A/N: Thank you for all the reviews so far. Please keep them coming and any advice, suggestions or criticisms are welcome :) Happy summer, hope you all are enjoying it so far. Can't believe we're in July.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket

Bonfires and Kahlua

Chapter Three

Bonfire with the Neighbors

Tohru and Kyo didn't sleep in together to enjoy the hot midday, rather, Kyo woke up at five in the morning due to his internal alarm clock.

Kyo mumbled incoherently and inhaled a deep breath. He noticed a light weight on his chest and his nose had begun to itch. One crimson eye popped open and arched down to see Tohru asleep and leaning into him, in peaceful bliss.

"What the hell?" He growled loudly. Tohru was startled from her sleep but then just hugged in closer to Kyo.

"Uhmm. Shhh. Sleep." Tohru said, draping her tiny arm over Kyo and wrapping one of her legs over his.

Kyo turned blood red and rolled his eyes up to the lightening sky that was a pale yellow with wispy white clouds. Why did he have to wake so early? They could have had a few more hours sleeping together.

"It's a good thing Shigure can't hear my thoughts." Kyo muttered darkly and then shrugged himself from underneath Tohru. He placed a pillow under her arm to be his replacement and then slipped into the dark cottage. He needed to go for a run, clear his head and calm his hormonally raging mind that was running away with his imagination.

C

The sun was at its highest point and burning brightly in the sky when Tohru finally woke because she felt a crick in her neck. Her eyes opened and she took in her surroundings, the hard gray ground and the twisted blanket that now felt suffocating hot on her body.

"Oh! I fell asleep on the top of the roof!" She said out loud finally realizing where she was. Tohru looked around and it suddenly dawned on her that Kyo must have fell asleep as well with her because he couldn't just leave her alone on the top of the roof.

She moaned softly and closed her eyes but giggled in spite of herself at the circumstance. He must have left earlier so she wouldn't face the embarrassment of lifting her drooling mouth off his chest or suffer from her morning breath. EDITED

"Finally you're awake! Hurry up and come downstairs. I-uh, I made breakfast." Kyo's head popped out from the door and Tohru blushed to her roots and looked away. She stood up extending her arms and stretching upwards.

Kyo watched her outline as she reached up to the blue sky, his face clear of any expression.

"You cooked me breakfast? Clearly I should wake up late from now on." She said teasingly when she finally faced him, thankfully the blush had subsided.

"Yeah, yeah, don't get too used to it. Come downstairs before it gets cold." He said before disappearing.

Surprisingly, he had made french toast and it turned out deliciously. Tohru proceeded to tease him over his cooking abilities, hoping to distract both of them from the unmistakable fact that they had fallen asleep together.

"Want to head to the beach today? I know you've been wanting to get your hands dirty and build a sandcastle since we've got here." Tohru teased, smiling up to him as they finished the breakfast dishes.

Kyo snorted but then his eyes sharpened as he remembered something. "Actually, first I need to do some training. I told Master I'd try and keep up the routines and workouts he's taught me. So I'm not some giant jellyfish when I get back."

"Giant jellyfish? Wouldn't want to lose your figure hmmm?" Tohru laughed and sidestepped around him towards the bathroom, pulling her hair loose as she walked.

Kyo watched her go to the bathroom and then shook his head lightly. Focus, focus. Time to focus. Now was not the time to wonder what kind of bathing suit Tohru would be wearing today or if she would ask him about last night. But surprisingly she hadn't asked. All she'd gone on about was how good the french toast was.

Most importantly, he wasn't about to get involved or complicate things with Tohru when he wasn't even going to be around that fall. Course he hadn't told Tohru that just yet.

C

Tohru headed down the rocky pathway towards the beach with her gigantic white beach bag, a taupe woven hat on her head, and the largest bug glasses she could find. Her Mum had always been super conscious of sunburns and wearing the right protection in the heat.

She mused to herself as she gingerly made her way down the hill, focusing intently on not falling. That morning had proven interesting. She had been surprised that Kyo hadn't brought up them sleeping together.

So, she hadn't asked.

She had felt a shift in the atmosphere between them but decided maybe it was just her being a girl and reading into things too much. She sighed and shook her head, her face changing into an intense expression which almost gave herself a headache so instead laughed. If only Hana and Uo were there to help her figure it out. At that thought she let out a loud laugh, surprising a small grey squirrel that had bounded out in her path.

