Author's Note: I wouldn't expect many reviews with just a prologue chapter. But with such a large Fruits Basket fanbase I expected at least one, but not to worry I will indeed continue.

DISCLAIMER: FRUITS BASKET DOESN'T BELONG TO ME BUT RIGHTFULLY TO IT'S CREATOR NATSUKI TAKAYA I'M JUST A FAN

CHAPTER 1

"Oh my gosh, what am I doing sitting around; I have to start breakfast." Tohru said quickly, as she pulled away her sheets, and scatter out of the bed that was by now considered hers, along with the room. Being the modest simple girl she was, she hadn't changed much in the decor. In fact if it weren't for her few bits of clothing and accessories; plus her mother picture, anyone else wouldn't of thought it was a teen girl's room.

The only thing she did in fact add was a bulletin picture board, where she had pictures of the friends she held close to her heart. There was one of Hana, Uo, and her when they were still in middle school, there was another of the 3 of them along with Yuki, Kyo, Hatsuharu and Momiji all dressed in their high school uniforms. Another of Tohru hugging Kisa, with Kagura and Hiro in the background, and of course one taken when Shigure took them out for a break in the lake house along with Ayame and Hatori. The latest one added was of Kazuma and Kyo after the incident of Kyo's reveal happened. A true father and son picture it appeared to be.

Tohru got distracted temporarily, staring at the pictures. She realized she almost had a picture of the complete Zodiac, except for Ritsu, and the other two she yet had met. The thought alone made her curious, until another thought popped into her mind. There was also another Zodiac member she didn't have a picture of. The very thought made her think, if anyone in the Sohma family had a picture of him. The Sohmas weren't exactly very close knit bunch. Of course there was Yuki, Hatsuharu and occasonially with Kyo together, it could be described though as a more love-hate rival relationship. Then of course Ayame, Shigure and Hatori were good friends with each other. Deep down though for the rest of the Zodiac members the only reason they were brought together was because of the curse forcing them to.

'Could this be why Akito is the way he is? Yuki and Kisa are insecure, but still have friends at least.' Tohru thought drifting off into thought again. She was interrupted of her thoughts by some rustling in the other room. Immediately she knew it was either of the three of them getting up for the day. As she finished slipping on her school shoes, she quickly but quietly hurried down the steps and headed towards the kitchen.

"Ok let's see, I already cleaned the house yesterday, so besides making dinner I have the whole day free; great!" She said aloud while opening and closing cabinets; browsing what to serve for breakfast. Usually she was down here earlier, but for the few times she ever did so; today she was later then her usual. Before she even has made her decision on what to prepare, Kyo had already come down the stairs dressed in his uniform.

Taking notice of him entering the kitchen, she turned around and gave him a smile. "Good Morning Kyo, do you want any in particular for breakfast?"

Kyo gave a shrug in response. "You don't have to cook anything for me, I have to head out early today."

Tohru froze at his comment; she knew he was always the type to appreciate anything she bashed up. Now though, he didn't even want any of it. Was he irritated that she had gotten up late?

"Oh No, Kyo I'm sorry that I don't have something made already for you to take with you, it's my fault. I'm so sorry." She apologized quickly, while bowing more then three times.

"Hey knock it off will ya, quit blaming yourself, I was planning on leaving either if you had food read or not. I just came to the kitchen to get my protein shake." He said flustered. If there was one thing Kyo hated, was Tohru apologizing for no reason. There was indeed no one worser then Ritsu, but Tohru's hospitality was close behind.

Tohru straightened herself up from her bow position, and now her face hinted of confusion mixed with curiosity. "But Kyo, it's not good going to school with just a protein shake, you'll get hungry before lunchtime. Shouldn't you eat first?" Tohru said in a concerned tone. She couldn't imagine someone lasting throughout first period without eating a hearty meal first.

Kyo stopped drinking from his shake and looked at her, not realizing he had a milk mustache or in this case shake mustache. "I have a good reason why not to stay here long..." "KYO" He was interrupted by a familiar call coming from outside.

Tohru knew it well and giggled, at Kyo's nervous reaction to it. No other girl could make Kyo this edgy then Kagura. He had every reason to be. Kagura despite a warm personality heart, expressed her affections a little too harshly. Lately though Tohru wondered why she hadn't seen much of her lately. In fact ever since the day of Kyo's incident, she hadn't seen her at all.

