This is my first Fruits Basket fic so, I hope you like it! Please, no flames but I do like reviews with suggestions! Thanks! (If I mess up on any Japanese culture, please tell me!)

-gopottergo11

The Cat's Eyes Finally Open

The sky was gray, no sun to be seen. The air was crisp and cool. The leaves were red, orange, and yellow. Fall was here, and everyone was glad. Well, almost everyone.

A teenage girl, around the age of 16, was packing her belongings in a box, and so was the rest of her family. She had curly blonde hair that went to her shoulders. Her eyes were sapphire blue with a hint of grey. She had the body of a model, but she was not popular. She wasn't like all the other girls at school. She wasn't girlie; she was a tom-boy. She played sports and bailed on school dances.

She and her family lived in California. Her father, a husky blonde man, got a new job in Japan. He vowed he would never ditch his family. So, they were forced to move to the other side of the world.

"Lilly! Lilly? Honey dear, are you done packing?" her mother asked. Lilly sighed, her blonde curls getting in her face. "Yeah, mom!" she replied. They would have to get a ship to Japan because the father wanted to keep an eye on their belongings.

1 hr and 45 min later. On the ship to Japan.

The air felt like needles hitting Lilly in the face. It's crisp, coolness enforced 20%. She started toward the back of the boat; she could barely see the California harbor. "Lilly Sapphire?" a deep, growling voice asked. "Huh?" Lilly turned around. The captain was standing there, looking into her eyes. "Um, sir?" responded Lilly. "I have a favor for you and your father is okay with you doing this: I need you to go on another boat because a younger child needs your bunk. I'm sorry but please do this? For a good cause?" Lilly stared. She had to get on another boat for an infant? Really? Where is the other boat anyway? "Hmm, fine." she agreed. "Excellent! I'll call up another boat to transfer you in!" "Swell." mumbled Lilly. She then went to the front of the boat and let the wind blow her hair in many directions.

A smaller boat, about half the size of the boat Lilly was present on now, pulled up to the side of the boat. Both boats put their anchor down and set up a plank for Lilly to walk across. Her bags were by her side, ready to be lifted and taken aboard the new ship. Lilly grumbled. "Why must all this happen to me?" she muttered. "Lilly dear!" Her mother called her. "Honey, we'll see you in Japan. Just hang tight!" her mother said with a smile. "Sure." Lilly said, not amused. "Good girl. Love you lots, hun!" "Um, sure. Love you too." she breathed. Her mother then embraced her. "Mom? I'll see you later!" Lilly mumbled. "Okay, sorry honey." Her mother smiled and let her go. Lilly then walked the plank to the other boat. It was surprisingly clean. Just then, a man in a white uniform stepped in front of her. Probably the captain. she thought. "You're cabin is down the hall to the left." his deep, gruff voice said. "Okay. Thanks." she muttered. She went down the clean hall, went left, and found her small but convenient cabin. It has a bed and a toilet. Good enough. She threw her bags on the floor and took a nap.

A few days later. Porting into Japan.

"It's about time." grumbled Lilly. "The first time I've walked on steady ground in days." She was off the boat and was waiting for her mom and dad. Hours past and no boat came. The captain of the boat she was in came up to her. He took off his hat and said, "Lilly, my sweet, I'm so sorry." She looked up confused. "Huh? What do you mean? Did you take me to the wrong port?" The man looked down. "No. The boat you got off, the one with your family on it sank. It had an unknown hole and grow bigger from impacting debris. It was a very old and rusty boat. I'm sorry." Lilly was shocked. "N-no. No. No! That did not happen!" "Yes it did young lassie. Did your parents have money to get back to California?" "No! They used all their money to get here! I can't afford to go back! They can't be dead!" "Well, they are. I'm sorry." The captain walked away. Lilly was shocked. She never lost any thing or anyone that she loved before. She grabbed her bags, went through them, grabbed her back pack, and only put necessary things in her back pack. She left her other bags and items at the dock. She was on her way to find a way to live. A gentle tear rolled down her face.