Her loud-mouthed, opinionated Yankee friend, Uo, would sooner squash Kyo than let her date him. They were always arguing together over cards or wrestling matches. Hana would probably sense something immediately and make cryptic comments. Of course they would be supportive in their own ways but now that Tohru thought about it, she felt that it was a ridiculous route of thoughts.

It was nothing to worry about or analyze. She wasn't really the type to read into things too much anyways because it gave her headaches and jumbled thoughts. As long as Kyo and her were good and enjoying each other's company than that was fine with her.

The beach materialized quicker than she'd thought but she must have been lost in her thoughts again for all she could see now was the wide expanse of blue sky marred by a smattering of fluffy cumulus clouds and grainy beige sand.

"So beautiful!" She said, her eyes shining.

Once she had found a nice spot on the beach Tohru dropped her bag and spread out her blanket. She threw her hair up in a loose bun and slid off her summer dress to reveal a simple baby blue tankini with white floral patterns.

She settled down back on the blanket and flipped open the new reissued Sailor Moon manga that Hana had lent her.

C

After exhausting himself with a thorough workout and an hour long run, Kyo decided it was time to make his way down to the beach. He slipped into his navy bathing shorts and his sandals. He didn't bother with a shirt and walked down enjoying the breeze around his hot body.

His thoughts wandered to the Sohma's. "They're probably all bored at that stupid meeting. Glad I didn't have to go." Kyo muttered to himself, although he felt a twinge in his stomach. He could have at least seen his Master.

When the beach came into his view he felt his mouth drop open slightly. He hadn't expected to find Tohru laughing with two foreign boys. His crimson eyes narrowed and he felt a growl at the base of his throat.

"Who the hell are they?" He jumped down in a quick movement to where they stood. Tohru looked up and her face stretched into an even wider smile.

"Kyo! I made some friends. This is Sei and Taoko-san. They've invited us to a bonfire later tonight. They're just down near the bend at the beach." Tohru said, pointing down towards a forest filled section of the beach.

"Oh yeah." Kyo said noncommittally, not offering a hand but just glancing over at them coolly, appraising them and the situation.

Tohru giggled nervously and scratched her head at the growing silence. Hmmm. Kyo looks really mad. Maybe I should say we have to go?

But Tohru was saved from coming up with some quick getaway because Sei lightly touched Tohru on the arm saying, "Great hanging out with you, Tohru-chan. We'll see you tonight. Looking forward to it." And then he nodded to Kyo before turning around letting out a good-natured laugh at something Sei had said.

Kyo was inwardly fuming and his hands were tightly clamped together in fists. If they thought she was an idiot well he certainly wasn't. He knew these kinds of guys. He'd seen plenty of them preying on silly naive girls at their high school. It wasn't going to happen with Tohru.

When they were far away Tohru turned to Kyo with a worried expression on her face. "You okay Kyo? You look really red in the face."

Kyo suddenly grinned and Tohru wondered wryly if he was going through some sort of guy PMS because of all his mood changes in the past five minutes.

"Sure, was just working out before coming down here. You seriously want to go to this bonfire?"

Tohru laughed and flicked him lightly on the arm. "They are nice. And I already said yes so it would be bad manners to cancel. Unless you want to stay home, I can always go by myself."

Kyo straightened and shook his head, orange bangs fell over his eyes so she couldn't read his expression. "No, I'm coming."

C

Tohru slipped into warmer clothes as she knew it would get colder later that night. She had on dark denim jeans and a zip-up brown knit sweater that her mum, Kyoko, had given to her for Christmas the year before she'd died.

She baked some chocolate brownies after they'd gotten back from the beach even though Kyo complained and said they didn't need to bring anything over to the doofus's house.

"Doofus? Who says that?" She asked, laughing herself silly.

As Tohru made her way down the stairs she secured her hair in a high ponytail and slipped on her white headband. She made her way into the kitchen and then let out a gasp.

"Kyo!"

He was in the living room with a book when he heard her exclamation and a guilty look crossed his face.

"We can't bring these! There are only a few left!" Tohru said her face drooping a little. Kyo came around the corner his eyes darker than usual.

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure they didn't invite you over for your brownies." He said rashly in a hard voice and Tohru felt a streak of hurt cut through her. She almost felt her hand reach towards him to ask him if everything was okay but then retracted her hand.

Tohru shrugged her shoulders and then looped her arm through his deciding not to pursue it.

"Let's get going. I'm tired already and it hasn't even started." She said giggling to herself.

Kyo felt his face soften into a smile and he sighed inwardly. He had noticed the look of hurt on her face when he had said that.

