I don't own Fruits Basket or Princess Princess.

"Talking"

Chapter 10

Mikoto and Tohru waved goodbye to Yuujiro and Akira. As they sat down in their seats Tohru grinned.

"So Mikoto? What did Yuujiro give you for Christmas?" Mikoto blushed.

"Well…he…I haven't opened it yet. He told me to wait until Christmas." Mikoto replied shyly. Tohru just shook his head.

"Man, Mikoto, you would think you'd stop blushing so much." Tohru sighed as he leaned against his seat. He then glanced over at Mikoto and noticed tears in his eyes. "I didn't mean it in a negative way Mikoto, just saying a statement. You and Yuujiro have been dating for almost a year now." Mikoto's tears disappeared and Mikoto gave a shy smile.

"Yeah, it'll be a year in about a month and a half." Mikoto's eyes suddenly grew distant. "I hate to say it, but…don't tell Yuujiro this, please, but I'm still waiting for the other shoe to fall. You know."

Tohru glanced at Mikoto. "Why are you like that?" Tohru asked. "I honestly have never seen Yuujiro's eyes light up as much as when he sees you. Why do you keep thinking that something is going to stop that in him? Yuujiro told me himself that you said his mother loved you. Your family likes him."

"I'm used to disappointment I guess, and…I don't know…this is really the first time I've ever really cared for someone and it is just, hard I guess. Not to wait for it to all come crashing down." Mikoto glanced at his bracelet. "I'm so used to it always crashing down." Mikoto then looked over at Tohru. "But enough about me…how are things going with you and Akira?" Tohru blushed.

"What do you mean?" Tohru asked.

"You know, on the whole matter of how you and him are madly in love with one another?" Mikoto replied.

"We're not madly in love…"Tohru responded.

"Please I've seen less lovely-dovey eyes between Haru and Rin…and those two are in the fairy tale romantic love." Mikoto snorted. "Have you two at least confessed?"

Tohru gave a small nod. "Kind of, He knows that I care for him, and I know that he does too, we just haven't done more than maybe one or two kisses."

"There is no need to rush if you are both new to love." Mikoto replied as his eyes looked out the window. "That's one of the things I love about Yuujiro."

"You two honestly haven't gone further than just kissing, have you."Tohru replied.

"I have commitment issues. I blame my mother." Mikoto replied simply. Tohru laughed.

"I'm sure you do." Tohru grinned. "I have romantic issues, I blame my cousin." Mikoto laughed.

The rest of the train ride was spent with the two of them conversing over a number of different topics. Finally Mikoto's station arrived and Mikoto stood up.

"Have a safe trip home Tohru." Mikoto gave a small wave as he left the train. Tohru watched him get off and make his way into the station. It was then that he noticed a tall man following Mikoto. Tohru's heart leapt to his throat as he saw the man follow Mikoto and stick something into Mikoto's neck. Whatever it was, the man was surprised when Mikoto dropped his bags and took a few steps away from the man. Tohru could see the anger in Mikoto's eyes from his seat as he got up and jumped off the train. He saw Mikoto throw a sluggish punch towards the man. The man simply grabbed Mikoto's body as it collapsed into the punch. He then picked up Mikoto and disappeared into the crowd right before Tohru could get to Mikoto. Stopping by Mikoto's bags Tohru glanced around trying to find the man. He could feel himself start to panic.

"Tohru?" Tohru whipped around at the sound of his name and saw Yuki behind him. "What are you doing here. Mikoto told me your stop was four stations up." Yuki stated as he stared at the panicked teen. Yuki thought that at the moment Tohru looked like a small animal being cornered by a predator.

"Mikoto…someone took him." Tohru stated. "I saw him from the train. This man walked up to him and hit him with something. Mikoto tried to fight back, but he collapsed. They disappeared before I could reach him. Tohru pointed to the things at his feet. "Mikoto's things." Tohru stated simply.

