I do not own Fruits Basket or any of the characters. This is my second Fanfic, however my first on Fruits Basket. Enjoy, and please R&R.
-Makitog

Change of Fate

Tohru set the pot of Jasmine tea on the table where the men of the house sat, each in their own distinct way, and all across from each other. Shigure sat crossed-legged casually with his hands behind him, leaning back and looking over his glasses perched on his nose. He had the usual careless look on his face as he watched the others seated. Yuki sat sitting across from the older man with his hands in his lap politely, sitting with his legs tucked under him. He was quietly watching the tea cups being placed in front of everyone, a pleasant expression on his features. Kyo was across from Tohru, elbows on the table in front of him. He had one leg crossed, the other bent and up. "Hmmph," he muttered as the girl poured the steaming tea into his cup.

Tohru's eyes were shining as the men leaned forwards to pick up the teacups. "I'll be right back with our lunch!" she said cheerily as she stood from her kneeling position and slipped into the kitchen. Three plates of food were waiting for the girl and she picked them up. The plate of onigiri was in her right hand, the plate of oden in her left, and a plate of gyoza balancing on her left forearm. With the ease of a trapeze artist she went back to the table and placed the dishes out in the middle.

Shigure had removed his glasses and was looking hungrily at the food, picking up his chopsticks already. "My dearest flower, you've truly outdone yourself! Ne, and you would be ever the more wondrous if only you could teach Kyonkichi to cook, we would be saved on the days when you are out of the house and have left all of us to fend for ourselves since Yuki-kun has no cooking skills what so ever! The poor boy burnt ramen the other day of all things! Ne, ne, such a thought...!" He reached over to the oden and took some.

Kyo's eyes narrowed and he pointed an accusing finger in the direction of the dog. "Excuse me!" he yelled. "I wouldn't be talking, it's not like you do anything around here, let alone cook! And what are you talking about, if she can't cook?" His eyes blazed, and Tohru could swear she saw a vein throb on his head.

Yuki for once sided with the orange-haired boy and glared at Shigure. "I was trying my best! And you shouldn't be speaking to Honda-san in such a way. You disgrace..." He jabbed a dumpling from the plate, eyes never leaving his older cousin.

Tohru shook her head quickly. "Ah, no! Kyo-kun does so much already, and I always make sure to have meals prepared for everyone. Shigure-san is a writer, I'm sure he has so much to do anyways. Really, all this is nothing! Yuki-kun, eh, has other talents that he is very good at, and I always cook so really, none of that is necessary!" She was always quick to praise others and not herself.

Shigure let out a small sigh. "Ah, boys, let's not take that annoying accusing look out and instead focus on this deliciously prepared meal that our princess has taken the time and money to make for us!" he said, waving his hand dismissively while bringing a rice ball to his mouth. "See? Simply marvellous cooking, I must say!"

Yuki glared at the dog and took some food for himself. "Yes, thank you Honda-san. And I really am sorry about the ramen. I don't really know how it happened." He chewed thoughtfully while a blazing Kyo watched, ready to pounce. He didn't like when Tohru was 'suggested' of being blamed for anything, and he would do whatever it took to take that off of her. Unless he himself was the one teasing her...

Tohru smiled and took some food. "Yuki-kun doesn't have time to cook or learn to, and that's okay. He's busy with the school council and meetings and I'm sure he didn't mean to... to burn the ramen..." She continued to smile brightly at the silver-haired boy sitting kitty-corner to her. She wasn't sure how he happened to burn the easily prepared food, although anything was possible. It made her think for a moment. What if she was to take time and teach him to cook? That would be wonderful, so very wonderful!

Tohru Honda adored living with the Sohmas in Shigure's house. He was such a kind person, having taken her in and paid for the roof over her head, food and a place to stay. Apart from that she was grateful that their family had let her keep knowledge of the secret they held so dear to them. Their Zodiac curse was something none of them were comfortable telling people about, even if it was a good friend or lover. And at the least, they weren't allowed much contact between others that weren't family. It was true that Tohru felt overly grateful and in debt to the family. She always did anything she could to help them out. That was why she always insisted on doing the cleaning and cooking and other housework; it was also her pay to Shigure.

She watched as Yuki and Kyo glared at each other and argued while Shigure ate his meal, watching amusedly. They always had despised each other, even though they were cousins who shared the curse. They didn't know it but Tohru enjoyed watching them like this... to some extent of course. She felt like ever since she had met them the two boys had changed. Yuki was so much more open, and was beginning to make friends and talk to people more. Kyo seemed to be able to control his anger better, and he was nicer and was opening up as well. The entire family had since she had come into their lives. She tried to see more of them every time she was with them. She knew very well about each Sohma and their personality, and how they grew. She was always finding out something new about them.

"Honda-san?"

Tohru jumped out of her thoughts and looked to Yuki who was smiling sheepishly. "Y-Yes Yuki-kun? Is something the matter?" She had been lost in her thoughts of the family. She couldn't help but love them all to pieces, every part of them. "Do you need more tea? Is there something wrong with the food?" she asked, looking over the table. Half of the food was gone already.

