Chapter 23

AN: I've been really bored lately, so I have a lot of time to write. However, I tend to get writer's block a lot more often. sighs I finally have time to write but I don't know what to write about. How sad. Anyways, I finally thought about what will happen in this chapter yesterday. To be honest, I decided to have Tohru visit "Mister Kyo" completely out of the blue, so I didn't know what I wanted them to do there. Luckily, I figured something out. Hehe… Enjoy and please leave reviews! Thank you all very muches! Lol.

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

I stood there in the dark waiting for his reply. I felt someone walking toward me. It must have been him. He stopped right in front of me. I reached out and touched "Mister" Kyo's chest. I placed my hand on his heart. I felt it beating at a very steady pace. Then, "Mister" Kyo placed one of his hands on top of mine. He slowly pulled it away from his chest and then he held it tightly in his.

"Mister Kyo?" I called.

"It's been awhile now, Kisa," he replied.

"Yes," I said in a sad tone.

Without replying he guided me over to the bed where we both sat down on.

"You surprised me," he said suddenly.

"Hm?" I replied.

"I was surprised when I got that phone call. I never expected you to---" "Mister" Kyo said before I interrupted him.

"Kyo," I interrupted him.

He waited for me to continue, but I didn't. Then he cupped each side of my face with one hand on each side. It was really Kyo. I knew this because it felt exactly like it did earlier today.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

I didn't answer him. Instead, I unbuttoned the first three buttons of my shirt to reveal my under garments. Then, I grabbed his left hand from my face and placed it on my chest. I held it there with both of my hands for a few seconds before I moved it downward. Right when Kyo's hand touched the edge of my bra, he jerked it away. Then, he was silent as if he was waiting for an explanation.

After a long silence, I asked, "Kyo, do you want me?"

He didn't answer me. He must have been shocked by this blunt question of mine. I searched the darkness for his two hands and when I found them I guided them to my body. With his hands, I unbuttoned the rest of my shirt. Then, once again, he pulled his hands away.

"Kyo, don't you want me?" I asked.

He didn't answer me. Assuming that his answer was no, I began to stand up. Suddenly, he grabbed my right arm and I sat back down. After a short silence, Kyo wrapped his arms around my waist area tightly. I wrapped my arms around his neck. He still didn't say a word. Suddenly, his embrace loosened. We came apart and were now about a foot away from each other. However, my arms were still loosely around his neck. Then, like he did twice before, I felt his two hands on my face, one on either side. He pulled my face forward to his. We kissed. He then removed my fully unbuttoned shirt and guided my body down onto the bed.

We slept with each other that night. I don't know what came over me, but at that moment, I really wanted to be his. And even though it was only one night, I still wanted it. Kyo gave up everything for me and this was the only thing that I could give back to him. And even though it may seem like I did it only to pay Kyo back, I did it for more selfish reasons. I wanted Kyo. I wanted to be held by him. I wanted to be loved by him. I wanted to be able to be with him…just for a night. Just Kyo and I… together…in each other's arms. In a time and place where I am not a slave and he is not my master and where our love isn't forbidden. A time and place where we can love each other unconditionally…

Around four o'clock the next morning…

I woke up this morning in Kyo's arms in that familiar room of his. Kyo was still asleep when I woke up. I slowly lifted my head off of his chest and gently slid my body out of his arms. I grabbed my shirt off of the floor and got off the bed quietly. I retrieved the rest of my clothes and got dress as Kyo slept. Then, I went over to the desk and grabbed a piece of paper and pen. I walked over to the couch near by and sat down. I began to write.

I wrote:

Kyo,

Do you remember the first thing that you've ever said to me? You asked me if I was stupid. I didn't answer you then because I didn't know how to. However, today I can tell you that I am stupid. I am stupid because I actually thought that I, a slave, can be allowed to love. I was even more foolish when I fell in love with my master of all people. I was born a slave and you were born my master. It was destiny, Kyo. We were never meant to be. But to this day, all I ever regretted was having you give up so much for me. If I could change the past, I wouldn't have had us meet. That way you wouldn't have had to suffer so much for me and I wouldn't have been such a burden on you. I'm sorry.

