(Chapter Ten: Kyo's Protection)
On the Monday that followed the weekend, Tohru, Kyo, and Hatsuharu each felt a personal satisfaction to how life was at the moment. Haru had walked Rin back to her house and waved goodbye as her brother drove her out of Sohma house. Kyo and Tohru had spent a quiet evening the night before, lying on the roof and gazing at the stars, each contemplating on the same event but for different reasons. Tohru felt completely relieved now that she had revealed to Hana and Uo about the Sohma family and Kyo's curse. In fact she didn't feel very guilty at all for telling them in the first place. After all Shigure had given her the green light in his own subtle way hadn't he? That afternoon at lunch Tohru sat with Uo, Hana, and Momiji. Hatsuharu came over shortly after and they all talked about the end of the school year coming up as well as graduation. Yuki was strolling through the grounds and spotted them, so he decided to come over. Since her conversation with Shigure, Yuki had been quite worried for Tohru when he heard how sad she seemed. He still hadn't made his mind up about helping Kyo however. He was very conflicted with his feelings for Tohru and his deep loathing of that stupid cat. But the funniest part about it, he didn't feel very loathsome towards Kyo anymore. To be honest the hateful feelings that he had for him inthe past, had all but ceased to exist, at least for the moment. He smiled as he sat down and talked amongst the rest of them. Soon the bell rang for afternoon classes and Yuki walked back to the Student council office for his backpack, along with Momiji who said he wanted to talk to Yuki about something. Haru nodded and said a quick goodbye to Tohru and the other girls and then departed for his next class. Tohru, Uo, and Hana stood up, cleaned up their trash and started for their classroom.
(Next Scene)
"So what is so important Momiji" Yuki replied as he opened the door to the office, "That you had to follow me all the way here."
"I wanted to talk to you about White day" Momiji said excitedly, "But you can't let Tohru, or Kyo know yet."
"Are you planning another surprise?" Yuki raised his eyebrows accusingly.
"Come on Yuki just hear me out."
"Okay Momiji. Okay" Yuki replied sitting down at his desk, " What is your great idea?"
Momiji was grinning from ear to ear as he told Yuki all that he had planned this time around.
(Next Scene)
Meanwhile Tohru, Uo, and Hana were almost back to class when Tohru realized that she had the wrong book with her.
"Oh no" she exclaimed, "I need to go back for it."
"Do you want us to go with you Tohru?" Uo asked.
"No. No. I don't want to make you guys late. You go ahead. I'll catch up after I go back to my locker."
"Okay" Hana nodded as she rushed off, "We'll tell the teacher that you are on your way."
Tohru ran all the way to her locker, opened it quickly, and switched the books. The papers that she had inside were hanging a little out, but she didn't have time to fix it. She was late enough as it was. She dashed back out into the courtyard. This however caused a problem. The wind decided to pick up and knocked the book out of her hand in one swoop. The papers all flew out and began to circle the air. Tohru frantically dropped her bag and ran after each paper. She managed to get most of them, but the last, which hadflown, in the direction of a person who had just arrived on the property. Tohru was so busy placing the papers into her bag that she didn't notice as he strode towards her slowly.
"You seemed to have misplaced one" he replied deeply.
Tohru's eyes suddenly became wide as she looked up and realized that Akito was staring right back at her, holding the paper in his hand.
"Uh thank you" Tohru said politely taking it and placing into her bag, "I wasn't sure if I had them all" she rose from the ground.
"Do you often do things like this? I would have thought you would be in class."
"Oh I was on my way there when I realized I had the wrong book, so I rushed back to get it."
"I'm actually glad that I kind of ran into you."
"You are?" she said slowly.
"Yes. I came here today to find something out from Kyo, but you'll do just nicely."
"Oh Akito I would really like to answer your question but I am late enough as it is."
"It will only take a moment."
"Okay" she nodded uncertainly, "But only for a minute."
The truth is she wanted to dash off. But she figured that Akito wouldn't try anything as long as they were on school grounds.
