Book Fifteen: Strange Developments

Chapter One: Dinner Invite

A soft breeze blew as Tohru Honda made her way home from another day of shopping. Kyo was probably still fast asleep since he hadn't had any in over two weeks because of all the training. Tohru closed her eyes and remembered the event quite clearly up until Kyo's final punch, which knocked Yuki to the ground. She thought of Yuki's sacrifice to do what he could to help Kyo and smiled. As she approached the house the mailman walked past and tipped his hat, handing her the mail in the process since apparently no one was answering the door. She bowed her head and said thank you, and then walked inside.

"Shigure! I'm back!" she called.

"Welcome back Miss Honda" Yuki replied.

He was leaning against the doorpost, his hair uncombed and his clothes in a bit of disarray.

"Oh Yuki" she said surprised, "I thought you'd be asleep."

"I just got up a couple of minutes ago" he replied, "Can I help you with anything?"

"Mnm" she shook her head as they walked into the kitchen, "Is Kyo still sleeping?"

"As far as I know" Yuki said scratching the back of his head and yawning a little, "And Shigure is out for the day. He left a message."

"Oh that's right" Tohru replied taking out the milk carton and putting it in the fridge, "He said he had a meeting with his editor at breakfast. Would you like anything to eat Yuki?" she asked.

"No" he shook his head, "I'm not really hungry right now."

"Well then how about something to drink? Some tea maybe?"

"Actually that does sound good" he said smiling, "I'll be in the sitting room."

"Okay" she nodded as he departed taking out the teakettle as she did.

(Next Scene)

Yuki sat down at the table and picked up the remote, turning on the television. A couple of moments later Tohru came out with two cups of tea, and since nothing was on, Yuki clicked the remote again and turned the t.v. off. He took a sip from his tea and sighed contently.

"So Yuki" she replied, "When do you start school again? Shigure says you're going to be going to college soon."

"Um let's see," he thought with a raise of his eyes, "I don't start for another month or so. I wanted to give myself some time before I left."

"Left?"

"Yea" Yuki nodded closing his eyes, "Akito and my mother picked out an all boys college for me months ago. It's kind of far from here. It's pretty close to Kyoto actually."

"Really?"

"Mhm. So" he said with another sigh, "I got to pack all my belongings since I'll be living at the dorms."

"Is Akito okay with that?"

"I don't really know" Yuki shook his head, "But I don't really care either. It's my choice to live at the dorms."

"Oh?"

"Mhm. I thought it would be a different and somewhat exciting experience for me. And since it's an all boy school I should have no problems. You know with transforming?"

"Right" she nodded, "We're sure going to miss you around here. What does Machi think about it?"

"Oh she's okay with it. We promised we'd write and talk on the phone. She's got one more year of high school so pretty soon she'll be in college herself."

"That's true."

"What are you going to do Miss Honda?"

"Oh" she said with a smile as she placed her cup down, "In two weeks I start a new job. Momiji's father offered me the job of his secretary when she leaves in a month."

"Wow."

"Mhm. I'm really excited about it too, and a little nervous. I hope I can do it."

"I'm sure you can."

"The best thing about it is I won't have to work nights anymore."

"Well that's definitely a good thing," he agreed.

"Yep. Kyo thinks so too."

"What's he gonna do?"

"Oh" Tohru started to say but she heard a grumpy voice cough behind them.

"Prying into my personal affairs already you damn rat?" Kyo grumbled as he sat down next to Tohru, his hair very messy, his tea shirt wrinkled.

"Personal affairs?" Yuki said cynically, "I was merely asking Miss Honda what you were doing with your days besides hanging around Shigure's house like a lazy layabout. You stupid cat" he added as he took another sip of tea.

"For your information Rat boy" Kyo replied angrily, "I plan on being very busy and away from the house a lot. I have a job all set up for me."

"Oh?"

"That's right Yuki" Tohru nodded, "Kazuma has offered for him to work at the dojo with him. After all Kyo is going to inherit it some day."

"Well good for you" Yuki replied not speaking to Kyo, "At least you'll be doing something."

"Yea so put that in your book" Kyo retorted.

"Would you like something to eat Kyo?" Tohru asked picking up Yuki's cup and hers.

"Um yea. I guess I could eat a little something" he nodded with a smile, "Thanks Tohru."

"Mhm. I'll be right back" she said smiling back and walking into the kitchen.

