Happy Birthday To me! Happy Birthday To me! Yes, it's my 16th birthday and I'm so happy…. so happy that I think I will update this story just for you guys! Thanks for the reviews…I hope to see more in the future! Please enjoy this latest installment (sorry it's a bit shorter than usual)!
Disclaimer: No, I know it's hard to believe but contrary to popular belief I do not own Fruits Basket. I know…shocking isn't it? Although if Natsuki Takaya would like to give it to me for my B-day…that is totally fine.
Ch.7: Closing a door will Open a WindowThe Sohma Main House
The drive back to the main house was relatively silent except for the few moments of bickering as Nikko and Kyou argued over directions. When the car finally made it's way in to the inner compounds Nikko stopped the rented vehicle in front of a large house that they knew to contain Hatori's office. "That's the last time I ever drive in the car with either of you block heads" Yumi grumbled as she stepped out of the passenger's side of the car. Yuki had already closed his door before nodding in agreement "That goes for me as well" the pale boy responded as Kyou and Nikko irately extracted themselves from the vehicle.
"Oh shut up!" both cats hissed defensively "oh hey! You're back…it's about time" came a slightly panting voice from the side of the house, "Nina? What are you four brats doing outside?" Nikko asked as the shorter girl skipped over to their car with Hiro, Momiji, and Kisa in tow. Nina rolled her eyes at Nikko and turned to Yumi, ignoring him. "I was just playing with Momiji-kun and Kisa-Chan…oh and Hiro-Chan too!" Nina told the older girl as she grabbed the suitcase from Yumi's hand examining it. "Oh are these Tohru-sama's things? Oh good, now we can get back sooner since she has her things and she's up now" Nina said excitedly as she nosily shook the luggage parcel to try and detect any foreign sounds. "Wait she's up?" the four older zodiacs all chorused at once which caused Nina to drop the suitcase in her surprise.
"And no one called us?" Yumi asked a bit agitatedly as she grabbed the suitcase away from the smaller blonde, "I'm sorry…I didn't know you were gone. Or else I would have asked Hikimo-san to contact you" came a small voice from behind Hiro causing the boy to jump. "Ah! Hey don't sneak up on people like that you stupid woman!" Hiro yelled as he turned around red faced and panting from the shock. Behind him stood Tohru still clad only in her white sleeping gown with her blue tipped chestnut hair waving around behind her in the wind. Nina jumped up and ran to hug her master while Yuki and Kyou stared awkwardly at the thin girl being hugged and tugged at by the four younger zodiacs.
There she was, as real and awake as she'd ever been and yet they couldn't help but feel that something in her was different. And as Tohru lifted her gaze to theirs it was evident that she knew it to, "but now that you're all here…I have some news to discuss with everyone…so why don't we try to find Hatori-san?" Tohru suggested with a light smile as her tired blue eyes scanned the faces of her comrades for question. Nikko shook his head as he walked over to Tohru briskly "uh…N-Nikko…what…" Tohru started to ask as she gazed up at her brother's stern blue eyes, Nikko slapped the back of Tohru's head with his hand causing her to jerk her head forward. Instinctively Kyou felt his chest tense as he watched the other cat hit Tohru but he kept his mouth and hands still as he had to remind himself that the other boy was Tohru's brother. If not for that fact both he and Yuki would have certainly killed him for putting his hands on their onigiri.
"Idiot! You're still weak and you should not be walking around half dressed in your condition" Nikko scolded his baby sister as she rubbed the back of her head and smiled guiltily "s-sorry Nii-san" Tohru murmured. Yumi walked over to the siblings and shoved the suitcase roughly into Nikko's chest before grabbing Tohru's hand "come Tohru-sama…we will gather everything" Yumi said with a sweet smile as she lead Tohru into the building leaving Nikko and the others to follow along.
Banquet Dining Hall- Main House
A collective groan rippled through the large dining room from the occupants of the table as they all sat around slumped over the table holding playing cards, "got any queens?" Kagura asked the silver haired woman across from her who sat on Taka's lap. "Go fish" the amber eyed snake shrugged as Kagura sighed again and reached for the small stack of cards in the center of the table, Shigure was asleep in his chair at the end of the table while everyone else busied themselves with cards. Suddenly the entrance door slid open and Yumi and Tohru walked into the quiet humid room "Oh Lucy we're hoooome!" Nina called into the room sarcastically as she came up behind Tohru with the others. The Sohmas and the three eldest kibouian zodiacs turned to greet the others happily.
