Tohru bit her lip as she tried for the second time to pull on the skirt she had with the largest waist size. Holding her breath, she managed to get the skirt on. Frowning, Tohru looked in the mirror. She didn't look any fatter, so why didn't any of her skirts or pants fit anymore when her tops fit just fine? Tohru grimaced when she looked back to her bed and saw the stack of her skirts and pants. She had taken out and tried on every skirt and pants she owned before she found one that fit. Putting them all away was going to be a pain, but what was the point of folding and putting them all away in her dresser if she couldn't wear them? Tohru sighed deciding to leave them there for now and stepped out of her room to start making breakfast. She had an odd craving for a strawberry and leek rice ball.

After washing a pot of rice and starting the rice cooker, Tohru got out strawberries and leeks from the refrigerator and set them on the counter. Staring at the two ingredients she had, she realized that Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure might not want to eat a strawberry leek rice ball like she did. Reopening the refrigerator, she dug out some leftover salmon from last night's dinner and some pickled plum. As she waited for the rice to cook, she sliced the strawberries, leeks, salmon, and pickled plum into thin slices so they could fit into the rice balls. Still waiting for the rice to be done, she cut the seaweed into perfect rectangles to put on the rice balls she was yet to make.

She had reorganized all of the ingredients three times before she heard the beeping from the rice cooker that signaled the rice was fully cooked. Delighted to see the rice was done, Tohru raced over to the electrical appliance and scoped some rice out into a large bowl. Tohru was unable to contain her eagerness and stuck her hands into the bowl of salt water she had set out and began molding the rice balls, regardless of how hot the rice still was. Lately, she was getting worked up over the smallest things. She hummed a joyful sounding tune to herself as she worked on her strawberry and leek rice balls. Every once in a while she couldn't help but munch on a few of them. After making several strawberry and leek rice balls for herself, she began to make regular ones for the other occupants in the house.

Tohru was so absorbed in making the rice balls that she didn't notice Kyo walk into the kitchen and take a bite out of one of her special rice balls. She only became aware of his presence when he spat the strawberry and leek rice ball out of his mouth and into the trash. Disgusted by the taste of leeks in his mouth, Kyo shoved his mouth under the sink faucet and ran water over his tongue in attempt to rid his mouth of the horrid taste. Worriedly, Tohru dropped the rice ball she was molding and rushed over to Kyo's side. She wasn't sure what was wrong with him until she saw the remains of one of her strawberry and leek rice ball in his hand. Tohru gasped and flailed her arms around with concern. She knew Kyo hated leeks, and her rice balls had plenty of leeks in them.

"Kyo-kun, are you okay?!" Tohru squeaked.

Kyo pulled his head out from under the sink and held out the rice ball to her, "What the hell is this?!"

"Ah… Um… It's a strawberry and leek rice ball…" Tohru simpered in a quiet voice.

"Why in the world would you make something like that?! It tastes like SHI-" Kyo began, but he was cut off by Yuki's foot connecting with the back of his skull. Kyo fell to the ground flat on his face clearly unconscious. Being in a groggy mood because of how early it was, Yuki hadn't held back one bit when he kicked Kyo. Tohru jumped up worried about Kyo all over again, but this time she was fretting over whether he was still alive or not. To her relief when she stooped down, she found the orange haired teen still breathing strongly. With a frown, Tohru picked up bits of rice, leeks, and strawberries off of the ground. What a waste of her perfectly delectable rice ball.

Yuki squatted down across from Tohru with a tired expression across his face, "What were you doing Tohru?"

"I-I was making… er strawberry and ah um… leek rice balls…" Tohru confessed a bit ashamed by what she said.

Yuki blinked incredulously as he stared at Tohru wondering if he had heard her correctly. He had never heard of that kind of rice ball before. Looking at her bright red face, he got the feeling he had indeed heard her say 'strawberry and leek rice ball'. On the floor beside Kyo's hand was a crushed rice ball with reddish juice over pieces of leek. He guessed the red juice was from the strawberries. Yuki was about to ask her if she was feeling alright when he remembered that pregnant woman usually had strange cravings for unusual food combinations. He smiled and helped her clean up the mess he had kinda caused from kicking Kyo.

"Ah… Would you um… like one?" Tohru offered not sure what else she should say in a moment like this.

"Sure…" Yuki replied slowly. Kyo had tried some obviously, so that meant he couldn't back out of this. Tohru stood up and hesitantly held out the plate full of her unique rice balls to Yuki. He reached forward and grabbed the rice ball nearest to him and took a small bite. Tohru squeezed her eyes shut hoping Yuki wouldn't shove his face under the sink like Kyo had because her rice balls taste bad. Yuki chewed slowly and swallowed the rest of the rice ball with one bite. He had eaten the whole thing so the brunette wouldn't be so embarrassed about it. Tohru kept her eyes shut waiting to hear a gagging sound at the least, but when she heard none she began to think she had killed Yuki with her rice ball. Alarmed, her eyes shot open and scanned over Yuki, partially shocked to see that he was alright.

