Yes yes, I know I know….NO EXCUSES! Gosh darnit Saki, learn to get your lazy ass in gear and start updating more! THERE, I said it for you! Ook, this story is going to have to end soon because it is beginning to drag on quite a bit…-see end notes for complete details.-
Disclaimer: I would be forced to update more often if I was the owner of Fruits Basket…see? Too much responsibility…
By the way, this chapter contains a spoiler from the manga. I don' t think of it as a MAJOR spoiler but I can see how it would be uber MAJOR to someone who doesn't know it yet. So I'll put a warning…but I won't put a warning on EVERY part that mentions the contents in the spoiler…I don't have that energy.
Kisses and Wishes
Yuki was suspicious that something was happening between the cat and Tohru. Everytime he thought about it, his stomach turned and bile rose in his mouth at the thought of the cat winning something. Yuki had asked Kyo to watch her when he was gone, not to go around and make her his whore. It was clear that Kyo needed to be taught a lesson, and Yuki was convinced that Tohru was also disgusted by the cats actions.
The drive to beat the cat kicked in once again and Yuki began planning.
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Kyo lay on his bed, holding an ice pack, provided by Tohru, against his swelling and blackened cheek. Tohru busily scurrying around the room, tidying certain things and fussing about his untouched soup beside his table. Kyo felt like smiling but every attempt ended in a wincing pain. This just felt so…right. Kyo felt like he belonged somewhere. There was someone to finally miss him when he was gone.
Just the thought of losing what he had longed for for years stirred the fire in his heart. Suddenly he jumped off the bed, startling Tohru who was rearranging the books and called over his shoulder that he had somewhere to be. Tohru dropped the book and gathered her crutches, silently wishing that she could do without them.
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Kyo ran past Tohru's friends whom remained in the living room, and ran out the door. His fiery spirit was blazing and he needed something to do that would benefit his chances of winning against the rat. He had never been this eager to train…
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Tohru stood at the top of the stairs, unsure on what she should do, until Ronin kindly remembered that someone was still missing. Scooping her up, she silently was amazed on what it felt like to have someone hold you without provoking a curse. Ronin looked down, noticing her distant stare and placed her at the bottom of the stairs.
"I think he loves you…" He said with a small twinkle in his eyes, and left leaving a very confused and flustered Tohru. Before he completely entered the other room, Tohru called him back.
"Ronin…how is it that I've only know you for and I feel like you're one of my best friends?" She asked, smiling brightly at her newest friend. He smiled in return and with a shrug left the room.
Tohru felt happy to be surrounded by friends…no family. No one, not even Akito, could break their bond and she would fight till the end to keep them around.
Tohru walked towards the room where her family were playing cards, but was stopped by the ringing of the phone. Stopping in the hall, she answered the phone and wondered who would be calling at eight in the evening. Surely Shigure's editor had already gone home and no other business people should be calling this late.
"Tohru, I've only just remembered that you can get your bandage taken off tomorrow. I want you to come to my office tomorrow afternoon to see if it has healed properly and then you will be allowed to be crutch-free." Hatori's voice spoke over the line and he chuckled at he happy sigh.
"Thank you so much, see you then." Tohru said, hanging up the phone. Yes, everything was going right…
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Kyo sent a hard punch into the bag, jostling Kazuma whom was holding said bag.
"Whoa, calm down Kyo. What's with the sudden passion?" Kazuma asked, avoiding the swinging punches thrown at the bag. Kyo stopped his raid for a moment and looked towards his master. Kazuma's eyes widened at the serious yet…happiness that filled his "son's" eyes. To see that look which had been rare since the times when Kyo had been on the mountain…to see that look made Kazuma want to thank whomever placed it there.
"Kyo? Is there something that you wish to tell me?" Kazuma inquired. Kyo just smiled mysteriously, moving towards the protective gear pile.
"I'm just ready to stop fooling around…I'm ready to win." Kyo said, silently adding his own thoughts. 'Though I feel like I've already won the world's greatest prize.'
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Hours later, far into the night, Kazuma collapsed onto a bench within the dojo, exhausted. Deciding not to provide the information that Kyo actually had a chance to beat his cousin, so he would not grow cocky, Kazuma just told him that he did a job well done.
"When do you plan on approaching this big fight?" Kazuma asked, gulping down some water.
"Master, in the many years that you have known me, have I ever planned a fight with Yuki?" Kyo said making his master chuckle. He was going to win…no matter what it took.
