The Price That We Pay

By: Pyra Thompson

Chapter One: The Girl in the Rain

I don't own Fruits Basket. I hope you all enjoy this one. This is my second fan fiction and I'll be talking a lot less in this one. Hopefully. Enjoy (smiley)!

Shigure sighed. The rain pounded harder on the windows and didn't show any sign of letting up. He set down his pen and decided he'd make himself a cup of tea, before continuing his manuscript. It must have been around two in the morning or so, and Shigure wasn't the least bit tired. He set the packet in the boiling water and sighed again. Why did the rain bother him so much? He could understand Kyo, but he had no idea as to why every time he heard rain on his roof, he was suddenly filled with dismay. He sat down in the living room with his prepared tea and took a long sip. Maybe it was because the rain was so boring. Everyone had long since gone to sleep, and if he were to call Hatori at this hour his next visit to the doctor might be an unpleasant one. "If only I were married to a beautiful house wife, who'd stay up late with me and make me tea, and sit with me on the couch, and whisper sweet things in my ear." Shigure sighed again at the thought of a beautiful woman at his side snuggling up to him. It didn't matter, if he had a woman to cuddle with he'd simply transform. He looked at the ground dejected. She'd left him. She clearly didn't love him anymore, and she'd left him. He felt himself about to weep when he heard an unexpected knock on the door. Setting down his tea he stood to answer it. Who could it be at this late hour? The knock became louder. Shigure opened the door and standing before him was a young girl. She had long brown hair, wet from the pounding rain that she was standing in. Her eye's were a light blue covered by glasses. She wore drenched clothes and a note was stapled to her shirt. Somehow the note seemed dry. She was gorgeous, were it not for how worn and tired she looked.

"I…I gave them…to her…" the woman collapsed onto Shigure.

Hatori was awoken by an unpleasant ringing sound. He tiredly reached for the phone next to his bed. He mumbled a hello. "Hatori! I need you over here right away!" Shigure yelled over the phone.

"It's two in the morning can't this wait?"

"Hatori, I really need you here!" Shigure was serious. This alone was enough to shock Hatori into hanging up and getting dressed. He arrived at Shigure's ten minutes later.

"What's wrong?" Hatori asked assuming something had happened to Tohru. Shigure stepped aside and let Hatori in.

"She's asleep on the couch. This way." Hatori walked into the living room to see a beautiful girl laid across the couch. She was in Shigure's robe, fast asleep. Hatori looked at the girl then back to Shigure.

"If this is because you think you got her pregnant-"

"No, no, no! Her clothes were wet. She came to my doorstep and fainted on me. I drug her inside and changed her into some dry clothes." Shigure explained. Hatori whipped out his stethoscope and began examining the girl.

"She seems fine. She might get a cold though. Is this all you called me here for?"

"There's more. This girl, she's a Sohma. I found a note attached to her shirt. The ink was undamaged. It read: 'Chloe Sohma, your price has been paid. Signed, Yuko.'" Shigure handed the note to Hatori for examination.

"Who's Yuko? And why did this girl come here? Shigure I still don't understand why my presence is necessary."

"When the girl fell on me, I didn't transform." Hatori stared at his friend in disbelief.

"You're joking, right?" Hatori asked. Shigure shook his head. "If she's a Sohma, and she doesn't transform when she hugs you then does that mean…"

"I'm not sure. I was hoping you could tell me." Shigure said. Hatori stood.

"The only way to find out is to ask her. We'll wait until she wakes up." Hatori planned. Shigure nodded.

"Well then, in the meantime, would you like some tea?" Shigure offered. Hatori accepted.

She stirred. Every muscle in her body ached. She slowly lifted her eyes open. She didn't recognize the room she was in. Where was she? She saw a pair of chocolate eyes pop up in front of her.

"Ah! Our sleeping beauty awakens! How do you feel?" Shigure asked.

"Um…fine. My head hurts a little." She said.

"Do you know where you are?" Shigure asked. She shook her head. "I'm Shigure Sohma, and this is my home. Do you know how you got here?" She shook her head again. Hatori entered the room. "This is my friend Hatori. He's a doctor."

