Disclaimer:

I do not own any of these characters. They are the property of Natsuki Takaya, the creator of Fruits Basket.

KEY:

"blah blah blah" - talking

'blah blah blah' - thinking

--- - end/begin chapter

$---$ - scene change

F---f - flash back

Sometimes I might make a comment about something, and it will be in italics….just so ya know. OH! And parentheses

AN:
Well, exams went well enough, and algebra the hardest as expected… So I am going to be able to update the story now! Yay! Anyway, I might have said this already, but I don't know if this is going be Tohru with Yuki or Kyo… Please leave reviews, or email me, or something telling me what you would like. Thanks!

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Chapter 3

Finished with their breakfast, Yuki and Tohru stood up. Kyo swallowed his food and looked up in time to see them headed towards the door.

"Where 'ya going, rat?" he asked snidely. Without even bothering to face him, Yuki replied coolly,

"Honda-san and I are going shopping." He grabbed Tohru's hand and pulled her out the door before she could ask Kyo if he wanted to come. Sliding the door shut behind him, he walked on silently, her hand still in his grip.

Looking over to her, Yuki saw she had a questioning look on her face. Sighing, he shook his head and smiled sadly, before saying, "This might sound selfish, but I don't have the energy or will to deal with that cat all day. I'd rather just spend the day with you, if you don't mind."

Quickly she shook her head, looking quite frazzled. "No, not at all! It won't bother me a bit! I think spending the day with you would be fun!" Then, she gave one of her great smiles and added, "Besides, a quiet day would do nicely for the frantic week ahead of us…" She faced forward, lost in her thoughts.

Yuki's gaze stayed steady on her, while he was deep in his own thoughts. 'How is she always able to say what I want to hear? How can anyone have such a… such a pure soul?' He looked to the ground, mentally sighing. 'I don't deserve her…'

Now Tohru was examining Yuki. She had been brought out of her own thoughts, due to him squeezing her hand unconsciously. Looking at him, she noticed he still had that gloomy look on his face. 'I wonder what Yuki could be hiding? In front of everyone, he always look so cool and collected… like a prince…But when no one is looking, it looks as if he is dealing with a very heavy burden…' Remembering the confusing words he had said that summer, she thought, 'I want to be the one to help him… to help everyone…' (the time at the beach is in manga #10, and continues into #11)

Tohru inhaled, ready to ask Yuki if anything was wrong. Before she could, his pale face gained the faintest hint of red, as he let go of her hand. "Sorry…" he mumbled, looking away to hide his face. His eyes widened a bit as he felt the pressure to his hand return. Turning his head, he saw Tohru with a small smile.

He could just imagine her voice saying, 'It's alright, I don't mind…' as they walked forward, in companionable silence.

They kept that way for a while, until Yuki came to a sudden stop. He dropped her hand as he held the door open. "After you, Honda-san," he said, with a small, mocking smile on his face.

She laughed, and replied, "Thank you, Yuki-kun!"

$----------------------------------$

Yuki sighed, as he straightened up the small area of dirt that was his secret base. Sure it was winter, and not very many plants were alive, but he felt it his duty just to check up on it.

Kneeling on the ground, he sighed again as he remembered the last and, in his opinion, worst stop of that afternoon.

F----------------------------------f

Yuki stopped stiff as he glared at the store in front of him. Hatori had given them a list of stores that already had pre-bought items prepared for them. Seeing this store though, he knew it would be much more difficult to get the items.

Tohru smiled sympathetically at him, and tried to reassure him. "Don't worry Yuki-kun! Maybe this trip will be uneventful!" While saying this, she thought, 'Somehow I don't believe my own words…'

"You're right Honda-san. Nii-san might not even be in today!" They both knew that he was trying to boost his optimism, but they entered anyway.

Everything was silent when they entered, an ominous feeling swept over Yuki. 'Quiet before the storm…' he thought. "Excuse me…?" he called, hoping no one would answer. Both he and Tohru jumped when they heard a rustle near by."

Yuki sighed, as Tohru glanced around nervously. Then she felt a hand on her shoulder. Yelping, she spun around too fast, causing her to fall to the ground.

Yuki helped her up, all the while glaring at the man that looked so much like him, but was so different.

Both the man and a young woman were doubled over with laughter.

Straightening up, the owner of the shop and older brother of Yuki, Ayame Sohma, pulled on a calm facade. "Dearest Tohru! I had no intention of startling you! I was just moved beyond words of the presence of my younger brother and the lovely Tohru in my shop!"

Yuki looked at the young woman, Mine Kuramae, and examined the outfit she wore. It was a classic 50's diner dress, light blue with a white apron tied around her waist. She still had glasses, but her hair was in a crooked pony tail.

"Nice outfit, Kuramae-san…"

"I know! Isn't it the cutest thing? It's becoming more popular then the sailor suits!"

Tohru eye's shined as she exclaimed, "It's absolutely adorable!"

Mine grabbed her hand while saying, "Let me show you the rest of our new stock!" Nodding happily, Tohru aloud herself to be dragged away.

"Hatori said you had some things for us…" Yuki looked at the list of shops, then back up at his brother expectantly.

"Ah, yes, yes, yes, yes, YES! I do happen to have some parcels for my otouto, the ever-so-lovely Tohru, and even the unbearably grumpy Kyonkichi!" Yuki sighed and his shoulders slumped, as Ayame ran off to the back.

'I'm tired already, and it's only been what… 5 minutes?' He shook his head, and straightened up when he heard the door bang open.

Ayame slid into the room, his golden eyes closed, and his long, silver hair flying in the breeze. Looking around, Yuki mentally rolled his eyes when he discovered that his Nii-san had turned on a fan for that effect. Ayame brandished three bags, and dramatically said, "Sorry for the wait, but my little brother should expect nothing but the best! I even gave you a discount!" He shoved the bags at him as Tohru and Mine returned.

"Ayame-san! You clothes are most beautiful!" Tohru exclaimed, eyes sparkling.

"Yes, they are, aren't they? I made them, so you could expect nothing less!"

Popping up behind her boss, Mine added, "With help from me!" She then gave a mock salute.

"Of course, I would never forget my lovely assistant! Who else could give a feminine touch to a man's fantasy?"

Giggling, she said, "Yay! More praise!" Clapping her hands, she continued, "But boss is the brains of the operation!"

Ayame started bowing, and saying "Thank you!" with Mine clapping in the background.

Yuki Grabbed Tohru's hand, and grabbed all the bags with his other hand. She waved to the two in the store, before she was dragged out by Yuki.

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Well, hope you like this chapter! I think it is a little longer then the others, but I doubt anyone will complain! I've found out I like writing the chapters down on paper then typing them, so I can find mistakes and re-word things. That might make the posting process longer though… Hope you all have a Merry Christmahanukwanzaka! And hope I didn't offend anyone with that last statement! This chapter is my presents to yall! and remember to ask me questions if you got any!