(Chapter Eight: Admitting the Secret)

Later that same afternoon Tohru was walking to the dojo with another bundle of rice-balls she had made for Kyo. Kisa and Hiro had left early to eat dinner with Kisa's mom, so she silently walked to the building and entered in. Hatsuharu was in the main area taking a break after his strenuous workout.

"Hello Hatsuharu" she replied cheerfully, "Good afternoon."

"Tohru" he said astonished spinning around, "Oh no she actually showed up?" he thought, "Hey" he smiled trying not to look nervous.

"Hi. Is Kyo here? I brought him something."

"Uh you know what" Haru replied, "You just missed him."

"Oh really. I didn't see him when I was walking down the road."

"Yea" Haru lied, "He left about twenty minutes ago. But he used the back door. He's not home yet?"

"No" she shook her head sadly, "He's not."

"Well if he's not there now, I'm sure he will be by the time you get back."

"Yea. Oh you can have these" she handed him the bag, "I would have hated to come all this way for nothing and for these to go to waste."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'll make him some more when I get home. Thanks again Hatsuharu" she replied as she left trying to put a smile on her face.

"Sure" he nodded sadly as she departed, "Oh man do I feel like a heel" he sighed as he walked back into the training area.

(Next Scene)

Luckily Hatsuharu was correct. Kyo was home when Tohru returned. But his demeanor seemed much more relaxed to Tohru then it had been earlier that week. Still she knew something was bothering him, and it nagged at her heart. So much in fact that she didn't even notice that he and Yuki had departed the table earlier to finish up on their secret project. Shigure put his chopsticks and bowl down and stared with a concerned look on his face at the young girl.

"Tohru is there something wrong?" he asked.

"Huh? Oh no" she shook her head.

"Are you sure? You've been so quiet this evening."

"I don't want to really burden you wit my problems Shigure."

"Please, burden me" he grinned, "I am in the mood for a good story."

"Really?"

"Mhm. Now you tell Shigure what's bothering you."

"Well it's Kyo mostly."

"Hmm. Well I figured that much."

"I'm worried about him Shigure. Really worried about him. I feel like there's something bothering him but he's not telling me about it. It's like he's afraid that I am gonna get hurt or something."

"Well we guys do tend to do that. We think that we are helping out by doing it. But in the long run we are really foolish. The truth is it doesn't help at all does it? It only makes things worse when we keep it to ourselves."

"Yes. I wish he would just tell me what is wrong."

"Well have you asked him about it?"

"I'm afraid to. Shigure could I be totally honest with you?"

"Please do."

"I know something. I think I know why he is so distracted. But he doesn't know that I know and I think it would hurt him if he knew that I know. You know?"

"I think I understand what you are saying. Please go on."

"Shigure" Tohru sighed, "I know what's gonna happen to Kyo after High School."

As Shigure listened to her, out in the hallway another person had overheard. Yuki had come downstairs for a pair of scissors and had just overheard her last few words. He leaned against the wall and continued to eavesdrop.

"You know Tohru" Shigure said sadly.

"Yes. He knows that I know that but what he doesn't know is that I know the only way he can get out of it. He has to beat Yuki in a fight."

"And how does that make you feel?"

"To be honest. I'm not sure. I'm saddened by it of course. I mean my one true love vs. someone like Yuki who I really care about. He's like a brother to me. I feel very conflicted and confused. I don't want to choose sides. Shigure what am I going to do?"

Yuki closed his eyes as Shigure sighed and spoke again.

"Well Tohru ultimately you have to go with what your heart tells you. Now true telling Kyo now that you know about this is probably a bad idea."

"But I want to support him."

"Then I have an idea. Kyo's fight is set for the Friday after he graduates. It takes place at the main house. I am going there to watch of course as well as Hatori. We're both going to be out of sight, so they won't see us. Would you like to accompany me that day, so you can cheer along with us, without him knowing it?"

"Really Shigure?" she held her hands together, "You'd let me go with you?"

"Yes. He will probably need you after the fight is over for support. Whether he wins or loses."

"Oh Shigure. I don't want either one of them tolose. But if Kyo loses, he loses everything. And I lose him."

Shigure nodded and Yuki sighed softly to himself as he pulled away from the wall. Then he heard the phone ring behind him and ran quickly up the stairs.

"Oh" Tohru listened and stood up, "I'll get it. Hello! Sohma residence. Uo! What's going on? No, I'm not doing anything tomorrow. I'd love to. You have news? I'll be there if it's okay with Shigure."

