Author's Note: Oy… I haven't updated in… a long time… Sorry! I hope this chapter makes up for it.

Title: Ayame Sohma

Rating: PG

Spoilers: Episode 20 of the anime… and some other stuff…

Summary: Mine is Ayame's best friend. Will she be able to handle knowing his secret?

Disclaimer: I don't own Ayame (*sigh*), Mine, or anything else in Fruits Basket.

Setting: This story takes place after episode 20.

*** = setting change

italics = emphasis

italics = thoughts

CAPITALS = emphasis

~Truth~

The rest of December passed quickly. January came and went.

At the beginning of February, Ayame and Mine were swamped with work. Valentine's Day was coming up, and many people were ordering outfits for the occasion.

"Mine, could you hand me that—yes, thank you." Ayame was busy trying to design clothes that nobody had ever seen before—with the help of his wonderful assistant, of course.

Mine thought as she worked. Ever since Ayame's birthday, she had not been able to get the man out of her mind.

Ayame was a sweet person. He had always been kind to her, but now his kindness had taken on a different tone. Mine couldn't figure out what it was. Had something changed between them? Nothing bad, surely, because their relationship was still intact. With each passing day, Mine became more and more curious about the face that Ayame hid from the world.

Perhaps it was just because of the fact that Valentine's Day was approaching, but she had recently begun thinking of Ayame in a more romantic fashion. She couldn't stop thinking about how handsome he was every time she saw him. She had also begun wishing that he had no rule against hugging. She knew it was wrong to have such thoughts. Ayame was her employer after all, and it would improper to have a romantic relationship with him. However, whenever she saw Ayame's smile, she didn't care about what she should or should not think. She just smiled back, allowing her happiness to show.

***

It had been almost half an hour since Mine had left the shop with a cheerful "Goodnight, tencho!" Ayame was still in the shop, putting away materials.

Why did it always feel wrong when Mine wasn't there? Ayame looked around. What was wrong with the shop when his bubbly assistant left? He sat down to ponder.

A few minutes later, the tall man decided to leave. It was late. He'd figure it out in the morning.

As he opened the door and stepped outside, a blast of cold air hit him in the face. That was when he realized what was wrong. The store was cold. Without Mine's light and warmth, the store felt cold and dead.

Ayame shivered. He was not a big fan of the cold. If Mine never came into the shop again, Ayame wouldn't be able to handle it.

***

"Tori-san! I'm so glad you called!" Ayame said. He had been about to leave for work when the phone rang. Hatori had turned out to be the owner of the voice on the other end.

"Ayame, Akito wants to see you tomorrow."

"What?" Ayame was puzzled. "Why?"

"I don't know."

Ayame felt a twinge of fear. "Have I done something wrong?"

Hatori replied, "I don't believe you have. Akito usually ignores everything you do."

"Will you be there?"

"No. He wants to see you alone."

***

"Shigure tells me that you've grown rather fond of that assistant of yours," Akito said, staring at Ayame.

Ayame, kneeling on the floor in front of him, replied. "I suppose."

"Just how close are you?"

"We're very good friends."

"Hmm." Akito began circling Ayame. "I think you're becoming too attached to her, just like everyone has become to that Tohru girl."

Ayame remained silent.

"Be careful not to like her too much. You may regret it."

***

Mine Kuramae was concerned. Ayame had been acting strange all day. He had paid a visit to the Sohma main house earlier that day, and his demeanor had been substantially more subdued than usual.

Mine's employer—and closest friend—was keeping something from her. She got the feeling that it was something very important and very terrible. She wanted to help Ayame; she really did. But how could she when she didn't even know what the problem was?

"Is something wrong, tencho?" she asked.

Ayame sighed. "No, Mine. Everything's fine."

"Something's wrong," Mine pressed. "Does this have something to do with your brother?"

"No."

"I want to help you, tencho. Please tell me what's wrong."

Ayame stopped his work. "There are some things I can't tell you, Mine."

Mine's face became sad. "Maybe I shouldn't tell you, this, tencho."

"Tell me what?" Ayame tilted his head and peered closer at her.

Mine took a deep breath and decided to just tell him how she felt. "You're very important to me. I—I want to know who you are—your true self. I feel pain when I know that you're hurt and won't tell me what is bothering you."

"Why would it matter how much I tell you?" Ayame asked.

"I care about you," replied Mine.

Ayame looked at her sweet face and felt some feelings stir within him.

"You really want to know who I am, Mine?" Ayame asked, his voice hushed. He looked into Mine's eyes. He was scaring her. He knew he was, but he couldn't dwell on that now. "Do you really want to know my secret?"

Mine swallowed. Tencho—no, Ayame-san—has so much pain in his eyes. I have to know why. "Yes," she said, nodding.

Ayame kept staring intently at her. Then he moved forward and stood right in front of her. "Don't be afraid," he whispered.

"I'm not afraid," Mine replied. How could I be afraid of you?

Ayame put his arms around Mine and held her to his chest.

POOF!

TO BE CONTINUED…

Author's Note: Ooh… Cliffhanger… Okay, I promise I will update much sooner than I did last time! I feel so bad… Again, I apologize for my laziness…