Fruits Basket drabble!! (not to be confused with dribble, for all you funny people out there)
I had a sudden urge to write this after thinking about how poor Momiji was able to keep such a sunny disposition even though his mother hated him so much that she was willing to forget him. TT.TT This was born out of that thought. You really don't see him being sad, really, so I improvised a little.
Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I completely and totally... do not own Fruits Basket. (sigh) I guess there's not that many wishes that come true...

:: Acceptance ::

He always watched.

Never spoke to her. Never let her see him. At least, when he could help it.

Often, he would recall his father's pleading voice as if it were only yesterday, when he was asked if he could let his mother forget. If he would allow her to forget and to heal.

'Papa will love you more than enough for both of us. If you love Mama too... will you help her?' (1)

Momiji Sohma let his longing gaze linger on the elegant woman in the distance for a little while longer, trying to absorb as much as possible from his stolen glances. The little girl toddling along at her side brought a faint smile to his lips. "So kawaii." Sometimes, he would allow himself to pretend that he was there with the both of them. Pretend that he could talk and play with little Momo and simply be near to his mother.

"Mutti." (2) the boy sighed wistfully. A busy woman brushed by him, accidentally contacting her elbow with his arm, knocking Momiji painfully out of his reverie. "I'm so sorry!" she apologized profusely, pushing back the wispy black strands of hair that escaped from her kerchief. "I didn't mean to. Are you okay?"

With some measure of effort, he shifted his thoughts from what could have been to here and now. "I'm fine, thank you! Don't worry 'bout it!" with a bright laugh and a pleasant grin, he assured her of his well-being. "If you're sure..." she gave a tiny bow and hustled off. If she had glanced back, she would have been startled at the transformation that had occurred. The brightness had dimmed in the blond haired boy's wide, golden brown orbs, and the smile and slid like water off of his face. A slightly saddened look was in its place.

The woman and little girl were nowhere to be seen. The halls were empty, save for the few employees still working and himself.

"At least I won't have to apologize to Papa." Shuffling his feet along the ground, he wondered what it would have been like if his mother had tried. If she had tried just a little bit harder, a little longer. Was acceptance such a hard thing for a person to give? A wry grin overtook his features, something rarely seen. Of course it was, Mama is living proof.

"Momiji-kun!"

The boy turned his head, all smiles for the high school girl who rushed up to greet him, a wide smile mirrored upon her face. "Tohru!"

Maybe acceptance wasn't so hard to find after all.

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-End Notes-

(1. Direct quote taken from pg. 154 of Fruits Basket Vol. 4)

(2. German for mother. :P I'd love to add some phrases to this, but I really don't know much of that language.)

Please review and tell me what you think of it : )