She found some woods and decided to walk through them. I won't go too far. Worse case I'll be more lost then how I started. She walked through the marvelous trees and flowers. She saw streams and deer. It was definitely a beautiful sight. She came across a building. It had large glass windows that allowed her to see through. They were people fighting and punching and doing martial arts. Well, maybe I can get lessons here so I can learn how to fight! If I know how to fight then I can protect myself. She walked in. There was a front desk with a bell. The place smelt like sweat. The sounds were people grunting and being threw down. She rang the bell. An old man came and looked at her curiously. "May I help you?" "I want to train." The old man laughed. "Ah, it's been years since we've had a fierce female. Welcome. I'll get you a uniform!" The old man left and came back with a white, fighting karate robe. "Here, take a right turn down the hall." She put on the robe and went down the hall to the right.

She walked in and saw tons of boys and men fighting and being fought. She gazed around the room and found a red-head. He was kicking the crap out of a man around the age of 25. He, the red-head, looked to be 16. Wow, he looks… fine. Tall, skinny, strong. I might just fall for this guy. A man in a black robe came up to her. Hhe looked her up and down. "So? You want to fight? You're just a pesky little girl." The red-head was watching now. His eyes were glued to Lilly. He notices me. Hold up, I need to deal with this guy over here. Lilly looked up at the man. "I'm the couch and I say you're just a weak little girl." Anger was building up inside Lilly. "Who knows, old man, I could be stronger than you. You've never seen me fight so how would you know?" Lilly threw at him. The man looked pleased. "All girls are weak, immature-" Lilly took the man by the arm, flipped him in the air, slammed him into the ground, and grabbed his arm to go behind his back to where one move would break his arm. "That's the least of my abilities." Lilly said. She noticed that all the guys gathered in a group around them. How much did they see? Lilly released the man. He smiled. "You please me. I'll pair you up with one of my best fighters. Kyo?" The red-head came up. "Kyo, you will be this young lady's partner." Score. "Yes sir." Kyo mumbled. Everyone separated and went back to what they were doing.

"Who are you and why are you here?" asked Kyo. They were chopping blocks. Lilly was breaking them easily. Kyo had difficulties but got them chopped. All the men looked back at them shocked. "My name is Lilly Sapphire. I'm 16 years old. I'm here because my dad got a promotion from California, United States, to here in Japan. But, he and my family died in the ride here so now I want to learn how to fight to protect myself." She said simply. He looked at her surprised. " Sorry about that. Aren't you supposed to be 'girlie'?" Lilly stopped. She glared at him. "Oh, so because I'm a girl means I can't fight or play sports? Because I'm a girl, I'm supposed to wear dresses and skirts and wear make up? What in the heck makes you think that's what I do?" she fussed at him. He took a step back. "Well, sorry! I'm used to a freaking girlie girl in my house!" yelled Kyo. "Who? Your sister?" "No. Someone were having stay with us because she had no home." "What's her name?" "Tohru."

It was time to leave. Lilly was leaving when Kyo ran after her. "Yes?" "So, where are you going to stay?" Lilly looked straight ahead and thought. "I don't know. Maybe under a tree. Possibly under a rock." Kyo laughed. "Well, I'm Kyo Sohma. I'm 16 and… nothing much else I guess." Lilly laughed. She saw a beautiful creek. The moon was reflecting off the water. It was a beautiful view. "Wow, I think I'll sleep here tonight. See you tomorrow Kyo." He looked shocked and disappointed. "Okay, see you tomorrow." He walked away. Score.

At the Sohma Household

"Welcome home Kyo! How was your day at the dojo?" asked Tohru, extremely happy as always. "Well, there's a new girl. She seems cool." he responded. "Ooohh! Kyo's in LOVE!" screeched Shigure. "How is that possible? A cold, heartless man be in love? More unlikely be loved." said Yuki. "SHUT UP!"

Thanks for reading! Please review! Flames are not appreciated. But if you don't like it, please tell me how to improve! : ) I'll update every Saturday! Thanks! Bye!

-gopottergo11