As Kyo began hightailing it out of the kitchen, Kagura had already entered; the strange thing was she entered calmer then usual, leaving both of them surprised.

Kagura was wearing her usual favorite kitten backpack, along with her usual hairstyle. Her silver eyes looked frosted and her cheeks a rosy pink. She was wearing a turtleneck white dress that made her appear to be delicate. She was holding a paper in her hand, and was slightly out of breath.

The area was silent and tense; Tohru thought it was best to say something to ease it. "Oh hey there Kagura, you look so cute today. Is that a new dress? It looks so good on you."

Kagura smiled, and continued staying calm. "Yeah, I decided to get it, for a special meeting I had to go to. I'm glad you like it Tohru."

Tohru nodded, and tried to say some more for the awkward silence wouldn't return. "We haven't seen you in a while, what's that your holding. Oh you seem out of breath do you want to join us for breakfast. Kyo you too." Tohru quickly added at the end, knowing Kyo was despreatly trying to escape Kagura's side.

They were soon joined by a half awake Yuki, who kept Kyo at breakfast after a quick fist-fight; which was more like just Yuki knocking him down with one punch, Yuki indeed being stronger when half awake.

After a few more morning arguing once Shigure joined them, they soon all sat down at the table eating heartily as Tohru had wanted.

"So Kagura, what brings you here, that still my lovely home is in one piece." Shigure spoke up in his usual sarcastic way.

Kagura had been silent throughout most of breakfast, and hardly had eaten. She looked up mouthing a "o" and let go of her spoon. " Well soon it'll be my nineteenth birthday and well just for the sake of doing it, I applied." The statement made everyone stare at her.

"Applied? Are you talking about a job?" Yuki asked closing his textbook. Being the class president had him wrapped up more in his studies.

"Well you can say that, Rin moved out to her own apartment a couple of weeks ago; you're the first ones besides me that knows about it." Kagura replied taking a sip of water.

"She hasn't even told Haru yet, this is serious; why did she do it?" Yuki asked alarmed. From what he knew from Haru, Rin and him had a on/off relationship; it seemed strange Rin hadn't told the ox.

"You know Rin, beauty and sexiness was always on her good side. She got hired a couple of months ago by a woman's magazine. She's been so good at it, they've been wanting her to advance in being their pin up girl; she of course refused." Kagura stated as she continued eating slowly.

Tohru however, her politeness and good mannerisms told her not to ask of someone if the person speaking wasn't exactly talking to her, but the very topic, and name she hadn't heard until now left her intrigued. By the shear mention of Haru's name made her think of only one thing. She took a breath, and decided to ask despite her good etiquette.

"If you don't mind me asking Kagura, is the girl you're talking about Kagura a member of the Zodiac too." She tried to make the quick question as polite sounding as possible. To her relief Kagura gave her a sweet smile.

"Right, I forgot Tohru hasn't met Rin yet. Yeah she is, actually she's the only other girl in the zodiac besides Kisa." Kagura said in a high pitched tone, it was the happiest she sound since she arrived.

"I wouldn't get too excited Miss Honda, Rin isn't exactly the friendly type. She can be quite rude and self centered sometimes; worser then the stupid cat." Yuki said with a worried tone.

"Listen you dumb rat I..." Kyo flinched at the mear sound of that name his enemy used. Luckily Shigure cut in at the right moment, before another quarrel ensued.

"Let's just say Tohru, Rin and you are very different girls. If you ever do happen to meet, I would advise you to take it slow, and try not to meddle in and talk to her too much. To Rin a good natured girl like you is very annoying in her viewpoint, I should know; she's had a crush on me since she was thirteen." He said with a wink, which made both Kyo and Yuki gag with disgust.

Tohru frowned at the result of not being able to meet and get close to another Zodiac member. She was fascinated, and very much came to love the Sohmas she knew. The mere fact of not being able to met another member saddened her. "Well then if she's the horse then. I couldn't imagine a girl being the Rooster; wouldn't that make her a hen then if she was?" She asked in her childlike naivety, causing the rest at the table to laugh.

It wasn't much longer afterwards that the three teenagers had to leave for school, and as usual they walked together. Throughout half of the way Yuki and Kyo were arguing over their usual things. Tohru had gotten so accustomed to it, that when they didn't argue she felt awkward on their walk.

