FRUITS BASKET: WHAT MUST BE DONE
by Vashkoda
(Disclaimer: This work of fiction uses characters belonging to Takaya Natsuki and Hakusensha without their permission. I am getting no profit from it. I only do it because I think Fruits Basket is a great story, and I want to help keep it alive!)
Author's Note: I haven't read the manga and have found only bits of translations for what happens after the anime ends. I know that Kureno and Rin exist, but little more. So from this point on, I am deviating from the established background of the FURUBA universe. That doesn't mean it can't still be a good story, though, so I hope you continue to enjoy it.
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Tohru looked at the rows and rows of books in silent wonder. The Sohma's library was much bigger than the one at school. She remembered the time she had gone to that library in search of books for Kyo and Yuki.
I really should get them something this time, too, she thought to herself, a little guiltily. I know they're mad at me for going to the prom with Shigure-san. There must be something I can do to make them feel better....
She scanned the titles on the shelves, looking for ideas. The books all looked very old, and she was afraid to touch them and risk tearing the fragile bindings.
What can I get them? I already gave Yuki a book on gardening, and Kyo a book on cooking. What else would they need? And then she realized that--this being their family's library--if there was any subject here they were interested in, they probably would have read the books already.
Feeling quite defeated, Tohru stared down gloomily at the carpet as she headed to the end of the aisle.
That was when she noticed the presence of someone standing there, watching her. She froze suddenly, and felt something bump into her from behind.
"So it was your idea, Souma Hiro?" the stranger said, looking furious. "Then you have some explaining to do."
Tohru freaked out. I knew I shouldn't have come here, I knew I shouldn't have come! she repeated over and over in her mind. Now I'm going to be in big trouble, and I'll have gotten Momiji-chan and Hiro-kun in trouble too! Maybe if I say it was all my idea, they'll let the others go?
"Hello, Kureno-san," said Hiro, interrupting her thoughts. "I'm surprised to see you here. Does Akito-san know?"
Rather than answer his question, the man, Kureno, turned his disapproving gaze on Tohru. "What is your name?" he asked her.
"H-honda Tohru," she stuttered, almost falling over herself as she tried to make a bow.
"But her mom's a Sohma!" she heard Momiji say. Looking around for him, she was surprised to see that he was in his animal form again. That surprise prevented her from actually registering what he had just said.
"Family names do not matter," growled Kureno. "Only the clan name is important. You must call yourself Sohma Tohru."
Tohru didn't know what to say. The man's gaze was so intense that she felt compelled to simply obey his order, even if he had been misinformed.
"She doesn't know any of the rules yet, she only joined us a short time ago. Her mother died, you see, so she came here." Which was true in a sense, Tohru supposed. Still, she wondered why Momiji was perpetuating this lie. She didn't want him to risk getting in more trouble because of her. But what if the lie was also protecting himself and Hiro? She wouldn't let them risk themselves for her, but if it would help them, too-
"I...I'm sorry," the man said, looking surprised and slightly ashamed. He lifted his gaze from Tohru, and she suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that she had been holding her breath.
"Just make sure you learn the rules. These two should be able to help you."
"Hai, Kureno-san!" said Momiji cheerfully, raising his paw in salute.
Tohru looked up as she heard a strange flapping sound coming from the library entrance. A small shadow darted into the room, finally coming to rest on Kureno's shoulder.
It was a little brown bird. Kureno lifted his hand palm-upwards, and the creature hopped down and settled onto it. They looked each other in the eye as a silent message passed between them.
"All right, I will go see him," the man said. The bird seemed satisfied and took off, disappearing down the aisle. Kureno walked over to a nearby table and picked up a pile of books that had been left there.
"If you'll excuse me-" he said, brushing past them on his way out the door. Tohru caught a glimpse of one characters in the title of the topmost book. It was the kanji for 'curse'.
"We'd better not stick around," said Hiro nervously as Kureno disappeared. "If he tells Akito we brought Tohru here-"
"He won't," said Momiji confidently. "I don't think Akito-san would be happy with him if he found out he was talking with us. You know how he is about Kureno."
Hiro nodded.
Tohru was confused.
"I'll walk her home," Momiji offered. "C'mon, Sohma Tohru!" he laughed, guiding her down the steps.
She was really confused.
Tohru was even more confused the next day when Hiro appeared at Shigure's house with a summons to the estate.
"Did--did Akito find out?!" Tohru asked him, terrified.
"No. At least...I don't think so. This came from Kureno himself. He wants to meet you again, at the library. I guess he'd been looking for you at the estate, so I was forced to tell him you lived here with Shigure and the others." He shrugged and passed the note to her.
"W-wait, aren't you coming?" she cried, watching him walk out the door.
"I can't," he called over his shoulder. "You're to come alone. Besides, you don't need us. That pass will get you inside."
Tohru stared at the slip of paper nervously. Kureno wanted to see her. Had he discovered Momiji's lie? What would the punishment be?
Kyo looked down from his perch the roof as he heard the front door slide shut. He saw Tohru step onto the path leading back to town, and idly wondered what errand she would be running. She seemed particularly nervous this morning, which turned his idle curiosity into growing concern. What was she doing that had her so worried?
He debated with himself whether he should offer to keep her company. But dammit, he was supposed to be mad at her! The whole point of avoiding her all this time was to make her understand that he disapproved of her going to the prom with Shigure. He probably would have done the same thing had she chosen to go with Yuki.
It was of small consolation that she hadn't picked the mouse, yet at the same time, he felt cheated. Part of him yearned to know, once and for all, which of the two she truly cared for. Even if it wasn't him, the fact that he would no longer be left wondering--no longer forced to fight a hopeless battle--would ease an incredible burden from his shoulders.
Now he had no other option but to continue the game. Unfortunately, Tohru was the one who suffered for it, which made Kyo's hatred towards his cousin rise even more. How could Yuki be avoiding her, when he knew that Kyo was already doing so? How could he stand to leave Tohru all alone, just to make a stupid point?
Before fully realizing what he was doing, Kyo found himself running after Tohru.
She was waiting around the bend, likely having heard his frantic approach. He read surprise in her eyes, before she quickly turned her gaze away and stared at the side of the road. She probably assumed that their meeting was by accident, and that he would simply continue to ignore her and walk on.
He stayed where he was, leaning against his knees as he struggled to catch his breath.
"To-Tohru," he gasped, drawing another surprised look from her. "Are...is everything...all right?"
She hesitated before approaching, then reached out to help steady him as he lifted himself up.
"Kyo-kun," she said worriedly, looking him over. "Why were you running? Is everything all right?"
"I just asked you that, don't you listen?" he growled, trying hard not to shout. Why on earth had he followed her?
"I'm...I'm all right," she said, staring at the ground again.
"Don't tell me that! I can see you're worried about something. What is it?" He then forced himself to speak in a softer voice, and added, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
She still wasn't looking at him. "No, thank you, Kyo-kun. I just have to meet someone."
His own eyes strayed to the paper clutched between her fingers. He recognized it instantly.
"You've been summoned to the estate," he said slowly, beginning to grow fearful. "Tell me, Tohru, who is it you're going to see? I can come along and-"
"No, no thank you, Kyo. You cannot help me."
"But maybe I-"
"No!"
Her refusal stung him like a slap to the face. For a moment, he imagined that it had been his heart that was so viciously rejected, but he knew that if it were so, he would be reeling from the pain. As it was, her words caused him sufficient grief and anger that he turned away from her and ran back to the house.
"Kyo-kun!" she called out after a few moments' hesitation.
He was such a fool.
"Kyo-kun...."