Fruits Basket
((Author Note: This story is a continuation from the last chapter. I could have just combined the two, but I didn't want the last chapter to get too long.))
Better Edited Version
((Review Responses:
seiko123 Its more likely to be a Tohru/Kyo...I mean...Yuki may have a chance (not really) haha, I'm still letting Yuki have his moments, but I'm a Kyo fan so I think we all know the outcome I have in mind.
NeverEndingQuest I hate admitting that Yuki looks good with her too, but I still think Kyo looks better. I like their connections better anyways. Go Kyo! Oh, yea I wanted them to go somewhere and I figured the zoo sounded like a good place:)
Akiko I'm glad Akito approves of my writing. Lol, I can only update so fast, but last week I have to admit I took a three day break so the next update should be a little faster unless I give myself another vacation...hehe))
Chapter 3
The phone rang its singing tune until a young hand gripped around it. For a moment he hesitated in picking it up, as if he had a sort of six sense telling him not to. After a moment of careful thought he picked the phone up and brought it to his ear, "Hello?"
"Hiro! I didn't think you'd answer. You sometimes don't pick the phone up when I call. I mean are you afraid of the phone or something? Hey are you even there? Huh huh? Well are you!" Momiji's voice rang out over the phone as Hiro held it away from his ear. He had his eyes shut as his eyebrows twitched with annoyance as the rabbits voice continued to speak.
'I knew I should had just let the phone ring. That dumb rabbit talks way too much for my taste. That's the last time I follow my instinct instead of my head.'
"Heellloooo?" Momiji kept asking about a few hundred times in the course of two minutes.
"What do you want?"
"Oh, I'm calling for Tohru to ask if you want to go to the zoo."
"Are you going?"
"Yeah."
"Then I'll pass."
Hiro began to hang the phone up when Momiji said, "Oh, well I thought I ask anyways since Kisa said she was coming."
Hiro's eyes grew wide as he snapped the phone back to his ear, "Fine I'm going too you dumb rabbit!" Hiro slammed the phone down on the receiver as he stormed off down the hall to go get ready.
Meanwhile Momiji just laughed on the other end as he set the phone down gently. Hatsuharu just sat there watching Momiji continue to laugh.
Hatori was pulling his jacket on when he walked into the room, "Momiji, what are you laughing about?"
Momiji was still laughing so Hatsuharu spoke up for him, "He just convinced Hiro to go to the zoo with us...."
Hatori was silent since he found no amusement in that.
"...he mentioned Kisa to convince Hiro to go, like Momiji usual does," Hatsuharu had continued on after the brief silence.
Hatori nodded his head lightly though he really didn't find it that funny, "You two better get ready. Momiji, call Tohru to tell her everyone will meet her there."
Hatori turned to go slip his shoes on when Hatsuharu spoke in a series tone this time, "Does he know?"
Momiji stopped laughing as he looked up to Hatori. Hatori didn't even look to the boys as he only shook his head as he stepped outside. As he left there was a deep sigh from both Momiji and Hatsuharu that escaped their breaths.
"That would ruin our trip if he did show up..." Momiji said in low voice as his hands brushed the phone for a moment before picking it up.
"Yes it would, but lets not even mention it. It would bring us bad luck and if that happens it would only bring harm to Tohru."
Momiji nodded in agreement, "We'll make it a great day! I'm calling Tohru now."
Shigure and Ayame were talking to no ends at the table. Kyo really couldn't hear actual words coming from the two. It sounded more like a jumble of words being spoken at high speeds. Kyo just tried to ignore the two as he waited for Tohru and Yuki to get ready. Yuki had gone to his room to change into a fresh pair of cloths. Tohru was inside the kitchen getting their lunch ready. Kyo snorted in annoyance at how long it was taking Yuki to just change some cloths. It only took him a blink of an eye. Kyo guessed since Yuki was so perfect he needed time to prepare his girly figure. Kyo laughed lightly to himself, "Oh I'm glad I didn't say that one out loud."
The phone began to ring and since Tohru probably had her hands full Kyo figured it would be best if he answered it since the two idiots at the table were to lazy to even attempt such a thing. Not to mention Shigure was still dodging his editor. Kyo could hear Tohru frantically juggling things in the kitchen so she could make an attempt to answer the phone. Kyo quickly yelled to her as he walked by, "Keep making your food, I got it."
Tohru's head popped out quickly from the door, "Thank you, Kyo-kun!"
Kyo nodded to her as she disappeared back into the kitchen again. He picked the phone up and answered with a rather blunt Hello.
"Kyo? Wow, I didn't know you answered phones."
"I usually don't...wait a minute you make it sound like I'm impaired!"
