A.N.: I'm really sorry that I haven't posted in about a month… gamen nasai…. I really feel like speaking Japanese right now because I've been watching Japanese full metal alchemist for the past few days… it's the best show in the world… its so good… omg.. I'll just die! Okay so I think this chapter is all about Yuki and Haru, there's most likely some tohru and kyo in there too… I really haven't read this chapter since I wrote it and I'm feeling a little anti fanfiction right now, but I'm doing the good thing and posting… srry if I'm rude right now… I'm just in a daze from all of the FMA –it seriously screws with your head… as it is with mine right now… and I'm also pissed at the English version… b/c they aren't being true to the Japanese… there are major differences and I've had a long week—don't mess with me or I'll explode… sorry if I'm rude again and please just r and r…that would make me feel good and maybe make me want to write more…

Disclaimer: This story is 100 mine, but the characters and curse belong to the creator of Fruits Basket.

Chapter 11

The rest of the week passed without incident. Tohru's words had inspired Yuki to get better and really live again. Haru had remained at Yuki's side, and slept in the yukatta, figuring Yuki's offer was just a one-time thing. Yuki's wound and bruises were healing nicely, and Hatori said that on Sunday he'd remove the stitches, and Yuki could return to Shigure's house on Monday morning after a thorough inspection.

Yuki was looking forward to this very much. He hated the main house more than any other place in the world. He found himself incredibly lucky that Akito hadn't been to pay him a visit, but feared that he wasn't in the clear just yet. Haru said that he'd get his hair dyed on Saturday, and Yuki eagerly waited for his return.

Haru returned to show off his new hairstyle that afternoon, and it was really cool. Haru's favorite colors were black, white, and red, so his wardrobe would match perfectly.

Haru returned to school on Monday as promised, and Yuki was given the okay to leave by Hatori. Apparently Akito decided to just wish him an eerie goodbye, because he wasn't feeling well. Yuki didn't mind at all. The less he came into contact with Akito, the better. Everyone was already off to school when Yuki got home, and decided he'd take a long, relaxing bath.

Shigure was working on a deadline, so he spent less time with Ayame. He still had dinner with him every night, and sometimes Aya came over to watch movies. Tohru and Kyo didn't mind because they were in their own world of love. They spent evenings on the roof staring at the stars and talking, or kissing.

Monday night was something of a celebration for Yuki's return, and Haru was also invited to have dinner, as well as Ayame. Tohru prepared Yuki's favorite dinner to the best of her abilities, and was given many compliments because it was very good.

There was another get together at Shigure's house on Saturday night in celebration of Haru moving into his apartment. Tohru didn't know what Haru's favorite meal was, but with a few suggestions from Yuki, made a bunch of different things. Everyone loved this dinner, as they did all of her dinners, and Haru was very happy.

Yuki decided to take Haru down to his secret base. He was ready to return to school, and was dying to get out of the house. Hatori wouldn't allow him to return on Friday, so Yuki used the day to do the rest of his missed assignments.

Haru and Yuki walked, talking about everyone's reaction to his new hairstyle. It was unique, and many of the girls were attracted to him even more with this new statement of individuality.

"I had to tell them that I wasn't available." Haru said. "You're not available? Are you seeing someone?" Yuki asked, thinking he missed something. "Well, not really, but I love someone, and it wouldn't be right if I deserted the person I love for someone else." Haru said. "You love someone? Do I know them? I don't understand why you'd spend all that time with me if there was someone else." Yuki said, slowly putting two and two together.

"Haru I-We're cousins. We're friends. I-" He was startled, and not wanting to hurt Haru's feelings. "Yuki I'll always be your friend-if that's what you want me to be." Haru said.

"What do you mean by that? You wouldn't be my friend if I didn't want you to be?" "No Yuki. I'm tired of your cousin, and I'm tired of being your friend. I want to be something more." Haru said with all seriousness. "Something more?" Yuki asked already knowing the answer.

