Chapter 21

AN: Hi everyone! So poor Tohru only has one week left to live, now what? Whelps, there's not much left to say except please leave reviews! )

Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or any of its characters.

Monday morning…

I decided to get up earlier today. I woke up at five o'clock this morning. Today was the second day of my last week. I got dress and went to get Popcorn's breakfast in the kitchen. Afterward, I made mine. After about an hour or so later, our mansion's chefs came in to find that I've already made breakfast forplenty. I insisted that they had breakfast with me, so I spent the morning having breakfast with Popcorn and our chefs. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hamasaki ran around the mansion looking for me frantically. By the time she found me, I was already doing the dishes.

"TOHRU!" she yelled and peaked into the kitchen.

I smiled at her. Popcorn barked once. She came in.

"Good morning, Mrs. Hamasaki," the chefs and I said in unison.

The chefs went back to work and so did I.

"What are you doing dear?" she asked confused.

"The dishes, of course," I said cheerfully.

The expression on her face told me that she still didn't understand.

"I made breakfast this morning and I shared a delightful meal with the chefs," I added ever so joyously, "I made some for you and Mr. Hamasaki too. It's in the refrigerator."

"Oh," Mrs. Hamasaki replied simply. She came over to me, "Are you alright dear?"

"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" I replied with a huge smile.

"Very well then, I'll go get the car ready," Mrs. Hamasaki said as she left the kitchen.

"Ok," I said cheerfully.

After I finished the dishes, I grabbed my bag, lunch, and headed out to the car. Mr. Hamasaki was waiting for me.

"Good morning Mr. Hamasaki!" I said joyously.

"Good morning Tohru," Mr. Hamasaki said.

I smiled and entered the car. On the way, I noticed that Mr. Hamasaki was constantly checking up on me through the rear view mirror.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Oh, no, but are you alright Tohru?" he asked.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" I replied knowing why he had asked.

"Very well then," Mr. Hamasaki said.

For the rest of the ride, we were both silent. When I got to school, the first person that I saw was Kyo. I approached him with a smile.

"Good morning Kyo," I greeting him.

"Are you ok?" he asked immediately.

"Of course I'm ok, why wouldn't I be?" I replied joyously.

"Oh," he said simply.

"I didn't see you after our dance at the formal. Where did you go?" I asked hoping to end the awkwardness between us.

"Oh, I had to leave early," he answered.

"Well, at lease you had fun while you were there," I replied cheerfully.

"Yeah, sure," Kyo said almost depressingly.

There was a long silence between us.

"So where did that Akito take you after the formal?" he asked suddenly.

"Home of course," I answered deciding not to tell him the other half of the story.

"Really?" he replied in disbelief.

"Uh huh," I answered, "Why?"

"Oh…nothing," he said.

Suddenly, the school bell's ringing echoed across the school yard.

"There's the bell, I'll see you later then Kyo," I said cheerfully, "Bye!"

Kyo didn't say anything. He stuck his hands in his pockets and turned around heading the other way. I watched him for a second. I smiled at him (or at least the back of him) and then turned the other way.

In first period…

I walked over to my desk and sat down. I began to unload supplies from my bag.

"Tohru," I heard someone call suddenly.

I looked up to find Hana and Uo coming toward me.

"Good morning Uo…Hana," I greeted them with a smile.

"You alright? We didn't see ya at that stupid formal," Uo said.

I smiled and nodded. "How odd, everyone has been asking me that today. But don't worry you guys, I'm fine," I replied.

"Tohru, are you sure you're fine?" Hana asked.

"Of course," I assured them with a smile.

"Do you believe her Hana?" Uo asked.

Hana was silent for a second. "Yes," she said simply, "There's nothing wrong."

"If you say so then, you are the mind reader," Uo said and headed over to her desk while Hana followed her close behind.

I had filled my mind with normal everyday thoughts and memories for I knew that if I kept having scenes from last night in my mind, Hana would eventually discover them. For the rest of the day, I only had random things in my mind such as random foods.