"It's perfectly okay with me Tohru" Shigure said behind her framed in the doorway; "You probably need some girl time anyway hmm?" he smiled.

"Yes" she nodded to him and smiled back, "I'll be there Uo. First thing tomorrow afternoon" she hung up the phone, "Thank you Shigure."

"Oh no problem. Oh and you know what Tohru just another piece of advice."

"And what is that?"

"Sometimes it feels good to tell our best friends how we feel. Besides if I know those two they're already worried about you. You don't have to tell them everything. Just enough for them to understand. It's always a bad thing when we keep some secrets to ourselves when it is time to let the cat out of the bag, if you'll excuse the pun" he grinned.

"Mhm" she nodded, "Thank you Shigure. I'll remember that."

(Next Scene)

The very next afternoon it was quite rainy as Tohru rang the doorbell at Uo's apartment. Her friend immediately came to the door and opened it with a huge smile.

"Come on in Tohru" she said taking her umbrella, "You're right on time. Of course I shouldn't expect anything less of you."

"Thank you. Hello there Hana!" she waved to her other friend who was at the table in the sitting room, pouring the tea.

"Tohru" Hana smiled back as she came over, "We're so glad that you could come today. Arisa did say she has some big news."

"I sure do," said Uo practically shaking with her giddiness.

"Well what is it Uo? Tell us" Tohru replied.

"Well do you remember that guy? Kureno Sohma. Well of course you do."

"Uh huh" Tohru said as he face fell a little.

"Well I ran into him the other night. Well actually he came into the store again and of course I was so cold to him, you know I was so mad. Anyway eventually he persuaded me to go have a small dinner with him. So I went, still angry mind you. And after I finished my dinner I was heading back to work, but I ran into some trouble. You remember those guys who were bugging me at my job at the restaurant?"

"Yes" Hana nodded.

"Well they were there. And of course they were bothering me again. They wouldn't let me pass. I mean they were being real Asses."

"What did you do Uo?" Tohru said concerned.

"Oh I didn't do anything. Kureno stopped them for me. He threw one off of me and told them that if they everbother me again he would take care of it."

"What happened after that?" Hana asked taking a sip of tea.

"Well I was surprised at first and then we walked back to the bench where we were sitting before. We talked some more and he told me how unhappy he was and how he wished he could change it, I mean he was being a real gentleman. There are not many like that in the world, except for the Prince. I guess it runs in the family. Like Kyo, right Tohru?"

"Uh huh" Tohru nodded absently.

"So we talked and then we stood up and then he kissed me."

"He kissed you?" Hana said in shock.

"Yes and then I kissed him back. It was the most amazing kiss too. I have never been kissed like that. Then he walked me back to the store and we promised that we could keep in contact through letters. He has been sending me one since he promised. I get one maybe twice a week now."

"That's great Uo" Tohru smiled slightly.

"Anyway that's my good news. What?"Uo said as Hana nudged her pointing at Tohru, whose eyes began to fill with tears, "Tohru what's the matter?"

"Oh Uo" Tohru wiped her face, "I don't know why I started doing that. Maybe I'm just so happy for you."

"Those aren't tears of happiness Tohru" Uo shook her head.

"No" Hana agreed, "They're tears of sadness."

"I guess they are. I can't lie to you guys," Tohru said looking down.

"Tohru what's wrong?" Uo said.

"It's just Uo. I am so happy for you and Kureno. But there is something you need to know."

"What?"

"Your happiness with Kureno might not last. And I say this because the Sohma family isn't usually encouraged to get involved with anyone. Especially" she stopped herself.

"Especially what?"

"Oh my. What I mean to say is, don't get your hopes up if it doesn't work out with him."

"Tohru I don't understand" Uo smiled a little, "You're with a Sohma. That isn't exactly frowned upon is it?"

"Well it's not exactly smiled upon either. It's actually been kind of hard being in this relationship."

"What do you mean Tohru?" Hana asked.

"Orange top isn't being mean to you or anything is he? Anyone else, like that jerk Akito?" Uo said her voice rising.

"Oh no. No no. None of that. But it. It's really more complicated" she stood up and walked over to the windows.

"How so?"

Tohru looked out the window and then looked back at her two best friends. Shigure's words from the night before echoed in the back of her minds. Maybe it was time. Maybe now was what he was talking about.

"Uo. Hana" she replied slowly, "I am going to tell you something. But I have to ask you not to ask too many questions before I am finished, because it is difficult for me to say. And in order for me to tell you what I am going to tell you, I'm gonna have to break a promise. I have never done that before. But if I don' t tell you, you won't understand and I can no longer keep you in the dark about this."

