Yep, the chapter after saying that I'm not writing to prompts anymore, what did I go and do? I just really like this prompt. I saw it, and immediately thought 'Kakeru.' Although I'm sure I remember him using the correct phrase somewhere in the manga... or did I dream that? XD But anyway, I hope you enjoy. I enjoyed writing it a lot :P I think Kakeru is just a lot of fun to both read and write.

DISCLAIMER: I don't REALLY own Fruits Basket. I just pretend.

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Don't Sit On The Radiator

"You know what?" Kakeru said, blowing a thoughtful bubble with his neon blue bubblegum. "I'm tired of this."

Both Machi and Yuki, the only other occupants of the student council room, looked up, Yuki with interest, Machi with resigned cynicism.

"I already said, if you want, you can just go home. The work's almost done now, anyway. I'm sure me and Machi can tie up the last few bits."

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Kakeru said with sudden power, "If I just left you alone with my baby sister? Well, pal, I'll have you know I'll never leave Machi to the perils of perverts like you!" He kicked the desk in front of him, as if to show his conviction and force. It knocked him off balance, and he fell from where he had been slouching in his chair, onto the hard floor.

"Yet you're more than willing to subject her to your stupidity…" Yuki rolled his eyes, as Kakeru picked himself up, and placed himself back into his former position in his chair.

"Here, Machi, don't be scared by this violent pervert! He's just so constantly angry because his butt is burning!"

"Excuse me?" Yuki asked, with admirable composure.

"You're getting third degree burns on your behind!" Kakeru announced triumphantly.

"Manabe, stop saying stupid things to the president." Machi said.

Yuki felt a small shoot of adrenaline in his chest. He couldn't remember Machi standing up for him before. Although he felt himself very well practiced in dealing with Kakeru, it was undeniably sweet of her.

Yuki couldn't help but give her a small smile.

"Ugh! This is exactly what I'm so tired of, and I'm sure your butt thinks the same. This is getting old."

"What?" Yuki said, trying to keep the rising frustration out of his voice. If Kakeru picked up on it, it would only encourage him. It was just like trying to have a sane conversation with Ayame.

"This! You and my little sister! I mean, enough's enough, right? It's cute to start with, but after a while, all that radiator sitting's going to do nothing but cause burns!"

"Radiator sitting?" Both Yuki and Machi repeat.

"Yeah, you both know what I'm talking about!" He said loud enough for at least half of Tokyo to hear, "There's no point trying to deny it."

"The expression…" Machi started, through a clenched jaw, it seemed, "Is fence sitting."

"And we're not sitting on the fence, anyway." Yuki said, giving Machi a brief nod, which she returned.

"Ha! Tell that to me at your wedding! You're wedding which, if you keep on at this rate, won't happen until you're like… eighty!" He laughed, "Just get it together already!"

To save either party from having to form a dignified response, Kakeru's phone gave an annoying beep.

"Ah! That'll be Komaki! Gotta run!" He got up, and made his way with impressive rapidity to the door. "Make sure you think about everything I've said!" Kakeru demanded, as he headed out of the door. "You don't want to be trying on wedding clothes when you're all senile and wrinkly, do you?"

With that last image implanted into their minds, he left, shutting the door behind him. There was an uncomfortable silence left in his wake.

Machi had her head down, her brown hair acting as a curtain around her face. Somehow, though, Yuki guessed that her cheeks were burning the same alarming red colour that was spreading across his features…

Must be all the heat from that radiator.