Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket!

Written because my readers demanded more stories from me, rather then oneshots. Also, I quite like Motoko, so I thought she deserved a story.

Author Notes: This is going to be my first try at writing a Fruba AU...to explain a few things, first off is that the high school is a bit different from the anime one. As in, it's more like a private school. Also, the pairings will basically be Tohru/Yuki and Motoko/Kyo, with a few side-dish pairings thrown in. Also, the Sohma's still have "family issues", so to speak, but they aren't cursed, because otherwise this fic would turn into a massive, difficult-to-write saga. Also, I've only watched the anime, but I'll try to keep everyone as in-character as I can.

Anyway, please enjoy!


"Did you hear?"

"I know! It's so amazing!"

"Another Sohma? Finally, there's a reason to come to school!"

Motoko Minegawa had heard nothing but rumours, whispered rumours, of the new Sohma's arrival. This was the most exciting gossip of the month so far, nearly outshining the rumour that one of the third-year boys had run off with one of the lunch-ladies.

Being the President of the Prince Yuki fanclub, and a member of the Student Council, Motoko was usually approached by excited fellow Yukiholics, eager to prod the President into giving up as much news as she could about the new Sohma. Naturally, Motoko hadn't given up this information for free- All manner of bribes had come her way since people had seen Prince Yuki's cute, older cousin arrival at the school. Her usually neat locker had been bursting with bribes; quite a few of them had been promptly rewarded.

The source of the rumour, however, was one of the most intriguing parts of about it. In fact, it was actually a mere first year girl that overheard the following words from none other then Prince Yuki's alleged older cousin,

"-They're not exactly...similar. But they're still cousins, and I think he'd benefit being at Yuki's school."

That was all that was needed to spark off all manner of idle speculation about this new Sohma. The fact that he was Yuki's cousin and a boy was all the first-year girl had managed to gather, really, but that didn't stop the curiosity that bloomed amongst the student body, mainly amongst females.

"But of course, there are some of us who simply aren't interested." Saki Hanajima had remarked archly about the whole thing, in a discussion about 'The New Sohma' with Tohru Honda and Arisa Ooutani.

"Heh. An insider like you can't exactly afford to make those kinda remarks." Smirked Arisa, nudging Tohru pointedly with her elbow, who nervously shushed her.

"Oou-chan, not so loud!" squeaked Tohru, nervously, "The situation with Yuki-kun and I is still…"

"Your secret's safe with us, Tohru-chan." Grinned Arisa, ruffling Tohru's hair, inciting a blush from the short brunette.

Hanajima just stuck her nose in her novel, murmuring under her breath,

"So dramatic…"


And particularly amongst females, the most avid speculation fell to the Prince Yuki fanclub…

"Hey, sempai..."

Minami Kinoshita poked at a picture of Yuki on the wall of the classroom, her finger lingering admiringly near Yuki's faint smile.

"D'you think Yuki's cousin will look like him?"

Motoko merely smiled indulgently, but inside, she was asking all these cousin-based questions to herself. She was excited, she had to admit it. There had never been so much discussion in the Prince Yuki fanclub about somebody who...well, wasn't the Prince himself. And even though Motoko's loyalties were still dedicated to the silver-haired youth, she couldn't help sometimes staring out of the window and wondering What will this boy be like? Will he be like Yuki? What does he look like? Where did he come from?

"Maybe, you know, he's the total opposite." mused Mio Yamagishi, her hand propping up her head, as she stared up at a Yuki mobile, tiny purple eyes staring innocently back at her, looking adorable. "I mean, cousins sometimes are, right?"

"I bet he'll still be handsome." giggled Mai Gotu, absently; "It's in the family genes!"

The other two girls giggled, but Motoko merely inhaled and returned her attention to the window. That was exactly the kind of comment she'd expect from Mai.

For some reason, Motoko suspected that Mai wasn't really a serious Yukiholic at all. Sometimes it seemed like she was only in the Prince Yuki fanclub because she thought Yuki was cute (understatement of the century. Cute was a word you'd use to describe baby rabbits, or kittens or a handbag. Cute was barely registered in the face of Yuki's exquisite beauty.) And because Mio and Minami were members.

"Well, genes or no, he still can't compare to Yuki." Insisted Minami, stubbornly.

"You can't say that yet!" protested Mai, embarrassed. "I mean, nothing's for certain yet!"

"Did that first year hear when this new boy will be joining our school?" demanded Mio suddenly, looking thoughtful, "Maybe he's going to join next year?"

"No, that doesn't make sense." Replied Minami, "Why would his cousin come in person if that's the case?"

"It was just a thought!" retorted Mio, defensively, "And anyway, we still don't know if-"

But then again, reasoned Motoko, I can't compare the way they feel about Yuki to the way that I do…it's a completely different feeling altogether. A crush and love are totally different things.And, at the time, that's truly what Motoko Minegawa believed about her love for Yuki. You must forgive her for being naïve, as Yuki Sohma was Motoko's very first love. And first loves tend to carry these misguided opinions with them.

The arrival of Kyo Sohma changed all that.


Sorry this chapter is quite short, but then introduction chapters usually are.

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