Nine Lives

Day 5 (Alternative)

Hello, everyone! I know the story is finished, but I couldn't stay away. I thought of an idea for what else could have happened on Day 5 and I had to write it! If you don't remember Day 5, I would go read the first bit for a refresher to what in the story would be replaced, then come back here. I really like this alternative to Day 5, so please don't forget to comment and vote. Thanks, and please enjoy!

-Author

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Today, Tohru decided to go into town to get some groceries for dinner that night. She was aware she had used that excuse before to reassure Yuki, but this time she actually wanted to make something for dinner.

She was going to make a stew that her Mother always loved, because she figured the boys would like it too.

She also secretly hoped she would run into Kyo while she was out, and that he may be able to try it as well that night when he came to visit. Tohru was rather concerned for the young man, as he left rather abruptly the evening before, and was likely still in pain.

She walked down the street, her basket on her arm, the other hand on her chin thoughtfully. "It is about noon I would say, so most people will likely be out shopping as well. I may have to push through a crowd..." she thought, spacing out a bit as she turned a corner towards the market.

She was indeed correct; there was quite the crowd, however it wasn't what she was expecting. There were far more vendors than usual, and for some reason people seemed joyous. "I wonder what's going on today?" she wondered as she approached her usual shopping area.

"Excuse me," Tohru called to a passerby, "but, what is all of this for?" "Ah! It is for Lord Yuki's birthday of course! The ball is only a few days away, and while not all will be attending, there is still a way we can celebrate!" the young man grinned.

"Celebrate how?" she asked, becoming intrigued. "Well, the people in the area have gathered together their special wares. Jewelry, finer clothing, special foods for the public- things like that! There will be music, and dancing as well!" he grinned once again.

"Oh, how wonderful! Thank you, sir!" she smiled in return, becoming excited. Tohru loved festivities of any kind, so this was an unexpected but wonderfully pleasant surprise. However, she still did need to get the things she came for. Perhaps she could look around and enjoy the festivities a bit before heading back.

She approached the area where she knew she could get quality vegetables, then remembered what Yuki told her.

"Please keep your hood up, Miss Honda. If you insist on going alone, you have to at least conceal your identity as much as you can."

She didn't know that she was being tailed by the Sohma guards anyway, but she pulled the rim of her pale pink cloak over her head and continued forward. "Alright, potatoes, carrots, chives, beef stock, beef cut..." she muttered to herself as she continued, occasionally saying 'excuse me' to the people around her.

She had finally found the potato vendor she liked, and was about to say hello, then she heard yelling. "My goodness. There sure has been a lot of yelling in the marketplace as of late..." she thought with a nervous chuckle to herself.

Tohru almost turned back towards the stand, which was a few feet away, but then she saw a large commotion rushing towards her. "Oh, not again! Yuki will be upset if I get caught up in something!" she thought, quickly looking for a place to hide to avoid trouble.

She quickly glanced around for a hiding spot to wait it out, and found a small wooden booth with a curtain for trying on clothes. She quickly slipped inside, closing the curtain behind her and leaning against one of the walls. She took a deep breath and placed a hand over her heart, closing her eyes as the yelling grew closer.