Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket.
72 Hours
-Friday-
by orange sodap0p
Push through.
Gently pull.
Tug.
Straighten.
Yuki looked at himself in the mirror, fixing his tie. Perfect. It wasn't too long ago when he struggled to accomplish such a simple task, needing Honda-san's help, but now he did it. He did it on his own, and even though it was just a tie, he smiled.
He let his nose lead him downstairs, following the scent of Tohru's cooking. It all smelled so good.. Yuki finished his decent with half-lidded eyes, letting the rhythm of his bare feet padding against the floor lull him back into his sleep-induced haze. He walked into the kitchen and promptly ignored the idiot cat who was once again chugging the milk from the carton. Disgusting. Tohru, however, was adding the finishing touches to breakfast. "Good morning, Honda-san," Yuki spoke, biting back a yawn.
Tohru started, then turned around, surprise written across her face. "Yuki-kun! You scared me," she laughed. "I didn't hear you come down."
Yuki smiled warmly and gestured to the platters. "Do you need any help carrying those?"
Tohru eyed the food in thought and Yuki couldn't help but think how cute it was when she pursed her lips like she did. Then smiling brightly, she nodded. "Yes, if you wouldn't mind."
Kyo rolled his eyes and made a face. Perfect little damn rat. The way those two smiled at each other made him sick. Taking one last swig of milk, Kyo wiped his mouth with his sleeve before stashing the carton back into the fridge. Well, he certainly wasn't going to stick around and listen to them. Huffing, the cat exited the kitchen to sit at the table.
Yuki caught Kyo's actions, his eyes narrowing at the cat's retreating back. "Stupid," he muttered.
"Yuki-kun?" Tohru asked, oblivious to it all. "Could you take these two dishes to the table?"
The rat instantly forgot about Kyo, his attention solely set on Tohru. "Not a problem," he smiled.
Breakfast was fairly silent, Tohru every now and then attempting to start conversation. Yuki was the only one listening, however, since Kyo just focused on his food, and Shigure his morning newspaper. Eventually, Tohru quieted, allowing herself to get sucked into the silence of the room. They all sat, concentrating on their plates before them, Shigure turning a page every minute or so.
After scanning a few more articles of interest, Shigure folded his paper and placed it on the table. "Oh beloved cousins and little flower!" he sang, dramatically sweeping his arms wide, "I must part with you this weekend! I know you shall miss me so!" Grinning, he surveyed his two cousins and his face fell when they didn't even look up. Didn't anyone appreciate his company in this house?
Thoru gasped, her eyes on Shigure. "Oh no, why Shigure-san?"
"Who cares why," Kyo grumbled, pushing his food around with his chopsticks. "There will be some peace and quiet once he's gone."
"Wrong, Stupid Cat," Yuki corrected, flinging a small piece of food in Kyo's direction. "Peace and quiet only exists when you are gone."
"What did you just say!?"
Yuki continued to eat, disregarding Kyo's shout, which in turn ignited the orange-haired teen's temper even more.
Kyo growled, fists clenched. "Don't you ignore me!" Seeing that he was in fact, ignored, Kyo slammed his fist onto the table, rattling the dishes. Standing he pointed an accusing finger at the rat. "You! Thinking you're so much better, I'll wipe that little smirk off your face!"
Yuki sighed. Another challenge. Really, it'd be just a waste of his time.
Shigure laughed nervously, sensing his house in danger. "I have to leave this weekend for a writers conference," he continued quickly to avoid any possible damage. "Mit-chan keeps bugging me to go, and I'm afraid if I don't the poor girl will hang herself. I'll be returning on Sunday, so try not to break anything while I'm gone." Please, Shigure added, mentally. The cat and rat glared at each other from across the table. Sighing, Shigure continued, his tone serious. "That and...be careful while I'm gone, too. Make sure you keep the house locked up. Big headline this morning was the report of a murder last night and the man hasn't been caught."
All movement ceased, the three teens looking at him wide-eyed. The Dog laughed, waving them off. "Oh you'll be fiiiine, I'm just telling you to be alert, is all." With that, Shigure stood and exited to his study. "Thanks for breakfast, Tooru-kun!" he called over his shoulder.
Tohru's breath caught in her throat. A murderer was running around freely and Shigure is going to leave them for the weekend? "Oh, oh, this is terrible!" Tohru wrung her hands together, nervously. "What if something happens while Shigure-san is gone?"
"Nothing will happen, Honda-san," Yuki placed a calming hand on her shoulder, "Shigure was just warning us and wants us to be safe. I'm sure he didn't mean to scare you," he reassured.
Kyo glared down the hall, rolling his eyes. That dog couldn't be serious for five minutes. And so what if Shigure was around or not, anyway? Damn mutt would just hide in his study. "Whatever," the Cat stood, "I'm leaving, we'll be late."
Yuki mindlessly scribbled down the words on the chalkboard. His attention elsewhere, occupied with thoughts of a certain brunette who sat a few seats in front of him. He smiled to himself, watching her scrunch up in concentration as she leaned over her notebook, furiously writing down what the teacher lectured about. He could imagine her panicking if she missed a word or two.