Yuki shook his head quickly. "No Honda-san, it's all very good." He had a smug look on his face. "I was just wondering if we could have... leek stew for dinner. Today's Saturday is very nice, and I'm sure the leeks in the garden are ready to be harvested. Would you come with me to gather them and then, if it's not too much, make me some?"

Tohru beamed. Doing something for Yuki-kun that would make him happy was something she liked. She always made sure to do things for other people and put herself last. "Of course Yuki-kun! I would love to!" She bit her bottom lip. "But—"

"Baka nezumi, you better shut the hell up! You know damn right that I hate leeks! And don't make her do what she doesn't want to do!" the cat growled, standing up from his place. His knee bumped the edge of the table in his haste and knocked it, making the cups tip and tea spill across the table.

Shigure frowned looking like someone had insulted him. "Nyeh, Kyonkichi my table—" He cut himself off with a gasp and stood up as well, jumping as his hands wiped at a wet spot on his kimono, darker than the rest of his fabric. "Ow, ow, ow, OWW!" he wailed, tearing up.

Yuki stood up as well, also bumping the table and causing the plates that were in the middle of the table to move inches and Tohru to gasp and push them back into their place, through the small puddles of tea. "Look what you did! Useless neko, watch your language and where you fling yourself! You could have hurt someone!" he spat back, looking to Tohru with a softer look. "Are you alright Honda-san?"

The girl was standing, looking between the three boys anxiously. "Eh? Yes, I'm fine! Shigure-san, are you alright? Are you burnt badly?" She handed him a dish towel that was at her side. "I'm so sorry, I'll clean this up!" she apologized. How foolish she was to agree to Yuki's suggestion when she knew that Kyo wouldn't like it. But oh, then Yuki would be sad, wouldn't he?

Shigure took the towel and wiped himself, above the crotch, looking hurt. "Yuki-kun doesn't acknowledge my pain?" he asked with fake tears. "Ah, I am alive, that is all that matters. Don't worry my little flower; I am here to be there for you through the thick and thin! Just a little scolding, nothing too much! Thank you for your worry!"

Yuki flashed a hard gaze to his cousin. "I wasn't concerned about you!"

"Woe is me," Shigure said hurtfully with fake sobs. "Excuse me while I clean myself up. What a waste that tea was, don't you think Kyo-kun? How horrible this was, if only you weren't such a delinquent with a temper that could shift the continents out of place!"

Kyo bristled, fists clenching at his sides. "You stupid people, why—"

"It's fine!" Tohru said hurriedly, blushing under the pressure. She didn't want drama to plague the house like it usually did. This week had been successful in the aspect of being somewhat peaceful. "Shigure-san was hurt, I'm sure he didn't really mean it... Um, Kyo-kun I don't have to make the stew. When you go to Shishou's I can make some for Yuki-kun. Oh! But I didn't ask Yuki-kun if that was alright, I'm sorry—"

"So you're expecting me to leave soon, are you?" Kyo gave a frown. It was true he hadn't been to the dojo all week, and he had been contemplating on going.

Yuki sighed heavily, ignoring the cat. "Honda-san, it's alright. I'm sure we can make something else for dinner, it was just a suggestion. Your cooking is wonderful no matter what. I can even help..." The rat spirit felt bad for causing this much of a disturbance. He had only wanted to annoy the damn cat.

Tohru looked her hands as she grabbed a second tea towel and began wiping up the spilt tea, now cool. "I'm very, very sorry. I wouldn't be so foolish, I should have known Kyo-kun would be angry, and I'm sorry Kyo-kun that I assumed that you would be leaving any time soon, I wasn't thinking. Please forgive me."

Yuki went into the kitchen to grab a third towel. "Honda-kun, you did nothing wrong. If anything it was my fault." He began helping to wipe up the mess, although he wasn't entirely sure how to wipe the table as well as Tohru was doing. He tried copying her movements.

Tohru watched, internally wincing. Yuki, not having a drop of domestic ability in him, was mopping it across the table and sloshing it into plates. Yuki however seemed pleased to be assisting her. "Uh, Yuki-kun, can you please take the plates to the kitchen? I'll wash them after I'm done here..."

Yuki blinked, staring at the rag and then nodding. "Of course." He stood up and took them. "I can start doing the dishes if you'd like. And this time I'll do it properly, since you showed me last time." Tohru watched, insides squirming as he balanced all three plates and took them. She would have the pieces to clean up off the floor, along with the food, and she had just finished mopping before lunch. She also had to clean the tea on the floor, and think up dinner plans for later. Oh, why hadn't she thought of that sooner?

Kyo gave a frown. He had stayed quiet for the moment, watching. "Damn rat," he muttered and grabbed the towel that Yuki had been using and started to help the girl. He supposed it was sort-of-not-really-yes his fault...

Tohru smiled as he wiped. "Thank you. Kyo-kun is very kind to be helping me." She wrung the wet towel into one of the empty tea cups and began wiping again. Kyo could at least

The cat shot her a look. "Well, of course I'll help. Geez, it's not like I'm that inconsiderate..." The rat had made more of a mess than he ever would, he noticed with a smug grin. "What made you think I wouldn't?"

