Chapter Two: A Monster or a Man?

Haru kept his eyes on the road while Yuki, Momiji, and Rin tried to spot the truck. They had arrived in the country only moments before and searching for the truck had become almost impossible since there were not many cars left on the road. Kazuma was laying his head on the seat since it still hurt from being hit from behind.

"Do you think maybe the truck has stopped somewhere or ended up at its destination?" Momiji asked.

"I'm afraid that might be a distinct possibility" Yuki replied with a frown as he looked out the window, "The odds of finding that truck is going to be a lot slimmer now."

"Let's not give up so easily," Haru said, "We'll find Kyo it's just going to take some time."

"And what about Tohru? Do you think she's with him?" Rin suggested.

"Who knows" Haru shrugged as he stopped for a traffic light.

"I've been thinking about this" Yuki replied, "Uncle Rei doesn't have a lot of money, and most of the Sohma family would rather have their teeth drilled then to lend him any."

"So?" Haru said looking at him as he drove on through the next green light.

"Where on earth would he get the money for such a truck? I mean a caged truck? That's not something you see everyday."

"And why a caged one?" Haru added, "Why would they stick him in that?"

"Good question. Unless. No" Yuki shook it off.

"Unless what Yuki?" Kazuma urged him.

"Unless Kyo was too hard to handle."

"Meaning what?"

"I'm not sure. The other thing that I'm not to clear on is what does Miss Honda have to do with anything? I know he has a grudge against Kyo but what does he have against her?"

"Yes" Haru nodded, "I mean if he was going after someone it's always his style just to go after that one person."

"That's true" Kazuma agreed, "Rei is a very direct man."

"Then maybe he's using Tohru against Kyo in some way" Momiji said.

"It doesn't add up" Haru shook his head, "What Yuki said about the money is true. Where on earth would he get the money for such a thing? You have an idea don't you Yuki?" Haru replied looking at his cousin out of the corner of his eye.

"I might" Yuki nodded a bit uncertain, "But I'm not so sure. We'll know when we get there."

"In the meantime" Rin said, "We got to find that truck."

"I got an idea" Momiji spoke up.

"What is it?" Haru asked as they all turned to him.

"Well they probably had to stop for gas sometime along the way. I mean we are way out here. So we should stop at the nearest gas station and see if they have seen it."

"That is an idea" Haru nodded with a smile, "We got to fill up anyway. Good thinking Momiji."

"How are we going to pay for that?" Yuki asked.

"I'll take care of it" Kazuma replied from the back, "I can see a gas station up ahead" he pointed.

"Right" Haru said as he drove into the station and up to a nearby pump.

While Haru was filling up Yuki and Rin walked into the convenience store to ask the clerk some directions. They both came out and climbed into the van once more since everyone was inside.

"So?" Haru asked as Yuki buckled his seatbelt.

"They said the truck stopped for some gas and cigarettes about twenty minutes ago."

"Man we just missed them," Momiji said.

"Did they know which direction they took?" Haru asked.

"Even better" Rin replied, "They not only told us which way to go, but every piece of property that is in that direction."

"And it's not many" Yuki said, "So we can narrow it down."

"That's great" Haru grinned starting up the engine and driving out of the station.

"Yea!" Momiji cheered, "We're on the chase."

(Next Scene)

The truck came to a halt at a large warehouse and the two young men got out. Kyo perked up his ears and stood up as the back door was opened up. He stared angrily at the two men.

"Who the hell are you guys?" Kyo growled, "And where the hell have you taken me?"

"We're the ones who ask the questions pal," the tall one said coming over and taking Kyo roughly by the left arm, "Not you."

"Hey let go!" Kyo shouted.

"You know you can shout all you want" the other one said as he took his right arm, Kyo struggling in both of their grasps as they carried him off the truck, "But no one ain't gonna hear ya."

They dragged Kyo into the boathouse by the dock where another cage stood waiting in a corner. As they neared it they shrugged their shoulders and threw him into it. Kyo stood up angrily and grabbed onto the bars.

"Okay so now what? What the hell are you guys up to? Who do you work for?"

"Again with the questions" they sat down on two very large crates and pulled out the cigarettes, "Just sit still and relax kid. We'll know soon enough."

"What?" Kyo thought, "What are they talking about?"

The skies became suddenly black with dark clouds and in the distance Kyo could hear thunder.

"Oh no" he thought, "This is the worse time to be in this type of situation."

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile Hatsuharu had stopped the van at a nearby farmhouse to ask questions about Kyo. The older couple said they hadn't seen any such truck pass by recently, so Yuki and Momiji walked back to the van with somber face.

