Author's note: I don't own Fruits Basket! I swear! Sorry I haven't updated in awhile but I was working out some kinks!
Ultimate-Furuba-Freak: AHHHH! MACHETE! I'm scared! Please don't hurt me!
Kyo-obsessedru2: Thank you! I had so much fun writing that part…I wish it was me with him too! I am madly in love with Kyo!
Knux girl: Thank you for your review! It put such a huge grin on my face that my mouth started to hurt!
Darkblinds: Thank you for reviewing! P.S. It does seem tactless that he said it to her face like that but 1) Kyo is very straightforward and 2)He's ashamed that he feels this way and doesn't want to hide it from her. He wants her to know that he is sorry he doesn't return her feelings. And look! She understood!
Chapter Six: (Kazuma)
I've made a terrible mistake. I have betrayed Kyo…my son. I thought that by sealing his fate as the cat, I'd saved him from certain death. But I was wrong. That look on his face as he realized what I was telling him. He was already dead. Nothing Akito could do to him could be worse than locking him up in that…grave. I know that now…and I will fulfill my vow after all. I will not let that be Kyo's fate.
"I swear to you Kyo…"
Kazuma let his words die into the wind as he stood in front of the very large and intimidating Sohma House. He was here to see Akito. No…he didn't care about Akito. He was here to save Kyo.
Kazuma went into the hose where he was greeted by a tired looking woman.
"Hello. My name is Kazuma Sohma. I would like to speak to Akito."
The woman sighed, as if he had just asked her to move the sun itself.
"I'll go check and see if the time is appropriate. You wait here." There was not an ounce of politeness in her voice, but still, Kazuma did as he was told.
Many long moments later, the woman returned looking slightly apprehensive.
"Master Akito will see you. He says that he's been expecting you…"
Kazuma looked at her strangely. He had not announced that he was coming. He'd told Akito that he would help in confining Kyo...why would he be expecting me? Kazuma thought as he entered Akito's room.
"I knew you were too foolish. I knew you would return begging for mercy."
As if he'd read his mind, Akito had answered Kazuma's questions, his voice smooth and calm. It terrified Kazuma greatly.
(Kyo)
"Where's Master?" Kyo asked the other members of the zodiac. Everyone was still gathered in Shigure's living room, talking about everything humanly possible in order to help Kyo forget that…well…his life was basically over.
"I don't know," Haru responded. "I haven't seen him since yesterday. When he came by to tell us about…well…you know…" Haru trailed off.
Kyo frowned slightly. Why wasn't he here? He was soon distracted from his thoughts, however, when Ritsu broke a teacup and went off the deep end…again…
But as everyone tried calming the hyperventilating monkey, Kyo's gaze drifted towards the window…hoping…
(Akito)
Pathetic idiot. Does Kazuma really believe that he can change anything by coming to me? He doesn't understand, I will never change my mind. It's time for Kyo to learn his place. The cat is a fool. The cat is an idiot. The cat doesn't belong. Kyo…you don't belong. You never did and you never will.
"Akito, I know you haven't changed your mind," Kazuma began. "But I have. I will not help you. I stand by Kyo…"
"And you are the only one because no one else will. No one but you loves Kyo. Everyone hates the cat."
Kazuma smiled slightly. An image of a girl with long brown hair burst into his mind. She was standing right behind his eyes…holding an orange cat…loving him despite his curse.
"Why are you smiling? Is something funny?" Akito drawled in his snakelike tone.
"You think because of the legend, Kyo will never know love and happiness. But you're wrong. Kyo is loved."
Kyo…you are loved.
"Well…if what you say is true, then it is a problem I must fix."
"You can try."
Akito's fists clenched. His sucked in his breath angrily. He started over to Kazuma with deliberate slowness. An evil grin slipped onto his face.
"But first, Kazuma. I must take care of you."
(Kyo)
After some time, the other members of the zodiac headed home. They left in a steady stream of good-byes. Kagura was the last to leave and she only did so when Kyo promised that she could come again tomorrow.
Kyo sighed as he shut the door. It was hard to be in the same room as Kagura, Yuki, Shigure, Ayame, Momiji and Ritsu all at once. In fact, almost every member of the zodiac could piss him off in one way or another. And over the year's he'd made it quite clear that they did.
But they were here. They all came to see me. In some strange way, it makes everything better. I don't feel as alone anymore.
Tohru came to stand by him.
"That was nice, wasn't it Kyo? It was so kind of them all to come and I had so much fun! Are you happy that they came?"
Kyo opened his mouth to answer when the phone rang. Tohru started to go answer it when they heard Shigure pick it up in the other room.
"Oh, Shigure got it. Well, I'd best get started on the dishes." (She had made food for everyone.)
Tohru headed towards the kitchen when, without thinking, Kyo held her back.
"Wait Tohru. I want to tell you something."
"Yes?"
"I…I'm sorry about this morning. I didn't mean what I said. I don't want you to stay away."
She smiled and Kyo took a step closer. He could hear his heart pounding in his throat. He saw the faintest blush on Tohru's cheeks and took another step closer. She didn't move away.
"Of all the people that were here today. There was only one who mattered to me…you Tohru."
Kyo placed a hand on her soft face. Her eyes fluttered closed and opened once more. She moved toward him just a bit. Her spectacularly large eyes were shining. Kyo could hear her heart beat…together with his.
"Tohru…I care so much about you. I…I…love you."
And Kyo bent down to kiss her. There lips were a fraction apart…
"Kyo!" Shigure interrupted. Tohru broke away in surprise, her face red. She looked unable to speak. She looked from Kyo to Shigure, uneasy. Shigure looked upset and Kyo looked just plain angry.
"Dammit Shigure! What do you want?"
"Kazuma is in the hospital."