Fruits Basket
Beginnings and Endings
((Author Note: I don't know if I mentioned this, but I'm not following any sort of Japanese guidelines for this...and I'm an American, who pretty much knows American stuff and Chinese stuff since I'm Chinese but that's another story. What I'm trying to say is that not everything in here is going to be Japanese like. This chapter will demonstrate that since I'm going to have them celebrate Christmas, but I've seen manga's have them do that before. As far as the Willow Tree goes, I only used it to represent imagery and to get a feeling of innocence. I didn't have a clue Japanese were scared of these trees. So, I'm sorry and if you hate it then I'm sorry for that too. I'll just avoid Willow Trees from now on though.))
Chapter 19
'It was your fault...that we're cursed,' the dying cat said as he laid against the cold marble floors of the nobles' home. The ground was once a scared place, but now it was tainted with a thin veil of evil.
'You caused for your own demise once you tried to trick me. Why couldn't I be apart of this family that you created? These people were forever to be known as the animal gods to our future offspring. Why?'
The dying noble laid against the ground a few feet away from the dying cat. His injury was deep and the medicines of his time wouldn't be enough to save him. His face had a thin smirk against his pale skin, "Because you have something that I want and if I can't have it then no one shall ever have it."
The cats red eyes turned towards the girl who ran toward him. Her brown hair flowed behind her as he saw her tiny hands reach out to embrace him. Her beauty began to fade as his eyes slowly shut. He could no longer see what his eyes yearned to see one last time. He wanted to tell her the one thing he never told her before, but as he felt her wrap her arms around his weakened head he felt his senses fade away until he was lost. No words came out of his mouth as she desperately cried out his name, trying to tell him of her mistake, but his ears heard no sounds and his mouth spoke no words.
The dying noble shut his eyes as a few droplets of blood fell from the tiny corners of his mouth, "You will never be able to speak to her again. This circle will never end, because I'm god and no one shall ever have her."
----
"Kyo? Are you ok?" Tohru asked as Kyo just stood quietly outside looking up to the swaying trees.
"Hmm? Yeah, I was just thinking was all. I was taking a short break from training," Kyo said as he raised a fist.
"A short break? You must do that all the time then," Yuki said with a smirk across his face as he leaned against wall post.
Kyo growled as he balled his fist up, "Oh yeah? How about I test out my new stills against you, rat boy!"
"I don't have time to waste on you, but seeing as its Christmas Eve..."
"Alright! Prepare to go down hard!!" Kyo lunged at Yuki, while the agile Yuki did the same. The two boys were engaged with each other outside while Tohru just stood there stunned.
"Uh...I don't think..." Tohru began saying, but she stopped once she felt Shigure place his hand against her head lightly.
"Let them get it out of their system. It would be nice to have a quiet meal for once. I would love to enjoy a lovely meal made by Tohru on this special holiday!"
"I'll make something good then."
"Everything you make is good," Shigure said with tears down his face as he gripped her shoulders.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that..."
"But it's so wonderful! You'll make a good wife, how about you and I get married!"
"Wha-?!"
Yuki and Kyo paused immediately as they stared at Shigure who was the only one laughing as a strange awkward silence flowed from the three younger teens, "I was only kidding!"
"That's nothing to joke about!" Kyo hissed as he went back to fighting Yuki.
"Well the tension is too much for me. I think I'm going to go take a nap," Shigure said as he began to walk off, but Tohru began to speaking again.
"Um, Shigure?"
"Hmm?" Shigure replied as he stopped at his door.
"I'd like to go out and visit everyone today, can you come with me? Kyo and Yuki are busy right now and I don't want to bother them-"
"Say no more;" Shigure said with a light wink, "I'll go with you. Let me change."
"Right! I'll get ready too," Tohru ran off to her room to grab her things. While she gathered her stuff she did leave a note for the two fighting boys outside so they wouldn't worry about her being alone with Shigure.
Shigure was waiting out front for her with his arms crossed together. He tilted his head slightly and he saw her running towards him with her carefree smile. Her hands gripped two bags that almost seemed too much for her to carry.
"Um, Tohru I think those bags are a bit big for you. Allow me to carry them."
"Oh, I don't want to impose."
"Don't worry about it!" Shigure took the bags from her hands as he began walking,
"Come along. Who would you like to visit first?"
"Um, how about, Hatori, Momiji, and Hatsuharu?"
"Good choice," Shigure said with a light smile, "Let's leave Akito alone today though."
Tohru was just about to suggest that they visit Akito, but Shigure must have known she would suggest visiting him and she nodded her head lightly.
It wasn't long until Shigure was knocking on Hatori's door, "Oh, Hari! It's me."
There wasn't an answer and Shigure cleared his throat loudly, "And Tohru is with me to see you."
Hatori slid the door open almost immediately. He stood before them, dressed in some casual cloths. Tohru was used to him dressed in his work cloths or in some sort of nice outfit; it was unusual for her to see him looking so laid back, "Hatori? Wow I have never seen you look like that."
Hatori raised an eyebrow as he looked down at himself, "Does it not suit me then?"
Tohru waved her hands, "Oh no no, I think it looks nice on you. It's a nice change."
