AUTHORS NOTE
Saki: Hello and welcome to me and my wife's new fanfiction! I'm sorry to all the Clannad fans out there who think I ripped off Ushio! She has such a cute personality though T^T I wuv her! Anyway, this story is inspired by both Fruba and Clannad, so there are lots similarities involving Clannad. I do not own Fruba or Clannad!
Cha-Cha: Ahoy! You've just boarded the RIPOFF! 8D This is me and wifey's new fanfiction, so I hope you guys appriciate it! Editing was so much fun x3 that, and writing in cussing-orientated dialogues for Kyou XD I wuv wifey berry much, yer little shit -SHOT-
DISCLAIMER: We don't own anything, folks. Except our boobies. 8DD
Saki: I wuv you too! And, no! You're the little shit!
So anyway~ I hope you enjoy our fanfic, please review! Constructive criticism would be nice ;)
Maple
Setting: It's 2020. Ten years after Kyo admitted his love for Tohru. Golden Week has arrived and Kyo's friends and family are staying around Shigure's. Who know what could possibly happen?
Chapter 1
Yo. I'm Kyou, I'm 26 years old and born in the year of the cat, which is pretty obvious to anyone who's seen the Zodiac curse in action, 'cause I transform into a fucking orange kitty-cat. It is not cool!
Aya's been annoying me recently - well, not that there's ever been a point when he hasn't… He still calls me Kyonkichi, worst luck. Just that thought makes me shudder and have the urge to stab something with a broken wine bottle, or to that extent, anyway. Damn snake.
Anyway, Shigure insisted on everyone in the Sohma clan coming around his house for Golden Week. His house isn't even big enough! It's bursting at the seams with people. In fact, I won't be surprised if he makes me camp out in the garden or something. Not that it'll matter. I mean, I have Tohru, right? She lived in a tent for a while after her mom passed away, so she should have plenty of experience camping. Why the hell am I telling you all this crap, anyway? Like a diary can talk back or listen to what I say. Anywa-
"Stupid cat. What you got there? A diary? Pahaha. You're such a baby," Yuki remarked, smirking. Ugh. He had to show up, didn't he?
"RIGHT! YOU ASKED FOR IT, DAMN RAT!" I shouted, trying to hit him at the same time.
"Don't break my house while you're up to your shenanigans! Younglings these days…" Shigure quietly mumbled from the other room. Honestly. Does he just get a kick out of this sort of stuff? It won't get him anywhere in life if he carries on the way he's been living the past ten years.
"You really piss me off sometimes y'know?" I blurted out without thinking.
Not shockingly, he punched me across the face like his fist was a mallet, whacking into a croquet ball. I knew it was coming sooner or later, but that doesn't stop the "Oh fuck that hurt!" part.
I fell face-first to the ground. It was a miracle I was still alive.
"Right, now that's over and done with, I have a date with Machi." And I need to know the fascinating story of your social life because…? "Don't try and kill yourself on leeks while I'm gone. On second thoughts, do.. It'd please me." Such a smug voice. Like he has anything to be proud of.
"Not if I kill you first."
"You won't, just face it, you've been trying for 26 years, you really think you're gonna win now?" He said while striding out of the front door.
Right, now we're finally alone, I can tell you what's happened over the past 10 years-
"PAPAAAAA~!"
"C-cool it Ushio! Shigure doesn't want any antiques broken!" I said, concerned for how much that fancy-pants stuff costs, and whether I'd be able to pay back Shigure for the damages.
"….Kay~!" She's so cute, it should be criminal.
"Now, do you know where mommy wandered off to?" I said bending down to come face to face with her. I hadn't seen Tohru around.
"Yup! She's having tea with aunt Kagura!" She said with a proud look on her face.
"Ahh, I see, I'll find her later. I need to talk to her."
"Okay~!"
"Well well well, do my eyes deceive me or is Kyonkichi actually having fun for once?" Ayame looked like he was about to collapse from being drunk, slurring his words.
"I WAS having fun until you barged in, damn snake."
