A/N: Alright, I've been getting a couple questions about the whole, "panda's got my gun" thing, so if you stay tuned, at the end of the next chapter I have a little story about the "panda/gun" incident.

Thanks to everyone for all the reviews! Just to let you know I take the time to read every one of them! When I get home all I can think about are your reviews- they brighten my day and they are what keep my creative juices flow'n. (hugs all my readers)

Kyo: God, again with the mush? Bleh!

Shigure: (cough cough) You're the one to talk.

Kyo: for the last time, I DID NOT SEDUCE TOHRU!

Yuki: Ugh. I think I'm going to throw up from the vulgurness of your conversation.

Kyo: SHUT UP, YOU DAMN RAT! (storms off)

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER MAY CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING- FLUFF, TEAR- JERKERS, AND SOMOUN. IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO ANY OF THESE, LEAVE WHILE YOU STILL CAN.



Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits basket, not the people in it...except in my dreams...
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Chapter 3: Stars and Somoun

Tohru stirred the pot of boiling noodles. Suddenly her stomach gurgled and she giggled at the weird noise it made. It was quite understandable that her stomach would be growling considering she hadn't eaten anything all day. When she woke up it was already well into the afternoon and by the time she'd showered, (yes, she was that filthy that if she took a bath, she'd basically be soaking in grimy filth,) it was already three o' clock. After she'd cleaned herself she went to go look for Kyo-kun to thank him, but he was no-where to be found. In fact, she hadn't seen him all day. After a while, she gave up looking and got back to work. Tohru was so busy doing all the chores that had piled up while she was off dozing; she hadn't yet found the time to stop and feed her hungry belly. But tonight she was making somoun, her favorite. She had already made the broth, which was on another burner, slowly simmering. The smells wafting up from it were wonderful and tickled her nose.

"Mmmm, something smells good."

Tohru turned around to see Yuki walk through the door and drop his book bag. "Ah! Yuki-kun! How did the meeting go? Did you get a lot done?" she asked smiling.

Yuki groaned and covered his face in his hands. "The meeting was a disaster… Manabe-san got in an argument with Kimi-san, …."

Tohru nodded sympathetically. Then she brightened. "Don't worry Yuki-kun- you are really a great leader and I'm sure that you can pull the group together so that everything works out." she said vehemently.

Yuki smiled. She was such an optimistic person; always looking for the upside. It was amazing that she always was able to shed light on any dark situation. Whenever she bestowed one of her beautiful smiles on him, the world felt a little less cold and a little kinder. Tohru was really something special.

"You, "Yuki said, coming up to her to cup her chin in his hand, "Are such a wonderful person. We really don't deserve you, Honda-san."

"Eh!...Um,um…." Tohru stammered franticly.

Yuki chuckled and patted her on the head. "Thank you." He said with a wink and walked out of the kitchen leaving behind a very frazzled Tohru, clutching the stirring spoon to her breast.


At dinner, Kyo still didn't show up.

"This looks wonderful, Honda-san." Yuki complimented.

"Ah! No, it was my pleasure." Tohru said bashfully.

Shigure and Yuki dug into the somoun hungrily, but Tohru didn't touch her own bowl. She kept glancing at the door, waiting to see a certain someone come join them.

"Don't worry about him," Shigure said between mouthfuls. "He'll come back when he gets hungry."

"Yes, Honda-san. Go ahead and eat." Yuki told her.

Tohru weakly smiled at them. How had they known? She took a bite of the somoun, but didn't really taste it.

He's been gone all day, she thought.

Yes, well you know Kyo-kun; He's probably off sulking somewhere.

Perhaps. Maybe I'll go look for him again.

In the dark? Don't you remember what happened the last time you did that?

Tohru sighed and took another bite.

Still….


Kyo stared up into the night sky from the roof. It felt like the vast blanket of night stretched on forever, surpassing all distance and forgoing time itself. There was so much space up there, so much freedom. A little sparrow flew up and into the distance until she was just a speck. Kyo envied the bird that soared above him. He wanted, more than anything, to truly know that freedom she had, to able to cast away all his pretenses and masks and just soar above it all- letting the sensation of flying unbind his restrictions and wash away all his fears. He wanted suck all the marrow out of life until he had tasted and savored every last drop. There was so much out there he had yet to discover, so much bounty he had yet to find, so many pages of his life unwritten. There would be blanks in his mind where memories of love and laughter should be. His heart would forever be echoing a cry of loneliness and despair, desperately calling out for contact, pleading for the slightest sensation of warmth in his cold confinement of isolation. He was bound to waste away, in solitude… all… alone…

Kyo heard a rustling in the tree and immediately tensed. He rose slowly and quietly made his way over to the edge of the roof to investigate. It seemed Tohru was battling her way up the tree. Kyo chuckled. Then, suddenly she lost her balance and slipped.

"Kyo-kun!"

Kyo moved with one great leap and landed gracefully on the tree branch. He grabbed Toru by the arm and quickly hoisted her up. "What are you doing out here?" He asked.

Toru smiled brilliantly, the smile that secretly made his heart melt every time he saw it. "I was looking for you." She said.

Kyo smiled, happy to be with her. Toru gasped and pointed, "Oh! Look! You can see all the stars out tonight! It's so clear…Isn't it beautiful, Kyo-kun?" She murmured, her eyes sparkling.

Kyo looked at Toru "Yes" he said, "Yes it is."

Tohru felt Kyo watching her. It was rather unnerving, knowing that he was staring at her. She felt her face grow hot. Was there something on her face? Did she say something offensive? Perhaps the reason he was giving her such a strange look was because he wanted her to get lost. Maybe he was just silently willing her to go away and leave him alone…

"Um," She said, fidgeting her hands, unable to look at him, "Sorry…I'll…. go now."

She quickly got up to climb back down, but Kyo caught her by the arm without even glancing at her. "No," He said gritting his teeth. "You…You…don't have to go."

Was he angry?

"B-But if you want to be alone-" Tohru began apprehensively.

"Really." He ground out, "It's fine."

Tohru blinked and sat back down. She tilted her head and looked at him while he continued to stare at sky, his face getting redder by the second. The two sat in silence for a while.

"Kyo-kun…?" Tohru finally said, breaking the stillness.

"What?"

"Um, can I ask you something?" Tohru watched him carefully.

"Whatever." he shrugged and crossed his arms behind his head.

"Well, uh,… why'd you…uh, that is, h-….?" She suddenly broke off.

Well, go on. Ask him where he was last night!

I…I really don't think it's any of my business.

You don't think-...? Excuse me, but aren't you the one who gets herself involved in everyone else's life, whether they like it or not!... This is coming from the girl who goes out of her way to help every single person she meets. What's really the reason you don't want to ask him?

I-I'm not afraid to ask him!

"Uh, Kyo-kun," She said again.

"Jeez, What! If you have something to say,say it already!" Kyo spat in irritation.

"Right…Um, w-wha...Want some dinner?" she settled for practically shoving a thermos that she had brought with her into his hands.

Coward.


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A/N: (sigh) I have ANOTHER big test this week. Speaking of which, happy Ash Wednesday to anyone who celebrates it! But anyway, because I've got major studying to do, I might not be able to update until Friday. I know, I know, I'm breaking everyone's heart by not being here… (Looks out into audience and sees absolutely no-one.) ….ok….maybe not….