The very next afternoon Ritsu waited patiently for Rebecca to arrive. It had surprised him quite greatly to hear her voice on the phone the night before and he was very happy. As he waited he hummed happily to himself, scanning the area for any other people. The place they had chosen to meet wasn't crowed at this time of day, so he sat down on the bench. A few moments later he spotted her coming his way carrying a small package. He stood up and smiled as she approached. When she saw him she broke into a run, her long hair flowing behind her. He grinned at first but when he realized what she planned to do he held his hands up. Rebecca threw herself into his arms, his face quite surprised.
"Oh Ritsu!" she cried.
But in the next instant a loud POOF sound was heard throughout the area and she fell to the ground. She shook her head and looked around her surprised.
"Ritsu?"
"I'm down here" he called.
She looked down and saw the little brown monkey staring back at her. She clasped a hand over her mouth and her eyes became wide.
"Oh I am so sorry" she replied, "I forgot. I missed you so much I just completely forget."
"That's okay" Ritsu chuckled nervously, "Did anyone see it? Is anyone watching?"
"Mnm" she shook her head.
"That's good."
"Well" she smiled, "I guess this is one way to see your Zodiac form."
"I guess so" he nodded as she patted his head.
The two of them laughed until their sides ached.
(Next Scene)
About ten minutes later they were sitting on the bench, Ritsu back in his human form and clothes.
"I'm so sorry" she repeated sheepishly blushing.
"Oh no it's okay" he smiled, "If anyone would hug me like that, I'm glad that it was you."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"I brought something for you" she handed over the package, "I hope they didn't get squashed."
"Jelly buns!" he exclaimed, "No they look okay. Thank you" he looked at her lovingly.
"Your welcome. I know how much you love them."
"I really do" he nodded putting them to theside, "But I missed you more than these."
"I missed you too."
"When did you get back officially?"
"A day ago. I just had to settle some things and then I got in contact with everyone. Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo came over last night for dinner."
"Really?"
"Mhm. And they invited us over some time for dinner this week. Hey maybe you can come over too?" she said holding onto his arm.
"Well it has been awhile since I've been to Shigure's, and I would like to see Tohru again. Besides I've been looking for apartments lately in the city."
"Really?"
"Mhm. I help Mr. Kuragi now at a local museum. He restores old paintings. It pays pretty well. Plus I'm taking more art classes in the city. My mother thinks it's time I moved out anyway."
"That's wonderful Ritsu" she smiled, "Well" her eyes sparkled, "Since you helped me find my apartment, the least I can do is help you find yours."
"You doing anything this afternoon?" he asked.
"Mnm. I'm free."
"Then that would be great" he smiled.
(Next Scene)
When Thursday evening arrived Shigure sat waiting expectantly with Ritsu in the sitting room. This was the night that the girls were coming over for dinner, and the novelist couldn't wait to thank Rebecca personally for the lasagna that she gave him. Soon they arrived and they all sat down to eat. Shigure thanked her and asked how the both of them were doing, but not before handing Kandi another copy of his book.
"Thanks Shigure" she grinned, "We're all doing just fine. I'm gonna be taking some classes soon."
"What classes are you taking Miss Ward?" Yuki asked.
"All kinds. But mostly I'm taking a Japanese class, so I can learn the language."
"That's wonderful Kandis" Tohru replied.
"Yea. I'm looking forward to it to."
"So you're not going back into acting?" Shigure asked.
"Mnm" Kandis shook her head, "I'm about done with that career. I might take some theater courses, but I don't know."
"Speaking of which" Rebecca spoke up, "Tohru Kandi and I were wondering, what did you do with all that money you got for the movie?"
"Oh that" Tohru said, "I started a savings account."
"You what?" Kyo said surprised.
"Mhm. Shigure helped me."
"That's just like you isn't it" Kyo sighed, "You could have spent some of the money on yourself, but no."
"But it's the for the future Kyo" she replied.
"And that's important" Yuki added.