"Ho-how was it?" Tohru choked out anxiously.

"It was… interesting," Yuki answered honestly.

"Ah… Okay! You don't have to eat anymore!" Tohru smiled.

She cradled the plate against her chest and beamed at the silver haired teen. She was glad to know that someone else besides her could eat strawberry and leek rice balls without choking like Kyo had. It made her feel a bit saner. She could tell Yuki didn't find them as enjoyable as she did, but the fact that he had eaten the whole rice ball without turning green made her happy.

"You're lying you damn rat! Those rice balls taste like crap!!!" Kyo yelled as he jumped to his feet.

"That's just rude…" Yuki muttered as he grabbed one of Tohru's rice balls and shoved it into Kyo's mouth to keep him silent. Kyo pawed at his mouth before running to the trash and spitting the rice ball out. Glaring back at Yuki, Kyo thrust his finger out at Yuki angrily, opening his mouth to demand a fight, but he shut his mouth when he remembered he wasn't supposed to be talking to either of them. With that thought back in his mind, Kyo darted out of the room wordlessly fuming. Tohru's jaw dropped as she watched him go. She looked down a bit upset to see that Kyo was still mad at her. Tohru squeezed the plate closer to her body and decided to change the subject before any tears spewed out. It really bothered her that one of her close friends was angry with her.

"I guess I really am weird, huh? I never wanted to make this before… I just… I don't know…" Tohru stammered embarrassedly hugging the plate tightly against her chest.

"No, it's pretty natural because your hormones are changing, or something like that," Yuki told her with a smile.

"Really?" Tohru breathed.

"Yeah, I read something about that the other day. So don't worry about it," Yuki replied.

Tohru let out a breath of relief and grinned broadly. It was nice to know she wasn't going crazy. She looked down hungrily at the plate of her rice balls in front of her before she sighed and went back to finishing breakfast for the other occupants of the house. It would be rather rude and inconsiderate of her if she ate her rice balls before she made some for the others. Trying her best to ignore her hunger, Tohru went back to molding the normal rice balls. She had a difficult time focusing on the rice balls when she could hear her own stomach growling. Tohru bit her lip as she prayed that Yuki hadn't heard that sound coming from her, but to her dismay, he had heard it. Yuki chuckled before standing up and going over to her.

"Do you need any help?"

"Ah… Um I couldn't ask you to do that!" Tohru cried waving her hands in front of her as a gesture of refusal. With each sway of her fingers and hands, grains of rice were sent flying around the kitchen. Yuki grabbed onto her wrists, keeping them from moving anymore, before she gave herself the most difficult cleaning task she had ever encountered. Her cheeks darkened as she stared up at Yuki. She looked away from him and began to notice the rice ball ingredients spotting the floor, countertops, and kitchen appliances. It would take her at least an hour to get this kitchen spotless again.

"I know my cooking skills aren't exactly wonderful nor can they come close to how good your cooking tastes, but I'm sure I can mold some rice as long as you show me. If they look bad, I'll eat them, okay? Besides, I can tell you want to eat real soon," Yuki responded.

"Well… If you're sure you want to I'll show you…"

Yuki nodded and pushed up his sleeves to show her how serious he was about helping her. Tohru glanced at him before giving him a step-by-step demonstration on how to make rice balls. First, she dipped her hands in the salt water, then she grabbed a handful of rice. Next, she placed a slice of salmon in the middle of the rice ball and began to mold it into a triangular shape, and finally, she wrapped a piece of seaweed over the bottom of the rice ball. After she had showed him how to make a rice ball, she peered up at Yuki to see if he understood her actions.

"Did that make sense? Did I make it too fast? Should I do it again?" Tohru asked quickly.

"No… That was perfect… Now I just hope I can make something half as good," Yuki replied.

"I couldn't possibly make something perfect! Kyo-kun makes really good rice balls! Maybe he could show you how to make a better rice ball! Ah, but he's still mad at us, isn't he?" Tohru rambled aimlessly as she subconsciously made a couple more rice balls.

"Don't worry about the stupid cat. You were an excellent teacher, but I'm not sure I'll be such a good student… Well here goes nothing…" Yuki muttered as he attempted to mimic her actions. His result was a semi-triangular rice ball that resembled a literal rice ball more than anything else. It looked decent enough if you ignored the fact that half a piece of salmon was showing, and the seaweed was crooked and hanging off the rice. Yuki peered at his pitiful excuse for a rice ball. Maybe he should stay away from the kitchen as much as possible if this was the kind of thing he'd end up making. He wasn't sure if anyone would want to eat this.

