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

A/N: This plot and any original characters are mine. This chapter was both easy and difficult to write at the same time. I do my best to keep the Furuba characters true to themselves. Hopefully I have remained successful in this effort. Shigure is my favorite character in the anime and I think that is probably pretty obvious in most of my writing. Somehow he managed to steal about half the scenes in this chapter. I told him to behave himself and stop pestering me but it didn't work. What can you do with a character such as his?

I know this is really soon to be posting a new chapter, but I couldn't help myself. the story is finished and I want to share it with all my friends. About the only thing I may need to do is rewrite my epilogue. We'll see. Don't worry though, there are still four more chapters after this so it won't be ending right away. Of course, I 'm not sure if that is good news or bad news.

Also, someone asked me what was going on between Shigure and Hatori. Hopefully this chapter explains it somewhat Sami.

Please read and enjoy.

Chapter 12 A Gathering of Sohmas

Momiji sat at his desk planning the next step in his campaign to win Tohru's heart. He thought he had most of the battle won already, but there was one last hurdle that he was sure would have to be crossed. How would Tohru and Yuki feel about each other if they were to meet again? As if in reply to his thoughts his desk phone rang.

"Hello"

"Moshi, Moshi, Momiji-kun,"

"Shigure? How are you?"

"In need of a vacation in the most desperate way Momiji. Would it be too much of an imposition if I and some of our closest relatives were to drop in and visit you?"

"Just how many people are we talking about Shigure?"

"Hmmm…Myself, Hatori, Hatsuharu, Kyo, Kagura and their family. By the way, Kagura just had a little boy. They named him Katsuya. Yuki, Karin, and Kisa will also be coming. Mamoru has told us we can borrow a couple of the corporate apartments as they are not currently in use."

"What about Poppa, isn't he coming?"

"Not this time Momiji, he said he will be out after Yuki's wedding."

"Oh, it would have been nice to see him. Hatori is really taking time off to come visit?"

"Of course, he misses you Momiji, and then he's always been a little bit in love with Tohru…"

"Shigure, that is only in your sick imagination." Hatori's voice resounded clearly in the background.

Momiji chuckled, "So Hatori is sitting in your office while you make this phone call."

"Yes, and as usual, he has his usual high opinion of my take on life."

"I can tell. I assume that you have told Hatori the full story about Tohru by this point in time given that you are calling me in his presence?"

"Why yes, I figure seven years was a long enough time in which to keep this secret. But Momiji, Hatori is the only one I've told besides Hatsuharu. The most that anyone else knows is that you have been spending time with a young lady by the name of Tori Tanaka. She is an employee of one of your clients and the two of you seem to be getting serious. As you can tell, I convinced the others to come with me without telling them the full story. You are very well liked in this family. Did you know that everyone is looking forward to seeing you? I thought it best that we come out well before Yuki's wedding date just in case. "

"Yeah, just in case," Momiji said in a quiet serious manner. "Shigure…"

"Yes Momiji…"

"I do think she loves me but still…"

"Believe it or not Momiji, I do understand matters of the heart and I do recognize your concern. I'd like to tell you that everything will be fine and nothing will change, but I can't do that. Seven years is a long time but I don't know how much change takes place in that length of time. Sometimes a lot, sometimes very little."

Sometimes the dog was a very good counselor. "I know Shigure, that's why this has to be done. I'd like to keep her hidden forever and never have her see another Sohma, but I can't do that. She meant too much to too many people in this family and I would like to come back to Japan in due time because Poppa, Momma, and Momo are all there after all."

"We will be there in two weeks Momiji. Mamoru is giving us the use of his pilot and his company jet. If I am not mistaken, and I know I am not, that is one of the weekends the girls are scheduled to be in San Diego visiting their roommate."

"Thank you, Shigure. I will be looking forward to your visit. Perhaps in three weeks, I will know if I am destined to be the happiest person in the world."

"See you soon, Momiji-kun."

Shigure hung up the phone and then turned to face Hatori.

Hatori spoke quietly. "It's all settled then. We will know in two weeks if Yuki is truly over Tohru and if Momiji can truly accept her love and his happiness. When did things change Shigure?"

"Seven years ago when Akito forced Tohru to flee or to live in fear of harm coming to either her or the people she cared about. That's when it changed." Shigure answered, anger in his tone.

The hard look on Shigure's face said more than words ever could when it came to the subject of Akito. Shigure had never forgiven the Sohma head for his rejection of Tohru and the need to send her away. The dog accuses me of being half in love with Tohru, but what about him?