It was dark outside and the stars were hidden by some of the dark charcoal clouds in the sky. Tohru let out a happy sigh and pulled the hoody up so her head was covered. They walked in comfortable silence down the path and then Tohru pointed to some Christmas lights strung on the end of a mailbox to one of the driveways.

"That must be where it is." Kyo said sullenly, his eyes glinting in the dark.

Tohru looked at him sideways and nodded, smiling. "Yep! And they invited a few of their friends so it should be fun."

Kyo rolled his eyes up to the sky. He would go in and hang out for a bit for her sake but kids their age didn't interest him. He found them self-centered and superficial. Tohru's friends were surprisingly refreshing in the sense that they were unlike any other kids he'd met there but that's probably why, they were the outcasts, Tohru herself included. Not everyone was as happy go lucky as Tohru.

Tohru, unaware of Kyo's inner musings, knocked on the door with a welcome grin on her face. She beckoned to Kyo with her hand and then her smile widened when Sei opened the door.

"Hi! Nice to see you again!"

Sei welcomed them in, his green eyes taking in Tohru and then nodding briefly to Kyo. Kyo felt the hair on his neck rise and his eyes sharpened at the boy.

They followed Sei to the backyard and on their way the clock in the living room chimed. Tohru let out a yawn and a giggle to Sei's expression of amusement at her evident sleepiness. Kyo felt like gagging himself but followed them out to the backyard where there were a handful of other teens.

"That's Aiko and Suki." Sei said, introducing them to Kyo and Tohru. Tohru bowed politely and Kyo nodded, his eyes swooping around the backyard and taking in the expensive looking lawn chairs and fancy chrome BBQ. He eyed to the girls and felt taken aback slightly when one was eying him up suggestively.

He looked at Tohru in her cute brown sweater and dark jeans and a brief image of him punching Sei in the face flashed across his mind's eye, that is if he tried a move on her.

Aiko was gossiping about some friend from her high school in a scathing manner and the other girl, Suki, was laughing sarcastically, throwing her whole dark head back.

"Rita really thought she could make her way into our group? I mean who was she kidding; her pastime includes chess and being as nerdy as possible. Did you see what Sei did to her locker? It was hilarious." Aiko said, her mouth twisting darkly and eyes glinting maliciously. What once had seemed like a beautiful face, was dramatically reduced.

Tohru sat down and smiled a lot. Her face begin to hurt from all the forced smiles she was giving. This is kind of uncomfortable. I should have just said no. I don't know really what to talk about. I know Uo would confront them or Hana would just creep them out with her electric waves. They almost remind me of Yuki's fan club members who are always harping on about some girl...well normally me.

Sei rescued her from coming up with any conversation at that point because he tapped her on the shoulder and said, "Hey Tohru, I know you are into baking. Want to come in and try some special chocolate rice balls I made?"

Kyo's eyes narrowed but he didn't follow them into the house. He didn't want to be too overbearing. He was seated in between Aiko and Suki who seemed to be bitching out some girl from their high school.

"So, you're hot. Got a girlfriend?" Aiko finally asked, turning towards him and bending enticingly forward, her ample chest heaving slightly.

Kyo raised his eyebrows, an incredulous. "Nope."

Aiko bit her lower lip softly. "That's good."

C

Tohru had followed Sei into the house and looked in awe at the beautiful abstract paintings that covered the walls. The walls were all dark wood panels so the art pieces stood out in a striking contrast that lured you in to examine them closely.

Her head was cocked to the side as she looked at one long rectangular piece when Sei appeared next to her with two large red cups in his hand and two chocolate rice balls.

"Wow! This looks so good. I'm impressed!" Tohru squealed happily, taking the drink and riceball from him.

His green eyes were glinting wickedly as he said, "What makes it really delicious is, first you have to down this milky chocolate drink and then you eat the riceball."

Tohru looked in at the drink and then at him. "This sounds like a whole experience!"

Sei smiled and then nodded to her as if to go ahead. "It's an experience all right."

Tohru took a large gulp of the drink, drinking it down with the cup tipped and saw him do the same. It had a peculiar taste although you could really taste the chocolate, there was something else about it that she couldn't put her finger on. It seemed to take forever to finally drain the cup and she let out a little sigh of relief as she placed the cup down and took the riceball from him.

"Well that was an interesting tasting drink." She said diplomatically, but in reality not liking it as much as she expected.

Sei laughed lightly and it looked like he was sharing a private joke with himself. How clueless is this chick? Unbelievable. And so cute too!