"USHIOOO-CHAN! Come with meee~ I bet Mine would love to dress you up in one of her new dresses! She's looking for models you know!" He didn't even try paying attention to me. He's such a pedophile. If you do so much as lay one finger on Ushio, you sick bastard…
Ushio ran out with Aya, holding hands. Okay, sticking true to my above comment, I am officially going to murder that guy.
…Well. Now I need to explain, don't I?
Me and Tohru got very close over the years we spent together in the old house. We really were inseparable. I seriously love her so badly, it makes me giddy just thinking about her. I proposed at her 20th birthday party, and she took my hand in marriage willingly (how could she not say yes to these good looks?)
But… Akito died a short while after we agreed to get married. I guess I had mixed feelings about the guy. I mean, one side of me said he was a good guy deep down, but the other side just said… evil. Akito was one mysterious guy, I can tell you that. There were so many things I realised I needed to know about him… but only after he was gone.
I got even closer to Tohru, on top of that. She really is my soul mate. I can tell, from the way her hand fits in mine, and the way she's always smiling at me and treating me like a human being, not a damn cat-boy that needs anger management, dammit. And 4 years ago, in the summer of 2016, a summer filled with bliss and so many unexpected blessings, my daughter, Ushio Sohma was born.
~Flashback moment~
"I-I don't think I can do this, Kyou," Tohru said, her voice shaking with nerves. "I mean… it'll be so… so awkward…!" I reached out and ruffled her hair. I guess that made her more comfortable?
"Man, you get so stressed out!" I grinned, but really I was a little on the shaky side too. She gazed up at me, wide eyes resembling a puppy. "It'll go fine, ya know?" I said, trying to reassure her. "Sure, it'll be a little embarrassing admitting that we've shagged and that you have some sort of embryo thing in your-"
"S-Stop! Th-This isn't helping!" she cried, clapping her hands over her ears and squeezing her eyes shut tightly. I chuckled and touched her cheek tenderly. Her face was kinda pink, like a raspberry.
"You take things so seriously." I said lightly, but meaningfully, grabbing the doorknob. Then, without waiting for a reply, I turned it and pushed the door open.
Yuki, Haru, Shigure, and Kazuma were sat around the kotatsu, tucking into nabe.
"Oh, there you are," Yuki said. "Tohru-san. We were wondering where you went off to." Fine, go ahead and ignore my presence, Damn Rat.
"Ah, Kyou!" Kazuma smiled at me. "And Tohru-kun, too. Come and sit down. The nabe Shigure ordered is delicious!"
"Ah, yes… that. Wh-Why didn't you just ask me to start preparing dinner, Shigure?" Tohru asked. She works so hard on herself. Why doesn't she ever consider taking a break once in a while? "Besides, the least I can do is prepare a meal for everyone while I'm staying here, right?"
"Of course not! While you are a guest, I refuse to let you cook a meal for everyone!"
"B-But, Shigure-san… you can't cook," she replied. She stared down at the bowl full of nabe Kazuma handed her, face pink, hidden under her silky fringe. I nudged her.
"Oh, Tohru-san. Is there something wrong?" Yuki asked. He threw me a inquiring glance. Don't act like you're more concerned then I am, you two-faced bastard.
"A-A-Actually-" She was cut off by Haru opening his mouth and saying cockily,
"Got a secret you'd wanna share with us?" Back off, little shit. I gave him a fuming stare. Let her reply in her own time.
"U-Umm…" Kazuma put a hand on her shoulder and smiled softly.
"Tell us in your own time, Tohru-kun," he said gently. She swallowed.
"M-m-me.. and Kyou. W- we…. We… may of… erm…" She couldn't seem to get her damn words out. Yet Kazuma was that sort of person who'd listen to anyone rambling on anything, for any amount of time.
"We…. We did it! We slept together! O-OKAY?" He face was a replica of a tomato, literally.
Kazuma blinked.
I went red too.
The awkward silence that went on for about 10 seconds felt like 10 years.
"Kyo…" Kazuma turned to me. "I'm glad."
That was a little unexpected… You're glad I fucked a girl?
"It means you two are finally growing up and maturing, and I'm not aiming this at you, Tohru."
Thanks Dad. You really know how to make me feel better about myself don't you?
