Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket

Chapter 36

Tohru had slept so peacefully that night, it was nice knowing, there was no work, no school, no chores to do the next day. She slept in an extra hour, which was her waking up at about seven o'clock, but to her, that was her paradise. She showered and changed, putting on another comfy kimono, with a T-shirt underneath it, she didn't want a repeat from last night. She stretched her arms over her head, gave one last wave to her mother, and wandered out to the hallway.

It was another lovely day, the sun was shining so brightly today. The mountain air was fresh too, far better than the cities Tohru decided, she could still see the city from the mountains, but it was practically specks in the horizon. She was walking down the hallway, and she could hear the clicking of a keyboard. She poked her head in, and she found Shigure typing away on a keyboard

"Shigure?" Tohru called to him curiously

"Oh, Good Morning Flower!" Shigure looked up from his laptop and smiled. Tohru walked in and sat down beside him "How are you this fine morning?"

"I'm good Shigure. I'm glad we came out here, its so, peaceful." She smiled and picked up his cup of coffee and took a sip out of it

"It is very peaceful here, I'm glad we could all come" Shigure rubbed her shoulder "You enjoying your new friend?"

"Miki? Miki is very mischievous, but she's fun"

"So that outfit wasn't your idea?" He raised and eyebrow laughing and Tohru elbowed him

"Honestly Shigure!" Tohru rolled her eyes.

"It seems your not the only one who woke up early today. I heard Yuki wandering about this place around 5 this morning. I thought you were the early bird, it seems someone finally beat you to it flower"

"Really? That's surprising," Tohru told Shigure

"Maybe you should go keep him company," Shigure suggested

"Am I interrupting you Shigure?" Tohru asked sadly

"No flower dear, you never could, I just think, he'd be better company than an older man like myself," Shigure rubbed her shoulder and laughed "Go on now, and I'll see you at breakfast."

Tohru nodded and kissed his cheek, and she scampered out the door.

Tohru wandered down the hallway. She wasn't sure where to look to find Yuki, but her ears picked up the sound of someone whistling. Tohru followed the whistling quietly, spinning along down the corridors as she heard it. It was quick and fast paced and she smiled as she floated to it. Her hair blew in the wind and she smiled looking up at the sunshine. She walked down another corridor until she came out to a big garden, it was still living even in the winter, probably from the warm soil and hot springs. There Yuki sat in the grass whistling staring up at the sky.

"Yuki?" Tohru titled her head to a side and called to him. Yuki stopped whistling and turned around surprised to see Tohru. His hair blew in the breeze too, but seeing Tohru he smiled

"Oh, good morning Tohru," He turned around to face her, "What are you doing out here?" He asked still surprised to see her. Tohru sat down next to him and looked up at the sky

"Well, I woke up, and went to Shigure's room. Shigure told me he heard you awake a few hours ago. So I came out to find you, then I heard you whistling so I followed that, and it led me to you" She folded her knees against her chest and she smiled "So, what are you doing out here Yuki?"

Yuki smiled, she was always so happy, he never saw the real sadness, whether that was her blessing or her curse. He looked back up at the sky "I woke up early, I'm not sure why, and I couldn't fall back asleep. So I was wandering around, and I came across the gardens, it reminds me of home, ya know?"

Tohru nodded and smiled "Don't worry Yuki, spring will be here soon and then we can go and plant all of those seeds you got,"

Yuki smiled "I'm looking forward to it,"

Tohru started humming and enjoyed the cool breeze, it was still the early hours, and the sun was still starting to rise. Yuki slid next to her and he started whistling along with her humming. Tohru smiled looking at him and then went back staring at the sky as clusters of blossoms flew across it and she laughed standing up trying to catch one. Yuki sat on the grass watching her, she spun in circles trying to catch the blossoms inches out of her reach. She spun and danced like an angel and he couldn't help but smile softly.