"Oh thank goodness you're here! If I had to play one more hand with that cheating dog I was going to just die!" Hikimo cried out as she bounced over to Tohru and grabbed her hands thankfully. Both Shigure and Taka turned to the female snake with hurt looks "Hey!" they both exclaimed, Hikimo turned towards Taka and blew him a kiss "oh no dear I don't mean you" she cooed sweetly to her fellow kibouian causing him to smirk smugly towards Shigure. The novelist pouted and looked away "I didn't cheat…if anything it was you people" he mumbled under his breath.
It was with that one comment that all hell broke loose. "What is that supposed to mean? You people…" Yoshino asked rather defensively as she took a threatening step towards the dog. "Exactly what it sounds like" Hiro huffed as he glared at the taller woman, Nina elbowed the boy in the ribs "hey that isn't very nice kid" she said sternly. "Don't hit him like that! Who the hell do you think you are?" Haru snapped at the small blonde as he teetered on going black "Back off Moo boy! She's just a kid" Nikko warned the two-tone haired boy. Before they knew it the whole room was in an uproar of insults being slung back and forth between zodiacs, Yumi and Tohru sweat dropped. This must have been why the two zodiacs were never in contact with one another. As the group continued to squabble Tohru simply shook her head in defeat as tears of frustration brimmed in her eyes.
Yumi noticed the distraught look on her friend and master's face and decided that enough was enough. The thin female rat balled up her fist tightly and with a furious speed rammed it through the long dining table, which separated the agitated zodiacs from one another. "QUIET!" Yumi yelled as the thick wooden table split in two and pieces of wood splintered out from the large gash in the table. Everyone ground to a halt at her outburst, once everyone was quiet Yumi nodded in Tohru's direction "ok…the floors all yours" she said with a wink. Tohru smiled awkwardly as she sweat dropped "uh…thank you Y-Yumi-kun" Tohru said with a trembling laugh that made her sound slightly feeble and nervous.
"Well…um as you all know tonight I'm supposed to leave for my homeland…Kibou" Tohru said steadily as she took in a shaky breath, she felt increasingly nervous as all eyes were on her. Kyou bit his bottom lip regretfully and looked at the floor beneath his feet as he felt a pang of sadness jut through his chest at the word "leave". Tohru cleared her throat "well…as I spoke with Akito-san earlier we came to a mutual agreement…a truce I suppose. And well…I have a proposition for you all" Tohru said in a serious tone. Everyone looked expectantly at Tohru as she brushed some hair behind her ear before continuing "Akito-san believes that it may be beneficial for everyone if, when I return to Kibou…. The Sohmas come with me, to visit for a while. I'm sure it would be educational" Tohru spoke as calmly as possible even though her hands were shaking wit anticipation. Would they agree or would they turn her offer down, she didn't know…and it was killing her.
Everything was silent for a few moments as the information was processing in their minds, then suddenly Momiji jumped forward and hugged Tohru from behind. "Yey! We get to go meet Tohru's friends!" Momiji cheered as he squeezed the petite girl tighter. Kisa and Nina both gave small cheers and clapped hands in excitement, "really Tohru-Chan? You mean Akito-san gave you permission to take us all with you?" Kagura asked excitedly and Tohru nodded with a bright smile. Then once again the room was in an uproar, filled with chatter about packing, cameras, and other excited babble. Unfortunately the celebration was cut short "HEY!" Yoshino yelled as she tried to get everyone's attention, she was successful.
Everyone was quiet for a moment as Tohru turned towards her dragon and royal advisor "what's wrong Yoshino-san? I-If you're worried about getting everyone there…w-well I'm sure together the seven of us have enough power to get us all there…and there's plenty of room at the estate…" Tohru babbled on nervously until Yoshino halted her rambling with a single finger to the girl's lips. Yoshino looked at her seriously "that isn't it Tohru-sama. But…well…I'm sure there is a reason that your ancestors warned against the meeting of the two zodiacs…maybe we should heed that warning" the older woman said seriously with a hint of worry. Tohru's eyes widened in fear as she looked up at Yoshino 'wow. I never thought about that…but…I mean what harm could it do' she thought as she wrung her hands contemplatively.
