Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. This story is for entertainment purposes only.

A/N: Thank you all for reading and reviewing. I hope you enjoy the ending.

I Like Hating Him:

Postponement

By the time Kyo caught up with Tohru, tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"I'm so sorry," she said as he walked beside her. "It's not anything you did. It's just me being stupid. Mom always told me to be careful what I wished for. I guess she was right. I always wanted you and Yuki to love each other…like I love you both."

"Tohru…I…"

"Oh, no, please don't say anything. I'm okay really. It never would have worked out between me and either of you, and I know I never would have been able to choose. I guess I never realized that you might choose each other. I guess this really is for the best. I don't know why I'm crying."

"Yuki and I both love you very much and believe me either of us would rather be with you, but it just didn't work out that way."

Tohru turned to him and smiled. "I love you, Kyo, you and Yuki both and I'll always be there for either of you if you need me."

Kyo pulled her into a tight embrace and promptly turned into a cat.

Tohru laughed. "See, it would never work out between us. We certainly couldn't do what you and Yuki were doing on the bed. I mean I've seen you two naked numerous times, but together…like that. I mean I've seen you transform…I'd never look on purpose…hehe."

Kyo was glad to be in his cat form so that he couldn't blush.

000

Shigure sighed loudly. "So you decided not to go then, Kyo. You always did insist on doing everything the hard way."

"I'm sorry." Kyo mumbled to his feet. Shigure had went to a lot of trouble to arrange his escape. Kyo felt no regrets he had enjoyed his last few days with Yuki and Tohru. Of course Haru had taken Tohru out on several occasions. He knew that he could be caged for life, but at least he still would have the chance to see Tohru and Yuki.

"And you, Yuki. You didn't think it would be in his best interest to request that he leave?" Shigure lowered his reading glasses and gazed at Yuki.

Yuki looked at Shigure guiltily. "You know he never listened to me."

"Well, I'm afraid I promised I'd deliver him promptly to Akito. Aaya and Haa-san should be on their way. How was the play?"

"Disgusting." Kyo answered for both of them.

"We're here!" Ayame announced from the doorway. "Really, Kyo-Kun, do you want to be with my little brother that much. Oh, Yuki, I always knew you'd turn out just like me someday."

"Shut up." Kyo snapped with finality.

"Calm down, Kyo," Hatori's voice was cold. "Akito is waiting for you."

000

Yuki had held his hand the entire ride over to the main house which caused Shigure to raise his eyebrows and Ayame to grin madly although he hadn't made further comment.

Now that they stood before Akito, Yuki had distanced himself and stood leaning against a wall trying to appear nonchalant. Ayame had refused to be in the same room with Akito so he waited outside. Hatori and Shigure both appeared nervous.

"Why hello, Kyo," Akito said silkily from the chair he had draped himself across. "It's been a few months. I've been looking forward to seeing you again. You too, Yuki." Yuki visibly shuddered. "Ready to go where you belong, cat?"

Kyo refused to show his fear so he merely glared at Akito angrily.

Shigure spoke up. "I was just planning to talk to you about that. I think it would be best for Kyo to go to college. Not anything fancy, but there is a school he could go to here. It's not too expensive. Actually I was thinking that he and Yuki both could go."

"No," Akito said lazily. "It's been postponed long enough. Besides there's no reason for the cat to go to college."

"With all due respect." Shigure gave Akito a wolfish smile. "I'm sure there's something Yuki would be very interested in learning, eh."

Akito's eyes narrowed to vicious slits. "If he goes, I get Yuki."

"No," Shigure said glaring right back. "Yuki needs an education also. If we want our family to continue it's prosperity…"

Akito appeared torn. It was obvious to Kyo that Shigure had leverage, but Akito was unwilling to relinquish complete control.

"He can go to college…on a few conditions. First, Kyo will spend every break in his cage."

"Done." Shigure answered.

"Yuki will spend one weekend a month…with me…in my chambers."

"Done," Yuki whispered.

"No," Kyo said softly.

"Yes," Yuki answered back.

"And finally, Shigure, you'll move back here with me where you belong."

Shigure was silent. Kyo knew now that the deal was off and that there was no way out. "Done," Shigure answered to everyone's surprise.

Akito smiled in triumph. "Good."

"But only on the condition that Yuki only has to stay with you one night a year and Kyo doesn't have to spend any time in his cage until he graduates from college."

"Fine," Akito agreed without really thinking. In his mind he had achieved the greatest victory.

"They'll live with Aaya until they graduate."

"Fine," Akito answered again.

000

"Did all of you have to come to see me off? I mean really Hatori, Haru, Momiji, I am moving to you not away from you." Shigure looked around his house sadly. Akito had given him one week to move back. Ayame had begun moving his things into Shigure's room.