There was a brief silence as Momiji was trying not to laugh. Kyo just stared at the wall straight in front of him trying not to get angry since he was doing this for Tohru, "...What do you want?"
"Oh yea! I was just calling to tell Tohru we're going to meet you all at the zoo. I was going to also tell her who's coming with all of us."
"You can tell me, I'll tell her."
"Aw, Kyo is so nice."
"Shut up and just tell me."
"Let's see...I'm going, Haru, Kisa, Hiro, Ritsu...and."
"You asked Ritsu!"
"Of course. Tohru wanted me to ask everyone. I just told Ritsu that Tohru asked and he agreed."
Kyo rubbed his head lightly. He had a feeling this was going to be a long day, "Ok, whatever. You said and is there someone else?"
"Oh yeah...hmm...who was it...?"
Kyo tapped his foot as he waited when suddenly a thought crossed his mind, 'Oh no...it better not be Kagura. Please say someone else. Anyone but Kagura.'
"I remembered now! It's Kagura!"
There was a long silence as Kyo had his head pressed against the wall with his mouth open. Momiji tapped the phone, "Kyo? Did you die? Maybe you fainted."
"I don't faint!"
"Oh...is Kyo worried about Kagura being in the way?"
"Are you getting at something?"
"I bet..."
"Momiji, you better not finish that sentence."
I bet that Kyo is worried about T-..."
"Gah! I can't take it anymore! Shut up you little brat! Just meet us at the zoo and stop being stupid!"
Kyo slammed the phone down. His face was a blazing red from yelling so much and perhaps it was red for another reason as well. He turned his head lightly to see Shigure, Ayame, Yuki and even Tohru staring at him now.
"What!?"
"Oh nothing..." Shigure said as he went back to talking to Ayame. Yuki only shook his head as he took a seat at the table now.
Tohru tilted her head slightly, "Ah, is everything ok Kyo?"
"Everything is fine...Momiji invited Hiro, Kisa, Haru, Ritsu, and Kagura."
"Oh that's great! I made enough food for everyone. I guess we better get going now since I'm all finished."
Kyo nodded and he began to head for the door when he realized Tohru was having trouble with the food she had stacked up in a pile in her arms. She had so much in her arms that she could barely see anything out in front of her. She took a step and she almost tripped when Kyo caught her by the arms to help her recover her balance. She stood there for a moment to catch her breath from almost dropping everything when Kyo took most of the food to carry for her, "You should be more careful you know," He tapped her forehead lightly with his knuckle.
She looked up to Kyo who had a light smile across his face before he moved for the door, "The damn Rat can carry some too, if he wasn't to busy grooming himself."
"You should talk. You can sit for hours cleaning your own hair," Yuki said as he snatched more trays then Kyo to carry.
"Hey! I do not! And don't take my trays!"
Tohru just listened to the boys argue as normal, but her face had a soft shade of red. Kyo's smile was so kind to her that she wished he would use it more often sometimes instead of his normal frown he had on.
Hiro stood out in front of the zoo with Ritsu and Kagura. He glanced to them for a moment. Kagura was hugging herself in excitement to see Kyo while Ritsu stood quietly pressing his fingers together in a nervous manner. 'How'd I get sucked into this?"
"Hiro?" A shy voice said.
Hiro turned his head lightly to see Kisa standing just in front of him. 'That's why...'
"Has sissy come yet?"
"No, but who cares. We should just leave. To think they're the ones that made the arrangements to meet here and they don't even show up. How stupid can they get?"
"I heard that Hiro and you better shut up!" Kyo growled as Tohru just waved to them.
"What if I don't? Its not like you can force me. And even if you do I can just tell an adult...and..." Hiro stopped talking in mid sentence as a quick moving object burst right past him.
"Kyo!!!"
Kyo blinked lightly before realizing it was Kagura who was bursting for him. He tried to run away but she tackled him right to the ground, causing the food trays to go flying into the air.
"Ah, the food!" Tohru yelled as everyone watched it go flying into the air.
"I got it!" Yuki used his free hand to catch the few that were near him.
Hiro took a small step back and managed to catch one while Kisa just had to stretch out her arms to catch the next. Tohru ran a few steps to try and catch one and in the process she tripped on one of the cracks. She skidded to the ground, but to her surprise she still caught one. Ritsu was moving back and forth to catch the last and final one. His arms reached up to snatch the last tray, but as he did it slipped through his arms and hit the ground spilling all its contents. Everyone was silent as Ritsu stared at his missed attempted.
"I guess there's no food for Ritsu," Hiro blurted out.
"Ah...Ritsu?" Tohru asked calmly as she got up.
