Year of the Wolf

Chapter 1

Torhu Honda

I had a strange feeling someone was here who shouldn't be or they were trespassing on our property. I got off the bed I was lying on with a sigh, walking down the stairs. I hated when people do that, walking on our turf. Though no one really does, who the hell would go in the forest anyway? No one hikes over here or anything like that.

I was having feelings like this for a while, but they were faint, so I ignored it. Now the feeling was much brighter or persistent, annoying me. I walked into the kitchen, seeing the door open and Shigure in a grey kimono kneeling down next to a girl in a blue sailors uniform with a short blue skirt and long brown hair.

I leaned against the wall where the right side of the door blocked me. She said to him. "Oh, I should've known, you left out the cat and the wolf."

My eyes darted in her direction. I crossed my arms over my chest. That damn story. Shigure asked. "The Cat and the Wolf? Ah, I take it your referring to the old folktale of the Chinese Zodiac."

Her chipper voice answered him. "Uh-huh! My mom told it to me when I was little." She then went to explain the damn story I've been hearing since before I could walk. How God invited animals to the banquet and not to be late. The Cat was tricked by the Rat and the other animals went and the Rat rode on the back of the Cow. Only the Cat and Wolf didn't go.

The Cat didn't go because of the trick and the Wolf didn't go because of it's nature. God believing that the wolf would only be a dangerous predator based on what God believed to be the wolf's feral nature.

The girl said someone about wanting to be a Cat instead of a Dog. I smirked, if only Kyo was here. What she said next surprised me.

"When I was little, I wished someone'd give that poor wolf a chance."

I started at her in disbelief and then shook my head. Shigure smiled, letting out a small laugh. "Funny, I wonder what they'll say when they hear they have a fan." He knew I was here. He probably heard me come in.

She looked confused. "They?"

I looked over to see Yuki in the room, dressed for school and a bag over his shoulder. I raised an eyebow and nodded my head toward the outside. He looked at me confused, but then walked forward.

Shigure said, grinning and moving closer. "You're born in the year of the dog, I knew there was something I liked about you, I mean aside from your pretty fa-" He yelped as Yuki smacked his bag on his head. I walked forward, leaning my shoulder against the sliding door. I chuckled slightly. "It's what you deserve, damn pervert."

Yuki was on the other side. "Please forgive my cousin, Miss Honda. He's a bit of a flirt, but he's harmless. In general it's usually best to just ignore him."

Yuki knows her? I asked. "Oi, pret-Yuki, who's this?"

I didn't ask her because I didn't really know her and didn't want a stranger here any longer. She's a girl and we could get in trouble. Yuki sent me an annoyed look that the girl missed. He replied. "This is Miss Torhu Honda, she goes to my school."

I rolled my eyes. "Did you finally crack and invite her here?"

"Of course I didn't, you idiot."

I glared at him. Shigure patted me on the shoulder with one hand, rubbing his steaming head with the other. "Keep calm, we have company."

I grumbled. "That's the problem, Shigure."

I was probably lucky she was so out of it for whatever reason. I was being a bit offensive to the stranger. Shigure asked Yuki. "What did you put in there, a dictanary?"

Yuki replied dryly. "No, I have two of them."

I snorted at Shigure expense and Yuki's remark. I don't hate Yuki or anything. I just loved a challenge and was a bit competitive. Shigure then smiled at her. "So, you're one of Yuki's classmates at school. Let's start over. I'm Shigure, his older and much less violent cousin."

Shigure nudged me in the leg and I sighed. "I'm their cousin, Shiro."

The name wasn't feminine at all, but it was what I was named. She gaped at me in shock and I knew why. I was born with stark white messy hair that never seemed to be able to be tamed and golden eyes, not the most normal look. Hell, most of the people in the Sohma family looked strange. Hatsuharu or just Haru had white hair too, but black underneath it. My hair is why I was named Shiro in the first place, the name meaning white.

Yuki's was a light purple and Kyo's was orange. I asked gruffly at her continued shocked stare. "What is it?"

Just let her say something about my hair...

"Oh, I'm sorry! I really didn't mean to stare. Please forgive me, I think-"

I waved my hand as she started bowing too. "It's fine, don't worry."