Hatori lowered his head lightly to hide a light blush.
"Hari are you?" Shigure began saying, but Hatori shot him a quick glance that said 'not another word.'
"Hari, who are you talking to?" Momiji asked as he stepped out, "Oh! Tohru! What brings you out here?"
Tohru smiled to Momiji once he appeared, "I came here to give everyone gifts."
"Oh! I almost forgot. Wait here Tohru!" Momiji ran off quickly while Hatori took a small step back in his house to grab something.
Shigure was digging through Tohru's bag searching for Hatori's and Momiji's presents.
"Tohru..." Hatori began to say.
"Hmm?"
"Are you planning on giving everyone presents?"
Tohru nodded her head lightly while Hatori stepped over to Shigure, "I'll give them to everyone then. They're coming here later tonight, so it will give me a perfect chance to give it to them for you."
"Oh, if you don't mind..."
"Of course I don't mind," Hatori said with a light smile as Shigure handed him the bags.
"Aw, Hari is being so nice to Tohru. It warms the heart."
"Shut up, Shigure," Hatori said as he went inside to place the presents in a safe spot. Once he did Momiji came running back out, carrying a few boxes.
"Here, Tohru. This is from everyone for you!" Momiji now handed everything to Shigure who nearly fell over from all the boxes.
"Wow, I don't think I deserve all that..." Tohru began to say, but Hatori stopped her as he stepped outside.
"You've done a lot for us. It's the less we can do...and this is from me..." Hatori handed her a small box.
"Thank you Hatori!" Tohru said as she held the small box in the palm of her hands.
"Hari? What did you get her? Newlywed jewelry?" Shigure said as he stared at the small box.
"Shigure, you talk too much," Hatori said as he disappeared inside.
Momiji waved to them, "We'll see each other again on New Years. Have a good holiday, Tohru!"
"Bye!" Tohru said as she left for home again with Shigure stumbling along with all the boxes.
------
"So, Miss Honda where exactly did you go with Shigure?" Yuki asked as he ate Tohru's delicious dinner at the table.
"Oh, we just went to Hatori's to drop some things off."
"I hope, Shigure didn't try anything funny," Kyo said as he stared at him.
"Me? Kyo, I'm surprised you have such little faith in me."
"What do you do that should give me faith? You're a perverted and you write perverted books."
"I do not! I'm a well known novelist."
Kyo laughed while Yuki sighed as he ate. Tohru couldn't help, but smile lightly. Things were exactly how they should be again, but she couldn't help but feel like something was wrong. She almost felt like everything was too perfect. Something was going to happen and she knew deep down that tears would be shed for someone.
Everyone decided to go to sleep early. Christmas was the next day and everyone wanted to have a good rest so they could enjoy the day. Kyo however was seated on the roof looking up at the stars. His eyes blinked lightly as he watched a few shooting stars fly across the sky like tiny bugs being whisked away in a pool of water. He took a deep breath to fill his lungs with the cold night air.
"Kyo?" Tohru said all of a sudden as she looked down at him.
Kyo nearly fell off the roof as he leaped into the air, "Tohru!? What the hell? You're supposed to be asleep."
Tohru was dressed in her pajamas that almost looked to big for her as she sat there with her knees to her chest, "Sorry, Kyo. I thought you heard me."
Kyo rubbed his chest lightly as he sat down next to her, "Its...it's alright. You just startled me was all. What's wrong? Can't sleep or something?"
Tohru shook her head, "No I heard you up here. I thought something was bothering you. You seem to be acting very strange lately."
Kyo rubbed the back of his head before he leaned back against his arms, "I've just had a lot on my mind was all."
"Would you like to talk about it? Mom said it was never good to hold in your feelings. It's always better to talk about things with a friend."
Kyo looked to her lightly, "I know, but I can't tell you right now. It's nothing about you; its just I don't want you to get hurt is all."
"Kyo..." Tohru said lightly as her eyes bright caring eyes stared straight at him.
Kyo took her hand gently and brought it to his face pressing his cheek gently against her tiny hand. It was the closest he could get to hugging her, "I care too much for you Tohru that I might be endangering you. I promise to protect you, but I would kill myself if something happened to you. Please just trust me on this."
Tohru nodded her head lightly as Kyo released her hand. Kyo would hug her slender figure, but he didn't want to change into a cat each time he did it. It was a painful reminder when he transformed.
"Look, Kyo! A shooting star," Tohru said as she pointed to the sky.
Kyo had already seen them, but he looked anyways. The star was already gone, but Tohru couldn't stop smiling which made Kyo smile lightly to her. She was so carefree. As Tohru sat there she felt Kyo's hand grip around her shoulders as he leaned closer to her to kiss her. Kyo felt her body tense under his grip lightly, from being startled, but once his lips pressed against hers her body began to relax. He had to kiss her one last time, because he wasn't sure about his future. If he failed in breaking the curse he would be locked up forever and he would never feel or touch her again. The two sat under the stars as their feelings intertwined with each other.
'I never got to say those things to her that day. Kyo, don't make the same mistake. Don't fall into the circle of death again. Tell the person who you love how you truly feel. Action can not explain every feeling you have. Tell her your feelings. Please, break the curse.'
