Fruits Basket

Beginnings and Endings

((Author Note: And so things are slowly building up to what I have planned for Chapter 24. Anyways lets all remember this fanfic doesn't incorporate the new stuff that's been coming out in the manga. Well maybe the flower part did, because that was just so damn cute. Anyways for people who know what I'm talking about, hush hush.))

Chapter 23

"Tell me...Miss Tohru Honda," Akito said slowly as his gaze slowly turned towards her as they walked side by side with each other, "...how do you like our banquet so far?"

Tohru smiled up to him brightly, "It's wonderful. Everyone is all dressed up and together. Akito must enjoy having everyone here every year."

Akito chuckled lightly. It was strange hearing Akito laugh, it actually sounded genuine, "They'll always be here by my side."

"Huh?" Tohru replied, not really sure what Akito meant by that.

He stopped walking and slowly glanced towards her over his shoulder, "No matter what happens. The curse will never be broken as long as the cat exists."

"Kyo you're not putting that on right..."

"Shut up! I told you to not peek in here you pervert."

"I'm sorry! I thought you there done!" Ritsu yelled as he slammed the door shut and ran down the hall screaming, saying he was sorry.

Kyo sighed as he stood there partly dressed. Luckily he still had his pants on so it really wasn't as big as deal as he made it sound, "What the hell am I suppose to do? I can't dance."

Kyo looked down at the cloths he was supposed to put on. They were laid out by one of the servants before he stepped inside the room. Kyo never imagined he would be at the banquet or even dance. It was almost like a bittersweet dream since he knew there was going to be a downside to all this. His fingers ran over the silky cloth as he took a deep breath. He slowly picked up the garments and began to get dress. For some reason he felt like he wore these cloths before, but it was only a passing thought and he quickly dismissed it.

"Hmm...I think I have this on right," Kyo looked at himself in the mirror.

He wondered what Tohru was doing. Hopefully Akito was behaving himself this time.

"If he isn't I'm going to pound his face in!"

"Who are you talking to?" Hatori said as he stood in the doorway.

Kyo quickly turned around with his fist still clutched, "Hatori? What the hell?"

"I came to check on you since you scared Ritsu off," Hatori said as he walked inside the little room to have a seat.

"It was his fault."

"Kyo, are you ready for all this?"

"Huh?" Kyo said with a frown as he looked towards Hatori, "When did you start caring about me?"

Hatori smiled faintly as he stared down at the table, "Strangely I've always been concerned about you and Tohru. Perhaps I only wish to see someone in this family blessed with happiness."

"Wait a minute...its not like I'm her boyfriend or anything."

"Do you honestly believe that?"

Kyo was silent for a moment before he turned away to face the wall, "It's just...I can't ever be with her. This curse..."

"And so you give up?"

"It's not that! It's just...what the hell I'm a suppose to do! Akito keeps screwing everything up!"

Hatori reached into his pocket for a cigarette as he cocked his head to the side, "Kyo, even though I think you have the worst temper and you speak what ever pops in your brain, I've always admired the fact you are so determined to prove yourself. You've never given up and I think you may be the one to break this curse. Unlike the rest of us, we strive to break it, but we give up in the end."

Kyo pressed his head against the wall. Hatori watched him quietly as he raised an eyebrow in his direction. He wasn't sure if Kyo was crying or just upset in an angry sort of way.

Hatori opened his mouth to say something, but Kyo suddenly turned around to face him, "I'm not doing any of this for you guys, alright!"

With that Kyo ran out of the room and down the hallway, leaving Hatori there.

"He just needed one more push...Shigure I hope you're right about all this," Hatori said as he smoked for a little bit in the room before he went back to rejoin the others.

"Hey, Shigure!" Tohru yelled as she entered the main hall with Akito.

Shigure waved back to her and smiled to Akito who was narrowing his eyes at him.

"Akito sure doesn't look happy," Momiji happily pointed out.

"Tell me a time when he' actually happy then," Hiro said as he rolled his eyes.

"Now, now," Shigure said as he poked them both in the head, "Let's be nice tonight."

"Whatever," Hiro grumbled as he leaned back in his chair, "I can't wait to see that dumb cat dance. I bet he'll fall over or something."

"He's a cat! If he falls he'll land on his feet," Momiji said as he smiled to Hiro.

"What? He's not really a real cat you idiot..."

Shigure shook his head as he sat down next to Haru, "So...are you excited Haru?"

"Hmm? I guess. It's nice to see Tohru and Kyo here. I would really like to see Yuki dance though."

Yuki frowned since he was sitting on the other side of Haru, "Let's not talk about this."

"Yes, well Yuki sure did a spectacular dance last time," Shigure said with a chuckled while Yuki threw one of his chopsticks right at Shigure.

"I told you to stop talking about that."

"R-Right," Shigure said as he rubbed his head.

"I want to see Kyo!" Kagura yelled as she banged on the table.

"I wonder why sissy can't sit with us..." Kisa said as she glanced over towards Tohru who had to sit with Akito. Away from everyone else.

"Hmm...I don't know, but she seems happy. We can talk with her after the dance."

"Yeah," Kisa said happily as she folded her hands neatly together on her lap.

Akito clapped his hands to signal the beginning of the dance. Everyone's attentions were drawn to the center stage as they waited for their entertainment.

"Oh dear, seems like Akito wants to get this going faster then I thought," Ayame said as he fixed a few things on Ritsu's outfit. He wanted to do the same to Kyo, but Kyo refused to let Ayame touch him.

"Here's a flower for you and you," Ayame hand the two the flowers while Kyo just stared at it.

"What's this for?"

"Don't know," Ayame said with a laugh.

Kyo growled but before he could say anything else he was being pushed on stage with Ritsu.

Ritsu was already beginning to dance around as the music began to play. His flower was tucked in his hair as he danced around. Kyo however just stood there for a moment trying to figure out what to do. He held his flower in his hand while he struggled on what to do now. He looked up slightly towards Akito to see him grinning with pleasure. Kyo felt almost defeated as he stood there and he was about to run away when he caught Tohru's expression. She seemed excited about everything and she was waiting for Kyo do to something. Kyo felt his teeth bite down on his lips as he slowly walked towards her. Akito frowned lightly since he wasn't sure what Kyo was doing.

"Start dancing!" Akito yelled at him once Kyo stopped in front of him and Tohru.

Kyo bowed his head down to them both and handed Tohru the flower, "I will now."

Tohru smiled happily as she took the flower from him in her delicate fingers. She held the small flower close to her as she watched Kyo turn back to join Ritsu.

Kyo didn't know how to dance, but he knew martial arts and all he had to do was keep to the rhythm of the music. His robe twirled around him as he moved along with Ritsu. The two were actually doing a good job. They moved perfectly in sync with each other.

"Wow who would have thought that..." Hiro said as he watched quietly.

Hatori smiled lightly as he watched, "Lovely," of course Hatori said this under his breath since he didn't want to hear Shigure's or Ayame's comments about what he said later on.

"Kyo looks so..." Tohru trailed off as she watched him.

Akito snorted lightly as he watched as well, "We'll see how well he does in act 2."