Okay, this idea is a little far-fetched (and extreme). But Kagura is one of my favorite characters, and she hasn't appeared much in the manga. This is her POV story, and a little sad at times. This contains some spoilers from the manga, though I created her dilemma. Oh, and I don't own Fruits Basket.

Realism

I wish I were a child again.

Those were the good old days. Feeling so happy, so free. Having great friends and feeling like someone.

And being in love.

Maybe I am a child. After all, I use to hang onto my childhood dreams. One of which being to marry the person I love most.

Kyo. My cousin Kyo.

Before I leave the wrong impression, Kyo's my distant cousin. And as a member of the Juunishi, he cannot hug anyone of the opposite sex or he'd turn into a Cat. Unless, that girl happened to be also of the Juunishi.

Like me, the Boar.

But, I'm stupid. All these years I've loved him, but I never stopped to think about his feelings. But boy, did I get an eye-opener when I finally seriously confessed to him.

"Thank you, Kagura. But I don't feel the same way."

He said a lot of cruel things to me to drive me away. But he wasn't cruel then. He didn't yell at me or laugh at me. He let me down gently.

Which meant he was telling the truth.

I cried. The Gods know I cried for days. I just locked myself in my room. If I were really angry I would've destroyed things. But my own grief made me so tired.

Which also made me wish I were a kid again.

I'm sick.

I felt depressed due to the rejection. I didn't leave my house for days. And I was feeling sick. Of course, I thought that it was because of my feelings. But my appetite kept going away, and I kept feeling so…tired. It wasn't long before I started running high fevers for no reason and I felt so thirsty all the time. And I would have to go to the bathroom all the time, and…sometimes I was bleeding when I went. And I would feel these pains; I didn't know what they were.

Finally, my mother had enough. She sent me to see Hatori, another cousin and also of the Juunishi and a doctor, for a check-up. Hatori, being the calm person he was, listened to my symptoms with a blank expression on his face. Honestly, I didn't think anything was wrong at the time. After listening to me he decided to do a routine check-up. He took my blood pressure, checked my hearing and eyesight. Everything seemed to look fine.

Then he checked my breathing.

He checked it on my front and everything seemed fine. Then he moved to my back to check my breathing there. Something seemed to catch his eye, I didn't know what. I was pretty surprised to feel his fingers on the right side of my lower back instead of the stethoscope. I waited patiently, wondering what he was doing. Then he asked me a strange question.

"Kagura, did you know you had a lump in your back?"

"Eh? A lump?" I was puzzled. How did I get a lump?

"Yes. Did you hurt yourself at all?"

"Um, not that I know of."

Hatori got his clipboard out and asked me about my symptoms. I told him again what they were, still convinced that I was still depressed.

"How long have you felt these symptoms?"

"When I first started feeling depressed, which was a few weeks ago."

"Is that when you first took notice to them or the first time they appeared?"

I was about to answer that that they just appeared, but it got me thinking. Did I feel them before that? I remembered in a lot of occasions before Kyo rejecting me that I urinated blood. I never noticed a lump, so I didn't know when that had appeared. But…I hadn't been running high fevers before this. But I had felt tired on a lot of occasions. Sometimes to the point I couldn't go to my college, or even to Shigure's, another cousin and also of the Juunishi, house. Where Kyo lived.

"I think that was when I first noticed," I told him. "Why?"

Hatori calmly wrote everything down. Then he stood up and took a bottle out of one of the cabinets. "Here are some painkillers. Take two after eating dinner and be sure to get a full night's sleep."

"I'm not actually hungry," I told him, though I took the painkillers.

"Try to eat."

I nodded. My mother had told me the same thing. So I went back home, feeling that my problems were solved.

I was wrong.

I went about my normal business. I was still feeling tired and not hungry, but I felt I was still depressed. Though I couldn't explain how that contributed to urinating blood or that lump in my back. But I didn't think much of it.

Then one day, as I was leaving to go to college, Hatori called me to his office. He still looked as calm as ever, but…something was wrong. He was a little too calm.

"I'm taking you to the hospital."

My blood froze. "W-What?"