Yuki sent me another glare of annoyance. To annoy him more, I ignored his look. I looked at my watch, it was almost time for Yuki to go to school or he'd be late. Yeah, I haven't gone to school for a year when I graduated middle school. I just didn't see a point.

Torhu smiled happily, it almost blinded me to tell the truth. "Hi, it's very nice to meet you!"

Yuki asked in that soft voice of his. "What brings you to our home this morning, Miss Honda?"

She made a nervous noise. "Well, I live nearby."

I raised an eyebrow in disbelief. Yuki asked. "You do? Where at?"

"Uh, right."

I shook my head. "You don't live here, I'd say you arrived a little while ago."

"Shiro!" Yuki hissed at me under his breath. I ignored that, narrowing my eyes at Torhu. She gaped at me and said. "We'll I have to go to school now, bye. I'll just be going now, it's nice to meet you." She spun on her heel and I laughed a bit at the obvious lie on the subject.

Yuki said. "Since we're both going, why don't we walk together?"

Torhu nodded, turning back toward their direction toward the school. I muttered. "Well, look who's making friends."

As Torhu was looking away, he kicked me and I held in the yelp and glared, rubbing my hurting knee. He smirked a bit and then left with the girl. I rubbed my jean clad knee again, before standing with a sigh. Shigure cheerfully said. "Shiro! You can always go to school too."

I snorted, shaking my head. "As if. When I got out of middle school, I knew I was done."

He followed me into the house. "Then get a job or something."

I turned around, facing him with a glare. "Like you work! All you do is sitting around and make your editor cry when she comes by."

He did that laugh of his. "I do too write! I write amazing masterpieces, such greatness!"

I gave him a distrustful look. "Uh-huh."

He pouted. "Shi, you're mean to me."

I shrugged with a look for annoyance at the nickname, cringing as I walked into the kitchen, which had trash and was just a complete mess. I didn't want to clean it and neither did Yuki and Shigure. Actually, it was an unspoken fact that Yuki isn't allowed in the kitchen, he burns water. Kyo hasn't been here in four months, he went training up in the mountains. I decided to stay here and not travel anywhere.

I opened the fridge and tried to find something. I found a bottle of soda in the way back and grabbed it. I popped the top and took a sip.

Shigure said. "Aw, Shiro, that was the last one."

I shrugged again, smirking. "Well, you know how it goes, you snooze, you lose."

I walked out of the kitchen leaning against the wall. Shigure went back into his study, where he 'wrote'. I was a year older than Kyo and Yuki. As the day wore on, I did training, just as Master showed us when all of us where younger. I really didn't like going to the Main Estate, I avoided it unless I had to, so I trained by myself most of the time. With Kyo when he was here or if Haru came around. Yuki could usually destroy us all. Not that any of us would say so.

It usually was more endurance training or practice on my moves. By the time I finished and cleaned up, the sun set. I was laying on my bed, staring at the ceiling. My hands were behind my head. My door slid open and I moved my head up to see a happy Shigure. "Come on, Shiro, we're going to eat out."

I nodded, getting up. It was the only way we got to eat. I followed him as he joyfully went down the stairs. I snorted. "Jeez, calm down, will ya?"

Yuki nodded. "Honestly Shigure, you're supposed to be a grown man."

I laughed at his 'offended' face. "Your both so horrible to me!"

With another laugh, I walked ahead, grabbing my brown jacket off the hook by the door, sliding it on over my blue short sleeve shirt. "Let go, then."

They both followed me outside and out of the forest.

/ / / / / / / /

We were kneeling around a table. Yuki had gotten something with leeks and rice with meat on the side, Shigure had gotten a mixture of fried rice, vegetables and meat. I got riceballs with teriyaki drizzled in sauce. As I ate, Shigure leaned forward. "So, Shiro, what about going to school?"

I scowled at him and Yuki raised an eyebrow. "Your going to school?"

I shook my head, scowling deeper. "No! I already told you, you damn dog."

Yuki rolled his eyes. "Shiro, you do know you're species is-"

I shook my head again. "No, don't go there, pretty boy."

He eyes went from slightly annoyed to angry. "What did I tell you about calling me that?"