Yuki's and Haru's reaction went a little like this.
"HOW THE HELL DID YOU MANAGE THAT?"
How d'ya think, Damn Rat. I swear, if he just tried to use his brain once in a while… It'd actually make me happier.
~Flashback ends~
Then we had a theory...
That Ushio could hold the core of the Sohma family, just like Akito.
She was always getting ill so regularly; it hurt me to see her like that. Why couldn't she just lead a normal life, like everyone else?
"Kyou!" I turned around. "Ushio told me you were looking for me, so I came right away!" Tohru explained, a wide smile radiating from her face.
That was so like Tohru.
"Yeah, I need to talk to you in private…"
"Um, sure!"
We found my old room tucked away upstairs (still full of Shigure's books) and sat down on my bed. It hadn't changed one bit.
I took a deep breath.
"Ushio's condition is deteriorating. Hatori told me today."
"B-b-but… Ushio's been so active lately…" She said with tears starting to trickle down her face. I squeezed her hand tightly.
"No, please, don't cry," I pleaded. "She's going to be fine. I promise."
"But, she'll end up just like Akito…why, why her?" she cried, burying her face into my shoulder.
"It's the curse, that damn, stupid curse. We're just going to have to live with it…"
"Ushio… she'll get through it. I know she will. I believe in her." she said with determination shining through the sad tone in her voice.
"I know too, she has such a strong personality."
Then, the doorbell rang, just like that.
"Oh! That should be Hana and Uo, I told them to come along." she sniffed, wiping tears from her eyes.
"Oh great." I said with a load of enthusiasm in my voice. Just what I need on an evening like this…
"Enthusiasm Kyo! Show a little enthusiasm! It's only because you're afraid of getting your butt kicked by Uo at whatever board game she bought today!"
"Am not! I'll beat her, no matter what it takes! So there!"
"C'mon," Tohru giggled, pulling on my sleeve. I followed her reluctantly.
Tohru opened the door to find Saki Hanajima and Arisa Uotani on the doorstep.
"Hana-chan! Uo-chan! Welcome! Have you had a good Golden Week so far?" she said.
"Yeah. I went to practice on my motorbike. I still have Kyouko's butterfly coat!" Uo said proudly.
"Really! I bet that's antique now."
"I went to help out at the local festival. The electrical waves in here are full of energy!" said Hana. I shuddered. There was something about that chick that always freaked me out.
"I know, everyone seems to be enjoying themselves." She glanced around the room.
"I can never throw away this old thing! It's Kyoko's Red Butterfly coat." Uo protested.
Kyou ran away, that wimp of a man.
Oy, Yuki! Stop writing in my diary or you'll pay for it, Damn Rat.
No writing in capitals? You've grown up more than I thought.
Just shut up you bastard!
"Why don't you come in and have some food? Me and Yuki made it for everyone." Did I need to even say that I don't want you mentioning that jerk's name under any circumstances, Tohru?
"Are those hit or miss onigiri? That brings back memories!" Hana said while picking up a leek onigiri. I was almost sick at the sight of her being able to handle the leek without kitchen utensils keeping it at bay.
"Yes! Yuki and me figured we'd make something that would get everyone fired up. Kyou even helped out!"
"That I did," I added.
"This is delicious…" Hana repeated over and over until she finished. She was really into it.
"I'm going to go and catch up with some people! See ya!" And with that, she was off, chatting to people she'd only met once or twice.
"See you around!"
"Ushio-chan! You look dashing!" Mine squealed like a fangirl.
"Th-thank-you!" said Ushio, looking dazed. She was starting to look dizzy.
"Yes, Mine's right! You look absolutely spiffing!" Ayame was even worse, he nearly fell on the floor at the sight of her. Seriously, how drunk can you get at a party?
Then.. it happened.
It was like a warning message for a storm that brewing far out at sea, slowly building up to the point where the damage would be far worse than the words written down on paper.
"Ushio? Ushio?"
"What about Ushio?"
Ushio had collapsed.
"TORI-CHAN! THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG! QUICK!"
Everyone was hysterical.
"What did he just say? Ushio! Ushio?"
