Title: A Little More Comfort

Category: Fruits Basket – Anime/Manga

Genre: Family, Comfort, Hurt

Rating: T

Pairings: None

Summary: Young Haru has come home, after yelling at Yuki, to his sister Kuma, who has been more like a mother to him, and is ready for her to help him understand. One-shot.

Disclaimer: I own nothing other than Kuma Sohma.

7-year-old Haru walked into his house, thinking about what the rat had said. He looked around the room until his gaze landed on his 13-year-old sister, Kuma, who was curled up on the sofa her eyes glued to the TV screen.

Quickly, he made his way towards her.

Kuma watched her brother as he climbed over her legs and settled himself against her, his face buried in her chest. She smiled down at him, running her small hand through his black and white hair, and kissed his forehead lovingly.

"How was it at the dojo?" Kuma asked the smile still on her face. Haru looked up at his sister, and her smile instantly dropped as she saw his tear filled brown eyes. Her hand came up to cup his face as she spoke:

"What's the matter Haru-chan?" she whispered.

"…I…met t-the rat today…" Haru answered, "And my black side…c-came out and I-I yelled-d at him b-but …" he trailed off.

"But what?" Kuma pressed, her concern for her brother building.

"…H-he d-didn't yell back…h-he just asked whether I-I was stupid or not? L-like the a-adults say a-about the Ox…" Haru finished, before looking up pathetically at his sister and whispering, "I'm not stupid, am I? Like the adults say?"

Kuma wrapped her arms around him, drawing him closer to her. This was one of the things that Haru loved about his sister; she could hurt him without him turning. No one could explain it, but Haru didn't care. He buried his face against her chest again, waiting for an answer.

"Haru-chan," Kuma whispered. "The adults are wrong. They've always been wrong. You're not stupid and neither is the Ox."

"Then why did the Ox let the rat ride on his head?" Haru demanded, his tear-filled eyes narrowing.

"I'll tell you why." Kuma answered, "It was because the Ox was being nice to the rat. If the Ox hadn't helped the rat by carrying him, then the rat would have been late. So, if you think about it, this means Yuki is in your debt."

Haru looked into his sisters, identical eyes, excitement glowing in his. "Do you think?"

Kuma kissed his forehead. "I know so. I also know you should apologise to Yuki now; invite him over for dinner, or to the dojo, or something."

"You're right! I will!" Haru cried before getting off Kuma's lap and running out the door. Kuma barely had time to giggle before the door swung open again and Haru ran into her, burying his face into her stomach.

"I love you one-chan." He mumbled, his grip on her tightened.

Kuma returned the hug and replied, in the same tone, "I love you too, nee-chan."

End.

A/N: Incredibly short but, I think, incredibly cute as well. I'm not completely sure about the phases for 'big sister' or 'little brother' so I'm taking a wild guess from my memory, which is really short. But if you know, please tell me because it will really help.