Chapter One: Hatsuharu's Perspective

Disclaimer: This chapter is from the wonderful SheikahLover and I hold no claim to Fruits Basket or Inuyasha, those belong to their wonderful (respective) authors.

Author's Note: From now on, the story will occur three years in the future.


"Class, we have a new student joining us. Her name is Higurashi Kagome. She just moved here from Tokyo, so please be kind to her." The teacher, Ms. Jennings, smiled warmly as she introduced a girl with shoulder length ebony hair and blue eyes to the class.

"Hello," the girl smiled. "I hope we can all be friends." She bowed politely.

Ms. Jennings smiled. "Thank you, Kagome. Now, your seat is beside Hatsuharu. Hatsuharu, please raise your hand." A boy with white and black hair raised a hand, a bored expression plastered across his face. Ms. Jennings suppressed a groan as she ushered Kagome to take her seat.

"Hai, Sensei." She complied and walked down the aisle, trying to ignore the looks of anger and jealously directed her way from the female population of the class. Blushing, she set her bag down and took her seat.

"Now, where was I?" Ms. Jennings questioned herself. "Oh yes, the division tables…" Back to teaching, she turned to the blackboard and began writing a series of simple equations.

Kagome, meanwhile, withdrew her newly purchased notebook and stared towards the board groaning. "Not math," she hissed. Math was her most unpleasant nightmare; it was also her least favorite and worst subject. "I'd rather be in French right now." She grumbled under her breath and looked around the class. Deciding to look at the person sitting next to her, she saw the boy sported the same bored expression as before. Stifling a laugh, she tore a piece of paper out of her book and scribbled a brief message, passing it to him.

A white brow rose as he unfolded the note. 'Hello.' It read. He looked to the right and saw her flash him a small, nervous smile. He blinked his expression neutral. For a moment, Kagome thought he would crumble the note or snort and look away, but he did the opposite and actually replied.

"Kagome-chan…" Hatsuharu opened his eyes, yawned, and noticed that he was not in his elementary school classroom but his bedroom. "Damn it." He hissed and turned over, facing the nightstand. He looked closely and saw a picture—no, the picture; the one she gave him before her memories were erased.

"Nee, Haru-kun, will you promise me something? Even though I'll be losing my memories of us tomorrow, will you promise that you'll never forget me?"

"I could never forget you, Kagome-chan," he murmured into his pillow, his eyes locked on the picture. "I still care about you."

"I'm glad to hear that, Haru-kun. That makes me smile."

Rolling onto his back, Hatsuharu gazed towards the ceiling and fingered the locket she had given him. To this day, he still wore it, never having once removed it. Running his fingers up and down its smooth surface, he frowned and shut his eyes. "Kagome-chan," he murmured. "I wonder how you're doing… how are things in England?"

Sighing loudly, he shook his head and turned away from his nightstand to face the wall. I can't start this now, he thought. Every time I do, it just ends with another sleepless night…

"But I can't help it," he hissed venomously. "… I miss her and want to see her again, even if it's just once more."


The next day


As usual, the four Sohmas and their three female friends; Tohru Honda, Arisa Uotani and Saki Hanajima sat on the school's rooftop eating their lunches. Tohru and Momiji dominated most of the day's conversation while Yuki, Kyo and Uo occasionally joined in. Hana and Hatsuharu, on the other hand, barely spoke besides the occasional nod or grunt.

Hatsuharu yawned and rubbed his eyes, barely paying attention to his friends and lunch. Although he was hungry, starvation was the last thing on his mind. Instead, he kept thinking about a certain ebony haired, blue-eyed girl.

Kagome-chan…

"Haru, is something wrong?" Momiji inquired curiously. His cousin was much quieter than usual. He poked his side. "Is something bothering you?"

"Huh?" All other conversations ceased as five pairs of eyes zoomed in on Momiji and Haru.

Great, Hatsuharu thought sarcastically, just what we needed, an audience.

"Ah, Hatsuharu-san," Tohru cried worriedly. "You're not sick are you?"

"No, I'm fine," he spoke calmly. "Just thinking, that's all."

"Oh… about what?"

"About someone," he answered simply, looking away from Tohru.

"And who might that have been?" Yuki questioned, looking towards his younger cousin keenly.

"Someone," he shrugged nonchalantly.

"Answer the question already stupid!" Kyo shouted, raising a fist in protest.

"Please don't start anything," Tohru begged Kyo. "Please?"

"Uh… Fine!" Kyo blushed, his cheeks and ears stained red. Yuki, who sat beside him couldn't help but smirk, choosing to keep his comments to himself.

"So, are you really okay?" Momiji voiced, leaning against Haru. Momiji always worried about his cousin, especially when Haru went through his 'depression stage' six years ago. To this day, the rabbit never knew why it occurred, and he always worried that his cousin might slip back into the funk again.

"Is it about that?" He questioned, referring to the unknown cause of his six-year depression.

"Mmm…" the Ox grunted his expression neutral.

"Haru~" Momiji whined. "Answer me."

"…"

Haru placed a hand on Momiji's head and offered a small smile. While it was no answer, it was at least a start.