"I'M SO SORRY!!! I RUINED THE TRIP. NOW EVERYONE IS GOING TO STARVE. THEN THEY"LL GET SICK AND THEN DIE. I'M SO SORRY!!!" Ritsu turned to run away, but Haru caught him by the shirt as he walked up with Momiji.
"Oh no, don't leave Ritsu. I made enough food for everyone. Even if we lost one, we can share lunches. I don't mind," Tohru said smiling to Ritsu who was beginning to calm down some.
"Oh ok..."
Haru released Ritsu as he looked at the mess on the ground, Kagura still hugging/pounding Kyo into the ground, and then his eyes went to Yuki. He shuffled his way over to Yuki and tapped his shoulder. Yuki sighed, "Hello, Haru..."
Momiji skipped over to Tohru to say hello, "Hi Tohru!"
Tohru smiled to Momiji, "Hello Momiji."
"AH! BLOOD!" Ritsu yelled at the top of his lungs as he pointed to Tohru's legs.
Momiji bent down to look, "Just looks like a small scrape. Hmm...I think I have a band-aid in my pocket."
"Kyo!!! You pig! Look what you did to Tohru!" Kagura yelled as she slammed Kyo into the ground.
"Who's the pig here! And you did it!" Kyo tried to fight back but she kept hitting him against the ground like a rag doll.
Momiji finally found it, "Ta Da!" He bent down and put it on her leg, "How's that?"
"It's much better, thank you Momiji. We better go get our tickets now."
She walked over to the ticket booth to buy her tickets. She acted like nothing had happen. Ritsu shuffled after her. Momiji skipped happily next and soon everyone else herded along, Kyo was last in line since he was barely conscious.
"I want to see some animals!" Momiji yelled out as he bounced around happily.
"It's not like you can see anything else, but animals here..." Hiro said in a matter of fact voice.
"Hiro let's go see the tigers," Kisa asked in her sweat voice. Hiro smiled to her and he nodded, "Ok."
"Come on sissy."
Hiro sighed, 'I can't ever be alone with her...'
"I'm coming too!" Momiji said as he chased after the group. Yuki decided to follow along with them and of course Haru was chasing right after Yuki. Ritsu was unsure of where to go first and before he knew it mostly everyone had gone with Hiro and Kisa, "Ah! Wait for me."
Ritsu bounded off after them leaving Kagura and Kyo.
"Ah, we're all alone..."
"Let me go get you something, Kagura."
"Really!!"
"Yeah..." Kyo said not really going to.
She let go of him and he started to walk over to the snack shop, but suddenly he made a quick left and he sprinted off down one of the zoo paths. Kagura clutched her first, "Kyo, you jerk!!!"
"Did you hear something?" Tohru asked Yuki as she leaned against the cold metal bars to watch the tigers play in the water.
"No...maybe it was just the wind."
"Look that one looks like me," Haru said as he pointed to the black and white one.
"I think if these tigers looked like anyone it would be Kisa," Yuki said with a smile to the younger girl.
Kisa smiled brightly as she pointed to one of the orange ones, "I like that one."
Everyone began to point to the one that like except for Hiro since he found it to be a childish thing to do.
"On to the next animal!" Momiji yelled out as he began to march off down one of the paths with everyone following along. Tohru lingered behind for a moment to watch the tigers just a little bit longer. She smiled lightly before she turned to follow everyone else, but to her horror another large group of people were shuffling by and Tohru didn't see the path Momiji had taken, "Oh...no. I lost them!"
Since Tohru couldn't figure out where everyone went she decided to wander around by herself until she ran into them again. Tohru had taken one of the paths that winded through a jungle like setting. She smiled to herself as she walked. Even though she couldn't find where everyone had gone off to she was still enjoying herself. The plants were beautiful and it felt peaceful walking through the jungle like setting. As she turned the corner she came across a large house like building, except the building had clear sides. She looked up at the sign on the door to read, "The Exotic Bird House."
"Wow, I really want to see some exotic birds."
Tohru was about to go inside when she felt like she sensed something familiar. She turned her head lightly towards the path that continued further down. Not to far along the path there was a large willow tree and hiding under its shade was Kyo. He was lying on his back with his arms tucked behind his head.
Tohru quickly ran over to Kyo, happy to finally found someone, "Kyo!"
Kyo heard her voice and he slowly sat up, "What are you doing here alone?"
"I lost everyone when we were walking. How come you're alone?"
Kyo thought of Kagura straggling him and decided not to mention that, "I guess I lost everyone too...so I thought I just sit here under this tree for a little bit."