I looked up and over at Kyo who was still sleeping peacefully. Then I started to write again.

By the time you read this letter, I've probably gone to a far away place where we will no longer be able to see each again. You're probably mad at me for not telling you before. I'm sorry. And before you try to look for me, just remember that love between a slave and her master is a forbidden love and no matter what, we can't change who we are. Our love shouldn't have existed in the first place, so it's best if it ended this way. Please forget me and don't waste your time looking for me. This is my last request. I'll miss everyone here. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to say to goodbye to everyone. Please apologize to Momo, Hiro, Haru, and Rin for me. And Kyo, if I have learned one thing from all of this, it's the fact that we were held together by a bind by destiny, but tortured by fate… because in the end, we are still just not meant to be. Goodbye forever, Kyo...

---Tohru

I set the paper and pen on the coffee table in front of me and stood up. I walked over to the sleeping Kyo on the bed. I sat down on the bed right beside him.

"Goodbye Kyo…I'll always love you," I whispered.

I took one last look at the love of my life. I got up and walked out of the room. On my way down the stairs, I accidentally ran into James (the butler).

"Good morning Miss Honda, I didn't know that you were here," he said.

"I came over last night. James, Kyo is really tired and he's asleep right now, so please don't wake him until later ok?" I asked.

"Of course Miss Honda, but should I prepare some breakfast for you?" he replied.

"No thank you, I have something to do and I am just about to leave," I said.

"Very well then, shall I have a car ready for you?" he asked.

"No, I'll be fine, but thank you," I answered.

"If you say so then Miss Honda, now if you'll excuse me, I'll go prepare everyone's breakfast before they wake," he replied.

"Oh, yes, please, don't let me get in the way," I said.

He smiled and lightly bowed his head. James then turned and continued down the hall.

"Oh, James," I called after him.

He stopped and turned around. "Yes, Miss Honda?" he replied.

"If Kyo looks for me later when he wakes up, can you tell him that I've gone somewhere and that he doesn't have to look for me anymore?" I asked.

"Of course," he answered.

"Thank you," I said cheerfully with a smile.

James continued down the hall and disappeared when he turned. Suddenly realizing that I didn't have a ride to where I wanted to go, I went to make a call. I walked down a hall to the nearest room with a phone. I decided to call Akito.

"Hello," answered a housekeeper.

"Good morning, this is Tohru Honda. May I speak with your Miss--- I mean, Master, Akito?" I asked politely.

"Just a moment," she said and then there was a long silence.

"Miss Honda, how are you this morning?" Akito asked suddenly.

"I'm fine. Akito, can you come get me?" I asked.

"Get you? Where are you Miss Honda?" Akito asked confusedly.

"I'm at Kyo's mansion," I answered.

"Why are you there this early in the morning?" Akito asked confusedly.

"It doesn't matter anymore," I answered.

"Very well then, I'll be over in twenty minutes with my driver. I'll meet you at the park near by, just down the street," Akito said.

"Ok. Thank you. Bye," I replied.

"Bye, Miss Honda," she said and hung up.

After I hung up, I exited the room and headed down the hall back to the entrance way. However, before I reached it, I heard a loud and familiar voice. I stopped at the end of the hall and hid behind a tall stand with a huge vase on top of it. The vase held a mass amount of flowers that was perfect to hide behind.

"TOHRU!" Kyo yelled.

I watched from a safe distance. Kyo was in a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt and he was running down the stairs. James instantly came running as well.

"Mister Kyo, what's wrong?" he asked.

Kyo stopped once he reached the ground floor. "Where is she?" he asked frantically.

"Are you referring to Miss Honda sir?" James asked.

"You saw her! Where did she go?" Kyo asked immediately.

"Miss Honda left quite awhile ago, but she had asked me to tell you that she has gone somewhere and to tell you that you don't have to look for her anymore, before she left," James told Kyo.

Instantly, the worried expression on Kyo's face turned into a sad one. Then, loud rumbling noises echoed in the air. It was Momo, Hiro, Haru, and Rin coming down the stairs. They must have heard the noise that Kyo had made earlier.