Lunchtime…

Hana, Uo, and I headed out to lunch together.

"Tohru, you must be excited," Hana said suddenly.

"Why would she be?" Uo asked confused.

"She's been thinking about food all day, she must be looking forward to lunch," Hana answered.

I smiled. Uo only laughed at me. Momiji met up with us at our usual spot in the fields.

"Tohru! Tohru!" he yelled as he ran toward us.

"Hello Momiji," I said with a huge smile.

"Hello Tohru!" he replied as he practically pounced on me.

He squeezed me tightly.

"It's nice to see you too Momiji," I said.

"Hehe," he laughed lightly with his arms still wrapped around me.

"Yeah, yeah, let's just eat lunch like regular kids do during lunchtime," Uo said annoyed.

Momiji released me from his hug. He and I smiled at each other and took out our lunches. We were enjoying our lunches over a long and joyful conversation when I suddenly caught a glimpse of something behind a tree near by. I looked toward that direction. I saw parts Yuki's silver hair right before it disappeared behind the tree. However, I ignore it and returned to our conversation.

After school…

Later that day, after school, I went to the office to tell the school that I will be moving in a week. Afterward, I headed out of the school building. That whole afternoon I felt someone following me and I knew that it was Yuki. When I reached the front gates, I finally decided to confront him. I stopped right at the gates and turned around to find Yuki right behind me only about twenty feet away.

"Hello Yuki," I greeted cheerfully.

He seemed surprised.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

There was a short silence before he finally spoke. "Nothing," he answered with a depressed tone.

"Then is there something that you would like to tell me?" I asked.

He didn't answer me. He only looked away.

"Yuki," I called.

His attention returned to me.

"I'm not mad at you if that's what you're worried about. Remember when I told you that I'll forgive you for whatever you did? I still feel that way," I said joyously.

"What? Tohru…" he paused.

"You don't have to apologize either, its ok. Besides, at the moment, I'm trying not to think about it so much," I replied with a smile.

"Tohru…" he tried to say something again, but paused.

I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his body. We were both still for a couple seconds. Then I released the shocked Yuki and took a step backward. I smiled at him.

"Thank you for everything, especially last night," I said cheerfully.

"Please, Tohru…" Yuki tried to say.

"Oh, and I had so much fun at your 'home away from home'. Thank you for that too," I interrupted him.

"Tohru, I…" Yuki began again.

"Yuki, let's just be friends from now on k?" I interrupted him again.

He looked at me for a second and I smiled at him. He smiled back.

"That sounds like a great idea," he said. A sigh of relief escaped from his mouth afterward.

"Great! Then let's go," I said cheerfully as I pulled him pass the front gates.

"Go where?" he asked.

"Home, of course!" I answered.

"Home?" Yuki repeated.

"Yup, your home home, not your home away from home," I said as I signal for Mr. Hamasaki to pull up to the front gates.

When the car stopped in front of us, I opened the door and forced Yuki to get in. I got in after he did. We both went home together for the first time. Mr. Hamasaki was just as surprised as Yuki was. They were both silent.

"Mr. Hamasaki, are you ok?" I asked.

"Yes, Tohru, I'm fine," he answered dully.

"Then why aren't you saying anything?" I asked.

He didn't answer me.

"You two act like complete strangers," I commented.

"We are strangers Tohru," Mr. Hamasaki replied.

"You can't be," I said.

"But we are Tohru," Yuki assured me.

"We all live under the same roof, so one way or another, we're family. Family isn't strange," I said.

Both Mr. Hamasaki and Yuki didn't say a word to this. I decided to be quiet for the rest of the way home. When we got home, Mrs. Hamasaki greeted us at the door. She was surprised to see Yuki exit the car after I did. She was frozen solid.

"Mrs. Hamasaki?" I called.

Suddenly, she came back to life and looked at me. "Yes dear?" she replied.

I smiled. "Can you please get a bath ready for Yuki and me?" I asked ever so cheerfully.

Mrs. Hamasaki looked at me and then at Yuki, then back at me. "Of course dear," she said and escorted us into the house.