"Does this have something to do with that time Tohru?" Uo asked sincerely.

"Time?"

"That one time. The time we found you at your mom's grave and you were crying. That time, the only time you ever considered leaving that house."

"Yes" Tohru nodded, "That is part of it."

"Then we will listen Tohru" Hana said kindly, "Tell us. Because if it is hurting you inside, no secret is worth it."

"Thank you" Tohru nodded and sat down, "Now just to warn you, I may cry during some of this but it is normal."

Tohru took a deep breath and faced her friends as she began to speak.

"It all started three years ago, back when it was just a few months after mom passed away. My grandfather was having renovations done to the house, you remember and I had no where to go so I moved into the woods and I lived in a tent."

Uo nodded sadly as Hana leaned forward.

"On one particular day I was quite early in walking to school. I passed by a neck of the woods I had never been before and I spotted a house. I had never seen it before so I was curious and I walked over to it. Outside were some Zodiac figurines drying in the sun and I stood over them to admire them. When I heard a voice. A deep voice. It was Shigure. He was quite startled to see me too, a strange girl on his porch. But the strangest thing of all was as I was talking to him someone else appeared and this time it was Yuki. The most popular boy at school imagine my astonishment. We said hello and walked to school together. The day happened just like always. I went to work after school. Got back to the tent quite late. As I was leaving it to go wash my face in the stream I looked up and saw Shigure and Yuki staring back at me also surprised. We went back to their house and told them everything. Everything about my grandfather and the tent. And I found out that I was on Sohma property. I told them that I would be fine, but of course I had overworked myself again and I had a fever. Come to find out a couple minutes later a landslide had occurred at my tent. Everything was buried under the ground. Including mom's picture. You know my favorite one of her. I began to dig for it frantically. And I passed out a little. Shigure suggested that we go back to the house and I get some rest. Which I did. And the next morning I had another surprise. Yuki had gone out ofhis way to unearth all my things. And even had placed my mom's picture in front of me, so I would see her face when I opened my eyes."

"Wow" Uo said, "That was awful nice of the Prince."

"Yes it was. Shigure invited me to stay with them. In exchange for my room I would become their housekeeper."

"So you would clean and cook for room and board?" Hana asked.

"Basically yes. Until my grandfather would call me back. Yuki took me up to the room and showed me around and before I knew it someone was trying to come in to the top of the roof. It was Kyo. He broke through and immediately began asking Yuki to fight."

"Yea they don't do that anymore" Uo replied, "I've noticed."

"Mnm" Tohru shook her head with a slight smile, "Now this is the part that doesn't make any sense but you have to believe me, it's true. All of it. Kyo wanted to fight Yuki but I didn't want to see such a thing. So I tried to stop him and I fell into his back. Next thing I know, I hear a loud POOF sound and in my arms is not a boy but a little orange cat."

Uo and Hana looked at each other and then back at Tohru with wide eyes. Tohru cleared her throat.

"Now naturally I was quite astonished and afraid. I panicked and began to freak out, bumping into Shigure and Yuki this time. Two more POOF sounds were heard and in front of me now were a dog and a rat. I didn't know what to do. I had no idea. Eventually I found that they could still talk in that form and Shigure explained to me that the Sohma family for many generations has been cursed by the Zodiac. At any given time twelve members of the family plus two more or cursed by the twelve animals in the Zodiac and the cat just like in the old story. If their bodies touch a member of the opposite sex or if they're under a great deal of stress they transform. They turn back after awhile and then they are themselves again."

"So that's why the Prince pushed that girl in the hallway" Uo mentioned.

"Right. He didn't want his secret to be shown. I told them that I would keep the secret even from you guys. I'm sorry but I did promise. The Sohmas curse comes with a lot of other things. On the outside they may seem like normal people but on the inside they are definitely a family who has suffered many tragedies. Each one bears they're own scar."

"That's why they have those dark electric waves" Hana commented, "Because their lives are a mystery to the outside world."

"Yes" Tohru nodded.

"Wow. That's quite a story. And I guess that all the people we have met are one?" Uo said.

"Yes."

"Even Kureno?"

"Yes. He's the rooster. But I'm not completely finished yet. It's not they're curse that made me run away that night. It's Kyo's."

Hana and Uo both looked at each once more and then Hana turned to Tohru again.

"This calls for another cup of tea I think," She said, "I'm gonna go make some. And then we will finish your story okay Tohru" she stood up.

