Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to 'Fruits Basket'; I am merely weaving a tale based on its delightful characters.

Tooru ran down the hallway gleefully; she approached Kyou and nearly threw her arms around him as she remembered - in the nick of time - that doing this would cause Kyou to transmogrify into a feline. She opted instead to hug his arm; she looked up at him, her eyes full of joy. "Oh Kyou-san!' she squealed, 'this is one of the kindest things you've ever done!'

Kyou returned Touru's cloyingly sweet gaze with an uncertain glare. Big displays of emotion unnerved him. "Yeah, yeah, it's no big deal,' he mumbled slowly, untangling his arm from her grasp.

"But Kyou-san,' she protested, putting her hands together, 'It is a big deal! This could do wonders building bridges between you and Yuki!"

Touru had been shocked, and incredibly relieved when she had heard of Kyou's altruistic act. It had been announced a few weeks ago that The best student in the class was to be offered a scholarship, for 30,000. Of course, this became another competition between Kyou and Yuki, who already competed in every other aspect of their lives, right down to who could stay awake the longest at night - one of their more juvenile challenges. Both Kyou and Yuki had sweated agonizingly over the work assigned for the last term. Of course, everyone was shocked when the final term results were issued: Kyou and Yuki were tied, both at 99 percent! The teachers were unsure of what to do; they wanted to offer both prodigies a scholarship, but there simply was not enough money to do so. Neither boy refused to give up the scholarship to his rival. Everyone was extremely agitated by this unprecedented event, especially kyou, who was hounded by Yuki's fangirls, unremittingly demanding that he submit to Yuki. "He's better than you Kyou-kun! Give Yuki-san the money!" they would wine petulantly. His reply was invariably "Never! I'll never let him have it!" hollered with such vigour it usually sent the fangirls packing. The animosity between Kyou and Yuki was amplified exponentially, both in disbelief that the other had matched him. The teacher's decided to arrange a sudden death quiz competition; if neither boy missed a question...No one wanted to contemplate that scenario. Then again, no one wanted to consider what would happen when one of the boys won either...Shigure just hoped that another house demolishing fight wouldn't result from this mess. Yuki was more withdrawn than usual during this period; he disliked all the attention. Kyou was more fiery and impassioned than usual. It seemed everything that had reached an impasse, which could only be moved through intense pressure. So when Touru heard of Kyou's brilliant suggestion, her joy was understandable. Kyou had went the the head teacher, and had suggested, respectfully of course, that the scholarship money could be halved, a portion going to each of them. The head teacher had been delighted at this idea, glad to be rid of the whole fiasco(one wonders why they were unable to draw that conclusion with their own faculties). News had spread fast throughout the school that it had been Kyou who had resolved everything which only infuriated Yuki's fangirls further. They didn't want the students singing anyone's praises for anyone other than Prince Yuki! But, on the whole, everyone was glad this tense period was over, especially Tooru.

'Kyou-san, I don't think you understand what a big deal this is!" Touru exulted, her eyes shining. Suddenly, Uo-chan, and Arisa walked up, the former gazing at Kyou with disbelief, and the other staring inscrutably at him. Kyou turned away, muttering darkly under his breath, "God damn Yankee, and Denpa, what the hell are they staring at?'

"Oi, Kyou! I couldn't believe it when I heard! You actually did something selfless? For Yuki, nonetheless? Are you growing soft?" Arisa uttered slowly, smirking.

"Your waves have considerably lightened Kyou; I can't express enough how beneficial this good deed was to your aura." murmured Uo-chan, blinking. Kyou flinched at their comments, turning around, and staring the two of them down. "Keep your observations to yourself!" he snarled haughtily. Touru smiled at Kyou. She understood better than anyone else that this rough exterior was just a shield, veiling his -often kind - sentiments. 'He's been getting better though,'she thought.' A month ago, his language would've been a bit more colourful.' At that moment, the bell rang, signalling the resumation of classes. They shuffled off to class together in silence.