you gonna say?"

"Okay" Yuki sighed, "My conscious can't take much more of this. I can't stand seeing Miss Honda so upset. So. But I don't know what to do. I know how I can help."

"You want to help Kyo?"

"No" Yuki retorted, "Miss Honda, not Kyo."

"Okay" Haru nodded, "Um well. One thing you can't do is let him win."

"No I can't do that. Akito will know. And so will Kyo. But maybe there is something I can do. But I'm just not sure I want to."

"Well maybe there is a way that you can help Kyo without him knowing about it."

"How's that?"

"I don't know."

"I guess I could help by telling you what I think he's doing wrong."

"You mean give me pointers, I mean pointers for him on how he needs to improve?

"Yea. You know I've seen him fight. And don't get me wrong, but I never thought of him as a bad fighter or anything. He just needs a little help."

"Like what? Give me an example."

"Well. He doesn't think Haru when he fights me. I've watched him fight other people and it's different. He's more confident and not so eager to hit them as much as he is eager to hit me."

"So you're saying, he should think first before charging headfirst?"

"Basically yes" Yuki replied, "That's one of his biggest problems."

"Well this is good Yuki" Haru became excitedly, "What else?"

"I don't know. I'll have to think about it. I'm not even sure I'm doing the right thing. I've stayed too long anyway."

"You know Yuki, in the long run you'll feel much better if you do, do something. Kyo will never know. I swear. I'll train him and you just give me the tips. So you'll be helping him and he'll never know about."

"Helping Miss Honda not him" Yuki retorted.

"Whatever."

"I'll think about it" Yuki nodded, "But in the meantime work on that."

"Sure will. See you later Yuki."

"Bye" Yuki departed.

Hatsuharu shook his head with a happy sigh.

"Incredible. The rat offering to help out the cat? Just incredible" he smiled.

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Okay that's it till Monday! See you all then and I hoped you enjoyed the chapters!

Next Time on Rice-Balls in a Fruits Basket:

Chapter Three: First Kiss

But who will it be I wonder? There are so many people it could be. But you'll have to wait and see who it is next time. Until then guess as best as you can!!

And

Chapter Four: Asking a Favor

Taking Hatsuharu's advice Kyo talks to Kagura about his mom's letter!