Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket. I'm sorry its so late, I've had a few...problems in life lately.

Chapter 10 Their First Official Date

It was a difficult morning, mostly the trepidation of telling Shigure that Tohru, Kyo, and Haru had come in contact with Akito. Tohru explained her being forced to give up Clarity and Shigure could do nothing but be sympathetic. He stroked the top of her head and told her to have hope, she merely nodded and left to cook breakfast. As Tohru made breakfast she hummed to that tune with no name, until Kyo came into the kitchen and stood beside her, making some rice balls faster than her.

"Yo, you feeling alright?" He asked her gently, eyeing her with his peripheral vision, a small concern in his voice.

"I'm okay, I talked to otousan (father), and he just told me to keep my spirits up," Tohru piped gently, setting down a rice ball and began another. "I'm sorry I worried you Kyo, I know you don't like it when I cry." She turned to him and smiled, the same traditional smile that made her face glow.

Kyo blushed, turning his head as a sweat drop slipping down the side of his face, "You can cry whenever you feel like it, as long as I'm the one you cry on."

Tohru blushed and smiled, picking up the tray of rice balls to place on the table for everyone, "Thanks Kyo."

He watched her walk over to the table, school uniform skirt swaying with her stride, he rubbed the back of his head and gulped. "Tohru?"

"Hmm?" Tohru looked at him over her shoulder with a quirky smile on her face, "Yes Kyo?"

"After the final today, I want to take you somewhere," he told her quietly, his 'tough guy' voice coated with the sweetness he only gave her. He watched her smile and he felt like his cheeks were as red as tomatoes, he ran his hand through his orange hair. "Is that a yes?"

"Of course Kyo, it'll be fun. Let me just tell Momiji and the others when they come downstairs," Tohru added as she began setting the table. Kyo's voice stopped her as a quiet but solid 'No' filled the room. "No Kyo?"

"I just want...it to be the two of us. After the final, just you and me, we'll go somewhere...nice," Kyo couldn't believe he was blushing as much as he was, but he wanted to be with her. With the fear of Akito stealing Tohru away inkling at his mind he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible.

Tohru smiled, "Okay Kyo, just you and me today." With another of her glowing smiles she ran to the stairs and called the others down for breakfast. Kyo smiled, he'd make the day worth remembering.

The Sohmas all made their way to school, Tohru taking the walk to run through flash cards and stay calm about the final. The others were concerned in their own ways, but Momiji insisted everyone would be fine, including Tohru. In reality Tohru managed to get no red marks on any of her tests, and frankly the others just went with the flow. They understood how important her schoolwork was, it was her promise to Kyoko, their bond. Uo and Hana were just as equally supportive of Tohru, and everyone was rather happy that now there would only be one year of school left for them.

"Alright class, you have three hours to complete this exam including the essay portion. You may skip around the problems you don't know and move onto other topics. I have faith in all of you," Honda-sensei announced at the front of the class, a proud smile poised on his lips. "And you may...Begin!"

Books flew open and number two pencils began to dance across the pages. As Yuki taught Tohru, it was best to have a rhythm when taking tests, it helped to time how long you spent on each question. Tohru in her mind, hummed along to the song she couldn't remember. Win dain a lotica, en val tu ri, si lo ta...

Eventually, the Sohmas all seemingly working at the same pace, came across the essay section.

Topic: Write an essay on someone who is important in your life: 4 page requirement.

Yuki: The person who has most influenced me, someone who has changed me and made me into a better person is Tohru Honda-Sohma.

Momiji: Tohru-kun, besides my biological family, is the most important person in my whole entire life! She's sweet and always plays games with me and...

Haru: It's hard to say, who's important in your life since everyone changes you to a degree I figure. But I know for sure, that Tohru has definitely changed me in ways I didn't think was possible. Despite all the...mistakes I've mad...she always...forgave.

Kyo: I can only think of one person who matters to me. Tohru. She is my entire world. She's saved me in ways I don't think are imaginable. I don't know where I'd be without her...I guess that's why I love her so much.

Uo: I've always watched over Tohru, but I did even more after her mom died. Tohru accepted me, welcomed me into her perfect world with her great mom, even when I was in a female yankee gang. It didn't matter, as long as I was happy.

Hana: I am...strange. Yes...that is what the others have called me. I am...dark...as they say. But Tohru...is my light.

Kei: You always know your first love is going to be important, because it helps to define who you are. This is what you love in people, this is the person who made you feel the most...at ease. Tohru was that girl, she was my first love.

