He nodded, smiling a little at the kiss. "Shall we continue on our way to the store?" He asked softly, holding out his hand.
She nodded lightly as she took his hand getting up. "Can we go see my mother first?"
Kyou smiled and nodded, "Of course." He walked with her towards the cemetery where her mother would be. She kept quiet along the way holding onto his hand tightly. Kyou was also quiet, just thinking about what was happening and what might happen. His hand was as tightly on her hands as hers was on his own. She let go of his hand slowly as she took a step into the cemetery toward her mother's grave until she finally found it.
Kyou followed silently and then sat down next to her. He let Tohru have her moment, wanting her to be able to say whatever she wanted to her mother before he did anything. "I brought you this..." He replied finally, pulling out of his bag some incense that Tohru had mentioned her mother liked the smell of, and two pretty wild flowers from Shigure's house. He blushed a little as he sat them next to the headstone.
She smiled a little. "... Thank you Kyou-kun." He bowed her head slowly before standing up slowly. "I think mom would love you if she met you."
Kyou smiled, "Your welcome." He bowed as well and then stood up. "I think I would have liked her a lot too. If anything, I could thank her for making you the wonderful person you are today."
She looked down blushing lightly. "Do you want to get ice cream now or later after getting groceries?"
Kyou thought for a moment, "How about now. That way if we buy something frozen it wont melt?"
She nodded lightly smiling happily. "Sounds good and we can take our time to while we sit at the park."
Kyou nodded and went with her to get some ice cream. He paid for it...no matter what Tohru said. "I'll buy us some lunch later..." She slowly took a lick of her ice cream blushing.
Kyou smiled, "Alright." He licked his ice cream and took her hand as they walked through the park.
She followed close behind him now looking around smiling. "I've never done this."
"Done what?" Kyou asked, slowing down so she was walking next to him.
"Go to the park to eat ice cream." She smiled leaning up kissing his cheek.
Kyou blushed a little and nodded, "Yea, me neither. Especially not like this. You know… with a girl..." He didn't want to just break out and say on a date, because he wasn't even sure if this was a date or not.
She nodded lightly blushing. "Did your mother ever take you to get ice cream?"
Kyou frowned for a moment, his eyes showing that he was lost in thought...remembering his mother. "No." He replied softly. "Never." He added, looking to Tohru, wondering if he should say anything more then that.
She nodded lightly looking down. "I bet your sensei did you two act so much like father and son." She was trying now to get off the subject of his mother.
Kyou smiled a little and nodded, "That was the first time I ever had ice cream. Did your mother ever take you to get ice cream?"
"Yeah sometimes when I didn't even want any." She giggled lightly looking ahead.
Kyou chuckled, "How nice of her. I'm sure she meant well."
"Yeah she was always wanting to go and show me off all the time."
Kyou smiled, "I can see why she would want to do that."
She blushed lightly. "... After dad died we were the only one's we had... So there wasn't much we could do... but do these fun little things..."
Kyou nodded, "But at least you had fun with her. You will always have those memories of her to see you through your darkest moments." She nodded lightly as she sat down on a bench in front of the pond. Kyou sat next to her, eating his ice cream.
"Kyou-kun?" She spoke up finally after a few minutes licking up her ice cream.
"Yes Tohru?" He asked, looking up at her, wondering if something was bothering her.
"... Is this a date or just an outing?" She was blushing madly now as she asked.
Kyou blushed like crazy too and looked down at the ground for a moment. "I...I.. Don't know." He paused for a moment before adding. "I would.. Like it to be a date.. If you do?" He asked, peeking at her to see what she was doing.
She nodded lightly smiling. "... Yeah that sounds good
He smiled happily as he looked back at the ground. "Does... does that mean... your my...girlfriend?" He asked softly, carefully, not wanting to press his luck.
"... I told I love you last night..." She blushed looking to him.
Kyou looked to her too, gazing into her eyes. "I know...but… it feels like a dream. I was just making sure..."
She nodded lightly blushing as she bit the cone. "... I was wonder the same thing that it was a dream I mean who could love an orphan..." She spoke softly.
He was somewhat surprised... He placed his hand on Tohru's cheek and made her look at him. "Who couldn't love you? Its me what doesn't deserve it."
"Your really kind though even if you did hit me in the head with a table." She giggled lightly leaning in kissing his cheek. "I've always loved the cat."
He chuckled a little, "And I have always loved rice balls. So see... we were meant to be."
