Fruits Basket:

Chapter 8

Alicia sighed as she leaned on the window sill in her bedroom, it'd been 2 years since she came to the FB universe, the thought that maybe this was her real universe, the world where she belonged still flip-flopped in her mind. But so did other thoughts, like her friends, her father…and how she got the same last name as a Japanese heroin that, to her knowledge, never existed in the Japan for the other universe.

"Maybe Kazu-san's right…" she sighed again. Turning her head she looked at her desk, fill to the brim with books and papers. She smiled. One thing she'd never adapt too is homework, it still took her ages to do it, but school was ok. And this was her senior year so all was good. She wasn't sure what she was going to do about college, if she was going to go or not, but Kazu-san had convinced her to at least look into it.

But she spent most of her free time locked up in the library looking for anything that could help her break the curse. Kyo only had one more year to make sure he became part of the family Yuki was so disparately trying to get out of. It was a deal Kyo and Akito, Alicia rolled her eyes at his name, had made when the arrangements for Kyo to live with Shigure and Yuki where made his freshman year. Alicia didn't care who Kyo loved, Alicia loved him, as a friend at least, and she wasn't about to let him be put out of the family forever b/c of stupid Akito.

The deal was that if Kyo could beat Yuki then Kyo wouldn't have to live inside the Sohma house anymore, but if he lost he'd have to live there for the rest of his life. Kyo being The Cat, of the Chinese Zodiac, didn't really have a place in the family, but if he could defeat The Rat, the once tricked him, then he would be aloud to go to the feast that Akito held every new years, and would be celebrated as part of the family.

A knock at her door woke Alicia from her daydream. "Yeah?"

"Alicia? It's me Kyo, can I come in?"

"Sure," Alicia smiled to him and he pulled the door to the side and walked in, she slide the door close and walked to her, some school books in his hand. "Need help with math?" Alicia asked turning to fish out her own homework.

Kyo laughed and blushed. "Aww, come on, I'm not that predictable!" Kyo stopped laughing and his smile fell from his face. "But yeah I do need help."

"It's ok," she laughed, turning to Kyo who was sitting on her bed, she grabbed up her things and sat next to him. It wasn't long before all their homework was done.

"Alicia-chan, I know you didn't want us to get you anything for your birthday, and I know it's not as nice as a snowglobe but…" Kyo pulled out a small necklace box and handed it to her.

"Kyo…" she smiled taking the box and opening it. In the box was a beautiful silk ribbon with a small bell on it. She smiled and gave a small giggle. "Oh, Kyo I love it!" She smiled handing it to him. "Can you help me put it on?" She asked turning her back to him, Kyo tied it as tight as he dared, when Alicia turned back around to him, she was lightly tapping it with her finger so it would ring.

"Thank you Kyo," she smiled going to hug him then stopped. "Is it ok?"

Kyo grabbed Alicia's wrist and pulled her to him and held her close before turning into a cat. Alicia smiled as she curled up pulling Kyo close to her, before she knew it she was asleep. When Kyo turned back into his human form he carefully got out of her arms, and got dressed, he laughed at how bad this could look if someone came in, but no one did. As Kyo grabbed up his books he bent down to kissed Alicia on the forehead, but once he was close enough he stopped and thought. Then he quickly and lightly pecked Alicia on the lips, and left with a goofy grin on his face.

Once Kyo shut the door and Alicia heard him go down the stairs she sat up and brought her fingers to her lips, touching them with her fingertips. She was now fully confused. Too tired to work it out, Alicia laid back down and before she even knew it she was asleep, dreaming peacefully about Kyo.

"Alicia-chan!" Alicia laughed as Usagi-san grabbed her hands and spun around. "HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY!" Uo-chan and Hanna-chan both giggled from behind at Usagi-san.

"Hey we got you something," Uo-chan said pulling out a bag from behind her back.

"Oh thank you guys!" Alicia laughed, she'd given up on trying to keep people from getting her stuff. Alicia took the bag and looked in it, laughing. "Oh! Thank you guys!" Alicia pulled out a stuffed Inu-Yasha, who was accompanied by, Kagome, Kikyo, Shippo, and the rest of the Inu-crew, only stuff. ;. Alicia hugged Uo-chan and Hanna-chan, who both laughed and hugged back.

