Disclaimer: No ownage of Fruits Basket.

A/N: Yep. This is it! The sequel to Lullaby I'm sure you were all just dying to read. I know I'm pretty excited to write it!

Impact

Without Rhyme, Wrench, or Reason: Prologue

Cold hands gripped her small fingers within their grasp, squeezing like the icy claws of death upon her burning hot digits. She gave a cry, mouth opening wide in a piteous wail, face contorted into a vision of utter disturbance. Her fire hot hands clenched into fists, setting up a blockade against the cold skin that had just made contact; her ploy worked, the hands pulled away.

Asu's wail ended immediately and she opened her amber eyes, a bright smile covering her features. The black-haired man standing over her bedside frowned, eyebrows rising until they were in danger of disappearing into his hairline.

"Aren't you a bit too old to be throwing fits like that?" Questioned the man. His usual playful tone had disappeared, and was overtaken by a fatherly, reprimanding voice that made him seem bigger than he really was.

""You squeezed my fingers too hard, Gure-san." Explained the girl, her wide eyes boring holes into his, her sunny smile still planted on her bright, round features.

Shigure's mouth twitched upwards at her honey-sweet tones, but wouldn't allow himself to give in to her charms. "Still, you can use your words. How old are you now?"

She held up a small hand, fingers splayed into the hair. "This many, Gure-san. Remember? Where's mommy?"

"She had to run some errands. and I am in charge of getting you," He bent down and scooped the little girl into his arms, "to your first day of kindergarten. Now, remember what we talked about?" He asked, a small grin overtaking his features.

He really sucked at this fatherly stuff. But, come on. She was just so damn cute. He let a full smile bloom on his face as Asu thought, concentration scrunching her features, her eyes fixing on a ceiling panel in the distance. Her face brightened as she came across the answer in the confines of her mind.

"Oh! Play nice, don't whine, don't throw, don't yell, don't hug boys, and don't lose your beads!" She rattled off proudly, counting clumsily on her tiny fingers. "Can we go now?"

"Yes." Replied Shigure cheerfully, kissing her on the forehead before he set her on the ground.

Asu wrinkled her nose. "Icky!" She laughed, wiping off the kiss. "Don't be silly, Gure-san!" Giggling, the girl skipped off to the front door, the dog following behind her dutifully, sure to gather up the lunch and backpack she had left behind on the living room floor.

"Asu! Don't go outside without me!" He called across the house, as he reached over to flick off the light. "Asu?"

Shigure was slightly horrified at the silence, and nearly tripped himself in his rush to get to the door, calling her name, each repetition growing more and more worried. His worry was for nothing, however, for he found Asu standing in front of the open door, staring up at a tall figure with violent eyes, and grey hair.

"Oh!" Exclaimed Shigure, taking a few steps forward to set his hands on Asu's shoulders. "This is a surprise! When did you get back in town?"

The rat smiled slightly, shrugging a bit. "Yesterday. I thought I'd come say hello to you, Asu, and Tohru… But I see I may have come at a bad time."

"Well, Tohru's not here, and I was just about to take Asu to kindergarten, but you're welcome to walk with us. Asu?" He questioned suddenly, turning his attention back onto the small girl, who had not moved since the two had started talking, "Say hello to Nii-san Yuki." He shook her slightly. "Asu? Asu, are you listening to me?"

He knelt down, peering around so that he could see her face, and immediately drew back. Her amber eyes had shifted somehow, they were now darker, deeper, and redder then ever, her pupils had dilated into small slits. An angry sneer had made it's way across her small figures, her expression was one of pure animosity, an expression no five-year old girl should have.

Shigure swallowed nervously. "Asu?" He questioned very quietly.

It was then she spoke, her eyes never leaving Yuki. Hatred dripped with every word, making her voice seem deeper, years older then she really was.

"I'll kill you, you stupid rat. I'll kill you."