Tohru: I can't say that I have one extremely important person in my life. I mean, of course my mom was my best friend and she raised me, but I'd like to believe that everyone I've met so far in my life is important. Each person has helped me become a better person in their own way. For that I am eternally grateful, I could not ask God for a better life. However, there are two people in my life who are, special, maybe just the tiniest speck above the others: My mother, and Kyo.

Another hour or so later sensei called everyone to a stop and collected the tests. Once they were all taken away, the whole class stood up and cheered. Uo and Hana grabbed Tohru and hugged her with all their might, encouraging her that she'd done Kyoko proud. Tohru just complained she hadn't even gotten her grade back yet and everyone laughed. All the boys smiled, each one thinking how lucky they were to have her.

Despite Kyo's wish to take her out immediately after the test, everyone went back to the Sohma estate to have a small party. Kyo gave up being mad after awhile, because the test was only three hours they got out of school early. Now that tests were over, the dance was the last thing he'd have at school and then he'd have the endless summer with her. Uo and Hana brought cards and soda and everyone joined in playing a few rounds of assorted card games from Poker, which Tohru was bad at since she couldn't lie, to rummy and eventually go fish.

"I win!" Momiji chanted happily, picking up the candy bars everyone had used as bets.

"How did the Shrimp win?" Uo asked, smacking her forehead. "He'll be on a sugar buzz for weeks. God what was I thinking."

"You should've thought about that before betting those stupid candies," Kyo grumbled, watching Momiji already unwrap his second bar and eat it quickly.

"Aww let him have his fun," Tohru smiled and kissed the top of Momiji's head. Momiji just giggled like his usual quirky self and munched on his candy. "Now if you excuse me, I've got to go get changed. I'm going out tonight." Tohru told everyone, Kyo trying not to blush when she shot him a small smile.

Uo and Hana of course followed her, the three ladies staring at Tohru's closet of clothes. "We need to find you something good Tohru, you need to look hot for Kyo." Uo declared, almost evilly. She wanted Kyo to be stunned.

"She should look elegant," Hana countered, rummaging through all the clothing. "Tohru where are your skirts?"

"They're towards the back," Tohru explained, sitting down in a chair waiting like her two friends had instructed. Uo decided she would pick out the shirt and Uo would pick out the skirt. Hana found a brown/black plaid colored skirt and Uo handed Tohru a red turtle neck and a white hat with a pom pom on the top. After combing Tohru's hair back they put her hat on and smiled. No makeup for her, apparently she looked too beautiful to hide under cosmetics. Half an hour later Tohru came back downstairs with Uo and Hana where Kyo was waiting. He was in a deep green turtleneck and black jeans. He couldn't help but beam when she walked down the stairs.

He held out his hand for her and she took it gently, "Ready to go?"

Tohru squeezed his hand and nodded, "Yup, lead the way!"

Once leaving the eyes of the Sohmas Kyo let out a big sigh, "Yeah living with a lot of family is really hard. They all wanted to give me these freaking talks and I"m probably the most mature out of them!"

Tohru threw her head back and laughed and leaned into his arm, "They just want to make sure we have a good time. They have good intentions I promise. So, where are you taking me Kyo?" she asked him sweetly.

"I was thinking a movie and then dinner. How does that sound?" Kyo asked her, shrugging his shoulders. He wasn't really one to plan too far ahead.

"I think that sounds great! Now what movie do you want to see?" Tohru asked as they slowly approached the cinema in the center of town.

"I don't care, why don't you pick one?" Kyo suggested, rubbing the back of his head with his free hand.

Tohru picked the movie Grave of the Fireflies and Kyo bought them both popcorn and a soda to share. The movie was very sad, it was about a little boy trying to survive after his mother and father were killed during the war. He had to take care of his little sister, and in the end, they both died. Tohru cried during the movie and had her head on his shoulder the whole time. Kyo watched, absorbed, and somehow wondered if it would have any relevance to his life. He wrapped his arm around Tohru's shoulder and she smiled, watching until even the credits had faded away. The lights came back on and the two stood up.

"Did you enjoy the movie Kyo?" Tohru asked between her movie-sniffles, clutching her bag in front of her while Kyo wrapped his arm around her waist.

"It was alright, I felt really bad for the brother. That must have been hard ya know, to watch his sister deteriorate like she did. But it was a decent moving, moving I guess," Kyo thought aloud as he guided her onto the sidewalk outside. "So you ready for dinner now?"