"Thank you!" I replied.

Yuki followed in right behind me. He seemed a little depressed so I decided to cheer him up.

"Yuki," I said.

He looked at me.

"After our baths, let's do something together," I suggested.

"Hm? What can we do?" he asked.

"Um…I'll tell you later," I answered as I ran up the stairs, "Meet me in my room."

Yuki only nodded. I ran upstairs and into my room where Mrs. Hamasaki and a maid were. Anyways, after my bath, I changed into a pink night gown and waited for Yuki with Popcorn. Eventually, I heard a soft knock on my door and I ran over to open it. I jerked the door open energetically.

"HI YUKI!" I greeted him loudly and happily.

He smiled. "Hello Miss Tohru," he said.

I've never seen Yuki like this before. I mean for once he didn't look serious. He had on some pajama pants and a t-shirt. A white towel hung freely around his neck. His hair was half wet and half dry, but it was neat like always. I laughed lightly.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"You…you look so different," I said.

"I guess I do," Yuki said with a smile, "So what do you have in mind Miss Tohru?"

"Um…" I started to think.

Popcorn barked once. As I thought about it, Yuki headed over to my bed where Popcorn was. He sat down and rubbed Popcorn's belly. I stood by the door watching them.

"Hello there Popcorn," Yuki said with a smile.

"Can we do anything?" I asked suddenly.

Yuki looked over at me and smiled. "Anything you can come up with," he answered.

"Ok then, I want to go somewhere," I told him.

"Hm? Where would you like to go?" he replied.

"You'll see," I said and pulled him out of the room with me.

I took him over to the place that he had lease expected. I took him to that dark room.

"I want to see what it really looks like in there," I said.

Yuki's eyes widened. "Really?" he replied.

I nodded with a huge smile on my face. "You did say anything that I can come up with," I said.

Yuki sighed and stepped forward. He pushed the two doors open. Then he stepped into the darkness and flicked a switch. Instantly, lighting lit up a long hallway that led to another pair of doors. Yuki gestured for me to follow him. I did as told. Popcorn was followed right behind us. When we reached the other pair of doors, Yuki pushed them open to reveal a dark room. We stepped inside. The room was dark, but it wasn't as dark as it would be when I use to come here. I could see some things in the room, but not clearly. Yuki walked over to the windows and jerked open the curtains. Instantly, the room was lit by the sun's warms rays.

I examined the room. There was bed in the middle of the room covered in light blue sheets. The walls were a light blue color that matched the sheets. By the windows there were two rectangular white sofas and a modern white coffee table. They were set on top of a huge rectangular light blue rug. To my right, I saw a white dresser that had a clear vase on top of it. The vase had light blue tulips in it. I walked over to that dresser and ran my hand through the top off it. I began to remember what had happened before when I was thrown against this dresser.

Yuki noticed that I was lost in my thoughts. He came over and stood beside me.

"I'm sorry Tohru," he apologized.

Instantly I snapped out of my chain of thoughts and smiled at him. "For what? I don't know what you're talking about," I said cheerfully.

Without allowing Yuki to reply, I walked over to the bed and jumped on it. I laid down and stared at the roof remembering what Yuki had tried to do to me before on this very bed. Yuki walked over to the bedside. I turned my head to the right and looked up at him.

"This bed is so comfortable," I said joyously.

Yuki only smiled at me confusedly. I guess it must have been confusing for him. I mean the whole wanting to come here after everything that has happened here before thing. Most people in my situation would probably want to get as far away from here as possible, but I guess I wanted to see the real side to what I've been afraid of for all of these years. I rolled around on the bed happily while Yuki watched. Popcorn jumped onto the bed and licked my face. I laughed. Yuki did too. Then I sat up. I had my legs neatly bent under me. I looked at Yuki who was still somewhat confused.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing," he answered, "You seem to be having a lot of fun here."

"Yup," I said as I got off of the bed.

"But why? Aren't you---" Yuki couldn't finish.