"No luck" Yuki shook his head as he climbed in, "They said they haven't seen anything."

"Well that's not good" Haru replied starting up the engine, "There's only a few more places to check out."

"Maybe not" Rin said, "A car's coming."

"Haru" Yuki suggested, "Drive the van out of sight. Let's see what the car looks like."

"Okay" Haru replied driving the van over to a clump of trees and parking behind it, just as the car approached the farmhouse.

As it passed Hatsuharu and Yuki looked at each other satisfactorily.

"That had to be Uncle Rei" Haru said starting the engine again, "That was one of the Sohma cars."

"You're right about that" Momiji nodded.

"Follow him slowly though Haru" Yuki said as Kazuma frowned, "We don't want him to know that we are behind him."

"Gotcha" Haru agreed with a nod as he turned the wheel and followed the car at a slow pace.

(Next Scene)

Rei Sohma parked the old car at the dock near the boathouse and climbed out of it quickly. He glanced back over his shoulder scanning the area. When he saw nothing he hurried into the warehouse. Haru arrived at that moment and spotted the car.

"There's the car" Haru replied.

"And there's the truck" Rin pointed.

"And an answer" Yuki said with another distinct frown.

"What?" Haru asked turning off the engine as Yuki pointed and they all looked.

For up above them was a medium sized sign, a little smudged but still easy enough to read that said:

USHIDA SHIPPING YARDS

"Ushida?" Haru frowned angrily.

"I had a feeling he was the one who was behind this" Yuki replied, "Who else has enough money to fund something like this."

"And it explains why Tohru is involved too" Momiji added.

"Who is this Ushida?" Rin asked angrily.

"No time for that Suzu" Haru said opening the door quietly, "We got to get in there."

"Yes. But it's not going to be easy" Kazuma replied pointing at the two dogs that had just come out on duty with a guard.

"Oh boy" Haru whistled, "They are not going to make this easy on us are they? "

"No" Yuki shook his head, "But we're Sohmas. We don't give up so easily" he replied with a determined look, "Especially to an Ushida," he added as Momiji nodded fully understanding his meaning.

(Next Scene)

Rei got his directions from the warehouse and headed towards the boathouse just as it was starting to rain, where he was told he could find Ushida's men. At this point Yuki was crawling under the fence in his rat form since he had just bumped into a nearby woman, their luck who was passing by on a jog. He scurried up the fence and began to undo the lock, while on the ground, Haru, Rin, Momiji, and Kazuma waited patiently. Rei opened the door of the boathouse and the two men stood up as did Kyo when he saw him.

"You?" his eyes flashed angrily.

"You did well" Rei replied to the two men, "But your job's not over yet. I can see that his bracelet is still on."

"Uh" the tall one said, "We weren't told of such a thing."

"Well take it off."

"Uh? What?" the other replied confused.

"Take off the bracelet" he ordered, "And then you'll get the rest of your money."

"Okay" they nodded opening the cage carefully and throwing Kyo back since he was trying to charge them.

He struggled to get loose shouting at Rei the entire time.

"You do realize that this is false imprisonment don't you!" he shouted, "You could go to prison for something like this! Let me go!" he shouted as one of them snatched the bracelet and was trying to pull it off, "I said let go! You bastard!" he yelled at Rei, "Stop it! No!" the bracelet came off his wrist and the two men backed off as he fell to his knees.

"I would get out of there if I were you two" Rei replied as Kyo held his head and his body began to change.

"Why?" the short one said a bit scared.

"Just trust me. Close the door and lock it. And then back off."

They did as he asked and in the next few moments as the lightening flashed outside the window Kyo's body took on the transformation he had so carefully hidden from the outside world. His shirt ripped and the smell of the cursed cat began to seep throughout the room. The two men held their sleeves to their noses completely shocked at the sight before them while Rei watched the whole time, not caring at all for the smell but still retaining his position.

"Now you see why I wanted a cage. Especially a big one" he said staring at Kyo as the transformation became complete, "It's just right for a monster."

Kyo lifted his head, his yellow eyes stared angrily back at the man before him and he growled grabbing at the bars and shaking them furiously. The two men backed off even more as he began to tear apart the inside of the cage, clawing at the walls.

"What you are witnessing gentlemen" Rei replied, "Is the cursed form of the cat of the Chinese Zodiac. Never seen until now and I intend to make it never seen again, for an eternity."

"Whatever man" the tall one trembled, "Can we just have the rest of our money?"

