--I know what you're all saying: "Draelya, you loser. Why haven't you updated in so long?" I'm sorry. I've been really busy with stuff I didn't even know I had going on. Well, for those of you who are still with me, here's Chapter 23.

Inspiration: English boredom, study hall, and The Beatles.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket or FMA.

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-Chapter Twenty-Three-

"Everyone, please come into the sitting room," Shigure said, unnaturally serious. "I have an announcement to make."

The residents of the house ambled in, scattering themselves about the room. Skye and Haru lounged on one couch, with Kyo standing to Skye's left, arms folded across his chest. Ed and Al sat on the floor next to them. Tohru and Yuki sat on the other couch, and Emily placed herself on the sofa's arm to Yuki's right. Envy leaned on the wall in a corner, an unreadable expression on his face. Shigure stood before them as they stared expectantly.

He cleared his throat. "We're going to go see Akito tomorrow."

Though his expression was as relaxed as always, Skye felt Haru tense beside her. Yuki and Kyo grimaced and Tohru gasped, eyes wide.

Al blinked as he looked at them all. "Who's Akito?"

"He's the head of out family. The Sohma family," Shigure explained. "I think it's time he met out new…family members."

"That still doesn't explain your reactions," Ed interjected. "What's so bad about this guy?"

"He's cruel," Tohru murmured, head down. "So very cruel…When you're around him, you feel such a hatred towards you, like you're worthless and better off dead." Her hands clenched and unclenched into fists and Yuki put his hand on her arm comfortingly.

"That's…that's terrible!" Al said. "Why would he…? How…?"

"You'll see when you meet him," Skye muttered, closing her eyes and leaning back on Haru. He wrapped her arms around her.

Emily sighed. "Well, we had to go see him eventually."

Skye opened one eye, grinning. "My only question is why couldn't it have been on a school day?"

Everyone chuckled a little, glad for the slight distraction from the forbidding announcement.

"Alright," Shigure said. "Well, now that that's settled, I've got work to do." He disappeared into his study.

Slowly, everyone else went back to what they had been doing. Soon, only Skye and Haru were left in the room, his arms still wrapped around her.

"I won't let him hurt you," Haru whispered in Skye's ear.

Skye smiled in understanding. She settled herself more comfortably against his chest. "My hero," she murmured.

Haru grinned, kissing her neck.

After a moment, Skye opened her eyes, a thoughtful expression on her face. "It should be interesting. Envy, Ed, and Akito: a three-way battle."

Haru chuckled at the thought.

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(The next day…)

"Skye! We're not going on a picnic. We're going to see the head of the Sohma family. At least try to look slightly formal," Emily chided.

"Why?" Skye stayed where she was, leaning against the wall. She had on a pair of black jeans with a large rip in the left knee, revealing her long, black-and-white-striped stocking-socks. Her black shirt was thigh-length and tunic-like, with wide bell sleeves. It had a cincher at the waist, so it fit her form. On her head was a black beret, her newest addition to her wardrobe. She was, of course, wearing her trusty black converses.

"Because we want Akito to get a good first impression." Emily was wearing a jean skirt and a white, button-up shirt. A pair of brown, leather boots encased her lower legs and feet.

Skye's lips twitched, but she held in her snicker. "Why?" she repeated. As an afterthought, she added, "And I hardly consider your choice of clothes dressy."

Emily scoffed. "Well, it's better than yours. You look like some sort of emo poet."

"Well, then," Skye pushed off the wall to stand straight, "it doesn't matter what we do in this miserable existence. There are thousands more times of being to be had because, after all, life is but a dream in the vast eternity of the soul."

"Wow." Emily turned to see Kyo and Yuki entering the room. Haru came in from the other doorway, clapping.

"That was very…interesting," Yuki said, attempting a smile.

"It was morbid, if you ask me," Kyo said.

"Well, nobody asked you."

"Shut up, damn rat!"

"I think it described out pathetic existences perfectly," Haru murmured, slipping his arms around his girlfriend.

Kyo scowled. "Get a room, would ya?"

"Very well." Haru began leading Skye out of the room.

"Hang on," Emily said. "We've got to go soon. We can't have you guys going off to…start something."

"Oooh. Someone's starting something?" Shigure popped up out of nowhere.

"Yeah. Your mom," Ed replied, stepping into the room.

"Wow. We've only heard that one about a thousand times." Emily rolled her eyes. "Where's your brother, Ed? And the other freak?"

Ed shrugged. "I dunno."

Emily sighed and opened her mouth to chide him.

"Here I am!" Al ran into the room.

"Good," Emily said. "Now, that leaves one…"

"Well, we should be going now," Shigure said, looking at the clock. "If Envy appears on the way – great. If not – oh, well."

And so, gathering their things they all headed out the door. They found Envy leaning against a tree next to the path.

"Took you long enough," he said. His eyes roamed over Skye. "The dark suits you."

She raised an eyebrow, but nodded in acknowledgement.

"Hey! What about me?" Emily snapped.

Envy looked at her. "Where's your hat, cowgirl?"

Emily's eyes narrowed. "Are you making fun of me?"

"I'm not really sure, actually."

Emily blinked. "Well…shut up anyway."

"Hm. Interesting reaction," Skye said, quoting Jack Skellington. "But what does it mean?"

"It means there's a storm brewing," Yuki said.

Kyo grinned. "I hope it waits until we reach the main house. I never thought I'd say this, but this trip to Akito's is probably going to be very interesting."

-End-

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--Please bear with me until I can write the next chapter (whenever that may be) and so on. I'll try to write as fast as I can. Thanks to all of you who've stuck with me, and I hope that those of you who are newer to my writings stay on this boat that I'm captain of for a long time. Now…how did I become the captain of a boat? Oh, well. salutes Until next time, my friends.