I smirked at him, rising to the challenge. "What? With your soft face and the way those girls flock to you, it's only a fact."

"Since that stupid Cat is gone, I thought I would have peace, I guess not."

I just smirked wider. Shigure raised his hands. "Just calm down you two, you'll make a scene."

I looked around, seeing a couple of people looking at us. Mostly, it was the ones close by. With a glare from me, they turned away. I went back to eating. Like I said before, I didn't hate him, I usually just rose to whatever challenge he presented me. Plus, it was fun teasing him. He and Kyo fought worse than me and Yuki ever could. I'm happy about that, being mad just by looking at him would be tiring.

I don't know much about what Yuki's school life is like, but I remember seeing a couple of girl stare at him with a dreamy, slightly disturbing look. I bothered him for days about that, he had to fight me to get me to stop. It was worth getting my ass kicked.

Shigure paid after complaining, making Yuki threaten him coldly. We were walking home, I was on Shigure right with Yuki on his left. I asked. "Do you guys even know when Kyo will be back?"

Shigure grinned. "Who knows? It's been four months already. He has to come back at some point though."

He'd never go to the Main Estate. Not many of us would. Yuki snapped. "Bite your tongue."

I laughed at that. "C'mon, he's not that bad."

"Like I said, bite your tongue."

Shigure laughed with me this time. Shigure sighed a moment later. "We keep eating out like this all the time, I'm gonna have to buy a bigger robe."

Yuki said. "Well the, why don't you do the cooking?"

I crinkled my nose at that. Did he want to destroy our taste buds.

"Well, everytime I make dinner, you complain."

I replied. "For good reason."

Shigure asked. "What's wrong with my cooking?"

Yuki answers. "Pickled radish and curry is not dinner, it's disgusting. I think one complant is more or less justified."

Shigure turned to me. "Why don't you cook, Shiro?"

I shrugged, sending a look toward Yuki. "It's fine after a while, but as always Yuki complains. You're really picky, you know that?"

He rounded on me. "All you know how to make is noodles. We can't eat the same thing everyday."

"That's all I know how to make!"

"Learn something else, then."

"At least I don't burn water."

His usual soft voice raised a bit."It happened one time!"

Shigure cut in. "You know Yuki, you have a good head on your shoulders, but I don't think you're cut out for house work. Shiro, I think you need to make more than just noodles. Also, without that little Cat here, you too fight more."

I shrugged, shoving my hands in my jacket pockets and slouching a little as we walked. "He's asking for it."

I could feel Yuki's eyes roll, but he didn't say anything, but scoff. I narrowed my eyes, but Shigure hand went over my mouth. "Please, no more you too."

I yanked my head away. "Fine."

It was quiet and then Shigure said hopefully. "Let's get a housekeeper. Hold up!"

Yuki said bluntly. "No."

I told Shigure as we walked and he sulked. "Plus, a housekeeper is female, you the secret is more at risk."

"High school gi-"

I shook my head. "You pervert. Girls in high school are around 16 years old and your 27, stop-Yuki, what is it?"

He face was confused and I walked over to him, Shigure next to me. He said. "Miss Honda?"

There was Torhu Honda from before and she looked tired as she trudged toward the yellow tent. I heard her faintly. "Hi mom, I'm home."

We skid down as she went in, coming up to her tent. I heard her say. "I know, it's late, but I can't sleep yet. I have a paper to write. I just going to go down to the stream and wash up a little, okay?"

I blinked in shocked disbelief. When she said she lived right, she wasn't kidding. When I felt that strange feeling earlier, it must have been her. Shigure broke the silence, pointing and bursting into laughter. My lips twitched and I laughed too, just not as loud as Shigure. I chuckled a bit, amused at the whole situation. Yuki said dryly. "Shigure, aren't you overduing it? Shiro, do you really have to laugh too?"

I let out a couple more chuckles, before stopping. I grinned at the younger girl. We invited her over to the short distance from her tent to our house and Shigure didn't stop laughing. After she was sitting on one side with Shigure and Yuki on the other, me on one of the shorter sides. Yuki said as Shigure continued to laugh. "So, you've been living in that tent by yourself?"

Torhu said nervously. "Uh..."

I frowned. "How long?"

