DISCLAIMER: I don't own Fruits Basket, but if I did... mmmm... Ayame and Shigure. I'm seeing a large hottub in our future. Ummm... yeah. shifty eyes Also, be kind. This is my first Fruits Basket fanfic and quite a departure from my normal work (Bebop and Supernatural). I hope you like it.

Yasuko Hiro was late. For the first time in her life, Yasuko was late for school. She tightened her grip on the notebook pressed to her chest and pushed her bookbag back off her hip as she increased her speed when the high school came in to view. She could just imagine her teacher's expression when she walked into class and felt the heat rising in her cheeks already. Yasuko's aim in life had always been to remain invisible, and until today, she had managed that goal. Now, however, the entire class would be looking at her as she entered. They would watch her blush with shame, and they would listen eagerly as teacher demanded an explanation. That was the most terrifying part.

Yasuko sprinted across the yard and up the main walk, bursting through the doors. She sped down the empty first year hallway only to be halted by the school president, Takei Makoto.

"Yasuko Hiro, class 2D, why are you not in class? Last bell rang five minutes ago!"

The air around Makoto seemed to quake and shimmer, and Yasuko had trouble focusing her eyes. He stood there, blocking her path to class with his two assistant students flanking him. All three wore glasses and the glare of the sun mixed with the overhead lights made it impossible to see their eyes. Yasuko bent low in apology and waited for Makoto to speak again. Instead, someone else's voice drifted down the hallway.

"Momiji, what are you wearing?"

Makoto spun away from Yasuko and began terrorizing a first year boy for wearing the girl's uniform. Yasuko took the opportunity to slip past the large party unnoticed and continued on toward class. Behind her echoed the sounds of Makoto arguing with another first year boy with white hair.

The sun felt warm as Yasuko stepped out into the breezeway to cross into the second year wing. She closed her eyes for a moment and inhaled the scent of spring and sunshine.

"I agree," came a smooth voice. "It is a lovely day."

Yasuko's eyes flew open and she froze at the sight of a handsome young man dressed elegantly in trim black clothes. He looked young enough to be a student at the high school, but something about him told Yasuko that this was no schoolboy. As the shock wore off Yasuko smiled shyly and bent low. When she stood straight again she felt surprised by the gentle smile on the young man's face. She smiled again, unsure of herself, and lowered her gaze. That was when she caught sight of the time on her watch and remembered her tardiness.

Yasuko's eyes went wide in horror and she met the stranger's amused glance.

"Please," he smiled. "Don't let me keep you."

Yasuko bowed her thanks and hurried away to class. She could feel his eyes on her until she entered the building, but forced herself to keep moving forward. At the door to her classroom she pulled her hastily written note from her notebook and took a deep breath, steadying herself.

When the door slid open all eyes turned to see who was coming in late. Yasuko felt herself go red with shame, both at the curious stares and because she realized that half the students had no idea who she was.

"Is she new?" reached her ears more than once. Yasuko moved to teacher's desk, embarrassed. She wanted to be invisible, yes, but not completely forgotten. She handed over the note and the wrinkling of paper was the only sound in the silent room.

"Cleaning duty after school," the teacher said softly. Yasuko nodded and took her set. Slowly her classmates lost interest and returned to their work. Yasuko breathed a small sigh of relief as she became invisible again.

Teacher watched the girl as she began her lessons, with a sad frown. The frown deepened as teacher re-read the note.

I apologize for being late. I have no excuse. I will accept your punishment. Yasuko.

Teacher frowned again. Yasuko was a good student and a reliable girl. Something far beyond hr control must have happened for her to be late. Yet she made no excuses. She merely took full responsibility and accepted her detention gracefully. Any other student would have at least tried to explain, if not complained. But not Yasuko.

The sound of the door opening again distracted teacher from Yasuko Hiro. Teacher was surprised to see the Sohma boys, Yuki and Kyou, and an apologetic Tohru Honda standing in the threshold.

"And where were you three?" teacher demanded in a soft voice. All eyes but Yasuko's were trained on the winded trio at the door.

Tohru bent in apology and Kyou narrowed his eyes. Wisely, thought, only Yuki spoke for the group.

"We're sorry, sensai-sama," he bowed slightly. "But we were unavoidably detained by Class President Makoto. It won't happen again."

Teacher stared at the three for a long moment, and then heard the note crinkle faintly. Eyes gleaming wickedly, the teacher meted out their punishment. Yasuko needed to learn how to socialize.

"Cleaning duty after school."

Teacher saw Yasuko go pale and her eyes widen with horror. The three students bowed their acquiescence and hurried to their seats. A flash of pity stabbed through teacher at the sight of Yasuko so close to panic, but she had to come out of her shell. She was far too intelligent to be allowed to hide all her life.

Yasuko was sure she would die of shame. Here she was sweeping the floor with Yuki and Kyou Sohma, and Tohru Honda all working around her. Yasuko was not immune to the boys' handsome features, though she personally preferred Kyou's temper to Yuki's stoic demeanor, and Tohru Honda was generally liked by everyone. How had this happened to her?

"Hurry up, will ya?" Kou barked, causing Yasuko to jump. "We can't leave until you're done."

"Kyou stop that," Yuki admonished his cousin. "She's going as fast as she can."

This was not strictly true, as Yasuko had been daydreaming instead of sweeping.

"Yeah?" Kyou sneered. "Well I can go faster!" He stepped forward until he and Yuki were touching locks.

"Then why don't you spare her the trouble and help her out?" Yuki answered coldly.

Afraid a brawl might start Yasuko bent quickly and swept the pile of dirt at her feet into the dustpan.

"Who are you anyway?" Kyou asked, drawn away from Yuki by her movement.

Yasuko shot up and stared at the redhead, dustpan in hand. She licked her lips and chewed on her bottom lip, unsure how to answer. Kyou watched her lips despite himself.

"You're Yasuko Hiro, right?" Tohru smiled and held out the trashcan for Yasuko to dump the dirt.

Yasuko nodded and moved away to store the broom and dustpan in the cupboard.

"We're all going to play a game when we leave here today." Tohru continued. "There'll be a big group of us. Would you like to come along?"

Yasuko's heart leapt at the first invitation she had ever received since starting high school, but tears threatened too. She could never join them. Sadly, she shook her head no.

"You could at least say no thank you!" Kyou snapped at her.

Yasuko turned to face him, her eyes brimming with tears. Kyou stepped back in shock at the pain in her eyes. Yuki and Tohru gasped, but before anyone could say a word, Yasuko grabbed her bag and fled the classroom.

SMACK!

Kyou wondered why the wall suddenly looked like the ceiling. Then pain registered.

"What the hell was that for?" He demanded, sitting up.

"You idiot," Yuki seethed. "How could you say that to Miss Hiro?"

Kyou jumped to his feet and bumped locks with Yuki again.

"What'd I say?"

"Kyou," Tohru broke in softly, close to tears. "Yasuko can't speak."