"Here" Rei said as he handed them a billfold, "Be sure to thank your boss when you see him again. I can handle it from here."

The men nodded and ran out the door. But just as soon as they ran out they were thrown back in again. Rei spun around and saw Hatsuharu and Yuki now standing in the doorway brushing their hands against the other in satisfaction.

"You won't be going anywhere" Haru replied to the two men as he pinned the tall one down with his boot.

"Hello Uncle Rei" Yuki said angrily as Rin rushed forward and began to tie up the one under his foot, "We've come for Kyo."

"How dare you" Rei seethed, "You freaks of nature. How dare you try to interfere with me. Not this time. This time you won't get the best of me."

"Oh we don't have to" Haru replied as he knocked the tall one out and Momiji came in to help, "Someone else wants to deal with you personally. He's waiting for you outside."

"And if I refuse."

"You don't have a choice," Haru said throwing the two men together, grabbing Rei by the collar and throwing him onto the dock, where Kazuma stood waiting.

Rei stared at him as Kazuma glared angrily back at him.

"Hello Rei" Kazuma replied, "It's time for your comeuppance."

(Next Scene)

Once the two men were completely tied up the four teenagers stared at the transformed Kyo and backed away a little.

"He smells" Rin held her nose.

"He's supposed to" Yuki said doing the same.

"So that's the cursed form?" Momiji asked backing back further as Kyo moved his claws through the bars.

"Yep" Haru nodded, "That's it."

"You've seen it too Haru?" Yuki replied.

"Yea. A long time ago."

"What are we supposed to do?" Rin said worried, "How do we get him back to normal?"

"The bracelet" Haru replied, "He needs his bracelet."

"Where is it?" Yuki said looking around him.

"Bet ya one of these jokers knows where it is?" Haru indicated the two men with his head.

"That one's knocked out cold but this one still looks awake" Yuki said walking over, "Where is it?"

"I don't know what you are talking about?" the man shook.

"Don't make us ask you again asshole" Haru replied grabbing his throat.

"Haru don't turn black on me now. Let me handle it."

"Sorry" Haru nodded letting go and walking back over to Rin.

"I'm gonna ask again" Yuki looked at the man straight in the eye, "And you're gonna tell me where that bracelet is."

"No way" the man shook his head.

"Why you" Haru started to say but Rin stopped him and walked over moving Yuki to the side.

"All right listen you jerk, either you tell me where that bracelet is right now as well as the key to that cage or else all three of us are going to beat the hell out of you."

The man stared at them quite stunned especially Rin.

"Because" she added, "We all very highly trained black martial artists and I doubt that you can take on all three of us. Where the hell is the bracelet?"

The man shivered a little and then pointed to his partner's pocket. Rin smiled at him and then knocked him out.

"Thank you. You have been so kind" she replied reaching into the pocket and pulling out the key and the bracelet, "Is this it?"

"Yes that's it" Yuki said taking the bracelet.

"Well how are we going to do this?" Haru replied, "When we open that cage door he is going to be like a wild animal."

"Well we're gonna have to be faster then him and that's not going to be easy. So this is what I suggest, Haru you and I are going to have to hold him back or down, while Momiji slips the bracelet back onto his wrist."

"Me?" Momiji said protesting his brown eyes becoming wider, "You guys are crazy. There is now way I can do that."

"You're the only one who can" Haru replied back, "We need Rin to hold him down too."

"Uh. I don't know."

"Come on Momiji" Yuki urged, "Do it for Miss Honda's sake. And if we don't get Kyo back to his normal form we are never going to find her."

"Uh okay" Momiji said warily taking the bracelet as Rin moved slowly to the cage to unlock it.

Kyo was now in a corner of the cage, growling like an animal that has been cornered, his yellow eyes filled with hatred. Rin slid the key into the lock and Haru and Yuki moved into the cage slowly approaching him.

"Steady Kyo" Haru replied gently, "Easy. I feel like we are talking to a an animal."

"We are right now" Yuki said, "He's no different than any other wild animal. Come on Kyo. Let's put your bracelet back on."

Kyo growled at him and aimed his claws.

"Whoa. Easy Kyo. We're not going to hurt you" Haru replied, "We just want to help."

"Okay" Yuki said slowly, "We'll take him on three. One. Two. Three!"

Yuki and Haru rushed forward grabbing Kyo and trying to pull him down to the floor. Kyo growled and clawed at them hitting Haru's shoulder but he continued to hold him.

"Now Momiji!" Haru shouted, "Put it on him! Rin we need some help!"