Tohru smiled as she set her things down, "Then I'll sit here with Kyo to keep him company."
Kyo was about to object when he noticed she was glancing back to the birdhouse. He could tell by her expression she wanted to go, but she didn't want to leave him. He glanced around for a moment to see if anyone else was around and he stood up. Tohru blinked lightly up to him, "Uh, Kyo where-?"
"You want to go see the birds, right?"
"Uh..."
"Well come on," Kyo grabbed her hand to pull her up and he began to pull her along to the birdhouse.
"Kyo, what about our stuff?"
"Don't worry about it."
Kyo was still holding her hand as he walked with her to the birdhouse. It didn't really dawn on him either as he just continued on. Tohru on the other hand was blushing a great deal and she found that she couldn't control it one bit. Kyo opened the door to the birdhouse and pulled Tohru along inside. The birds in the house were chiming their songs from the high trees above them. A few birds flew over them and they both looked up at the same time.
"Wow, they fly around in here!" Tohru said with excitement.
"I guess so," Kyo said as he noticed a sign. He tilted his head to read some of it, "Hmm...looks like we can feed them with this food here."
By now Kyo had released her hand since Tohru was leaning more to look at things and Kyo figured he couldn't loose her in there, at lest he hoped not. He picked up some of the bird food and walked over to Tohru who was talking to a few little birds.
"Kyo look at these!"
Kyo glanced to the little birds sitting together, "Here open your hand up," Kyo said quietly so he wouldn't scare the birds. Tohru did what she was told and Kyo sprinkled some of the food her in hand.
"Ok, now hold it up like this," Kyo held his hand up and she mimicked him. At first the birds just stared at them chirping, but then one flew down to Tohru's hand and the other went to Kyo. Tohru smiled to the little bird eating from her hand. Kyo just watched silently. Tohru's smile was brighter then it normally was and she seemed like all the worries in the world faded away.
Tohru was still smiling to the bird as it countuned to eat. She looked over to Kyo to see what he was doing. His attention was on the bird now that pecked away at the food. His face wasn't smiling, but Tohru could tell his face seemed at peace and just enjoying the quiet moment.
"I think they're almost done, Kyo."
Kyo nodded as he held his hand up a little higher and the two birds leaped up into the air at the same time to fly away together. Kyo and Tohru just watched the little birds one last time before Kyo began to head for the door, "We better find everyone now..."
"Oh, yeah! They must be so worried," she ran after Kyo, "Umm...thank you Kyo. For taking me in here and helping me feed the birds."
"Huh!?" Kyo was a bit caught off guard since he was thinking about where everyone might be. He knew he was about to blush and he did his best to keep it back, "Don't worry about."
Kyo opened the door to see Momiji standing there looking around, "Kyo? Oh, you found Tohru!"
"Momiji!" Tohru said happy to have found all her friends finally. Momiji ran over to hug her, but before he could Kyo hit him in the head, "Don't be stupid!"
"Whaa! Kyo hit me, Tohru!!"
"Miss Honda, are you ok? We were worried when we realized we had lost you."
Tohru shook her head, "Nope, I'm fine. Kyo kept me company."
Yuki glanced at Kyo who in returned looked back. It seemed like a silent exchange of 'thank you' and 'no problem' but no one really knew except those two.
"In any case we found your stuff and set up the lunch you had made."
"Oh that's great! Thank you," Tohru bowed to Yuki who was shaking his hands and head. The group moved to the join the rest under the willow tree.
"Sissy, you're ok!" Kisa said as she stood up to greet her.
"Yup, I'm fine," Tohru said while she hugged Kisa. She looked over to Hiro who was sitting there as a sheep.
"What happened to him?" Kyo wondered out loud.
"Well to make a long story short. We were at the petting zoo and a young girl ran into Hiro. No one noticed because we were standing with a bunch of sheep to begin with so he blended right in," Yuki said as he shook his head since it was a close call.
"Well we'll make a special plate for Hiro," Tohru said as she began to set plates up.
"I don't need a pity plate..." Hiro grumbled as he tried to hide his face.
Everyone sat down under the tree waiting for their food. As Kyo waited for his own food to be passed along to him he wondered about the future ahead of him. Their own house would be considered a zoo. It housed a person who took cared of the rat, cow, sheep, tiger, monkey, rabbit, and so on, but there was no place for the cat in this zoo. Where did the cat belong? Kyo felt his heart being tugged at since soon that question will be answered, but the difficult part was accepting what that answer may reveal.
"Here's your food, Kyo," Tohru said with her typical smile on her face as she held out his plate.
Kyo took it gently from her, "Thank you..." What ever that answer may reveal, he promised he would do anything to keep her from crying.
