Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket. I only got last week's fruit salad in my fridge. Want some?
Survival Tips for New Year
Tip 1: When herding the kids back into the house, make sure you herd the right kids.
Tip 2: Never play tag in the Matriarch's Sanctum (aka the antiques room). Unless you have a death-wish that includes being bayoneted to death by knitting needles.
5. Truths
"Yuki… I think he fell into my clothes…" Yuki's eyes widened with disbelief as a red-faced Tohru pointed at her kimono front. Shigure clapped a hand over his mouth on hearing Tohru's revelation to stifle his laughter. Hatori… Who'd have thought you will have such a way with the ladies… Tohru let out an alarmed yelp.
"It's wriggling about my back now!" Tohru tried to reach down the back of her kimono. Other concerned guests gathered around her.
"Outta the way, guys!" Rin shoved her way to the front and pulled Tohru to her feet. She strode over to the alcove room with Tohru and shut the door. "No peeking!"
Without speaking, Rin undid the sash on Tohru's kimono. She loosened the kimono and shook it. Aha! Something fell onto the tatami. At least he didn't get into her undergarments. It was dark in the room and the pair cautiously searched for the seahorse.
"The dance is ruined!" Kureno wailed. "The tradition! 400 years of tradition!" The man was running about like a headless chicken. "Nonsense!" The voice brought everyone to a stop. Such confidence… Ayame was taken aback himself when he saw who it was who had spoken.
"Kureno, get a grip. The world will not end just because we didn't do the dance this year… It's just a dusty old charade we're obliged to carry out. Just think about it! The old year will still end and the new one start, as it has always, even before us Sohmas were cursed!"
Ritsu… Everyone present wondered at the Monkey's new found confidence. What he had said rang true. Ritsu hiccupped. Having spoken his piece, the Monkey dropped his tenth glass of spiked punch unfinished and passed out in Ayame's lap.
About five minutes later, Rin emerged with the still drunken seahorse in her hand. Tohru was left alone to get properly dressed. She emerged shortly with her clothes a little rumpled, but looking very relieved. Shigure decided to start the banquet proper.
They placed Hatori in the alcove and threw a blanket over the seahorse. They left a yutaka in reach if he should awake. Ritsu was still sprawled out with his head in Ayame's lap. A cold wind was starting to pick up. Kureno went to get more blankets for the drunken pair.
Meanwhile, Kyo was hiding behind the privy. Wait till he gets the Rat for setting him up with Kagura…
"Kyo? Where are you? You'll catch cold…" Carp! She's here! The orange-haired boy backed himself further into the shadows. Kagura slipped on the thin layer of ice on the garden path and fell. She had wrenched her ankle. "Baka-neko!" She cried out through her tears. She was crying. Kyo felt guilty…
Baka-neko. Dumb cat. He abandoned his hiding place.
Someone was helping her up. "Kagura, can you walk? Here, lean on me if you must…" Kyo awkwardly offered her his shoulder. Kyo… "Er, don't get mistaken, okay?"
She nodded and leant against his shoulder. She winced as she rested her weight on her injured foot. Kyo cringed. Don't make me carry her piggyback, please… Kagura bravely gritted her teeth and managed a few more steps. Kyo saw that her ankle was aligned awkwardly. They better have Hatori take a look at it. And soon.
"I'll carry you," Kyo bent down and offered her his back. "Kyo…" Kagura gasped at his show of concern for her. Kyo blushed with embarrassment. "I said don't get mistaken! Are you climbing on?" Kagura nodded. Soon they were making their way back to the banquet room.
"Kagura, I've a teensy-weensy request… Can you stop beating me every time we meet?"
"Only if you stop avoiding me like the plague…" Kagura murmured as she rested her head against his shoulder. Normally, she would have socked him for such a remark. Now, she was content to let it pass.
"That's because you always try to kill me… A cat has only nine lives." Kyo laughed. It was unlike Kagura to be in such a docile mood. He was content to enjoy it as long as it lasts. Walking in the falling snow… Damn! It feels almost… romantic.
"Ayame, I'm gonna get so jealous…" Shigure glared at his friend. Ayame laughed and stroked the hair of the young man in his lap. Ritsu's hair's so soft. Must ask him what brand of shampoo he uses, Ayame thought as he toyed with a few strands. "You know, Ritsu's quite something…" Ritsu's outburst had caught them both off guard. One never knew…
Composed in his drunken slumber, the Monkey had a face that spoke of character, an interesting face.
"Gure, what do you think if I get Ritsu to model my new fashion line?" Ayame gave the Monkey a look-over, measuring him mentally and picturing a new design. Floral kimonos, lacy shirts, caftans… what will his store's spring selection be?
Shigure was too busy reading something. Ayame raised an eyebrow as he recognized the book. It was Akito's diary. Hope you get some inspiration from there, Gure. Shigure chuckled. He was getting loads. His soup was getting cold but he did not care.
Yuki noticed Momiji had slipped out unseen. Kisa and Hiro were chatting merrily. Kureno was now smiling, more from the punch than from ease. Haru and Rin were holding hands. Yuki excused himself and went out to the privy.
POOF! Hatori transformed back into his human form. They had left the shoji open and the blanket had fallen off him. On seeing no one else had noticed the Dragon's plight; Tohru nonchalantly walked over and covered him with the blankets up to his chin. Now he'd be warm.
After so many months living with the Rat, Cat and Dog, she had learnt not to notice some things that were better not noticed. She returned to her place even before anyone had noticed her absence. She giggled. She was feeling a little warm and she knew it was the punch. Her mother used to do the same with her fruit juice at their party for two.
Mother, don't worry, Tohru is doing okay.
Author's notes:
AnimeFreak13: All the zodiac know who Tohru is in this fic. She's met all of them before. And they all know she's not suppose to be there...
A bit OOC-ness on Tohru, Rin & Ri-chan's part. Maybe Tohru isn't so ditzy and Rin's tougher than she looks, she has to be if she's trying the break the curse. Ri-chan's drunk & having a fit of Dutch courage.
Tip 3: Do not volunteer to hold the chicken for the Matriarch, unless you have a strong heart & stomach. Make sure the knife is sharp and wear old clothes if you do. Actually, most headless chickens can't run... (scratch head) I also wonder where that expression originated from. They just drop dead.