A.N.

Hello!!! Ive finally got this chapter up YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! but it's unfortunately the beginning of the end. The next chapter WILL be the LAST chapter bursts into tears Im quite upset actually lol. It's one of the few stories I've actually finished and I'm proud of.

Btw. I dont own ANY Fruits Baskets thing...just the school unform which I have just made hehehehe. Going to an Anime Convention in September hehehe.

Chapter 17 - Tohru?

The dream world began to lighten as Tohru stepped forward. There in front of her was a man; she had never seen him before. Yet the fiery orange hair on his masculine head gave her some clue as to who he was. He was dressed traditionally in the style of Japan and he had a familiar smile upon his face. The man stepped closer to her and she backed off a little, he gave a smile of sympathy and without sound, without voicing a word, he extended his hand. Revealing a scarred wrist.

"You know who I am, as I know who you are. There is no need to be frightened. Tohru Honda"

Tohru stared at him she could not believe this was happening, yet it was happening. She could feel her heart pounding against her chest and as she reached out and took his hand, she could feel the warmth of his skin upon her own. Her mind was a whirlwind of thought, she couldn't think.

"Where am I?" she asked. Saying the first thing that came into her head.

"You are neither here, nor there," he said.

"What?" she asked. "Please forgive me. I'm not sure I understand"

"You are dreaming Tohru. You are standing on the border of the real world and the world of spirits and illusions"

"I'm dreaming?" she asked.

"You already knew that" the man gave as an answer. Tohru frowned slightly and looked at him more closely.

"You remind me of someone," she said slowly.

"You know me, as I know you"

"Eh?" she squeaked. Why does he have to talk in riddles? Oh mom, help me. I was never good at this thing. I can't even do a rubix cube!!

"Think"

Tohru thought about it, she had known all along whom he was, but she just didn't know how she knew that. Instantly, she had felt his presence when she had slept. Wandering around in the endless dark, she had found him, staring at her. Coming towards her. Speaking to her.

"You're one of the Chinese zodiacs. The cat" she said slowly.

"Not just the cat. I'm The cat" he smiled, though Tohru couldn't help but think that smile was a little forced. "I first caught your scent a few months ago. An ancient curse and burden has been placed upon you. You in turn received the beast which currently resides inside you,-" he kissed her hand lightly "- you are half of the cat and so too must pay the price"

"But Kyo is…"

"I have been observing Kyo for a while. Kyo was supposed to be the one who was to set the line free forever. With every curse comes light. This light takes the form of an ancient prophecy. The scroll has long turned to dust and the knowledge of it long forgotten. Akito is not even aware of it

"A prophecy?"

"Yes. It was written long, long ago. It said :-

'From fire comes life, From hate comes love.
When the last cat, dares to love.
When the cats love dares to dream.
Spirits awaken Bonds are set free Forever and ever, so shall this be'

"In the long line of zodiac, cats that have reined after me none have dared to love another. The fear of the cage was too great, too powerful for them to allow themselves that pleasure. Some have come close, but as always with men, they seem to crave that which they cannot have. So their love was not returned. It is clear to all who dwell in this reality that Kyo loves you and you him. Kyo has loved you for so long, Tohru Honda. Now you are beginning to love him in return, you have so much faith in your ability to help him that you are dreaming of his freedom. You believe in it so much you are willing to go against all principles and fight for him"

As he spoke he circled her, and she remained absolutely still. Staring at the floor. So much weight was being placed on her shoulders. So much hope rested with her. Could she do it? Finally, as he came to the end of his speech he rested his arms around her waist. His chest was pressed to her back and he dropped his head to rest in the crook of her neck. Through the din, she could hear a small purr escape his throat.

"But I don't know how to fight. I don't want to let anyone down, but how do I do this? Urn…I just don't know what I'm doing. Yes, I care for Kyo. I think I love him, but there's nothing I can do. There is no way I can beat Yuki. I only have a night to prepare!!"

"That is where I can help Tohru Honda," the man said quietly.

"What? How?" she asked spinning around and breaking his hold on her. Suddenly wild fear was coursing through her veins, throbbing around and causing her distress. Mom? What's he going to do!

"Take me into yourself, let me reside within you and steer your actions for the greater cause"

"What!!" she asked sweat dropping. "I can't do that I mean I'm only sixteen years old and I hardly know you and you're not even real and what would Kyo say? I don't think he'd be very happy I mean he is the protective sort and I don't think Akito would allow it. It would be cheating and I…."

"Tohru" he said softly grasping her chin lightly with two slender fingers. Cutting off her rapid talking "Trust me, trust in my power"

"Will it help Kyo?"