(Next Scene)
Momiji hurried to his next class almost out of breath. Yuki had been very receptive to his idea and dismissed him just recently, stating that he would have to hurry to class himself. However as Momiji was walking by the windows he saw a sight that stopped him dead in his tracks. Akito was confronting Tohru with something. Momiji's eyes became wide for a moment and then he dashed back the way he had come, bumping into Yuki at the same moment.
"Momiji?" Yuki replied, "I thought you were going back to class?"
"We got a problem" Momiji said quickly and then whispered, "Akito's here."
"What?" Yuki's eyes became wide too.
"He's in the courtyard right now talking to Tohru."
"Okay. Okay. Don't panic. Kyo has a free period right now. He's off sweeping the front. You go get him and I'll go handle Akito."
"On your own?"
"Yea. Just go" Yuki ordered.
"Okay" Momiji replied and then ran off again as Yuki took a deep breath.
"Oh boy" Yuki said to himself as he ran towards the courtyard as fast as he could go.
(Next Scene)
Tohru nervously fidgeted as Akito spoke, his hair falling over his eyes.
"What I want to know Miss Honda is, do you know that last weekend your boyfriend spoke with the family council?"
"He did? No. I didn't know that."
"He spoke with them" Akito continued, "About his imprisonment saying that his father was incorrect in his assumption that Kyo was the one responsible for the suicide of his mother" Akito paused as Tohru stared at him in surprise, "The way he won sort of is that he had a certain article. An article that I didn't get the chance to see, so I want proof that it exists."
"Why didn't you ask the council for the article?"
"Because they no longer had it" Akito said angrily, "They had sent it back to Kyo because he had requested them of it. I want to know if it really exists."
"What was it?"
"A letter. A letter written by his mother to someone she knew stating her reason for committing suicide, being that she was ill and dying."
"Not the one written to my mother?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"That's the only one I know about. My mother received the letter and I found in a box of her things after she died. Apparently my mother and Kyo's mother were friends."
"How interesting. So then it does exist then?"
"Yes it does I've seen it myself. But I had no idea that Kyo was going to the council to talk to them about it. What did they say?"
Akito chuckled and then turned his cold eyes upon the girl.
"As if you didn't know."
"Huh?"
"I know that monster ran home immediately and told you that even he beat my challenge I would be overridden and he would be free for the rest of his life. Don't insult my intelligence."
"But Akito, he didn't tell me. I had no idea."
"Really. You had no idea that he went against me and went behind my back? I would be willing to bet that you had everything to do with that too."
Tohru gasped and took a step back.
"You have been nothing but trouble since I gave you permission to remain with the family without losing your memories. I was generous enough and what did you do? One by one you have turned them against me!" he shouted.
"No" she shook her head, "That's not what my intention was at all."
"But that's what you have done. And I swear you will not get away with it" he moved forward as a squeak of shoes were heard behind Tohru.
"Akito!" Yuki cried out, "Stop this. Please don't hurt Miss Honda. Whatever you have come here for allow me to explain everything."
"Hmm" Akito grinned his hair falling over his eyes again, "Allow you" he took a step forward as Yuki stood in front of the frightened girl, "Once again you defy me. Once again you are getting in my way" he moved even closer as Yuki spread his arms out determined to protect Tohru, "And once again you have made me angry" Akito stood but five feet from the boy now, "In the past year you have spoken out of turn at least five times. Do you really think that, that will be allowed Yuki? Do you really think I can allow such disrespect to continue?"
"Akito I" Yuki stammered.
"You will listen. First it was the time you both came over for tea. You got yours that time. And then it was that time at New Years when I had so generously allowed her to attend the Zodiac banquet. You stepped in to steal my dance. And then it was the day after when you rushed to her rescue once more and tried to take her punishment for yourself. Ah yes then finally today. You rushed here once again determined to stop me. But you won't this time Yuki. You will not defy me again" he said each word succinctly end in one quick stroke he had slapped Yuki so hard on the cheek that he fell to the ground.