Tohru reached up and laughed, knowing she was too short to grab one. Yuki stood up and leapt up once and grabbed at the air. Tohru looked down at his closed hand surprised, but he opened it gently to show a perfectly untouched blossom. He slid it into a tuft of her hair and smiled.

"Thank you Yuki!" Tohru grinned

"No problem Tohru, the blossom suits you, its as vibrant as the glow in your eyes," He smiled lightly. "Shall we go get breakfast now?" He asked her softly. Tohru nodded and he took her hand and escorted her to the dining hall. Miki was already there to greet them, but apparently none of the Sohmas were awake or was like Shigure, trapped within their rooms.

So Tohru and Yuki sat together quietly, Tohru having a small dish of fruit, and Yuki traditional rice and other foods. As Miki turned and walked behind them she gave Tohru a small flick. Tohru looked up at her and Miki was drawing hearts in the air around her and Yuki's heads. She smiled and laughed. Yuki looked up to see what was so funny but Miki just ran down the hallway laughing.

"What was that about?" Yuki asked curiously. Tohru laughed and shoved a cherry into her mouth so she wouldn't have to answer. Yuki raised an eyebrow and poked her side and she squirmed and laughed "Come on now,"

Tohru gulped swallowing her food and she let out a sigh "Oh Yuki its just talk between girls, don't worry about it," Tohru sighed rubbing her head. Yuki stared at her a moment longer, and then went back to eating his rice. Tohru sighed again and went back to eating.

A while later Tohru went walking again, she had somehow lost track of Yuki. She laid down on the grass, hands behind her head as a cushion, and she stared up at the clouds that passed her by. One of them looked like a bunny, and she laughed thinking about Momiji. He was probably swimming in the hot springs right now, he really did love it here. Tohru stared at the clouds, but her view was blocked by Yuki hovering over her. "Tohru, what are you doing?"

"I'm watching the clouds." She told him smiling. Yuki could never understand her sometimes. He sat down next to her

"What do you see?" He asked looking up at the clouds. To him, they were just shapes, odd formed shapes with no purpose.

"Well, that one looks like a bunny," Tohru pointed to one to the left of Yuki. "And that one looks like a hat," Tohru pointed to the one to the right of the bunny. Yuki rolled his eyes and laid down next to her resting like she did

"I'm sorry Tohru, but I just don't see them," he told her staring up at the clouds.

"Use your imagination or something. Maybe its just me being strange again." Tohru laughed at herself and smiled.

"How can you so easily smile and laugh at yourself?" Yuki asked watching her

"I dunno..." Tohru shrugged "I am a little strange. In someone else's eyes there will always be someone who thinks I'm strange. That's just the way it is. If you can learn to laugh at yourself the criticism of others won't bother you nearly as much"

"You really do think the weirdest things out don't you?" Yuki laughed

"I'm just...accepting of other's opinions, that's all. I know what's important. People can all think differently. It's their right as a human after all. So let them think. It'll all be fine. We have to be understanding, if we don't, that's the underlining cause to every war and disagreement"

"Are you sure you're not an angel?" He asked her quietly

"Yup, last time I checked," Tohru told him closing her eyes. "I could lay here forever, and let the world drift away. It's so peaceful up here on the mountain"

"I knew you'd like it. I think everyone needs time to disappear for a while. Like I do in my garden" Yuki watched the clouds still, even though Tohru had closed his eyes. "Even if you can only escape here once in a while, I just wanted...you to experience it, that's all"

"Well, I'm glad I met Miki. She'll be a great friend to have. We already exchanged e-mail addresses and home addresses. That way, we can keep in touch whichever way we like."

"It seems you make a friend wherever you go," Yuki noted smiling. "That's something to be admire for"

"Heaven high above, me trapped in this desperate world, not so far from it, yet still a mile more."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Yuki sat up asking her

"Well, heaven is so very close, its just beyond the clouds. Even though its so close, its always just out of our reach. So here we stay, on a world where we're desperate to find ourselves. I guess that's what it means. I'm sorry, that was random. I wish I had work to do, I feel like I need to be busy."

