Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket. End of story (but not of Fruba yet!).

Yuki limped slowly. Brushing past a few low-lying branches, Yuki exited the well-worn path and sighed inwardly as he came upon his secret base. Crouching slowly, Yuki winced as the shin of his left leg throbbed.

Perhaps the cat isn't the fool I took it for. I was the fool today.

Yuki put his hand to his face and brushed the hair from his eyes.

I can't believe I lost.

Something furry brushed up against his ankle. Looking down, Yuki was surprised to see a little rat sniffing around his shoe. It was but a baby rat, fresh from the nest, and barely larger than the size of a mouse. Picking up the little rat, Yuki felt a smile come to his lips.

"In the past, you were friends with the cat."

Yuki knew that the story that Saki-san had told the other day was true. He could feel it in his cursed soul when he looked at Kyo; he was the reason Kyo's spirit was so vengeful.

"Why did you betray him? Pride? To show that you could?"

The little rat squeaked and licked the tip of Yuki's finger, nibbling just slightly.

Ha, I have no pride left.

Tohru set the table for dinner, all the while glancing at the sliding paper door every other minute. Now that they had begun eating, Tohru was frowning and chewing slowly, staring every once in a while at the spot that Yuki normally took. Shigure had chosen to ignore her strange tick, but it was annoying the hell out of Kyo.

I WON! And she's freaking worried about that damned rat.

Kyo smoldered silently though, knowing full well that it was no use. Even being with her while she worried about the rat was better than not being around her at all.

But… I freaking won!

After Yuki had walked out of the dojo, Kyo had collapsed onto the ground, exhausted to his core. Tohru had rushed to his side, her little hands darting around, not knowing what to do to help Kyo. Kazuma had just casually walked up to Kyo, and held out a hand. Panting, Kyo laughed and took it. Kazuma lead Kyo into his house to rest, Tohru fluttering after. Before they left Kazuma's, though, Kazuma had asked that Tohru speak with him privately.

Looking over at Tohru's worried expression, he couldn't help but wonder what Kazuma had said.

"Ahhh, Tohru. Your dinner, once again, was the highlight of my day," Shigure complimented. Standing and stretching, he then uttered, "You know, Kyon, you should really put into practice what I told you during our little moonlit conversation. I think it might be different than what you expect."

Shigure then winked and walked out of the dining room, softly closing the paper door behind him.

…That dog drives me so crazy. Kyo thought to himself, making a fist.

Kyo glanced over at Tohru, and blushed at the questioning look she was giving him.

She could never love something like me back...

"Kyo-kun…" Tohru said softly. Kyo's eyes shifted to Tohru, his cheeks pinked and his heart pounding with the way she said his name so gently. "Do you truly wish me to help you?"

"Tohru…" Kyo said, his voice choking at her name. He knew that she was talking about their walk to school on Tuesday. He watched as Tohru stared at him, her face red.

"I-I really meant it. I want to help you, Kyo-kun. I just wish…" Tohru stammered, breaking the gaze between them, looking down at the table. She put her hands in her lap and twined them nervously.

Kyo surprised himself as his hand took one of her hands and held it in his own. Tohru's face lit up with an even deeper shade of red, and Kyo tried his best to keep his face from doing the same.

"You wish what, Tohru?" Kyo said, trying to keep his voice calm and soft.

Tohru looked over at Kyo, tears filling her eyes. "Two days, not counting tonight. Sh-Shigure told me to just be myself… but how can I save you? How… how can I just give up on Mom like that?"

Kyo started a little; fear filled him slightly. "Your mom?"

Tears began to flow freely from Tohru's eyes. "I prom-promised myself that I-I'd love Mom only…"

Kyo's eyes widened. What is she saying? Is she…

"I to-told myself that I would love only her when she died… but I'm afraid. I'm afraid that I'm breaking… my promise to my mom!" Tohru sobbed, bringing hers and Kyo's hand to her face to hide her tears.

Kyo felt the hot tears smear across the back of his hand and the heat from her face. Inside his body, he felt nothing as his heart swelled twice the size of normality.

Is she… confessing to me?

Sitting up straight, he leaned towards Tohru. Using his other hand, Kyo gently took the back of her head and softly had her fall on his shoulder. Tohru just sank into his shoulder, sobbing.

"Tohru…" Kyo said softly, his lips touching the crown of her head. "Your mother would be happy for you no matter what…"

Tohru nodded, her head rubbing into Kyo's shoulder. She squeezed his hand, and her sobbing slowed to a hiccup.

"As for saving me," Kyo continued, breathing into her hair. "Just the thought of you wanting to, makes me the happiest… man… alive. Thank you, Tohru."

I'm so sorry, Mom.

Kyo listened as Tohru's breathing deepened, and he knew after a while that she was asleep. Leaning back slowly, he lowered himself and Tohru to the floor. Tohru squeezed his hand in her sleep, her head heavy on his shoulder and her warm breath softly breezing onto Kyo's neck. Feeling his body relax, Kyo closed his eyes and fell asleep…

I think I've made my decision…