Tohru smiled and her eyes brightened, "Sure Kyo, wherever you want." Tohru blushed severely when he bent down and kissed her forehead, and turned her gaze to the ground waiting for her red blush to fade out of her pale skin.

"We'll so somewhere where it's outdoors, the summer air is too great to pass up," Kyo told her gently. They wandered the town for a couple minutes, taking in the scenery of the glowing buildings and the sky that was so clear you could see every star. The two found an outdoor restaurant where the two split a sushi sampler and some strange soup neither of them knew how to pronounce.

Tohru, with her chin in her hand, gazed out at all the happy people who were walking down the streets and sighed happily. "It's so pretty Kyo, to see everyone so happy and enjoying themselves. Now that school's over everyone will have so much more time to relax."

"Don't forget our formal, its only in a couple of days. You do remember right?" Kyo added, trying to ease her way into remembering she was going with him which worried him since Tohru tended to have her air-head moments.

"Oh course I remember!" Tohru squealed happily, "Ayame gave me the most beautiful dress to wear to the dance. I even looked ahead to make sure the school hadn't booked Clarity again. I wouldn't want that...for multiple reasons, like I'd rather be dancing with you than singing for instance." She trailed off, looking down at her plate.

Kyo reached across the table and held her hand. She looked up, her teal eyes sparkling with surprise and he smiled gently, "It's okay Tohru, I know you're...I know that bastard is messing with you. I wish I could do more, god I hate him."

"It's okay Kyo, you don't have to worry about me!" Tohru piped automatically, "I'll work things out. I wanted to believe that everything falls into place on its own accord."

Kyo only smiled again, she was so selfless he wondered how she did it. Kyo paid for the meal, after arguing with Tohru that he was her date and he'd do all the paying. Together they walked hand in hand through the town. Kyo really didn't want to go home yet; knowing that once he did there would be lots of annoying questions from Shigure and Momiji, some smart alloc comments from Yuki, and Haru with his long stares.

Tohru and Kyo were standing at the corner, waiting for the traffic to change directions so they could cross when Tohru noticed someone crossing the street. His hands were filled with bags and there was no way he could see over them, he was stepping into the oncoming traffic and Tohru took off in sprint. Somewhere in the back of her mind she heard Kyo scream for her but she avoided the urge to look back at him. The large trunk honked its horn, the sound of cars skidding, and Tohru pushing the man out of the way; when the dust cleared everyone feared the outcome.

The dust settled, all the cars had stopped, and Kyo ran into the street looking for Tohru. Tohru was beside the man, coughing on dirt as she turned over to look at the man. Kyo pulled her close, without the curse activating, and almost angrily asked her, "What the hell were you thinking?"

Tohru rubbed her arm, finding her clothes had been torn and there were small cuts on it. "I'm sorry Kyo but when I saw him...I just...Oh my god its Kureno-sama!"

Kyo, who was in the middle of yelling at her again stopped. They both looked down at the man Tohru had saved and found Kureno, eyes closed, curled up against the many damaged bags of groceries. His red hair was spewed across his face and he didn't seem mortally harmed. He just appeared to be unconscious, to the relief of both Kyo and Tohru. (A/N anime picture wise Kureno has red hair, I couldn't tell in the manga since its all black and white)

Tohru gently, touched Kureno's shoulder and shook him lightly, "Kureno-sama, Kureno-sama can you hear me? Please wake up Kureno sir." Tohru's eyes widened when a groan appeared from him and his eyes opened slowly, "Oh thank Kami you're okay."

"What...what's going on?" Kureno asked slowly, trying to adjust his eyes and attempt to sit up.

"You walked into the street and I guess you couldn't see and the traffic was coming and..." Tohru began until Kyo cut in.

"Tohru saved your sorry ass, not that you deserved it being Akito's lacky." He growled, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Now because of you she's hurt." Kureno looked around confused until Kyo pointed to Tohru's right forearm, that had a bunch of skid marks and blood.

"Don't yell at him Kyo...he couldn't see," Tohru began quietly but averted her gaze to look back at Kureno. "Maybe we should take you back to the Home, so Hatori can take care of you and Akito won't worry."

At this point, Kureno was at a loss for what to do. The genki (happy go lucky) onigiri had just saved his life. She knew very well he was Akito's right hand man, a bad man, and still she saved him. Although she did not acknowledge her pain, he could tell she was feeling it. He knew how to keep things veiled, so he could see right through the act. Kureno stood up slowly, looking at all the now ruined groceries and sighed. "I will need to replace these groceries."

