Author's Note: After reading the review responses from both sites, I've decided that I want to get my beta a t-shirt for Christmas. On the front would be a picture of Butterfly and underneath would be "Give me my three-way action, damn it!" and on the back would be "Pervy Butterfly Minion". Of course there are two major problems with this 1) he would probably kill me and 2) my artistic ability is limited to ducks. And mushrooms. Just don't ask.

I also want to quickly note that the song quote is not meant to be a sign of a healthy relationship.

Chapter Summary: Sex, violence, and angst. Not necessarily in that order.

Disclaimer: Fruits Basket belongs to Natsuki Takaya/HAKUSENSHA - TV TOKYO - NAS - Fruba Project. Butterfly is mine.

Warning: Rated R for language, implied rape, torture, and adult situations. This chapter- sexual situations and non-graphic violence. Sexual situations are suggestive rather than graphic, but if for some reason you feel that they are too graphic for FFNet- please e-mail me and let me know and I will edit the scene.

Chapter 12: I'm Yours

So taunt me and hurt me,

Deceive me, desert me;

I'm yours 'til I die!

So in love with you,

My love, am I.

- Cole Porter, "So in Love" from 'Kiss Me, Kate'

Tohru stares into the bathroom mirror as she quickly swallows one of the birth control pills. It's been five weeks since she started taking them and she still feels embarrassed every time she opens the packet.

Why? Safe sex is good sex, boys and girls.

'But I'm not having sex.'

But you want to be. And it's about time, I might add. How are we going to have a threesome if you can't even have sex with one of them?

'No threesome, Butterfly. And I don't know... Somehow I always thought that I'd be married before I had sex.'

Well you can hardly marry both of them.

'Besides, I don't even know if they love me like that.'

They gave up their lives to come with you and plan their future around you. Admittedly it was probably in their best interests, but still....

'They've never actually said that they love me.'

Let me explain this to you sweetheart- they're teenage boys. Teenage boys are allergic to words like 'love', 'commitment' or 'children'. If you wanted a mature man you should have gone for Shigure or Hatori. Well, maybe not Shigure....

'I don't even know what they decided. Neither of them have said anything since then. Maybe they don't want me anymore.'

Sweetie, if there was a wall in your mind, I'd be bashing my head against it. Let's rehash this one more time- a) the boys think that the sun shines out of your ass and b) they might tell you how much they wanted you if they could avoid that magnet attraction that their lips have for you every time you're in the same room.

'But neither of them have touched me since yesterday- they both slept in their own rooms last night. The weekend's nearly over and I have no idea what's going on!'

Are you really that eager to hop into bed with them?

'It's not that- it's just that I want to know how they feel and what they decided and neither of them are talking to me.'

Well, why don't you ask one of them? You've been avoiding them as much as they've been avoiding you.

'You're right. I saw Yuki in the garden. Maybe he'll tell me what's going on.'

-###-

Yuki is planting bulbs in the garden. It is raining very lightly and Tohru pauses for a minute to admire the way the fine lines of water run down his bare back as he digs. Maybe this distraction is why she is so blunt when he turns towards her.

"Yuki- what did you and Kyou decide last night?"

Yuki pauses, resting on the shovel. He sighs and wipes his hands on his pants. "We really couldn't come up with a good way to determine who would take the next step first. We ended up flipping a hundred-yen piece."

Dear lord. Nice to know they put some thought into it....

Tohru's breath catches in her throat. "So who won?"

"I did."

Then Yuki covers her mouth with his.

They are kissing like they are trying to bury themselves inside the other person, frantically moving their hands over each other, trying to get the best possible angle. Swallowing her whimpers with his mouth, Yuki grabs her hips to pull her hard against him. Tohru feels something throb against her and the rush of pleasure is almost agony. Suddenly Yuki stops moving, resting his head on her shoulder while the rain washes over both of them.

"We can't do this here. You deserve somewhere comfortable...."

He backs up, holding his hand out to her and she closes her fingers over his. Together they walk out of the rain and into the house.

-###-

There is a moment of awkwardness when they enter the master bedroom, as if they have both realized what is about to happen.

No backing out now. Let's get this show on the road!