Her eyes flickered to mine. "I don't know, just over a week."

I nodded, that made sense, that's when everything started.

Yuki told her. "We'll that explains it, this is all Sohma property. It seemed odd that we suddenly had a new neighboor."

Annoyed by Shigure still laughing, I took off my boot and threw it at his head. "Knock it off already, it stopped being funny 10 minutes ago."

Torhu said. "I'm sorry, but please can I stay there a little while longer? It's only for a few more weeks, than I'll go. I don't have much money, but I can pay you."

Shigure whined. "Why'd you do that?"

I said dryly. "'Cause you're annoying."

He sent me a pout, but he stopping laughing like a hyena. He said seriously. "Those woods aren't too safe. They have wild animals, landslides and the occasional wierdo prowling around. It's not a good idea for a girl to be living out there alone."

I quirked an eyebrow at him for the weirdo comment. Yuki asked. "So, you're done laughing?"

I moved back a little as she jumped out of her chair. "Don't you worry about me, I'm already used to all the bugs and If I can stand up to them, I can stand up to any-" I stood up quickly as she pitched forward with a sigh. On reflex I grabbed her, grimancing when I felt heat radiating off her clothes. I looked toward the other two. "I think she has a fever."

Yuki came forward, pressing his palm to her forehead. "Miss Honda, I believe Shiro is right."

I leaned against the table as Shigure panicked, looking for ice. I wrinkled my nose as he went in the dirty kitchen. Torhu said. "And you call the woods unsafe."

I snorted in amusement, despite feeling a little embarressed that someone else has seen our dirty as hell kitchen. "Yeah..."

Shigure suddenly stiffened. I did too, hearing a distant wolf howl. I cocked my head to the side. I frowned. "Landslide."

Torhu looked at me confused. "Really? How do you know that?"

Shigure nodded seriously and answered for me. "I guess you can say it's instinct."

I smirked at that bitterly. Yuki caught my look and I ignored him. Yuki asked. "Was it close?"

Shigure grinned. "A tent- I mean, not at all!"

I smacked a palm to my face. "Damn."

I knew where it was too, but did he have to say it? Torhu had gotten a panicked look on her face, running off into the night. With a sigh, I followed Yuki and Shigure, who followed her. I saw the effect of the landslide. It was huge and there was no yellow tent in sight.

Torhu flipped out. "Oh, this is terrible, mom's picture was still in there. I got to get her out, mom!"

She ran forward, digging in there. "Mom, I'm coming."

Yuki went to her side and I walked forward. Yuki said. "Please calm down, you already have a fever."

I shook my head, standing by them. "Listen, it's just a picture. Don't lose you life over something stupid like that."

She gaped at me tiredly, still showing she was shocked. Yuki glared at me, but I stared Torhu down. I felt a shoulder brush mine and looked to see Shigure smiling. "Don't worry, don't strain yourself, that's what she's trying to say."

As she looked at me, I forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm sure your mom won't want you to risk your life like that." She nodded and I gave her a half smile, she was like a innocent child. She was weak and Shigure and Yuki couldn't help her, so I winded up doing it. I sighed at the slow pace. I took the arm that was around my shoulder and picked her up.

She gaped. "You don't have to do that! I'm sorry-"

I shrugged her worries off. "Don't worry, we'll get there quicker. You're not even heavy."

It was a quick walk back and I ignored Shigure's teasing tone and look. I just glared at him. Shigure sent up a blanket and pillow on the floor as Yuki looked for ice. Shigure told her as I set her down in the blanket. "Yuki's still looking for ice." I sat down on the other side of her from where Shigure was sitting.

I noticed that her cheeks were flushed pink. She said. "I'm sorry."

I shook my head. "Don't worry, just sleep."

She apologized way too much.

Torhu started speaking again, this time softly. "I lost my home again."

Shigure asked. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, it's sad. But not as sad as other things."

I asked her. "What else is sadder?"

I mean, she just lost her home. Given, it was just a tent, but still.