"What happened?" Haru asked.

"Yeah, why are you yelling so early in the morning, Pervert?" asked the drowsy Momo as she rubbed her sleepy eyes.

"She's gone," Kyo said softly.

"What? Who's gone?" asked Rin concernedly.

"Tohru, she's gone…forever," Kyo answered softly.

Suddenly, Momo was completely awake. "What did you say? Tohru is gone?" Momo asked worriedly.

Kyo didn't reply. He only looked downward.

"Where did she go?" Haru asked.

Kyo shook his head lightly. Everyone was silent. Then, suddenly, Kyo punched a wall near by and created a huge hole in the wall. His fist began to bleed. Instantly, I wanted to run over to him to see if he was ok, but I forced myself to stay put. Rin quickly came over to Kyo to see if he's ok.

"Kyo, are you alright!" Rin asked worriedly.

"Rin, I wouldn't worry. I've done more damage than that to him and he lived," Haru said almost in a teasing way.

Rin ignore Haru's comment. James (who I didn't notice leave) returned with the first aid kit. Immediately, Rin and James treated Kyo's injured fist. I watched sadly from behind those flowers.

"I am such a useless fool!" Kyo yelled suddenly, "I couldn't protect her. I have no right to say that I love her!"

Kyo clenched a piece of paper that was in his other hand. It was my goodbye letter. He then pushed James and Rin away and ran off. I was tempted to chase after him, but I couldn't. Tears came to my eyes.

"Should we go after him?" asked Rin worriedly.

"No, this is between him and Tohru. We should let them solve it themselves," Haru said and grabbed Rin's hand, "Let's go."

Haru and Rin headed back to their room while Momo and Hiro stood in the entrance way. Momo started to cry and Hiro freaked.

"Please don't cry Momo," Hiro said. He didn't know how to comfort her.

"But…Tohru…is…gone…" Momo managed to say between breaths.

"I know, but you still got me…and that stupid Momiji," Hiro tried to comfort her.

"Its…not…the…same…" Momo said and ran off half angry and half sad.

Hiro followed her. I waited a few minutes before I exited the mansion. As I made my way out of the house and through the front gates, tears ran down my face continuously. I walked down the street to the park that Akito had mentioned. When I got there, Akito's car was already parked and Akito was standing with her hands in her pockets under a tree. I walked over to her. On the way, she saw me and ran over to me.

"Miss Honda, why are you crying?" she asked.

I hesitated for a second. "It's nothing. I'll go see Mistress now," I said sadly.

A sad expression took over Akito's beautiful face. She looked at me guiltily for a second and then guided me to the car. She opened the door and led me in. She came in afterward.

"Take us to see her," she told the driver.

"Yes sir," he replied and drove off.

During the whole car ride, I cried. Akito didn't bother to stop me because she too knew that the only way to make me better is to let me cry. I had so much feelings bottled up inside that I've finally exploded. The ocean of tears inside of me was finally being released. And the worst part was the fact that I had released it on myself. As I thought about Kyo I cried even more. I caused so much misery for him. I caused sadness for everyone. I'm such a horrible person…

As I became lost in my continuous chain of thoughts, Akito led me to Mistress's hotel room. When we arrived, I didn't even notice. I just cried. I didn't remember where I was…I didn't know who was there…I didn't remember why I was there…but it didn't matter to me. I just wanted to cry my heart out because at this moment, it seemed to have been the only thing that was making things a little better.

"Tohru!" a familiar voice yelled suddenly.

This voice forced me back into reality. I looked up. It was Yuki. He ran over to me and immediately cupped either of my cheeks with his hands. He then wiped away the tears on each one of my cheeks with his thumbs. He looked me in the eye.

"What happened?" he asked concernedly.

"Nothing," I lied.

"Then don't cry. It hurts me so to see you cry," he said sadly.

His eyes looked at me in a very gentle and caring way. His lips slowly curved upward and created a gentle smile. I nodded. Then, Yuki leaned forward and kissed me on my forehead lightly. I forced a smile. He smiled back.

