Chapter 2

The fog started to disperse when all of a sudden a shriek echoed all around him. Yuki turned around in circles, desperately trying to find the source of the distress. He heard it again, and this time he recognized the voice; it was Tohru. Yuki started to run through the remaining mist and in the distance he saw the light becoming brighter. Tohru was struggling to walk towards him; each step she took, more drops of blood would spill down her neck. Yuki finally reached her and she collapsed in his arms. His eyes widened as she felt himself holding all of her weight; he hadn't transformed.

Her small, frightened eyes looked up at him and her lips parted slightly. Red liquid trickled down from her lips and he shook her gently.

"Tohru, what happened?"

She moaned and closed her eyes. Yuki was beside himself, he wouldn't let her die; he cared too much about her. Suddenly, as he turned her over, her body became limp and her head swayed to the right.

The fog lifted and his body flew out of the darkness. His chest jerked upwards and he scanned the room wildly. There was no blood on the floors, and instead of pitch black, sunlight streamed through the window. Yuki put a hand to his head and sighed. It had all been a dream, but yet it felt so real to him. Pushing the notion out of his head, he got up and started to get ready for the morning. From the bright skies, he realized that he had overslept. Yuki hurried downstairs, hoping he'd see her so that he would finally feel at ease. When he slid the door to the dining room open, his jaw dropped. Shigure was sitting there crying and Kyo had rolled his eyes.

"What's going on?"

Shigure picked his head up from his hands and cried out.

"Oh Yuki! It's horrible! Tohru isn't here to give us our morning intake of delicious food!"

His eyes widened and then he looked at Kyo.

"What does he mean that Tohru isn't here?"

Kyo grumbled irritably and sighed.

"It's not that big of a deal. She went out to get some fruits or something."

Yuki didn't stick around any longer. He raced back upstairs and threw open the door to Tohru's room. Yuki stood panting, observing the clean room. Everything was as tidy as could be, except for her bed. There was a single slip of paper on it. He picked it up and his eyes scanned it quickly.

I'm going for a walk and I'll probably be back soon with some fruits. Don't worry about me, I'm fine. – Tohru

Suddenly he got a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach. They already had fruits because she had bought them just yesterday. His paranoia won and he ran out of the house without a backwards glance.

..:-:..

The echoing sobs had given Kyo a headache and he stood up angrily.

"Will you quit it? She'll probably be back in a few minutes! I'm sick of listening to you complaining!"

Shigure put a hand on his stomach and sniffed.

"But I'm hungry! What will we do without dear Tohru?"

He chuckled at his clever rhyme, but soon enough he frowned. Once again, Kyo grumbled and sat back down, his cheek resting against his fist. Suddenly the door slid open and the two of them sat up straight. Shigure smiled but Kyo leapt back in fear, his arms extended out in front of him. Kagura looked at Kyo for a split second and then walked over to Shigure happily. She set a basket of fruits down on the table and she smiled as Shigure's eyes lit up.

"Kagura! You are a genius! When Tohru's gone, we need not worry, for we have Kagura to make the curry!"

Shigure sweat dropped as Kyo glared at him. Kagura laughed merrily and then Kyo turned on her. She was infuriating him. First he had expected her to attack him, and now she was ignoring him. She looked down at the basket and she played with her hands below the table. She was trying her best to contain herself. With a small voice she looked at Kyo from underneath her bangs.

"Don't you want some fruit Kyo?"

He put his hands on his head and then stood up. Kyo pointed at her accusingly.

"Stop it! Stop trying to be like Tohru! You're not going to replace her, no matter how hard you try!"

Kagura's mouth dropped down and her eyes started to become blurry. Kyo started to catch his breath when he noticed the stillness in the room. Shigure was shocked numb and Kagura's eyes glistened more each second. Suddenly, as he lowered his arm, Kagura stood up and looked down at the ground.

"Please excuse me, I…"

She turned around and left the room quietly. When Kyo heard the door close gently, he closed his eyes and sighed.

"Smart move Kyo. You got rid of the person who brought us food. If I were you…"

He stopped mid sentence and smiled as he heard the door close once again.

..:-:..

Kagura ran into the forest, the tears streaming down her face. It felt like her heart had been wrenched out and stepped on. After all of her hard work, Kyo had still told her that it was getting her nowhere. She stopped running and then sat down on a rock in the middle of nowhere. Her light sobs died away and then she stared absently around her. Kagura didn't even hear the footsteps and the grass crumpling under his feet.

"Uh… Kagura?"

She didn't move; her eyes stayed fixed on the tree in front of her. Kyo sighed and then tapped his foot impatiently.

"So is that it? You're just going to ignore me?"

Her head didn't even move and it was the wind that rustled her hair gently. Kyo took a sharp intake of air and then put his hand to his forehead. His gaze narrowed and he closed his eyes.

"Fine! Be that way! I don't know why I'm here anyway!"

Kyo turned around and started to walk away. He stopped suddenly though, and looked back. Her shoulders moved up and down softly and her head turned away. Her face was hidden, and he still hadn't seen her expression at all, but from the looks of it, she wasn't happy at all. With another deep breath, he reproached her.