"Um…are you not feeling well?" She asked Shigure.

"He's here to make sure you're all right." Shigure laughed. Hatori brought out his flashlight and shinned it into her eyes.

"How many fingers do you see?" Hatori asked. Holding up three fingers.

"Three."

"Very good. What time is it?" Hatori asked. She looked to the clock.

"Nine o' six."

"Good. Does anything hurt?"

"No, not particularly." She answered.

"Well, you seem to be perfectly healthy. I'd be careful though you might catch a cold." Hatori stood to leave.

"Um, sir?" she asked. He turned.

"What is it?"

"I was wondering, could you tell me who I am?" She asked. The two men stood in awe of her. Shigure was the first to speak.

"You, you mean you don't know?" She shook her head. "Your name is Chloe (ka-lee-oh) Sohma. You are distantly related to Hatori and myself."

"I see. Are you and I close?" Chloe asked. Shigure blushed.

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, I'm on your couch, in your clothes, in your house, and your friend is taking care of me."

"Heh heh. Oh that." Shigure chuckled. "You see, you came to my house last night and collapsed. It was raining so I took you in and gave you some dry clothes."

"So then we aren't in a relationship?" Shigure blushed even deeper.

"Hmm…it seems she has amnesia." Hatori guessed.

"What should we do?"

"Well, we'll have her stay here for a while and see if anything naturally comes back to her. If not then we'll look into the Sohma records and see if we can find anything." Hatori planned.

"Here! You want her to stay here!" Shigure exclaimed.

"Is that a problem?" Hatori asked.

"Well, no. I guess it's all right." Shigure agreed.

"Good then, walk me to my car." Hatori ordered. Shigure, feeling Haa-san had something important to say in private, followed him. Once they were out of ear shot of Chloe, Hatori asked "Do you know her?"

"Why would you ask me something like that? She just showed up here, I've no clue who she is."

"True. But there had to be some reason why she showed up here of all places, and a Sohma no less. Plus, you seemed to be awful defensive when it came to her staying."

"Well, that's because I didn't transform when she hugged me. I'm afraid she might be a zodiac, then my poor house would get destroyed even more!" Shigure whined.

"Hmm…in any case, take care of her. And don't do anything disgusting. I'll check up in a few days." Hatori unlocked his car.

"But wait! What about Akito?" Shigure asked.

"I don't think we should worry about that now. Just keep your lips sealed until we have more information. Like you said, she could be some unknown zodiac. Her being here might cause a ruckus."

"Hatori," Shigure leaned over into the car window, "have you erased this girl's memories?"

"If I had, do you think I'd be acting this way?" Hatori rolled up his window and took off. Shigure rubbed his eyes and went inside. Why him? Of all the Sohma's, why him? When he entered his house he saw Chloe bowing.

"Uh…I'm sorry if I'm any trouble. But I really appreciate this!" She thanked.

"Don't worry. It's no problem." He said. She lifted her head.

"I'll be out of here as soon as possible." She said.

"Just, pace yourself all right," He put his hand under her chin, "We don't want you fainting again." He smiled and Chloe couldn't help but blush.

"Thank you."

"You must be hungry." Shigure assumed. She looked up at him. He had beautiful eyes. "Why don't you change clothes and I'll order some Takoyaki." He suggested.

"Oh! All right!" She agreed. "Do you have any clothes for me to change into?"

"Well your clothes are still in the wash. But one of my boarders has something for you I'm sure. I'll show you her room."

Tohru's clothes fit all right, but they were a bit tight about the chest. Chloe was far more endowed than Tohru. She wore a white peasant top and a black skirt. She was able to find a hair tie to pull her hair into a ponytail with. When she came down the stairs, Shigure almost tripped over his own feet. She was incredible! Her light complexion, long almond hair, her crystal blue eyes topped off with thin glasses that added the touch of intelligence. She left him speechless.

"Dose it look okay? Her shirt doesn't quite fit me." Chloe asked.

"Yes," he smiled, "you look fantastic!" He praised.