Whoa, I just went over my last chapter and realized how many mistakes were made. Won't do that again, I can promise you all that much. Also, THANK YOU ALL FOR THE LOVELY REVIEWS!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or the song 'Manic Monday'.

Easily Amused: Manic Monday

I am venturing into the unknown. Into a place that a woman has never set foot in before: my father's hotel room. And even now, as I squeeze in through the tiny crack in the door, the shrill strings of the 'Psycho' theme ring through my ears. Before me is a pile of clothes, some clean and the others I feared stood no chance to begin with. And there was a smell....oh dear.....I can't handle this. I grabbed his laptop and choked down a gag as I went back to my own room.
I tapped my fingernails impatiently against the black plastic in hopes that Becky was either getting up to check her email or checking her email before she went to bed. I could never tell when that girl slept, or if she even slept at all. But I was desperate for conversation with someone who understood my situation in its whole. Well, almost. Nobody actually knew there was a curse. Before I knew it, Becky's screen name appeared on the computer and she was immediately typing away.

thegr8gummibear: So how's the trip going? Oh! Wait! I promised Tyler that i'd start typing in computer slang!!

DustyStrikesBack: Tyler?

thegr8gummibear: yeah! i met him at an art show!! he's friggin gorgeous!!

DustyStrikesBack: I worry about you...trip's fine. I guess.

thegr8gummibear: you guess?

DustyStrikesBack: me and Shigure have a bet going.

thegr8gummibear: so you 2 didn't make up? so sowwie!!

DustyStrikesBack: beck! come on!! i had intended a normal conversation here!!

The rest of the conversation consisted of mostly Tyler and how he was 'hot' and a 'perfect specimen of the male species'. And I thought I was bad. I shut the laptop off and laid down on the soft pillow. I changed into my pajamas a long time before and had almost hoped that my father would be up, worrying about me like normal dads do. But no. I watched as the bolted down clock turned into a brightly lit four o'clock. Damn Hatori and his little posse. Damn Shigure. And damn my stupid southern temper!! I turned on my side and slid underneath the thin blanket. Tomorrow would be the start of a contest that I might not be able to win.

Monday
I pulled up my hair in a tight ponytail and headed outside, only to be blocked by a thin, hairy arm. It was my dad. I sighed and straightened out my already wrinkled tank top. I knew I was in for it. It was the only reasonable explaination for having him stop me like he did. Yet, he was smiling down at me.
"Here," he handed me a yellow raincoat that would suck me up for sure if I put it on.. "It's raining like cats and dogs out there." I stared at him for a moment before swinging an arm through one of the sleeves.
"Thanks for not waiting up last night." I was actually pretty grateful that he hadn't. I didn't feel like a lecture at the time. He leaned against the door frame as I pulled the hood over my head.
"Well I was up for a good hour or two before Patricia called and told me that you were on your way. And after that little run in at the party, I figured you had walked over to the Sohma house to deliver an apology." His look was stern at the last comment. I must've embarrassed him. He was showing off for so many people and I must have created such a scene. There's a slight warmness floating in my stomach. Could that be remorse? I gave a small burp, covering my mouth as the light sound escaped my lips. Nope, not remorse. Just a coke trying to make its presence known. I nodded and hastily walked through the door.
He was right. It WAS raining cats and dogs. I pulled the raincoat tighter around me and began running to a small jazz cafe that Elijah supposedly hung out at. It was rumored to be his favorite hot spot in Japan. I'd have to thank Yuki for that little bit of info later. With the help of a pocket translator I had snatched from my father's belongings, I managed to track down the small juke joint. It was musty and made me sneeze a few times, thanks to the second hand smoke. But no Elijah. This was going to take some serious detective work. Detective work that my simple mind could not comprehend. I turned away from the hangout and made a mad dash around the corner, only to run into someone.
"Dusty?! Are you alright?" Not just someone, Elijah! Halleleujah! Did I even spell that right? I should've paid more attention in church instead of watching the choir boys make faces at each other. I wonder if you could go to hell for that. I balanced myself with his strong arm and smiled up at him.
"Peachy keen jellybean!" Now, how do I get this man to ask me out on a date? Simple flirting gestures? No, too forward. Outward begging? Now that might work. As I stood there comtemplating my first move, Elijah began the first few words that secured my winning the bet.
"So...what are you doing tonight?" Joy!!