"I'm sorry all right?"

Her back went rigid and then Kyo stepped in front of her. She put her hands over her face but he had already seen her bloodshot eyes. He knelt down next to her and took her hands in his. Kagura's mouth parted open and she stared at him incredulously. His face was right in front of hers and he wasn't running away from her. Inside, she started to feel a little better and then she took her hands back and wiped her eyes. Kyo stood up and then outstretched his arm. She took his hand and he helped her stand up. The wind blew by in the tops of the trees and Kagura shuddered a bit. He let go of her hand and then looked away. Her face lit up with radiance but then she remembered that she had to be consistent, like Tohru had said.

"Thanks Kyo, for saying that."

He looked at her and she smiled brilliantly. Kyo half expected her to pounce on him and hug him tightly, but she just smiled. His mouth hung agape and he watched as she began to walk back towards the house. For some reason, he found himself running after her.

"Wait up!"

Kagura turned around abruptly and saw that he was running to her. In the back of her mind, fireworks exploded at the celebration that her plan was working. Kyo stood next to her panting and then she cocked her head to the side.

"Yes?"

Kyo put a hand behind his head and then looked away for a moment.

"Well we're both going back right?"

She nodded and then realized that he meant that he wanted to walk back with her. They started to walk, their steps leaving footprints in the dented blades of grass. With each second, the sun seemed to shine brighter and the birds started to chirp more. The house came into view and Kagura ran up to the porch.

"Hurry up Kyo! You didn't eat anything yet!"

He watched her disappear into the house and then suddenly he felt his stomach grumble. A smile found its way onto his lips as he put a hand over his sweater.

..:-:..

Tohru was wandering around the town aimlessly. She hadn't figured out what to do about Akito's note yet. There was always the chance that something horrible could happen when she stepped inside of that house, but it could also turn out all right. Maybe he just needed to tell her something, like a problem of sorts. Still, she was undecided, and soon enough she realized that the sun was high up in the sky. Tohru slapped her forehead and her mouth dropped open.

"Oh no! I completely forgot about breakfast! Shigure and everyone else must be starving!"

She was about to turn around and go home when a dark figure stepped out of the alleyway. Tohru's eyes grew large and she put a hand to her mouth. She whimpered, his slight smirk and deep eyes gazing over her face. He leaned against the fence and his voice shattered the still air around her with a terrifying softness.

"Tohru, it's nice to see you. But it is rather late, isn't it? Did you not receive my note?"

She swallowed hard and tried to remain calm as he moved closer to her. Akito put his hands in his pocket and sighed.

"I… I'm sorry… I was just out doing some shopping and it slipped my mind… but I swear I was going to come talk to you!"

He chuckled to himself shortly and then he looked up at her while his head bowed to the ground.

"Of course you were."

Akito stepped up to her and Tohru's mouth dropped as he brushed her hair with his finger. His face was inches away from hers and then his eyes stared into hers, bearing a bottomless fear inside of her heart.

"You will come tomorrow. It is very urgent that I speak with you, as early as possible."

He smiled suddenly and then turned around, vanishing into the dark alley. Tohru stood there dumbstruck. Her heartbeat slowed down and she took a deep breath. Akito hadn't asked her to come, he had told her to do so. She swallowed again and then jumped when she felt someone's presence coming towards her.

"Tohru!"

The shock was swept away as she recognized the voice. She turned around and smiled when she saw Yuki running towards her. He stopped and panted, putting his hands on his knees. Tohru put her hand on his shoulder and then peered down at his discolored face.

"Yuki! Are you all right?"

He stood up and took a deep breath. She was absolutely fine and no blood was on her neck or anywhere near her. Yuki smiled and nodded.

"Yes, I'm fine. But are you all right?"

The question startled her and then she realized what he had meant. She was gone all morning and she had left a simple note.

"Oh! You mean about me being gone! I'm so sorry to worry you! But you really shouldn't have run around trying to find me! I'm fine, really!"

She smiled genuinely but inside her thoughts were spinning. Tohru had never actually lied about anything and this situation about Akito was something serious. But Yuki's warm eyes smiled at her and she felt safe for the time being. Thoughts of that dim person slipped away as they started to make their way back towards the house. Before they went home though, they took a detour and went to the secret base. Yuki nodded his head after he let Tohru water the plants.

"You've really gotten used to this planting stuff, haven't you Tohru?"

She smiled happily and her warmth seeped into his arms and the rest of his body. Somehow, she always made him feel so much better than before. Clouds patted the sky above them and little shadows danced across the garden.

"Oh, thank you! It really is a lot of fun though. I get to be someone else for a while. Instead of regular Tohru Honda, I am Tohru Honda- The Gardener of a secret base!"

The two of them laughed together and as she put the bucket of water down, Yuki walked up to her cautiously. For a moment he sighed, thinking of his dream, and how for a few fleeting minutes, he had been able to hold her in his arms. He longed to do that, to hold her and tell her how he really felt, but it was impossible. The curse would forever prevent him from being anything closer than friends with her, and it broke his heart. Tohru turned around and then saw the lonely expression in his eyes. Her face softened and she leaned her head in to take a closer look.