Her mind then went back to Kagura's visit this morning, and she realized something. "Hey Kagura never got the chance to tell us what she applied for." She face etched with worry looking at both the Sohma boys. "She seemed so worried about it, like something was wrong."

"Don't worry about it Miss Honda, I'm sure we'll see Kagura again soon. Just focus on your studies, I'm sure Kagura least wants to worry you." Yuki said softly in his serene voice. Tohru smiled at him, if there was one person that always cheered her up besides Hana and Uo was Yuki. She cherished having him as a good friend.

"Hey there Orange-head, thanks for taking care of our Tohru yet again." A husky voice called out, that made Kyo growl. Tohru quickly turning in her stance to face her good friends Hana and Uo. Uo walked over and affectionally patted Tohru on the head as always.

"I told you yankee to quit calling me that." Kyo yelled out flustered.

"So Uo how's your new part-time job at the grocery store?" Tohru quickly asked, eager to learn anything new of her beloved friends.

"Oh its fine I guess, it gets me money, that's all that matters." Uo said uninterested.

Tohru once hearing this, felt a bit worried for her friend's best interest. "But Uo, you can't go on doing something you don't love. You have to be interested in something to do in your future. Are you taking any extra classes that you love?" Tohru asked.

Uo shrugged. "Tohru you know me, I'm not the studying type, all I need is a job to make me continue living. There's not really much out there that interests a ex-yankee. Instead of worrying about me, you should start thinking of your future after high school." She said shaking her head slightly. As far back as Uo knew Tohru, she always knew her to be still the simple minded caring girl she still is, who prefers to worry about others then herself.

"Yes Tohru, tell us what you've been doing." The monotone voice of the gothic gifted Hana spoke up, always being the one to speak with a motherly tone.

"I have been taking classes; I'm in home-ec." Tohru answered quickly to prove her point.

"Tohru, you're already a great cook, and we all know you're only taking those classes for two reaons. One to be a better house-maid, and two because Hana is taking them too." Uo continued. "You shouldn't only worry about others Tohru, what would you like to do after graduation; you're already halfway through your junior year. Kyoko would want you to be doing something you love too." She said with a sigh at the mention of her idol.

Tohru pondered on what Uo had said. She never really put to mind what she's be doing after graduation. Yuki had already mentioned in the beginning of junior year that he'd like to attend a university if Akito permitted it. Kyo would be working hard in martial arts, for when he inherited Kazuma's dojo. She never had thought what she'd be doing when that moment came. Maybe it was because she didn't like to think of it much, because when it came to the separation of her friends it deeply saddened her. In reality she had no clue to what she wanted to be in life after school, since throughout this entire time she just soley focused on finishing high school.

To give a answer to the silence, she simply smiled and said. "I already have a job, and place where I love to be. Working with the Sohmas, wither it's being their maid, or being a janitor at their building. I owe them that much, for doing all the wonderful things they've done for me. I'll stay until it comes the time when they want me to leave." She said with such a heartfelt compassion that made Uo smiled, and inside melt her heart. It wasn't a wonder at all, as to why the Sohmas gladly let her be apart of them.

"And as far as it goes, if I ever inherited my dad's company you'll always work there Tohru." Momiji joined the conversation. It turned out both he and Haru were walking alongside them for the past few minutes of conversation. Tohru smiled and hugged him, until she realized what she was doing and backed away. Much to everyone's shock, Momiji didn't transform into a rabbit.

There was a knock at the door, and a voice that belonged to no other then the dragon himself. "Akito, may I come in, there's something I have to run over with you." He said, as he received no response. He slowly opened the door, knowing he'd never get one.

As he looked around the vast mostly empty room, he saw that Akito wasn't sitting on his bed as usual. As he gazed outside, he saw the young god's shadow out on the veranda. He quietly watched, as the god mumbled something and swatted away a bird. Hatori sighed, knowing that bird was a familiar sparrow. He'd have to check on the poor guy later, to see if Akito had done any damage to him.

As he walked towards the shoji door, and slowly slide it open. He gazed at Akito lying there; wondering just what was going through his mind. He laid his doctor's bag on a a small table out on the veranda, and took out his stehescope, placing it around his neck. "Akito, I'm going to take your heart rate now, I'm going to have a ask you to sit up if you can." He said slowly in his professional tone.

