Blue:waves white flag: The torturously long time between updates is not my fault! If you want to blame someone blame her:point to Ivey: She abandoned me for months! No inspiration whatsoever!

Ivey:sneers: Oh whatever! You were just lazy! Don't blame it all on me!

Blue: Nevertheless I am sooo sorry! I swear it won't happen again! Ok review time. Freaky Krazer- I'd almost given up on this story until your reviews reminded me that I had an obligation to my readers. Thanks so much! Pyrah14- Yes, I know the last chapter was unpleasant, but you have to remember that this story is listed as tragedy for a reason. I'm glad you liked it anyway. Lyanne Tyler Davidson- All in due time my friend. I can't tell you what's going to happen before it happens haha. Birdcrazy- The questions will be answered! I'm so sorry that I've kept all of you waiting. Hae-jang Lee- Aww… thanks! I am such a cruel authoress for making you wait. For shame:smites self: AnimeFreaks13- Travis Willingham is cool. I love him… :stares blankly at nothing and drools a bit: Aya Hinata- I hear ya. :gives you an Akira plushie to stab to your hearts content: One Winged Angel Sami- You're from the UK? Awesome! I want live there so bad . Of course Japan would be nice too.

Ivey: Blue doesn't own Fruits Basket. If she did… well… :looks around her room: she wouldn't still live with her mom.

Blue: Hey:glares: I'm still in high school!

Melancholy Requiem

By Blue

Chapter Six- It's Gone Now

Every Sunday was the same for Sohma Kyo: get up at five-thirty in the morning, lift weights, practice his katas, think about how he was going to beat that damn rat, drink milk, make several unnecessary trips upstairs and then back down past the kitchen to check on Tohru, etc. It couldn't have been more obvious that he was worrying if he'd hung a sign around his neck that advertised his agitation to the world. He couldn't understand why Tohru wasted every Sunday visiting that sick bastard with a god complex. When he'd asked her why she always went to see Akito (he'd refrained from calling Akito a sick bastard with a god complex in front of Tohru; it would just upset her) she'd said she didn't think he got too many visitors and she thought he needed a friend. Not knowing how to respond to that he sputtered a few explicatives and left the room to go break something, most likely, much to Shigure's distress, another door.

This morning was no exception. Having just finished his morning exercise he jogged into the house, wiping the sweat from his face with the hand towel he'd slung over his shoulder. As he neared the kitchen he heard the sound of voices from within. Upon entering the kitchen he spotted Shigure hovering around the oven inhaling deeply and spouting off nonsense as usual. After a moment the smell of something chocolate baking reached his nose and he blinked his eyes curiously as he walked over to the fridge. Kyo grabbed the carton of milk from the refrigerator and set it on the counter as he reached for a glass from the cupboard (the rat made some annoying comment every time he drank from the carton).

"What are you making?" he asked. Tohru, who was at the sink washing dishes, turned around with a smile.

"Good morning, Kyo-kun! I'm making brownies," she told him cheerfully.

"And they're not for us! It's such a tragedy!" Shigure exclaimed as crocodile tears streamed down his cheeks.

"I really am sorry Shigure-san. I promise I'll make you some when I get back this afternoon," she said anxiously.

"Who're they for?"

"They're for Akito-san. I hope he likes chocolate." Kyo ground his teeth in an effort to keep from yelling his frustration. 'Why does she go to some much trouble for that damn Akito?'

The last two months had been lonely ones for Asano Hiroaki. He hadn't seen his best friend Sohma Asa and had received a mer half a dozen letters and not a single phone call or visit. Each letter was vague and left him filled with worry. She didn't sound happy, she sounded lonely. When he had gone back to her apartment a few days after she moved out to get her address from her mother he had been extremely unsettled by Natsu's indifference to the situation. When Hiroaki had asked her if she minded Asa living at the main estate the woman had merely shrugged her shoulders and said that if that's what she wanted it was fine with her. Asa was her only daughter how could she not care?

After two months of worrying he decided it was high time for a visit. And so on one sunny Tuesday afternoon Hiroaki headed over to the Sohma estate in hopes of cheering her up. He'd even brought her a gift that was nestled carefully inside his bag. When he arrived however he was immediately given trouble at the gate. It was only by pure luck that Takeshi was passing by the gate and recognized him.

