Okay, first shot at Fruits Basket! I hope you all enjoy it. Though, I'm not guaranteeing any greatness… but anyways, here you go!
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Doubt
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Chapter one- Enter: Taki Anzu
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Hello, I'm Taki Anzu. I just started at my new school, Kaibara High, in class 3-D. Of course, I'm a little nervous, about making myself very… anti-social… I'm already not a popular girl on campus with the student government, well, most of it that is.
"ANZU TAKI! Class 3-D! I'm aware you're new to the school, and it's rules, but blue hair?!? That's totally and completely unacceptable!"
"It's electric blue, actually. And as much as I would dislike admitting it, it's my natural color," I responded calmly, keeping back a smirk from appearing on my lips.
"I'd like to see proof for that! Like anyone would ever have BLUE hair! Bah!" The… guy… came up and put his finger in my face, trying to emphasize his authority, quite laughable, if I do say so myself.
"Bah?" I said. Who the hell says 'bah'? Where am I, eighteenth century England?
"PROOF??!!" He screamed.
The smirk came, followed by my fist, I really did try to control myself this time… please, oh please, don't get yourself kicked out!!
He flew back into the wall, a loud thud making the few latecomers turn their heads. I heard someone scream "Ah! Tohru, are you okay?!" I turned slightly to see a girl, with a small bump on her head, and then turned back to pay attention to the moron, screaming at me.
"I WILL NOT HAVE THIS!"
I cleared my throat," I think this will cover the 'proof,'" I said.
He looked down, at a small doctor's note, forged of course, saying that my blue hair is a birth thing. I flipped my bangs away from my face, thinking, 'late, on the first day! Gosh, I'm going o be murdered when I get home! So sorry Anko-san!
"Class, this is Anzu, Taki. She's just transferred from a school up north, and I hope you'll make her feel welcome," the teacher said, the last time one would, eyeing the students as they showed total lack of interest, which made my escape to the back of the classroom just that much easier.
I sat down with an inaudible sigh, and slouched back in my chair, and tried to listen to the teacher, it was math, and I'd already covered the subject, math was my easiest and I was taking some 4th year and college classes to make my year go more quickly. They still count, thank god, but I need to pass this remedial junk as well.
Like some small ear-splitting gift from above, the bell rang. I reached down to pick up my books when the girl next to me, Uotani, I think her name was, said, "So you're the new kid huh?"
"Yes, I suppose so, and it just sounds so great when someone else says it," I said, my mood turning bitter out of boredom.
"Makes sense, I saw you kill that annoying bastard in the hallway today, good job, I would say could've done better myself, but I'm not so sure…"
"Yeah… well, he must realize his effect on people, before someone shoots him or something" I smiled.
"Your hair is…interesting…. Is that really your natural color?"
"Oh, hell no. I dyed it, my natural color is a blonde… I hate it with a passion, and I think the blue suits me," I said, smirking.
"Good, I almost thought you out-weirded orangey," she said, pointing to a boy sitting across the room talking to a couple of other kids
"Orange… hmm… it almost seems as though he' s asking for people to follow him around all day…"
"Interesting… is that why you dyed your hair?"
I laughed, and gathered up my books, "Of course not, I dyed mine so I don't look like an idiot," Uo-chan glared at me playfully, "I guess I'll see you later…" I said.
"Oh hold on!" she said, grabbing the back of my shirt and propelling me in the direction of her friends, "You're not running away that easily! We can't have you become a mindless drone."
"Mindless drone huh? Seems right up my alley," I complained, but I was already there.
"Guys, this is Taki, as you know, and Taki, meet, Tohru," the girl smiled and waved, obviously excited to meet me, she seemed pretty nice, "Hana-chan," who looked at me with a distant smile, "the prince," he smiled awkwardly, "and Kyon-Kyon," she pointed at the boy with orange hair.
"WILL YOU STOP CALLING ME THAT!" the orange-haired one yelled.
"Kyo," the prince, who I was informed earlier as Yuki Sohma, I inferred that was 'orangey's' name, Kyo I mean," Stop being an idiot, you'll scare her."
"Yeah orangey," Uo-chan said, "Stop being an ass!" she was joking, but I saw Kyo getting angrier.
"Grr…" Kyo said, clenching his hand into a fist, and turning to stare out the window and fume silently.
"Taki-san," Tohru said, turning to me, "Would you like to play Dai-Hin-Min with us?"