After a few seconds passed by with no response, Akito slowly sat up; not bothering to lift his head to look at him. Hatori took the advantage to take out his eye light, and check his eyes. He wouldn't dare say it, but he preferred to see Akito's face while checking him. By his facial features, it was at least a slight giveaway if Akito suddenly felt like thrashing out into one of his moods.

As he clicked the pen like object on, he flashed the light into his patient's eyes. It could be said that the only person to truly look into Akito's eyes was Hatori, there was even many other Sohmas that still didn't even know the exact color of his eyes. Many had thought them to be black, and that alone made him more powerful and sinister looking to them. As Hatori shone into them, the dark eyes that made everyone else cower in fear turned into a deep silver that along with his pale skin tone and dark ebony hair made his eyes look a strikingly magnetic in a way that made Hatori hard to look away. He dared not to say anything, for he knew Akito's temper, and he just might take any comment the wrong way.

He cleared his throat and clicked off his penlight, placing it back in his bag, as he took out other medical items such as a tongue depressor, that he had to use with caution, many times Akito had bite him for his own reasons, and a ear scope as Momiji liked to call it. After these things were done, Hatori flinched when it came to the pulse checking, especially when using the stethoscope. Countless times when Akito was in a bad mood, he'd yell at him when Hatori had it already in his ears. It was a mystery how Hatori hadn't lost his hearing by now. Akito though this time behaved calmly and didn't object in any way when Hatori check his heart rate, or when he lifted his arms for reflexes.

So far so good, Hatori secretly hoped the whole checkup would go smoothly, as sometimes on rare occasions it did. Most of the time when that happened was when Akito didn't want anyone near him for the entire day; not even Kureno or the maids. When it was those days, Akito usually never came out of his room. Despite him not directly admitting it, Hatori knew on those days was when Akito was thinking about his outcome of the curse; in other words, Akito's version of chronic depression. It would last for a day at least, and the next morning he'd be as angry and difficult as usual.

Hatori sat back and got out his writing pad from his medical bag. "Ok Akito, how's the new medication I prescribed to you yesterday worked for you. Any new reactions you've gotten from them, or have they helped you in any way." Akito stayed silent with the question, and simply lifted his left arm towards him, revealing he was holding something. As Hatori took it from him with no objections coming from Akito, he then realized it was the tube of pills he was talking about; it was empty.

Hatori looked up at him alarmed. "Please don't tell me, you tried to overdose yourself. What did you think you were doing?"

Akito's eyes turned from dead, to anger. "Proving what is it you all want for me. Those pills didn't even do the job of killing me, how could they make me better. You've been giving me waste Hatori. So I thought why not speed up the process and try to kill myself to save you the trouble. I'm that much of a caring god to do you all that favor. Too bad though it didn't work, and you'll all have to put up with me longer eh Hatori." He said with a smile that could be called sinister.

Hatori if he were anyone else would be chilled to the spine at such a cold-blooded taunt. Being a doctor however, made him utemost concerned for his patient. "Akito I'm still trying to figure out how you survived that poisening with your body's condition, but I can't have you trying to commit suicide."

Akito laughed snickered slightly. "Or you'll do what Hatori, tie me to my bed, and force fed me." Noticing Hatori's exhausted sigh, he smiled and added. "didn't think so. Leave now!" He ordered as he lay back down across the veranda.

Hatori wanted to input more, but he didn't want to anger him any further. 'I'll deal with him later' He thought with a sigh. As he left Akito's room, and walked down the long hallway, he thought of Akito's current status. 'He's hardly eating, and trying to poison himself. If things continue like this, he's not going to last much longer.' He thought as he suddenly remembered it was high time for Yuki's checkup.

As the bell rang, and the students filed out, there was quite a commotion of buzz at the school. "I can't believe that girl is a hostess, she's going to get expelled no doubt about it."A girl known as Arisa Uotani, more commonly Uo blurted out.

"No doubt she may be part of the student council, but I bet even that dumb rat agrees that she's a wild flirt." Kyo added, saved from a fight with Yuki, since he currently had to stay afterschool to arrange some things with the rest of the council.

"Kimi Todo, the name alone sounds like those stage names actresses and singers use." Hana said as she stood beside them.