My sneaker clad feet pitter patted against the many puddles that were scattered among Japan. I was so proud of myself that I couldn't contain the excitement. Usually, this is where Becky would come in, sit down, and let me cheer in pure bliss. But Becky was not here, and Patricia was in Greece. So, that left one other option : gloat. And gloat I would do, at Shigure's house, in front of him, grinning with glee. For I, Dusty Lynn LaFayette, would be the reigning champion in the bet of Shigure v. Dusty. What would my victory song be? I was thinking something along the lines of 'We Are The Champions'. Yes, that would do nicely. I banged on the front door with all my might until Shigure opened it with an amused look on his face. And I guess that I was in an amusing state, with my oversized raincoat and drenched sneakers. But I wouldn't be intemidated!! I crossed my arms over my chest, a sly smirk paving its way onto my face.
"I just came here to inform you that Elijah and I will be dining at the -"
"At the CCR Diner. Yes, Ms. Braum and Mr. Johnson seem to be business associates and there is an informal meeting at the Diner tonight." My face dropped and I could imagine myself pouting.
"How did....when did....but....aw dammit!!" I kicked an some invisible rock and shoved my hands into my pockets. Sometimes I could be so mature....only not.

The dinner meeting was less than thrilling. We started out with some foreign food that if you tilted it just right with your fork, it resembled Richard Nixon. The rest of the meal I shoved off to the side. Once, Elijah asked if everything was okay. All I could do was glare at Shigure from across the table, smile politely, and nod. After dinner was when the date actually took off. Elijah had made it his goal in life to see to my safety and walk me home, only to be followed by Ms. Braum and Shigure. Elijah glanced back at the chatting couple .
"So what is it with you and Shigure? I mean, the other night at the party and even now, I feel some hostility." Yeah, karma likes to bite you in the ass. I shrugged.
"Nothing much really. Used to date the guy and he just can't seem to get over me." Actually, I lost my virginity to him only after knowing him for a week and practically fell in love with him and is now on a jealous rampage to prove that I am more desirable than he and that I could have any guy, including you, Mr. Elijah. I could feel Shigure's normally soft eyes turn green with envy. It wasn't' until I had finished my tiny story that Shigure's head popped in between Elijah and me, seperating me from the Brit a good ten feet.
"I had to stick around, though. She kept crying about how I was her first love. I couldn't do that to her, just leave her hanging." I gritted my teeth and patted his shoulder, adding in a pinch for good measure.
"You're so funny, Shigure. But you're ignoring your DATE!!" I jabbed him in the ribs on the word 'date' before grabbing Elijah's hand to get a bigger lead.
"Honestly Shigure, what did you ever see in that girl?" Sage Braum's screechy voice was loud enough for me to hear and it cut into me like a heated knife through butter. Who was she to judge Shigure's love interests? But the comment hurt nonetheless. I peered over my shoulder and tried my best to hide that hurt from Shigure. I could hear mumbling but didn't question it. We stopped by the Hotel Americana to say our goodbyes to Elijah and Sage Braum. When Elijah asked if I was going inside with them, I simply gave a wave of my hand and told him that I was meeting my father for coffee outside. Shigure, however, knew exactly what I was up to.
"So which is it?" I fixed the hem of my skirt so that I was showing less leg. This guy was pushing me to the edge and there was no telling what I would do to him.
"Huh?"
"Well, you either wanted to get rid of him, which would make you lose the bet. Or, you just wanted to be alone with me. So, which is it?" I rolled my eyes and tapped my foot.
"Neither." He smiled that infamous impish smirk.
"Oh really?" Son of a blow hole!! What did he take me for? But, a little harmless flirting couldn't hurt. I stepped up to him so that I was mere inches from his mouth, my fingernail tracing the curve of his jawline.

