Been awhile hasn't it? Going to try and update more often. It's getting harder and harder. The summer will allow more time though so no one give up on me yet!

I don't own Fruits Basket.
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Chp. 4
Lasting

Back in the classroom everyone had remained the same. Tohru opened the classroom door and entered with a bright smiling face. Her previous encounter with Momiji had made her feel so sad yet at the same time more hopeful that Kyo maybe able to break free from the curse. Walking across the room to re-greet her friends, she noticed that Kyo had shown up to school.

"Oh! Kyo, good morning. I-I…"

"It's okay, you don't need to say anything." He avoided looking into her eyes. He knew that what ever he did he would hurt her even more. Why do I have to do this? You can tell that's not her real smile. Why can't she just days what's wrong. If she keeps holding it in she'll drive herself into a depression.

Tohru lowered her head slightly but then turned to Uo and Hana. They both gave a sigh and came closer to their beloved friend.

"Aw Tohru. Don't let Kyo get you down. He's been in a bad mood."

"I know that but I just want to talk to him."

"Tohru, we're always here to talk to. In fact, if you need to, we should all have a party. This is our last week off school isn't it?" Hana cupped her hands together and gave a smile. "And I would love to have some of Tohru's delicious cooking."

"Hana is that all you think about?" Uo chuckled.

Kyo remained still in his seat. Uo, Hana, and Tohru continued planning their party while others began to get directions for what to do for graduation. The day was inching closer to an end.

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"Akito, may I have a word with you?" Shigure stood in the doorway to Akito's room in the main house. Akito glared at him and then yawned.

"What is it this time?"

"I wished to see my god. Is that so wrong of me?" He laughed and sat down on the ground.

"What is it really Shigure. You know how annoyed I get."

He placed his hand on his cheek and then smiled. "Tohru's been trying to break the curse. I know for a fact that Kureno isn't the only one who isn't part of the zodiac anymore. This maybe the end my dear Akito."

"That monster. That stupid little girl, I already know of the conditions of the zodiac. I don't need you to tell me what you think. Momiji has already informed me of his leaving. I'm sick of all this nonsense. And don't ever refer to me as 'dear'."

"Ah, I see. Hmmm… you don't need to hide that secret from me. I've known it since you were born. How time goes by so quickly. But we still have an issue with Kyo and Tohru. If you put Kyo in that cage, we all know Tohru will try to save him. If we don't do anything, well, Tohru might become part of the family."

She rolled her eyes and waited a moment to thing. "Shigure, you are such a disgusting man. You've been plotting this whole time."

"Anything for you."

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The last bell rang for the day and Kyo and Tohru had managed not to speak to each other the whole time. They even found a way to exit the building without coming near each other.

Mom, I really need your comfort now. I think I'll come visit you today. Tohru clutched her hand and made a face that was determined. Yes, I'm going to come see you, it's been awhile since we've last spoken in one place. She gripped her bag and made her way down the path to her mothers grave.

Kyo on the other hand returned straight home. The long day had made him feel even worse about himself. Every moment of school gave him a tense feeling. I've got to get home now. It's better if I just grab some things and head over to Shishous. This stress has been building up all day. Maybe if I do some training before the end of the week I'll have something to practice for when I'm- No. I can't think about that. I need to be happy with this freedom and then get on with my life. I was never intended to have anything. It probably would have been better if they never introduced me to this life, this opportunity to live a normal life.

When he finally made it home, all the lights were off and Shigure was no where to be seen. "Damn Shigure! Where is he off to now?" He made his way to his room. The window was opened and the wind gently blew the curtains. He looked away. God! Everything reminds me! Packing just a few shirts and pants, he threw his bag over his shoulder.

Glancing one last time at the house, he continued down the path. The fresh air was relaxing and the trees have a feeling of security. "Heck, I'll just take the long way to Shishous. It's such a nice day."

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Kneeling at the foot of her mothers grave she placed her hands on her lap and gave a smile. As she opened her mouth to speak she felt her voice go dry. Tohru's hands began to tremble and she found herself biting her lower lip.

"M-Mom." She closed her eyes tightly and then finally took a deep breath.

From the forest though, Kyo was walking past. He paused for a moment and looked around. Did I just hear Tohru? He looked through the trees and found that the path he had taken ran right past the cemetery. As he continued to look through all the green, he found the distinct colors of a blue uniform and brown hair. Immediately he made his way a little closer.

Tohru opened her eyes and looked up. She knew exactly what to say. "Mom. I've been so selfish. I made a promise that I would graduate high school for you, think only of you. I don't ever want to forget you. But, I can't stop thinking of Kyo. I have such deep feelings for both of you but I want to think more of Kyo." Tears began to run down her face.