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Tohru climbed up the latter, silently thanking Hatori for pronouncing her ankle usable. Kyo was already on the roof, unaware of her presence. He continued staring off into space even as she sat next to him.
During the past week, things seemed to continue to get better, except the tension between Yuki and Kyo seemed to be higher if possible. It was a shame because Tohru thought that they seemed to be cooperating with something for a while…whatever had gone on, certainly affected the members of the house. Tohru constantly had to watch what she said to each boy in fear of hurting one of their feelings and she even caught Yuki staring at her occasionally.
She blushed at the thought and subconsciously scooted closer to Kyo, whom had finally taken notice in her.
"Are you cold or something?" He asked, as she got closer. Sure they had kissed plenty of times since they got together, but most of the time they talked. Thinking about it made him act on his thoughts, so he sat up quickly and lifted Tohru's chin with one of his fingers. Staring into her teal eyes and receiving the shivers that always appeared when he realized that she loved him in return, Kyo kissed her fully on the lips. Relishing in the feel of her, Kyo deepened the kiss, taking it slowly so as not to scare her. Soon Tohru began to respond to the kiss and shyly placed her hands in the crooks of his arms.
After several moments, they broke apart for air and Kyo once again laid against the roof top. Tohru soon followed suit, carefully avoiding any contact so she would not provoke his curse. Secretly she wished she could sit closer…wanting something that was not possible felt wrong, but she wanted it more than anything. Just the thought, stirred up old thoughts of finding a cure to the curse. Other than freeing Kyo, it would cause happiness for all of the members of the zodiac. Perhaps even Akito would be happy… At the thought of the tempermental family head, she subconsciously rubbed her ankle.
Before long…things would get better. She just had to find the cure.
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((WARNING: spoiler from the manga series here))
Kureno felt sick with himself as he watched the couple sit in comfortable silence. Though he was free from the affects of the curse, he could not find the courage to leave Akito's side. This life was all he'd ever known and he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do next.
Akito had told him to watch the young couple, and report anything that happened between them. Kureno felt dirty but did so anyways, though he silently wished the girl could be the one to free them…the rest of them that is.
Retreating to the woods once again, Kureno found the path he had taken from the Sohma lot and headed towards the main house.
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Approaching the door to Akito's room, Kureno paused to listen to the pleading coming from within.
"Akito, you can't do this! YOU MADE A PROMISE TO HIM!" Kazuma's anger filled voice roared through the room.
"I CAN DO WHAT I WISH! He knew it was coming and it is useless for him to continue wasting my time!" Akito spat back in Kazuma's face. Kureno's eyes widened, realizing that they were discussing Kyo's fate as the cat.
"BUT HE STILL HAS TIME!" Kazuma screamed in an agonized voice. Knowing that his son was going to be given up when he had a chance of winning was breaking his heart.
Hearing a sickening thud and Kazuma's muffled coughing, Kureno turned away from the door. Not before he heard Akito's final words however.
"Bring the monster to me in two days and we will have one final fight between the cat and the rat. If he manages to win…he's free to go. However, if he loses, he will live confined in his cell for the rest of his miserable life."
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We are FINALLY approaching the end of this story. I know I haven't updated as faithfully as I should have but things have been uber hectic here with family stuff, and school. But I know that's no excuse. I will tell you that I have already finished the next chapter, which happens to be the last chapter of this story.
We just got the internet today because we moved into a new apartment but in about the week of no internet, I had PLENTY to do. Such as updating AND finishing Forgotten, writing a new chapter for Not All Black and White, writing a new chapter for everyone's favorite Wish Gone Wrong, and I actually started a whole new story!
But with this new story, I am going to FINISH it before I put the first chapter up because I don't want to be stressing about updating. So whenever I finish the story I will post it. Ok ok, since you beautiful people reading this actually care I will tell you some of the info.
PAIRING: Tohru/Hatori…cute, neh? I've always liked this couple along with Haru/Tohru, and Shigure/Tohru. It's the people she shouldn't be with that turn me on. LMAO!
Rating: M…yes and M for Mature. Haha, it will be QUITE fun. Oooh I can't wait!
Title: An Apple a Day. Look out for it! It might be up and running soon or in a couple months.
It's sad when I finish this story, but look out for new stories by Saki and chapter updates. An easy way to do so is to add me on your "author alert list" that way you will get an email anytime I update or create a new story….yes, I love self promotion. Okie dokie, it's been a blast and this story and I'll update the final chapter whenever I get enough reviews to satisfy my needs. Lmao. ---Saki---