"You are absolutely right. You have that certain something that ignites a flame of a certain emotion. Do you know what that emotion is?" My lips were barely pressing against his by now and I could feel him trembling from the closeness.
"Um...love?" I paused. Why did he say love? "Or is it raw sexual energy?" Ruin the moment why don't you, Shigure? I pressed my mouth over his, enticing him with a light kiss. A simple kiss, followed by a simple slap to the face.
"Pure....raw...relentless...anger and frustration." I gave a small wink and did the Jessica Rabbit rump shake as I entered the lobby. Right before the rotating door swung to let me in, I swore I heard Shigure's voice break the recording of string instruments in the lobby.
"What a woman...." Did my ears serve me right? Or was I just delusional with the taste of Nixon look alike food? Either way, it brought a smile to my face. Perhaps there was hope for Shigure and I. A small, tiny glimpse of hope. But that small glimpse was enough to make me dream sweet dreams in the hours of sleep.
I pulled open the door to my bedroom and slumped down on the bed. I was in a heaven that only allowed girlish, giddy moments like this to pass through. I couldn't resist temptation any longer and strutted over to the window to catch a flash of my main man leaving only to see him standing there, underneath my window. His grin grew wide at my shock and motioned for me to come back down. I could see no harm in it. I peeked outside, and, to my astonishment, stole a glance at Sage Braum and my father swapping spit. Very disgusting to say the least. I shoved myself back into my room and slid open the patio door. I was only on the fourth floor. Plus, every room had a balcony. All I had to do was use my tree climbing skills and then shimmie down the gutter. It was like peanut butter and jelly.
"Dusty! What are you doing?!" I had no idea what I was doing. One thing was for certain, though : my tree climbing memories all ended with me crying in one way or another; broken ankle, broken arm, cut knee, scraped elbow, a concussion....I needed some better memories. Without knowing it, I had made my way to the ground. "What the hell were you thinking?! You could've fallen!!" Shigure shook me by the shoulders. Shaking me wouldn't make me gain any common sense, Shigure. If anything, you're making me lose more.
"I would've taken the elevator but I ran into some trouble..." I had to tell him that the object of his gambling was kissing my father in the hallway.
"What kind of trouble?" I tugged at the lace on my shirt. I was suddenly cold. Very cold. And more than anything, I just wanted to go home with the talented writer instead of going back inside the hotel.
"Oh you know....the usual.." Yeah right. Like my father shoving his tounge down some tramp's throat is the usual. It gives me the shudders just thinking about it. Ick. Shigure quirked an eyebrow at me."Ms. Braum...well.....she was inside...making out with my dad." And then he laughed. He laughed!! What was so funny about something like that?! He cupped my cheek and beamed at my innocence.
"You're so cute when you're jealous. Really..." Aw....he thought I was- wait a minute!! I'm NOT jealous!! I'm telling the truth here!!
"I'm seri-"
"Is this about the comment she made earlier?" I tried to remember the spiteful statement.
"Huh? No....I actu-" He began to rub the apple of my cheek with his thumb.
"Do you know how I answered her?" I shook my head. Don't tell me. I can't hear this right now. We were supposed to have a bet going. "I told her that you were the most intelligent, funny, witty girl that can bring the best and worst out of me. I told her that everytime i'm around you, my heart beats ten times faster and I crave nothing more than your attention only. I told her that I was in love with you." Ohhhh St. Pinnocchio....why did you have to go and say something like that? I closed my silver eyes, trying my best to push back the tears of happiness. It all seemed to good to be true. And then it hit. It WAS too good to be true. Whether I confessed my love too meant nothing. He would still turn into a mutt everytime I wanted to cuddle and anything intimate? Forget that. He would be cursed until he stood up to Akito. I backed away from him.
"Then tell him. Stand up to Akito and tell him what you just told me." He stood there in shock before shaking his head in confusion.
"Akito has nothing to do with us." I choked on the sob forming in my throat.
"You will still be cursed until you get rid of the dark force....tell Akito." His hands were once again crushing my shoulders.
"No! Didn't you learn anything from Hatori?!" I turned back towards the entrance. "Nothing good will come from telling him!!"
"I'm sorry you feel that way..." Besides, how could he tell Ms. Braum all of that in a short amount of time anyway?