"No! Yuki!" Tohru shouted in horror.
"Nobody defies me more than one time and gets away with it. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME!" he yelled swinging his hand down a second time.
"NO AKITO!" Tohru shouted once more.
But Akito's arm was pulled back before he could touch Yuki again. Tohru rushed to Yuki's side as Akito looked back and to his surprise Kyo was standing there holding onto his arm tightly with an angry look on his face.
"Kyo" Akito said barely in a whisper.
"I told you to leave her alone" Kyo said dangerously flinging his arm out of his grasp, "And you didn't listen."
Akito held onto his arm that stung a bit from the way that Kyo had held onto it.
"How dare you strike at me?" Akito said in a hissing a voice.
"I would have done worse than that only we areat school" Kyo replied as several students walked out into the courtyard after the last class, "Now go and I ever catch youatthis school againbefore we graduate I'll beat the crap out of you."
"You're defending him?" Akito pointed at Yuki who was holding onto his cheek as Haru and Momiji approached and pushed their way through the crowd that had begun to gather.
"That's right I am. Because no matter how much I may hate him, I hate you more. And nobody deserves what you got to dish out, not even him. Not in this place. I won't stand for it. So leave now while you still have your dignity and never set foot in this place again. If you got a beef with me you come talk to me about it, otherwise just leave the rest of them alone."
"You'll regret this Kyo" Akito said as he moved past.
"No Akito" Kyo shook his head, "You will. For the rest of your life. You will regret that you pushed everyone you cared about away with your temper and your wrong ways. I am the one who won't regret what I did today. Not ever. Somebody has to stand up against you. I never thought it would be me. But now that I am I wouldn't take it back. Go home" he ordered with stern almost scary look in his eyes.
And Akito saw the flash of red in them and scowling walked away from the courtyard still holding onto his arm.
"All right" Kyo said to crowd, "Break it up! There's nothing left to see here. Go to your next class" he replied as some people disappointed that they had missed some of the action walked away with frowns on their face, "Tohru are you okay?"
"Yes Kyo" she nodded as she helped Yuki to his feet and Momiji, Haru, Uo, Hana, and Machi came over with her brother Kakeru.
"What was that jerk doing here anyway?" Uo replied angrily as Hana stared into the distance where Akito's figure was disappearing.
"He wanted to ask Kyo something but figured he could ask me. But Yuki came and well you know the rest."
"Are you okay Yuki?" Machi asked in concern as Kakeru could only scratch his head with a million questions in his own mind.
"I'm okay Machi" Yuki nodded slowly holding onto his bruised cheek, "I just need to put something on this. It kind of stings."
"We'll take you back to the Student Council office," Kakeru suggested.
"Wait a minute" Yuki told them and then turned to his cousin,"Kyo."
"Hmm?" Kyo replied not really turning around.
"What you did today, well thanks."
"Think nothing of it you damn rat" Kyo sighed crossing his arms, "It's the least I could do for all you have done for Tohru."
"Thank you anyway" Yuki said as he allowed Machi and Kakeru lead him back to the office.
Hatsuharu and Momiji gazed at Kyo with wonder and admiration as they all walked back to class that afternoon. No one in class asked any questions. They figured it wasn't that important and if Yuki wasn't saying anything they didn't want to press him. After school, as Hatsuharu placed his shoes in his locker he discovered a note and then rushed off to the top of the school.
(Next Scene)
Yuki was waiting for him when he arrived.
"What's up Yuki?" he asked, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine Haru" Yuki nodded, "It's just a bruise. I wanted to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"I want to help. I came to a conclusion. I want to help Kyo beat me in that fight."
"Really Yuki?"
"Yes" Yuki nodded again, "I know all his bad moves, all the things he is doing wrong. I am going to give you a list, which you have to train him on, but of course I don't want you to tell him that I am doing this. This is between us."
"Sure" Haru nodded, "I understand. And for what he did today, no better man deserves it."
"I agree" Yuki said.