Yuki just started laughing and Tohru sat up next to him. He held his chest, not in pain, just his immense laughter. Tohru couldn't see what was that humorous but Yuki just smiled and rubbed her shoulder "My goodness, I don't think I've ever found someone so willing to do chores. You seriously are my angel from the sky," Tohru took him by the hand and pulled him to his feet. "Where are we going Tohru?"

"I'll show you!" Tohru pulled him over to a garden maze. The garden's hedges were nearly six feet tall, and each wall seemed to be lined with a different flower. Tohru sped down a corner, and Yuki wandered around trying to find her. Tohru laughed, knowing he was probably more distracted by the flowers. Tohru turned a corner, and found herself falling face first after she tripped on something. "Owww..." Tohru rubbed her head and turned around.

"Oww..." Someone else was moaning the same as her, and he sat up rubbing his head

"Kyo!"

Kyo turned around and looked at her grumbling "What's the big idea stepping on people Tohru?"

"What are you doing out here!" Tohru asked completely confused

"The roofs are too steep here, it's the architects purpose design. So I came out here last night, you can see the sky so well, and then, well I fell asleep. Is that so odd?"

"Well for you it isn't...but for anyone else it would be," Tohru sighed

"Tohru? Where are you?" Yuki called from deeper in the maze

"He's here?" Kyo asked moaning

"We're kind of playing a game," She rubbed the back of her head

"A little old for games Tohru?"

"No, its fun!" Tohru protested

"Fine. What are you playing?"

"Umm...me run away!" Tohru got up and ran back deeper into the maze. Kyo sat there for a moment, for a moment utterly confused, until he heard Yuki call for her again.

"Alright...if that's the game" Kyo got up "I'll beat the Rat at that"

Tohru turned down another two long twists and turns, her arm brushing up against the rose petals. She could hear the others running through the thickets. Yuki turned a corner and slammed into Kyo as they both fell to the ground with a thud

"About time you caught up Rat," Kyo grinned smugly dusting himself off

"What are you doing here?" Yuki asked panting

"Oh nothing, just playing a game with Tohru," Kyo grinned walked down another corner

"So Miss Honda ran into you?" Yuki ran along side him, he wasn't going to let this loser win.

"Yup, said she was in a hurry to play. Thought I'd join in" Kyo grinned, knowing it would tick him off.

Yuki took off in a sprint to beat Kyo and he sped down a corner. Kyo threw his head back and laughed. How easily that guy got ticked off. Kyo just trudged along, hands in pockets, grin on his face. Tohru had finished the maze, and was so amazed by what she saw. There was an overhanging cliff, and from it, she could see the sea beside the city.

Yuki finally caught up to Tohru, panting from his run, and soon after Kyo showed up after him. Tohru was looking over the cliff and turned around smiling "Look guys, you can see the ocean from here"

"Wow, its beautiful," Yuki noted standing beside her

"I hate the water," Kyo complained, but Tohru looked up at him and smiled

"Its okay to hate the water, but its still really beautiful," Tohru told him

"I guess so," Kyo mumbled.

It was supposed to be a picture perfect moment, her between the two of them, but there was the sound of loud thunder and Tohru gripped onto both their hands the minute it crashed. They all looked up at the sky, and rain began to fall from the sky and then the sky boomed again with thunder.

"Oh no..." Kyo mumbled hanging his head "Rain always makes me sleepy"

"Can you sleep when we get back to the lodge you baka neko?"

Kyo was already stumbling forward, and Tohru was shivering in the rain "I hate thunderstorms" She told Yuki trembling. Kyo threw off his button down shirt and threw it onto Tohru to give her an extra layer, and they started back into the maze. Unfortunately now, the maze wasn't as fun, or nearly as easy when they were running and laughing. The sky was dark, and they were miles into the hot springs property.

