A note from me: Yay! I finally finished the next chapter! I'm sorry. I know it's been a long time and I apologize. So, I'm pretty much disappointed in this whole chapter because it just didn't seem like what I expected it to be. I'm ashamed…. Oh, well. Sorry again! There are new pictures up! So go check them out!

Alice: Neither I or Raven own Fruits Basket or the Characters.
Raven: I do own Sakura, Kaori and the Luna family though.
Alice: Yeah I think they already know.
Raven: ...
Alice: Oh and there may be SPOILERS. I'm not sure.
Raven: And I would like to thank AnimeCrazy88, KooriKitsune, Aliza-phantom, and everyone else for reviewing! It really makes me happy!
Alice: Well, we'll shut up now so you can enjoy the story.

Chapter 13: Home?

The next day, Sakura awoke and looked at herself in the mirror. Sakura frowned at the girl she saw. She got ready and noticed that it was still raining outside.

She made a quick breakfast for everyone and set it on the table. She ate quickly and went back to her room. Her plan was to avoid everyone so that way, there would be no way for her to harm anyone. She sat alone in her alone in her room all day. It was Saturday today and no one had to go anywhere. They'd probably stay home all day.

Maybe it'll happen no matter what. Perhaps I should just go down and spend my last moments with the Sohmas. It's dinner time anyway. It's the least I can do.

Sakura went down to the kitchen. She made a favorite meal that they all liked and set it on the table. All three came in. Sakura sat down at the table.

"So, have you been in your room all day?" Shigure asked.

"Uh…. Uh-huh." Sakura said, "I'm sorry if you've all gotten the impression that I was mad at you or something. I was just… never mind. I'm happy to see you all today."

"Well, no harm done. I'm glad to see you too as always. This is an excellent meal by the way."

"Yes, Miss Luna, this is one of the best meals ever." Yuki said.

"What's so special about it? We've had it before." Kyo said.

"Maybe you should appreciate it Stupid Cat. I wouldn't mind if you made this everyday, Miss Luna."

"Thanks but I don't think it's that great." Sakura smiled.

There was a knock on the door.

"Are you expecting someone?" Yuki asked Shigure.

"Not that I know of." Shigure said.

"I'll go answer it." Sakura got up. She went to the door and opened it. "Sorry it took so lo-"

"Sakura."

Sakura looked at who it was. She didn't even need to see who it was to know who the person is. All she needed to her was that memorable, haunting voice. Noriko Luna stood there with her hooded cloak and her eyes were hidden under the darkness of the hood.

Sakura was left speechless. She stared at Noriko with fear in her eyes. Noriko gave a twisted smile. Shigure and Yuki came up behind Sakura.

"Sakura, who was at the-" Shigure looked at the cloaked person.

"Ah, you must be the dog, Shigure. I'm Noriko Luna, head of the Luna family. And this must be the rat, Yuki. If I am right, there should be the cat here too."

Kyo walked by the door but suddenly came back and went up to Shigure and Yuki.

"So, you're the cat. It's an honor to finally meet you." Noriko bowed and quickly rose. "I believe you know why I'm here Sakura. Why don't we all come outside."

Everyone came out into the rain. Noriko and Sakura were standing away from the Sohmas.

"Well, it seems you live among the same family that has brought the curse upon us. Such dishonor."

"I-"

"Why did you run away from home? You've missed out on many things. I had to have someone deliever the letter of your father's death. What a shame, Sakura. Did you mourn for his death as you did for your mother? Probably not. You were too busy making friends with these pathetic people."

Sakura thought for a moment. She's right…. I-I didn't mourn. Not for a while at least. I'm such a bad person… a terrible person.

"Perhaps I should remind you who you really are." Noriko said.

Sakura panicked. "No. They don't need to see it! They don't need to know any more than they do!"

"If the cat can accept it then so can you!"

"No! I won't!"

Noriko took off her hood and revealed her cat ears and her strange cat-like eyes. She slapped Sakura across the face.

"You are a disgrace. You don't deserve your very life. However, you could prove me wrong. Show me that a black cat can be loved by the same family that has brought upon our curse."

"NOOO!" Sakura yelled.

Noriko went to grab Sakura's necklace. Sakura tried to protect it but Noriko pushed aside Sakura's hands and Noriko pulled off the necklace. Sakura fell back. Fear still remained in her eyes. She closed her eyes and when she opened them, they were shaped like cat's eye. Her pupils were wide and she got up onto her knees. She covered her face and screamed. Slowly, her body started changing. Her cat ears and tail popped out and she grew whiskers. Her nose flattened a little and her fangs grew.
From her elbows down, she was covered with black fur and her hands became large paws. Her feet did the same thing and up to her knees was covered. Her back also became a little furry.