"You know you didn't have to do this." Kyo reminded him quietly.

Shigure merely shrugged and ruffled Kyo's hair. "Don't give Aaya too much trouble."

Haru smiled. "They can help him in the shop, as long as they don't get too distracted playing dress up."

Yuki rolled his eyes.

"I doubt I want to know." Hatori took a drag from his cigarette.

"Oh, I do, I do!" Momiji squealed. "Is that when the two of you first made love? Tell me! Waa!" Kyo had hit him in the back of the head.

A light went off behind Tohru's eyes.

"Does everyone in the whole damn family have to know?" Kyo roared to Shigure who shrugged nonchalantly. "I mean, really! Next you'll be telling Kisa and Hiro."

"Oh, was I not supposed to tell them?" Aya slithered on to the scene. "Burr it is so cold out there. I'm so glad that I'll have Tohru to warm me up from now on."

"Over my dead body!" Yuki threatened as he attempted to stomp on the white snake which slithered up Hatori's pant leg.

Tohru clapped her hands together. "Now I get it. So that's why Sohma-san had Kyo's lipstick all over him, and why Hatsuharu was so upset." She smiled happily as if she were a brilliant detective.

"Excuse me." Hatori walked into the bathroom calmly.

"Do you think they're going to do it?" Momiji asked giddily. "Like Yuki and Kyo do it?"

"Would you just shut up about that! Okay, so the bastards are happy together, who the hell cares? I'm sick and tired of hearing about Yuki and Kyo. If Yuki would rather be with that asshole, I could care less." Black Haru glared at the bunny.

"You're just jealous that you don't have someone." Momiji stuck out his tongue.

"That's it you little…" Haru chased Momiji out of the house.

"He sure is easy to set off lately." Shigure sighed. "I sure am going to miss this place."

"We're going to miss you being here," Yuki said quietly. "This is the only home I've really ever had."

Kyo nodded in agreement. "It won't be the same without you."

Tohru's face was streaming with tears.

"Stop it, you three, I mean really it's not like I'm going to die. I'm sure I'll be over to see Aaya often and while I'm here I'll check in on all of you.

"Gee, Shigure, you seem to be leaving a lot of stuff here. Are you sure you don't need more of it?" Tohru asked with concern.

"Don't you worry, my little flower. I'll be back."

"How do you figure that?" Kyo asked.

Shigure smiled smugly. "It won't take long for Akito to remember why he let me move out the first time. And when I move back, Tohru Honda, your virginity will be only a distant memory." He was promptly attacked by Yuki and Kyo. He enveloped both of them into a hug. "Now, see, that's how we should say goodbye."

Tohru laughed through her tears.

Hatori and Ayame emerged from the bathroom slightly ruffled.

Ayame threw himself at Yuki. "Finally I can be the guardian I should have been long ago, brother dear. We can share everything friendship, clothing, sex tips…"

"Is it too late to choose the cage?" Kyo asked in annoyance.

000

"How was class?" Yuki asked as they sat down underneath a tree for lunch together on their shared break. About two weeks had passed since Shigure had moved out.

"Boring." Kyo answered after taking a mouthful of the sandwich Tohru had packed.

Yuki pulled a sheet of paper out of his lunch, read it, and laughed.

"What?" Kyo asked "Another love note from your brother."

Yuki tried to imitate Ayame's flamboyant tone, "Dearest Yuki, I hope that you are having a wonderful day at school. Love always, your older brother, Ayame."

"He is so obnoxious." Kyo fumed. "I hardly see you anymore. Always having to do brotherly bonding."

"He's not that bad," Yuki smiled at the note before putting it away.

"He's a pervert. Always hitting on Tohru. I guess nothing has really changed since Shigure left. Did your brother say how he's doing? I mean he always tries to act cheery, but Akito…"

"Ayame said that he's holding his own. I guess he expects to be back before new years."

The two ate in silence thinking about Shigure.

Yuki reached over to brush some food from Kyo's lips.

"How many times do I have to tell you--Not in public," Kyo said through clenched teeth.

Yuki leaned in and kissed him. "How many times do I have to tell you, I won't screw you if you're ashamed of me."

"Then go screw Haru." Kyo's cheeks were burning because of the attention their public display had gained.

"I just might." Yuki answered icily before crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"I hate loving you ." Kyo said before pulling Yuki into his lap and giving him a passionate kiss. Reveling in the sensation of Yuki's lips, Kyo was somehow unbothered by the stares.

Complete

Thank you all so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed the ending. I have absolutely loved writing this fic and reading all your reviews. Please let me know what you think. I welcome both positive and negative feedback. I'm sure I'll write another Fruits Basket fic soon.