Almost against her will, Tohru finds herself moving towards Yuki, coming up behind his bare back. He freezes as Tohru wraps her arms around him from behind, his shoulders and back muscles completely tensed. Suddenly, she realizes what his problem must be. She moves around his body to face him, her arms still holding him tightly. When she is fully in front of him she looks up to meet the panic in his eyes.

"I love you, Yuki. No Akito here. Only us."

"Only us," he echoes. There is no more fear in his eyes. He backs up from her and pulls down his pants and boxers to stand before her completely naked.

Wow.

Tohru is sure that her eyes are the size of soup bowls. Naked Yuki is the most beautiful thing that she has ever seen. Something insecure and more than a little frightened grows inside of her. She finds herself hesitating as she fumbles with the buttons on her blouse. Yuki comes up to her and tilts her head up towards him. "Is something wrong? Do you want to stop? I won't force you to do anything that you don't want to do."

Tohru's blush goes all the way to her bra. "It's not that.... It's just I'm a little nervous and...I'm not as pretty as some of the girls you've had chase you, Yuki. And..." Here her voice becomes little more than a faint mumble. "I'm afraid that you're not going to like what you see."

Yuki runs a gentle hand over her cheek. "Tohru...look at me."

Tohru looks up at his eyes. He shakes his head. "No- look at me."

Tohru inhales sharply.

Nope. No problems with how you look. Hell- you could cut diamonds with that thing!

Yuki starts to undo her blouse, punctuating each word with another undone button. "You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. There has never been anyone else." Her blouse and bra are completely off now and a sharp tug sends her skirt and underwear to join them. Then they are wrapped around each other again, Yuki almost carrying Tohru as they stumble towards the bed. They land on the mattress and Yuki leans over her. Tohru's heart is fluttering as fast as her butterfly wings in flight. She can feel their animals touching each other, Yuki's Rat eagerly reaching into her mind, filling her with his desire and-

Yuki runs his hands over her chest and down behind her back. "There never will be anyone else." And then, before the blood pounding in her head overwhelms her mind, there is one more whisper. "I love you."

-###-

Tohru is a little sore, but in spite of the fumbling and the moments of awkwardness, most of it was actually... fun. And a lot of it felt really, really good.

Thank god for Shigure's novels. Obviously they were intended as a "how-to" guide for teenage boys.

Yuki is slowly teasing a nipple between his teeth as Tohru gently massages his head. She smiles down at him. "You know, you really seem to like breasts." Oops. Somehow the connection between her mouth and brain seems to have short-circuited.

Yuki smiles sheepishly and removes his mouth. "They're fun and it's not like I have any of my own."

"I didn't say you should stop."

Wow. Sex really eliminates that whole think-before-you-speak thing.

Yuki is just starting to move his mouth to her other breast when the bedroom door opens.

Kyou is standing in the doorway, taking in the rumpled sheets, the scattered clothing and Yuki's position on Tohru. He doesn't look happy.

-###-

Kyou sounds deceptively calm. "I thought that we were going to wait until everyone agreed before any of us went any farther."

A spike of cold fear goes down Tohru's spine. Had Yuki lied to her? She had been so eager to move forward that she hadn't even thought to ask Kyou if he had agreed.

Yuki is sitting up now, glaring at Kyou. "We did agree- or did you forget, neko? I said that I would wait a day before I went farther, but we settled this out last night."

"It was a fucking coin toss! There's no way that something like this should have been decided by a coin toss."

Yuki has detached himself from Tohru and is sitting on the edge of the bed. His eyes are narrowed and he practically hisses his response. "We agreed that we would go with whoever won the coin toss, baka neko. I could hardly help it that I won!"

"You always win. Even when it's fucking random chance you win!" Kyou's eyes harden. "But not anymore kuso nezumi. Outside. Now. We're going to settle this once and for all."

To Tohru's complete and utter horror, Yuki is already pulling on his pants and following Kyou out the door.

'No. Oh gods no.'

You don't have time for this, sweetie. It's pouring rain outside. If they fight in this weather they could get seriously sick or worse. Not to mention that I don't think that either of them will be holding anything back.