Reclining into his chair, Yuki stretched out his legs, looking at the clock behind the teacher's desk. It was almost noon. Glancing outside, he frowned. He didn't have student council today, so he was looking forward to eating lunch with Tohru and her friends in the yard, but it was announced for lunch to be strictly inside today. He grimaced at the thought, feeling the eyes of his fan club watching his every move. Really, didn't they have anything better to do? Finding his attention drawn back to Tohru, he suddenly felt very hypocritical.
The clock struck twelve, and the classroom came to life as chairs screeched back, the students rearranging themselves and chattering noisily. Yuki rose, and followed Tohru—with a slight pang of jealousy—to Kyo's desk near the window. He felt his fan club hover behind him, daring to get as close as they could.
Kyo balanced his chair on two legs, his feet propped onto his desk. The cat was staring out the window, but turned, looking up as Yuki and Tohru arrived. The two grabbed abandoned chairs, placing them on either side of Kyo's desk as the cat removed his feet, his chair hitting all fours with a dull thunk. Tohru then placed three bags onto the clear tabletop, Kyo taking one with a grunt of thanks.
"Thank you, Honda-san," Yuki smiled at her, reaching for his own bag. For the longest time, they had told her she didn't need to make and wrap them lunch, but she would continue to do so anyway. Eventually, the boys had given up.
"Hey!" Uo swung her chair around, joining Tohru and the Sohmas'. Kicking back, she mimicked Kyo, slamming one foot onto his desk.
"Hey yourself," Kyo glared at the yankee. "Get your foot off my shit."
"I'll do as I damn well please!" Uo promptly ignored the cat, resting her other foot on the metal sidebars. "So you hear? Some guy killed his girlfriend last night. Pretty cruel, huh? It's all over the news."
Yuki sweat dropped, slightly uncomfortable around Uo and her boldness, seemingly always instigating a fight without even trying. Suddenly he jumped, caught off guard. How could he never hear the denpai approach behind him?
"Arisa, that is why we are held inside today," Hanajima spoke softly, sliding another chair into the circle.
Uo paused in thought, then grinned. "Yeah I guess you're right!"
Yuki remained fairly silent while the girls chattered on, Uo occasionally saying something to agitate the cat. Repeatedly, he caught himself staring at Tohru for long periods of time, but he just couldn't help it. The way she'd smile and tilt her head ever so slightly when she'd laugh, her hair cascading around her shoulders...
Kyo glanced at the rat out of the corner of his eye, trying hard to hide his disgust. Could he seriously be anymore obvious? Casually, he kicked Yuki's foot under the desk, but it had no effect. The rat was gone. Not that Kyo cared or anything if Yuki looked stupid. He was just trying to avoid an embarrassing situation for Tohru. Yeah. He kicked again, harder.
"Ow!" Yuki started, snapping out of his reverie. Ignoring the questioning looks he received, he shot a glare at Kyo. "What was that for?"
Kyo raised an eyebrow. So much for being subtle. Oh well, might as well make the best of it. The cat smirked, tilting back in his chair. "Just making sure you don't drool all over yourself. What? Can't I watch out for my family?"
Yuki growled at Kyo's mocking tone. Family? Since when did Kyo consider himself part of the family? And never would that cat care about him! Then all at once, Kyo's words sunk in, and Yuki turned a light shade of pink. Kyo caught him staring! Yuki was just a joke to him!
Tohru watched nervously as Yuki stood, towering over the smug cat. Without warning, Yuki kicked his leg out at Kyo's unbalanced chair, knocking the cat flat on his back. Earning a cheer from Uo, he sat back down, feeling much better. Idiot cat.
In a flutter, Tohru knelt at Kyo's side, hovering above him. Sitting up, Kyo hissed, holding onto the back of his head where it had connected with the hard tiled floor. Damn it throbbed! He glared up at Yuki, his eyes dangerous cat-like slits. What the hell was wrong with him? Couldn't the stuck up little prick take a joke?
"Kyo-kun are you okay?" Tohru's voice filled with worry. She was used to their fights but this one seemed to come out of nowhere. What went wrong?
Yuki watched Tohru help Kyo to his feet, upset. He couldn't understand why she cared for him so much, the cat was violent, rude, and downright nasty!
Uo laughed, doubling over. "That was priceless! Way to go, Prince!"
Yuki ignored her, gathering his things. He was surprised at his anger towards the cat, who for once really didn't do anything. But as he saw Tohru smiling up at Kyo, Yuki felt the anger rise. Enough. Break was over.
With a sigh of relaxation, Kyo folded his arms behind his head at he lounged on the roof, soaking in the remaining rays before sunset. When they arrived home from school, Shigure was already gone, much to Kyo's relief. Now only if there was a way to be rid of that damn rat for the weekend, too...! That punk, his head still ached a little bit... Kyo couldn't understand it. More and more lately, Yuki had been lashing out, and hard.
Listlessly, he opened his eyes halfway, watching the clouds move overtop. The wind blew gently, washing him over with warm air, and before he knew it, he drifted off to sleep.
Hours later, Kyo awoke under the full moon. Stretching, he stood up. Damn, he was hungry. As he turned to swing back into his window, he stopped, his feline eyes catching movement in the dark. He gazed across the yard into the trees, seeing nothing. Passing it off to be his eyes playing tricks on him, he climbed into his window, his mind set on finding some leftovers from dinner.