"ALICIA-CHAN! There you are! Hurry! Your desk is over flowing with presents! Come on!" Alicia's class president yelled pulling her away, the rest of the group-following close behind.

It was true Alicia's desk was over loaded with gifts. "Wohaw!" She muttered in shock. "I didn't realize I knew this many people." She smiled walking to her desk.

"HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY ALICIA-CHAN!" Everyone in the room cheered when she got to her desk.

"Alicia-chan, I made you some cupcakes, 18, b/c well your turning 18 so it makes since!" A boy smiled, blushing lightly.

"Oh thanks." Alicia smiled bowing her head.

"Alicia-chan, I hope you like it, my mom helped me pick it out!" A girl, smaller in height, smiled holding up a box, Alicia took it and smiled, bowing too. She opened it and in the box was a necklace and earring set.

"Thank you it's beautiful." Alicia smiled putting the top back on, and hugging the girl.

"Alright, everyone back to your seats," Alicia's teacher said, and looked at the Sohma family. "And to your classes." Everyone but Tohru-chan, Uo-chan, and Hanna-chan left, she had class with only those three girls. "And Alicia, since it's your birthday tomorrow, perhaps you can tell me, how to solve this equation?" He said writing it up on the board.

Alicia smiled, bowed her head and walked up to the board, she quickly did it and whipped her hands off, then went back to her seat. "Sensei, may I put all these in the back really quick?"

"Yes," he said nodding his head.

"Thank you." Alicia quickly put all the bags and boxes in a neat pile in the corner of the room then sat back down. Threw out the class, she'd find herself fiddling with the little bell that Kyo'd got her.

At the end of the day, Alicia had to have everyone help her carry her bags. "I'm sorry you all have to carry my stuff." She frowned, walking with her head hung; Kyo'd picked up the last box before she could get to it, so she was carrying anything, which made her feel worse.

"Don't worry about it," Yuki said. "It's your birthday tomorrow, relax and smile."

"Yeah, it's not everyday you turn 18!" Uo-chan laughed.

"I guess, but still I'd feel better if I had to carry at least something!"

"Ok here!" Haru-san handed her the smallest bag of all the presents, which caused everyone to laugh; it was about the size of her hand and was filled with candy, covered by confetti.

Alicia laughed happily as she took the bag and lifted her head high as she swing her arms.

"Shigure! We're back!" Yuki yelled into the house, as everyone took off their shoes leaving the presents by the door.

"AWW! THE BIRTHDAY GIRLS HERE!" He called sliding into the main hall way. "My, my, what a lot of presents you've gotten today." He smiled looking into some of the bags. Yuki back handed Shigure when he tried to look in the bags he was holding.

"Don't even try, Alicia-chan hasn't even looked at them."

"Are you going to open them?"

Alicia nodded. "Tomorrow on my birthday." She smiled rubbing his head and walking into the main house. "But we can split the candy in this bag." She smiled as Usagi ran to her.

"Alicia-chan, will you spend the night here?" Tohru asked.

"Oh!" She said taken by surprise.

"Oh! Come on! We're all going to be spending the night here! Tomorrows Saturday and your birthday!" Usagi-san smiled.

Alicia laughed. "Alright! Fine I'll spend the night!" She laughed as everyone sat down.

As Alicia walked down the stairs she rubbed her eyes and fell back to the, 'HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY!' was screamed at her, with Usagi-san hopping to her, Ayame close behind carrying a dress box.

"You have to open this now," he laughed shoving the box to her hands, Tohru, Uo-chan, Hanna-chan, Usagi-san, Kisa, Kagura, and Ritsu-san had a box as well Mine (Ayame's girlfriend pushed all of the girls, along with Momoiji and Ritsu into a different room. (A/N: I have a picture of the dresses, (that are labeled) so incase I do a bad job of describing them just go to the link and you'll hopefully get a better picture. Also Ayame is going to take "credit" for making the dresses, just humor him, we all know that all credits go to Naoko Takeuchi. bows http/img245.imageshack.us/my.php?imagegroup41hy.jpg)

Mine smiled as she finished up Tohru's hair. "Ready Alicia-chan?"