She nodded lightly. "... That's why I'm going to Akito-sama so I can free you and the others from the curse."
Kyou nodded and tossed the rest of ice cream into the garbage can next to him, "I just... I'm just afraid of losing you."
"... I know, but I'm doing this so we won't have to worry about losing one another..."
Kyou nodded to her words, "I know. I just feel so powerless to do anything."
"... Don't let me go that's all you need to do." She smiled faintly. "... Maybe I should go talk to Akito-sama today… So its not so suspicious to the other two."
"I will never let you go..." Kyou replied. "If you want too… can I at least walk you there?"
She nodded lightly. "Lets go shopping first then you can be on your way home and we won't have to worry about it then." She kissed his cheek softly. "You can say Uo and Hana-chan cornered me wanting to talk to me."
Kyou nodded, standing once more. He reached out for her hand so he could hold it while they walked to the store.
She took his hand blushing a bit. "You can pick out what kind of fish you want while were there."
Kyou smiled a little, "That sounds nice."
She nodded smiling. "I think I want some strawberries I've been wanting to make a cake."
Kyou smiled a little more, "I think everyone will like that."
She looked up to him smiling. "... If I can't free you then I want to make everything perfect for you."
Kyou smiled some more and shook his head. "I don't want perfection Tohru. No one is perfect, and I don't want you worrying yourself sick over the idea. I just want you... to be yourself. That's what makes me happy. What makes us all happy."
"She nodded lightly blushing as she looked down. "Ok then I will." She stepped into the store now.
Kyou leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Then I will be happy no matter what happens."
"Kyou-kun no matter what I will free you, that's a promise." She kissed his cheek softly moving down the isles she needed after retrieving a basket.
He nodded and helped her gather everything they needed. He really didn't want the shopping to end, still worried about what would happen to her.
"Is there anything you want me to pick up while your here with me?"
Kyou blinked since he had been deep in thought. He looked over the basket quickly and shook his head. "No… I'm fine… thank you."
She nodded lightly as she moved to the check out counter careful not to put to much pressure on her hand.
Kyou followed her, gathering the bags when the lady started to ring the items up. She pulled out her wallet paying for the groceries having quite a bit of money left over. "After this you want to grab a bite to eat Kyou-kun." She handed over the money to the lady.
Kyou nodded, "Yea, that sounds really nice. Where do you want to go?"
"I don't know I haven't really gone out to eat anywhere since my mom died."
Kyou nodded, "I haven't either... I'm sure we could find some place."
She nodded. "How about some place that has fish or something."
Kyou nodded with a smile, "I think I might know a place like that."
She nodded lightly as she took some of the bags. "Lead the way."
Kyou nodded and walked with her a short ways from the store to a nice little family run place. She looked around a bit never really noticing the place. It was a very nice restaurant, not over the top expensive and very family orientated. He pulled out her chair for her so she could sit down. He smiled and sat down as well. The waiter came over and to give them menus
"... Kyou-kun its so pretty here." She smiled kindly as she looked around before being startled by the waiter handing her one of the menus.
Kyou blushed and nodded; "I thought you would like it here." He replied softly, also looking over his menu.
She looked down picking out one of the cheapest things she could find and liked.
Kyou smiled, "You can picks out something a little more expensive...its a treat."
"But Shigure-san gave me some money so I can buy some lunch for us." She smiled at him kindly. "Besides I like what I found."
"I have money too." Kyou replied. "I want you to get something you like… not something based on the price." She looked down nodding trying to find something new that looked good to her. Kyou smiled happily because she was picking something based on its appeal to her.
"I think I want to try some clam chowder." She spoke up finally. "The kind poured into a bowl of bread."
Kyou smiled happily, "I think I want some...curry." So he ordered a curry dish. She ordered her meal as well her head down still as she started to blush.
Kyou reached out and placed his hand on Tohru's hand. "Your so cute when you blush." He replied softly as they waited for their food.
"Thank you..." She looked up still blushing. "... Is this a date still?"
Kyou nodded, "As far as I'm concerned it is."
She smiled a little more as she nodded. "So after this you'll take me to the store then Akito-sama?"
Kyou's smile faltered a bit, but he nodded to her question. "Yes...I will."
"Thank you Kyou-kun I won't let you down or the others." She placed her hands on the table reaching for his.
He nodded, "I know you wouldn't." She folded her hand placing them on her lap as she saw the waiter come with their food.