((Author Note: This story is a continuation from the last chapter. I could have just combined the two, but I didn't want the last chapter to get too long.))
Better Edited Version
((Review Responses:
seiko123 Its more likely to be a Tohru/Kyo...I mean...Yuki may have a chance (not really) haha, I'm still letting Yuki have his moments, but I'm a Kyo fan so I think we all know the outcome I have in mind.
NeverEndingQuest I hate admitting that Yuki looks good with her too, but I still think Kyo looks better. I like their connections better anyways. Go Kyo! Oh, yea I wanted them to go somewhere and I figured the zoo sounded like a good place:)
Akiko I'm glad Akito approves of my writing. Lol, I can only update so fast, but last week I have to admit I took a three day break so the next update should be a little faster unless I give myself another vacation...hehe))
Chapter 3
The phone rang its singing tune until a young hand gripped around it. For a moment he hesitated in picking it up, as if he had a sort of six sense telling him not to. After a moment of careful thought he picked the phone up and brought it to his ear, "Hello?"
"Hiro! I didn't think you'd answer. You sometimes don't pick the phone up when I call. I mean are you afraid of the phone or something? Hey are you even there? Huh huh? Well are you!" Momiji's voice rang out over the phone as Hiro held it away from his ear. He had his eyes shut as his eyebrows twitched with annoyance as the rabbits voice continued to speak.
'I knew I should had just let the phone ring. That dumb rabbit talks way too much for my taste. That's the last time I follow my instinct instead of my head.'
"Heellloooo?" Momiji kept asking about a few hundred times in the course of two minutes.
"What do you want?"
"Oh, I'm calling for Tohru to ask if you want to go to the zoo."
"Are you going?"
"Yeah."
"Then I'll pass."
Hiro began to hang the phone up when Momiji said, "Oh, well I thought I ask anyways since Kisa said she was coming."
Hiro's eyes grew wide as he snapped the phone back to his ear, "Fine I'm going too you dumb rabbit!" Hiro slammed the phone down on the receiver as he stormed off down the hall to go get ready.
Meanwhile Momiji just laughed on the other end as he set the phone down gently. Hatsuharu just sat there watching Momiji continue to laugh.
Hatori was pulling his jacket on when he walked into the room, "Momiji, what are you laughing about?"
Momiji was still laughing so Hatsuharu spoke up for him, "He just convinced Hiro to go to the zoo with us...."
Hatori was silent since he found no amusement in that.
"...he mentioned Kisa to convince Hiro to go, like Momiji usual does," Hatsuharu had continued on after the brief silence.
Hatori nodded his head lightly though he really didn't find it that funny, "You two better get ready. Momiji, call Tohru to tell her everyone will meet her there."
Hatori turned to go slip his shoes on when Hatsuharu spoke in a series tone this time, "Does he know?"
Momiji stopped laughing as he looked up to Hatori. Hatori didn't even look to the boys as he only shook his head as he stepped outside. As he left there was a deep sigh from both Momiji and Hatsuharu that escaped their breaths.
"That would ruin our trip if he did show up..." Momiji said in low voice as his hands brushed the phone for a moment before picking it up.
"Yes it would, but lets not even mention it. It would bring us bad luck and if that happens it would only bring harm to Tohru."
Momiji nodded in agreement, "We'll make it a great day! I'm calling Tohru now."
Shigure and Ayame were talking to no ends at the table. Kyo really couldn't hear actual words coming from the two. It sounded more like a jumble of words being spoken at high speeds. Kyo just tried to ignore the two as he waited for Tohru and Yuki to get ready. Yuki had gone to his room to change into a fresh pair of cloths. Tohru was inside the kitchen getting their lunch ready. Kyo snorted in annoyance at how long it was taking Yuki to just change some cloths. It only took him a blink of an eye. Kyo guessed since Yuki was so perfect he needed time to prepare his girly figure. Kyo laughed lightly to himself, "Oh I'm glad I didn't say that one out loud."
The phone began to ring and since Tohru probably had her hands full Kyo figured it would be best if he answered it since the two idiots at the table were to lazy to even attempt such a thing. Not to mention Shigure was still dodging his editor. Kyo could hear Tohru frantically juggling things in the kitchen so she could make an attempt to answer the phone. Kyo quickly yelled to her as he walked by, "Keep making your food, I got it."
Tohru's head popped out quickly from the door, "Thank you, Kyo-kun!"
Kyo nodded to her as she disappeared back into the kitchen again. He picked the phone up and answered with a rather blunt Hello.
"Kyo? Wow, I didn't know you answered phones."
"I usually don't...wait a minute you make it sound like I'm impaired!"