Tohru has never gotten dressed this fast. She is practically flying down the stairs and out the front door towards the boys. She reaches Kyou first and she grabs his arm as if it is a lifeline.

"You promised me, Kyou. After we made the plan in Senior year, you said that you wouldn't need to fight Yuki anymore because we were leaving anyways. You promised!"

Tear s are running down her face now, mixing with the rain.

Kyou's aura is frighteningly black, but Tohru thinks that she sees a flash of pain in his eyes. Then his face contorts into a sneer and he shrugs off her hand. "What is it Tohru? You don't want me to hurt your little rat-boy lover?"

Yuki's aura is equally black as he faces Kyou. "You're just jealous that you didn't get there first." He licks his lips, an almost cruel glint in his eyes. "She was fantastic."

'This must be a nightmare. This can't possibly be happening.'

Tohru tries to ignore her breaking heart; tries to ignore everything except the knowledge that she can not let them hurt each other. Whatever happens to her, she can't let them be hurt again.

They are completely ignoring her, settling into the familiar fighting stances from so long ago. Already their arms and legs are starting to move and she knows that they are far beyond where she can reach them with words. Really, there is only one option left.

She steps in between them.

Tohru sees the horror on Yuki's face as she feels something connect with her ribs and her left shoulder. Then everything gets a little fuzzy.

-###-

When the world clears up again, Tohru finds herself washed and dressed in her pajamas lying on clean sheets in a clean master bedroom.

I don't know what's more disturbing- the fact that the boys actually know how to do housework or the fact that you stayed passed out the entire time.

Tohru blinks and as her eyes refocus she sees Yuki and Kyou both kneeling beside the bed. Kyou is holding her wrist and Yuki is bent over watching him. "Her heart rate is going back to normal and she didn't hit her head. She probably just passed out from the pain." Both of them flinch in unison. "It looks like the only damage will be the bruises from our punches."

Tohru decides that this might be a good time to speak up. "I'm okay- just a little sore."

Kyou looks up at her and his eyes are filled with pain. "What were you thinking, stepping in between us like that? If we hadn't managed to slow the blows and divert them at the last second..." He shudders.

Tohru speaks softly, calmly. "I couldn't let you hurt each other. I promised myself that I would keep you safe- even if it is from yourselves."

Wow you really know how to lay on a guilt trip sweetie. They both look like they want to go jump off a high building somewhere.

"We're supposed to be the ones protecting you. I guess we really screwed up, huh?"

Tohru doesn't answer- instead she experimentally pokes the large bruises on her shoulder and ribs.

Yuki winces. "Can you get your butterfly to heal your wounds again, please? I know we were very wrong, but I would really rather not see those bruises."

Um... I may have exaggerated my abilities a little bit.

'What do you mean?'

Actually, I can only heal damage that Akito does to you. It's because of that whole god thing....

'Oh.'

Tohru sighs and turns to the boys. "Apparently Butterfly can't heal me for some reason, so I'm going to have to wait for the bruises to heal on their own." At the looks of shame on their faces she hastily adds, "They really don't hurt- they just look bad."

This doesn't seem to make them feel any better.

"Oh come here, both of you."

They both come closer to her and she pulls them into a hug. "I love you two and I know that you would never deliberately hurt me. But I can't let you hurt each other either."

They both lean against her for a moment before Yuki sighs and sits up. "As much as I would like to stay, I think that the neko needs to talk to you." He quietly gets up and closes the door, leaving Tohru alone with Kyou.

-###-

Kyou sits on the edge of the bed, his head buried in his hands. "My mother committed suicide because of me and I insulted and punched my girlfriend. My father was right- I am nothing more than a monster."

Tohru has had enough. The self-pity, the self-doubt ends now.

"Take off your bracelet."

Kyou looks completely shocked. "What did you say?"

"Take off your bracelet, Kyou."

"You can't be serious." He backs to the edge of the bed by the wall, one hand hovering protectively over the bracelet.

"I am completely serious. You are not a monster or a mistake or responsible for what happened to your mother. You are Kyou and I love you. Now take off that bracelet."

Kyou looks shell-shocked. He seems almost as surprised as her when he carefully removes the bracelet and places it on the nightstand.