(Next Scene)
"So you know everything now" Kyo sighed as they sat on the roof discussing all Akito had said.
"Yes Kyo" Tohru nodded, "I really wish you had told me. I was really worried about you."
"I'm sorry Tohru. I didn't mean to make you worry. I went against my own rule too."
"What's that?"
"That we shouldn't keep secrets from each other. That no matter what we are going through we should always be honest."
"Yes."
"I'm not mad that you told your friends about the secret. It's about time anyway. I guess the only thing now is to keep training because soon we will be graduating."
"Yes" she nodded, "And then you'll have to fight Yuki."
"If it makes you feel any better I don't want to fight him. I did everything I could to get out of it."
"I know" she leaned her head onto his shoulder, "And I appreciate that."
"It's gonna be fine Tohru" Kyo said.
"Yea."
"Because you know what? No matter what happens it will never change the way I feel about you."
"Yes" she agreed, "Me either Kyo. Me either."
(Next Scene)
Down in his study Shigure was filling in his journal with the week's latest events.
"And what will become of the young lovers" Shigure said out loud as he scratched it on the paper, "Unfortunately there really isn't an answer. But there is the hope and the dream that someday they will be together" Shigure looked to the ceiling, "At least that is what I wish" he closed the book, placed the pen on top, and sighed heavily staring out into the night sky.
(TO BE CONTINUED…)
Authors Note: Okay you guys! That's the end of Rice-Balls in a Fruits Basket series 2! I will see you all again I hope on January 5 for the start of Riceballs in a Fruits Basket: The Final Books!
A Long Note of Thanks:
Thank you to all my fans for sticking with me through this long series.
To those who have been with me since the beginning:
Kyorock5012, azn anime addict47, Crazyinsaneanimefangirl, Otakumom, Bballstar 42, Nicepersonwhosendsreviews, Kira666, Solaria 735, swtjemz, and Guardian of balance, thank you all for sticking with this my favorite fanfiction that I have done thus far.
To those who discovered Rice-balls later on and continued to read through even the second series:
Evil expressions, Raizard333 and Sohmamiyu, thank you for taking the time to read the first series before continuing with this one!!
To those who sent reviews and were new to my story:
Mrs.Kyousohma, Raha, Yamiemmy, Sailorkenshin, Bluesakuramon, gummybears88, xdriftedxstarsx, theroda, Poeticpocochichi, Minumiro, Tsukiyono seishin, snowybabi, hotaruangel, inuyashagirl 15, LycheeandErika, and insaneblackheart, thank you for all your great reviews and I hope to see you in the next set of stories.
Finally some special thanks goes to:
Otakumom: Once more I must thank you because not only did you review this story quite a bit but you also reviewed my other stories on this site as well, so thanks a lot!!
Amaya Hanyou: You had the best reviews! They were always so enthusiastic and it always put a smile on my face! Thank you so much!
Azn anime addict 47: You were usually the first person I heard from with a wonderful review always! Thanks!!
Angel 251: What can I say? You were the first person to read my stories and review almost every chapter! You absolutely rock and I hope you will continue reading in January because I can't wait to hear from you.
My final note of thanks goes to three important people, because without them I wouldn't have the three most wonderful characters to write about.
Haru's girl: I have a ball writing your character and I just wanted to let you know that she is going to be a big part in what happens at the end. So I hope you will continue reading.
To my email-little sister: You know who you are! It's been so fun chatting with you and I have had fun with your character as well. I am so glad that you liked her.
To my younger cousin Rebecca: You are the first person I have ever known to really enjoy the Monkey of the Zodiac so he is all yours. And he forever will be as long as you remain in my story. Lots of love!!
Lastly I would just like to say I hope I haven't forgotten any one, and if I have I am sorry, because you all are really great. I especially thank all my anonymous reviews as well!
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN! HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY AND I WILL SEE YOU ALL ON JANUARY FIFTH FOR THE START OF RICE-BALLS IN A FRUITS BASKET: THE FINAL BOOKS!!!!