"Yuki, is something wrong?"

He snapped back to attention and then smiled, seeing her worried face in front of him. Yuki waved his hands and smiled.

"Oh no, how can anything be wrong when you're here?"

She smiled shyly and looked at the garden with happiness filling up her heart. It felt so right being with him for some reason. Tohru always felt her best when she was around Yuki, but she really didn't seem to understand why. She looked back at him, and to her surprise he was still looking at her with a warm smile across his face. Suddenly, she felt herself blush and she put her hands in front of her face frantically.

"Uh, maybe we should go back? I bet Shigure is very hungry, and, and…oh! I still need to finish up the chores! And do the dishes, and I still have to…"

She stopped rambling as Yuki put a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes went round as she looked at him.

"Tohru, you don't have to be super woman all the time, you know."

They laughed together and then started to walk away from the secret base. Her smile didn't fade away, and neither did Yuki's.

..:-:..

As they walked near the house, the door slid open and Kagura ran outside. She nearly pummeled Tohru and she hugged her fiercely.

"Tohru! You've been gone so long! I was beginning to worry!"

Tohru looked at Kagura's face with a sad smile. To think that Akito had been so cruel to her, and that she was going to see him the next morning. Suddenly she felt burdened by those dark thoughts and of worry for herself. However, there was no possible way for her to tell Kagura, or anyone else, that Akito wanted to talk to her, alone.

"I'm fine Kagura, I was just out walking for a bit, right Yuki?"

He nodded and Kagura looked at them with a sigh.

"All right. I guess if you say so. Tohru, you need to help me though! I can't get Shigure to stop crying. He says he misses your cooking."

They smiled and as Kagura dragged Tohru inside, she looked back and waved to Yuki. He waved back and then his hand fell to his side as the door shut close. Yuki was about to walk inside himself when a voice stopped him.

"So what were the two of you really doing?"

Kyo's sneering voice startled him, and when he turned around he crossed his eyes and stood firmly rooted to the ground.

"Like she said, Tohru was out for a walk. I went to go look for her, and we came back. Good enough for you?"

Kyo rolled his eyes lazily and crossed his arms.

"Sure…"

Yuki suddenly realized that he had left the house empty except for Shigure, Kagura and Kyo. A smirk found its way onto his face and when Kyo saw this, he started to become angry.

"What are you smirking for?"

"Oh nothing. I was just thinking of how awful it must have been to spend the day with crazy Kagura."

A faint pink blush spread itself on Kyo's cheeks. Yuki turned around, knowing that his work was complete. Kyo was already frustrated by his remark and before Kyo could do anything, or retort, Yuki was gone.

"What did he mean by that? It was awful…"

He looked around and narrowed his eyes.

"What does he know anyways?"

..:-:..

Kagura and Tohru were in the kitchen once again. Shigure had been ecstatic when he saw Tohru come into the house, so much that he had almost hugged her. But Kagura leapt in between the two of them and then Shigure stood back, and laughed.

"That was silly of me! I just can't wait for one of your meals Tohru!"

"That's okay Shigure! I'll have dinner done in no time at all!"

She smiled broadly and then he left her alone with Kagura. Inside, she was dreading the fact that the day was going to end. Tohru knew that if she didn't go tomorrow, something terrible would happen. She had angered Akito; there was no doubt about it. He always had the power to erase her memory, and she didn't want that to happen. As she made dinner, Kagura observed Tohru curiously.

"Tohru, is something troubling you? You seem distant."

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing really. I guess I was just out in the sun too much. How did your day go by? It seems as if Kyo isn't so hysterical anymore."

Kagura's face lit up instantly and Tohru smiled.

"You won't believe it! This morning I came in and gave Kyo and Shigure some fruits and Kyo said some very mean things to me, but that doesn't matter because I ran away crying!"

Tohru's eyes widened and she was about to say something, but Kagura kept talking.

"So then Kyo came after me! Can you believe it? At first he was angry, but then he said he was sorry! He never apologized to me before! It's all because of your advice Tohru! Thank you so much!"

She hugged her friend again and Tohru nodded.

"I knew it would work," she winked and continued, "all you need is to never give up hope! What happened after that?"

Kagura looked away dreamily and smiled to herself.

"We didn't say anything at all to each other. It was the best!"

Tohru sweat dropped and put a hand on the back of her head.

"Well I guess that's better than having arguments!"

The two of them smiled happily and began to work on dinner again. Tohru was happy for Kagura and Kyo. She had always figured they would work through their disagreements. Her thoughts wandered back to Akito and she scrubbed the dishes even more. Suddenly, she saw a bird flutter to the window above the sink and she knew that somewhere deep inside, something would happen, and it would change her life forever.

A/N: This chapter was shorter of course… I guess I just didn't have the inspiration… mostly because I didn't know if the people who read it liked the first chapter…. Those who did review, I thank you SO much and I'm awfully sorry that this is such a late update. The next chapter will be much longer, I promise! And it's a big "Akito" chapter (wink wink) lol ;)

I hope you like the story so far! I might update again this week, or I might not, I'll see how things go :) Have a wonderful day! And review if you please could:D

-Monika-