"It's a very smart idea," Shigure said standing up and walking out of the room for a moment.
"I guess," Kyo nodded, "But still I think you should have spent a little on yourself. After all you deserve it."
"Thanks Kyo" Tohru smiled hugging his arm.
"That's awful sweet of you" Kandis said as Shigure came back in holding onto some envelopes.
"Where did you go to Shigure?" Yuki asked.
"I've got something for the two of you" he replied sitting down and handing them each an envelope, "It's from the main house. They came this afternoon."
"Huh?" they said at the same time.
"Is that what I think it is?" Ritsu replied.
"If you already got it Rii" Shigure said, "I'm sure it is."
Both Yuki and Kyo opened the letters and read the cards.
"What is this?" Kyo asked.
"What does it look like?" Shigure said in a huffy tone.
"What's it say?" Tohru replied looking over Kyo's shoulder.
"Zodiac Member" Yuki started to read out loud, "You are exclusively invited to one last together at the main house next Saturday. In this card are two passes, one for you and one for that someone special. Sincerely Akito Sohma."
"Someone special?" Kyo's eyebrows rose.
"Does this mean we are allowed to bring dates?" Yuki added.
"I think so" Shigure said, "And the interesting part of the whole thing it's only for the Zodiac members. Them and their dates, plus Hari told me when I talked to him about it, that Akito will not be attending."
"But he invited us?" Yuki said, "That doesn't make any sense."
"Yea. It's sounds a bit fishy to me" Kyo replied angrily.
"Think what you want to Kyo" Shigure said simply, "It's the truth. Akito will not be there. And everyone including Kureno is allowed to attend with a date."
"Well I guess" Yuki replied.
"I don't have no problem with it per say" Kyo frowned, "Tohru's my date after all."
Tohru smiled as Rebecca turned to Ritsu.
"Did you get one too Ritsu?" she asked.
"Yes I did. Would you like to go with me?"
"I'd love to" she nodded, "So I can meet your family."
"This means you can take Machi with you Yuki" Tohru replied.
"Yea" Yuki nodded not quite sure.
"It sounds like you guys are gonna have a lot offun" Kandis grinned.
"You know Miss Ward" Shigure stroked his chin playfully, "You could attend too."
"How could she do that?" Kyo asked as they all looked at Shigure.
"Well I don't have a date. She could go with me."
"Really Shigure?" she asked surprised.
"Are you some kind of a sick old man!" Kyo shouted, "She's a lot younger than you."
"Now I don't mean anything by it" Shigure said, "I just don't want her to feel left out. What do you say Miss Ward?" he turned to her, "Will you be my date?"
"Well" she grinned, "I really would hate to miss out on all the fun. Yes Shigure" she nodded, "I would love to go with you."
"Mhm" he grinned, "And we'll have the best time of anyone there."
"Yea" she nodded with a smile as Tohru started to clear the table.
(Next Scene)
All of the Zodiac members were quite excited to ask their potential someone's to the party. Yuki and Momiji asked Andie and Machi on the same day, both of them agreeing to come. Kagura said she would try to find a date and of course everyone else had their dates by their side. Kisa would come with Hiro, Ritsu with Rebecca, Shigure with Kandis, and Kyo with Tohru. Later in the week Kureno even had invited Uo to go with him and she and Tohru along with Hana went shopping for some clothes for the party. All in all it was coming together but Yuki was still a bit uneasy about the whole thing. He just couldn't imagine that Akito would do this out of the kindness of his heart. There had to be a catch, and even though Machi was coming, Yuki was going to make darn certain that Akito didn't pull anything. He vowed that to himself. In his room Kyo made the same vow.
"One way or another" they thought at the same time, "I will find out what he's up to."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Okay! That's it! I'll see you all on Thursday!!!
Next Time on Rice Balls in a Fruits Basket:
Chapter Three: First Meeting
The party is underway!! That's all I'll say! You'll have to see for yourself what I mean next time!!!
