Disclaimer: Nope, as much as I'd like them to, Fruits Basket's characters don't belong to me. I hope and pray that one day they will, but… well, I guess that's not all that likely. Maybe… if I could meet Akito, I could convince him to sell them to me!! Or not. So for now, I guess I'll have to plug along with this fic. Enjoy!!

Note: This fic is a Haru/Yuki pairing. If you don't like the couple, then why are you even here?! Other implied couple is Ayame/Shigure (NO Hatori threesomes, don't even think about it!). I probably won't go into that too much, but you never know! ^_^ I'm writing about these couples cos they're the ones that I like, and that I think make sense. Just so you know. ^_^

Hehe thanks to all my reviewers… Yes, even you NaPap! I'm amazed and so happy that people actually read and bother to review my work! ^_^ *Hands out hats with cow ears and horns, and copies of those boxers to all her reviewers* Yay! I'm so happy! Well, enjoy then! SpringSnow ^_^

White Love – Before the Storm

Every day this week, Haru thought despairingly. Five days in a row. He can't cope with this much longer. He'll break. I can't let him be broken. I won't.

He was sitting outside that same door again, waiting, just waiting. Yuki didn't speak when he came out, not since that first day, three weeks ago now. As soon as the door opened, Haru would go to him, take his hand and lead him to Hatori's. He couldn't do anything to ease Yuki's torment, but he could make sure that he got safely back. All day, every day, Yuki was with the sadistic family head, and every day Haru came to meet him when he emerged.

The damage was already visible. When he wasn't with Akito, Yuki was in bed, curled up in a tight ball. He never made a sound, and he hardly ate until Hatori had threatened to drip feed him. His asthma returned, and he suffered frequent attacks during the nights.

It was becoming increasingly clear that he wasn't going to hold out much longer. He was withering away in front of everyone, physically and mentally. It was as if he was again that small child who had been so controlled by the family master. No one knew why Akito was so… obsessed with Yuki, but none of the family envied his position. The rat of the zodiac was said to be special – to be 'gifted'; yet nothing about his predicament reflected this.

When Yuki appeared that day, Haru could see a visible deterioration. This was serious given the already impoverished state of the boy. "Yuki.. What did he do?" Haru implored. He has to answer. He has to talk to me. I have to be able to help him. I feel like I'm going mad just sitting and watching.

Only then did Yuki seem to notice that Haru was even there, as if he was returning from some faraway place. In apparent confirmation of this, his face darkened in fear, and his whole body tensed as he realised where he was. "Nothing, Haru. Let's just go, ok? Akito wants to see me again in the morning, so I suppose I should try to sleep."

Haru's feelings had a distinct clash at this point. On one hand, he was amazed and hopeful that Yuki had even answered – his voice was a rarity lately. And yet a warning was screaming in his head – a sixth all-day 'visit'? How would his delicate, already so brittle Yuki cope with that? Haru had refused, point blank to go to school after Yuki's first fortnight at the main house, and instead he would spend his days outside the Sohma family master's quarters, hardly blinking, straining for sight or sound of Yuki. He would never have told anyone, nor indeed did he care, but Haru, too, was exhausted. His nights were sleepless, as he went over and over in his head what he could; or rather couldn't do about the situation. It was nothing compared to what Yuki was going through.

"Can't you.. Can't you just not go?" Haru asked desperately, knowing even as he voiced it that it was a futile question, yet wanting to keep the rat talking now he had actually said something. Yuki attempted a smile but failed miserably.

"No, not really Haru. You know that. I'll be all right. It's sweet of you to worry, but you really shouldn't. It's fine…" He fell silent, avoiding the ox's gaze. They both knew it was not.

Haru's face fell; despite trying to be strong for Yuki's sake, he couldn't deal with this anymore. And I'm not even the one who has to *see* that monster. Oh, poor Yuki.. He turned away. "Um… ok then… I guess we'd better get you back to Hatori's."

He moved off, gently guiding Yuki by the hand. The rat looked on silently. He understood the ox's anguish – it was the same for all the Sohma's, no matter who Akito was picking on at the time… Or was it? Haru seemed, well, worse than usual in this sort of circumstance. Suddenly recalling his strange dream, Yuki suppressed a sigh. That seemed so long ago.

Mentally shaking himself, Yuki reminded himself that he couldn't get emotional about anything. If he allowed himself to feel anything, his paper-thin wall of self-control would crumble, and then… he didn't even want to think about it. Emotionless, but rational, he allowed himself to be taken back to his bedroom – knowing that whether he slept or not, this was one nightmare from which there was no waking, no escaping.

~***~

Eyes open, Yuki watched dispassionately as the sun came up over the Sohma main house. He had not slept, and so thought that he might as well sit outside. Akito wasn't expecting him for a few hours; not that it made much difference. For want of anything better to do in the meantime, Yuki decided to take a walk around the grounds. Maybe if he could be alone…

He was nearing the rock garden behind Hatori's office when he saw Haru sitting on the balcony. The younger boy looked miserable; not altogether surprising considering everything, but still, Yuki found himself wondering what had the ox so down. Sitting down next to him, Yuki let the silence hang for a minute. "Haru," he began hesitantly, unsure of what he wanted to say, "Thank you. For waiting for me. For always being there. I know it seems as if I don't notice, but I do, and I really appreciate it." He lapsed back into silence, feeling unaccountably awkward.

Haru looked sideways at Yuki through his lashes. "It's not a problem – it's the least I can do. You have to put up with so much from… Him. At least I can make sure you get back to 'Tori's ok.

The two sat in companionable silence, both feeling as if they understood each other better, and at the same time not at all.

It was to be the calm before the storm.

Aargh! Sorry so short – it was the only place I could do a proper chapter break. Don't worry, the next chapter will be worth the wait! Reviews appreciated! ^_^

SpringSnow