Tohru is prepared for the fear she felt the last time, for the smell and the horror that accompany Kyou's second form. It is a complete surprise when she feels none of these things. There is still a smell, but his aura hasn't changed. Kyou is still Kyou no matter what he looks like. This knowledge gives her the courage to start kissing the tips of his misshapen paws. Kyou shudders as she moves her way up his arm, over his collarbone. She lingers at the base of his neck before moving downwards, darting her tongue out to lick where his nipples would be. He doesn't taste bad at all. Kyou's head leans back against the wall and he starts to make strange guttural noises. Tohru moves still further down pressing a long kiss to his blackened belly button before pausing at the edge of his pants. Kyou freezes when she starts to undo his belt. Tohru decides to forestall any protest. "All of you, Kyou. I love all of you."

His pants and boxers come off easily, leaving Tohru to decide what to do next. The bottom seems a good place to start. She kisses his feet and starts at one ankle, working her way up to his knee. Once there she pushes his unresisting legs apart and slowly kisses the insides of his thighs. Suddenly the flesh under Tohru's lips turns from black to pink and human arms pull her up from his legs. Tohru isn't sure whether to be relieved or disappointed, but then she sees Kyou and everything else is forgotten. He is sobbing.

"My mother said that I was perfect, that she loved me, but she couldn't stand to look at me and she killed herself because she couldn't handle what I was. My own mother couldn't accept me and you, you were willing to..."

He can't even continue because he is shaking so badly. Tohru wraps her arms around him, pulls him into her shoulder. "I was willing to love you. Nothing more or less. Understand that there is no part of you that I can't love."

It is like someone has pulled a switch. Kyou is no longer shaking, no longer crying. He pulls back from Tohru, looking her in the eyes. "I'm yours."

As he pulls off her pajama top, red eyes nearly black with passion, Tohru realizes that there is nothing else to say.

-###-

Tohru is still a little sore from Yuki, but Kyou needs this- she needs this. He has pulled on his bracelet and is pressing hard, almost desperate, kisses to her neck, her shoulders, her stomach. He pauses for a minute. Tohru is wondering what stopped him, when his mouth hesitantly closes over her breast. Tohru almost arches off the bed and Kyou gives a weak chuckle. "Well, it's nice to know that I got something right." Then he is moving again, working his mouth back down, until his tongue licks a line along the edge of her pajamas. Tohru can vaguely hear little whimpering noises coinciding with each flick of his tongue. She suspects that they may be coming from her.

Kyou slips his hands under the waistband of her pajamas, carefully peeling them off her legs. He moves down her legs to her feet and Tohru feels a sudden flare of arousal. 'Oh god, I didn't know my feet could feel like that!' Kyou lifts his head to smile, before resuming his kisses, slowly, painstakingly moving his way up her legs. Tohru is shaking uncontrollably long before he reaches her knees. When he reaches her thighs, he stops above her, taking deep, ragged breaths before he is able to speak.

"Are you ready? Are you sure about this?"

"Yes- please."

Tohru is overwhelmed by sensation as their animals touch and she feels the depth of emotion both Kyou and Cat seem to have for her. She wraps her hands in his hair, the depth of her own feelings threatening to tear her apart. "I love you, Kyou."

Oh....My....Good kitty.

-###-

Tohru lies on her side, running her fingers through Kyou's hair as she watches him sleep. It had taken a little while to make things work, since Kyou had no idea what he was doing and she'd known very little more. Fortunately, Kazuma had provided Kyou with reading material that showed him how to get rid of her soreness before he got started. Although she could feel Kyou through the animal bond, she obviously hadn't been able to understand the depth of what he felt. Even after they had finished, he had flat-out refused to separate and had fallen asleep still wrapped around her.

Tohru is suddenly hit with a memory of Kyou's eyes unfocussed with passion as he moaned her name. She stifles her own moan and involuntarily flexes. Kyou's hips jerk against hers and he sleepily blinks his eyes. "Ready to go again?"

As he moves over top of her and she pulls him against her, Tohru finally hears the words that she has been waiting for. "I love you, Tohru."