"I'm coming" Rin rushed over and helped hold down Haru's side while Momiji rushed over to the left where Yuki was waiting.

"Slowly slide it onto his wrist" Yuki replied.

"Okay" Momiji said as Kyo snarled and tried to toss them off.

"Kyo stop" Yuki said, "You need to calm down you stupid cat. If you don't we'll never get you back to normal. We need you to be your normal self to find Miss Honda."

Kyo stopped struggling a little and stared at Yuki with one glaring eye as Momiji finally managed to slip it onto his wrist. He began sliding it down.

"That's it" Yuki said gently catching his breath, "You want to find her don't you Kyo? She's in terrible trouble and she needs you right now."

Kyo's growls became weaker like a lame tiger that has just been injured by an arrow. His growls sounded more like he was in submission. As he slowly sank to the ground once more, Yuki, Haru, and Rin let go and the four of them backed off. Before their eyes Kyo slowly reverted back to his normal form. The rain outside stopped pouring and Kyo raised his head, his eyes a little blood shot but with the same determined look he always sported in a fight.

"You okay now Kyo" Haru replied coming over and helping him to his feet.

"Yea" Kyo nodded slowly, "Where is he?"

"Who Kyo?" Yuki asked.

"That asshole who calls himself my father."

(Next Scene)

Hatsuharu led the way outside the boathouse where they saw Kazuma standing in front of Rei who was lying on his stomach, his lip bleeding.

"Master" Kyo said as he came over.

"Kyo you're all right?" Kazuma said in surprise as Rei gasped for breath.

"Thanks to everyone here. How about you are you okay?"

"I'm fine Kyo. Just finishing some last minute business" he stared angrily.

"Before you finish it, I have to go."

"I know. You need to hurry. I'll stay back here and wait for the police."

"I'll stay with you" Rin replied.

"Okay."

"Can I say something to him first?" Kyo asked, "To my father."

"Yes."

Kyo walked forward and looked down at Rei angrily, who was trying to get into a sitting position. He put his hands over his face as he approached.

"Don't you touch me" he said in barely a whisper.

"I'm not going to touch you, I'm only going to ask you a question. Where is she? I know you know?"

"Where is who?" Rei replied purposely.

"Don't make me ask you again or this time I will hit you. Where is my fiancée? Where is Tohru?"

"I think you should be asking Tai Ushida that question" Rei replied, "Not me."

"I see" Kyo nodded as he straightened his back and turned around.

"You're still a monster," Rei squeaked out.

Kyo turned back around and looked at him straight in the eye.

"You know what, I learned something today. A very important lesson. Do you know what that was?"

"No."

"I'll tell you. I found out who the real monster was and who was the real man. I'm not going to tell you which. I'm sure you can figure it out for yourself and if you can't then I truly feel sorry for you" Kyo turned on his heel, spoke to his master one last time and then followed the other three boys to the van, that was parked on the other side of the fence.

Strangely enough none of the crew at the warehouse stopped them as they took off since one had been sent to inform the police hours ago. They all climbed into the van, Kyo in the front seat this time.

"Okay" Haru replied as he started the engine, "Where do we go from here?"

"Got any ideas Kyo?" Yuki asked.

"Yea" Kyo nodded quite certain, "And it's not too far from here. We're going straight for Ushida's summer home."

"The one near Miss Honda's grandparents?" Yuki said.

"That's the one" Kyo nodded, "That's definitely where he's got her."

"Won't that be kind of hard?" Momiji replied, "I mean what if they found out?"

"They won't" Yuki shook his head as Haru drove down the road, "Each property is behind large fences like Sohma house. His place is going to be like theirs."

"Looking for a needle in a haystack?" Haru asked as they got back on the main road.

"Maybe not" Kyo shook his head with a smile, "We may have a trump card."

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Okay that's it for today! Next time you will get to see Tohru's little adventure and where she ends up. See you all later and I hoped you enjoyed it! Oh and to my little sister Andie, since I had my computer fixed I lost your e-mail address so if you could resend it to me again I would appreciate it. Hope you're enjoying the story as well sweetie!

Next time on Rice-balls in a Fruits Basket:

Chapter Three: Tai Reveals All

Kyo and the others race to find his fiancée while Tohru discovers she is in the presence of none other than Tai Ushida and he has a few surprises of his own about the past. Find out what happens next time!

And

Chapter Four: Final Confrontation

Kyo vs. Tai Part Two!

Kyo is going to do whatever it takes to get his fiancée back from the young millionaire. See the outcome next time!