I don't own Fruits Basket!

Lele: But you own Zane, Nuni and I.

pats Lele's head Yes....yes I do....

The next morning came. Lele's sister Nuni dropped her off at school. When Lele arrived, Tohru and Kagura were waiting for her.

Lele yawned. "Are you still sleepy?" Tohru asked.

"Of course she is! She and Kyo stayed up all night on the phone," Kagura explained. When they arrived at home room, everyone stared at Lele. Lele felt embarrassed and bowed her head a bit. Kagura gave everyone a glare. They took there seats. The teacher came over to Lele and quietly asked, "Are you sure you want to be here? The faculty understands if you want to talk a few days off."

"No, it's okay. I can't really miss any more days. I need to bring up my grades."

He smiled, "Okay then. But if you need anything don't be afraid to ask." The teacher went to the front of the class and took role call. Lele began to doodle on her paper as she began daydreaming of her new boyfriend.

"What're you drawing Lele?" Kagura asked. She glanced over Lele's shoulder and saw what seemed to be a cat.

Kagura laughed as she joked, "Is that Kyo?" Lele hadn't even noticed that she drew a cat. She blushed and covered the paper quickly.

The bell rang at the end of school. Lele happily walked out with her friends. When they neared the front entrance they saw Yuki and Kyo. But, once again they were fighting.

"No I didn't like my party!!! It would've been worse if your sorry ass was there!!" Kyo yelled. "Well, then maybe I should have come!" Yuki stated.

"Your only use would've been to keep your damn brother away from me!!"

Yuki didn't hear him for her was saying hello to the ladies. Kyo realized that Lele was standing there watching him. His mouth shut fast and he lowered his head.

"Sorry Lele. I lost my temper again," he apologized.

"It's okay Kyo, I now you tried," she chuckled a bit.

"So what's this about a party?" Tohru asked.

"Well, I called Shigure when I got home. It was his idea to throw a party celebrating Kyo FINALLY having a girlfriend," Kagura explained.

Kyo got angry again, "So it was your damn fault!!"

Kagura yelled back, "And if it was? What were you planning to do about it!?" Kyo stood there with his mouth open.

"Yuki, why didn't you tell me that everyone was at Hatori's house?" Tohru asked as she pulled lightly on the end of Yuki's sweater.

Kagura explained, "Because Ayame was there."

Lele asked, "Who's he?"

Tohru explained, "He's Yuki's older brother. But they don't get along."

"I would like to meet some more of your family Kyo. How about after I leave work?"

Everyone's mouth dropped. Kyo sad in a monotone voice, "Are you....serious?" Lele nodded. Kyo's head dropped, "Okay. But you can't stay too long. And you have to stay close to me, okay?" Lele looked at him confused, but she said, "Okay!" Kyo grabbed Lele's hand and the crossed the street.

Lele worked as a part time clerk at a small department store in the downtown area. Kyo decided he would stay in the area until she was ready to leave. To pass the time, he did a little window shopping. Kyo glanced over a window of a jewelry store and noticed a shiny ring. It was silver ring with an amethyst stone cut in the shape of a heart. He remembered the night before.

"Hey Lele's, this may sound like a dumb question, but when's your birthday?" Kyo asked on the phone. "It's not dumb. My birthday's Feb. 21st. I'll finally be 19!"

Kyo ran into the store and asked a clerk, "How much is that ring in the window?!"

The clerk was a bit surprised and said, "Its $168. It's for our Christmas display. We just set it up this morning." Kyo seemed a little depressed.

"Damn, I don't have that kind of money. But, Lele would really like that ring. The color reminds me of her eyes." He slowly walked out of the store. The shoved his hands into his jacket pocket and continued walking down the street. He thought to himself, "I need to get a job. But, where? I think everywhere is already booked for the season." Just then, Kyo heard a bit of yelling. He looked up and saw across the street, a café busy with people. There was large window with a help wanted sign. Kyo ran across the street. (Almost being hit by a car) He ran inside and asked for the manager.

A tall hefty man, with a long bread, slightly baling, who was shorter than Kyo said, "I'm the manager. Can I help you sir?"

Kyo asked enthusiastically, "I saw you sign and I want a job here!"

"Well, do you have any experience?"

Kyo frowned a bit, "No."

"Sorry son, you need some waiting experience."

"But I really need this job. Everywhere else is hired!"

"May I ask for what reason is it you so desperately need the job?"

"I need the money to buy a present," Kyo said quietly, "It's for my girlfriend."

"Ah, I see. Will, being the nice guy I am, how's about I train you. If you do well in a week, not only will you get paid but you'll be hired officially. What do you say?"

Kyo had a big smile on his face, "Sure! I'll work really hard!"

"Atta boy! Be here at 3:00 sharp tomorrow afternoon. You'll work until 8:00. I'll need you Tuesday's, Thursday's, and the occasional Saturdays. Deal?" The large man extended his hand. Kyo grabbed it and shook it happily, "Yes sir! My name's Kyo Soma!"

"Well, welcome aboard Kyo!"

It was 8:00 when Lele left work.

She stood outside and waited for Kyo, "I was sure he'd be here by now." Just then Lele heard a voice call to her from down the road.

Kyo was running up to her, "Lele I'm here!! Don't leave!!"

Lele laughed and yelled back, "I'm not leaving without you silly!" Kyo ran right up to Lele and grabbed her. He picked her up off the ground and kissed her. Lele was a bit shocked but kissed him as well. He breathed heavily through his nose.