"That looks beautiful Yuki-kun!" Tohru exclaimed.

"You think so? I think it kinda looks like something a five-year-old made in arts and crafts time at school," Yuki commented with a soft laugh.

"When I was six I made my first rice ball, it looked more like a pancake…" Tohru admitted with a childlike grin before adding, "So yours turned out well for a first-timer!"

Yuki smiled at her. She really had a way of making people feel better even though she had a lot on her mind. They continued making breakfast together, and by the end, Yuki could make a rice ball that was only slightly round. When they had made more than enough for themselves and for Kyo and Shigure, Yuki helped Tohru set them out on the dining table. Seeing as Kyo was still out sulking somewhere and Shigure was busy working on his novel (or taking a nap), they decided to begin eating on their own, Tohru eating her strawberry and leek rice balls and Yuki eating his oddly shaped ones.

"Oh, by the way Tohru, is that a new skirt? I've never seen you wear that before."

"Oh, I uh… No, it's not new… I just never wore it before because it was too big, but now nothing else will fit," Tohru looked away from him a bit embarrassedly.

Tohru didn't have the courage to look up at him after she had told him that. Both of them knew her weight gain had to do with her pregnancy, but Tohru still found it awkward to tell him that she couldn't fit into anything besides this skirt. Yuki opened his mouth to offer to take her shopping for maternity clothes, but before he could get a word out, Shigure slid open his office door and flocked into the scene. He had a mischievous look upon his face as he skidded over to the table. Yuki grimaced when he saw the dog as Tohru choked out a greeting. The two gestures were brushed aside by Shigure who had better things to say.

"My, my, my… Did I just hear what I think I just did? The signs of pregnancy are beginning to show! We must take Tohru-kun shopping for new shirts, skirts and under-"

Yuki whacked Shigure across the head before he could finish saying undergarments. Did Shigure have to be such a pervert and add undergarments? Was he incapable of just saying new shirts and skirts? Shigure did have a bit of a point though. They did have to take Tohru shopping for new clothes. She couldn't wear the same skirt until she outgrew that too. Her belly was going to grow, and she needed more clothes that she could fit into. Tohru didn't see things exactly as they did. She flapped her arms around frantically, "Oh no! I couldn't ask you to waste your time and take me shopping! I can go on my own!"

Shigure simply smiled and took a seat in between Yuki and Tohru while he picked up a rice ball that Yuki had made. He examined the round ball in his hand with raised eyebrows. Bringing the rice ball closer to his face, he noticed the pickled plum hanging out of the rice ball and the piece of seaweed that was barely clinging to the grains of rice. He gave it one whiff before setting it back down on the plate with disapproval. Shigure spun the plate around and chose a properly made rice ball that Tohru had shaped and popped it into his mouth.

"Tohru-kun… It's no problem, but next time, please don't accept Yuki's offers to help you cook anymore," Shigure told the brunette seriously.

Neither of them could even get in a word before the front door came down with a thunderous crash. A flash of orange hair zoomed passed the trio followed by a bob of short brown hair. The blobs of colors raced upstairs, and another slam was heard before silence. Tohru tilted her head to the side with confusion. She had no idea what had just happened or who had run by even though there was only one couple that had such a destructive relationship.

"Kyo darling!!! Open the door!!!!" Kagura hollered as she shoved her hands through the paper door.

"Ack! Get AWAY FROM ME!" Kyo snapped.

The sound of glass shattering and a thump was heard by the threesome downstairs. They could only guess what happened from that point. It would seem that Kyo shut his bedroom door before Kagura could catch him, then she broke through the paper door, but before she could get him in her grasps the cat jumped out the window. Yuki shook his head as Shigure stuffed another rice ball into his mouth and Tohru gripped the hem of her shirt nervously. She was worried about Kyo's life at this point. After a minute or two, Kagura came down the stairs with an aura of depression surrounding her. Kyo was nowhere in sight which could either mean he got away or that Kagura had murdered him. She sank down on the floor across from the trio and dropped her head down onto the table.

"Kagura-san! Are you alright?!" Tohru asked her worriedly.

"Eh? I'm fine, but Kyo-kun was the one who leaped out of the window and ran away," she sighed, "I thought he might be happier to see me since well you're gonna marry Yun-chan, but I guess I was wrong…"

"Ma-marry Yuki-kun?!" Tohru stuttered in a bewildered voice.

"Yeah, I mean you are having Yun-chan's baby, right? So aren't you gonna marry him?" Kagura asked with a small smile as she faced Tohru.

