First things first. Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Fruits Basket characters. There. I'm just doing this so I don't get sued. I heard. Anyway, this story's a pretty long one. It's actually sort of an introduction. Sort of like a prologue. But I never like to read prologues or introductions. So I didn't call this 'chapter' a prologue or labeled it an introduction. It's a chapter. You have to read it to be able to understand what'll going on ... in the next few chapters. Actually, it's just the writing style that's the problem.

This part is pretty long, though. If you hate to read long stories, just don't say that I didn't warn. But please, if you could, if you had just five minutes or less to spare, please read this story! It's a fan fiction of, obviously, Fruits Basket. I spent hours doing this. It's my first one, after all, and I even messed my own mind up with the writing style I was using. I wanted it to be clear to readers, so this chapter is neccessary. Sort of. So I spent hours doing this. I don't normally write fan fiction, but I just decided to give it a try. It'd be so much more meaningful if it had readers and viewers. Please do continue reading! Thanks a whole lot.

And I'd be even more thankful if you'd review to let me know that you read. Please?

Chapter One

A summer we all want to think through

"Hey!" I heard a familiar voice cry out. In sheer joy. The next thing I knew, arms were flung around my neck and I was hyperventilating. I pushed Adrienne away quickly. As an act of defense. It was probably animal instinct – to want to push whatever's hurting far away. Or it was probably because I had been taking too many martial arts lessons from Kyo. I felt my cheeks flush at the thought of his name. Him. Quickly, I reminded myself to snap out of daydream land. I didn't want to get all high again at that thought of him.

Plus, Adrienne had bumped into the new guy who was squeezing his way through the columns of tables. I looked at her, cupping my mouth in disbelief that I had thrown her back. Her face showed that she was kind of hurt. "Oh gosh, Adrienne," I gushed out quickly, "I didn't mean to throw you back or anything. Sorry! You just took me by surprise. I'm so sorry." Quickly, I stood up and helped her brush imaginary dust off her blazer.

Adrienne gave me a weak grin. "It's okay," she said. Of course it'd be okay, I thought cheekily as I flashed a relieved smile at her. She always so understands.

This time, I pounced on her. "Hello!" I squealed – it was hard to contain my excitement. Seeing Adrienne reminded me that a new term was starting. And I missed her! It had been about two months since I had last seen her. And she was one of my best friends.

Adrienne laughed as she returned the hug. "Yeah. It's been pretty long since we've seen each other. I had to choke back my excitement when I saw your head!" Adrienne always understood. I let go. She let go. Adrienne settled down on my desk while I returned to my chair.

"So," Adrienne began, the usual perkiness shining in her eyes once again. Oh, I had missed that playful look inside her eyes. It's as if there's a little star jumping and dancing about in the back of her pretty blue-green eyes. I stretched my arms and began to slump in my seat. I was getting too comfortable.

"How has my favorite American-Japanese been doing?" she prompted again. It was like our code. She'd call me her 'favorite American-Japanese' and I'd call her my 'favorite French'. It's sort of like saying to each other that she's one of my most favorite people in the entire world. I know it's kind of lame, but hearing her say that to me makes me feel all … warm inside. It's good to know that one's loved. Or liked.

I thought. "Well …" began hesitantly, "I'm actually pretty fine!" It was almost like a declaration. Yes, I am fine! Compared to the Sohmas, who have to keep such dark secrets in their lives and cut out people from being close to them, I am fine. Compared to Tohru Honda whose parents have both died and left her alone in this world, I am fine! In fact, I mused to myself, I am one lucky kid. Once again, it's as if the clouds have cleared and I'm seeing the light in my life again. It's become a familiar feeling – ever since I stumbled upon the Sohmas' secret one dark night. They made me realize things I'd never have noticed. They made me into a happier person. I sighed happily, dreamily and turned to look out of the window, seeing the blue skies and cute, white clouds. I'm a lucky person. Ever since I met them, it's as if my life's transformed into a dream. I'm happier now.

Adrienne snapped her fingers. I turned around to face her, breaking away from my trancelike daze. Suddenly, Adrienne placed her warm hands on my cheeks, like a tender mother to her child. "Aw, Sayu," she cooed softly, like she always does when she's trying to cheer me up or something. Immediately, I knew something weird was up. "You don't have to put up a brave front."

She jumped down from the table and embraced me once again, then she let go and looked at me, staring straight into my eyes. Then she tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I recognized that look suddenly. It came hitting me like a bullet – it was her sympathizing look! She always has that in her eyes whenever she's watching some documentary on a cancer patient's life or something. I remember seeing her like that when she watched this video clip called … ah, yes! It was called 'Her Struggle to Live'. Did she think I was having cancer?

"Huh?" I choked out, purely surprised.

"I know about you …" she told me, slowly, "the secrets you have had wanted to keep."

"Me?" After she mentioned the word 'secrets', I instantly thought about the Sohmas. Pictures of Shigure. Then there was Kyo and kind Yuki. And then there was the stud Haru. And then the super-cute Momiji. And then there's also Tohru. Had she found out about them as well? I was starting to hyperventilate. Had I somehow let the cat out of the bag? I thought worriedly. I chewed on my lip like I always do when I was anxious or worried or angry or scared or whatever. I was just so jumpy, I didn't think twice when I clutched Adrienne's shoulders, my nails digging into her blazer and demanding what she knew. "What do you know, Adrienne? How much do you know? How did you find out?"

Adrienne squirmed in my firm grip and said uncomfortably, "Man, you've got to relax! I wonder what you'll do I told you. You're acting so weird already!" Slowly, I loosened my hold on my and she peeled my fingers away. Then, she swept my messy fringe out my eyes and tucked some behind my ears. