So, this is my second chapter story and again it has an OC. Orahime is very lovable, though -- throughout the story, you will love her and learn why she has to be like she is, and the events in her life. I hope you guys like this one!
Rated T for a bit of language.
Chapter One - One Big, Happy Family
I never liked visiting family. All my relatives were moody, aggressive, and cold. I was forced to my will to visit none other than Tohru Honda, my younger cousin. I haven't seen this girl since I was fourteen, and I was nineteen now, so that was 5 years and counting. She was eleven, and loved ice cream. Now that it was five years later, she was probably still as lively as ever.
However, I did have three choices. One was to stay with my loveless mother, two was to go to military school, and three was to visit a relative named Tohru Honda. Obviously, my choice was number three. I didn't like my mother, and I probably never will. There was a chance I did like her once when I was young--seven or eight maybe, but she changed after she got divorced. Now she's a thirty four year old woman that just wants to find someone new, but always mentions his name every day.
Military school--I could easily survive it, but I don't think I'd ever get used to waking up three hours earlier than my usual. So I was left with the easiest choice I could easily endure, and before I knew it I would probably swift through the summer vacation.
From Salt Lake City, Utah to Tokyo, Japan, it was a long ride. It was about thirteen to fourteen hours, and while on the plane ride it felt like agony. I was the victim to a two-hour long migraine that made my seat even more uncomfortable, and the heat from the vents twenty degrees higher. But it surpassed, leaving me nine hours left of flight. I reached into my small tote bag that was hidden under the seat and got out Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Nothing beats boredom than kick ass Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy fighting gory zombies. It was purchased from the local Barnes and Nobles at a reasonable price, but I had forgotten buy a bookmark. To substitute the bookmark, I snatched a Harper's Bazaar special offer card from one of my mom's magazines. The rest of the plane ride went smoothly, and after a few hours I was departed and taken on a taxi to the train station, where I was told that Tohru and some of her friends were going to pick me up and show me where I would be staying.
I got out of the taxi onto the platform, dragging my luggage behind me. Tokyo was different than when I last visited, which was two years ago. It must've been rush hour, since everyone around me seemed to be rustling in the crowd. I checked my watch, which I had just adjusted to fit the time zone, and it read 8:30 A.M. Seeing the time made me remember that I hadn't slept for a few hours, and couldn't help but release a relaxing, overwhelming yawn. Someone had approached me when I finished relaxing, and my eyes opened up, as if I was fully awake. Infront of me was Tohru Honda, hair longer, eyes bigger, and energy probably gigantic. She smiled, though, and I remembered how fuzzy you'd feel when you got to witness one of those grins. "Orahime-san! Orahime-san!" With a full blown giggle, she embraced me with her arms in a hug and I couldn't help but pat her back with my free hand. I smiled.
"Hey, Tohru-chan." I said, with a warm chuckle and grin. She pulled away after a moment, so I could see how she drastically transformed over the years. Tohru was wearing a floral-printed skirt that was just above her knee, a white cami with lace on the hems of it, and a yellow cropped cardigan that complimented her whole outfit. Tohru was still as girly as ever. "Nice outfit, Ru." Ru was my pet name for Tohru, and I admit that I sincerely missed this girl. She responded with a warm smile and a tilt of her head. "Thanks Rahi-san." Tohru balled her fists in front of her, and I wondered if she went to see me alone.
"Did ya bring company?" I asked her, running my fingers through my hair. Tohru was friendly, lovable, but vulnerable, so I had trouble picturing what kinds of friends she had in particular. Probably people like her--people that were life changing and a shoulder to cry on. "Yes. I brought my friends, Arisa and Saki. At home, though, I want you to meet a lot of really nice people!" Tohru grinned, but hesitated. "Oh, I totally forgot. You just came home from a really long flight, so maybe I could introduce you today and they could sleep over and you could talk to them longer tomorrow. It's really no problem if you choose that, though. You seem exhausted."
Tohru was still looking at others before herself. I wondered if someone has already stolen her heart. I also wondered where Kyoko was. I missed the Legendary Red Butterfly too. "I'll try to be up as much as I can. I want to meet everyone before I sleep." But then again, if I slept this early I would turn nocturnal. Sleeping during the day, awake at night. I would also feel groggy, which I hated. The feeling of being too dizzy to stand devastated me, and then I felt my migraine almost come back. Tohru seemed to notice my uncomfort, and her lips parted in utter worry. "Oh Rahi, would you like a pain reliever? I keep some in my purse just in case a headache comes up. Medicine can never hurt anyone, right?" She said with a giggle, reaching in her purse, and gave me a small bottle of Tylenol.
I took out the bottle of now-warm water and swallowed the pill. To reassure the worried Tohru, I flashed a smile after I gulped. We began to walk to the parking lot, where her car was parked. I wonder who's car it was, since Tohru wasn't old enough to drive yet. Maybe it was Kyoko! Tohru led the way until we reached a blue van that looked as if it could fit at least ten people. I smiled, loading my luggage at the back. I saw two heads turn to face my way. One was blonde, smiling kindly, and the other was brunette with braids and smirking. "I'm guessing you're Arisa, and you're Saki?" I asked, pointing to each one of them when I mentioned their names.
They responded with a nod, "You must be Orahime Honda. Pleasure to meet ya." Arisa, the blonde one, held out her hand and I shook it. I could tell the two of us would get along. Saki, the brunette one, reached her hand out too and I shook it. She spoke, "Orahime Honda, huh? The only Hondas I have known of are Tohru's mom, and her grandfather, and those douches that took her in a few months ago. Although you seem to give off a good wave of energy, so you're Saki approved.. for now."
Saki seemed mysterious and quiet, someone who spoke in a soft monotone voice. When she said 'for now' I got caught off guard. For now? Oh well, that would be long enough, I thought to myself. After smiling at the two friends, I got into shot gun, and was eager to see who was driving, hoping quietly to myself it was Kyoko. To my dismay, it wasn't. It was a man, who was wearing a white collared t-shirt, and black slacks. He seemed the professional type, someone who was manager, leader of the pack. I didn't get a good view of his face, since he was leaned on the window, his eyes closed, sleeping. His skin was pale, his hair was black, and his bangs covered one of his eyes. His lips were parted as he huffed in and out, obviously knocked out from his exhaustion.
"Rahi-san, this is Hatori-san. He's a really good friend of mine, and offered to come with us, so I couldn't help but to say yes." Tohru said, introducing him for me and tapping on his shoulder, "Ha'ari-san?" Hatori. Hm. He was someone I was looking forward to know this summer. Hatori woke from his deep slumber with a sigh and a slight smile, "Sorry Tohru-kun." His gaze followed to the shotgun seat, to me. My lips parted, and I introduced myself, "I'm Orahime.. Tohru's older cousin. You're Hatori, right?"
Hatori nodded in response and ran his fingers through his hair, avoiding his bangs. He leaned into the wheel and stuck the key in the hole, twisting it, igniting the engine. "Yes, nice meeting you Miss Orahime." I smiled at his words and fastened my seat belt.
During the long ride, I found myself falling slowly asleep. I couldn't help myself, and a short nap would help me go through the introductions and maybe a few minutes of small talk with Tohru's friends. While I slept, I dreamed – which was unusual, since I never seemed to dream that often. To my unfortunate life, it was a nightmare based off an old story I had been told about back in America. My nightmare was about Jason, the big bear that hid in the woods. His arms were pouncing at me, and he growled – I was certain I was dead, when the car came to a stop.
My eyes flickered open only to see trees, and more trees. They widened, and my thoughts wandered back to my nightmare. Shaking the scary thought off, I looked straight out of the glass and saw a nice wooden house. Was this where I was staying for the summer? If so, it was unexpected – I was thinking about being sent off to a hotel against my will and being lonely for the rest of the summer. I shouldn't underestimate Japan anymore, at least when Tohru was around.
I got out of the car, heading to the back to get my luggage, only to see Hatori had already gotten them out. "Thanks." I smiled sweetly, and followed behind Tohru as she led the way. On the front porch, there was nine people all spread out. Some were waving their arms hello, and some looked rather annoyed. I checked my watch again, and it read 11:35 A.M. The drive took longer than it felt, I thought to myself.
"Hi there, Orahime Honda, right?" A brunette, that looked as if she was around my age, smiled at me. I nodded in response. "I'm Kagura, and this is my boyfriend, Kyo." Kagura was now grinning, as she motioned to her 'boyfriend'. He had orange hair, tan skin, and.. red eyes? His expression was annoyed. "Boyfriend?! Hey, I ain't your damn boyfriend! Hell, I ain't even your friend!" He protested, waving his fist. "Kyou.." Kagura whined, hugging his arm. I chuckled, "I'm Orahime. Rahi, or Hime for short."
Kagura slapped him on the head and he replied, "Nice meeting you.. Orahime." I smiled sweetly at his greeting, and saw more people come up to me. Two of them were older than me, and the rest were younger. I met the white-haired Ayame and the charming Shigure, the young and cute Kisa and Hiro, Momiji and Hatsuharu, and I looked forward to getting to know them all on my trip here. I could easily say that I was excited for this trip, and hopefully by the end of summer I would want to go back again. They were all just one big, happy family that I hoped I could be part of. Just to escape the worries and the grief that waited impatiently for me at home.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket, even though I really want to! I also don't own Jane Austen's book, Pride & Prejudice & Zombies. I only own my lovely Orahime Honda.
So, how did you guys like this first chapter? Constructive criticism is a very good thing for me, so I appreciate the feedback. Tell me if you think this story is going too slow, or going too fast. Thanks a bunch! Read, review, favorite, or alert. :)