There was a brief silence as Momiji was trying not to laugh. Kyo just stared at the wall straight in front of him trying not to get angry since he was doing this for Tohru, "...What do you want?"
"Oh yea! I was just calling to tell Tohru we're going to meet you all at the zoo. I was going to also tell her who's coming with all of us."
"You can tell me, I'll tell her."
"Aw, Kyo is so nice."
"Shut up and just tell me."
"Let's see...I'm going, Haru, Kisa, Hiro, Ritsu...and."
"You asked Ritsu!"
"Of course. Tohru wanted me to ask everyone. I just told Ritsu that Tohru asked and he agreed."
Kyo rubbed his head lightly. He had a feeling this was going to be a long day, "Ok, whatever. You said and is there someone else?"
"Oh yeah...hmm...who was it...?"
Kyo tapped his foot as he waited when suddenly a thought crossed his mind, 'Oh no...it better not be Kagura. Please say someone else. Anyone but Kagura.'
"I remembered now! It's Kagura!"
There was a long silence as Kyo had his head pressed against the wall with his mouth open. Momiji tapped the phone, "Kyo? Did you die? Maybe you fainted."
"I don't faint!"
"Oh...is Kyo worried about Kagura being in the way?"
"Are you getting at something?"
"I bet..."
"Momiji, you better not finish that sentence."
I bet that Kyo is worried about T-..."
"Gah! I can't take it anymore! Shut up you little brat! Just meet us at the zoo and stop being stupid!"
Kyo slammed the phone down. His face was a blazing red from yelling so much and perhaps it was red for another reason as well. He turned his head lightly to see Shigure, Ayame, Yuki and even Tohru staring at him now.
"What!?"
"Oh nothing..." Shigure said as he went back to talking to Ayame. Yuki only shook his head as he took a seat at the table now.
Tohru tilted her head slightly, "Ah, is everything ok Kyo?"
"Everything is fine...Momiji invited Hiro, Kisa, Haru, Ritsu, and Kagura."
"Oh that's great! I made enough food for everyone. I guess we better get going now since I'm all finished."
Kyo nodded and he began to head for the door when he realized Tohru was having trouble with the food she had stacked up in a pile in her arms. She had so much in her arms that she could barely see anything out in front of her. She took a step and she almost tripped when Kyo caught her by the arms to help her recover her balance. She stood there for a moment to catch her breath from almost dropping everything when Kyo took most of the food to carry for her, "You should be more careful you know," He tapped her forehead lightly with his knuckle.
She looked up to Kyo who had a light smile across his face before he moved for the door, "The damn Rat can carry some too, if he wasn't to busy grooming himself."
"You should talk. You can sit for hours cleaning your own hair," Yuki said as he snatched more trays then Kyo to carry.
"Hey! I do not! And don't take my trays!"
Tohru just listened to the boys argue as normal, but her face had a soft shade of red. Kyo's smile was so kind to her that she wished he would use it more often sometimes instead of his normal frown he had on.
Hiro stood out in front of the zoo with Ritsu and Kagura. He glanced to them for a moment. Kagura was hugging herself in excitement to see Kyo while Ritsu stood quietly pressing his fingers together in a nervous manner. 'How'd I get sucked into this?"
"Hiro?" A shy voice said.
Hiro turned his head lightly to see Kisa standing just in front of him. 'That's why...'
"Has sissy come yet?"
"No, but who cares. We should just leave. To think they're the ones that made the arrangements to meet here and they don't even show up. How stupid can they get?"
"I heard that Hiro and you better shut up!" Kyo growled as Tohru just waved to them.
"What if I don't? Its not like you can force me. And even if you do I can just tell an adult...and..." Hiro stopped talking in mid sentence as a quick moving object burst right past him.
"Kyo!!!"
Kyo blinked lightly before realizing it was Kagura who was bursting for him. He tried to run away but she tackled him right to the ground, causing the food trays to go flying into the air.
"Ah, the food!" Tohru yelled as everyone watched it go flying into the air.
"I got it!" Yuki used his free hand to catch the few that were near him.
Hiro took a small step back and managed to catch one while Kisa just had to stretch out her arms to catch the next. Tohru ran a few steps to try and catch one and in the process she tripped on one of the cracks. She skidded to the ground, but to her surprise she still caught one. Ritsu was moving back and forth to catch the last and final one. His arms reached up to snatch the last tray, but as he did it slipped through his arms and hit the ground spilling all its contents. Everyone was silent as Ritsu stared at his missed attempted.
"I guess there's no food for Ritsu," Hiro blurted out.
"Ah...Ritsu?" Tohru asked calmly as she got up.