"I-I couldn't ask Yuki to do that! That would be asking for too much! I mean he has already helped me so much!" Tohru said with a deep blush coating her cheeks.

She covered her cheeks with her hands hoping no one had seen how red they were. Having Yuki's baby was a gift she couldn't even begin to describe, but having him marry her just because she was having his baby would be overstepping her boundaries. She wanted him to be able to marry whomever he wanted to marry; she wanted him to marry someone he loved. Pondering over Kagura's words, Tohru didn't notice the light blush coating Yuki's cheeks. His thoughts were nearly a perfect reflection of her thoughts. He wanted Tohru to marry someone she loved. Shigure smiled devilishly at the two blushing teenagers before looking at Kagura.

"Kagura-chan! Most perfect timing! Since Yuki-kun doesn't want dear old me to take Tohru-kun shopping for maternity clothes, you must go in my place," Shigure whined to Kagura as he clasped both of his hands over Kagura's shoulders.

Kagura slipped out of Shigure's clutches before sliding over to Tohru's side. Tohru pouted slightly, a bit upset with Shigure for telling Kagura that. She didn't want Kagura to feel obligated to take her shopping. At least she wasn't troubling Yuki to go with her. She didn't see why Shigure felt compelled to tell Kagura that. Tohru could go shopping on her own, couldn't she? Shigure never asked anyone to go shopping with her when she went grocery shopping so maybe he just thought she had poor fashion sense!

"Do you need to go shopping? I'll be happy to go with you!" Kagura sang merrily.

Kagura was already dragging Tohru out the door before anyone could stop her or protest. The last thing Yuki could see was Tohru flying across the street, her hand attached to Kagura's as the boar ran them to the nearest bus stop. Yuki glared at Shigure, clearly blaming him for the "kidnapping" of Tohru. Shigure just grinned innocently in return as he shoved another rice ball into his mouth. Yuki muttered something about hoping Shigure would choke before he walked up to his room.

Around two hours later Tohru and Kagura returned, each one of them holding a very large bag. Shigure was the first one to pop up in front of them with a perverted expression across his face, "So what did you buy Tohru-kun? Lingerie?"

"Li-linger-lingerie?" Tohru sputtered nervously.

"Die you lecher," Yuki mumbled as he kicked Shigure from behind. Shigure fell to the ground harshly. Tohru was the only one who seemed concerned about the novelist. She eyed Shigure's body fretfully searching for any signs of life. A grunt escaped Shigure's mouth, and that was enough to convince Tohru he was alright. She turned around to Kagura and lowered her head with appreciation.

"Thank you Kagura-san for going shopping with me! Please stay for lunch as my thank you!"

The boar happily complied and helped Tohru put away her new clothing. Yuki would have offered to help, but unlike Shigure, he didn't want Tohru to get flustered if he saw any of her more private articles of clothing. The rat nudged Shigure into a corner where Tohru wouldn't trip over him and picked up a book he had borrowed from the library. When the two girls returned downstairs, Shigure was still on the floor with his bottom in the air, and Yuki sat idly in the living room flipping through a book. Tohru insisted Kagura go sit down before she scurried off to the kitchen to prepare lunch for everyone. Kagura unwillingly left the brunette to herself and went to sit by Yuki. Yuki would definitely be a better companion than an unconscious Shigure.

"What are you reading Yun-chan?" Kagura asked curiously.

"A book about pregnancy…" Yuki muttered as he flipped the page.

"Why?"
"What do you mean 'why'? I'm reading it so I can answer whatever questions Tohru may have so she won't panic…" Yuki explained nonchalantly.

Kagura's mouth formed into a small 'o'. She plopped her head on top of the palms of her hands obviously bored at the moment. There was nothing for her to do here. It turned out Yuki wasn't that much better at keeping Kagura company than Shigure would have been. Another half an hour passed before Tohru walked into the room with a large platter in her hands. Setting his book down on the table, Yuki stood up and took the serving dish from Tohru and set it in the center of the table for her. Tohru bowed her head with gratitude to Yuki before she returned to the kitchen to get out plates and eating utensils. Kagura smiled at this thinking to herself that the two of them looked like a husband and wife for a moment. Deciding to save her cousin and his wife the embarrassment, she kept the comment to herself.

"Ooh! Yummy, food! What did you make?" Shigure asked as he magically regained conscious and took a seat at the table.

"Cod and strawberries!" Tohru answered with a grin across her face.

With those three words, the three people seated around the table dropped their chopsticks in unison not sure whether they wanted to eat this meal anymore.

Tohru has a fetish for strawberries: ) I think a craving involving strawberries suits Tohru best! n.n

Asan-chan got her tablet yesterday ♥ Updates may be hindered by this delightful creation though her deviantart account will now have colored entries! (Her deviantart account has a drawing for "The Result")