Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket (I wish i did) i only own my OC's.

Please read and review. I gladly take constructive criticism into mind and I like to know what the readers really think. Hope you enjoy ^^

Over the next week and a half each girl spent more time with their new friends at school or doing their own things at home. Then one day while Nova was sitting in her room reading Uncle Ronny came home in a bad mood. He went to Hayli's room first. She could hear both people raising their voice. Apparently he had received a phone call from the school about Hayli's grades being to low. He wanted them raised and he wanted her to have more structure so she had to join a club. They argued for a while but he wouldn't budge on his decision. Nova heard him close her sisters door and her heartbeat quickened. Now it was her turn. She watched the doorknob turn slowly and the door opened. She looked at him, he looked tired. She waited, holding her breath. He let out a deep sigh. "Novalee, get your math grade up." Though he was stern she could tell that Haylirain wore him out. She nodded and he walked away, closing the door behind him.

The next day at lunch Nova was telling Shui about what happened. "I hope she listens to him. But I'm kind of surprised he's making her join a club." She admitted.

"I'm on the volleyball team." Shui told her. "You should join."

"No way! I'm terrible at sports and totally out of shape." Nova said.

Shui just shrugged. "Then I guess you need to worry about getting your math grade up."

"But math hates me!"

"Have you asked the teacher for help?"

"Yeah, but I just don't understand it." Nova let out a growl before slamming her head down in frustration. Both girls were quiet for a long moment.

"What about a tutor?" Shui suggested. Nova whipped her head up, throwing her friend a pitiful pleading look. "Nope. Im barely passing myself. I would doom us both."

It was back in the classroom that Novalee caught a break. "I just don't know what to do. I have to pass." She explained to Kyo.

"Have you asked all the smart people?" He asked her.

"I don't know that many people and I don't want to ask a stranger."

Kyo leaned his head in his hand, thinking "I guess I could teach you."

Nova stared at him long and hard before replying. "You make worse grades than me."

"I can do it. I just don't try. I know all the stuff."

"And you would teach me?"

Kyo looked like he really didn't want to bother with it, but it had been his idea. "Yeah. I'll do it after school or something."

"Oh thank you!" She exclaimed, practically throwing herself over the desk to hug him.

He grabbed her shoulders in time to stop her. "One: I don't hug." She nodded in understanding. "Two: I'm free tomorrow. So when do you want to do this thing?"

She thought for a moment. "I'll ask my uncle if you can come over tomorrow."

Novalee wanted to get to her uncle before he had time to talk to Haylirain about school, but she didn't want to seem too anxious. She waited until just before supper, while Hayli was still in her room. She caught him as he was coming down the stairs. "Hey
Uncle Ronny!" She called out, with a smile.

"Yes Nova?"

"You know how you told me to get my math grade up." She said, a little too happy.

"Yes?" He looked at her suspiciously.

"Well, I figured out a way. I could get a tutor."

"That's a great idea."

"Yeah. I was wondering if he could come over tomorrow so we could work and we would be here so I couldn't get into any trouble or anything." She said quickly, looking up at him with hope in her blue eyes.

Her uncle pondered for a long time, much too long in her opinion, before answering. "Tomorrow is Friday." He stated.

"Yes?"

"This boy wants to spend his Friday afternoon teaching you math?" He seemed doubtful.

"I explained to him the situation and he said he was free to do it tomorrow."

Ronny stared at her, considering her words. "I suppose it's ok, but he better be teaching you math."

"Thank you!" She cried out, throwing her arms around her uncle.

The next morning Novalee rushed to class. She spotted an orange mess and hurried over. "Kyo, my uncle said you could come over today!" She told him happily.

"Yo Carrot Top, why are you going over to Nova-chan's place?" Uo demanded from him.

"Kyo, are you and Nova-chan dating?" Tohru asked, her big blue eyes wide.

"No!" Both parties cried in unison.

"Of course not. Kyo is tutoring me." Novalee informed them.

Tohru, Uo-chan, and Hanajima turned slowly to look at Kyo. Uo burst out laughing. "Carrot Top can't tutor. He's stupid." She managaed, through laughter.

"I think it's great Kyo." Tohru encouraged, lacing her fingers together with a smile. Kyo slammed his fist down on the desk with a growl, startling them.

Nova lowered her gaze. "Kyo...I'm sorry. If it's a problem..." she started.

"Don't worry about it." He said, turning his gaze away from the group.

"I can pay you if you want." She suggested.

"I said, don't worry about it!" He yelled, making her jump.

Kyo's orange head slammed into the desk, against his will. "If you are trying to help someone, try not yelling at them." Yuki said, standing behind Kyo, his eyes narrowed.

"Damnit! Stay out of my business rat!" Kyo yelled at him, jumping up.

"Did you just call him a rat?" Nova asked.

The two boys and Tohru all froze in place. "Gah..." Tohru squeaked. "Oh you know Kyo! Always yelling things he doesn't mean!" She rushed, her arms waving around.

Nova tried to stifle her giggles. "Out of all the insults in the world, that's what you call him." Everyone looked confused, causing Nova's laughter to overwhelm her.

"Ah yes, Kyo isn't very imaginative is he?" Yuki added, with a smirk. Kyo growled again and turned away from the group, resting his head on his hand. He looked up when Nova patted his hair with a smile and his frown softened.