Disclaimer: Fruits-basket...not mine.

A/N-Yes, I know it has been awhile, but I'm updating as quickly as I can. Please keep faith, and keep reading!

Chapter 2-Farewells

The storm outside matched the emotions raging inside of Yuki's body. The feelings of anger, sadness, confusion, but overall abandonment tore through him until there was nothing else left. The storm of emotions rinsed clean all else until all he had left was a murky puddle of unhappiness. He was numb to all else.

Yuki lay on his medium sized bed as he stared up at the white ceiling above. White. Empty. Like his life without Tohru. He growled and closed his eyes as he attempted to think of something, anything that would not remind him of that girl. That girl who was leaving him forever.

Books. School books. School. Desk. Tohru's empty desk. Crap! No. Er... music. Bells. The sound that Tohru makes when she laughs...

Everything reminded him of Tohru, because Tohru was his everything. Yuki sighed with defeat and thought of all the memories they had shared. He soon fell asleep only to dream of what he could never have.

Two doors down a young girl muffled her sobs in her pillow so she didn't awaken any of the other inhabitants of the house. She had already caused them enough trouble today, she didn't want them to lose sleep as well just because she couldn't get a grip on her emotions. Stupid tears, they didn't do anything except make her pillow wet and her eyes red.

Why? She asked sadly,why are the ones I love always stolen away? Why can't I be strong enough to hang onto them? Strong enough to protect them... She gave a small bitter laugh that sounded strange coming out of her mouth, I bet every other girl dreams of becoming a princess. I'm being selfish, it is my duty to prepare for this task. It is my duty to throw away I'll I believe in, all I love. It is my duty to leave my friend's behind. Duty sucks...

With that as her final thought Tohru snuggled deeper into her soggy pillow as she tried to ignore the sound of her breaking heart.

The next morning came quickly. Too quickly. The sky was a washed out blue and even the birds were subdued as if they couldn't find it in their hearts to sing a welcoming song to the morning, for the morning was not welcome at Shigure's house.

"Let me take that," Kyo offered as he snatched the heavy suitcase Tohru was struggling to lift. He easily carried it and placed it inside the trunk of the yellow taxi that would be taking Tohru to the airport with the rest of its set. It was a sign of how depressed Tohru was that she did not argue with him about how she could take care of it, and that he needn't bother.

"Thank you," Tohru whispered almost to herself. Staring up into the cloudless sky, maybe if she could just stand like this forever and forget all about leaving. Maybe she could just pretend this was all just a joke. A dream. A nightmare.

Tohru almost fell as a small girl forcefully hugged her knees. "Do you really have to leave, Onee-Chan?" Kisa Sohma asked with tears in her golden eyes.

"I'm so sorry Kisa," Tohru whispered kneeling and hugging the young girl back, "I would stay if I could." She stroked Kisa's soft hair a moment longer before standing up. This was only the first of many good-byes. She was sure she'd run out of tears very soon. Where did all that water come from?

She hugged Hana and Uo and all three sobbed heavily as Tohru promised to write. Kagura sobbed as hard as Tohru and was completely incoherent during the entire process. Tohru managed to catch something that sounded like "you're the best rival and friend I've ever had," before she ran off to sob in a surprised Kyo's shoulder who patted her back awkwardly.

Next came the male zodiac members and Tohru was at a loss. She obviously couldn't hug them in front of Uo and Hana, and a handshake seemed so informal for the people she considered family. Surprisingly, or maybe not, it was the young Hiro Sohma who solved the dilemna. He bouced up on tip toes and yanked Tohru's head down, gently of course, a couple inches and gave her a small kiss on her cheek.

"Write to Kisa," he began sternly but finished in a softer tone as he wiped his eyes, "and...write me too, please."

Tohru smiled a watery smile and nodded her head enthusiastically. "There's no need to get emotional," Hiro said as he ducked away to avoid the Tohru's salty tears that were flying about.

Aaya strolled over to Tohru next as if everything was fine, but his usual smile and overall glow was dimmer than usual. "I always knew you were a princess," he whispered after placing a small kiss on her cheek. For a moment it looked like he was going to say more, but he left without another comment, a sad look in his eye that went beyond her leaving.

Ritsu hesitantly approached next. "Thank you," he said sincerely, "for believing in me, when I couldn't believe in myself." He kissed the top of her head and left so that Momiji could say his farewell. Momiji sobbed unable to say anything though he did manage to continue the "kissing Tohru" tradition before running off to cry with Kisa while Hiro looked on.

Hatori walked up looking rather uncomfortable. He cleared his throat roughly and said, "You've done so much for me, for all of us. I'd like to do something for you. I could make it all dissapear. I could make all the pain dissapear." He continued in a lower voice so only Tohru could hear, "I could make you forget it all."

Tohru shook her head a sad smile on her face. "No, thank you. I never want to forget any of this, or any of you. Each memory is precious, no matter how painful, and I want to remember. Forever."

Hatori smiled, "That is what I expected you would say, what I hoped you would say. But I thought I'd ask anyway." He kissed the top of her head and drifted over to comfort Momiji, Kisa and Hiro, who had finally caved and joined into the sob fest.

Hatsuharu gave Tohru a warm smile as he took his place in front of her. "Always stay true to who you are," he said seriously, "Promise me you will never change, for anyone."

"I-i promise." she stuttered surprised by the completely random comment.

"Good," he kissed her cheek and left the bewildered girl alone, only to have her joined a second later by a solemn Shigure.

"You'll always have a home here," he said simply with a kiss on her forehead.

And then he was gone and replaced by a sullen Kyo. "Call us if anything goes wrong and we'll come and get you. Duty, or no duty. Your first duty is to yourself, got it?"

"Yes."

He gave her a quick kiss on her cheek than covered his blush by tapping her on the top of her head. "Don't forget about us."

Yuki was last to approach Tohru. He had been dreading this moment, hoping that it would never come. But here it was and he had no idea what to say. So many things rushed through his mind, all the things that he wanted to say, but wouldn't reach his mouth. Instead he said, "I'll really miss you, Miss Honda." Because I love you and I never want to let you go, Tohru.

"I'll miss you to, Yuki." You most of all, but it would never work It would never work, because you're you and I'm me... I wish you love, although I know it will never be me. And I'll hate whoever you pick because she's not me, and love her because she makes you smile.

He kissed her smooth cheek that tasted of strawberries and tears.

"Farewell." Farewell my love...

A/N Thank you to all who reviewed my first chapter, and an advanced thanks to anyone who is reading this now and stuck with the story. Yes I know this story is very...corny lol I guess that's a good word for it. But, I'm not going to give up...

See you guys next chapter!