He pulled away and said cheerfully, "I got a job!"

Lele smiled, "Really, where?"

"It's down the street at that busy café."

"Oh, you mean Mr. Bolive's café. He's a tough man Kyo. Sweet but he doesn't take crap from no one. Lots of people have either quit or fired. You have to have a lot of stamina to keep up in there. Well, then again, you already do," Lele joked.

Kyo laughed along with her. "So, are you still going to your house?" Lele asked.

Kyo's laughed turned somber, "Oh yeah I forgot." He took Lele's hand and led her to his home.

"Oh, your home," Hatori said when Kyo walked through the door. Lele stepped through the door behind Kyo.

Hatori was a bit surprised to see her, "Hello again Lele."

"DID YOU SAY LELE!?!?" several voices yelled from different points of the house. Momiji ran in from the den, Shigure, who was sitting next to Hatori, sat up and shimmied his way to the door. Ayame ran down the stairs, and Ritsu dropped another dish in the kitchen. He apologized to Hatori again and then went to the door. Everyone pushed Kyo out of the way and into the wall to get a better look at Lele.

They all gasped and said, "She's beautiful!" She seemed to sparkle to them.

"Hi! Hi! I'm Momiji, nice to meet you!"

"Did you have dinner yet? Please stay for dinner?' Ritsu begged.

Ayame and Shigure went to her sides. "What is a beautiful woman like you doing with such a little scamp like Kyo?" Ayame asked as he turned her face to his.

Shigure placed a hand on her face and turned it in his direction, "Do you have any sister?"

Lele blushed but was yet very very confused as to who all these handsome men were, "Uh...yes."

Kyo got up and conked the both of them on the head, "LAY OFF HER YOU PREVERTS!!! DON'T YOU HAVE ANY SHAME?"

"Shigure, Ayame, that's enough. Let them be," Hatori said with a cigarette in his mouth. They both stepped forward and bowed, "Welcome to our home!"

"You say it like you live here!!" Kyo yelled as he seemed to be over-towering them.

Ritsu fixed Lele and Kyo each a plate of food.

Lele smiled, "Thank you."

Momiji sat beside Lele and asked her several questions, "How old are you? What's your favorite color? What kind of music do you like? Do you have any pets?"

Kyo yelled with fork in hand, "Would you let her eat?!"

"It's okay Kyo he's just a child. I don't mind children."

"He's no kid, he's 17." Lele dropped her fork in surprise.

She studded, "Sev-seventeen?!!"

Momiji leaned down, picked up the fork and walk to the sink, "I'm the same age as Haru. Here you go," Momiji washed off her fork and gave it back to her.

"Haru?" Lele asked.

"Yes, he's another family member. Speaking of Haru, where's he now? Lost in a closet?"

"He left after you this morning. He was supposed to call when he got home, but he hasn't yet," Momiji said and put a finger to his face, "I hope he's okay."

In the other room, Hatori Ayame and Shigure sat and played cards.

"Who would you rather have, Lele or Tohru?" Shigure asked.

"That's a tough one. Hmm? Let me think..." Aya said.

"Well don't. Kyo and Yuki and would beat the stuffing out of the both you if you tired anything with either of them," Hatori said and placed a card on the table.

"Oh we're just fantasizing Hatori," Shigure said waving a card.

"That's makes it worse," Hatori said and placed another card down.

"Lele is very pretty...but Tohru has a more child like face," Ayame thought out loud. Hatori just shook his head. "I know of a wonderful Christmas present to give them. I could make them matching costumes. Like two maids outfits or two little dresses. They could be the next magical girl pair!" Ayame said and clasped his hands together.

"I'd love to take some pictures of them together!" Shigure said with sparkling eyes. Hatori stood up and walked away.

"Where are you going? We aren't finished with our game yet," Ayame pouted.

"I don't want your dirty thoughts floating around near me," Hatori said and walked out of the room.

After they ate, Kyo and Lele went into the den with Momiji. It was about 9:00 pm when the phone rang. Kagura answered it up stairs. She called down to everyone, "It's Haru, and he finally got home. A police woman had to escort him home!"

Kyo sighed, "What an idiot."

"Haru has a bad sense of direction. He always gets lost. Even in the smallest of places," Momiji explained to Lele.

"Kyo, I think I should be heading home."

"Already?" he asked with a sad tone in his voice. She nodded. He sat up and took her hand. There were long goodbyes at the door and then they left.

"Be a gentleman Kyo!" Ayame called from the door.

"Don't do anything rash!!" Shigure said standing next to Aya.

"I'M NOT LIKE YOU!!!" Kyo yelled back at them. His voice boomed off the houses.

"Your family is very eccentric Kyo," Lele smiled at him.

"Well, I'll agree with you there," Kyo said and scratched his head.

At Lele's door step, Kyo gave her a long kiss. "I don't want to leave you," he said quietly.

"I know, but you have to." Kyo became saddened by the truth. "I'll see you tomorrow," Lele said to try to make him feel better.

"But I won't be able to spend the afternoon with you. I start my job tomorrow."

"Hmm...then what can we do. Oh I know! How about if I pick you up from work and I sleep over?"

"Sure, but come before it gets dark. At 7:00, okay?" Lele nodded with a smile. She kissed Kyo's cheek and stepped inside. He waved to her as he ran down the street.

I hope this is too everyone's liking. Please...please...review. I feel no love from anyone....sobs

Advanced warning...things get a little heated up in the next chapter... Lele teaches Kyo some things about kissing... wink