The Sohmas all held a look of mild confusion "what do you mean warning?" Kyou asked Tohru from his spot near the door, before she could answer Hikimo butted in with a loud dramatic sigh. "Oh great! Don't they teach you house pets anything? It's well known that Human and Kibouian relations have been strained ever since the war. It's said that if the two zodiacs ever met the old spark of battle may be ignited again," Hikimo said rather proudly at her vast knowledge of their country's history. Although she seemed to be the only one impressed with her knowledge because all the others had in response were questioning looks "what war?" Hatori asked the female snake with a cold curiosity. Hikimo merely grinned smugly and bowed apologetically towards Hatori "I'm sorry" she said huskily as her eyes wandered over to Tohru, who simply shook her head "but…It's not my place to say" the snake concluded as she folded her arms over her chest.
Hatori was a bit taken aback by her strange behavior and the avoidance of his question but he decided to drop the subject for another more pressing one, "Honda-kun…if we were to with you then what would we do about our lives here?" Hatori asked Tohru sternly as he pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and began to fish for a lighter in his other pocket. "What about school? And our various jobs…I'm sure it would seem very suspicious for the entire inner Sohma family to disappear…what did Akito have to say about that?" Hatori asked blandly with a hint of suspicion in his voice. But still it was a very good question, they all thought. Could they really just drop everything and leave their lives here to go running off to some fanciful distant country that they knew nearly a thing about? But then again this could be their last chance to see Tohru before it really was farewell forever.
Tohru smiled warmly at Hatori causing all traces of suspicion and doubt to melt from his heart, that girl was truly powerful…maybe more so than even she herself knew. Was this the power of a true goddess? "I don't think you will have to worry Hatori-san…Akito-san said she would make arrangements to explain and cover anyone's temporary absence" Tohru said with a relieved smile. "Besides…as Akito-san said herself…the Sohmas are a very powerful and influential family. I'm sure it will work out fine…I trust Akito-san" Tohru beamed as she cocked her head to the side, Kyou couldn't help but blush slightly as he looked up to see the smile of genuine hope and trust. 'How is it she can be so forgiving. After everything that bastard Akito did to her…she's still so willing to trust in him…err…her. That idiot…she's too kind' Kyou thought as he cast his gaze to the floor.
But it was that kind excepting if not naïve nature of hers that made him lover even more, he knew that and he knew that he wouldn't want her any other way. Hatori seemed satiated with this answer and his line of questioning ceased but not everyone was so easily won on the idea. "Tohru-sama! I have to object" Yoshino said sternly as she hoisted her hands firmly on her hips, Tohru let out a small 'eep' of surprise at the harshness of her tone. Tohru opened her mouth to protest but Yoshino cut her off "I apologize for my rudeness but I can not let you make this mistake. You know as well as I do that human's aren't exactly our people's first choice in diplomatic guests. Besides…patriotic spirit is dulling enough as it is…bring these new people…copied zodiacs no less, will certainly not help in the people's willingness to except you onto the throne if you start bring the descendants of traitors into our homeland" Yoshino argued as her voice rose in volume and in malice.
"Besides…the Sohmas will only serve as a distraction to your studies…and it isn't fitting for someone of you status to associate with them" Yoshino said with a sharp gesture to the room of Sohmas who were becoming increasingly upset. Tohru was also becoming increasingly upset as hot tears began to line her eyes, Nikko noticed his sister's distressed state and decided to put an end to it "That's enough Yoshi-san! Stop it you're upsetting her!" Nikko yelled at the dragon as he grabbed his sister's shoulders protectively. Hikimo stepped beside Yoshino and defended her colleague "No! She's only telling her what she needs to know! Tohru-sama may be our leader now but that means she has to take responsibility for her actions and how they affect her people…her country! She is a reflection of her country and consorting with the wrong people is not going to give people a very high opinion of her" Hikimo said rather harshly as she looked down her nose at both siblings.
Nikko let go of Tohru's shoulders and took a step towards Hikimo as if to strike her but Yumi grabbed his left arm tightly and hugged it to her chest restraining his movements, but that didn't stop his mouth. "Shut up! As the first son of the Sakura royal family I am ordering you to stop this! Can't you see you're upsetting her?" Nikko nearly growled as he allowed himself to be held back by Yumi. Hikimo clamped her lips together as she glared daggers at Nikko but Yoshino was not so easily subdued, the dragon took in a calming breath and gently placed a hand on Tohru's trembling shoulder "Tohru…I'm just looking out for you that's all. I didn't mean to upset you and as your friend I understand your wanting to stay close to the Sohmas…I really do" Yoshino said softly "but as your chief advisor I am telling you that this may not be a wise decision" Yoshino said softly but the serious worried look settled into her deep green eyes was intense.
