Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket.
A/N: For those of you who were disappointed by the last chapter.
Seahorses
"Hiro… there's something wrong." Kisa's voice floated wearily over the telephone.
"What is it Kisa? Do you need me to come to your house? I'll be there in just a-"
"No… The family is turning weird. Ever since this baby came along there has been a plot."
The silence rung through the line until Hiro finally came to a conclusion, "I will find out for you, ok, Kisa?"
"Be safe." She hung up the phone and sat at the table, bowing her head in prayer.
---
The alley Kagome had woken up in was a particularly grimy one. Used needles lined the bottom of the dumpster she fell asleep next to. She held her stomach tightly.
I knew I shouldn't have gotten involved with a gang… but that friend of Tohru's… she got through it, didn't she?
It didn't matter, though. She was now only halfway through the initiation. She didn't know if she could handle much more.
"Get up." A strong voice demanded from a shadowy corner.
---
Kyou leaned down into Ritsu's ear and whispered, "Sacrifice yourself for our cousin." He leaned back and stared the other in the eye. "She is of more worth than yourself, Ritsu."
The man stared blankly, "You mean…."
Yuki looked away, bowing his head in a silent confirmation.
Kyou took a vile from his pocket and tipped it into Ritsu's teacup. "It's for the greater good, Ritsu."
"I…." Ritsu took the cup and stared at the liquid inside. "Have I angered you this much… you wish me to die?"
"No." Yuki whispered. "You have done no wrong… you only live a life of suffering… from two curses. Please hear me, Ritsu. I wish you to be freed of your suffering, to allow Hatori's child new life." Yuki looked up, staring the man in his eyes. "So that your soul can be rehashed into a carefree body that does not have to apologies for itself."
Kyou looked down, furious.
"I-I…" Ritsu's eyes welled up with tears and he bit his lip. "I'm so sorry!" With that he gluped down the poison. "Free me, cousins. Forgive me."
Yuki moved to Ritsu's side, as he saw him quake. "You don't have to be sorry, Ritsu. You bear no fault." He leaned his cousin back, against his chest, to stroke his hair as he slipped away from his trembling body.
---
"No!" Kagome screamed as she felt the final blow of the lead pipe to her side.
TBC....