"Yeah. You know that I care about you. I love you. You're my first love. Well actually, you're my only love. I used to believe that I would be happy for you if you met someone, you fell in love with them, and they fell in love with you. I thought I'd be happy if you'd be happy, but now I realize I care too much about you to do that. When you got injured, I was really worried that you'd never be okay again, and I could never tell you how I felt. This whole thing's just made me love you a thousand times more. I love you so much it hurts. I can't stand only being your friend. I mean I'd do it. I'd do it for you, but I'd never be happy. I fear that one day I'll turn into a jealous monster when you get a girlfriend, and I don't want to hurt you like that. I guess I'm not really being fair to you now, but this is how I feel and I want you to know. You basically have three choices. You can ask me to be your friend forever, and I will. You can ask me to go away and leave you alone so you can live out your life in peace. Or, if you ever loved me or feel the same way I feel about you, you can tell me, and we'll move forward from there. Make your decision. I'll give you as much time as you need." He stopped and looked at Yuki for some sort of reaction.

"Haru I-" "I have to go Yuki. See you in school. Thanks for everything, and no matter what you choose to do, I'll always love you. I really appreciate all of the kindness you've ever given me."

Haru left Yuki to think about what he said. He wanted to save himself the embarrassment of being tuned down flat. Yuki would have to approach him in school to give a proper answer and an explanation. So, with all of that said, Haru headed to his apartment, and left Yuki at his garden to think in peace.

Yuki was really amazed wt what Haru said. Haru spilled his heart out and put everything on the line. He was willing to sacrifice his own happiness for Yuki because he loved him. Yuki couldn't tend to his garden right now. The only thing he wanted to do was to think. Haru wouldn't have told Yuki unless he was really confident Yuki would make the right choice. Maybe Haru would have told Yuki anyway. But why? These questions were asked and some of them answered during Yuki's walk.

He took a couple of detours and the path he was on looked down onto Shigure's roof. Yuki peered down through the tree branches and saw Tohru and Kyo lying on the roof together. They were looking at the moon and talking until Kyo rolled over and took Tohru's face in his hand. He kept his face inches from Tohru's and said something to her. She said something back. He smiled and said what Yuki obviously knew was "I love you." and closed the gap between them.

At the same time Yuki felt many emotions. He thought it was unfair that Kyo was kissing Tohru instead of himself, he felt mad that he hadn't told Tohru he loved her in time, he was sad that she didn't return his love, he felt happy about their new "sibling" relationship, and he was happy for Tohru, that she had someone who loved her.

In this whole sequence of thoughts, Yuki realized he wanted someone to kiss and love too. It hit him. He never knew what it was until now. What had given Yuki the impulse to ask Haru to sleep in his bed? It wasn't pity, but somehow it wasn't greed either. Or was it? It wasn't loneliness.

He hadn't realized it when he was a child, but the recent events made everything clear. Yuki was Haru's first love, his only love. But what he never realized was that Haru was Yuki's first love too. They were great friends when they were little, and Haru always said in his stories that Yuki calmed him. What Yuki never told anyone was that Haru gave Yuki peace. He was a candle in the shadows. Haru was the way out of pain and suffering. He was what led Yuki away from Akito. Yuki loved Haru for this. After Akito's beatings, Haru was always there, making him forget about the pain and suffering caused by Akito. What Akito said was always untrue. His evil words, like acid to your ears, were not true, because Yuki wasn't a monster. He did have friends. He was a child, who was born under a curse, but he would be able to find happiness.

Yuki remembered that Haru always threatened to fight back. It was an empty threat, but it always made Yuki feel better.

Haru needed Yuki the same way. Tohru had even said that Yuki was a candle in a dark place. There were as many circumstances with Yuki supporting Haru, as there were Haru supporting Yuki. Every child born under the curse of the Zodiac was treated particularly hard, and Yuki and Haru supported each other during these hard times.

Yuki realized he'd been standing in the same spot for a while. Tohru and Kyo had returned to star gazing, and Yuki headed back to the house. He was happy Haru gave him time to think about things. He might have realized that he had feelings for Haru, but were they the right feelings? There were many questions that needed to be answered, and many wrinkles that needed ironing.