Tohru closed her eyes and smiled thoughtfully at Yoshino as she nodded her head "I understand…thank you so much Yoshino-san I know as my friend you are just worried about me…I-I know I cause nothing but trouble for everyone" Tohru said as she opened her eyes and looked around at everyone in the room with a slight guilty look in her watery blue orbs. "However…" Tohru said as she turned back to Yoshino as her eyes darkened slightly "as your leader…. I am telling you…that I will forgo your advice this time…thank you," Tohru said with a kind yet cool tone, which caused the expressions of those around her to drop slightly. Yoshino simply smiled passively and nodded before stepping back away from Tohru.
"Well…in honor of our Tohru-sama it would seem an invitation has been extended to the Sohma family to visit with her in Kibou…anyone who would care to join her please feel welcome to" Yoshino said steadily in a business like manner as she addressed the group. 'Amazing…with just a single look and a few soft words they submit to her will…is this the bond of their zodiac?' Shigure wondered to himself as he watched Tohru timidly stand by her brother as his cousins discussed among themselves about the invitation. "I don't know…what about Akito-san?" Ritsu asked shyly from his spot in the corner "I will be staying behind with Akito to tend to her" Hatori said abruptly cutting off the monkey. Tohru looked up at Hatori with sad eyes and Hatori nearly felt his heart break "I'm sorry I couldn't take you up on your kind offer Honda-kun but…" Hatori began to awkwardly drawl on under her warm gaze.
"Don't worry…I understand Hatori-san…Akito-san really needs you…but I'm sad that you wont be joining me as well…I will miss Hatori-san very much" Tohru said with a bright smile as she bowed towards Hatori leaving him speechless. Hatori held a look of surprise on his usually stoic face and Shigure delighted in his friend's reaction to the girl, "oh how awful. Poor Haa-san has to miss all the fun…well I won't let you down my dear precious flower. Never fear I shall accompany you on your voyage home!" Shigure exclaimed as he grabbed Tohru's hand in his own and pulled her close to him causing the young girl to blush. "Shut up you idiot!" Kyou snapped at the dog as he hit the older man in the back of the head, Shigure slunk away from Tohru rubbing his head and sobbing, "Owww…Kyou-kun is so mean" Shigure pouted.
Yuki, Yumi, and Nikko rolled their eyes "well…I don't trust that damn dog so I guess I'll have to go as well" Kyou mumbled trying to play down his actual eagerness to join Tohru. Tohru's eyes lit up at his words "really? Oh thank you Kyou-kun! I'm so happy that you will be coming" Tohru cheered happily as she turned and hugged Kyou completely taking him by surprise. The cat nearly jumped out of his skin when the girl's arms wrapped around his lean torso, it took him a moment to realize that he wouldn't transform anymore but as soon as he realized that Tohru's arms were still around him he lit up a lovely cherry red color. "G-get off me! W-what d-do you think you're doing…idiot" Kyou stuttered out through his utter embarrassment as his heart began doing cartwheels in his chest. Suddenly Tohru pulled away and looked up at Kyou realizing what she was doing Tohru yelped as she nearly flew backwards away from Kyou waving her hands in frantic apology while blushing furiously.
Yuki couldn't help but shake his head and smile at the two sputtering teens, it was so obvious how much they felt for each other. Well maybe a bit too obvious "Oh no you don't! I'm not going to let you run off again without telling me!" Kagura huffed angrily as she grabbed Kyou's arm tightly, nearly breaking his ulna. "If Kyou-kun is going then so am I! Aren't you excited Kyou-koi? It'll be like a practice for our honeymoon!" Kagura rambled on dreamily as she began to cut off Kyou's circulation with her death grip on his arm "l-let go damn boar!" Kyou hissed painfully as he tried to slink away from her. Yuki rolled his eyes "idiot" he sighed as he watched struggle for possession of his left arm, meanwhile Momiji and Kisa were happily chatting away with Nina and Tohru about how excited they were about seeing Kibou.
Yuki stood back as if stepping outside of himself as he watched the excitement mulling around him, he watched as Ritsu shyly accepted the invitation and then began furiously apologizing for being so forward and assuming that the invitation applied to him as well. Luckily after some poking from Shigure the manic monkey was subdued. He wondered briefly what things would be like in Tohru's world, they had never really learned much about her family other than about her mom's gang days. He wondered what kind of environment she had come from, would she be happy back there? He felt a heavy weight bare down on his chest as he thought about leaving Tohru to go off into some strange world where he may never see her again. Wow…never again, he'd thought about what would It be like if Tohru left but he'd never really come so close to that reality…and not only would she be leaving their house…but their world as well.
