Disclaimer: Neither Fruits Basket nor the Fruits Basket characters belong to me. They are the property of Natuski Takaya.

This plot and any original characters are mine.

Author's Notes: Hello again. I was just looking at the last chapter I posted and this next chapter. They are both short so I thought I would throw this one in this weekend as well. Together they make an acceptable length chapter.I coiuld have combined them, but I think it worked better breaking it into two parts.Please read and review. Thanks!

Chapter 4 Phoenix

Victoria Tanaka, or Tori Tanaka as she was more commonly called found her mind dredging up scenes from ten years ago. Hearing Momiji's name had suddenly begun a waterfall of cascading memories.

"Tohru, Kyo is picking on me…"

"Ha-ri, I just want to talk to Tohru a little longer"

"You will be Princess Tohru and I will be your prince."

"Be surprised about everything!"

"But there is something I believe...I want to live my life carrying my memories with me...even the painful ones...As long as I keep carrying those memories with me and don't run away from them...I would like to think that there is not a single memory I have which would be okay to forget"

How was it possible that one of the Sohmas would suddenly be in America after so many years? Seven years ago Mitsuru-san, Shigure Sohma's secretary had secretly arranged for Tohru to migrate to America. After putting Tohru in Mii-san's hands, she had never heard from Shigure or any of the Sohmas again. Akito had threatened Tohru and all that she held dear if she did not comply with his wish to disappear from Japan and never have contact with his family again. She had believed him. In his rage he had injured her quite badly and then cast her into the streets. Her original thought had been to migrate to Hong Kong, but she had not even been sure how to do that. It was probably the most she could have done with the state of her finances at that time. At that point, Shigure had stepped in.

Shigure had helped her at great risk to himself. He had taken her to the emergency room for treatment and apologized for Akito's actions. He even had gone so far as to pack her personal belongings and bring them to her. He explained that he was only giving her stuff she had purchased personally because he didn't want her to have reminders of the life she had been living for the last four years. Tohru had not agreed with his sentiments as she wanted to remember every moment she had spent with the Sohmas. However, it would have been difficult to leave quietly with everything. He had been very wise in that part of his decision.

She had given him letters for each of the Sohma family members telling them she was leaving and to be happy. Yes, Akito had frightened her terribly, but not for her sake. If he had threatened only her, she would not have been so afraid but she had not wanted to see any harm come to the Sohmas who had been her dear family since shortly after her mother's death. It was these people that Akito threatened. She had accepted the fact that she would never see them again and her heart was filled with pain, but it was for the best. Akito could make things very bad for his family if he chose to do so.

The four girls arrived at the large six-bedroom house they had purchased three years ago. Hana and Uo had migrated to America to join Tohru because they had promised Kyoko Honda that they would always stick together and support each other. The three of them had met Kristin at a nightclub catering to young people in their 20's and she had quickly become a part of that close knit unit. The four of them had been inseparable and had finally hit upon the idea of rooming together.

As they pulled into the driveway, Tohru was pulled from her reverie by Kristin's shout.

"Tori, whatever is the matter? Are you okay? Did I say something to upset you?"

"Oh, no Kristi-chan. You didn't say anything to upset me, I was just spacing out. Yeah that's it. You know me, I am such a space cadet."

"If you're sure," Kristin said dubiously.

Tohru smiled at her. "I'm sure Kristi-chan. Why don't you go pack and I will start supper."

Kristin headed up the stairs to pack her clothes for the trip. Uo and Hana both looked at Tohru with concern written on their faces.

"Oh Tori-kun" Uo said as she gave her a big hug.

"This is a strange coincidence and I don't believe in coincidence." Hana said seriously. "Is fate cruel enough to throw a Sohma back into your life so you can be hurt again?"

"Hana, how can you say such a thing? The Sohmas were always kind to me and were my dear family, except for Akito" she said sadly.

"But you finally got over that part of your life Tori-kun and now it could happen all over again."

"I don't really see it that way, Risa-chan. I would dearly love to meet up with the Sohmas again if I thought they would be safe and not get hurt. Momiji was always wonderful to me, he was such a good friend. I would be happy to see him again."

"I don't really like it," Hana said slowly.

"Not like what?" Kristin asked as she came into the kitchen for a coke.

"The new dress design that Risa was just describing to me," Hana said quickly.

"Oh, why not? Can I hear about it Risa?"

"Sure I'll tell you about it tomorrow in the van while you are driving and I navigate. By the way gang, I call shotgun. If I can't drive, I still want to ride in the front."

"No argument here" Tohru said cheerfully as she finished chopping up the vegetables. "The back seat has just as good a view as the front, I think.'

"I would agree with Tori" Hana added.

"Okay. How much longer until chow Tori?"

"About 20 minutes. Will you be finished packing by then Kristi-chan"

"I think so. I already had a lot of it packed before I left. I do need to do laundry tonight, so I'll throw a load in the washing machine."

As Kristin wandered away to follow through on her laundry and packing, the three friends sighed in relief.

"Kristi is a wonderful friend, but I'm not sure she would understand about the Sohmas," Uo said carefully.

"I concur," Hana agreed.

"Perhaps you are right, but I would like to be able to tell her about it sometime soon," Torisuggested. "I really don't like having to keep secrets, although I can be very good at it." No one but herself was aware of the Zodiac curse that plagued the Sohmas. It had been very hard not to tell Uo and Hana, but she had promised.

Tohru retired to her room after supper claiming she wanted to get to sleep early since they were going to be leaving so early the next day. She looked around her room. On her bookshelves she had every one of Shigure's novels. It somehow kept the Sohmas close in her memory.

Mom, Momiji-kun is in America! I wonder if he would want to meet with me again? I wish I could find out how Yuki, Kyo, Shigure, Hatori and the rest are doing. I have no desire to forget them, and I would really like to see at least one of them again. It seems so strange that after all these years I would hear about them again.

She attempted to sleep, but it was quite difficult. She had already been excited about the vacation, and now there was a Sohma in America! How amazing! I wonder if Momiji still turns into a rabbit when he is hugged? She giggled softly at the thought. Perhaps, if he and Kristi get to be good friends, I will have a chance to meet with him again. That would be wonderful.

Finally she was able to close her eyes and sleep. Tomorrow would be vacation and she needed to be up early to prepare breakfast. She had been designated chief cook of the house, but the other girls all helped with the household chores. Each of them was very good at picking up after her self. She didn't mind being the cook as that was one of her favorite ways to relax after a long day at the office. The import/export business was very exciting and she loved visiting with all of the clients over the phone and in person. She had a knack for choosing which products would be the most successful in America and her boss, Joseph Jackson, often relied on her opinion. Jackson-san was in love with her she knew, but she also knew she wasn't in love with him. So far, that had not interfered with their business relationship.

She still dreamed about Yuki, Kyo and the other Sohmas. If only she could have stayed in Japan. No, that was not the way to think. America had offered her a good life. To her surprise she had discovered she was very good at learning to speak English and that was the primary language she now used. Her Japanese heritage was still a part of her but she was an American now. She had been naturalized, along with Uo and Hana six months ago. She held a dual citizenship, as she had not wanted to give up her homeland of Japan. All of her paperwork stated she was Victoria Tanaka, but in her heart, she was still Tohru Honda.

A/N:This will do it until next time.The chapters get longer after this one.