"I shouldn't have started like that. I talked with some doctors at the hospital about that lump on your back. They seemed interested and want to run a few tests."

I laughed a little in relief. "Over a lump? Hatori isn't that a little extreme?"

"Probably. But we still want to check."

I shrugged. "Okay. When do we go?"

He stood up. "Right now."

I face-faulted. "H-Hatori!! I have college to go to!!"

"Skip it today."

"B-But I've already missed so many days!!"

"You can miss another."

Despite my protests, we were at the hospital an hour later and I was getting ready for the first of three tests. The first one being something called an Intravenous pyelogram or intravenous pyelography or an IVP as the doctors called it. They injected some sort of dye into me, then had me go to the bathroom some time later and ran some more tests.

Then they did a Computed tomography scan or a CT scan. This one was a little easier as all they did was take x-ray pictures. The third test didn't come right away, but they were able to come to a conclusion based on these tests. At that time I still thought nothing of it. But when Hatori came to see me in my room in the hospital, I could tell something was wrong. And he told me.

I was sick.

It wasn't some sort of flu or chicken pocks sick. But really sick.

I had cancer in my right kidney.

I didn't want to believe it. I mean, I'm only eighteen. I couldn't get cancer!!

But I had cancer. Despite the fact that kidney cancer usually happened in people over 40, to alcoholics, and to men. I was none of these things.

But Hatori had the answer I didn't want.

"You have hereditary kidney cancer," he told me. "It's rare, but you inherited it from your grandmother. She had the cancer also, but it only came to her in her late twenties."

I started hyperventilating and tears spilled down my cheeks. "Am I going to die?"

"We have to run a biopsy," he told me. "Only then will we know just how far it has spread."

So they ran the test. Never in my life had I been so afraid. I felt so stupid too. How could I have felt that these telltale signs were due to my depression?!

After the test, he gave me both good news and bad news.

Good news: The cancer hadn't spread to my other organs, but just remained in my right kidney.

Bad news: The lump in my back was the cancer growing larger. It was right on top of the kidney. Meaning I had to have immediate surgery to remove the entire kidney, along with the adrenal gland there and tissue surrounding the kidney.

"So will I still die?" I asked again, feeling very afraid.

"No," Hatori assured me. "You still have one healthy kidney and that can make up for the work of two."

I sighed in relief. But a thought came to me. "After they remove this kidney, could I have a transplant and put in another?"

"Yes and no. Yes being yes, it is possible to put in another kidney to replace the one ridden with cancer. No being the fact that the medical world believes that would be a waste of organs."

I blinked. "A waste?"

"Yes. They'd rather put cancer patients on dialysis for the rest of their lives than give then a transplant."

"So…they would refuse me?"

"Yes, unless someone happened to step forward and be willing to give their kidney to you."

On one hand, I was happy that I was going to live. On another hand, I was disheartened about telling everyone else. "Who knows about my cancer?"

"Up to now your mother, Isuzu, Akito, and myself."

"A-Akito knows?" Sohma Akito, the head of our family. By far the most bitter person I knew and had cost so much suffering to the Juunishi.

"Well, as the head of the family I had to tell him your condition. He says the operation will cost the family a lot of money, but he's willing to let us go through with it."

I felt relieved again. "Really? Just like that?"

"Yes. I think he sympathizes with you, given the fact that you're sick like he is."

"Oh. How long will I have to stay here?"

"Just overnight. I can take you home tomorrow, but you'll have to be monitored a lot in case the cancer takes a turn for the worse."

I nodded. "Hatori…I have to tell everyone."

"I understand. I'll arrange a day with Shigure and have everyone meet there at his house."

"Thank you."

That was that. Simple, huh?

But it wasn't too long before that day came up. I was so nervous and felt slightly ill. But a little better than most times, so it was all right.

So there I was, riding with Hatori and Isuzu in Hatori's car to Shigure's house. Butterflies were fluttering in my stomach, and I laughed a little to myself. Kyo didn't have to worry about me pouncing on him. Not just due to his rejection, but also my cancer prevented me from overexerting myself.

"You feeling all right?" Hatori asked me.