It was almost definite that he may never see her again and that thought made his insides turn to ice. He was brought back to the world around him as he heard his brother apologizing to Tohru for breaking her heart by not being able to go with her. "I'm so very sorry to crush you with such devastating news but…as much as I would love to go I am needed at my shop. I've just started on a new spring costume line and poor Mine would be absolutely lost without me," Ayame said sorrowfully as he rested a hand on Tohru's cheek causing her to blush. 'Damn him…why does he have to be so touchy feely…he's so irritating' Yuki thought with a sweat drop as he shook his head in disgust at his brother. "Well…since that idiot isn't going I suppose it's safe for me then" Yuki said deadpan as he glared at his brother who pouted.
Tohru's eyes lit up "oh really Yuki-kun?" she asked excitedly as she scooped his hands in her own and looked up at him expectantly, Yuki blushed at the feel of her small soft hands on his cool skin. "Of course. I would love to go anywhere with you Honda-san" Yuki said soothingly causing Tohru to blush as well. 'She's so cute when she gets flustered' Yuki thought as he laughed at her flustered expression causing her to giggle nervously as well. Yes, he was going to miss this once the time finally came. "Well then I'm going too" Haru spoke up suddenly from his leaning spot against the wall; Tohru looked over at him and gave him a pleased smile, which he returned. Nikko rolled his eyes "oh brother…this is getting too schmaltzy for me. Let's get the heck out of here…we should have been there yesterday…I know Riku and Kazuki are flipping out right now" Nikko huffed as he ran a hand through his dark red hair.
Taka stood up calmly and nodded clearing his throat "yes. I agree it is time we leave. Sorry for the inconvenience and please thank Akito-san for us" Taka said as he bowed towards Hatori, the doctor doing the same. Yoshino nodded towards Hatori before turning to everyone else "ok guys! Sohma and soldiers alike let's get ready…since we have a larger number of people to transport…we're gonna need a bigger portal so that means more power…so let's get to it!" The blue haired woman clapped her hands together to get their attention. Kagura suddenly looked panicked "w-what? Leave right now? But I haven't even told my mom I was leaving…. i still need to pack!" the boar exclaimed as she looked over at the three oldest Kibouians. Hikimo shrugged "sorry no time. I'm sure the handsome gentleman in the doctor's coat will inform your mother. And don't worry about clothing…we'll see that you all get proper clothing" the female snake said with a bored sigh as she began to roll up her sleeves.
"Ok everyone get back and stay there…we need to open the portal" Taka ordered as he ushered a few of them back towards the opposite end of the dining hall, leaving the three eldest Kibouians to face the blank wall at the other end of the hall. As they settled back Tohru went over to Ayame and Hatori and bowed to them both, as she looked up they could see the clear salty tears begin to leak from the edges of her cerulean eyes. She turned first to Ayame "Ayame-san…thank you so much for always being so kind to me. You really are a great person and very talented…I will miss you very much" Tohru said teary eyed as she reached out and embraced the tall silver haired man. Ayame was a bit shocked at first but quickly returned her embrace, he leaned down closer to her ear and whispered to her "No I should thank you…for helping Yuki to break out of his shell" the snake whispered thoughtfully.
"You were able to do for him what I never could…thank you Tohru Honda…I hope to see you again" Ayame whispered these parting words as he withdrew his lips from her ear and gently brushed them over her forehead before releasing the girl from her embrace. Tohru smiled as tears tumbled down her cheeks and stained the front of her white night gown, she then stepped over to Hatori and bowed before him as well "And thank you too Hatori-san. You always take such good care of everyone and you're such a kind person…I was very happy to have met you" Tohru said with a smile that nearly melted his heart, then as she took a step towards him she stood on her tiptoes and gently pressed her lips against Hatori's cheek in a chaste kiss.
Hatori felt a small pink haze dust his cheeks as the girl pulled away from him and smiled blushing as well "you've suffered so much pain yet you have such a kind heart…I know you'll find happiness someday" Tohru said with a wink towards Hatori and the stoic doctor smiled and nodded his thanks. Hikimo turned back to the Sohmas and her four other Kibouians "ok house pets, watch and learn" she said haughtily as she turned back to face away from them "I'm really starting to not like her…" Kyou hissed under his breath "join the club" Yumi and Nikko responded.