"That girl is too crazy; she almost knocked Yuki and me down last week. More then once she's asked the both of us, and even another council member guy named Kakeru out on a date. Word has it she has even flashed a teacher for he can pass her failed exam. She's way worse then Motoko Minagawa." A very steamed looking Hatsuharu walked up besides them with Momijo tailing behind him

"That Minagawa chick is nothing compared to her. Speaking of that Kakeru playboy, I hear it's all a front and that he has a actual girlfriend names Komaki Nakao that he called Meat Angel." Uo said in a whisper. Tohru giggled on top of being shocked by the news. She never'd known Arisa to hear such gossip, she usually didn't care much for it.

"I got to meet Kakeru one day when I was with Yuki, he seemed nice and defended Yuki from another council member that doesn't like him much Naohito Sakuragi; I think they told me his name was. Kakeru also is handsome in his own funny way that is." Tohru said with a innocent smile.

"Hey Orange head, I've got to go for a interview at this new gig I got, make sure that Kakeru playboy stays away from Tohru. See ya." She said with a playful wave.

"I mean it yankee, quit calling me that!" Kyo yelled, with a vein slightly throbbing on his forhead.

"Well Tohru, I'm off. Megumi sends you a hello by the way." Hana said softly as she too slowly headed of her way to school. This time Haru and Momiji were joining Kyo and Tohru on the walk home. Something must've gone wrong with Momji's curse. Regretably they had to tell the perverted mutt about it, instead of risking going to the Estate; and bumping into Akito.

As they walked up the path nearing Shigure's house, they noticed three people seated on the front porch. As they got closer, they noticed it was Shigure, Hatori, and Kagura. They all had grim faces, which made Tohru immediately think the worse of things. She quickly ran up to the porch.

"Kagura, you're still here...and Hatori are you here for dinner." Tohru said hopeful that were true, despite deep down she knew it wasn't.

Hatori spoke up first. "Thank you, but I'm afraid that's not what I'm here for. There seems to be some issues going on, but none you have to worry about, don't worry." He said with a slight smile. He and Tohru had become somewhat closer after his frequent visits. She reminded him so much of Kana, that he came to see her as a daughter he never would have the chance to have. Not with Kana off with a fiancé.

"Wait for my news, I do want Tohru to hear it." Kagura pipped up quickly, her grim look changing to desperate.

Hatori looked at the feisty young woman, and nodded slowly. "Very well, it's your choice to."

Kagura turned to the group of teenagers. "I meant to tell you this morning, but I guess now is better since Momiji and Haru are here. I'm moving out of town"

Tohru quickly jumped a bit by the outburst. "Moving? Kagura I thought you still were in that local women's college? How are you managing to move, won't that upset Akito."

"I'm still going to be with the Sohma family, just not mine. I decided to change my studies in college, the courses I was taking just aren't important to be anymore." She said slowly as she glanced at Kyo. " So in the meantime of finding out what I'm going to do, I'm transferring to a martial arts academy league. That's what I meant with I applied this morning, and they accepted after a talent agent went to my college. All the girls in my team really hated me for stealing their so called chance at becoming a pro though."

"Hold on just a second Kagura, what do you mean by pro?" Kyo interrupted her, as he bounded on the porch anxious.

"I'm joining a women's league. Since I'll be having extra time on my hands, I'll be taking different forms of martials arts instead of just karate. When the season comes in I can actually compete in national competitions. Actually Kazuma says if I work hard enough, I can compete in international competitons eventually." Kagura said with a bit of pride. "I'm a bit clueless on what to do with college right now, so I knew that fighting is one of the things I do best for sure."

"Wait a minute since when are you taking advice from my master again?" Kyo said angrily but obviously a bit interested as well.

"Silly Kyo, I've always listened to Kazuma, he is the one who taught me to fight afterall. Kazuma was the one who signed consent stating that I apparently live at at his dojo that way my parents or Akito won't get involved." Kagura said with a nod and a grin on her face of triumph. "So when I'm not in the academy training for becoming pro, I'll be living at Kazuma's dojo sharpening up on my karate skills, by helping him out at the dojo. On off season, I'll come back to visit my parents as if I was on break. Best part of it is, when I come around to it, I can settle down and take some college courses just like all the other famous athletes do. " She said as she stood up excited. "It's the perfect plan."