"Uhh…sure," I said. Truthfully, I haven't played Dai-Hin-Min in years. I sat down nervously.
"Good," this time Hana-chan spoke, "That sounds like a great idea. We'd have an even number, unless Kyo decides he doesn't want to play again."
Everyone looked at Kyo expectantly, "I'm playin'," he said, "So I'll beat that YUKI!"
"Taki," said Hana-chan interrupting Kyo's mad rampage of shouts aimed at Yuki, "I have a question about your hair." Everyone turned to look at my hair as if not really looking at it in the first place.
"Okay," I said, preparing for the worst.
"Is that your natural color? And if not, how did you get it accepted?"
I smirked, "Some things are best left in the unknown."
"Ah," Hana-chan said, understanding what I meant.
Hana-chan started dealing.
"So…" I said, "Is there any specific reason the school is full of 'mindless drones'?"
"Yeah actually, your sitting across from him," Uo-chan said.
"That must be a load of fun," I muttered sarcastically.
Tohru leaned next to me, "Yuki-kun is actually very shy, so he… hates it," she giggled a bit, and I smiled. That made sense. Anybody I know would flip from that amount of attention.
"I win." Hana said, holding up her hand.
"Dammit!" I said at the same time as Kyo. We looked at each other, the others laughed.
" Tohru!!!! TOOHHRRRUUU!" a little boy said, running into the classroom.
"Oh shut it kid!" Kyo said, grabbing the boy as the boy started to scream, "WAHHH Kyo-o's hurting meee!"
He got free, and ran up to Tohru, "Tohru who's you friend?!" He said. He was dressed in girls clothing, I found it odd, not that he was wearing them, and more that it suited him…
Another kid strode in behind him, coming to sit exactly next to Yuki, and started messing with his tie.
"Taki-chan," Tohru said, smiling brightly, "This is Momiji-kun, and Hatsuharu-san."
"Hi!" Momiji said, sitting next to me.
I grinned, "Hello."
"Has Kyo lost yet?" he said, looking at the playing cards.
"Yes, actually," Yuki said, smiling, that fact seemed to launch a playful smirk, "He lost. Hanajima won again."
Momiji laughed, "Kyo sucks!"
Uo-chan, Tohru, and I laughed.
"Why the hell won't you just shut up?" Kyo yelled, grabbing the boy again.
"OW Tohru!!!! Help meee!!!" Momiji shouted.
"Is this usual…?" I asked Uo-chan.
"Yes actually, happens almost everyday. The family's a little… odd. But Tohru likes them a lot."
"What?" I asked, I realized how blank my face was.
"Tohru lives with Yuki and Kyo, and Momiji and Hatsuharu are related, they're all cousins."
"Oh!" I said, understanding covering my expression.
"Tohru! Your not working tonight right?!" Momiji said.
"Nope!" Tohru said, a huge smile appearing on her face.
"Gut! (Good) I'm coming over tonight!"
"I'm looking forward to it!" Tohru said, smiling still.
Hatsuharu looked at me for a moment, then motioned for Yuki to come outside with him.
I wondered what they were going to do, when Tohru motioned fro Kyo and I to come on, because Uo-chan and Hana had to go, school was over.
"Where are you going?" Tohru asked me, once we were outside, and in the prescience of a small breeze.
"About two blocks over, to the animal adoption center, I work there after school,' I said.
"Really!?" her eyes brightened, "Can I come down and see?!"
"Sure!" I said, equally happy, I was making friends, oh thank god. This will help… and get Anko off my back.
"Yuki-kun!" Tohru said, as Yuki appeared behind us.
"Are you ready to go, Miss Honda?" he said.
"No, actually I'm going with Taki, she works at the animal adoption center!" Tohru said, smiling again, I realized that it suited her, though smiling all the time can make you look like an idiot.
"I would go with you, but I told Shigure I was going to help him with something, he wouldn't tell me what, and truthfully, I'm pretty curious…Kyo, are you going with her?"
"What?! You sayin I actually have a choice? Right. Of course I am! She'll end up kidnapped or somethin if I don't!" (A/N- I can't fin something right for that line it's bugging the hell outta me)
Yuki waved goodbye, and started walking down the street, worried, I guessed from his expression, about Tohru. From what I could tell, (and keep in mind I'm usually pretty good at this, always the observer), he really cares about her. And so does Kyo, it's cute.
"Okay, Let's go!" Tohru said.
We started walking.
"Taki, where do you live?" Tohru asked.