"Aren't you Asa-san's friend?" he asked with a smile; halting the guards protests that he could not be allowed into the estate without permission. Hiroaki, who after fifteen minutes of civilly arguing with the guard was on the verge of stomping his foot and demanding to be allowed in, smiled in relief.

"Yes, I am. Your Takeshi-san right?" he replied with a slight bow. Takeshi nodded with a smile and then turned to the guard. After a brief conversation with the irate guard Takeshi turned back to Hiroaki and beckoned him to follow. Hiroaki was elated and sent the guard a triumphant look as he passed, which was returned with a glare. As he followed Takeshi through the estate toward the inner complex he was amazed at the sheer size of the place. He had expected it to be traditional, but he hadn't anticipated just how big it was. Without a guide a visitor could easily get lost. Hiroaki was so caught up in his surroundings that he almost walked into Takeshi when he stopped outside of one of the houses. It was built in a traditional style like all the rest, but someone it seemed much more… more… Hiroaki wasn't quite sure what it was about the house, but it just seemed to stand out from the rest.

The rabbit of the zodiac knocked on the door and waited until a servant opened it. She bowed in respect to Takeshi before inclining her head slightly to Hiroaki. Takeshi then asked the woman to inform Asa that she had a guest. The servant bowed and went to do as told. Not two minutes later the sound of socked feet padding quickly toward the door reached his ears and he smiled brightly as Asa opened the door and practically flung herself into his arms.

"Aki-kun! I've missed you so much!" Her arms were wrapped so tightly around his neck that his airway was slightly constricted, but he enjoyed it nonetheless. After a moment she pulled away and he got a good look at her. To put it simply she looked beautiful. Her mahogany colored hair was pulled into a loose bun at the nape of her neck while her bangs elegantly framed her face. She'd often worn her hair in that style, but her hair seemed smoother, softer. 'She must be using a different shampoo,' he thought idly, 'Her hair smelled really nice too.' Asa was also dressed in an elegant dark pink kimono embroidered with sakura blossoms and for some reason she seemed to glow.

"I've missed you too Asa-chan," he replied with a smile as equally bright as Asa's own. After a quick hello to Takeshi, she grabbed her friend's hand and lead him inside and down the hall to her room. Asa ignored the servant's disapproving look and shut the door behind them before hugging him again tightly. Hiroaki was a bit surprised at how much she seemed to cling to him, but dismissed it as merely being excited to see him again. It had been two months after all and they were best friends. Not long after they were seated at the table and talking cheerfully. It wasn't till a small sound came from his bag that Hiroaki remember his present. Asa blinked in surprise as he carefully opened it.

"Close your eyes," he instructed her. After a curious look she covered her eyes with her hands. "No peeking."

"I'm not peeking!" Asa responded with a giggle. After a moment she felt something small placed in her lap and she peeked through her fingers. She gasped in delight for in her lap was a small gray kitten pawing at her obi. Asa gently hugged the kitten to her chest and nuzzled it as she stroked its downy fur.

"I thought you might be lonely so I got you a friend for when I can't come visit." Tears pricked at Asa's eyes as she scratched the purring kitten behind the ears. Hiroaki always did seem to know just what she needed. She looked up and gave him a watery smile that made him blush ever so slightly. As she opened her mouth to thank him a sharp rap on the door caused them both to jump. Without waiting for permission to enter, the servant slid the door open and approached the table carrying a tray of tea. Her sharp eyes widened and then narrowed at the sight of the kitten. She placed the tea on the table and served them both in silence. Afterwards she bowed to them both and turned to Asa.

"Asa-san, Atsuko-san would like to see you in hour." Asa wilted a bit at the information, but bowed her head with a smile anyway.

"Of course. Thank you." With one last glance at the kitten the servant bowed and left them to drink their tea. The rest of their visit was a bit subdued and when it came time for Hiroaki to leave their goodbye was a bit awkward. Neither of them wanted to part, but there really wasn't much of a choice in the matter. With one last quick hug Hiroaki departed with a servant to be escorted out and Asa went for her check up with Astuko. Much to Asa's confusion and distress, when she came back to her room her new kitten was gone.

Blue: Please review! I promise never to go so long between updates again. Gomen nasai::goes off to work on her Trigun fics:

Ivey: Also if anyone can figure out where we're getting the names of the chapters you'll get something good. Not sure what yet, but it'll be good.