"Kagura, it may sound easy, but being an athlete isn't easy at all, especially when you're hiding it from your parents, and a person that'll kill you if he finds out. A nice beautiful young lady like you is much better off studying hard, while being a honest truthful daughter to her par-" Shigure began giving one of his occasional insights, when he got interrupted by a desperate woman's voice.

"SHIGURE, YOU'RE THE MOST HORRIBLE LIAR A EDITOR COULD EVER HAVE!" Out of nowhere appeared Mitseru crying pools of tears, most likely looking for a long awaited manuscript."

"Ok young ones have fun, Hari here can tell you about Akito himself." Shigure said with hurry as he dashed off with Mitseru close behind.

Ignoring the interruption, Kyo was still bedazzled by Kagura's announcent. He couldn't help but feel envious, and jealous that not only did she get to pursue his dream, but work with Kazuma as well. Meanwhile he couldn't even reach his goal of defeating Yuki. He frowned slightly and said slowly. "So, when are you leaving?"

Kagura looked at him, and then looked down. Her mood changing again from enthusiastic to sorrow as she softly replied. "Soon, a couple of months the most."

Tohru stood there looking at their sad faces. She thought immediately that this was possibly going to be the last time they would see each other for a while. If there was one thing Tohru hated was goodbyes. Despite Kagura indeed was going to return, in Tohru's mind this was still as good as any sad farewell. She quickly shook her head, refusing to think of sad thoughts. "Hey come on, I have this great idea for dinner, and I recently picked some of the juiciest looking strawberries to go with dessert. I'll get started on Kagura's Farwell Party." She with vigor, already thinking of the delicious sweet fruits she loved. She quickly turned to Momiji happily. "Momiji would you like to help?" She asked grabbing his hand.

Momiji ever the youthful one, quickly jumped at the mention of sweets. "Sure, we'll call you guys when it's done." He said quickly pulling Tohru inside.

It was then once Tohru was gone, thanks to Momiji taking charge. They all had a chance to discuss what they had wanted to.

Hatori let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you Kagura for distracting Tohru with your news, I'm afraid the rest of you I have some news to share. We all knew the curse itself was weakening in strength compared to the previous Zodiacs. Kureno and I are proof of it, especially with me being a seahorse instead of a dragon."

Hatsuharu interrupted him once, he recalled something. "That's not all, Momiji doesn't transform at all anymore. Tohru hugged him tons of times in school; he even hugged our literature teacher Miss Shiaki, and even let Kimi Todo, even though he pushed her away afterwards."

Hatori widened his eyes at the sudden news. "It can't be that." For once in the very few times in his life the intellectual doctor was speechless.

"It could be the curse is actually lifting." Shigure finished for his friend, after having returned from his chase by Mitseru. "That's the only possible reason." He said with a smile. "I never even thought this happen, but just as I expected the curse if lifting breaking apart slowly."

"Not quite, it could just be Momiji that broke free from the curse, for a reason I'm unsure of now. That doesn't mean we'll all break free. For all we know Momiji could be the only one to break free while the rest of us die with the curse still with us." Hatori corrected his friend. "From what I see Akito himself deep down is sensing this change. If this is so, that could explain his suicidal behavior recently. He won't eat, he tries to poison himself, in fact now that I'm thinking of it...

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Tohru was a live wire, preparing this meal, and that meal. She made riceballs, strawberry shortcake served it ice-cream. After it was done and served, she stepped back to admire it. It looked like a great but small feast, and was bubbling inside with excitement to show it to her dear friends. With Momiji off busy in the powder room, she decided to call the others in. As she neared the front door, she overheard them discuss something. She knew it was bad manners to by nosy, and listen in but she couldn't help but hear what she heard next. It was Hatori speaking

"In fact now thinking of it, these changes started happening ever since Tohru came here."

She widened her eyes to hear the serious, but gentle hearted doctor say such things. "Things have been changing slowly but drastically since she arrived, and especially that day she visited Akito. What she said hit him, and things are slowly changing, and he's acting worse then usual. When he's not being violent he's being suicidal that alone says it all. I can't really predict at all what's he thinking of doing next, either to himself or us." Hatori said with a nod.

"You might want to continue practicing in defeating Yuki Kyo, you know the bet you made with Akito. If you don't improve then it's most likely eternal incarceration in the Sohma estate for you. You might want to consider joining Kagura. What do you got to lose, either way you'll be off considered dead so it's better of trying to win." Haru told the unusually silent cat.

