I DO NOT OWN FRUITS BASKET

My next installment... i hope someone, anyone is reading this... i feel so lonely. oh well... and some food for thought. we're gonna find out about Akito's past later on, and a hidden secret he's been keeping that no one but him knows about. hmm... what could it be... (sorry but i haven't read the manga, so if we already know about Akito in the manga... then im sorry that i made up a totally different one for him) okay, alright, people, please read and enjoy!

Chapter 3 – Friday Night Standoff

Shigure straightened his hair a bit in the bathroom. He hated these things. Why did Mii drag him here? How did he allow it? He pulled his tie over his head and tried to straighten it. He could just try a sit-in. He could lock the door, and not come out of the bathroom. No, he would get hungry after a while. How long could he survive with food? His stomach already growled for lunch, and he sighed. Not very long, it seemed like. He reluctantly opened the door, and saw the frazzled looking Mii on the edge of the bed. She stood at attention and rushed up to him.

She closely inspected him to be sure he looked his best. She had to admit, he looked really good in a suit. She saw the tie, lopsided, and frowned. She reached up and grabbed it. The closeness made Shigure nervous that he would transform, so he backed away abruptly. But Mii was still holding onto the tie, and it tightened around his neck and started to strangle him. He stumbled back some more, and tripped over a suitcase and fell to the floor, taking Mii with him. They rolled slightly, and Shigure ended up practically ontop of her, except his arms held his body up from hers, as to not transform himself.

He might have found the position appealing, had he not had the curse, and the fact his lungs were burning, his throat beginning to sweel, and his face turning blue. Mii seemed stunned for a moment, but then realized she was killing her writer, and quickly loosened the tie. He gasped for breath and pushed himself up into a sitting position. He coughed hoarsly. Mii sat up as well and frowned. Was she blushing?

"Th-That wouldn't have happened if you hadn't jerked away from me. I was just trying to straighten your tie for you, geez... Am I that repulsive?" She said the last part almost under her breath. But Shigure's sharp ears heard it. He pretended he didn't hear it.

"Sorry Mii, I didn't mean to do that. It's just a reflex I have when people go at my throat." He replied, and looked over at her. "You can try again, I won't do anything weird." He extended his neck, but she just backed away slightly.

"I'd rather not. You can obviously take care of it yourself." She said, sounding a little upset. Shigure was confused. He then fixed his crumpled tie, and straightened his shirt and jacket. He stood and Mii jumped to her feet besides him. She pushed past him and walked to the door. She opened it, and held it open for Shigure. He quickly went out the door, Mii close behind.

Being that close to a woman was making his heart race. True, he was literally dying, but his lips were still inches from hers. But his torso was also inches from hers. It was a close call, way too close. If his arms hadn't caught themselves... he sighed shaking his head. His nerves were getting to him. This was Mii! He kept telling himself, the same Mii that would annoyingly follow him around waiting for him to finish his work, the same girl he would tease and trick into believe in anything he said. And yet, she was always the same girl... the same girl that his heart felt truly close to. He could tease her endlessly, and trick her, but she would always come back. She wouldn't quit if her own life depended on it. She wouldn't ever give up on him. She was still the same.

Maybe he would behave this weekend... maybe...

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Tohru and Kyo finished preparing lunch, and Yuki arrived soon after the chopping of the vegetables, and said he needed to clean up from working in the dirt. Kyo had said something about a dirty rat, to which Yuki responded by 'placing' Kyo in the yard with one swift kick. Tohru was trying to fix the door where Kyo flew through, when she heard a car pull up. She went to the door to greet Hatori.

When she opened the door, she almost fainted.

Akito walked besides Hatori up to the front door. He was dressed in normal clothes; a beige pair of pants and a plain black shirt. He had a long black jacket over his shoulders as well. Hatori was in his normal attire. But Tohru couldn't stop looking at Akito. Why was he here? He emmediately saw her nervousness, and smiled to himself. This was going to be interesting indeed. He couldn't wait to see the other two's reaction. Tohru managed to look over at Hatori, who –for his usual calm manner- looked a bit worrisome.

"G-g-good afternoon." Tohru managed to spit out, and Hatori nodded.

"Thankyou. Akito wanted to come as well, I hope you aren't too overwhelmed with too much company." Hatori said, and Tohru nodded, still out of it, sneaking a peak over at Akito, who was looking at the perimeter of the house, sizing up the place. He had never been here before. It looked simple and rustic almost, like a backwoods shack.

"Oh no! It'll be fine. If Akito wants to stay too, then more the merrier." She smiled, and led them in. "Oh, and Hatori, I don't know if Shigure told you, but my friends are coming over tomorrow for a sleep over. If you want me to cancel, then I will, of course."

Hatori was about to quickly answer her a 'yes, cancel', when Akito spoke up. "I don't think that will be a problem at all, miss Honda. I really want to meet your friends." He said. Afterall, he had nothing to worry about. A slight slip and he would make Hatori make them all forget.

"Really?" Tohru asked, feeling a slight bit nervous. She had seen Akito at his worst, and somehow she didn't think he would get along too well with her friends, especially Uo. She could just imagine Akito trying to talk to Uo. Eventually they would probably end up in a fist fight. And Uo being as tough as she was... She shuddered at the thought. Hopefully it wouldn't lead to that. Maybe she should cancel.

"Really." Akito replied, his voice actually sounding friendly. Hatori gulped. Now this was really starting to seem suspicious to him. Akito never acted this way. He was definitely up to something. Hatori feared this was going to be a rough weekend. There was a soft rumble of clouds and the sky got a little dark. The two made their way inside.

Tohru heard Kyo coming down the stairs, mumbling something about how he was going to kill that rat, when he saw Hatori. "So you finally made it huh, Hator- ah... ah! A-akito? Wha-wha?" Was all he could muster out.

"Akito?!" A shocked soft voice came from the hallway as Yuki walked up as well. Yuki looked even more shocked than the rest of them. Akito smiled over at Yuki. This was indeed going to be a long, eventful weekend.