Tohru felt her cheeks warm slightly and continued to chew the riceball. "Actually, could I have some water? I'm kind of thirsty." She said apologetically, not wanting to ask too much.

Sei's grin widened, and he quickly headed to the kitchen. He returned to see Tohru looking at another painting. She let out a little giggle to herself and he rubbed his hands together. For now they would head back to the bonfire and then he would get her on her own later.

Tohru, oblivious to any double motives, took the glass from him thankfully and gulped down the water.

"Let's head back out! I want to watch the fireflies!" She said with a goofy smile, her cheeks redder than they had been a few minutes ago.

C

"I'm actually not into girls." Kyo said smoothly, and watched with amusement as Aiko's face dropped for a moment but then quickly composed herself.

"That's never stopped me before!" Aiko said, standing up and about to try and straddle him. Kyo let out a strangled laugh at this girl's audacity but her plan was interrupted when Kyo heard a high giggle that sounded off pitch. They all turned to see Sei and Tohru enter the backyard.

"Kyooooo. I just had the most delicious chocolate rice ball. We'll have to make them when Yuki and Shigure return from the family meeting. That and we absolutely need that drink recipe from you Sei that sure was delicious! Tasted completely different than what I've ever had before! What was it, a different type of hot chocolate but cold?" She said letting out a string of giggles and Kyo's intuition flashed in warning.

Kyo's eyes narrowed darkly and he was on his feet in a flash, suddenly gripping Sei's shirt.

"What in the hell did she just say, drinks? What exactly was in those damned drinks of yours?"

Sei's own dark green eyes morphed into mean slits and he pushed Kyo's arm off him. "What's it to you carrot top, it's not like the two of you are together. Stop treating her like your damned property. She doesn't seem to be exactly pining for you."

In a swift movement that could only be due to his cat instincts and Master's training, Kyo had tripped him down to the ground his elbow pushing him into his back.

"What the hell was in that drink I asked, my patience is waning." He threatened. Tohru was hovering behind him with her hand over her mouth at the scene that had unfolded. He nodded at the house to her.

"You. Go inside and get your shoes. We're leaving."

"My stomach hurts." He added as an afterthought. He knew she would go for that excuse and didn't want to waste time arguing with her for why they should go home when they had only just gotten their.

Tohru's eyes widened in concern and she nodded, tripping over a rock but kept from sprawling and headed into the house after waving half-heartedly to the other people.

"It was milk, Kahlua and chocolate liqueur." Sei finally spit out. But then as if thinking he'd better come clean completely he said, "Most of it was Kahlua though."

"IDIOT!" Kyo yelled and he threw him from his hands. Without a second glance he stormed from the backyard, his face flashing in anger.

He felt for the first time in a long time, nervous butterflies in his stomach and he clenched his fists together. He never had much experience with people who drank alcohol and he wasn't sure how it was going to be with Tohru.

"Kyoooo. Why were you so mean to Sei? He gave me some yummy treats after all!" Tohru said from her slumped position on the ground, her head rested on her hands that were placed on her knees.

Kyo sighed. This wasn't good. He offered her a hand and she grasped it tightly. "Are you mad Kyo? I eavesdropped, whoopsie, bad me." She said giggling softly and putting a hand to her mouth jokingly. How did she manage to be slightly intoxicated but completely alluring still?

"I heard that he'd slipped in some Kahlua. You know I've never drank before so it may be a rough night. What do you think will happen?" She asked, suddenly gripping his arm tightly and looking up at him with worried eyes.

Kyo laughed and peeled her tight hand from his arm. "Relax Honda. I'll take good care of you. Now let's get outta this dump. You sure find the winners Honda."

He slammed the door behind them. Tohru ran along the graveled driveway disappearing into the darkness. He let out a low growl. This could be a long night. He ran off after her.

"Kyo!. Come on, let's head home. We've got things to do!" Tohru called from the end of the shadowy walkway.

Things to do hm? Kyo shook his head swallowing the rising glee in his body. He wasn't a sick bastard like that Sei, trying to take advantage of Tohru.

A hand slipped into his own and Tohru looked up at him with her liquid blue eyes. "Kyo, how come you didn't ask me about falling asleep together last night? Were you embarrassed? I guess I should have mentioned something too now that I think about it. It was the best sleep I've had in a long time. Mum and I used to sleep together so it felt like that, so warm and comfortable to be wrapped in somebody's arms. You have really nice arms by the way. Ahhh. I miss Mum." Her eyes suddenly pooled with tears and Kyo now felt panic rising in his throat, the pulsing excitement gone from his body. Although the comment about his arms-no he couldn't go down that route of thought.