-###-

Quick Author's Note: I seem to be getting the same two questions a lot, so I'm going to try and answer them as best as I can without giving away too much of the plot. 1) No- the other Sohmas have not been sucked into a large black hole. 2) I really, really don't want to post spoilers for the development of the relationship between Tohru and the boys. I've actually written most of the ending of this story and a large chunk of the major scenes, so most of their interactions have already been decided. And the direction that the relationship goes is necessary. Really. Basically, please trust me and don't send death threats about the lack of threesome action. And if you want a more definite response about where the relationship is going and just won't take no for an answer- think carefully about Kyou's and Yuki's personalities, at least as they are shown in this story.

Glad I could clear this up!

-###-

Reviewer Responses

A Panda from CTY: Exclamation points are our friends! Embrace the exclamation point! Love the exclamation point! Um... I'll just stop now. I love how you put "in-characterness" just before "soft-core" in your review. Or maybe that's just my, admittedly strange, sense of humor. On a side note- I'm pleased that you think that I'm in-character. I've kind of been waiting for someone to say, "Wait a minute! Kyou/Yuki/Tohru would never behave like that! And what's up with that damn Butterfly?" Anyways, I'm really happy that you're enjoying the story despite the fact it's not just Kyou-lovin' and I hope that the new chapters continue to hold your interest. And if it makes you feel better- although I can log in, FFNet has suddenly decided to develop a compatibility issue with my beloved Mac and I can no longer edit anything or change my profile. If anyone knows how to fix this, they'll earn my everlasting love and gratitude :)

Taran-Wanderer: Thank you for reviewing again this chapter! I've really enjoyed tracking down the quotes and lyrics, and yes, a lot of them have more than one meaning for the chapter. Some of them even contain spoilers :) It's nice to meet someone else who likes quotes- I've decided that it's one of my stranger personality quirks. Anyways, I hope that you continue to enjoy the story :)

Trai Maxwell: Yay for plottiness! I'm having a lot of fun outlining the plot for this story and I'm glad that someone else also likes overly complicated plots. I'm also glad that you're enjoying Buttefly- I agree that its reactions to things can be quite "interesting" :) I think it would be interesting to find out how many people agree with Butterfly about the three-way action thing- I have this theory that most people have something like Butterfly buried very, very deeply in the back of their brains. I really appreciated the candy and I hope that you enjoy the new chapter!

Cor-chan: For some reason, that line's gone over really well :) I have the horrible sneaking suspicion that it's going to come back to haunt me though. I'm really happy that you think that I'm a good sensual writer - I always feel a little awkward writing those kinds of scenes because I'm never sure if what I find erotic is going to appeal to other people :) Yup. I figure that Tohru's entitled to a little jealousy now and then. Good to hear from you again and I hope that you continue to enjoy the story! I always appreciated the rice balls :)

Rinagurl13: You asked such a good question that I thought that I should answer it in my author's notes :) I don't want to give away the plot, but the other Sohmas haven't disappeared. I'm really glad that you are enjoying Butterfly and the story. Thanks for taking the time to review!

Clover: It's kind of scary when you get that involved in a fictional world isn't it ;) I'm visiting my family for Christmas and my Mom thinks that I'm insane because I keep mumbling to myself and will run off to write down ideas in the middle of a conversation. I'm glad that you think that the story is continuing to intensify- that was the effect that I was aiming for, but I wasn't sure how well it was working. Thanks for taking the time to review and I hope that you enjoy the upcoming chapters!

shadownekko: Eep! I hope that I won't get pulled from FFNet for anything hotter than Chapter 11! They didn't even take their clothes off (well, except for Yuki)! I'm delighted that you thought that it was hot though and that you are enjoying the story.

Kayla: I'm happy that you still love Butterfly and yes- it is pretty obvious what the boys want :) I never thought of Butterfly being a Shigure replacement.... Hmmm.... That's an interesting idea :) #slight spoiler# I wouldn't count Shigure out yet though. #end spoiler# Good to hear from you again and I hope that you continue to enjoy the story!

Kupo: Well, I guess this chapter answers your question ;) I hope that you enjoyed the chapter anyways and I appreciate you taking the time to review.

gadez: I'm inspired! Well, we'll see how I do with the trio's relationship. I think that there are going to be some ups and downs in Tohru's relationships with the boys, but I'm ever optimistic that everything will work itself out:) I'm really happy that you like the story and I hope that you continue to enjoy the new chapters.

