Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket in any way.


CHAPTER 2

Tohru awoke with a start in the early hours of the morning. The mid night horrors cascading down her back as her sea-green eyes focused with the darkness. What had scared her so? She closed her eyes tight and rubbed her temples with her forefingers. What was that dream about? Darkness - that's all she could remember. The dream was quickly slipping out of her mind and after a few minutes she gave up. She decided to head downstairs and start breakfast. She quickly dressed and descended down the stairs and into the spacious kitchen. As the sun was slowly rising, she made tea, molded onigiri, and set the table. As she was washing the cooking dishes, she heard Kyo and Shigure argue.

"Kyo, you're not involved! Stay out of it!"

"If whatever's going on is so safe then why don't you just tell me?"

Just then, interrupting their fight, stumbled in Yuki. "What are you fighting about, baka neko?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.

Kyo ignored him and shot at Shigure, "It's not like she went to see Akito, right?"

Shigure's eyes blazed with fear. The color in Yuki's face drained out as he whispered, "Akito?"

Before allowing the conversation to go any further, Tohru hurried out and said, "Good morning Sohma-kun, Shigure-san, Kyo-kun. Breakfast is ready." She led them to the table where they are their meal in a heavy silence. All that was heard was the quiet tapping of chopsticks on plates and slurps as people drank.

"I'm sorry!" Tohru suddenly said, bowing her head, "I didn't mean to start all of this fighting. It's all my fault. I'm so sorry."

Yuki turned to her and said, "Ms. Honda, nobody is fighting because of you."

Shigure's eyes were wide with worry and Kyo slumped down in his seat. Tohru rung her hands together in her lap while Yuki patted her knee.

"I'm sorry," Tohru said again, "I'll tell you anything you want. Well, almost anything. There are a few details I can't tell you, but you'll understand when the time comes."

She'd tell them anything? Kyo opened and closed his mouth several times before finding the right words. "Where were you yesterday?" he finally asked.

"Akito's." Tohru mumbled.

"Why did you lie to me - to us?" Kyo asked, the pained sound in his voice caused Tohru to flinch.

"I-I didn't want to worry you over nothing. Me and Shigure-san didn't think it was necessary."

Shigure, who had been tapping his fingers to his lips, finally spoke saying, "What did Akito-sama say to you, flower?"

Tohru was quiet for a moment and then said, "I can't tell you. I'm so sorry."

There was a moment of silence where the dog, cat, and rat processed what she had just said. She can't tell us? Why not? Then Yuki asked, "Why can't you tell us?"

Tohru paused, thinking carefully of her next words. "Because it wouldn't work," she finally said.

Then she stood up, dusted off her knees and said, "Well, those leaves won't rake themselves," and marched out the door.

With Tohru's abrupt absence, Kyo jumped up and said, "Dammit! Why won't she tell us!" and then stormed out after Tohru. He found her rummaging through the garage, looking for rakes.

"Tohru!" he shouted, making her jump.

"Yes Kyo?" she answered, smiling freely.

"Tell me, what's going on? I need to know Tohru. I need to know."

"It's going to happen tonight Kyo." Tohru answered with a dark blank stare. "You'll know in the morning. Akito will fill you in. Don't worry though; you'll all be happy soon."

"Tohru! What are you talking about? Stop talking in code! I just want to know if you're alright."

Tohru paused and said, "I'll be just fine."

This was getting nowhere. Kyo rubbed his temples in frustration and punched the wall. Why did she have to be like this? Tohru just smiled to herself and formulated her plan for later that night.