Kyo shook his head. "I'm not taking that chance, junior year is almost over, and I haven't even been praticing. I rather spend my last months here with Tohru, she'd be the last normal girl I'd ever see." He said finally giving into his pride.

Tohru couldn't believe what she was hearing. Because of her intertwining with the Sohmas, she had made everything worse, when she thought she was helping them. She felt tears stinging her eyes, she slowly walked back into the kitchen, bumping into Momiji on the way. He had his shirt off, revealing remarkably that he indeed had muscles. He was slowly maturing, and Tohru smiled slightly. He slowly frowned once he caught her sad face.

"Tohru, why are you crying, what happened?" He said no longer smiling or caring about showing off. Tohru hugged him relieved she could hug someone at this very moment; someone sweet and brotherly.

Momiji smiled, and embraced her, stroking her hair. "There, there Tohru, don't worry Kagura will be back." He said innocently, obviously not overhearing the other's conversation.

Despite feeling like breaking down, she managed to control herself for Momiji and everone's else sake. She couldn't cause them more guilt, and trouble she already had; especially Kyo.

Even though Tohru was crying in the kitchen, outside however everyone was oblivious to her hearing their conversation, and continued.

"My, my I believe our Kyo is growing up and maturing before our very eyes." Shigure joked, and wipt away pretend years.

"You shouldn't give up total hope Kyo, we can still find out how was it that Momiji's curse lifted, and can still do it. Like Hatori said with Tohru here, she can help us lift the curse, right Hatori?" Kagura said her eyes filled with hope.

"Yes it might be possible. Tohru has made us change for the better with our weaknesses. She's even made Akito realize that, which his probably leading him to realize the curse's weakening hold. Despite him acting the way he is, I'm pretty sure the reason he's acting this way is his way of showing fear."

"Yeah he has every reason to be afraid, because if the curse breaks completely before he dies, I'll kill him myself." Kyo said gritting his teeth, but regretted saying what he did once he caught sight of Tohru in the doorway.

"Oh Miss Honda don't mind him, he's just a stupid cat." Yuki said as he walked up the path smiling. "Sorry I'm late, I had tons of work to do." He said calmly as he pushed by a irritated Kyo.

Tohru smiled at him, and quickly invited them all inside to enjoy this feast.

After a great dinner, and long goodbyes to Momiji, Haru, and Hatori and Kagura, they left into the night in Hatori's car. Tohru after taking a long bath, and letting out some cries here and there. She slowly dressed in her favorite light green pajamas, and went to her room. On her way there she stopped by Kyo's room, and knocked. Once he opened the door, she felt like she couldn't look him in the eye at first. But slowly manage to look at his face one more time. "Kyo after what Kagura said at dinner, about that academy enrolling high school juniors and seniors; I think you should go there too. You're Kazuma's son, you love, and are great at what you do; just like Yuki is great with being Class President. You should go, and show everyone how proud you are to be his son." She said her eyes dancing, on the brink of tears.

Kyo was lost; first he thought Tohru was the type of person that hated goodbyes, now she wanted him to leave. He knew she didn't know about the bet, and that if he went to school she'd hardly see him, and never more after junior year was over. He shook his head.

"For once I agree with that yankee, you worry to much for others. I'm staying here, end of story." He said crossing his arms.

Tohru took a deep breath, and prepared for what in her mind was Plan B. "Not as nice as a friend you are Kyo. I'm glad...I got to meet you, and I'm sure my mom is too." She said as she wrapped her arms around her waist. Kyo still confused, was at a loss at what to say back. He hardly knew what to say at times to the guys at school. He even less knew what to say to a girl; more so that he wasn't ever a mushy person. He started feeling uneasy...

"Well...uh.."

"Kyo back away from my precious Tohru at night hours." Shigure called from the bottom of the stairs. "Touch her and I'll make you eat leeks tomorrow."

"Buzz off..I'm not you!" He shot back at him. Tohru smiled at the display, saddened by the fact she wouldn't see this natural bickering she had gotten used to much longer.

"Good Night Kyo, and you too Shigure." She said softly despite saying the last part a bit louder for him to hear. She walked into her room, and looked at her Mom's picture frame. "Oh Mom, I don't want to do this but it's the only way." She said as she walked over to the frame, and cradled it. Somewhere inside of her she heard mother's voice faintly encouraging her.