He scratched his head and then tried a grin to appease her. "Tohru-chan? How about I piggyback you home? We may get there quicker this way then we can get some chips and go sit in the porch or of the roof. And if you really want to, yes you can fall asleep with me again." He said jokingly, crouching down for her to jump up on his back.

Tohru's warm breath smelt of alcohol as she said in a small voice, "Thanks Kyo."

He tried to run/walk home as fast as he could without roughing her up too much. As he talked with her and kept her returning from the tear inducing topic of her deceased mum, he mused in his head if there was anything in the cottage that he could give her to help her stomach with the alcohol. Gosh, he hoped she wasn't sick.

"We're here!" Tohru said happily as they stopped in front of the quaint little cottage.

Kyo let out a relieved sigh as Tohru slid from his back and once again slipped her hand into his. "I like holding hands with you Kyo. Can I tell you a secret? I've never actually kissed anyone before. Ah is that crazy? I'm almost seventeen and I haven't kissed anyone! I'm going to be a nun if I'm not careful! Not that being a nun isn't respectable." She lamented dramatically as she tugged on his hand.

"I'll keep the secret, definitely won't tell Shigure or Ayame, as they might try to solve your little dilemma themselves." Kyo said sarcastically and Tohru let out a giggle.

"I could see them taking that upon themselves." She agreed nodding her head.

"I'm hot." She announced suddenly as soon as they had made it up their stairs and began stripping off the brown sweater.

"Slow down Tohru. Don't want yesterday evening to repeat itself." Kyo said smirking and Tohru laughed.

She winked and then headed upstairs. Kyo gritted his teeth and let out a breath he had been holding. He slid out of his own jeans and into some loose navy sweats and a long sleeved grey top. Kyo sat down at the kitchen table and began to build a castle of cards.

"Kyo?"

He watched as Tohru walked into the kitchen adorned in a powdery blue pajama set. He could see fresh tears shining in her eyes.

"Everything okay?"

She shook her head and leaned into his open arms, shaking slightly and letting out choked sounds. Kyo felt his hands pat her hair down softly as he whispered soft words to her.

Tohru pulled away from him and was so close that Kyo could see the tiny little tears clinging to her dark lashes and some were still pooling out of the corners of her blue eyes that were shining. He brushed some hair from her face and sighed.

"What's up? What are you thinking?" He finally asked.

Tohru shrugged her shoulders. "My mum. I don't know why. Not that I shouldn't be, but all I can remember are the sad bits. That I don't want to think of. And I don't think this is all the effects of the alcohol. I find in the summertime I think about her more because I'm not as busy as I am during the school year with work and school."

Kyo nodded. "That makes sense. For me, I think that was why I loved my training sessions with Master so much. They mentally and physically drained me. It helps you forget about things you'd rather not have always on your mind. But enough of all this depressing talk, want to go upstairs?"

Tohru nodded, the corners of her lips turning a little.

"I'm going to bring the remaining of the brownies! Goodness, by the time Shigure and Yuki come home, all they'll see is two riceballs on the couch. We've ate so much since coming here."

"Speak for yourself." Kyo said snorting with laughter.

They turned around the clump of blankets so it was facing a different direction, Tohru protested saying they needed a different perspective.

Tohru took a big bite of one of the brownies and chewed it with a thoughtful expression in her eyes, the tears now gone from her eyes and her hair around her shoulders. The powder blue pajamas brought out the blue in her eyes and Kyo couldn't keep himself from staring up at her.

He was sitting on the ground, his knees drawn up and hands around them. Tohru let out a yawn and then sat down next to him, putting her head on his shoulder.

"Thanks a lot Kyo. You helped me out a lot tonight. Thanks for taking care of me."

Kyo nodded and his arm came around her shoulders. She sighed happily. "I can't believe that-"

"Shhhh." Kyo said, "I want to enjoy this quiet moment."

"It won't be quiet much longer at the cottage. Guess who emailed me this afternoon? I forgot to tell you! Uo and Hana are coming up early in the morning!" Tohru said brightly.

If Kyo had been feeling any sense that he'd better get his wandering attention towards Tohru in check, having her two friends come for a few days would be like a dousing in cold water. They were fiercely protective of their friend. He felt himself smile in spite of himself.

C

A/N: Hm hm hmmm friends will come along and complicate things? Please read and review lovelies, any advice, criticism and suggestions are welcome.