"Afraid of this room?" I interrupted him.

Yuki only looked at me. I twirled around in the middle of the room a couple of times.

"Why? Should I be?" I asked him. I stopped twirling and stood in the middle of the huge room.

He grinned a little. I walked over to him with my arms behind my back. I then bent forward and pushed my face close to his. I smiled cheerfully.

"I have been afraid of this room since before I can remember," I said.

"Th—" Yuki began.

"But now that I've seen its true form, there's nothing to be afraid of anymore," I finished interrupting Yuki, "Just like how I no longer fear you."

Before Yuki could reply to this, I turned around and happily skipped away. I headed for the door. I pulled one of the doors open. With the door knob in my hand, I turned around to find Yuki looking at me confusedly.

"And I no longer fear you anymore because like this room, I've seen your true form. This room was horrifying when it was dark, but when you let in sunlight, it's not scary at all. And as long as you allow the most beautiful things in this world in, the room will continue to be beautiful and enjoyable. I hope you understand what I mean, Yuki," I said.

Yuki gave me a gentle smiled in return. I smiled back at him knowing that he understood.

"Come on," I gestured for him to follow me, "Let's get something to eat."

Yuki came over and as we exited the room, I smiled, for I knew that from that moment on, Yuki and I have successfully left our dark past together behind. From now on, we're going to start clean. Our past no longer haunts either of us and from this moment on, I'll only be looking forward to the future. And even though I know that my life's path will soon come to a dead end, I'm not the lease bit unhappy. I guess I've realized one thing…Life is short… Yuki smiled at me as we headed down the stairs. I smiled back.

"What are you planning to have Miss Tohru?" he asked.

I thought for a moment. "ICE-CREAM!" I yelled loudly.

"Ha-ha. I'm sorry Miss Tohru, but there's not going to be any left for you," Yuki said cheerfully.

I looked at him confused. He smiled and when I didn't notice, he ran off to the kitchen. Surprised, I ran after him.

"That's not fair, you can run faster!" I yelled at him.

Yuki turned his head and smiled at me. Then he disappeared when he turned into a hall. When I reached the kitchen, Yuki was standing a few feet away from the refrigerator. I looked at him. He smiled normally. I jerked the freezer door open and examined the freezer. The carton of strawberry ice-cream was gone and so was the vanilla one that I had seen there this morning. I closed the freezer door and turned around. I shoot an evil look at Yuki. He laughed.

"You know, you look a lot better when you're happy Miss Tohru," Yuki said as he pulled out the two cartons of ice cream from behind his back.

I smiled. He smiled back. I grabbed the carton of strawberry ice-cream and two spoons. I handed one to him. We both sat down at a table near by.

"You look much better now," Yuki said.

I shoved a spoonful of strawberry ice-cream into my mouth. Yuki saw me and laughed.

"What's so funny?" I asked confused.

Suddenly, a loud bark sounded the kitchen. We both looked down to find Popcorn. Yuki laughed again.

"What's so funny?" I asked annoyed by the fact that I didn't understand why he was laughing.

"Popcorn thinks that you look like a pig when you eat," Yuki lied.

"No I do not!" I argued back knowing that it was obviously Yuki who thought so.

Yuki only laughed. I've never seen this side to Yuki before. He's the complete opposite of the serious Yuki at school. This Yuki is definitely more easy-going and laid back. I liked this Yuki because this Yuki proved the fact that he's going to have his "curtains" open all the time from now on. He's willing to allow all of the beautiful things in this world in. I'm really happy for him. I looked at Yuki who was taking in little bites of ice-cream. He saw me staring. He stopped. I smiled and flicked my spoon lightly. I accidentally flicked some of my ice-cream onto his shirt. He smiled at me and flicked some back at me. Before we knew it, we were engaging in an ice-cream fight. At this very moment, my worries no longer existed…and all that was left was…well, were ice-cream, Yuki, Popcorn, and me… along with lots of fun, barking, and laughter of course…I laughed…I played…I ate…I forgot…We smiled…