"How adorable, someone actually cares about that worthless thing," a voice said suddenly.

Yuki turned around and stood diagonally in front of me. We both looked at Mistress who was sitting on that same couch a week ago when I first saw her again. Akito was standing to her right with her hands in her pockets. Behind us, there were six body guards like people. Mistress and Akito were both watching us the whole time. Anyways, there was a long silence.

"I hope you had a joyful last week, Tohru Honda, because after today, it'll be all over for you," Mistress finally said evilly.

I didn't answer her.

"You can't do this," Yuki said angrily.

"I own her, I can do anything that I want with her," Mistress replied.

Mistress got up and walked over to us. She circled us a couple of times and then stopped in front of me.

"I see you've successfully won the heart of my pitiful nephew as well. First it was son, then my loyal spies, my daughter, and now you've even won my nephew. Why do you keep messing with my things?" she asked.

I didn't answer her. She was angered by my continuous silence. She slapped me on my right cheek. My head turned to the right as tears came back to my recently dried eyes. Yuki ran in front of me.

"What are you doing?" Mistress asked angrily.

"I can't let you do this," Yuki said.

"Have you forgotten who you work for?" asked Mistress angrily.

"This is wrong," Yuki said.

"Who took you in after your parents died? Do you remember what happened when they left you?" Mistress asked.

Yuki was lost in his own thought for a second when suddenly two guards grabbed him and pulled him to the side. Yuki was struggling to get loose when Mistress grabbed my face and pulled it toward hers. Her long nails dug into my face. It ripped the skin that they were on top of. My face was bleeding. Yuki struggled even harder, but it was no use. He just wasn't strong enough.

"But no matter what, I'm still one step ahead of you…because…I...own…you…and you know what else?...I win," Mistress said and smirked.

I didn't reply to this. She then released my face and turned to Yuki and the guards that held him.

"Lock him away and beat him until he can't take anymore," she said.

"PLEASE, DON'T!" Akito and I yelled in unison.

Akito ran toward Yuki, but she too was held back by two guards before she was able to reach him. Mistress turned her heard and focused her attention back on me.

"So she speaks," she said.

"Mistress, please don't," I pleaded.

"What makes you think that you can stop me?" she asked.

"I am the one that you want. I am the one that you should punish. I seduced Yuki, Kyo, and everyone else. It's not their fault. So please, don't hurt them," I begged.

She smirked.

"Tohru…" Akito said sadly.

"NO! THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Yuki yelled.

"Fine, but don't think that I'll kill you Tohru Honda. I will make you suffer. I will make you suffer until the day you die!" Mistress said half laughing evilly.

Mistress then walked over to the bar area and retrieved a glass cup filled with some sort of beverage. She then poured a package of some sort of white powder into it. Afterward, she walked over to me with it. She handed it to me.

"Drink it," she demanded.

I took the cup from her. Without hesitating, I drank it. Then, the cup slipped out of my hand and scattered into bits and pieces on the ground. Everything around me began to lose their shapes and their colors started to blend with each other. I looked over at Yuki. His face was still clear.

"Tohru, why?" he asked sadly.

I only smiled at him and mouthed of the words "Thank you for everything." Then I saw Akito beside Yuki. Her face was also clear. Tears came to her eyes.

"I'm sorry Miss Honda. I really am," she apologized.

I smiled at her and said with what's left of my strength, "I understand. I forgive you Akito."

Before I knew it, the blurry objects around me were slowly swallowed by darkness. I fainted…

Who knows how long later…

I woke up on a hard surface in a cold and dark room. I knew this room all to well. I was there… I was in the last place that I'll ever be for the rest of my life. I got up and sat there with my back against a cold brick wall. My legs were neatly bent in front of my chest and my arms were folded on top of them. I rested my head on top of my folded arms and started to cry. It was horrible, but this was it.

"Welcome to the rest of your life, Tohru…" I said sadly to myself as I cried.

Eventually, I cried myself to sleep… as I adapted to this sad truth… I cried and cried until I couldn't cry anymore…