Note- I do not own Fruit's Basket. This is purely fanfiction…Blah-blah-blah. You get the general idea, right? This story should be considered mature material:

(Rated M) If you are under age or you find this or any of my material offensive, please feel free to redirect yourself to another story.

This is my first story, so things are going to start of kind of slow. Try to be patient and I hope that you enjoy this first chapter. Five minutes well spent. Lol.

Chapter 1:

Miso soup steamed warmly in the kitchen as the Sohma men entered the dining room for dinner. Taking a seat, Yuki watched Torrhu flit around the kitchen, setting condiments and dishes on the table before them. Her bright, silky hair was wrapped up in a braid, the pink cooking apron with the embroidered strawberries on it hung perfectly, tied back in a sloppy bow. She looks beautiful…

Heat rose to his cheeks, his eyes meeting briefly with Shigure's over the dog's newspaper. Yuki cleared his throat, turning away from the knowing wink to take a long sip of tea. A pair of small, practiced hands set a bowl of rice in front of him before slipping away to do something else. Yuki swallowed back the urge to grab those hands the next time they came into view. He took another sip of tea instead.

Kyo lounged in the seat across the square table, one knee drawn up casually, his eyes hungrily following the girl without shame. It was no family secret that the two boys were competing for Torrhu's heart, but it seemed that the only person who was blissfully unaware was Torrhu herself. Yuki smiled into his cup, the steam rising to tickle his nose. Torrhu finally took her place, the strawberry apron gone. "Okay everyone, let's eat!"

Shigure dug into his meal, newspaper forgotten. Now he was talking to Torrhu about some mundane thing, the older man's graceful hands moving as his eyes never left the young girl's face. Shigure had a habit of monopolizing dinner conversation. Torrhu just smiled, eating little bits here and there, asking questions in the appropriate places. Her enthusiasm would only spur the dog on. Yuki listened half-heartedly to their conversation.

Torrhu had always had that bright smile, the one that seemed to say, 'It'll be alright. Just wait and see!" It was a smile that warmed his heart the first time he'd met her outside Shigure's home, like a lost kitten. He admired her spirit more than anything. The way she managed to stay motivated, even if things didn't look favorable. The way her optimism spread to their friends. Before her, his cursed life had seemed so empty. Now, all he wanted to do was become stronger, to be able to support her…To win her heart. Absentmindedly the silver haired boy brought chopsticks and rice to his mouth, staring off into space.

A pickle flew by Yuki's ear, hitting the wall behind him, sticking to the white plaster and hanging there. Kyo's red eyes flashed in annoyance. The damn rat boy had been staring directly at him for at least a good five minutes. "What?!" he demanded, his voice dripping with barely held anger. Yuki blinked back to reality, cocking an eyebrow at his rival, chopsticks held loosely in his hand. Kyo growled under his breath as Torrhu's startled eyes turned to him in confusion. Blushing at his outburst, he mumbled an apology under his breath, hands clenched on the table top. He hadn't touched the food yet. Shigure just smirked his dumb dog smirk, continuing with his one sided conversation with the girl. Something about a new romance he was writing…

Kyo shivered almost uncontrollably as he watched Torrhu bring a spoonful of soup up to her pink lips. He couldn't drag his eyes away as he caught a flash of pink tongue. He shot up, running a hand through his hair in frustration. Got to get out of here before I make a fool of myself… "I'm not that hungry…anymore. Thanks…" He was out the side door without another word, leaving a puzzled look on Torrhu's face. Did he not like it? Torrhu sighed. She'd been trying harder with her cooking. Trying to find something that would please the orange haired boy. Anything…

"Maybe, I'll just save this for him. I don't want him to be hungry later…" Her voice was slightly sad as she stood up, his bowl in hand. Yuki set down his chopsticks a little harder than planned, standing up as well. "You shouldn't have to do that, Torrhu. He'll survive without dinner." His annoyance tinged his words. That cat was so harsh with her, it drove him nuts. How rude could you get?

Shigure's hand appeared on her shoulder, long tapered fingers soothing her. "Yes, Torrhu, leave it be and enjoy your meal. You should rest."

The older man was always managing to somehow touch her. Yuki envied and hated his casual attitude. Taking the bowl from her hands, he set it down again, looking down into her big brown eyes. "Sit and eat. Please? Shigure and I can clean up tonight too." He smiled down at her worried expression. Her cheeks pinkened as she looked up into violet eyes, fringed in silver. Swallowing, she failed to pull out of the handsome boy's spell. "W-well, if you are sure, Yuki, Shigure. I don't have work tonight. Really, it won't be any trouble for me. I can do it…" Her voice trailed off.

When had she first been drawn into his gaze?

Her heart beat a little faster as she remembered all the times, down at their secret base, where he had been so close. Close enough to kiss. But she had always shied away, filled the awkward silences with simple conversation. Avoided looking into his eyes. Trying to act normally, not to give away her feelings.

She sat back down, almost too quickly. Shigure nodded to Yuki, both men taking their seats. Kyo's chair remained empty.

The rest of the evening's meal seemed a little more quiet than usual.