"Okay" Tohru nodded as she went into the kitchen, Uo placing her hand on Tohru's gently, "A cup of tea would help."

Uo nodded and they stared at the raindrops falling down the glass of the window, neither one sure of the outcome of this story. Uo for Tohru's sadness and Tohru for her friend's confidence in her.

(Next Scene)

Hana returned with the next batch of tea and passed them around. Then she once more sat on the floor facing her friend as she slowly sipped some tea. Tohru placed the cup back on the table and took another deep breath.

"In answer to your question Uo, I told you that this does have to do with what happened that time. As you know Kyo is cursed by the cat of the Zodiac. But with Kyo's curse he has another one. One that he kept to himself till that night. His Master had come over to visit but mostly to find out something."

"To find out what?" Uo asked.

"The other form that Kyo takes is the evil spirit of the cat. You know that bracelet that Kyo wears? It keeps the other form intact. So it doesn't come out."

"What is the other form Tohru?" Hana said.

"I'll get to that. That night his Master asked if he could have a few moments of my time. Of course I agreed to it. He took Kyo outside and talked to him for a few moments and then as I arrived he tore Kyo's bracelet from his arm. In the next few moments I saw something that terrified me to my very soul. Before my eyes Kyo began to transform into a tall, scary, verybad smelling monster. But before I could even say anything he dashed off thinking that I didn't understand. But I didn't want him to think that I didn't care so I ran after him. But I tripped and got sick because, I to be honest I was afraid. I didn't know what to think. Anyway a few other things happened and then you found me, at the graveyard. When I said I couldn't return, I meant I didn't know if I could handle anymore. Hana knew though. She knew that I needed to go back."

"I didn't know what you needed to go back for though" Hana replied, "I just knew we had to let you go."

"And that's why you tried to stop me" Uo said.

"She was right Uo" Tohru replied, "I was the only one who could solve the problem. You see Kyo thought that no one would ever accept him that way. That they would see him as a monster and nothing else. His Master wanted to prove him wrong, by allowing me to show him that I still wanted him in my life. So I went back. Despite everything. I found him eventually and he was angry, but I told him through tears that I was afraid" Tohru began to cry, "But that despite all that I still wanted to be with him. To talk and to share meals and even complain. That was when he transformed back into his self and he too was crying because he never thought anyone would understand. He hugged me for the first time that night. He transformed of course, but that was the first time that we ever felt so close. The first time we really connected. Our relationship changed at that point and we became closer."

Uo and Hana nodded their own heads with a few tears on the brink of their eyes.

"But there was more to Kyo's curse that I knew of course. I found about it about a year and half ago. In the Sohma family there is a tradition and in this tradition every cat in every generation is locked up ata certain period of time."

"What?" Uo said slowly.

"Kyo's period of time is almost up. After High School I will never see him again unless he can defeat Yuki in a fight. This is why I am so sad. I love Kyo but I also love Yuki. He's like a brother to me. And Kyo is so worried that I will be hurt if he tells me about the deal with Akito so he hasn't said anything. But I can see the worry in his face and it hurts me so much" she cried, "More so then the fact that I might never see him again. I can't bear that. But I can't bear for him to be so unhappy even more" she placed her face in her hands and began to sob uncontrollably.

Uo and Hana immediately walked over and placed their arms around.

"Tohru it's okay" Uo said, "If I know Orange top. He's stubborn and in the end you guys will be together. No matter who wants you apart."

"She's right Tohru" Hana nodded.

"You guys believe me?" she looked up, "Even if it sounds so farfetched."

"Tohru you have never lied to us" Uo said with a shake of her head, "We have no reason to believe that you are lying to us now."

"Yes" Hana agreed, "You have always been honest with us. And by the way you are crying, I know you are telling the truth."

"Thank you guys" she replied, "But you have to promise me something."

"What is it?" Uo said, "Anything?"

"You can never tell anyone about this. It has to stay between the three of us. Do you promise me? I could get into so much trouble for telling you guys. But I wanted you to know."

"We promise" Hana nodded placing her hand on top of hers.

"Yea Tohru" Uo said placing her hand on top of Hana's, "The secret shall remain between you, Hana, myself, and Kyoko" she looked up into the sky.

"Yes" Tohru dried her last tear and embraced her two best friends, "Thank you both so much for always being there for me."

Uo and Hana held onto her tightly crying as well as they all made the secret solemn vow that they would keep until they day that they died.

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Two more to go!!! I gave you a really nice long one!!

Next Chapter: I'll Love You Forever

That evening Haru meets Rin in their secret spot and they have a sweet goodbye!!