Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket. If I did, it would have some lame title, like…eh, something really lame, though.

Kyo's high about getting into University had worn off by the end of the school day. His soul felt heavy, torn with something more than just his want of staying in the free world.

Tohru had wanted to walk home together, seeing as how he wasn't going to the dojo today, but Kyo had opted out.

"I'm just going to walk around, all right? I'll be home for dinner, I promise."

Tohru had just nodded and smiled sadly. He knew that she was thinking of how little time they had left together, but he just needed some time to think. He needed to be able to walk around and see everything before his two days were through.

Two days. Two days left to breathe fresh air, soak in the warm rays of sunlight, and interact with human-kind. Two days left to be with Tohru. To breathe in her calming aura, to soak up the optimism and love she threw out in spades, to interact with her as he'd always done. To love her right before her…

He had no idea how long ago the conversation about walking home with her had been; he'd been walking around aimlessly for what seemed like hours. The sun was beginning to set, and he knew that Tohru would be getting dinner on the table soon.

I guess I better wrap this up if I'm going to keep my promise to Tohru.

Sighing, Kyo finally looked up to see where he had aimlessly walked. His blood ran cold and his hair stood on end as he stared at the granite tombstone directly in front of him.

Kyoko's grave.

"Even now… your waves are echoing…why are you… standing before a grave with such feelings of regret…?"

It had been so long since he had been to Kyoko's grave, the last time being on the first anniversary of her death. He had chosen not to go during the second year anniversary. Now, only two days before he was to be locked up in a dark room, it seemed as though fate was playing a cruel joke on him by leading him blindly to the very spot that he was most frightened of.

Kyo knelt before the grave site, lightly brushing off some leaves the heavy March wind had blown about. After he was done, he stayed kneeling, feeling conspicuous and found-out, and yet strangely alone. Without realizing why, tears began to pool in his eyes and fear gripped his heart.

I killed you.

You were my mentor. My one friend. You spoke to me like I mattered; told me stories about yourself and Tohru, even though I had never met her. In your eyes I was your carbon copy, and you related to me in a way that no one could, not even Shishou. And how did I repay you?

I killed you.

I took your life and in turn I took everything away from Tohru. Then I go and fall in love with her, as though I have a right to.

Tears began to pour down Kyo's face. His knuckles turned white as he made a fist and slammed it into the ground. Over and over again, his fist hit the ground in front of Kyoko's grave, blood forming from the cuts produced by small granules of dirt and sand the wind had blown in.

All I do is hurt people. Just by being born I've hurt everyone I've come into contact with. My parents… my mother even committed suicide because of me. My father… Shishou, being ridiculed by the Sohmas for taking me in, and me hurting him until I felt his hurt would be no more… you, Kyoko, my first real mentor and friend, and through you I've hurt Tohru… I just can't take it any more. I don't deserve to live for all I've done.

I'm so sorry, Kyoko. I'm so sorry.

I deserve to be locked up.

Tohru looked up as Kyo walked through paper doors and into the dining room. A smile brightened her face, and her aura beamed happily toward him.

"Just in time for dinner, just as you promised!" Tohru said happily, setting the last dish in place.

Taking his hand in both of hers, she led Kyo over to the table. "I even made a special cake for you to congratulate you on getting into University!"

Tohru beamed happily until her smiled faded at his lack of response. Looking down at Kyo's hand, she found it badly cut and clotting from bleeding, and Kyo's face was red and tear-stained.

Kyo looked into her eyes, and Tohru could see the anger and turmoil swirling within him.

"Kyo-kun…" Tohru murmured, staring wonderingly at him. "Are you okay?"

Kyo's face scrunched up as he fought back tears. He refused to allow Tohru to see him crying, but he couldn't avoid coming and seeing her in the dining room; he was drawn to Tohru like a moth was to light.

He was surprised when he felt a cold sensation on his hand, and looked down to see Tohru dabbing a wet napkin on his cuts. Tears sprung to his eyes, and he jerked his hand away.

I don't deserve any of this.

Tohru looked up at Kyo, her eyes filled with sadness and confusion.

"Kyo-kun," Tohru said softly, "you said to me just the other day that I could tell you anything. Y-you can tell me anything too, you know that, right?"

Kyo stared down at Tohru, and a tear slid from the confinements of his eye and down his cheek. Tohru gently used the dry end of the wet napkin to catch the tear before it made any further progress down Kyo's cheek.

"I want to help you, Kyo-kun," Tohru said gently.

"Please…" Kyo whispered, catching the ear of Tohru just barely. Kyo closed his eyes and another tear fell silently. "Please, don't come near me any more. I will only hurt you."

Tohru's eyes pricked with tears and her breath caught in her throat. What?...He's just trying to protect me?

Tohru opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off by Kyo's finger at her lips. Tohru's cheeks pinked and her heart began to race.

"I'm not going to be eating tonight. I'm sorry that you had to waste your efforts on me. Thank you for the kind thought," even though I don't deserve any of this.

Tohru then watched as Kyo took his finger away, and exited into the hallway. Touching her lips, she felt the tingling warmth of where Kyo's touch had just been. Hearing his footsteps on the stairs, Tohru felt as though he had just said farewell forever.