"I'm so selfish. I love Kyo, mom. I can't let him be locked up, he means too much to me. When ever we're together, I never want to leave his side, but he's avoiding me. This world, I want to see it and live in it with him. At first I thought that I was trying to break the curse for all the zodiacs. That I was doing a good cause but really it was my own selfishness. Oh mom, I wish you could be here. I can't bare this pain alone."

Kyo was frozen behind a bush. A look of horror covered his face and when he finally could feel his legs once again, he darted for the woods. No! I can't take this!

Tohru rubbed her eyes and began to stand up when she heard a rustle. Was some one there? She saw only a flash of red but she could have sworn it was her imagination. The wind seemed to die down a bit and she began to walk back to the house. She was going to made this week memorable. She couldn't let her fear of forgetting get in the way. She was going to find a way to tell him.

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"Manabe have you finished with the papers yet?" Yuki gave a tired look at Manabe who laid back on his chair with his arms crossed.

"NOPE!"

Yuki shock his head. If you want something done, you need to do it yourself. On his desk was a box of pencils which he had recently opened. He was about to grab one when a crash came at the door.

"I've had enough of your whining! We were supposed to get all the decorations from the classrooms, not prance around like idiots!" Naohito was even madder than usual.

"But Kimi wanted to have some fun. Working is so boring!" She twirled around and landed near Manabe.

"Yeah Chibi-suke. You need to lighten up. No wonder you're so short, you're always piling things on yourself!" They both giggled. Manabe stood up and patted Naohito on the head.

"We went over this earlier! I'm not short!" His face turned red with rage. The taunting of that day had finally made him lose it.

As the three stood there yelling back and forth at one another, Machi stood there staring at the box of pencils. Yuki noticed her gaze and swiftly grabbed one from the box. He broke the tip off of it and placed it back in. He looked up at her and smiled. "You seem to be the only one not arguing today."

She smiled back at him. "I don't think it's possible for them not to argue."

Yuki nodded and handed her a few papers. "I'm going to need some help. Manabe doesn't seem to be getting anything done and at this rate, I'm going to miss dinner… again." He gave a sad sigh and then continued on.

Machi looked back at the box of pencils. "Thank you." I've always found it hard to deal with perfect things. My life has been so hectic to succeed that even the sweetest of children can be pushed to their limits. For me, I've found I exceeded that limit, but I'm beginning to feel a little less tension.

"You can't say that until after it's snowed." He gave her a warm smile and they continued on this their work.

"I said I'M NOT SHORT!"

"You're so cute when you're angry!"

"I said knock it off!"

-Beep-

"Yuki Sohma, you are needed in the office. Yuki Sohm, you are needed in the office."

-Beep-

"I wonder what that's for?" Yuki pushed in his chair and turned towards Manabe, Kimi, and Naohito. "I'm going to need you all to actually work while I'm gone. These papers need to be completed."

"Sir yes Sir!" Manabe gave a salute.

Yuki darted down the stairs in a hurry. What every they needed him in the office for, it was going to have to be quick. Knowing the four he had just left alone, they would find a way to ruin all of the preparations.

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Alone in the house Tohru began some chores. She walked into Shigure's and Yuki's rooms to gather their clothes to wash. When she had placed the clothing into the washing machine she decided to knock on Kyo'd door.

He has to be home right? I thought he went straight home after school. She lightly tapped on the door. "Kyo? Are you there?" No answer came from the room.

She twisted the door knob and entered the room. The window was still open with the curtains blowing. The dresser was open with no clothing inside and his bed was made. The room had been left cleaner than usually and Tohru knew that this wasn't good.

"H-he… left without saying anything." She ran out of the room and into Shigure's office. He didn't seem to be home either. She burst through the front door and began down the wooded path. She wasn't going to let Kyo get away with leaving when there was only 6 days left to spend together.

If you can mom, give me the strength to see him. I need to talk with him. I've done so much to just give up now.

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Ug. It's 11:50pm. So tired but I promised a chapter. Not quite sure what I wrote because I'm sp tired that I'm not even sure if it gets me anywhere in my plot idea. Goin' to try and get another chapter done tomorrow. Sorry if this chapter disappoints you. If it ends up not working in my idea I'll rewrite it by tomorrow.

Hmmm... thining back now, did I spell shishou right? Just don't want to have any spelling errors...

Now I need to get some sleep before my parents find me tomorrow morning asleep at my desk. Pleasant reading.

Review if you like!