"Everyone looks so beautiful," Alicia smiled looking over everyone. They here in beautiful dresses, their hair and make-up was simple, but it was still very beautiful.

"Wait till I'm done with you." Mine smiled helping her into the light weight dress then she brushed out Alicia's hair out and curled large pieces scattered around, along with scattering some rhinestones threw out her hair. Then she did Alicia's make-up in light pinks and other soft colors. Applying some lip gloss to her lips, Mine smiled. "OH YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL!" She smiled tearing up. "It's my best work ever." Taking a moment to enjoy it then she snapped up. "Alright everyone places. Alicia-chan your last ok?"

"Oh, ok." She nodded.

First Tohru, then Uo, then Hanna, then Usagi, then Kisa, then Kagura, and finally Ritsu-san. As Alicia lifted her head and looked around she noticed all the guys had changed into white tuxedos. Everyone looked so amazing!

Everyone smiled when they saw Alicia. "Alicia-chan, you look absolutely stunning." Shigure smiled walking to her.

"MY best design ever," Ayame smiled "floating" next to Alicia and Shigure. "She looks absolutely sinful doesn't she?"

Alicia blushed. "Oh Ayame, Mine, thank you both so much. And thank you everyone for coming. This is amazing!"

Everyone sat down and Tohru brought out a huge meal. "Tohru-chan! You out did yourself!"

"Yes, I must agree," Hanna said shoving a piece of fried fish into her mouth. "Delicious." As everyone finished eating Tohru, and a few others helped clean up the table. Just then Alicia noticed that even Kyo was wearing a tux! She leaned over to Uo and whispered to her.

"How did they get Kyo into a tux?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. "Something about cat-nip." She shook her head and continued eating. Alicia looked at Kyo who was fighting with Momoiji over a piece of beef, before the plat was taken away. Kyo finally gave in and folded his arms over his chest and looked away. He then noticed Alicia looking at him, Alicia just gave him a big and bright smile, causing him to blush.

'Hey, wait!' He thought staring at her neck. 'She's still wearing the bell I gave her.' Kyo looked into Alicia's eyes and smiled brightly. This time it was Alicia's turn to blush.

"Ok! Heres the cake!" Tohru cheered as she set the cake down. "Everyone wanna put the presents on the table around the cake.

"Oh! You guys got me presents! You really!" She laughed when they even put the gifts from her classmates on the table. "This is going to take a while." She muttered as her face fell.

After everything was all said and done Momoiji laughed and looked around. "Hey Kyo!" He shouted. "You didn't get Alicia-chan a present!"

"What the hell! I did too!"

"Usagi-san," Alicia said taking his hand. "Like you, Kyo gave me he present early."

"What was it?" He asked, Alicia touched the bell, as it dinged lightly.

"Oh! So that's the little bell I've been hearing all day." Uo smiled. "Who ever thought Orange-top could ever come up with a cute present?" She laughed lightly hitting it with her finger.

Alicia giggled. "I love it, I think it's so cute!"

"Did he even get the ribbon for it?"

"Yeah," Alicia nodded.

"I heard some where, that when ever a bell rings an angle gets its wings." Hanna said taking a sip of tea. Everyone smiled, there was a knock at the door and Shigure smiled jumping up.

"I'LL GET IT!" He smiled running to the door, when he came back he looked grim. "Alicia-chan it appears you have a surprise guest." He said, as Akito walked threw the door, everyone stiffened but Alicia just peacefully sipped her tea.

"It's nice to see you Akito," she muttered into her cup. "Thank you for coming to my party." Everyone looked at her in shock.

"I'm sorry I'm late," he muttered. "I brought you a present." He smiled handing her a slim bag, Alicia took it and set it on the other side of her.

"Thank you." She said not looking at him.

Akito knelt next to her and put his face only inches away from hers. "Happy birthday," he muttered grabbing her chin pulling it so she looked at him, then he kissing her lips. Kyo looked like he was about to go ballistic on him, but Akito pulled away. "Alicia-chan." He got up and left, when Alicia heard the car drive away she got up.

"Hey, where are ya' going?" Uo asked.

"To wash my mouth out with acid."