"About a block away from the adoption center, with my aunt, Anko," I said.
"What about your mom and dad?" Kyo asked.
"My Mom… I never really met…she left my dad after I was born… and my dad… he… died… when I was four…" I said, trying not to let the sadness sneak into my voice.
"Daddy! Daddy! Are you coming Daddy?"
"Daddy where are you?"
My aunt appeared into eh doorway, "Oh Taki, I'm so sorry…"
I remember when I cried, really cried. Because I understood what she meant by 'hurt'. I saw the blood, my own father's blood when he was in the hospital that wretched bullet still stuck.
I remember his last words, "Take care of yourself… I love you."
Then he died right in front of me. At that time, the beeping of medical equipment, the shouts and screams of doctor's and patients, the wail of my aunt, when she heard the news, all I heard was, "I love you," echoing in my head, and all I felt were my ice cold tears freezing on my cheeks, my body felt empty, I was incomplete.
"My parents are both dead… I know how you feel… then again, I guess you have it worse…" I felt my eyes widen, with shock, "I knew both my parents loved me, that love fills my memories, but with you, your mom just left I cant' imagine how that must feel…"
I looked down, "Your wrong."
She turned around, "If my mom never left, my Dad would still be unhappy, because he knew she didn't love him. And that would never be a good way to remember my dad… even if he did love me," I said.
"I guess your right, I would have never looked at it that way."
"Well I've had a lot of time to think about it," I mumbled under my breath.
"We're here!" Tohru said.
"Yup!" I added, the depressing and sour tone still evident in my voice.
I shut my eyes tightly, trying exceptionally hard not to cry. I went to the bathroom, and started constantly wiping the tears from my cheeks, and changed into my jeans, and t-shirt, and put on my blue apron.
My eyes ran dry, and I walked out of the room.
"He's so cute!!!" Tohru said, playing with an orange tabby cat, that lacked white, yet was still considered tabby…
"His name's Towa," I said.
"Really? He's so cute!!" she repeated.
"Yeah I know! He's my favorite; I'm trying to save up enough cash to buy him… He looks a lot different from our other tabbies huh? Like all-orange… it's so strange."
I saw Tohru's eyes slide over to Kyo's for a moment, and on to a ferret. I sat on the floor next to Towa's cage, and fiddled with his, paw, thinking.
Kyo came over and sat next to me, "She's going to stay here forever. I shouldn't have come," he mumbled, more to himself.
I pulled Towa out of his cage, and sat him on my lap. "Then why did you say yes?"
"Because, that damn Yuki would probably say, Shigure can wait, and take her, then Shigure would get mad and make me do whatever Yuki was supposed to, and then Yuki will hold it against me."
"Okay… I see some anger issues…"
"I DON'T HAVE ANGER ISSUES!" he shouted.
I looked at him. Towa snuggled up against his side, sitting on my lap, with his head on Kyo's hand.
"He likes you… that's strange, I figured you'd scare him away, he's pretty shy at first," I scratched the back of his head.
"You like cats?" he asked me.
"Yeah. They're humble. I've tried a lot of pets, I liked dogs, but they were too big… and small dogs annoy Anko… then I tried rats… out of the question, ever since one bit my finger. Rabbits were spat at, as was a snake, so I work here now, only for an hour today, though, Mondays… everything else is 'till eight, when the shop closes."
He snickered. I looked at him, he looked over at Tohru, who was examining a rabbit.
"So she lives with you and Yuki-kun?" I asked.
"Yeah. It was Shigure's idea, the huge pervert. You'll probably end up meeting him, she was saying wanted to invite you over, when you were in the back," he looked at me, "You may want to refuse."
"That would be rude," I said, "plus, if I ever refused it would be because your going to be there," I smirked, and laughed.
"Oh really? Who said I wanted you to come? Your annoying, and your hair is stupid!"
"At least it's not orange!" I replied, "No offense Towa!" I added in a hushed whisper.
"You really like that cat huh?" he said.
"Of course, how could I not? He's unique, a one-of-the-kind sort of thing. That's why he costs fifty bucks. Which I will have by the end of the week!" I held a finger in the air as a sign of determination.
"He seems pretty lazy."
"Shut up," I looked at the clock on the wall, "Damn it."
"What?" he asked.
"I'm late. Kei-sensei is going to have my head," I said, in an uncaring tone, very passive, when I should be freaking…
"Who's Kei-sensei?"
