Distant Relations

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket in any way, shape, or form, but I do own the entire Azamasaki family and the story plot.

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"This will be your room Tor," casually leaning against the door frame of the room Tai solemnly gazed down at his cousin.

Bobbing her head Satori picked up her suit case and walked in she'd never been to Tai's house in her life, but she felt comfortable the first moment she'd walked in. It had the same feeling of home that the main house did and for that she was grateful.

"Wasn't this Lei's room before she went off to university? I remember you showed me pictures that one time."

"Yea this was her room, kind of explains the blandness of it eh? She was never the most decorative person in the world. But then again she was never home for long."

The room had pale mint green walls, a large bay window with a window seat that overlooked the backyard, and of course the necessary furniture. The wood floor was buffed, but still did not look the least bit new, it had a worn look that made Satori think of the main house with all it's old wooden floors. A futon sat in the corner and a low glass side table sat beside it housing a lamp on top. Across the room was the bureau. Other then that the room was bare to the bone.

"The bathroom is down the hall and my room is two doors down on the right so if you need anything just ask. The towels are in the room next to yours with all of the summer blankets and clothing," Tai ticked things off with his fingers as he spoke.

Satori pulled her hair into a ponytail with the band of elastic she kept around her wrist," Ok thanks Tai I'll see you down around time for lunch then."

"Sure you don't need help unpacking? This is my last offer," Tai grinned at the effort to boost her spirits. Satori rolled her eyes and shook her head waving him out the room.

"And for the final time no I don't need any help. Now get out of my room," shutting the door in his face she heard him curse outside and a small smile flitted across her face before it settled back into it's neutral line.

Opening up her suitcase she started to put things into the bureau all the while thinking back to why she had come here. Pausing she peered outside the window and settled back onto the haunches of her heels. She needed to go see for herself that her aunt was dead. On the way here she'd checked a map that the Azamasaki's kept in their car and found that the temple wasn't far from here maybe at the most 4 or 5 blocks away. Chewing on the inside of her cheek she debated whether to go or not, this city was strange to her and she could easily get lost within it.

'Ah hell with it I'll go,' thought Satori as she stood, grabbed her hat and coat, and fled from the room heading down the stairs.

Going through the kitchen her Aunt Emiko's voice broke her thoughts," And where might you be going Satori? It's almost time for lunch."

"I need to go out for a little while to clear my head, don't worry I won't be gone long," smiling she continued," I have a map with me and I promise I won't wander off to far!"

Drying her hands on a towel Emiko looked doubtful at her niece," Do you want me to get Tai to go with you? Satori, you have never been here before and I don't want you getting lost out there."

"I'll be fine Auntie!" insisted Satori as she waved goodbye and headed out the front door. The cold air was the first thing she noticed as she closed the door behind her and started to walk down the street.

Right about now everyone would be getting ready to have lunch at the main house, sitting in the large dining room chatting together and laughing about something or another. Satori kicked a stray pebble in anger. The pebble hit a light pole and ricocheted off into the street only to get run over by a car and bounce back over toward the sidewalk.

"Stupid pebble," muttered Satori as she picked up her pace, crossing the street toward a neighborhood that was lined with a forest on one side and wealthy houses on the other. The breeze tousled the wisps of her hair tangling them. Passing her fingers through them Satori growled in frustration.

It was a bit odd still being outside the main houses safe walls, she'd only been outside the walls a few times and that had been to visit Kyoko with Ming Yue. Just the thought of Ming Yue brought a smile to her face, her grandmother was always cheerful and helping everyone with their problems. In the end she died because of an internal battle of leukemia in the hospital, and it had sent Kyoko and Hitachi into an all out battle against each other, which had ended badly.

Smiling bitterly Satori thought of how that just about ripped her grandfather to shreds, practically losing his daughter and loving wife all in the same time frame. Before she knew it her feet stood in front of the gate that led into the temple, her mind rejected for her to go saying she would not like what she would see.

'The truth,' she thought ruefully to herself,' afraid to know and see the truth.'

In spite of herself her feet lurched forward and agonizingly started to lead her up the white stone steps toward the top. Her celery eyes peered around gazing at each of the stones that were neatly lined in rows. Coming upon the landing Satori turned to her right, letting her hand run along the rim of the fence beside her. Looking up ahead she was surprised to see a girl with dark black hair standing beside a certain stone. As if feeling her stare the girl's head turned toward her in silent question.

"Oh sorry, I was just... uh... looking for something," stuttered Satori quickly looking away from the girls eery stare. Why the heck was she apologizing? She was allowed here just as much as her!

"Aren't we all," murmured the dark haired girl turning fully to look at her.

For a odd reason Satori tensed up something about this girl was just a bit to creepy for her liking, the hairs raised on her arms and legs showing her discomfort. The girl looked around her age, her hair done into a neat single braid that flopped over her shoulder. Her body was adorned with that revolting uniform she had in her closet at home, the Kaibara High uniform.

Shifting her weight from one foot to the other Satori bit her lip trying to find some way to speak without sounding utterly ridiculous," Do you go to Kaibara High School?"

'Brilliant Satori, just brilliant what a way to make a conversation!' she sarcastically thought mentally chiding herself.

To her surprise the girl's eyes softened a little," Yes, I am taking it you are a new student this year? I have never seen you around at all."

"Actually yea, I was home schooled up until now, but my grandfather decided it would be better if I go to a real school for a while," trying to keep a straight face she gave her a tentative smile," I'm Azamasaki Satori by the way. Sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier I guess it was a little rude."

"I am Hanajima Saki, it's a pleasure," a small smile lit up Hana's face," You seem to have pleasant electrical waves."

Satori blinked, then blinked again totally lost at the last part but decided to play along anyway," Well that is good don't want to have bad ones," she sheepishly rubbed the back of her head, a nervous habit.

"Yes that would be most unpleasant," the tone of voice she used sent shivers down her back again.

Smiling apologetically Satori waved," I better get going it's almost time for lunch and I'm ought to be late. It was nice meeting you Saki! Maybe I'll see you around or something."

"Farewell we shall meet again," waving slightly toward Satori she turned her attention back toward the grave,' What an odd girl and her electric signals were interesting much like Tohru's... I will have to investigate her more then.'

DR

Sorry it is so short and didn't really have a point, well it sort of did in the long run. As for your questions on the reviews you're just going to have to wait and see what will happen, I have many things in store for you. Yes, many many things... Oh and sorry I'm a really slow updater!

Toilet (Plus the Toilet Gang!)