She spoke once more. "Like not telling mom be safe on the day she died. I used to tell her every morning, 'bye, be safe', except that day, I didn't say it. I had a test so I stayed up studying almost the whole night. When it was time for mom to go to work, I didn't wake up, I couldn't tell her be safe and she never came home. I used to think about quitting school, working. Mom told me she didn't finish school. But she almost wished that she did. When she said that, it's when I knew why she worked so hard. It was all for me. And with every thing she did, I couldn't even get up long enough to say goodbye when she was walking out the door, not even that one little thing. And then she was gone. So now I have to finish high school like mom wanted me to no matter what. I have to hold that diploma in my hand. I have to, for her. I can't give up, just because of a fever like this..."

I frowned down at the sleeping girl, I called her an idiot, but being close to her parent as she was, she needed it, she needed that picture. She was a bit ditzy in my opionin and I have a feeling that whole sorry thing wasn't a one time apology. Yuki said. "She seemed so cheerful at school, you'd never guessed she suffering like this for so long."

I snorted, causing both of them to stare at me I stood up. "Huh, parents. Never knew they had a purpose."

Shigure started. "Shiro-"

I can't believe I'm doing this.

"I'm going for a walk."

Shigure asked. "For a stupid picture?"

"Shut up, I'm just going for a walk."

I walked out, catching my foot on the half open sliding door, growling a little in fustration and kicking it a little too hard. The door flew off the hinges, landing with a crack of broken paper and wood. Yuki hissed. "Do you have to be so loud?"

I walked toward the landslide and then whistled. I waited a moment and then saw a couple of wolves, we don't have many around here. Wolves listen to me and sometimes dogs because they were close and in the canine family. They helped me dig amd Yuki joined me ten minutes later, with rats trailing him. With their help and the wolves, her stuff was dug up in a couple of hours. Me and Yuki didn't say much.

I asked him. "So, what do you think of that girl?"

"She's a nice and kind person, unbelievably so."

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, she is. With that said, keep her away from anything Sohma."

"Shiro-"

"You know I'm right."

"Your overreacting."

"You've already decided."

Yuki sighed. "Maybe."

The rest was done in silence.

/ / / / / / / / / / /

I snuggled into my pillow, tired from what I did last night. I heard a crash and I jumped up into a crouch on my bed. I smashed through my door and ran across, where they said she would be sleeping. I smacked through the other door, knowing I needed to watch out more. Other than hearing Shigure and Yuki complain, I was gonna have some bruises later. As dirt, wood and tile poured down, I moved in front of a confused Torhu. I shifted into a easy fighting stance. The girl was probably fragile.

I saw the orange hair and red eyes, a boy a year younger than me who was smirking. I relaxed my stance and leaned against the wall. He said. "Yo, time to pay the piper, rat boy. I'm here to collect."

Yuki turned toward him and mocked. "Funny, I would've thought he'd sent somebody bigger."

Kyo smirked wider, raising a fist. "That's right, you better get the tough talk out of the way while you still can because I'm 'bout to wipe the stupid smirk right off your face!"

I relaxed against the wall, crossing my arms across my chest. This was going to be good.

"No, wait stop. Don't fight!"

My bulged in shock and I went to grap her as she tripped over a plank and landed on Kyo. I felt a panic rise in my chest. I looked between Kyo and Yuki and then Torhu. I saw the poof and just felt myself freeze. Shigure came in. "Shiro? Yuki, what were all those crashing sounds I just heard? Kyo's not here, is he?"

"I'm so sorry, are you alright? I turned him into a cat, I'm sorry. We need to get him help, hurry!"

I looked up with a sigh, covering my eyes with the palm of my hand. I muttered. "We're doomed, we're doomed..." I repeated this over and over, shaking my head. I heard her yelp only to scream in horror when she fell on Shigure and Yuki, transforming them too.

Looking at the transformed cousins and Torhu, staring at them in disbelief. I then sat down, my elbow on my knee and fist holding my cheek and head up. "I give up, I utterly give up."

I could feel the utter confusion and anger that Kyo shot me, even in his cat form. I moved my hand at the lost and completely shocked look Torhu had, rubbing the back of my neck. I hung my head. "We're screwed."

There it is, my Fruit Basket Fanfic. It took me forever trying to find a good Zodiac oc, but here it is. My updates on stores will mostly likely be quick unless I have killer writers block or something comes up. Hope you liked this and tell me what you think.