"Then let us go with you! It's the least I can do for knocking you down like I did!" Tohru insisted, standing up and grabbing Kyo's arm too.

Kyo scowled and shook his head, "Yeah well, there's no way I'd let you go alone with him so it looks like I'm tagging along too."

Kureno, who was still on the ground, was still lost in thought. Akito had asked him to make sure this onigiri disappeared for good, but he found, a weird feeling in him. Coming out of those thoughts he saw Tohru had extended her hand to him on the ground and smiled. Kureno reached out and took it gently and pulled himself up. None of the groceries were salvageable so they walked two blocks over in silence until they found the local convenience store.

Tohru picked up a shopping basket and smiled, "So, what's the first thing we need?"

"Milk, eggs, some strange lumpy cheese for Hiro," Kureno was looking down at a crumpled up shopping list.

"You must mean cottage cheese, Hiro-kun loves that stuff!" Tohru smiled. "Come on its down this isle." Tohru and Kyo walked in front, Kureno lingering behind. Although Tohru was just fine with shopping Kyo had a frown on his face. Tohru looked up at him and pouted, teal eyes sparkling, "I'm fine Kyo, really. Its only a couple of scratches and I'm sure everyone will end up setting Hatori over anyway."

"Why are you helping him? You know he hates the both of us." Kyo looked over his shoulder for just a brief second and turned back. "What if he tries to pull something?"

"I'm not afraid Kyo, I think he's too muddled in shock to understand. He did almost get hit by a truck after all. Besides, after tonight I doubt we'll see him much anymore. Kureno-sama needs help, I think we should help him," she explained as she pulled out a carton of milk and a dozen eggs.

Kyo knew there was no making Tohru turn back now, but he gave Kureno a quick glare before grabbing a few more things off the shopping list. Kureno did not bother to glare back, instead he focused more on his list too, irritated to be doing this again.

"Will Akito-sama be mad that you're out so late?" Tohru asked him gently as she guided them down another isle for the cereal Hiro and Kisa ate.

"I will merely explain the situation and not bother with the outcome," Kureno told her in a stolid tone.

After another twenty minutes of shopping Kureno repurchased the groceries along with Tohru throwing in some of her own money; she insisted. Tohru and Kyo walked all the way back to the estate with some of the groceries; Tohru once again insisted. Tohru wanted to go in and apologize for the accident but Kureno had to draw the line somewhere.

When they reached the front gates Kureno turned back to Tohru, "Akito-sama is right, you're everything that's different from us. You choose to help us despite our cold hearts, you are kind and genki when we are stolid and cold. I can see why he fears you." Kureno shook his head and almost gave a shrug, "I'd recommend not telling anyone of this, if word gets to Him, he will be even more infuriated with you."

Tohru nodded her head and smiled, "Well it was fun Kureno-sama, and I'm sorry that you had to loose all your groceries to begin with."

Kureno blinked, and watched her a while longer. Still genki, despite hardship and bad news. "Do you know why the chicken crossed the road?"

"To get to the other side?" Tohru asked dumbly as she watched Kureno open the front gate.

"He hoped he'd get hit by the car, so he wouldn't have to live in a coop." With that the doors shut and Tohru, brow furrowed stared at it.

"Well he's sure weird," Kyo rubbed the back of his head and looked down at her, "What are you thinking about?"

"Poor Kureno-sama, he's so sad in there, can't you tell Kyo? He'd rather...die...than be stuck under Akito's control. I guess its harder to be Akito's right hand than I expected," Tohru shrugged and turned back to Kyo. "I'm sorry I ruined our date Kyo."

Kyo; although troubled by their encounter with Kureno managed to smile softly for her and rub the top of her head. "It's okay Shortie, its just part of who you are. I doubt you could stop helping people if you tried. But is your arm okay?"

Tohru looked down at it and held it up to him, her forearm had a few skid streaks but nothing that looked like it wouldn't scab over and maybe scar slightly. "I can take care of it for tonight and if you want I'll go see Hatori tomorrow."

Kyo smiled and kissed her forehead, "Thanks, it'll be nice to know you're getting the best of care."

Meanwhile, Kureno walked into the home immediately greeted by the two children Hiro and Kisa. Each took a bag from him and followed quietly, or as quietly as possible until Kisa asked a question.

"Why are you so late Kureno-kun?" Kisa asked as she trotted alongside Kureno and Hiro.