MissTeya: I'm very happy that you are continuing to enjoy the story and I really appreciated you taking the time to review again. I hope that you don't mind, but I'd like to rec your RK/IY crossovers in my other story. I've been getting a lot of requests for information about other RK/IY crossovers and I admit that I was little blown away by your very well thought out, comprehensive crossover stories. I thought the entire Sano-Sango connection in particular was really interesting and put a very different spin on both canon universes :) -Dragging myself kicking and screaming back on topic- Anyways, I hope that you enjoy the new chapter!

hyperkitty16: I thought it was pretty funny that I'd actually written this chapter before I read your review. I hope that Butterfly isn't getting too predictable :) I'll add you to the Pervy Butterfly Minion list and Butterfly personally thanks you for reviewing. I hope that you enjoyed the chapter!

AmuberuMukku: Well, I guess you got to see part of my resolution of their relationship this chapter. Personally, I find the dynamics between the three of them fascinating and it's going to be a major focus of a few more chapters at least. I'm delighted that you're enjoying the story and I appreciate you taking the time to review again.

Kitsuyei: Sorry- no threesome action :( -Raises arms to ward off rotten tomatoes- Hopefully the fate of the world didn't require all three of them getting it on. But I agree with you- I really like seme Yuki. I hope that you enjoyed the chapter anyways and it's a pleasure to hear from you again :)

starley: I'm very, very impressed that you took the time to read my earlier review responses and you made a beautiful and well thought-out argument in favor of a threesome relationship. I've actually already written out most of the progress of the relationship between Tohru and the boys, but I really enjoyed reading your ideas. I'm glad that you don't think that the story is "unadulterated angst" because, in spite of the subject matter, I really want this to be a fundamentally hopeful story. Thank you for reviewing and I hope that you continue to enjoy the story!

blackwidow13: A big part of the fun in writing this story is working out the interactions between Tohru and the boys- I know that I've certainly found it rewarding and I'm glad that you are enjoying it. I agree that this was a really different side of Yuki but my impression of Yuki in the manga was that, even though he was reserved, he was actually a really intense person who was used to taking control of situations and having people listen to him (otherwise how on earth would that Student Council ever get anything done?). The more I thought about it, the more I thought that once he decided that he wanted a relationship with Tohru, the more likely it would be that that side of his personality would start to come out. Oh dear, I think that I got philosophical again- someone really needs to stop me once I get started on these tangents :) I'm glad that you're doing well and I hope that you enjoy the new chapter!

makala seri: Shhh... We don't talk about "the voice" because it might come out again... -Looks around nervously- Nope. Never had anything close to an evil voice in my head :) Actually, although I also like the slow build, it isn't entirely my choice- I barely have control over the plot as it is and if I move any faster I'm liable to lose control of it completely. Those darn characters just won't do what I want them to do :) Hope you continue to enjoy the story!

rain and leaves AKA Anne: Oo! Oo! I get to tell a story! Whether anyone wants me to or not :) You see, when I first started posting "Butterfly" pretty much every one of my reviews wanted me to pair Tohru with either Kyou or Yuki. Somehow I didn't think that my ultimate pairing was going to make them happy. As it turns out, some of them stuck around even though it wasn't their particular OTP. I completely agree though- despite the latest manga chapters, I'm firmly convinced that Tohru loves both of the boys ;) We'll see about getting you the "Pervy Butterfly Minion" t-shirt. Completely off-topic, I'm delighted to meet someone else who likes Harry Potter and Fruits Basket, not to mention ambiguously reformed and darkly humorous Draco. Maybe we're secretly long lost twins! Because of that, I'm going to take a pass on the babies, but I'll take you up on that virtual drink ;)

bookworm0492: No... Must... Resist...Puppy-dog...Pout... How did you find my only weakness? Good to hear from you and your evil pleading eyes again ;)

fruitbasketrocks: Yah- Tohru's one lucky little riceball, isn't she? I'm delighted by the story love and I hope that you enjoy the new chapters.

Updated 12-11-04