At that moment the phone rang.

"Oh I'll get it" Tohru said walking into the hallway, "Hello Sohma Residence!"

"Tohru!" a bright cheerful person spoke on the other line.

"Kandis" Tohru broke into a smile as she talked, "How are you?"

"I'm doing just fine" Kandis giggled, "Listen Tohru, I wanted to let you know that Becca and I are back in town."

"Really?"

"Mhm. We're in our new apartment right now."

"That's wonderful. We have to get together."

"Most definitely. That's what I am calling for."

"Huh?"

"Rebecca wanted me to invite you all over for dinner tonight. She's cooking an American recipe. You, Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure are all invited if he's available."

"Well that sounds like fun. I'm sure we would love to come."

"Great! Let me give you the address."

"Mhm" Tohru nodded, "Okay I got it."

"Good! I can't wait to catch up with you, oh and to find out how that problem with Kyo went."

"Oh I'll be sure to tell you tonight. See you then!"

"Bye bye!!"

Tohru hung up the phone and walked into the sitting room.

"Who was it Miss Honda?" Yuki asked looking away from the television that had once more been turned on by Kyo.

"That was Kandis" Tohru replied happily.

"Kandis?" Kyo eyes rose a little.

"Mhm. She just invited us over for dinner tonight. At their new apartment. Can we go Kyo?" she asked.

"I don't see why not" Kyo nodded, "It sounds like fun."

"Oh you're invited too Yuki. You and Shigure."

"Really?" Yuki said with a smile, "Well we wouldn't want to be rude to them. But I'm not so sure that Shigure can make it. He said on his note that he's gonna be in the city all night."

"That's okay" Tohru replied with a smile, "Maybe we can bring him back some leftovers. Or I can make him something when I come home."

"Whatever" Kyo said standing up flicking the television off, "In any event we can't go over there looking like slobs. I'm gonna go take a bath" he said departing the room.

"That's a good idea Kyo" Tohru nodded.

"I'll take one after him," Yuki said.

"Okay" Tohru smiled.

(Next Scene)

Tohru and the two boys arrived at the new apartment exactly at six o'clock. They had left a note telling Shigure where they would be just in case. Kandis opened the door when they rang the doorbell and immediately hugged Tohru. She hadn't changed that much. Her long brown hair was pulled back, and she was wearing her favorite dangly earrings. Of course with Kandis the most noticeable thing was her winning smile.

"Come on in you guys" she said as they walked into the apartment and she took their jackets, "I'm so glad that you could make it" she shut the closet and led them into the sitting room.

"We couldn't possibly turn down an invitation from you Miss Ward" Yuki replied as they sat down on the couches.

"Oh Yuki" she grinned, "It's so good to see you too. I apologize for the mess. After all we just moved in here."

"It's okay" Tohru smiled.

"What's that smell?" Kyo said sniffing the air.

"Oh it's dinner. Rebecca's working on it right now."

"Smells different" Yuki replied.

"That's because it's an American dish."

"Huh?" both boys said surprised.

"Oh that's right" Tohru replied, "Kandis said on the phone that Rebecca was going to make something from their country."

"Oh that should be good" Yuki grinned a little.

"Yea" Kyo said a little more confidently, "I'll try anything."

"Okay" Kandis leaned in a little, "I'm dying to know. Is he or isn't he?"

"Huh?" Kyo's eyebrows rose, "Is he or isn't he what?"

"You know" Kandis urged, "That little problem you were having."

"Oh" Tohru replied, "Well" she looked at Kyo and took his arm, "Kyo won the fight. So he's free now."

"Oh that's what you're talking about" Yuki exclaimed, "I was completely lost."

"You weren't the only one" Kyo added.

"Well that's great news. Not for you Yuki" she apologized, "But for them."

"Well I'm happy for them too."

"Oh well that's good then."

"Hello everyone!" Rebecca said as she came into the room, "Kandi you should get them all some drinks."

"Oh I'm sorry" Kandis sprang up, "I'm being a terrible host. I'll be right back" she walked into the kitchen.

"Oh it's okay" Yuki said, "Hello Miss Ward" he replied to Rebecca.

"Hi you guys" she said happily as she embraced Tohru, "It's so good to see you again Tohru."

"It's good to see you too Rebecca" Tohru nodded as they both sat down.

"Have you talked to Ritsu yet?" Yuki asked.

