Fruits Basket

Beginnings and Endings

((Author Note: Sorry about the late chapter here. It's a bit short but once again I don't want all the zodiac members being jammed in the chapters. Anyways I had too many projects last week so that's why this chapter got pushed back. So here it is! Enjoy))

Chapter 44

"Who invited you over?" Kyo said as Hatori put out the cigarette that had been in his mouth. He used the heel of his right foot extinguish what ever was left out before he responded to Kyo's question.

"Hmm…isn't it obvious?" Hatori asked as he lifted his head back up with a blank look that confused Kyo all too often. Only Shigure and Ayame were able to tell what he was thinking most of the time.

"This is Kyo we're talking about such simple concepts are beyond his grasp." Yuki commented as Kyo gave him a sharp look that simply spoke 'death.'

"Our lovely flower must have touched you." Shigure said as he clasped his hands together, "How romantic."

"Comments like that will get you sent to jail," Hatori said as he handed Shigure his coat as he walked by to the tool box. "Let's get to work. Tohru should be along shortly. I suspect she is asking everyone?"

"Yeah, you know how she is." Kyo said as he knelt down to start working again, "Which sometimes worries me."

((Scene Change))

"Help you do what again? Hiro asked with a sneer. Kisa was listening with her full attention as she nodded her head every time Tohru began to explain the situation.

"Um, we were wondering if you and Kisa could help Shigure fix his house. I'll make dinner; oh we're having a party afterwards!" Tohru said with a smile while Hiro stared at her unimpressed.

"So you're asking me to fix someone else's mistake? How dumb do you think I am?"

"Huh, no no. I didn't mean to say you're dumb." Tohru said as she waved her hands. "It's just…"

"I didn't say no!" Hiro yelled suddenly which caused Tohru and Kisa to stare at his sudden outburst. Even Hiro was surprised at the outburst and he quickly turned around. Why did he yell like that? He didn't care about that stupid girl, right? Hiro felt his teeth bit down on his lip. He didn't like seeing her like that…because of him.

"Hiro?" Kisa said as she tugged the back of his shirt lightly to get his attention. Hiro turned back around with a straight face again.

"We'll come…right, Kisa?" Hiro glanced slightly in her direction as she nodded with excitement.

"Right, we'll bring snacks." Kisa said in her soft sweet voice that made Tohru want to hug her.

"Thank you, Kisa. Thank you, Hiro." Tohru said to them both while Hiro grumbled to himself.

Suddenly the screen door flew open to the living room as Hiro, Kisa and Tohru turned to look at the new comer. As they did another zodiac member jumped inside.

"LET ME HELP!" Ritsu yelled, startling the three.

"Uh, Ritsu!" Tohru said with a nervous laugh as she tried not to look so startled.

Hiro was holding his chest tightly as he tried not to pass out from shock, he felt like he was going to have a heart attack. Kisa was holding onto Tohru however and Hiro quickly felt his jealously return as he released his chest. "Why?" He said as he slapped his forehead.

"Please. I haven't been able to help. I promise to do a good job!" Ritsu pleaded as he sat on the ground bowing to Tohru.

"Oh, no, no don't do that." Tohru said as she let Kisa go once she relaxed. She bent down to Ritsu offering her hand to him. "Everyone is welcome. Ritsu will be a great help."

"Thank you!" Ritsu said as he took her hand, but he pulled too hard and knocked Tohru right over on top of him.

"Idiot." Hiro said as he rolled his eyes as a cloud of smoke exploded inside the house as Ritsu sat there as a monkey crying.

"I'M SO SORRY!" Ritsu yelled as Tohru waved her hands trying to say sorry right back.

"Correction, they are both idiots." Hiro said with a sigh as Kisa smiled to their antics.

((Scene Change))

"Place two nails here and two here," Hatori said to the frustrated Kyo.

"Leave me alone! I know how to do it." Kyo yelled over his shoulder before Shigure came trotting over, interrupting them.

"Hatori!" Shigure cried, "I'm tired…I need a break."

"You're only tired because you haven't done a decent days work in years." Hatori said as he did what he told Kyo earlier since Kyo wasn't listening.

"I think I'm dying!" Shigure said as he laid out on the floor.

"Get back to work."

((Scene Change))

"So there's going to be a party afterwards?" Hiro asked Tohru as he stood in the doorway. Kisa and Ritsu were waiting for him down the steps since Tohru still needed to speak to Rin, Kagura, and Ayame. Of course there was Kureno but she wasn't sure if she would be able to speak to him at all since Akito would forbid it, but he was one of the zodiac members. She had to invite him or at least try to. It wouldn't be fair to him if she didn't.

"Yes, Momiji and Haru are planning most of it I think," Tohru said with a kind smile. "It's so kind."

"Peh, they just need an excuse to do something. Whatever, we'll be over there then. It better be good though."

"Of course," Tohru waved to them as Hiro walked down the steps to join the little group, "Have a safe trip!"

Hiro glanced over his shoulder with a slight smile, "Yeah…you too."

"Did you say something, Hiro?" Ritsu asked in a soft voice.

Hiro shot Ritsu a narrowed look, "Does it look like I said anything?"

"Huh! What! No, no! I'M SO SORRY!" Ritsu yelled.

Tohru could hear the group from a good distance away and she found herself laughing nervously again, "Sounds like they're having fun."