Ok, I don't (and most likely will never) own Fruits Basket! So get over it! And now on with chapter three…

Finding the Right Thing

Earlier in the day (after Uo talked to Yuki and Kyo)

"Hello, Sohma Residence, Ayame speaking."

"Ayame! What are you doing over there?"

"Ah! The prince himself! I have missed my younger brother so terribly much!"

"Listen, I need to speak with Shigure."

"Oh, my dear brother, what ever is the matter?"

"Just put Shigure on the phone!"

"Couldn't it wait a few minutes? He's a little…tied up at the moment."

"Listen you sick pervert, put Shigure on the phone or I'll…I'll…never speak to you again!"

"Gasp Brother! You hurt me with your harsh words. Fine, here he is."

"Shigure speaking!"

"I'll just cut right to the point. Today is Miss Honda's birthday. Don't ask me how no one knew. She has been under a great load of stress and I think that we should plan something special for her-"

"And you think I am just the perfect person to gather an assembly! Yuki, I really am touched."

"I don't think that you are perfect, just the more responsible people are busy at the moment."

"And who would you have rather chosen?" Shigure asked, mock despair in his voice.

"Any one other than you," Yuki muttered under his breath.

"Any ways, can I trust you to come up with a plan for a small get together?"

"Of course you can dear Yuki! I'll get right on it…well I have a few things to finish first but-" The phone clicked as Yuki hung up in disgust.

'Either way it's good to know that her birthday won't go unnoticed.'

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"So? Did you call him?" Kyo had cornered Yuki on their way to the last class of the day. "Yes, but we have a problem. I need to go to a student counsel meeting after school."

"So how is this a problem? I can only see it as a blessing." Kyo smiled evilly.

"Shutup stupid! The point is, I can stop by and buy her a present on the way home. You can't however."

"And why the hell not!" Kyo said a little too defensively.

"You can't let her walk home by herself. There are way to many weirdos around. And you can't buy her present in front of her because I think we should keep it a surprise. She'll like it."

"So what am I supposed to do for a present?" His harshness had evaporated. He didn't want to be the only one not getting her a present.

"I think that you should drop her off at home and then make an excuse to get away before the party begins. But you will have to hurry while buying it. So you should start planning ahead what you are going to get her."

"Yuki, why are you helping me! Are you sick or something?"

"Baka neko, I just don't want her to be disappointed. I feel like we should make up for her forgetting her birthday. It is partly our faults, but mostly yours."

"AND HOW THE HELL IS IT MOSTLY MY FAULT!"

"Because you cause the most stress," and with that Yuki walked away.

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Back to the present (Kyo walking Tohru and Momiji to Shigure's house)

'Damn…how did we get stuck with this little brat?' Kyo thought furiously as Momiji was running all around Tohru in circles. She was giggling, enjoying the company. 'If I had known that he would be going home with us, I would have just let him take her home while I got her present. Ah…but he probably wouldn't be much help if someone attacked her. He would just cry!'

Kyo had been wondering all day what he was going to get for her. Deep down her knew that he could give her a rock and she would still be happy. But he wanted to make this special for her. His teacher had yelled him at four different times because he was so deep in thought. And he still hadn't found a solution for what to get her! 'Whatever it is, it has to be good…'

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"Ah Ha'ri! Can I have a word with you?"

"Shigure, what do you want now."

"Well, it seems that our little flower's birthday has crept upon us unsuspectingly. A whirlwind of confusion engulfs us as we resolve a plan to make it the most pleasing experience for her."

"What are you talking about?" Hatori asked with a sigh.

"Tohru's birthday! It's today!"

"Well that's very nice. Be sure to wish her happy birthday for me. Maybe I could drop by later and give a gift."

"Ah Ha'ri sounds like he has a little crush!" Shigure squealed with delight.

"Shigure, for the last time. I do not have a crush. Tohru has just done a lot for the family and I am thankful."

"Exactly what I was saying!"

"You're impossible… Was there a reason for you calling other than making ridiculous accusations?"

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Shigure spent the next few hours flouncing around the house and making many phone calls to various Sohma's. He was absolutely ecstatic for her to find the surprise he had in store for her when she got home.

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"Shigure! We're home! Momiji is here too, if that's ok." Tohru called when they had entered the house. "Of course it's ok. You know me! I never turn down a guest!" Tohru gave him a bright smile. "Hey Tohru, I'm gonna go to the dojo for a while, ok?" Tohru turned her attention to him. "Go ahead! Make sure your home for dinner though. Maybe you should invite Kazuma over for dinner!" 'Oh God, What am I supposed to say?' His mind reeled. "Umm… He would like that but…he uh…already has plans for supper." "Oh, well tell him 'hi' for me?" 'Good, she bought it.'

Kyo made his way onto the path in the woods. He only had a little while to think about something to buy her. 'Gah! Why is this so damn hard?' Kyo couldn't help but feel that he knew nothing about Tohru. She was always comforting them, making an effort to learn more about what they liked, and offering a smile when they needed it most. The hot feeling of guilt ran through his veins once again. He felt like he had done her a major wrong. 'Whatever it is that I get her, it has to show her how much she means to me.'

After fifteen minutes of walking, Kyo reached the edge of town. He had to make a decision quickly. It wouldn't be long before the sun would be sinking behind the trees. Lots of stores popped out to him, none of them looked to promising for a birthday gift. But he eventually found one called "Special Treasures" that looked ok. To his excitement he found the perfect gift, after only five minutes of looking around. Feeling pleased, he made his way back to the house.

Tada! Did you like it? Did you despise it? R&R! Tune in next time to find out exactly what Shigure has planned!