"Tohru, where are your things?" Yuki asked. "Are they still on the train?" Tohru nodded. "Go get them, and meet me back here." Tohru nodded and ran back to the train. He made it off just as the train was about to leave. He saw Yuki waiting for him, already Yuki was on the phone, and Tohru wondered how he was going to explain it to Yuujiro. "Come on Tohru." Yuki stated as he grabbed Tohru's arm and started to pull him out of the stated. "No…I didn't see it…I've sent a warning out to all the mice in the region. They are on the lookout for me. Yes, I'm bringing in Tohru…yes, he saw it." Yuki responded into the phone. "…it's a possibility…he was kidnapped." Yuki sent a quick glance at Tohru. "We don't have much time if it is him." Tohru felt his heart stop at that statement. "We'll be there in twenty minutes. Gather everyone…I don't know…"Yuki paused as he opened the door to his car. He threw all of Mikoto's things into the back seat. Tohru sat down in the passenger seat. "He has been dating him for a while now." Tohru looked up at that statement. They were talking about Yuujiro. "I think he could take it…if he could take the transforming into animals thing…" Tohru tried to think of Yuujiro's reaction to this. "I know it's different. How often can you tell people that you're dead? But that's not the point…Kagura we have to make all precautions…I know, but worst case scenario is that Kyou is dead already…you know what, put Hatori back on." Yuki growled before muttering under his breath about emotional women. Yuki then took a sharp turn and parked his car. "I'll be up in about two minutes." Yuki stated into the phone as he hung up. Yuki took a deep breath and hit his steering wheel. He then looked over at Tohru. "Sorry about that…but…"

"It's alright…"

"I need to know where Yuujiro is right now. What was his travel schedule?" Yuki stated. Tohru quickly told him everything he knew. Yuki nodded. "Let's go up. We have a wait for everyone to get here." Tohru noticed that they were at Hatori's office. As they went up the stairs, Tohru noticed that there were mice that were following them, they seemed to be squeaking rapidly. Yuki was nodding every few moments. Yuki then opened the door and allowed Tohru in. Inside were Hatori, Shigure, Kagura and Ritsu.

"Good, the others will be here in a few moments…Yuujiro?" Shigure asked Yuki.

"I'll give Rin a call, she'll be able to reach him the quickest. Plus his grandmother is Arisa Uotani, and she probably won't recognize Rin." Yuki stated as he went towards the window. Tohru could hear him speaking to his cousin. After a few moments he hung up. "They will be here by nightfall. Rin said to make sure there was a lot of water and carrots waiting for her."Yuki replied. "She then made a lewd comment about being ridden bareback by another man. Haru is writing a note for Yuujiro. Rin thought that she'd freak Yuujiro out if she started talking to him." This caused a slight chuckle to appear within the sullen group. Tohru noticed that Kagura was gripping Ritsu's hands and that her eyes were filled with tears.

"Are you sure it's a good idea?" Kagura asked.

"You don't know what Akito's really like Kagura…"Yuki paused. "I have it confirmed, Kyou's still alive…for the moment, but it was Akito." Tohru glanced at Yuki. When did this happen?

"This is not good." Shigure sighed. "Not good at all." The door suddenly opened and Momiji, Kisa and Hiro entered.

"Any news?" Kisa asked as she stared at the group.

"It was Akito…Kyou is still alive." Hatori replied as he lit a cigarette. This caused Kisa's eyes to fill with tears and Hiro to put his arms around the trembling woman.

"It'll be okay Kisa…don't worry…" Hiro whispered to her as he led her to a chair.

Haru appeared behind them.

"Rin left already." Haru replied. "Do we know where he is being held?" Yuki shook his head.

"The last I heard he was still in transit, but they are all on the lookout. When they report to me with a location, I'll tell you." Yuki answered. Tohru looked on at this family. Kuerno and Ayame were the last two to arrive. Tohru could feel the fear that radiated off every member of this family. They did not have it when they first entered, but upon hearing the name 'Akito', they would be sent into a trembling mess, or would grow depress. Kagura finally broke down in a corner and started crying.