"My master! Someone's gotta teach you 'Martial Arts'," I said, using air-quotes. I stood and went to hang up my apron, and grabbed my bag.
I felt a sudden shock of electricity of up my arm, I turned to see Kyo, grabbing my wrist, "You dropped this," he said, then turned and ran over to got get Tohru before she fell in a fish tank, yelling things like 'you stupid idiot!' and 'I don't care if the fish was 'pretty'!
"Thanks." I said turning back around fast enough so he wouldn't see me blush. Idiot, don't let stuff freak you out like that! I thought.
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"Your laaate," Kei-sensei said in a sing-songy voice as I walked in.
"I'm sorry, but did you really expect me to be on time? It's my first day at school here!" I said.
"I know, but I was hoping at east less than 15 minutes, what you do, trip over a toddler or something?"
"Shut it!" I said.
"Touchy… put that anger into your training. Otherwise, your moving again."
"I swear I'm going to kill you. Most likely in your sleep, your so paranoid."
"Ah-ah!" she said, dancing across the room, "We're not training like that today!"
"Oh, is that right, well then I guess I'd better go." I said.
"Your red? Why are you red?" she leaned in examining my face, I backed up.
She gasped, "Your blushing! This, I must admit, is new!!"
"I just got a little freaked out on my way over, I was worried you might end up calling the police about my kidnapping."
"But that doesn't explain-"
"I wasn't finished," I said, "I was getting ready to leave, and someone scared me, that's all."
"You don't get scared. You told me that before. Remember?," she started mocking my voice, " 'I don't get scared,"
"Oh will you please leave it?! I'm going to end up killing myself out of insanity."
I set my bag down on the floor, and sat up against the red wall, hugging my knees to my chest. I watched my sensei, pace around the room, tying her long black hair into a ponytail, and sitting in front of me.
"Yes?" I said.
"Just thinking, you ready?"
"For…?"
"We," she said, with immense excitement, "Are going to drive you home!"
"Your kidding?" I said.
She gasped again, "Are you accusing me of lying to you? Taki! You should be ashamed! I would never!"
"You have a date don't you?" I said irritated. I wanted to punch something again, and the way she was acting, wasn't necessarily making that idea fade away.
"Actually, that is none of your business," she smirked.
"Name?" I said.
"For all you know he dosen't have one!" she said.
"So you are going on a date," I said.
"I hate you."
"I love you too, now am I getting a name?"
"No you are not, and I'm not falling for any of your mind tricks anymore!"
"Mind tricks? Are you aware of how exceedingly lame that sounded?" I said, laughing.
"Ugh, high schoolers. GO HOME."
"Right, right, you have fun," I said, grabbing my bag and walking to the door.
"And you don't trip over a toddler," she said, laughing.
"Okay, I'm serious, that happens ONE TIME, and you have to bring it up always, I know I'm a klutz," I turned to face and and walked backwards towards the door, "but I'm still capable of- OW!" I rubbed the back of my after it banged against the black door.
"No seriously… be careful," she said, watching me as I walked out.
"God damn it, that hurt," I continued rubbing my aching head as I walked back to my aunts.
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"Taki?" Anko said, as I walked in.
"Hey!" I shouted, laying my bag by the door, and walking to the kitchen.
"Your home early," she said, concentrating on cutting some chicken.
"Yup, Kei-sensei had to leave early."
"Oh, how was school?"
"Fine."
"You meet anyone?"
"I met most of the school."
She rolled her eyes, "Smart ass."
"I met a couple people, they seemed nice enough."
"Really? That's good."
"Yeah. What've you been doin' all day? Have you been sitting in darkend corners awaiting my arrival, allowing the darkness of the shadows to slowly creep into your soul until you had to pee?"
"Why do I talk to you?" Anko said playfully.
"Frankly, if you didn't it would probably be even more annoying, to silent," I shuddered, "scary."
"Of course, what's in you schedule tomorrow?"
"I'm not sure, I'll call you if I get a sudden change in my always hectic schedule," I was coming straight home tomorrow, no questions.
I went into my room, and lay on my bed, wondering what tomorrow would bring…
OKAY! End of chapter one!!!
That took a shorter amount of time than initaially expected. I hope you all like it… I worked on it for like two days.. wow I know… But I worked hard!! And it's been like four hours of straight writing, and editing. Of course, I bet I didn't get all the typos, I was checking more of the story… so sorry about that…
AND there you go Kylie! Now will you please STOP screaming at me!?
All of you please review, it would be greatly appreciated.