Shigure noted the speculative expression on Hatori's face. That was one place that he did not want Hatori to go. "But never mind about me, it's Momiji I am concerned about. He and Tohru, will it work Ha-san?"

"It will provided that there is not anything still between her and Yuki after all these years. I think this trip is necessary, both for Momiji's sake, and for Yuki and Karin-san."

"Is that why you want to go, Ha-san; to continue to watch out for the younger juunishi following our footsteps? "

"…To be sure that they will have a better and happier life than ours Shigure. That is what is important to me."

"Kyo and Kagura are happy…that's a good start. We've done well so far, haven't we Ha-san?"

"Yes. Shigure, why did you wait so long to tell me what had happened to Tohru?"

"It would have been dangerous to involve others Hatori. The more people that knew, the more likely the possibility that Akito would have found out." And because I didn't trust you not to tell Akito... Hatori, I'm sorry. You would not have lied if Akito had asked…it's not your nature.

"I understand, Shigure. Good night."

"Good night, Ha-san."

Shigure watched Hatori leave. His gray eyes glinted with untold sadness. When had he grown even more cynical and less trusting? That night he had taken Tohru-kun to the emergency room? It had started there. Perhaps, by helping Momiji, he would be able to atone for being too late to keep their flower from being bruised and battered. Tohru was and always would be a very special person in his mind.

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After getting off of the phone with Shigure, Momiji decided to give Tori a call and confirm that she and her friends would all be in San Diego in two weeks.

The phone on Tohru's desk rang for the 200th time that day. She almost ignored it so she could finish typing up the contracts she had been trying to get done all day.

"Hello, AJ's Import Office"

"Tori, hello. It's so good to hear your voice again."

"Momiji, I am so glad it is you!"

"I love it when you sound so happy to hear from me. It makes my whole day. I just wanted to confirm that you and your friends will all be in San Diego in two weeks."

"That's correct. Why, is it important that we be there?"

"It's a surprise and surprises aren't much fun if the people they are intended for never show up."

"A surprise? I love surprises. Can I at least have a hint?"

"Nope, it's a secret, Tori!"

"Momiji…"

"No point in asking again Tori. Remember one thing for me okay? I love you. Take care and I'll see you in Phoenix this weekend."

"Momiji, I…yes I will see you this weekend. Be safe."

Oh Mom why can't I tell him how I feel? He showers me with love in so many ways and yet, I am scared to tell him I love him too. Why?

Momiji gazed at the sky for a few minutes after talking to Tohru. I know she loves me, she almost said it that time. I wonder when I will get to hear that from her? Perhaps it would be better if I didn't until the meeting between her and Yuki takes place. After all, I still love her after all these years. There is the chance she and Yuki might still love each other as well.

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Two weeks later, they all met at the airport where Zodiac Imports' company jet was warming up on the runway. The excitement was high. A journey to America would be a wonderful vacation for everyone.

"Karin-san, I am so glad you're parents will allow you to take this trip. It would not have been the same without you."

Karin smiled at Yuki. "Always the prince, you are so kind Yuki. I am very happy to accompany you." Karin looked at the young man by her side and wondered once again how she had been so lucky as to fall in love with him and to have him love her in return. April couldn't come soon enough.

"Kyo, can I get a little help please. Katsuya is crying for attention and Kyoko and Tohru are trying to make the terminal their romper room."

Kyo smiled at the petite brown-haired woman he had grown to love. "Of course Kagura." He reached out a hand and grabbed 3-yr old Tohru as she sped past. He looked around for Kyoko and grinned when he saw where she had ended up. "Haru, thanks for the hand. I'm not sure I could have grabbed both of them at one time."

The years had changed Kyo. He was no longer always striving to best Yuki. Kagura and his children had made permanent changes in his attitude and his smile was not an uncommon site. Haru was envious. Would he ever know this type of happiness? Tohru Honda had taught Kyo he was worthwhile in his own right and there was no need for him to struggle to be a member of the zodiac that rejected him. Even Yuki had found someone to love. Was it going to be his destiny to forever love someone that would never accept him?

The little girl in his arms looked into Haru's eyes. "Uncle Haru, I love you"

There was a measure of happiness to be had, even if he stayed single forever. He smiled at the little girl. "I love you too, Kyo-chan."

Kisa ran up to Haru and gave him a big hug. "Big brother, it's been so long since I saw you last, how have you been?"

He handed the little girl off to her father and turned to give Kisa a hug as well.

"Kisa, it has been a while. I am doing fine and you?"

"I'm doing good. I have missed you. How are things at Kazuma-dono's dojo?"