"Well," Tohru said softly, looking thoughtful as she wrung out her rang once again. "Kyo-kun doesn't usually do things around the house. N-Not that that isn't a bad thing because, well, of course it's my job to do the housework and clean and Kyo-kun has things to do and shouldn't be—"

"Get to the point already!"

Tohru turned a shade of pink. She always babbled on whenever she was nervous or was trying not to hurt someone's feelings. "Oh. It's just... Kyo-kun is more thoughtful and kind to me these days. I'm so happy to see that he's changed. When Kyo-kun shows his feelings, like Yuki-kun's doing too, it makes me feel like I know you better. And when you show consideration it makes me feel like we're better friends. I think it's important to work at that. Like my motto says, never give up! Even when it comes to being friends..."

Kyo blinked, staring at her. "Uh..." He too was blushing lightly. No one was usually this kind to him, his own mother never even was. He drew his gaze off her and wrung his own rag out now. "Well get used to it!" he said quickly. "Because you didn't ask for help, I have to since you brushed off that stupid Yuki..."

Tohru smiled happily at him. She was sure he was trying to tell her that he cared for her, and for Kyo that took a lot. "Thank you."

There was a clatter of dishes and a yell, and Tohru's head turned towards the kitchen. "Yuki-kun?" she called, eyes widening. Oh no, was he alright? Had he dropped a plate on his foot? Seeing the head of Yuki pop around the corner with a timid smile, she relaxed. Knowing Yuki anything could happen to him when it came to housework or anything such as that.

"It's alright, I just dropped a plate. I'll clean it up," he told her with a nervous chuckle as his head disappeared. Tohru's heart sank for the plate. If it was the one the onigiri had been on... It had been her favourite serving plate.

"What an eventful lunch, ne?" came Shigure's voice as he strode into the dining room where Kyo and Tohru stared up at him. He was changed into another kimono, this time a dark blue one. He held his arms out at his sides, palms up as if waiting to be praised. "Thankfully, I have now returned and am happy to say, unharmed to an extent! Although my heart is wounded from the rudeness of a certain cat, I am in well spirits and can continue to serve my family as an important source of income!"

There was silence in the room for a moment before Kyo growled. "And you call yourself an adult?"

"That's great Shigure!" Tohru said with happiness that beamed unconditionally. Even though he was considered an adult, his childish and dramatic side was something she cherished about him. It was uniquely Shigure. Yes, at times he could be too conspicuous about certain matter, but she liked having him around to lighten the situation when needed. The writer had also changed some since Tohru had known him. They were subtle, but there. From what Yuki told her, he was more at ease and wrote more often when she was around. Tohru couldn't understand why that was a bad thing, since Yuki had said that with disgust. Wasn't it good that he worked at his novels more?

There was another gasp and then a crash, causing Shigure to look towards the kitchen. "My house! What are you doing! The poor building will be either burnt to a crisp some day or else trashed from the inside out!" There was another yell, this time more high pitched. Shigure sighed. "Yuki-kun, I thought you were a man? Have you been lying to us this entire time?" He clicked his tongue in fake distaste.

Tohru gnawed on her bottom lip. That catastrophic crash had sounded louder. What had broken this time? "Yuki-kun?" she asked, taking the teacups and towels with her. She went into the kitchen and gasped, setting her load on the cupboard and going to his side, eyes huge.

Yuki was holding his hand, staring at the remainder of plate pieces. Suds were all over the floor, mixed with the shards and water. "Honda-san, I'm sorry about the plates... I was picking them up..."

Shigure made a 'hmph' noise, walking towards the kitchen. "Yuki, you better be careful when you do that, Ha-san doesn't need any more work than what he has, which is a lot, and I'm sure—" He stopped as he entered the room, looking at the bleeding hand that Yuki was holding to his chest. "Well, it seems I spoke too soon. Ah well, I was meaning to have a cup of tea and cigarette with Ha-san anyways!" he said, leaning against the door frame with mild concern.

Kyo slid into the kitchen as well, watching the scene. "You baka, you broke two plates now! You're making a mess!"

Tohru's eyes were locked on his hand. It worried her. There was blood all over his hand, and he seemed to be stunned slightly. "Un! Yuki-kun, I hope it doesn't hurt too bad! Are you alright?" She put a towel around his hand as he held it out to her. "This is all my fault that Yuki-kun got hurt," she mumbled, feeling like she was about to cry. "I should have known Yuki-kun wasn't good at dishes and that this happened often, and now he's hurt because of me. I didn't need any help, I'm so foolish! And now Hatori-san has to go out of his way and come here. You would all be better off without me!"

Yuki stared at her, his own eyes wide. "Handa-san isn't at fault. I was helping, because I wanted to. If I didn't care that Honda-san had too much to do, I wouldn't have even offered. It's not your fault. Without you here things wouldn't feel right. Please, Honda-san, don't say that again..."

Tohru's eyes met with his, and she relaxed. "I'm sorry... I won't." It made her feel warm inside, again. Knowing that someone cared about you so much was always a good feeling. She knew that Yuki-kun, Kyo-kun and Shigure-san all cared about her, and she cared about them, more than they all knew.