Tohru grabbed me, and pulled me through the crowd of alarmed people, while I actually tried to make sense of what was happening.
"HATORI! IS SHE OKAY? WHAT HAPPENED?" I screamed, trying to make my voice heard.
"She has a fever. We should get her to bed right away."
Tohru flew to Ushio with open arms. She hugged her tight.
"You're going to be okay, Ushio. You're going to be okay."
"Mmm…"
~The next day~
Ushio seemed okay this morning. Me and Tohru had a fright there. I mean, I was about ready to piss my pants back there. I'm so grateful to Hatori, for everything he's done. I have no idea what we'd do without him. He really is a great family doctor. Now that Akito is gone, he will probably take up all his work time looking after Ushio. I really hope she'll be okay.
"Ushio. How are you feeling today?" Hatori asked her, while kneeling at her bedside, at her eye level.
"I-I'm good… thank-you." Her face had become paler.
"Okay. I'll be visiting you every day from now on. I confirm that she has the same condition as Akito once did."
I knew it all along... I knew.
"Will she be okay?" Tohru cried, squeezing my hand.
"We don't know. She should hopefully be fine. I'll keep my fingers crossed."
Hatori left the room silently, carrying his medical kit. It was only until he was halfway down the corridor that I finally snapped into action and followed him out of the door.
"Hatori! Wait up!" I called. He turned around, and I ran up to his side.
"Thanks so much. I really owe you one."
"It's okay, I'm used to it. Kyou... you've matured so much, you know. It's hard to believe it's really you."
"Many other people have said that too... I guess I'm truly a different person, right?"
"Yes. It's all thanks to Tohru-kun, she's quite a character."
"She is. I love her so much. And not just that, you know? I… I really, really admire her."
"The incident those years ago...
She healed you."
XXX
Everything Hatori said... hit me like a slap in the face.
How lucky am I against Ushio?
Very, very lucky. Even if I do change into that grotesque form, at least everyone now accepts me.
I heard rumors around the Sohma household that people thought that Ushio would turn out like Akito. Cold, evil.. Heartless.
How could they ever think that about my daughter? She is… she's just so… so… sweet. Kind. Considerate. Adorable. Intelligent. How could they ever judge her if they didn't even know half those things about her? Ushio is Ushio. And… She has Tohru for a mom. How could anyone related to Tohru be anything like Akito?
Thinking about that incident... I haven't got in touch with Master in a few years. He didn't even show for Golden Week…
I wonder how he is?
"Kyou? Why don't I stay up here with Ushio-chan and you can cook up some leek soup for her? I'd love you forever!" Tohru seemed to be enjoying herself already. She was great at looking after people.
"YOU WANT TO MAKE ME DO WHAT?" Leeks? Are you serious? No way, woman. No way am I going near those green vegetables of the devil.
"I take back the maturity thing. You're still the same Kyou from 10 years ago, just a little taller." Hatori, you bitch.
"Oh really? You're still the same Hatori from 10 years ago… still a seahorse, not a dragon."
"You take that back!"
"What's all the noise about this week?" Shigure murmured from the living room. He'd experienced noise louder than this, surely?
And so… Golden Week ended. I wonder if Ushio will get better?
End of Chapter 1
Authors Note
Cha-Cha: Aww, I love my wifey~ THANK YOU SO MUCH AMY! Thank you so much for encouraging me to watch Fruits Basket, 'cause without it I wouldn't have much hope at helping you out with this awesome fanfic! Plus, Fruits Basket is such an awesome series, and I've truly enjoyed every moment of watching it! I hope I enjoy the manga just as much!
Saki: I love you too bebeh... ;D
If I didn't encourage you to watch it, you wouldn't of met Yuki Sohma! D:
THE MANGA IS AMAZINNN X3 READ... NOW... OR ELSE.
Hehe, hoped you enjoyed the chapter... THERE ARE MORE COMING!
P.S: You'll understand why this story is called 'Maple' later on *puts hand over mouth to try not to reveal spoilers*
Written by Saki-chan
Edited by Cha-cha (I love you x3)
REVIEW AND ALERT, GAIZU! YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED! :3