Tohru and Kyo were both a mess. Tohru was scared, it was easy to see even if she didn't say it enough from the start. Kyo, he seemed almost dazed, but he tried to keep Tohru calm anyway, hovering over her like her shield from the rain. Tohru was worried, Kyo could get really sick from being out here.

She braced and held their hands shivering as they came to another fork in the road. "Which way now?" Tohru looked from left to right, but to no avail could she remember which way she went.

Kyo was practically toppling over them. Like a sickness from rain. Yuki took her hand and pulled her to the left, and Tohru took Kyo's other hand.

"Don't worry Tohru, we'll be back in no time"

No time seemed like forever. They went in circles a dozen times, but eventually they got to the end of the maze. Everyone was dripping wet, Tohru's hair was one big mat of wetness. Kyo, no one knew how he was still conscious, cats hating water. Now they were through the maze, it was a nice hike back up the hill that Tohru had run them across. It didn't take more than another twenty minutes, and they arrived under the overhanging roof of the lodge just in time for another lightning crash and for Tohru to scream.

"Hey its okay, we're here now," Yuki told her gently. Tohru looked up at him, and stared at his face, lined with dripping water. She looked up at Kyo, who now wasn't a total useless noodle. But he being shirtless worried Tohru. She took both their hands and pulled her to their room.

Tohru sat them down on her bed and walked into her personal bathroom pulling out towels and bathrobes for the both of them. (Since of course this place gave out complimentary stuff, I love freebies!) Tohru changed in her bathroom, and Kyo and Yuki threw off their soaked clothes in a pile and threw on the robes.

"Tell me how we're so unlucky that it had to rain when we were in that maze?" Kyo asked rubbed his hand through his wet hair

"It wasn't that unlucky, I'm just surprised at how startled Tohru was," Yuki added rubbing his hair with the towel.

Tohru came out from the bathroom with her bathrobe on. She scooped up the wet clothes in a lump. "I'll go give these to Miki to dry and stuff, you to can go if you want, I just didn't want you all to get sick on account for my silly game," Tohru disappeared down the hallway

"You leaving Rat?" Kyo asked yawning

"I don't think I can, my legs are dead," Yuki matched him with the yawn

"Same here..." Kyo looked out at the rain "Ugghhh I hate the rain"

Tohru wandered back into the room with a bowl of popcorn for herself and she smiled as she threw one up and caught it in her mouth. "Wow, you guys actually stayed." Tohru was surprised

"Well, do you want us to leave?" Kyo started to get up

"Nah, you don't have to. I figured you'd all want to be in your lodge rooms or something. We sorta missed dinner. I didn't realize how long we had run and how long it had taken us to get back. I was just going to pop in a movie." Tohru motioned to the tv and dvd set

"Yuki...how come Tohru gets all this stuff...and I'm stuck sharing with Momiji?" Kyo inquired with an evil glint to his eye

"Uhhhh..." yuki went on whistling and shifting his eyes away to the ceiling.

Tohru laughed and hopped onto the bed beside them. They were a trio of white towels and bare legs to an extent. Kyo was tall, it didn't fit him, Tohru well, was Tohru, and Yuki's ankles stuck out. Tohru folded her legs in under her so they'd have room, and they rested against the zillions of pillows Tohru seemed to have against her headboard

"I'm sorry you had to get wet Kyo, I know you really don't like the rain."

"That's alright Tohru, it was fun in the end"

"I'm sorry too Yuki, I know it was no more fun for you than it was for him."

"Don't worry, it was all fine in the end."

The three watched some movie. I can't think of a title... and the rain slowly settled to a simple rain, the thunder clouds rolling away across the sky. They shared the popcorn, and basically threw half of it at each other, aiming for their mouths. Halfway threw it Kyo fell asleep with his head in Tohru's lap, his head almost in the popcorn bowl. Tohru rested her head on Yuki's shoulder and together they continued watching the movie, all the time, Tohru stroking Kyo's head, wishing he would purr like a kitten.