I nodded. "It's been a while since I've seen everyone."

"If Kyo gives you a hard time, I'll kick his ass," Isuzu said calmly from the front seat and I couldn't help but laugh. Isuzu, or 'Rin' as everyone else called her, had been living at my house for a while. She was also a cousin and also of the Juunishi. Which is why she knew about my cancer. She's grown to be my best friend and a sister to me, despite her own problems involving Akito, Shigure, and Hatsuharu, yet another cousin and also of the Juunishi.

I was a little surprised to see Hatori driving down the road leading to Shigure's house. Generally he would stop the car and walk there.

"This'll be easier as you won't have to walk very far," he told me.

I looked out the window. "But it's a narrow road. It'll be hard to backup."

"I don't care."

I decided not to say anymore on the subject. When I saw the house come into view, my heart started pounding again. The last time I saw Kyo, it was before I knew I had cancer. Now I knew I had it and now I would have to tell him…

Sure enough, I saw Kyo through the windshield. My heart pounded harder. I still loved him very much despite his rejection. But I knew whom he truly loved…

He was standing right out from, yelling at Yuki. Honda Tohru, a normal girl not in our family living with Shigure (and also knowing of our family curse) was trying to be mediator.

"We can stop now," I said. "The house is only fifteen feet away."

Hatori didn't answer me and continued driving.

"Um, Hatori, if you keep driving you'll run over Kyo-kun and Yun-kun."

"Keep going," said Isuzu. And kept going he did.

"Hatori, you're going to hit them!!" I yelled. It was then that Yuki and Kyo noticed Hatori coming down on them. Both yelled and jumped out of the way. Hatori finally stopped, but only inches from the front door.

"What the hell?!?!" yelled Kyo and I shivered. The last time I heard his voice was his words of rejection.

"I'll take care of Kagura," said Isuzu.

Hatori nodded. "If you need any help, just yell." Then he calmly got out of the car and went inside the house, doing a good job at ignoring Kyo and Yuki, who were yelling at him.

Isuzu got out of the car calmly, ignoring angry Yuki and Kyo and terrified Tohru. She opened my door. "Need any help?"

"No, thank you," I said calmly. I climbed out of the car, trying very hard not to look sick. Then again, I was thinner and paler, so my appearance didn't help me very much.

"Kagura-chan!!" Tohru greeted, running over to me. "Long time no see!"

"Hi," I greeted, managing a smile. I knew Kyo loved Tohru very much and he rejected me because of the love he felt for her. But Tohru was one of my best friends and I wasn't going to let it affect our friendship. Especially since I was so sick.

Tohru gave me a quick hug, and I felt her stiffen. I knew she could tell how thin I was. "Um, I'm sorry I haven't been by. College has been hard on me and I had…lots of work to do."

Luckily, Tohru wasn't a prying person. She let go of me and smiled. "Well, I'm glad to see you now!!"

I smiled again. I looked at Yuki and Kyo. "Hi guys!"

"Hello, Kagura," Yuki answered.

"Yeah, hi," said Kyo. He was being very casual, but there was an edge in his voice. Like he was afraid I'd go into frenzy.

"Let's go inside!!" I announced, hearing confused sounds from Yuki, Kyo and Tohru. As if they expected me to pounce on Kyo.

"Yeah," said Isuzu, a bored expression on her face.

Though Tohru didn't outright say it, I knew she was concerned for me. But then again, my lack of appetite and unexplained weight loss did make me thinner. Not thin to be worried about, but thinner than usual.

As tired as I was, I was having a good time at the party. Both Hatori and Isuzu kept close eyes on me. But I was able to find some peace. After all, everyone was mainly talking to Tohru.

Of course, Shigure has to be the observant cousin.

"Kagura-chan, have you lost weight?" he asked.

I froze. "Well, um—"

"No, no. I'm just saying you look fine so you don't need to lose weight."

I turned red. I kind of figured that everything thought I was starving myself. Even if that wasn't the case.

"Let me get dinner!!" announced Tohru. She got up and headed into the kitchen. Momiji and Kisa got up and followed her. Conversations broke off into little discussions. I sat by myself, watching everyone.

