A/N: This is my first attempt at Fruits Basket and my second yaoi fic, so be gentle. I've only seen as far as the 1st volume of the series and read to the 4th volume of the manga. If things seem dramatically out of character please tell me, and how I can make it more in character. I understand that there must be some out-of-character-ness for any of this to occur.
I know the plot is totally cliché and appears in almost every Kyo/Yuki fic. Forgive me? I promise it will get better. Not necessarily original, but better.
Thank you!
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Baskets.
A pair of pale, bare feet ambled down the stairs of the Sohma house. Yawning, Kyo Sohma stretched his arms above his head and cracked his neck. Having just awakened, he was still dressed in his pajamas and his carrot colored hair was greatly disheveled. Eyes still bleary with sleep, he glanced lazily out the window.
The sky was completely grey, cluttered with clouds that were thick and full of rain. No wonder he had slept so late, gloomy days like this always made him sleep in- it was a cat thing. Rubbing his eyes he continued sluggishly down to the kitchen.
Inside the kitchen Tohru was busying herself making lunch for the family. Kyo flopped down casually by the table and watched the girl work.
"Morning Kyo-kun," she greeted, loading the rice cooker. "Lunch will ready soon."
He sighed, propping his elbows on the table and resting his head in his hands. "Where's Shigure?"
"He's working on his latest novel, I think," she giggled with her usual clueless expression.
Kyo loathed days like this, it was so boring. Both Shigure and Tohru were busy and nothing could make him resort to interacting with Yuki. Then it him, he would just go start a fight with Yuki! That should keep him occupied for a while, even if it did just result in another defeat for the cat. A mischievous smirk played across his face.
"Where's that damn rat?" he spat.
Tohru set some bowls down on the counter and turned to face him.
"Actually I haven't seen Sohma-kun all morning," she answered wiping her hands on her apron.
A soft pattering sound erupted from the roof. The dark, saturated clouds looming over the house had finally found release, resulting in a massive down pour.
"I guess the bottom finally fell out," Kyo commented, gazing out the window.
Peering past the porch, he stared as the descending rain splattered dully onto the ground. His tangerine colored eyes narrowed as the droplets became more frequent and the pattering grew violent.
"I hope he's not out in that," Tohru whispered, stating exactly what the feline was thinking.
Kyo shrugged tearing his gaze from the window. What do I care?
He watched as Tohru's face was gradually consumed by worry. Her coffee colored eyes where round and fixated out the nearby window as her bottom lip quivered. She had become a bit over protective of Yuki after finding out about his ailment and would fret every time the nezumi so much as coughed. It annoyed the hell out of Kyo, but he kept it to himself as not to further upset the girl.
Tohru then disappeared up the stairs for a moment and returned with Shigure closely behind. "Shigure says he hasn't seen Sohma-kun either."
"You two go look for him," the novelist announced, "I'll call the main house to see if he's there and then I'll finish up making lunch for Tohru."
Of course everyone get all worked up over the missing rat!
"I don't remember volunteering to go searching in the rain for that worthless sewer dweller," he muttered venomously.
"You will help Tohru look," Shigure replied with all seriousness.
Never witnessing sternness of any kind from the light-hearted writer, Kyo concluded that it was probably best to obey. Knowing when he was licked, he gathered to his feet.
"At least let me go change first," he grumbled, gesturing toward the blue cotton shorts and white tee shirt he was wearing.
Shigure nodded as Kyo passed him on his way up the stairs. He returned shortly wearing a pair of loose black pants, a raincoat and his usual scowl. Shigure just grinned in approval.
Following Tohru to the door, "You owe me for this!" he snapped bitterly.
The neko was anything but thrilled as he stepped through the sheet of water falling from the roof. This sucks! His hair was quickly drenched, clinging to his face and dangling in front of his eyes. Grunting he pushed it away and followed the equally soaked Tohru into the woods. It's just like Yuki to inconvenience everyone.
"YUKI!" Tohru called out, but her voice was too soft to carry over the roaring rain.
"I don't think that's going to work," Kyo said ducking under a low tree branch.
"I'm so worried," she whimpered.
Kyo stopped dead in his tacks. Despite the rain he could see that her eyes were laced with tears, although he couldn't tell which was rolling down her flushed cheeks. Why can't she care about me the way she does him?
"Don't worry," he rested a hand on her shoulder consolingly, "well find that idiot."
Tohru smiled seeing the awkward expression on Kyo's face, she knew he didn't like to see girls cry. It was nice of him to try to cheer her up and maybe it was working. "Let's keep going."
He nodded and followed.
The pair had been searching for a good 15 minutes now and the cold rain was beginning to seep to their bones. Their pace had slowed considerably and the two were growing weary against the vicious weather. But their resolution never faltered, they weren't returning without Yuki.
Tohru stopped abruptly, a twig snapping underfoot. Eyes wide, she grew pale bringing a trembling hand to her mouth. Curious as to what had caused the sudden delay, Kyo peered over her shoulder to see an unconscious Yuki lying face first into the ground.
Panicking he rushed to fallen boy's side turning him over. His skin was a pasty white and he was shaking violent in Kyo's arms. Kyo tightened his grip around the shoulders as to anchor the him.
"Sohma-kun…" Tohru mewled approaching cautiously.
"Get away from him!" Kyo barked.
Shock stricken she backed away and Kyo returned his attention to the sickly boy. He found a small white rat quivering at top a pile of sopping clothes. He must have transformed from exhaustion, Kyo thought scooping up the little nezumi.
Kyo and Tohru rushed back to Shigure's as quickly as possible. Carrying Yuki in his hands Kyo wrapped his fingers over him to help fight of the cold. About half way back Yuki altered back into his human and very naked form.
His weight wasn't causing any strain; it was his lack of coverage that was making Kyo uncomfortable. He gave thanks silently for the fact that Yuki was unconscious saving him from the ridicule that would otherwise have followed.
Kyo gave a 'huff' of relief seeing the form of the house through the rain.