Hello!  I've started writing my first Fruits Basket fanfiction, it will be either 2 or 3 chapters.  Enjoy!

This piece is from Yuki's point-of-view.

Sentences in regular font and with quotes are dialogue, sentences without quotes and in regular font are thoughts and observations, and italicized sentences (either in quotes or not) are memories.

Disclaimer: Fruits Basket and its characters are the property of their respective owners.  This piece is not for profitable purposes.

A Solitary Freedom

Chapter 1: An Illness and an Opportunity

I silently sit at my desk, reading a book by sunlight.  I pause and look out into the garden.  As one of Akito's servants and the rat, I had been given a room that, while small, was still sought after for its view.  However, such things do not interest me.  I would give this room, and everything in it, if only I could be free, yet, I know that is impossible.  A butterfly flies by, reminding me of the time I was so surprised to learn that her mother had been in a gang and had earned the nickname 'The Red Butterfly.'  Now I think of that time and smile, it seems so far away…

"Yuki."

I reassume my mask of indifference and turn around, having heard Hatori call my name.  I see him standing in my room and I remain silent, waiting for him to speak.

"Kureno has fallen ill, I will be taking care of him.  Akito has decided that you will take his shift."

I find it hard but succeed in masking my surprise and hope.  Akito allows Kureno to do chores in the city, while I have not been permitted to leave the estate since I was forced to return here.  I frown and drop my book pointedly on the desk. 

I look over at him without standing and say, "Fine."

He silently nods his head in agreement and leaves the room.

I push back my chair and stand up.  I walk to my mirror and look at my face, wanting to be sure that it gives nothing away.  Satisfied, I walk to the door, open it, step outside, and close it.  Ironically, the pathways that lead me to the main house force me to pass by the baka neko's cell.  He hears me approaching and brings his face up to the bars on his window.

"What are you doing going this way now, baka nezumi," he says, his face contorted in a snarl.

"That's none of your business, baka neko," I answer as I walk by without a second glance.  Angered by my attitude and response, he continues to taunt me, but I ignore him.  After all, what's the use of battling him now, now that the gamble with Akito has long since been lost?

Despite the risk of involuntary displaying my emotions, my mind wanders again to her. 

"Sohma-kun is also the type of person who attracts other people."

 "Ka-san worked so hard so that I could go to high school, so I'm going to do the same."

"Thank you so much for your help with studying, Yuki-kun, I must be such a bother."

"A cold is a very important thing, are you sure you're well enough to go to school, Sohma-kun?"

I reach the door to his room more quickly than I would have liked.  I end my reveries and kneel and lower myself down, assuming the traditional position required in Akito's presence and slowly open the door.

"Pardon me for intruding," I say in a monotone as I stand up so that I can enter, and walk to the appropriate spot before re-assuming the position.  I do not turn my head to look, but I see him out of the corner of my eye, leaning sideways against a wall, his bird perched on his index finger.  We both remain silent for a few moments before he begins speaking, still watching his bird.

"Yuki."

"Yes, Akito," I respond, still looking forward and not at him.

With minimal movement, he turns his head to look at me while his bird flies off of his finger and onto the floor.

"You look unhappy, Yuki."

Still looking away, I say, "No, that is not the case."

Looking eerily like a predatory animal, he moves quietly towards me. 

When he is only a few centimeters away, his eyes pierce mine and his face turns angry as he says, "You must be thinking of that stupid bitch again."

Using all my strength, I am able to prevent myself from flinching or catching my breath as I say, "That woman was not a Sohma, she had no place with us."

Still angry, he responds, "Really, is that what you think?"

I remain silent.  In disgust, he turns away and moves so that he is again leaning against a wall for support.  He coughs, making his weak body move violently.  When he re-gains his composure, he moves toward a vase and stares at the flowers, moving his fingers across the petals of one, before calmly pulling them off and letting them flutter to the floor.  He holds the final one in the palm of his hand, staring at it before looking back at me.

"Hatori has recommended certain herbs for treatment.  I doubt they will do any good, I will always suffer."

I struggle to suppress my feelings, at last, I may be able to leave, and possibly...

He closes his fingers around the petal and moves back towards me.

"However, since I need other things, I've decided to accept his foolish suggestion."

He looks at his palm as he re-opens it.  Surprisingly, the petal is intact and hardly damaged. 

He turns his attention to me again and says, "What do you think of that, Yuki?"  

I decide to speak at last and respond, "I will do as you say, Akito."

He smiles slightly, "Of course you will, all of the Juunishi will."

I watch as he closes his hand again over the petal.

"I've instructed Hatori on what I will need.  He has left the list for you there," he says as he turns his face to a corner in the room.

As I stand to leave, he turns his palm over and opens it.  I watch as the crumpled and torn remains of the petal descend erratically to the floor.

He looks back at me and says, "Yuki, remember what you have said."