They look so happy, I thought to myself. And when I tell them about my cancer, they'll be upset with me for not telling them sooner. Or they'll think I'm kidding. No, with Hatori to back me up they'll know it's not a joke…

I glanced at Kyo, who didn't even look my way. Well, I have one thing to be relieved about. Since Kyo doesn't care about me, the news of my cancer shouldn't affect him too much. I wouldn't want him to be upset…

Suddenly, a delicious aroma filled the room. Tohru came back carrying huge platters of food. Momiji and Kisa followed, also carrying platters. I had to admit that the food looked great. But I still wasn't hungry.

Tohru handed out plates of food to specific people. I could tell she made special dishes that appealed to everyone. Even Hiro, who didn't like Tohru very much, managed a smile when she handed him a plate.

"And finally, Kagura-chan," said Tohru. Much to my shock she picked up one of the full platters of plates of food and set it right in front of me!! I gaped at the platter, and then gaped at Tohru. She wore her happy smile, but I could strongly tell her concern for me.

"I'm not really hungry," I said, and it was truthful. But my comment earned me stares from everyone. I knew that everyone figured that I was starving myself. And they were going to make sure I ate everything on this platter!! Sighing softly I picked up one of the smaller plates and gently pushed the platter away.

"Oh no, that's yours," said Tohru. "Don't be modest."

"Yeah, just eat something." Kyo's voice floated over to me. I gulped, silently debating if I should just tell them then. But when I looked around I saw that Hatori had gone outside. Furthermore I couldn't see Isuzu. I had to have them both here for support.

So I forced myself to eat, as hard as it was. It seemed to make everyone else feel better. And the food did taste great. That seemed to help me out.

But, I stopped eating after I finished that small plate. I ate everything off of it, but I had pushed down on my disappearing appetite and forced myself to eat. Now I couldn't push it away anymore and I couldn't eat.

"That was good," I said, putting down the empty plate.

"Oh, have more," said Tohru, nudging the tray to me.

"Really, I'm not hungry anymore."

"I swear, you adults become even more stupid every day," said Hiro.

I blinked. "What?"

"I mean, what kind of a point are you trying to make? You're already thin, so why are you just starving yourself?"

"Hiro!" hissed Momiji.

"What? I'm just asking her what you guys are just dying to ask!!" he looked at me. "Well?!"

I shook my head. "I'm not trying to starve myself—"

"Um, Hiro-chan has a bit of a point," said Tohru. "You didn't eat until we all urged you to. And you ate only the smallest plate. Kagura-chan, is there something wrong? You can always tell us."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. I had to tell them. But I needed Hatori and Isuzu there. I took hold of the platter and started to stand up. In all honesties, I had no idea how to answer Tohru without outright telling her I had cancer.

That's when it happened. I stood up straight with the heavy platter in my hands. Pain shot up my back from my kidney and seemed to spread through my entire body. Oh Gods, it hurt so much! It was almost unbearable. It took most of my strength to keep hold of the tray, though it started trembling in my hands.

"Kagura-chan?" Tohru asked.

I forced a smile. "I-I-I'm fine—"

"But you're crying!!"

I blinked, feeling tears roll down my face. The pain was so terrible! I put down the tray to see if the gone weight would help dispel the pain. It didn't.

"Kagura-chan, are you upset?"

I shook my head quickly. I looked around the room at the confused faces. Hatori still hadn't come back. And from the shouting going on in the hall, I knew that Isuzu was caught up in an argument with Hatsuharu. My vision started blurring. I didn't know if was about to pass out or die. But as far as everyone was concerned, I was just upset about Hiro's comments.

"G-G-Get Hatori—" I choked out.

*POOF!!!!!!!!!*

"Kagura-chan?!" cried Tohru. The pain had been so terrible that I had changed forms. I didn't know if the lump in my back was visible in this form, but I didn't care anymore. I just felt so tired again…

"Momiji, get Hatori-san!!"

I could hear people panicking around me. I felt myself be lifted up but I didn't know by whom. I lost consciousness soon after.