As she then knelt under her dresser and looked for her blue suitcase. It was one of the few things Yuki managed to salvage from the rockslide that took down her tent. She slowly opened it up, the sound of the zipper echoing in her room which soon would just be a guest room in Shigure's home. She quickly placed her clothing, and other items that were added by her in this room into the bag. She then looked at her board full of pictures. To think that this very morning she was gazing happily at them. So many things happened in just one day, it surprised and scared her a bit. In just how quickly things that seem wonderful turn into sadness. She should've known better, for so many sad things have made her change her lifestyle. From when her father died, to when her mother died, to where she ended up living in a tent, and then living with a family that back at the time she hardly knew.

Now as she took down these pictures, one by one she shed a tear for each one she took down and stuffed in her bag. At least she would still have the memories. As she packed all the pictures, along with her mother's frame. She looked around to check if she missed anything. She then found two dear presents given to her. One was the precious yellow hair ribbons Yuki had given her at the hot springs. The other was one of Shigure's books that he had given to her to keep. She hadn't read it yet, but she knew she would once she was away.

Now that she was packed, it was the moment she most dreaded. Leaving the Sohma home she'd come to love. She wrote a note, reading

Dear Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure

I didn't wish to cause you all the worries I might have already, but I decided to move out on my own. Please don't blame yourselves, for you all been the greatest of friends to me, as of right now I'm not quite sure if I'd be still seeing you in school, but maybe so. If not, I assure you I'm fine, and I've just switched schools. I'm sorry I can't tell you where I'll be staying, maybe after some time passes I will. As for the time being I want you all to continue and do what you love, don't stop yourselves in your dreams because of my leaving. I'll always have you in my thoughts

Your friend Tohru

Tohru pinned the note to the board where she previously had her pictures. As she slowly backed away taking one last look at her room she'd no longer sleep in. She slowly picked up her luggage, and tip-toed her way out of the room slowly. She decided to go in the direction that would be passing Yuki's room, being much safer with he being a deep sleeper. Once she reached the bottom of the stairs, she decided she wouldn't look back as she went out the door.

Once out in the forest, she ran as fast as she could; as if running away and leaving behind her sadness. She cut through the forest, but remained on the path that she knew following it would lead out of the forest where the Sohma house she's come to know laid.

As she now strolled down the city streets. Her mind was still in turmoil, she had went through with her first half of Plan B; leaving Shigure's home. Now though she wasn't sure where to go. She couldn't go and trouble Hana or Uo in staying with them; they had enough problems of their own to solve. That was when she remembered Momiji, he wasn't exactly a part of the Zodiacs any longer; now just a normal sixteen year old now. Over dinner that night he did in fact mention his father planned on moving him out of the Estate into a penthouse apartment his wealthy father had bought him, since he couldn't take Momiji to leave with him; due to Momiji's mother not knowing of his existence.

Looking at the note Momiji had left her with his phone number, she decided she'd stay with him until she'd figured things out. She was sure he wouldn't mind. As she went to the nearest payphone to dial his number, she noticed some suspicious looking shadows nearby. She would've ignored them until she realized she was still in her pajamas, and she heard one of them give her a whistle.

She had been told plenty of times from both her mother and Uo, to avoid strangers in the city. She remembered especially how they emphasized on avoiding going alone in the city at night, and dark alleys. She quickly cradled the phone, and continued walking away. It was when she heard them follow her, while saying things such as "Hey there babe, where you're off to." that she began to panic and run. She didn't know where she was running exactly, but she heard them run after her.

She then caught sight of suddenly a familiar looking car pull up in front of her out of nowhere; lowering his window. "Tohru quick get in!" Realizing who it was, she quickly hopped inside, as they pulled away. Little did she know she had escaped danger and entered distaster.

Author's Note: As for the story, the whole Akito/Tohru romance will start in the next chapter. I myself did notice though that this chapter had alot of Kyo/Tohru but that was because it would've been too OOC in my view if Tohru would've not acted heartfelt towards Kyo or Yuki. As she did in fact care alot for both of them in the anime. Don't worry Akito will be feature regularly in the following chapters.

I hope you understood this chapter, if not please comment in your review, and I'll try to make it more clear.

Anyways

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