Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or any of it's characters, but I DO own any of the characters you haven't heard about so BUGGER OFF! *hisses and glomps her charries*
Warnings: Expect some shounen-ai and (possibly) some mild Yaoi. (If this isn't your thing, then don't read it. If you flame me it will prove just how juvenile you are and, your inability to read.) Also, there will be some angst, romance, and (probably) some tragedy (but not 'til WAY later).
Pairings: I'll post up the initial pairings for the original FB charries ONLY and the others you'll have to read and see. Ayame/Mine, Kyou/Tohru, Yuki/OC, and Hiro+Kisa (one-sided).
Summary: There was never really a question of why the Sohma family was cursed, they just were. But what happens when people seeking the curse come for them? Can the youngest members of the Sohma family uncover the secrets before it is too late? (Crappy isn't it?)
Harakiri: Well, I wasn't planning on starting this until I finished 'Editor Strikes Back', but inspiration has struck and I'm not going to waste my opportunity. That and my muse for that particular story has been avoiding me…*glares at Shigure*
Shigure: *smiles innocently*
Harakiri: Anyways, I hope you enjoy this. Constructive comments and criticism are welcomed. So is worship and praise, but I think I might be pushing that. ^^()
Shigure: Hai. On to the story!
Glossary:
Yukata- a type of informal kimono worn mostly indoors and for festivals
Hai- yes
Yamete- stop it (that); the feminine version of yamero
Iie- no
Ne- in this context it's like 'hey'
Gomen nasai- sorry/'I'm sorry'
Hentai- pervert
Bai bai- childish way of saying good-bye
Sayonara- good-bye
Musume- daughter
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The Ties That Bind ~ *Prologue*
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"So, people are like seasons?"
"Well, sort of. Really, it's a person's life that are like the seasons."
It was the first day after a week of nothing but rain. The sun was high in the cloudless sky and its warm rays reflected beautifully off of the glistening leaves. Animals had finally come out of their shelters and were bustling about providing soothing music for the peaceful surroundings. Everything blended together, including the traditional house that was set almost directly in the middle of all the natural beauty.
Sitting outside on the deck was a man who wore nothing but a simple gray yukata. When he was younger and people asked him why he wore the garment he would reply that it was to fit with the romantic image of his profession. Nowadays he simply wore it out of habit, not to mention it was quite comfortable. He was a handsome man back then and could charm just about anyone, even when he was being a bit of a pervert, and he still was handsome. His once black hair was now silver and he had a few lines around his eyes and mouth, but his dark black eyes were still sharp and bright and his oh-so charming personality was still present.
Beside him was a young woman who looked very much like he had when he was younger, only with a few extra implements. Her hair was long and black and her eyes, as sharp and bright as the man's, were as dark as her hair. She, too, wore a simple yukata, but it was a beautiful ocean blue with a pattern of light blue lotus flowers and she wore simple wooden sandals. She sat beside the man with her knees drawn to her chest, her arms wrapped around her legs, and her chin resting on her knees, while the man beside her had one leg curled beneath him and the other stretched out, but slightly bent at the knee.
"Really? How did you come to that conclusion?" The man smiled.
"It's quite simple, really. Everyone knows how the seasons work; Spring brings life, Summer lives life, Autumn signals Summer's end, and Winter puts a halt to Summer altogether. It's the same with a person, don't you think?"
The girl thought about that for a moment. "…" She tilted her head upwards and began to stare into the sky. "So, what you're saying is that Spring is birth, meaning when a person first comes into the world, then comes Summer, which is their life, then Autumn, when they become old, and finally is Winter, when they die…" She turned to look at him. "Right?"
The man smiled again. "Hai, that's right." He reached out and ruffled her hair.
"Yamete!" She slapped his hand away and pouted as she fixed her hair. She glared at the man who was now chuckling beside her, but her glare soon turned into a soft smile. "Well, I know that Papa is still in his Summer."
"Oh? Is that so? Well your papa is 51, you know. Don't you think that's a bit old?"
"Iie. Papa is still plenty young!" The girl stretched her arms into the air and stretched her legs as well. "…Ne, do you ever think about Uncle Hari and Uncle Aya?"
The man smiled and nodded and his eyes became somewhat distant. "I do. Quite often, as a matter of fact. Why?"
She shrugged. "No reason. I just…I miss them." He nodded, causing his silver hair to fall into his eyes which were becoming slightly misty.
"So do I…" She looked over at the other man with a sad look on her face. She was only four years old when her Uncle Hari died of a heart attack, but she still remembered him. He would always give her candy and let her ride on his shoulders. He always seemed sad, though, and she never knew why until she was older. After her Uncle Hari had died, Uncle Aya was devastated. He had loved Uncle Hari very much and was the closest to him. Until that day she had never seen her Uncle Aya cry and it broke her little heart to see it.
It took a year for him to mourn and it probably would have taken longer if it weren't for her papa, but she could tell that he was still sad. Unfortunately, five years later, Uncle Aya had died, too. He was walking home and was attacked by someone on the street. The man shot him, point blank in the chest, and took his wallet then ran. Once again her papa kept his feelings bottled inside and focused his efforts on comforting others, like Auntie Mine. Yes, she missed her uncles dearly and she knew that her papa missed them, too. Even more-so than she did.
'How hard is it, I wonder, to lose someone you've known and loved since you were a child?' She sighed. "Gomen nasai. I didn't mean to upset you…"
The man smiled and wiped his eyes on the sleeve of his yukata. "There's nothing to apologize for, my Sayuri." The girl smiled happily then, suddenly, reached over and hugged his arm, but only briefly.
"I'm going to the main house today. I told Junsui I'd go by and visit. Oh, and Setsuko-chan wanted to know if I could stay with her for the weekend."
"Hai, you may. Now go on and go see Junsui. I bet he just can't wait to see you." She laughed as he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively then planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Hentai. Bai bai, Papa-inu!" Slowly she got up and dusted herself off. Once finished, she leaned over, kissed him once more on the cheek, then took off down the path. He chuckled as he watched her go and leaned back against the rice paper door once she was out of sight.
"Sayonara, musume. I hope your Summer is long and filled with much joy and beauty…" He sighed as he closed his eyes and his body became totally lax. To anyone who came by it would seem as if he were taking a nap, but no one would have ever guessed that he would never wake up. His Summer had come and gone, replaced with Autumn, and now his Winter was finally here…
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WAAAAAAH! I absolutely HATE myself for writing that! T_T *sniffle, sob* Well, could you guess who that was? If you couldn't, then you obviously haven't watched much of the series (or maybe even any of it ¬.¬). So, did you like it? Hate it? Tell me what you think by clicking the little review button down in the corner. Thanks much. ^^