"No" Rebecca shook her head, "But I am hoping I will see him tomorrow. I left a couple of messages on his machine. So who knows? I really have missed him."

"Yes" Yuki nodded, "He's missed you too. Machi says he gets depressed some times and he can't even paint anything."

"Love sick fool" Kyo shook his head, "Although I understand how he feels."

"Kyo" Tohru giggled.

"I think it's ready Rebecca!" Kandis called.

"Okay! I'll be right back you guys" she said, "The sitting table is in there, please go sit down" she pointed to the left.

"Oh okay" Yuki said as they stood up, walked over, and sat back down again.

Kandis came out with the dishware, silverware, napkins, and their drinks all on a huge tray.

"Do you need any help Miss Ward?" Yuki asked concerned.

"Oh no I got it" Kandi smiled putting the tray down, "I rarely get to play hostess after all" she placed their plates down.

"Okay everyone" Rebecca said carrying in the dish with two potholders, "It's done" she placed it down on the table.

"Well" Yuki replied as he looked at it, "It's big."

"What is it?" Kyo said nervously.

"It's lasagna" Rebecca replied as she sat down.

"Lasagna?" Tohru replied.

"I know it's not really an American dish" she smiled picking up a spatula, "But we sure like it over there a lot."

"We sure do" Kandi said with a grin, "Dig in you guys."

"Okay" Yuki and Kyo nodded taking a helping of the meal.

(Next Scene)

When everyone had their full Rebecca placed the spatula into the dish.

"Well" Kyo said with a smile, "It's no cod and rice, but I really do like it."

"Yes" Tohru nodded, "It was delicious."

"It's kind of like spaghetti," Yuki added.

"Hey how did you know that?" Kandis said.

"Well we have it in some restaurants around here."

"You're right Yuki" Rebecca replied, "It is also an Italian dish. My father's side is Italian so I've learned from my grandmother how to make a lot of Italian dishes. I know alot of Japanese ones too, thanks to my mom."

"You're an excellent cook," Tohru said with a smile.

"Thank you Tohru" Rebecca grinned, "I do try. I don't think I'm as good as you though" she blushed a little.

"On the contrary, you did a very nice job Miss Ward" Yuki said making her blush even more.

"In fact" Kandis replied proudly, "She's gonna teach me how to cook."

"That's wonderful" Tohru said happily, " A meal like this deserves one in return. Since you just moved in, you'll have a lot of things to do so I would like to invite you to our house some time this week, for dinner as well. That way you'll get to see Shigure this time."

"That would be great!" Kandis squealed with delight, "We can right Bec?"

"Of course" Becca nodded grinning, "We'd love to."

"Just give mea call and we'll set it up."

"Yes" Yuki said, "We'd love to have you."

"Thanks. Well" Rebecca said beginning to clear the table, "I hate to kick you all out, but it is getting kind of late and Kandi and I have a lot of work to do tomorrow."

"Oh no that's okay" Tohru replied with a smile.

"It's no big deal," Kyo added stretching.

"We understand perfectly," Yuki said.

"But can I ask a favor before we go?" Tohru replied.

"Sure" Rebecca said as Kandi nodded.

"Can I take some home to Shigure so he can try it?"

"I'll get a Tupperware ready for just him" Becca replied with a nod as she walked back into the kitchen.

(Next Scene)

After Kandis said goodnight she closed the door and walked into her cousin's bedroom where she was just getting off the phone with Ritsu. She smiled happily as she turned to her.

"Guess what?" Rebecca replied, "I'm meeting Ritsu tomorrow afternoon. I'm so excited."

"That's great" Kandi smiled as she leaned on the doorpost, "You're so lucky Cous."

"Why's that?"

"You've got someone who loves you that much. I only wish I could find that for myself."

"You will" Rebecca said placing a hand on her shoulder, "You'll find him someday. The right man is out there waiting for you somewhere. Marks my words. I'm gonna go take a bath. Will you finish the clean-up?"

"Okay" Kandis nodded and then sighed a little sadly, "Somewhere? But where?"

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Hello everyone!! Welcome to Book Fifteen!! Lots of surprises in store for you in this book!! See you later for the next chapter!!!

Next Chapter: One Last Get-Together

The Sohmas are soon to go their own separate ways and what better way to spend a little time together then one last party. But the party is Akito's idea and Yuki and Kyo are suspicious that he might be up to something, especially since they are all allowed to bring dates!!!