Yuujiro and Akira boarded their train. The two of them got off at the same station. They lived in the same city, just on opposite ends of it. Yuujiro smiled as he saw his family waiting for him. In his arms he carried the gift that Mikoto had given to Shinnosuke. Mikoto had told the cat that its duties were to protect the little boy that he would be given to, and that he had to remain very quiet and still until the box was opened. The cat had been more than please to obey this command. Getting off, he saw Shinnosuke run up to him.

"Yuu-chan!" Shinnosuke hugged him around his legs. Yuujiro heard Akira laugh at him.

"It's good to see you too Shinnosuke." Yuujiro grinned at his younger brother. Shinnosuke then looked behind him and his smile fell.

"Where's Miko-chan?" Shinnosuke asked.

"Mikoto is spending Christmas with his family…but he sent you this gift. Yuujiro stated as he showed the big box to Shinnosuke. Shinnosuke's eyes widened at the sight and he nodded. A smile back on his face. Yuujiro turned to wave goodbye to Akira when he saw a beautiful black horse coming his way. Picking up Shinnosuke under one arm, he dove out of the way of the horse. The horse came to a stop in front of Yuujiro and handed bowed her head. Kyoko ran up to her sons. Picking up Shinnosuke she held her hand down to help Yuujiro up. Akira ran up to Yuujiro.

"Are you alright?" Akira asked. Yuujiro nodded.

"What on earth?" Yuujiro replied as the horse suddenly snorted at him and he noticed a letter tied around her neck. What surprised him the most was that the letter was addressed to him. Cautiously he reached over and grabbed it. As he opened it, he noticed that the horse's eyes sent him a look of sadness. Looking at the letter, Yuujiro felt his heart stop.

"Yuujiro, what' wrong?" Kyoko asked as she saw the look of dismay that appeared on Yuujiro's face.

"Mikoto's been kidnapped…his family wants to speak with me." Yuujiro replied evenly.

"Oh no." Kyoko stated as she looked at the horse. "I'm guessing…" Yuujiro nodded. "They are very efficient." Kyoko could have sworn that the horse nodded with that statement.

"I want to go with you," Akira stated. "If that is alright with you Mr." the horse neighed. "I mean Ms. Horse." Akira asked. The horse nodded and neighed again. Out of nowhere appeared another horse.

"Mother, I'll try to be back as soon as possible." Yuujiro stated as he got onto the horse's back. Akira got on the back of the other horse.

"Umm, Mrs. Shinoudani, could you please tell my parents that'll be a little late." Akira asked right as the horse he was on bolted. He let out a squeak of surprise as he grabbed onto the horse with all his might. They were a good distance away when the horse Yuujiro was on slowed down.

"I'm guessing you're Rin right?" Yuujiro asked.

"Yes I am." Rin responded. Yuujiro froze for a second before he turned towards Akira.

"Please tell me you heard that too." Yuujiro pleaded. Akira nodded. "Thank god."

"The two of you don't have to worry, all of us can still talk when we transformed. How else did you think Kyou and Kagura could speak to us when they were in the drain…remember." Rin responded. Yuujiro had to admit it, it did make a lot of sense. "Now, I want the two of you to hold on tight, I promised everyone that I'd get you back by nightfall. And just so that you know, I do not make it a habit to have men ride me bareback." Yuujiro and Akira nodded with a blush on their cheeks at the comment as the two horses that they were on galloped onwards.

The group arrived just as the sun was setting.

"You guys can get off now, Akira, your horse has a long way to go in order for him to return home." Rin faced the other horse. "Thank you again for your assistance." Rin stated as she motioned for the two boys to go inside the building. The other horse galloped off into the sunset. "Up the stairs." Rin stated as the two boys made their way up the stairs, Rin following them still in her horse form.

As they opened the door they saw Mikoto's family around a table.

"We're here." Rin announced as there was a sudden Poof and she stood up. "Anyone want to get me some cloths or something?" She asked as Haru tossed her some clothing. "Thanks love." After she was done she looked at everyone. "So what's the status?" Rin asked.

"It was Akito, and we are looking over the blueprints of the building that Mikoto is in. We're trying to figure out the best way to attack the building and extract Kyou." Hatori replied. "But I think we are going to need Yuujiro's help…any one of us will be spotted immediately. Akito knows that we haven't changed much since the last time he saw us."

