Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket.

AnimeFreak13: My immediate family has a knack for sleeping in the weirdest places. Like in the main hall when the house was under renovation. Had a rainstorm coming in through the windows & doors. Or in the garden on a balmy night when the power's down.

11. Slumber Party

"Kureno?" The Rooster turned. It was Yuki. Kureno had been standing on veranda, looking out on the snow-covered garden. "You better come in… It's getting late…" Yuki added awkwardly. If even baka-neko's sleeping over, how could they leave Kureno out?

Kureno was aloof. Like Yuki was when he was Akito's companion. "Yuki, do you hate me? I mean… you used to be Akito's favorite…"

Yuki started laughing. Kureno stared at him. "No. I don't. But you were so aloof this whole evening. Akito's not here…"

"That's the point. It doesn't seem right…"

"Kureno, does it seem right for Akito-san to terrorize all of us?" Yuki clapped a hand over his mouth. He had actually said that! Kureno was smiling.

"Akito's not the easiest person to get along with, I'll admit that." The tension went out of him.

"He was okay for a while. One day," Yuki hugged himself as he recalled his childhood. "One day, he suddenly went nuts on me. Afterwards, I think he went out of his way to torment me. He must really hate me." And Yuki was scared of him. He was still scared of Akito, though not so much now… One day, he'll be brave enough to face Akito…

"What gave you the idea I hated you?" Yuki asked. It was strange Kureno should think that way. He may ignore Kureno, but Yuki bore the Rooster no ill-will.

"Your mother."

Yuki laughed. "Please! She's still upset I didn't get along with Akito. She's been trying to put me up as Akito's playmate since I was a kid. I guess Akito got sick of me hanging about… I was glad when he let me live with Shigure."

His foolish, ambitious mother. Yuki shook his head. It was hell listening to the grownups whispering about his parents abandoning him. And Ayame didn't care then… Akito always rubbed it in.

"Actually, Akito-san is not that bad…" Kureno stopped as he caught the puzzled look on Yuki's face. Kureno, you're kidding me, right? We're talking Akito here!

"Come on, let's go in," Kureno urged. Yuki was a little surprised when the Rooster placed a brotherly arm around his shoulders and steered him indoors.

"Yuki-chan, I'm jealous!" Ayame pouted when they returned to the room. "Kureno, please return me my little Yuki." Kureno smiled and walked off. Yuki glared at the Snake. "Who's your little Yuki?"

Ayame happily ignored him. Then Yuki saw Kyo. He was speechless at the sight. Kyo was livid with anger. "Damn you! Ayame! I'm not wearing this!" Kyo was wearing a rhinestone collar around his neck. "Get it off now!" Ayame grinned. "It's a pair…"

A pair? Kyo glanced about. Kagura waved to him from the alcove and blew him a couple of good-night kisses for good measure. No, she wasn't wearing the other collar. Then Ritsu entered the room. He was wearing a pink lacy nightgown from Ayame's designer selection. And the twin of Kyo's collar.

"Ayame!" Kyo tore off the collar and stormed off. "Stupid, freaky snake." Ayame laughed. His laughter was echoed by Shigure as he finally put down Akito's diary. The Dog has the inspiration to write his next work… It'd be a best seller. He'll have to make sure Akito doesn't catch on to the source of his inspiration.

It was late. They had patched the hole in the shoji with a blanket. The children had fallen asleep. Hiro and Kisa were sleeping under the same quilt. Hiro had changed back. The girls were preparing for bed. Kagura had lent Tohru a pussycat-print nightgown. Tohru sought out Yuki and Kyo.

"Yuki, Kyo… Thank you." She hugged them both together. Oh no! POOF!!

"Tohru!" Both Cat and Rat cried out from their piles of clothing.

"Sorry…" She had forgotten.

Everyone else present broke out into peals of laughter. It was a sound the rooms had gone without for a very long time. Then they retreated to their warm futons, quilts or blankets.

Still feeling a little peeved, Kyo found himself a blanket and curled up. He was soon asleep.

Yuki realized he was short of a blanket. He was cold. "Yuki, come sleep with me," Ayame offered. The Snake was sharing his quilt with Shigure. And they both looked a little perky, too perky. Yuki shook his little rat head. Not until hell freezes over.

Wait! Too late, they had put out the light. It was dark. The Rat scurried about in the dark, trying to find an empty futon or an ownerless quilt. He failed. Just as he decided to wait till he recovered his human form, he found one. It was warm and cozy…

He squirmed inside. He should be finding his clothes to change into… once… Yuki dozed off.

Author's notes:

SilentBob: Feel sorry for poor Kyoukichi? Ayame's out to put him up as the latest of his models next to Ri-chan.

I know Kureno's a bit of an unknown. He hardly interacts with the other Sohmas & he hardly leaves the compound.

I know the last part's a little ominous. Where do you think Nezumi Yuki's sleeping? Stay tuned.