"Excellent. There is plenty of work for Kyo, Kazuma-dono and myself. Kazuma-dono has granted me permission to open up a dojo under his name in the next prefecture over. I am really excited to be given the responsibility."

"That's fantastic. I always knew Kazuma-dono would figure out he could rely on you and on Kyo-kun as well. Have you heard from Momiji recently? I will be so happy to see him again. Hiro sends his best wishes. Unfortunately, he still has classes so couldn't come. I have exams when I get back, but all of my assignments are done for my classes."

"Momiji is well and happy. It seems he has met a special person and wants to introduce her to everyone when we get there. I think it will be a very interesting trip."

"I'm looking forward to seeing America. I think this will fun! Uncle Shigure promised me it would be."

"Me too, Kisa." Even more fun than you can imagine.

Greetings were finally completed and everyone was boarding the plane as Mamoru Sohma walked out onto the runway.

Shigure strode over to greet him. "Mamoru, thank you for making this trip possible."

"I was happy to do it Shigure. It is for my son's welfare after all. I do hope that all works out for him and Tohru-kun as well. I knew she was quite special from the first time I met her. Momiji will be very lucky if this dream of his should come true."

"You are right Mamoru. If only I had been a few years younger, I might have given him a run for his money." Shigure gave Mamoru a wink and a small bow. "Be safe while we are gone."

"You too, Shigure, take care."

Hatori was the last to arrive. He dismissed the car and walked quickly over to Shigure and Mamoru. "Forgive me for being late, Akito fell ill at the last minute and I had to attend to him. Did you know the hierarchy is looking for the new head? They are certain Akito won't last through the summer. I didn't disagree with them."

"I am sorry to hear that Hatori-san. Please let me know if there is anything I can do."

"Thank you Mamoru-san, but there is nothing at the moment that any of us can do."

"I suppose I should be sad to hear that, Ha-san…"

"I don't expect you to feel compassion Shigure, I was only passing on the most recent news."

"Well, I will be properly sad when next I see Akito upon our return."

"Will you ever forgive him Shigure?"

"No, I don't think I will."

Momoru watched the exchange between the two men and wondered what it was all about. He had never seen Shigure quite as cold toward Hatori as he was now. They were still friends, but something had come between them, just a little.

The two friends took their leave of Mamoru and strode up the ramp into the airplane.

"Hatori, Akito doesn't know we've found Tohru does he?"

"If you mean, did I tell Akito about her, no I didn't." Fortunately he never asked that question. "He still doesn't know the true reason for our trip to America."

Shigure smiled at Hatori. It was the first warmth the doctor had experienced from him in quite a while. Who would ever have suspected Akito's treatment of Tohru to affect their friendship in the way it had? And yet…Hatori couldn't really blame Shigure for his feelings. He did understand.

Mamoru watched as the jet taxied down the runway and finally took to the air.

"Fly safely my friends and return safely." He turned towards the exit where his car was waiting. Momiji, my son, I am very proud of you and I hope all turns out the way you have dreamed.

The conversation and the excitement were almost tangible. Shigure smiled at the party he had put together to go visit Momiji and to meet with Tohru-kun once again. How would everyone feel to find out that Tori Tanaka was actually Tohru Honda? Saturday, they would be in San Diego and on Saturday…Will Tohru be the same beautiful innocent flower I remember from before?

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A/N: Thank you to those of you who read the last chapter and to those of you who reviewed it as well. This is a somewhat lengthy story, so don't feel you have to review every chapter. I would love it if you did, but there is only so much that can be said at times. As long as people are enjoying it, I am happy.

Slow Motion Runner - Let's see, why do I sometimes use Tohru and sometimes use Tori? Most of the time it depends on who the conversationalists happen to be. In this case, when Momiji is talking to Shigure or when any of the other Sohmas are involved, it is going to be Tohru. When I am within the American context hopefully I am using Tori. If not, put it down to the inconsistency of trying to type at 2:00 in the morning.

Kashuneko - I don't mind if you don't review every chapter. Just read and enjoy.

liluka - hello, thanks for reading.It is always wonderful to see new people are reading my stories. I'm glad you feel I am staying in character. Hope you enjoyed this new chapter.

AmethystButterfly - wow another new reader. Thanks a lot for taking the time to review.

Steff7- I couldn't resist. I love truckers, my brother is a truck driver and he is one of my favorite people.

KTAnime - keep enjoying the story. If you don't review all the chapters that's fine. Just let me know at the end how well I have done.

Dark Inu - I never did consider Tori to be "romantically retarded" You're right, she just has trouble distinguishing amongst the various kinds of love. At least she is starting to get this whole romance thing figured out.