"Yes"

Tohru stood staring at her hands; she had no idea what to do! What would Kyo say if he knew? Butterflies were soaring in her stomach. Images and snatches of conversations filtered into her head but one image stood out. The sun rose over the trees at New Years. Yuki was sat near her smiling his small mysterious smile and Kyo was stood baring his fist and grinning wildly. A wave of gratitude and love swept through her and she made her wish. Turning to the dream spirit, she narrowed her eyes in determination and nodded. His hands shot out and he pulled her towards him, wrapping his arms about her once more. Tohru squeaked as the movement startled her. They rested closely together for a moment, but it didn't feel right. Something was off. Shaking it off she relaxed against him and then the strangest sensation followed. The man seemed to melt into her skin. Washing through her like an icy river. She winced in slight pain as a throbbing entered her head. The darkness grew into a more intense black and before she knew it, she was nowhere….yet everywhere.

"Shigure?" Kyo called. Slipping off his shoes, he dumped his bag at the door and walked through into the kitchen where he could hear sounds. Shigure was stood at the stove stirring something that looked like blackened eggs.

"Ah Kyo. So nice of you to come and say hello. Hehe"

"Shut up" Kyo spat "I was just going to ask how Tohru is"

"She's been sleeping for most of the day. She woke up a while ago and something to eat"

"How was she?"

"I'm not sure; she looked dazed as though she had woken from a long sleep, dreaming about the man she loves!" Kyo flinched at Shigure's dramatics, his hands clenched into fists, and he grit his teeth as Shigure continued to warble his stupid theories.

"HEY!" Kyo shouted.

Shigure blinked and looked at the younger man. Dropping his strange pose, he observed Kyo's clenched fists. So much had happened since Tohru had joined them. Kyo had changed so much. Shigure saw the effects in that single moment. The lack of violence and the control on his temper went to prove how much of an effect his little flower had had on Kyo.

"She looked dazed, as though she wasnt entirely there. Mind you, its not surprising after what Akito did to her. The whole zodiac is in uproar. Even Kabuto. Hatori has been visited several times today, each member with the same demand. They want something to be done"

"Something should be! That bastard should be made to pay!! I'm going to make sure he pays. No-one is going anywhere near him!!" Kyo threatened. It was full of meaning and promise. Kyo was fed up with Akito being allowed to get away with whatever he did, and it had to stop. Kyo growled as he thought of Tohru, he was going to make that bastard pay.

"Kyo we all care about Tohru" Shigure remarked calmly. Kyo growled and steppes forward opening his mouth but he caught a look of malice and grief in Shigure's eye. Kyo blinked, the dog was just as upset by Tohru's injuries as he was. Kyo dropped back, he diddnt have the heart to rage and yell at his older cousin like he wated to. "besides, were all going to be there to help her out tomorrow. I mean, all of us"

"What?"

"Well, we can't let Tohru attempt to fight Yuki now can we?"

"Why the fuck not!"

"Kyo, Kyo. You really should think before you speak. Such language and in my house too"

"Shigure!!!" Kyo warned his fists clenching again and taking a step forward.

"Well, for a start if we did allow them to fight it would be over in seconds and Tohru would probably be seriously injured. We can't have that…whose going to cook for us then? No-one compares to my little flower…"

"Is that all you think about?" Kyo spat. He couldn't believe the older man, at a serious time like this he was just thinking of his stomach as he always did.

"No, actually" Shigure dropped into seriousness. Kyo needed to calm down, Shigure was only joking about these things to keep everyone's spirits up. He was worried too, he really was. "I'm thinking about Tohru. Tohru doesn't like fighting, we know this well enough and besides even if she did. Her skill is so far behind Yuki's that it will be impossible for her to land a hit on him. Nothing good will come out of the fight Kyo, we cannot allow it"

"But…she made…a deal…" Kyo hung his head feeling suddenly ashamed. "She asked Akito to set me free if she won…"

"I know" Shigure smiled. "Kyo…were all going tomorrow. Kagura has offered to fight in your place…"

"What!" Kyo's head snapped up. She would do that. She loved him that much? He shook his head gritting his teeth "no way! I'm fighting! It's my fight and no-one else's"

"No!" a new voice floated into the room.

Kyo's eyes snapped sideways and he gasped as he saw Tohru leaning against the frame. The pyjama's she was wearing hung pathetically loose on her thin frame. The training with Kazuma had toned her body but it also lost her weight. Kyo rose quickly and slipped his hands around her waist.

"Tohru I can't let you do that…," he said quietly.

(Shigure mysteriously vanished from the room.)

"Well I am!" she said heatedly. Kyo blinked, shocked beyond comprehension. There was a new level in her gaze, a new determined sparkle. "You cannot stop me Kyo. I will defeat the rat, and I will free you. Both of you Kyo. Both you and Yuki"

Kyo shook his head confused by her new demeanour. What had happened to the scared frightened Tohru he used to love? He brushed her bangs out of her face and she smiled warmly at him and traced the curl of his lips with her finger. Rising onto the tips of her toes, she pressed her lips gently against his and he sighed in contentment, she was still there.

But would she still be there, after tomorrow?