Sakura looked at Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure.

"I'm….. sorry." She murmured.

Sakura closed her eyes and when she opened them, her pupils became thin. Her scream turned into a growl of a lion.

Be safe… Sakura thought before her mind began to fade away.

Sakura started ripping her sleeves, pants, and shirt with her claws. When she stopped, she stood on all fours, like a cat, and stared at the boys. She slowly made her way to them as if they were pray.

"Now Sakura, surely you remember us." Shigure backed away.

Noriko laughed. "She has no mercy. Not even for any of you."

"Miss Luna?" Yuki muttered.

If she will attack anyone, then why isn't she attacking the head of her family? Is it possible that she can't? Yuki thought.

Sakura eyed Kyo's bracelet. In a quick second, she pounced on him and took off the beaded bracelet with her mouth. She jumped back and watched as Kyo painfully transformed into his grotesque form. He and Sakura stood facing each other.

"Well, isn't this a treat." Noriko said, "Here I am witness of not one but two transformations."

Sakura growled at Kyo. She pounced on him and Kyo fell back. He pushed her off and sent her back. Soon, Sakura and Kyo began fighting.

Noriko went over to Yuki and Shigure. Shigure backed away.

"So," Noriko whispered to Yuki, "You're the rat. How I hate you so much. Yet, Sakura has made friends with you. What do you think of her now? Are you afraid?"

"Should I be?" Yuki said.

Noriko laughed. "What is not to fear? You do realize that she is capable of killing you. Hopefully, for you, the cat can keep her under control for a while. If so, Sakura will give up and run away like the coward she is."

"You don't know Miss Luna! Don't say that about her!" Yuki yelled.

"You think that YOU know her better than me?" Noriko laughed. "Take a good look at her and me. We share a little curse that no one can ever understand or know. You see, not even the other cursed members of our family can understand us. We are different and play different parts. She doesn't know this yet but one day she'll see. So, you see you know nothing."

"I don't care about the curse! That's not who Miss Luna is. She is one of the kindest and caring people I know. I can relate with her in many ways and as long as we share a connection then I don't care what you say otherwise!"

"A connection huh. Hmm…"

"I'm sure when she realizes who we are then she'll change back." Yuki said.

"Silly boy, you really do know nothing. You see this?" Noriko held Sakura's necklace. "The bell does so much for us. It protects us from our true form and changes us back. Three rings from the bell returns us to normal. The first ring returns the memory, the second gain us control over ourselves, and the third changes us back."

"Then what are you doing? Change Miss Luna back!"

"Sorry Rat. I'm not going to. Not this time."

Sakura had managed to pin down Kyo and slashed him across the chest. She also had a couple deep cuts from Kyo's claws. Kyo growled and hit Sakura across the face. She fell to the floor and lay motionless. Kyo was stunned and he went over to her. Yuki gasped and ran to her side too.

Sakura opened her eyes and pushed both out of the way. She ran into the forest. Kyo fell and he slowly changed back. He struggled to get up.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Kyo yelled at Yuki, "Go after her you DAMN RAT!" Kyo was injured and Shigure ran up to him with bandages.

Yuki looked at Kyo and then went over to Noriko. "I need that bell. I need it to save Miss Luna."

Noriko handed him the bell. "You can try but I assure you that you'll fail. Even if you do change her back, how do you think she'll feel? I know that she'll want to stay away from all of you and never want to be near you again."

"I'll prove you wrong. I know that she'll come back home. I know she'll stay." Yuki took off into the forest. He had a feeling he knew where to look. Back where he first found Sakura. In her old tree that she used to live in.

When he arrived, he heard only the rain and saw only the tall trees around him.

"Miss Luna? Miss Luna!" he called.

Two glowing, yellow eyes looked down on Yuki. He heard a growl and looked up at the eyes.

Yuki held up the bell and rang it once. Sakura growled and pounced on Yuki. He fell to the floor and dropped the bell. Sakura slashed his arm and was about to strike again but Yuki stopped her paw and struggled to keep it away.

"Please." Yuki struggled, "Miss Luna…. You have to stop this! Stop right now!"

Sakura didn't stop. She continued to try to rip Yuki's face open. With the other hand, Yuki reached out and tried grabbed the bell. It was at his fingertips.
With all his strength, Yuki pushed Sakura off and he finally reached the bell. He grabbed it and rang it. Sakura roared and smacked the bell out of Yuki's hand and sent it flying somewhere.

Yuki was cornered into a tree and Sakura slowly began making her way towards him. She looked like she was about to strike again. Yuki shut his eyes tight and turned away. Before Sakura's claws reached Yuki's head, she paused. Slowly, Sakura's pupils became wide and she stood up.

