Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket. I do, however, own a basket full of miscellaneous fruit. I sure do like bananas.

Kyo found himself waking up earlier than normal; it was still pretty dark outside and the sun had yet to really lighten the sky. Lying in bed, he tried to go back to sleep until the scene behind his eyes reminded him of what had just been dreamed-up.

He had dreamt about her again.

How could he have forgotten the dream so fast? I guess the shock of realizing what time it was made me forget. But it had been bad enough to wake him up. He knew that he would have all the time in the world to dream about her during his… He shuddered at the thought that he couldn't bear to finish.

Stretching the extent of his bed, Kyo felt his joints pop and sighed deeply. I guess I can just start early. I won't get to be outside for much longer…

Scratching his head, he shuffled out of bed and into the bathroom. After splashing some cold water onto his face to wake him up a little more, he then went into the kitchen, helped himself to about a glass of milk (conveniently without the glass), and then began his early morning routine.

Tohru awoke to the sound of someone showering. Glancing over at her alarm, she was shocked to see that it was 5:45 a.m., the sun just beginning to light up the sky. Strange. I have never woken up this early before, Mom. I wonder why…

Five days remained before Kyo would be gone from her life forever; until there was a Kyo-shaped hole in her universe. She had until Saturday, the day of commencement, to find out how to break the curse. If she didn't then Kyo…

I won't give up! Tohru told herself, wide away and yet all too tired. She had had trouble falling asleep that night thinking about the same thing she had just woken up to thinking. Determination swam in circular motions throughout her body, filling her being with the need to act at that very moment, and simultaneously draining her of any strength she had to stay awake. The sweet scent of soap and the soft pattering of the shower lulled her to sleep as gently as it had woken her up.

Kyo turned the shower off and felt the coolness of the surrounding air hit his wet body in one swift blow. Shivering, he wiped his body off briskly, hoping that the friction would keep him from freezing; even though it was now March, it was still very cold. Slipping into his school uniform, he felt the fabric cling to the still damp areas of his body and swore under his breath; he hated having to walk around in wet clothes. It must be the spirit of the cat within me hating the water, Kyo thought. No, it's probably pretty annoying to anyone.

Walking into his bedroom, he found that it was barely 6 a.m. Damn! I still have three hours before I need to be at school! What the hell am I supposed to do…

The smell of sweet, sweet breakfast woke the dog up. He hadn't been asleep for long; writing his novels kept him up at odd hours of the day, and when inspiration hits a writer he had better not stop for fear of losing such inspiration. But, one had better not turn away a cooked meal, because who would cook next and when? Better not look a gift-horse in the mouth.

"Such dedication! Ahh, what is my sweet flower cooking for me this early in the…."

Shigure blinked at a shocked Kyo standing at the stove. Kyo was wearing Tohru's apron.

"Morning. Kyo! What a pleasant surprise. You're up earlier than normal," Shigure noted, leaning against the doorpost.

Kyo ripped off the apron and stuffed it into a drawer. "I couldn't sleep and got hungry, so instead of waking Tohru up I figured I could cook myself breakfast. It's not like I can't do it myself."

He won't get the chance to cook when he's gone, Shigure realized.

Kyo turned back to cooking, pushing the contents around the pan expertly. Shigure felt himself begin to watch Kyo, unsure of what to say for one of the first times that year; being unable to say something did not come naturally to him, so when he found himself speechless, it shocked the hell out of him.

Shigure leaned his head against the doorpost and sighed inwardly. He knew that Tohru would fight tooth and nail to keep Kyo from being locked up; at least, he hoped that she would. If he was anywhere near right with his assumption of her feelings, then he knew that she would not just stand idle while Akito closed the door and turned the lock. Yuki would probably not stand idle either, seeing how much he had come out of his shell and even stood up to Akito several times on his own, a particular New Years Banquet came to mind on that subject; Shigure found that he himself, too, did not want Kyo to be locked up either. It was a feeling he wasn't accustomed to, seeing as how Kyo was born to be looked down upon and pitied. He was supposed to feel good about himself because Kyo was being locked up and had it worse than he, but… But he found himself looking lovingly upon Kyo, hoping only for the best for him, wanting things to work out in his favor for once. Tohru and Kyo's budding relationship was one such thing that he secretly hoped would come into light and be made so that they could both be happy. Especially the cat, for once.

Kyo hunched his shoulders up to his ears. Turning slightly he said, "Are you just going to stand there and watch me?"

Shigure came back from his thoughts. "Why not? Is there some sort of law against watching one of the people that live within my humble home, cooking on my nice hot stove, slaving over a meal that I will most likely eat?"

"It's creepy!"

Shigure smiled and looked down at the ground. He knew that he would miss Kyo. But he couldn't go against Akito. She was far more precious to his heart.

"You made breakfast?" a half-awake Yuki asked, his hair still slightly disheveled.

Tohru looked down, ashamed that Kyo had woken up before her and had cooked for everyone; she felt that she had failed in some strange way.

"Yeah," was all Kyo answered, sitting with Tohru and Yuki. He had already eaten and was tempted to leave for school early, but wanted to be in the company of Tohru, even if that damned rat was there. Even still, he had felt his feelings warming slightly (just slightly! Barely anything at all!) towards Yuki and his company; he didn't know when he would be able to be around him in the following weeks to come, and wanted as much human contact as possible, even if it was in the form of that damned Yuki.

"Thank you, Kyo-kun, for making this wonderful breakfast," Tohru stated softly, shame tinting her voice.

Kyo shrugged. "It was no big deal. I just hope you like it."

"Of course Kyo-kun! Your meals are always most delicious!" Tohru exclaimed, digging into her meal with fervor. Yuki just stared at her blankly and then back down to his food. He still wasn't fully awake enough to understand Tohru's energy.

Kyo felt a contented, warm sensation spreading throughout his body. He knew that moments like these were going to be far and few between in the future. I had better enjoy them while I can.

"Yes. Your meals do have a reputation for being good… baka neko."

Kyo, shocked to his core, stared at Yuki, unsure if whether it was a compliment or not. Yuki ignored Kyo's look and began to eat his meal slowly, as if deliberating if whether it was actually asgood as usual. Tohru, too, was staring at Yuki, her chopsticks hanging mere inches away from her mouth. The food slipped out of the chopstick's grasp, and her food slapped into her bowl.

Kyo snapped out of his stare and felt his face go beet red. Looking at the wall, Kyo responded, "Uhh, thanks.."

Tohru felt a smile tugging at her lips. A bubble of laughter erupted from her throat and she felt herself laughing freely and without worry for the first time in a long time. Kyo and Yuki both looked at her wonderingly, and Tohru smiled at the two boys.

"We better get going to school soon! It's best not to be late!"

Mom…

Kyo nodded, stretched, and said, "Yeah, we know. That promise to your mom."

Yuki finished his bowl and stated, "I have another meeting to attend to after school, Honda-san, so I will be late for dinner."

"Like that's new," Kyo muttered, but it lacked any real emotional tie. He said it just for old times.

Watching the two boys argue without hardfeelings, Tohru smiled contentedly.

I'm going to do my best. I will save Kyo.