Kyou did the same, thanking the waiter when he brought the food. He looked down at it and smiled, "It looks really good." He replied, helping himself to come of it. "This was defiantly a good choice."
She pulled the soup bowl closer to herself starting to eat. "You can have some if you like I'm willing to share."
He smiled, "Same with mine." He replied. After a few bites he wanted some of hers. He pushed his plate closer to her so she could try some of his. "Its a little spicy just so you know." She nodded lightly smiling as she pushed hers close to his as she took a few bites of his.
"This is good too." Kyou replied after trying some of her soup. "I'm glad we came here."
"I am to." She pushed his bowl back to him retrieving hers. "I guess I'll try to cook some of these things once in awhile."
Kyou nodded as he pulled his plate closer and continued eating it. "I'm sure yours will be even better."
"If I can cook it I've never made anything like this before." She started eating once more rather quickly.
Kyou noticed how quickly she was eating and looked down at his plate. He continued to eat at a slower pace, not wanting to rush the moment. She added crackers to her chowder scooping some on a cracker holding it out to Kyou.
Kyou smiled a little and tasted it. "Its good that way too."
She nodded lightly smiling kindly as she went back to her meal. Kyou also went back to finishing his own meal. She finished her meal after a little bit waiting for Kyou now as she looked around the room. "Will we come back here Kyou-kun?"
Kyou smiled and nodded, "Of course." He replied, standing and pulling some more out. He gave it to Tohru and then put some more on the table for a tip. He grabbed some of their bags and went to pay for the meal with Tohru. She pulled out her money out of her wallet as she paid for the meal with some of Kyou's help.
Kyou stepped outside with her and looked at the direction they had to go now to get to Akito's home. He didn't want to go there and he defiantly didn't want Tohru there. But he had made a promise. "Shall we go?"
She nodded lightly taking a few of the groceries from him to carry. "If anything happens I'll go to Hatori-san."
That helped a little, "You better." He replied, as they started walking to the main house.
She stayed close to him now as she blushed. "I hope I will never forget this."
"I already promised you...if you do forget we will make new memories." Kyou replied, smiling a little in an attempt to help her feel better. "I just wish I could go with you."
"I know, but I don't want to risk Akito-sama coming after you because of me." She looked down slowly. He nodded and looked down as well.
They finally reached the main gates she handed over the grocery bags to him. "... I love you Kyou-kun..." She whispered softly as if saying it for the last time.
Kyou looked somewhat frantic, but nodded and leaned in and kissed her. "I love you too." He watched her for a moment, looking like he was on the verge of crying. He turned and hurried away as tears raced down his cheeks. His chest and throat hurt and his heart felt like it might burst from his chest.
She moved stepping into the estate now as she started to search for Akito's room stepping into several rooms before finding one halfway opened. She recognized the frail boy sitting by the window seal. She knocked softly before stepping in. "Akito-sama...?"
He peeked over his shoulder at her before moving away from the sill, his kimono falling from his shoulder revealing the black long sleeve shirt under it. "Tohru." He replied with a soft grin. "Leave..." He replied waving his hand at someone off to the side. "Tohru!" Hatori gasped all wide-eyed. "Leave Hatori..." Akito said, his eyes never leaving Tohru. "I want to talk to Tohru alone." Completely confused Hatori stood and walked past.
She seemed hesitant before walking over to where Akito sat kneeling in front of him her head low as she slowly bowed to him. Akito smirked at Tohru. "What do I owe the pleasure? Finally admitting your place outside of our family?"
"... No. I've come to ask about the curse... I want to free everyone from it..."
Akito laughed and looked back out the window. "Leave me if you're going to waste my time with foolishness..."
"Don't you want to be free from it?" She spoke up a little louder as she looked to the older male.
He frowned a little and kept looking out the window. "Why do you care?" He countered. "You have your family… what do you want from mine?"
"They are my family Akito-sama I want to help them in any way I can." She stated once more as she stared up at him.
"They don't need saving. They were fine with before you. They will continue to be fine with out you." Akito said in a slightly threatening manner.
"Why are you so cold to them then why do you have to lock away Kyou-kun he's done nothing wrong just because he was born the cat."
Akito scoffed, "You know nothing girl... you think you know Kyou. But you know nothing about the damage that damn cat can do."
"I've seen his true form... I do not fear him like you." She spoke coldly toward him.
"Just because you have seen it..." Akito started, "Doesn't mean you understand it." He finally looked at her again, leaning his head so the bottom half disappeared behind his arm. "Do you really think he is what you deserve? Do you wish to save him? Take him away from here and make him all better?" He asked, getting a slightly considering tone to his voice.