"I'M SO SORRY!!! I RUINED THE TRIP. NOW EVERYONE IS GOING TO STARVE. THEN THEY"LL GET SICK AND THEN DIE. I'M SO SORRY!!!" Ritsu turned to run away, but Haru caught him by the shirt as he walked up with Momiji.
"Oh no, don't leave Ritsu. I made enough food for everyone. Even if we lost one, we can share lunches. I don't mind," Tohru said smiling to Ritsu who was beginning to calm down some.
"Oh ok..."
Haru released Ritsu as he looked at the mess on the ground, Kagura still hugging/pounding Kyo into the ground, and then his eyes went to Yuki. He shuffled his way over to Yuki and tapped his shoulder. Yuki sighed, "Hello, Haru..."
Momiji skipped over to Tohru to say hello, "Hi Tohru!"
Tohru smiled to Momiji, "Hello Momiji."
"AH! BLOOD!" Ritsu yelled at the top of his lungs as he pointed to Tohru's legs.
Momiji bent down to look, "Just looks like a small scrape. Hmm...I think I have a band-aid in my pocket."
"Kyo!!! You pig! Look what you did to Tohru!" Kagura yelled as she slammed Kyo into the ground.
"Who's the pig here! And you did it!" Kyo tried to fight back but she kept hitting him against the ground like a rag doll.
Momiji finally found it, "Ta Da!" He bent down and put it on her leg, "How's that?"
"It's much better, thank you Momiji. We better go get our tickets now."
She walked over to the ticket booth to buy her tickets. She acted like nothing had happen. Ritsu shuffled after her. Momiji skipped happily next and soon everyone else herded along, Kyo was last in line since he was barely conscious.
"I want to see some animals!" Momiji yelled out as he bounced around happily.
"It's not like you can see anything else, but animals here..." Hiro said in a matter of fact voice.
"Hiro let's go see the tigers," Kisa asked in her sweat voice. Hiro smiled to her and he nodded, "Ok."
"Come on sissy."
Hiro sighed, 'I can't ever be alone with her...'
"I'm coming too!" Momiji said as he chased after the group. Yuki decided to follow along with them and of course Haru was chasing right after Yuki. Ritsu was unsure of where to go first and before he knew it mostly everyone had gone with Hiro and Kisa, "Ah! Wait for me."
Ritsu bounded off after them leaving Kagura and Kyo.
"Ah, we're all alone..."
"Let me go get you something, Kagura."
"Really!!"
"Yeah..." Kyo said not really going to.
She let go of him and he started to walk over to the snack shop, but suddenly he made a quick left and he sprinted off down one of the zoo paths. Kagura clutched her first, "Kyo, you jerk!!!"
"Did you hear something?" Tohru asked Yuki as she leaned against the cold metal bars to watch the tigers play in the water.
"No...maybe it was just the wind."
"Look that one looks like me," Haru said as he pointed to the black and white one.
"I think if these tigers looked like anyone it would be Kisa," Yuki said with a smile to the younger girl.
Kisa smiled brightly as she pointed to one of the orange ones, "I like that one."
Everyone began to point to the one that like except for Hiro since he found it to be a childish thing to do.
"On to the next animal!" Momiji yelled out as he began to march off down one of the paths with everyone following along. Tohru lingered behind for a moment to watch the tigers just a little bit longer. She smiled lightly before she turned to follow everyone else, but to her horror another large group of people were shuffling by and Tohru didn't see the path Momiji had taken, "Oh...no. I lost them!"
Since Tohru couldn't figure out where everyone went she decided to wander around by herself until she ran into them again. Tohru had taken one of the paths that winded through a jungle like setting. She smiled to herself as she walked. Even though she couldn't find where everyone had gone off to she was still enjoying herself. The plants were beautiful and it felt peaceful walking through the jungle like setting. As she turned the corner she came across a large house like building, except the building had clear sides. She looked up at the sign on the door to read, "The Exotic Bird House."
"Wow, I really want to see some exotic birds."
Tohru was about to go inside when she felt like she sensed something familiar. She turned her head lightly towards the path that continued further down. Not to far along the path there was a large willow tree and hiding under its shade was Kyo. He was lying on his back with his arms tucked behind his head.
Tohru quickly ran over to Kyo, happy to finally found someone, "Kyo!"
Kyo heard her voice and he slowly sat up, "What are you doing here alone?"
"I lost everyone when we were walking. How come you're alone?"
Kyo thought of Kagura straggling him and decided not to mention that, "I guess I lost everyone too...so I thought I just sit here under this tree for a little bit."
Tohru smiled as she set her things down, "Then I'll sit here with Kyo to keep him company."