"I see." Rin responded. "So what's the plan?"

"Yuki will go in with his army of mice…from there they will clear the way for Yuujiro and Tohru who will go in and rescue Mikoto…they will bring him out where Shigure will provide protection with a pack of dogs. Haru, Kagura and yourself will be giving out human protection with your skills. Ayame, Momiji and Hiro will wait here for our return. If we fail to, they will contact the police. Kisa, Kureno and I will manage the vehicles. Kisa will provide animal cover for Kureno and myself…she will also be there to communicate with any cats that come our way after we have gotten Kyou."

"Wait a minute, now I'm all for rescuing Mikoto, but what I don't understand is what the hell is going on. Why is all this happening?" Yuujiro asked as he stared at the members of Mikoto's family.

"Tell him." Yuki stated.

"Are you crazy, its one thing about the curse, but…" Kagura paused for a moment.

"He has a right to know…they all do, we are endangering their lives with this plan." Hatori responded. He saw that the statement caused Kagura to shrink back. Looked straight at Yuujiro. "It all started over four hundred years ago." Hatori paused before continuing. "Our family was cursed so that in every generation there would be fourteen members cursed. They were known as the inner circle of the family. What distinguished them was the fact that for thirteen of them, when they were hugged by a member of the opposite sex they would change into a member of the Chinese Zodiac. Now, in the original story of the feast, the rat told the cat that the feast was on the wrong day, so the cat became the outcast of the family…the fourteenth member held the role of the 'god'. That person was generally the head of the family." Hatori paused as he rubbed his eyes before continuing. "So the curse continued down our family for generations. It became tradition that the cat would be 'caged' at a certain point in their life…for reasons that I can't disclose to you…but about thirty two years ago, Our family head continued the tradition and 'caged' the cat of that generation."

"It started about six months after the cat was 'caged'. None of us knew what really happened in there, if we did we would have stopped him." Shigure continued. "But after six months, it started. Hatori was killed; he was shot in the chest by an insane patient when he was helping out at a local hospital. Kureno was killed in a robbery; his head was bashed in about two months after Hatori died." Shigure paused.

"Shigure and Ayame were driving to Hatori's grave when a bridge collapsed squashing them to death three months after Kureno." Hiro continued. "Ritsu was corner on his way home from Ayame's shop and was beaten to death because he liked to wear women's clothing a month later. A little over a year and a half after Hatori's death, Yuki was killed in a school shoot at his university. Haru, Momiji and Kisa were killed in a car crash when they were hit by a drunk driver six months later. Rin died three months after them when she was mugged and stabbed to death. I was home alone and a man broke into my house, beat me and then set fire to the place a month later."

" I…I was hit by a car…I somehow managed to make my way to the hospital where they pushed me aside until I suffocated on my own blood…three months after Hiro…not that I wasn't practically dead by that time." Kagura gave a sad smile.

"With Kyou being the last one of us alive, and how no one else had been born to take over our places, the head of the family went crazy…Kazuma had finally found proof to allow the police onto the compound and they were going to arrest the head…but he went crazy and attacked him. The police opened fire and killed him. You would have thought that out of all this the outcast would have survived," Yuki gave a grim smile. "It turned out that Kyou died in Kazuma's arm, three minutes after they had killed Akito…he that thirteen stab wounds in him."

"The next thing we know we are alive again." Kisa continued. "We think Fate gave us another chance. We were all reborn not in the order we were originally born, but rather in the order we had died in. Imagine being three years old and having the memories of a life you never lived. Feeling for a person you have never met. Having the ability to change into an animal and knowing that you shouldn't be able to do this."

"The worse has to be the looks of contempt your new father gives you whenever he sees you because you don't look anything like him, when you are born with a hair color or eye color that is not normal." Ayame added. "To be alone…before we had one another, but then we were alone. It was by miracle that we found one another."

"You mean…" Yuujiro started as his eyes grew wide.

"We are the reincarnations of the inner circle of the Sohma family." Rin stated.

Hope you like Please R&R

C-Ya