"I don't just want to save him... I want to save the others." She looked up still. "Please tell me how to break the curse."
Akito laughed more, "Why would I do that?"
She looked down slowly. "I want to free them tell me how..."
"Tell them what?" Akito asked.
"I want to know how to break the curse." She kept her head down. "I do anything to free them."
"But why… why do you want to free them?" Akito asked.
"... They deserve to be free just like anyone else... To be able to love someone without having to worry about the curse..."
Akito frowned and for a moment just gazed out the window. "Don't you want that to be free of being God...?" She looked up slowly to the man.
Akito continued to just gaze out the window. "You don't know what you're asking..." He replied softly.
"I would do anything to give them happiness and freedom." Her tone was serious now as she spoke.
"But what about my happiness?" Akito asked, not looking at her. "If they were freed everyone would leave me...I would be all alone." He replied. "What would I do? What would any of us do? None of us know anything but this?"
She lowered her head slowly. "... If you're scared of being alone then I will stay at the main house so they can be free..."
Akito sighed in a weary manner. "Like they would let you. They would do whatever they could do to save you. Your too important to them."
"... Why don't you leave the house to look for the one that loves you? If you're free of being God you'll be able to find happiness."
Akito scoffed, "There is no happiness for me. No one cares about me."
"You never know... Please tell me how to break the curse."
"Maybe I should call Hatori back in here? Maybe I should do what I should have done from the beginning?" Akito said, looking at her. "Don't you get it? The curse will not make me better. I will dye here cold and alone." He replied, getting upset. Not just angry… but emotionally upset.
"... Akito-sama I stay with you if it means the others will be free..." She looked to him sadly. "... I'd do anything for them their my family too... the only ones I have..."
Akito looked back out of the window. "I'll never let them go."
"You can't do this to them!"
"I've been doing it for years." Akito retorted.
"You need to let go... Can't you see that their suffering because of you!" Akito closed his eyes and refused to answer because even he knew there was some truth.
She looked to him sadly still before lowering her head bowing. "... Please tell me how to break the curse..." She was begging him now.
Akito sighed again, having a feeling that he should just tell her. "Your not ready for what it would take to break the curse. Your too young."
"I don't care..." She spoke sadly. "... They mean everything to me and I'm will to do anything for them..."
"Anything...?" Akito asked looking at her again, "What it requires will impact you for the rest of your life...as well as… I assume Kyou?" He paused and waited to see her reaction. "It will tie you to him and this family for the rest of your life. There will be no turning back."
"... Akito-sama this is my family I would do anything..." She looked up to him sadly staying silent about Kyou.
"Very well..." Akito said, in a very sad tone and manner. "To break the curse... You must conceive and carry a child born from the love that you share with one of the members of the zodiac."
She nodded slowly. "Then I shall I'll bare a child out of love for him." She didn't specify anything now as she continued to look to Akito.
"And you think Kyou is going to just agree to this? Let alone your family.. your schoolmates...Shigure?"
"... I don't care what they think..." She spoke coldly toward the god.
That defiantly caught Akito off guard, but also made him smile a little. "Maybe it will work then..." He replied softly before looking out the window again.
"... Can I leave now?" She slowly stood up watching him carefully now.
He nodded after closing his eyes, wanting silence again. Hatori was waiting outside of the door, panic written on his face. "Is everything alright?"
She nodded lightly smiling as she looked to him. "You'll be free soon." She moved past him.
Hatori was of course worried sick still and immediately called Shigure, who called everyone else. It was cold by the time that Tohru made it back to the house. Kyou was waiting for her half way down the long path to Shigure's home. When he saw her relief flooded over him. "Tohru!" He yelled, running to her.
She smiled at him kindly as she leaned up kissing his cheek softly taking some of the bags from him. "We better get going I got to start dinner soon."
Kyou nodded and happily followed her. After being silent for a few minuets he replied, "So what happened? He obviously didn't hurt you.. Or take your memories?" When they got to Shigure's house the owner, Yuki, Haru, Momiji and Aaya were all waiting for them. "They all pretty much came running up to them wanting to know if Tohru/Miss Honda was alright and why she wanted to talk to Akito. Momiji hugged her and turned into a rabbit. And Aaya was soon a snake from the cold.
She held the two creatures in her arms petting the little bunny. "... I just wanted to see if I could break the curse that's all... Nothing to worry about."