"Y-Yuki? What- What have I done…" Sakura looked down at her paws. "I'm a monster! I need to get out of here."

Sakura sprinted away. She was lost and didn't know where to go. It was dark and gray and the rain still fell. Sakura found an open area with a lake and stayed there. She looked at herself in the lake. For the first time, she saw what she looked like.

So, this is what I am… This hideous thing. When I got my memory back this time, I remembered what I did. I saw Kyo. He changed into his true form too. I hope he's okay. And Yuki…. I'm sorry.

Sakura bent down and hit her reflection. The water splashed and her reflection became wavy and deformed. Sakura walked away and went over to a rocky area. She fell to her knees and tears began coming down. She cried and cried. It seemed like forever until she heard footsteps.

Sakura immediately stopped crying. She wiped away her tears and looked over at Yuki.

Just go… Sakura thought. Just go away. I've done enough damage.

Sakura rose. She turned around and sprinted away into the forest. Yuki ran after her. Sakura started climbing a tree. Yuki jumped up and grabbed her by the tail. Sakura slid down a little, leaving scratch marks on the tree.

"You can't keep running away." Yuki said. "It's all we ever do but I'm tired of it! I don't want to do it anymore! Don't do it Miss Luna. Don't run."

Sakura tried jumping up the tree but Yuki pulled her all the way down. Sakura's claws were dug into the tree. She was facing the tree and tried not to look at Yuki.

"Don't run Miss Luna. Don't. I'm sorry that I can't completely understand you and that I can't say anything right now that can make all your pain go away… but, I can stop you from making a big mistake. If you ran away… well- everyone needs you."

The sun slowly started rising.

"Why are you still here Yuki? Why are you fighting for me?" Sakura said. "No one needs me. No one."

"That's not true! I-I need you."

Sakura's ears slowly went up. She slightly turned her head towards him.

"I can't imagine myself without you." Yuki continued. His voice was shaky. "I-I can't. I wonder now how things would be if you weren't around. I know that Kyo and I would be senselessly fighting everyday and I know that Shigure would still make us eat out all the time and I- I know I would've been the same person I used to be. A weak and scared person. With you, I'm slowly becoming stronger and able to forget my fear. So please…. stay. I need you."

Sakura's eyes were watery. She faced Yuki and started crying.

"Why are you saying these words? How can you say them to a horrible thing like me? I just don't understand."

"You're not a horrible thing, Miss Luna. You're a beautiful and kind person. That's what you are."

"No I'm not. Besides, how can I go back? Look at all the things I've done and look at what I am."

Yuki seized Sakura and embraced her. Sakura let tears flow down her cheek. Yuki pulled back and he wiped away her tears with his finger.

"You ask how I can accept you and I think you know the answer. Look in your heart. If you can't find it, look deeper."

"Yuki…."

They heard footsteps coming their way. It was Noriko.

"I hate the rat. You make me sick. Both of you. However, I'm glad you've proved to me that this family is capable of such sympathy."

Sakura clenched her teeth and ran up to her. "I never want you to come here again."

"Or you'll do what? Scratch me with your little claws? You're forgetting who you're up against. I am your superior and I can defeat you because I hold the full curse and I hold the power over your pathetic soul. Your time of living will not last much longer."

"What is that suppose to mean?"

"You'll see for yourself one day. For now, I would suggest the time you have left to spend with the ones you call your friends. Until next time, Sakura."

Noriko put her hood on and left. Sakura looked down and saw her bell. Yuki came up to her and he picked it up. Sakura fell to her knees. She was tired and weak. Yuki knelt down and held her. He rang the bell and Sakura started changing back. Yuki still held Sakura and she started crying again. A silver smoke surrounded her and Yuki now held a black cat.

"Thank you, Yuki." Sakura fell asleep.

"No, Sakura. Thank you." He hugged the cat. He carried her back home. On their way, he tied her bell back on her neck. Kyo and Shigure stood at home, waiting. Kyo was shirtless still and had many cuts and scratches from Sakura.

Yuki walked up to them and smiled as he looked down at the sleeping cat. "We're home." Yuki whispered.

Hidden, Noriko watched the reunion and smiled. "Yes my precious kitten. Enjoy time with these people and I encourage your bonds with the Sohmas. You are doing what fate has ordered you to do. I know the curse will be broken."

Chapter 14: The Aftermath
Sakura and the Sohmas are all recovering from the previous event. Sakura tries to think of answers to some questions and she also answers some questions Yuki, Shigure, and Kyo have. The school year ends and Sakura meets a new Sohma.