Hikimo stepped up first and removed the medallion from around her neck and held it against the wall "Between time and across space, return us now to our birth place…Snake charmer's gem" Hikimo said in a steady rich tone as she took her hand away from the medallion. The small blue gem in the center of the pendant on the medallion began to glow as the medallion stuck to the wall. Next Taka came forward and repeated the spell as well as the placement of his own medallion to the wall about ten feet away from Hikimo's. Then came Yoshino who stood about 10 feet from the wall and she raised the medallion over her head "Between time and across space, return us now to our birth place…Dragon's flame gem" she called out as she tossed the medallion to the wall.
The medallion stuck to the wall at the very top nearest the ceiling and began to glow green, then all three medallions began to excrete a turquoise fog that circulated between the three gems. Yoshino stepped back into line with the other two "Open your gates to The Sakura Palace" all three shouted out as the fog became more dense and grew large, the streams of colored fog swirled around into a large vortex type hole. Taka turned back to the slack jawed Sohmas and smiled "now…the portal can transport any living creature but the destination is only certain for those strong enough to subdue the pull of the vortex's powers…now since you're all human and don't have powers like we do it is in your best interest to grab hold of one of us so that our magic can protect you from the mental pull of the portal…so…who's first?" the grinning dog yelled back to the others over the roaring sound of the portal's winds.
The others looked around nervously at each other, this was definitely becoming freakier by the moment and this latest display by their foreign guest was just a bit too much. They all stared wide-eyed into the ominous opaque fog covering this doorway to their next destination. Tohru took a deep breath and reached over grabbing both Yuki's hand and Kyou's hand in her own two hands, surprising both boys out of their stupor. "We'll go first…I-I have powers now so…it shouldn't be too dangerous right?" Tohru asked a bit nervously as she began to walk them towards the portal. Yuki and Kyou exchanged looks with each other before both turning to a rather nervous yet determined Tohru, "ehh…Honda-san…I'm not sure this is very safe…you just received your powers…maybe you should wait to go with one of your more experienced uh…friends?" Yuki pleaded a bit shakily with the girl as he stared down the uncertain future awaiting them through the portal.
Tohru looked from Yuki to Kyou and then towards the portal 'hmm…maybe their right…but still…' she thought to herself as she took another step closer. Kyou swallowed hard "uh…yeah maybe that damn rat is right…for once…are you sure about this?" Kyou Tohru a bit uncertainly, but all fears and caution was quickly forgotten as Tohru gently squeezed Kyou's hand in her own. Tohru took a step back so that both boys were in front of her slightly but still holding her hands, Tohru looked up at them both and smiled confidently at them both "Do you trust me?" she asked in a soft voice. Her question startled the boys and they were at first silent but then upon examining Tohru's serious and pleading face they realized she had meant it.
Yuki blinked dazedly before looking down into the girl's tired waiting eyes "uh…. ehh…Of course I do Honda-san" the amethyst eyed boy replied. Tohru nodded and turned expectantly to Kyou whose features looked rather frantic with confusion "Kyou-kun…" Tohru began to ask again in a frail voice. But the taller boy cut her off "Do you even have to ask? Idiot…" Kyou replied in a hoarse voice as he turned his eyes away from her blushing slightly. Tohru smiled and took a step past them towards the portal holding both their hands firmly "Then don't worry…I wont let anything bad happen to us…. so let's go!" Tohru exclaimed with a fervent mix of excitement and fear-induced adrenaline. "Hey Tohru wait a sec…" Nikko started towards her but before he could complete his sentence Tohru leapt into the swarming sea of ominous translucent blue light, taking the two boys with her.
The others held a collective breath as they watched with rising fear and intrigue; the strange waves of light and smoke swallow their friends up into the swirling emptiness. Hikimo and Yoshino exchanged largely bemused faces as they watched the wary group before them, "ok…who's next?" Yoshino asked with a mocking grin as she held out her hand towards the group. All they could do was watch and hope that the three teens had made it through to the other side unscathed, and pray that if the had then maybe the rest of them would be able to make it as well.
T.B.C
A/N: Ok a little bit shorter this time…sorry! Ok I've been so busy planning for Katsucon (Anime Convention) …it was awesome! Also yesterday (Sunday February 19) was my 16th Birthday! Yey! I'm so happy…and I got money! Wooohoo! I promise to try and make the next chapter longer. In the next chapter the gang finally gets to see how the other half live (the Kibouian half that is)! We'll meet new characters (zodiac characters and a few other non important folks), find out more about Tohru's mysterious past and relationships form and strengthen. And could there possibly be another player for the prize of Tohru's heart? Please keep reading as the story progresses and respond. So as a Birthday gift for me…. REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!