"I soiled the groceries and needed to purchase more. The onigiri and the cat helped me, strangely enough," Kureno explained as they walked into the large kitchen.

"Tohru onne-chan?" Kisa's eyes lit up, "You finally met Tohru?"

"Yes, she is a rather strange child." Kureno added, unloading all the groceries onto their proper shelves.

"Yeah, Tohru is really weird always caring about everyone but herself," Hiro grumbled as he took the groceries from Kisa and put them up on the counter for Kureno. "She's still a good person...I guess."

"She sure is!" Kisa piped, "Tohru is the greatest in the whole world! She takes Hiro and I out all the time and she's so nice to the others who live with her. She takes care of them real well."

"Why don't you two run off for bed, its rather late," Kureno instructed and soon after the two children scampered off. Kureno sighed and walked through the estate, hands in his pockets, lost in thought.

"You met her." A voice echoed.

"That I did Hatori," Kureno's eyes still to the ground, "And I feel as though I have betrayed Akito for letting her assist me."

"She has great healing powers, you know that is so. But I am curious to know, what did you do to the originally groceries to make them so worthless?" Hatori asked, a puff of smoke filling the black sky.

"They fell onto the street when she pushed me out of the way. Apparently I almost got hit by a truck. You should tend to her, she damaged her arm. It's minor, but she said it was nothing." Kureno looked up at the sky. "She's...strange."

"She could be the one to free you, if you chose to let her. She has freed me, from many hardship."

Kureno did not answer, he sat down on the wooden floor beneath the overhang and stared out into the darkness. He could not understand that onigiri, why she smiled when nothing seemed right. "She's a fool. Hoping where hope is useless. It will be her end."

Kyo and Tohru walked up the front steps to home at a quarter to eleven, Tohru still smiling the whole way home talking about how much she loved the summer air. They stopped at the doorway and Kyo looked down at her. "Was that an okay first date?" he asked her gently, feeling as though he could have been a better date.

"It was great Kyo! It'll be even better if there are more to come," Tohru chirped, watching the blush rise up on Kyo's cheeks. She smiled and kissed him gently, bringing her hands between them to keep the curse at bay. Kyo ran his fingers along the side of her face until they both heard Shigure knock something over in the house. They both rolled their eyes, laughed, and wandered inside.

Tohru's Dream

Win dain a lotica, en val tu ri, si lo ta...

"Where am I?" Tohru walked around in the darkness, no earth nor sky, it was like walking on black in a world of black. She could hear the faint sound of whimpering, and the smell of salty tears filled her nose. "Hello? Is someone there?" She called but only was answered by the echo of her words.

She continued for what seemed like forever until the darkness faded and she was what seemed very high up, like she could brush her fingers against clouds. "Wow...its so high, like heaven's a jump away..."

"Why?" A voice choked out, sounding like it was drowning on its own tears.

Tohru turned quickly and her eyes widened, "Kyo?" Kyo was on his knees, his only body sketched in black, staring down at what appeared to be someone. Tohru reached out and shook his shoulder, "Kyo what happened?"

"Why..."

A rush of wind blows through and Tohru turns around to see a giant flying dragon in front of her. He has glowing neon-blue eyes and a sea greenish mane. He's long and white, with small legs for him to walk on, think of Hakku from spirited away The dragon lands on the floor where she is and throws its head back and cries.

Win dain a lotica, En val tu ri, Si lo ta, Fin dein a loluca, En dragu a sei lain, Vi fa-ru les shutai am, En riga-lint

The body beside Kyo began to glow, and Ky did himself. Tohru called out for him one more time but the sky filled with black and she screamed.

End of Dream

"Tohru...Tohru...Tohru..."

Tohru opened her eyes to find herself on the couch, a blanket neatly over her. She sat up slowly and Kyo touched the top of her head. "Are you okay now?"

"What...happened?" Tohru asked quietly.

"You had a horrible dream Tohru-kun, it was like you were in a deep trance," Yuki explained, he too beside Kyo. "What was the dream about?"

"There was a dragon... we were really high up... and Kyo was crying, because someone had died. I don't remember who the person was, and it felt like I knew the dragon...it was so strange," Tohru looked out the window.

Kyo sat down next to her on the couch and wrapped his arm around her waist. "I'll stay with you for a little while. Why not try and sleep again." Tohru smiled and leaned into him gently, Yuki disappeared back to his bed and Tohru dreamed again. This time thankfully, it was about her wonderful date with Kyo. Kyo dreamed the same, he however, had wished he had been able to kiss her like he had planned.