-1AN: Thank you all so much for the reviews. I really appreciate them and they let me know what I'm doing right and wrong. Enjoy this chapter, Tohru isn't in it much but it really changes things for the Sohma's.

Chapter 11: Kyos Beads

"Kyo, can you come to the library a second." Shigure said after a few hours, when he was sure that Tohru was asleep. Kyo had been sitting the desk chair with his feet propped up against the bed, reading. He nodded his head, glanced at Tohru and went to the library where hew as be met by Hatori and Yuki.

Hatori solemnly put out his cigarette. "Kyo, we need to talk to you?"

Yuki looked away. "Do I really have to be here for this?" He mumbled.

Kyo searched the faces of his cousins, confused he sat cross legged o n the floor. "So talk"

"Kyo," Shigure, began unusually serious. "I saw you hugging Tohru."

"SO?" the cat said defensively looking up. "She was crying."

"You didn't change. "Shigure continued take a seat beside the cat on the floor and placed his hand on kyos shoulder.

Scooting over Kyo said. "I know" There is something more this, they are all to quiet. He began to watch the others closely.

"What Shigure, is trying to say is that we think your curse has been lifted." Hatori began and he to got into the floor with Kyo, on his other side. "But we need to be sure. Kyo, we need you to remove your beads."

The other Sohma's watched as Kyo's face went through a series of emotions, before settling on anger. "No, HELL NO!" Kyo said, jumping up knocking his two older cousins away. This had crossed his mind, but he hadn't be able to bring himself to try it. "Not yet. Not now."

"Why not?" Hatori asked standing, tightening his shirt and pants. Shigure stood to quietly watching, he gave Yuki a slight nod. The rat looked away.

"Tohru, she needs me." Kyo answered softly. "And every time I take that for, its harder, I'm …" He dropped off looking in Yuki's direction. He couldn't admit that, not in front of Yuki. He couldn't admit that every time he took on his true form, it was harder and harder to change back and he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to take his human form back. But never admit your fear to an enemy. "No, Hatori. Not right now." He said firmly.

The rat was study the books on Shigure's shelf as if they had suddenly become very interesting. For once I actually feel sorry for him. For once I don't want to torment him, but it's the only way. He silver eyes shone with resolution as he turned to the orange haired boy. "Why not you stupid car? Are you afraid?" He took his place, in front of Kyo, not wanting to look him in the eye, but knew that he had to. I'm not sure which I want more, Kyo to change and for Tohru to see it, for her to reject him as harshly has she has me. Or for the curse to be lifted, even though if it is lifted, Kyo wouldn't have to go into confinement, but there would be a chance for the rest of them.

"What did you say, rat?" Kyo, said instantly angry. Think don't do this, there was a reason they are all here and I'm virtually surrounded.

"I said, are you scared? Now are you deaf as well fraidy cat?" Yuki said watching Kyos orange eyes flare.

"Fuck you" Kyo said landing a solid kick to Yuki's left side.

Hatori and Shigure stood off to the sides, watching the boys fight. Yuki had strict instructions to tire Kyo out to ware him down. This could take a while. Tohru could wake up. Then what? Shigure thought. "Hari?" He whispered and through a series of hand gestures, he conveyed to the doctor what he wanted to day, he waited for Hari to agree with him.

"Yuki that enough" Hatori moved over placing his hands on Yuki's shoulder. Shigure was busy trying to hold Kyo still. "KYO!" he said sternly "This must be done, NOW" I'm sorry. In a flash he moved forward and yanked the bead off Kyo's wrist. Kyo gasped and looked at the doctor, his face went pale, his eyes full of hurt and fear. I'm sorry Kyo, I'm so sorry. He thought as he watched Kyo collapse on the floor on all fours, when Shigure released him. The stood over him watching as he shook and panted. Shigure looked at Hatori with a question in his eyes. Hatori answered by holding his hands up. Yuki let a breath out he didn't know he was holding. His eyes widen and he looked towards the doctor as he heard a low moan come from Kyo.