Kyo was about to object when he noticed she was glancing back to the birdhouse. He could tell by her expression she wanted to go, but she didn't want to leave him. He glanced around for a moment to see if anyone else was around and he stood up. Tohru blinked lightly up to him, "Uh, Kyo where-?"
"You want to go see the birds, right?"
"Uh..."
"Well come on," Kyo grabbed her hand to pull her up and he began to pull her along to the birdhouse.
"Kyo, what about our stuff?"
"Don't worry about it."
Kyo was still holding her hand as he walked with her to the birdhouse. It didn't really dawn on him either as he just continued on. Tohru on the other hand was blushing a great deal and she found that she couldn't control it one bit. Kyo opened the door to the birdhouse and pulled Tohru along inside. The birds in the house were chiming their songs from the high trees above them. A few birds flew over them and they both looked up at the same time.
"Wow, they fly around in here!" Tohru said with excitement.
"I guess so," Kyo said as he noticed a sign. He tilted his head to read some of it, "Hmm...looks like we can feed them with this food here."
By now Kyo had released her hand since Tohru was leaning more to look at things and Kyo figured he couldn't loose her in there, at lest he hoped not. He picked up some of the bird food and walked over to Tohru who was talking to a few little birds.
"Kyo look at these!"
Kyo glanced to the little birds sitting together, "Here open your hand up," Kyo said quietly so he wouldn't scare the birds. Tohru did what she was told and Kyo sprinkled some of the food her in hand.
"Ok, now hold it up like this," Kyo held his hand up and she mimicked him. At first the birds just stared at them chirping, but then one flew down to Tohru's hand and the other went to Kyo. Tohru smiled to the little bird eating from her hand. Kyo just watched silently. Tohru's smile was brighter then it normally was and she seemed like all the worries in the world faded away.
Tohru was still smiling to the bird as it countuned to eat. She looked over to Kyo to see what he was doing. His attention was on the bird now that pecked away at the food. His face wasn't smiling, but Tohru could tell his face seemed at peace and just enjoying the quiet moment.
"I think they're almost done, Kyo."
Kyo nodded as he held his hand up a little higher and the two birds leaped up into the air at the same time to fly away together. Kyo and Tohru just watched the little birds one last time before Kyo began to head for the door, "We better find everyone now..."
"Oh, yeah! They must be so worried," she ran after Kyo, "Umm...thank you Kyo. For taking me in here and helping me feed the birds."
"Huh!?" Kyo was a bit caught off guard since he was thinking about where everyone might be. He knew he was about to blush and he did his best to keep it back, "Don't worry about."
Kyo opened the door to see Momiji standing there looking around, "Kyo? Oh, you found Tohru!"
"Momiji!" Tohru said happy to have found all her friends finally. Momiji ran over to hug her, but before he could Kyo hit him in the head, "Don't be stupid!"
"Whaa! Kyo hit me, Tohru!!"
"Miss Honda, are you ok? We were worried when we realized we had lost you."
Tohru shook her head, "Nope, I'm fine. Kyo kept me company."
Yuki glanced at Kyo who in returned looked back. It seemed like a silent exchange of 'thank you' and 'no problem' but no one really knew except those two.
"In any case we found your stuff and set up the lunch you had made."
"Oh that's great! Thank you," Tohru bowed to Yuki who was shaking his hands and head. The group moved to the join the rest under the willow tree.
"Sissy, you're ok!" Kisa said as she stood up to greet her.
"Yup, I'm fine," Tohru said while she hugged Kisa. She looked over to Hiro who was sitting there as a sheep.
"What happened to him?" Kyo wondered out loud.
"Well to make a long story short. We were at the petting zoo and a young girl ran into Hiro. No one noticed because we were standing with a bunch of sheep to begin with so he blended right in," Yuki said as he shook his head since it was a close call.
"Well we'll make a special plate for Hiro," Tohru said as she began to set plates up.
"I don't need a pity plate..." Hiro grumbled as he tried to hide his face.
Everyone sat down under the tree waiting for their food. As Kyo waited for his own food to be passed along to him he wondered about the future ahead of him. Their own house would be considered a zoo. It housed a person who took cared of the rat, cow, sheep, tiger, monkey, rabbit, and so on, but there was no place for the cat in this zoo. Where did the cat belong? Kyo felt his heart being tugged at since soon that question will be answered, but the difficult part was accepting what that answer may reveal.
"Here's your food, Kyo," Tohru said with her typical smile on her face as she held out his plate.
Kyo took it gently from her, "Thank you..." What ever that answer may reveal, he promised he would do anything to keep her from crying.