Why did they do this to me. Kyo thought as he tried to steady himself and control his breathing. He was shaking and had broken out into a cold sweat, he could almost feel the cats true form coming. Any second, and its over. I'm sorry Tohru I can't I'm sorry. He moaned loudly as he started to get dizzy, he felt like lunch was coming back up. I really do love you, Tohru.

"Kyo?" The dragon said kneeling by the boy, once he was sure he wouldn't transform. "Kyo, you didn't change your curse."

Shigure was fairly dancing around the library. He was smiling widely. "Guess we can't call you the cat, any more, Kyo-kun" This was good news, wonderful news, this was hope. How did the curse break and did it break for all of us, or just Kyo.

Kyo rolled over, starring at the ceiling. The curse is gone, I'm cured. I'm free. "How could you? With Tohru right there? And the shape she is in? If I had?" He got up abruptly giving them a look that would have killed he stalked out of the room and stormed down the hall.

"What?" Shigure asked. "If that was me I would be happy, not all prissy."

"Do you really not get it. If he had changed and Tohru had seen him, even though she has seen it before. In her condition though, it could have caused some complications. And in the end would have hurt them both, maybe beyond repair. Hatori explained.

"But he didn't…And this whole mess could have been avoided if he had just taken it off." Shigure insisted.

"But he didn't want to we took his choice away." We are no better than the one who hurt Tohru. Hatori thought.

"How did his curse get lifted?" Shigure asked cocking his head.

"Don't you see Shigure?" The rat said softly, he had been quietly letting it all sink in. He lifted his head, the tears he tried to hold back began to fall silently as he spoke. "Its their love, that broke the spell. He loved her more than himself, he wasn't selfish for at least one moment and was thinking of her and not the curse. He loved her more than himself and it broke. He though of her first." The rat finished by slamming his hand through the table and walked out. I couldn't think of her first, I put myself first, I couldn't take her into my arms because I was scared of transforming. Even that night I told her I loved her. I held her away from me when we kissed, if I had just.

My table. Shigure thought as he looked to Hatori, to see if the dragon could make any sense of this.

Hatori seemed lost in thought as he stared at Kyo's beads. Kana, I loved her more than anything. But did I put her first. No I always held a part of me back, even after she found out. "He maybe right." He said clearing his throat. "If Tohru wakes up tell her I'll be back in the morning. I don't want to wake her. "

"Hari?" Shigure said

"No, shigure I need to be alone." He laid the beads down on the desk and started gathering his belongings.

Shigure sat and watched as his friend left. He must be thinking of Kana. The curse is broke. I knew it could be broke. I hate that it took this all this and Tohru getting hurt, for us to find it out. But I knew that if it was going to be broke she would be the key. Now to just find out if Yuki was right. I wonder what I should do with these beads. He sighed and laid them on his desk. HE got up and started towards his room. He looked in on Tohru. Kyo was in the floor beside her bed, his eyes closed but he didn't seem to be asleep. Shigure started into the room.

Kyo jumped up standing in front of the bed. "Oh its just you. What do you want, dog?"

"I was just checking on Tohru, Kyo really." Shigure answered in a whisper. His love for her. Yuki's words echoed in his ears as he watched Kyo sit back down in the floor after straightening the blankets and moving some hair out of her face. Shigure in a unusual moment of paternal feelings, left the room and went to the cats room, no he isn't the cat any longer he reminded himself, and gathered up a couple of blankets and pillows and took them back to Kyo. "Here?" He sit them in the floor beside the boy.

Kyo had his back up against the bed and was staring at his wrist. I feel like I'm missing something. He looked up in surprise as Shigure handed him the blankets. "Shigure? Where are my beads?"

"In the library, but you don't need them now."

"I know I just feel funny without them." Kyo said standing. Tohru let out a small cry in her sleep. He immediately put his hand on her forehead.

"You stay with her. I'll get them" Shigure said. Stay with her forever Kyo, she may have just saved us all. Stay with your love, and don't give her up. He got the beads and brought them back to Kyo. Without a word he handed them to him. He thought he heard Kyo mumble a thanks. When he got to the door, he looked back in time to see Kyo kiss her softly on the lips and whisper "I love you". Before he spread his blankets out and laid down.

I can have a normal life now. Kyo thought as he laid there and drifted off to sleep.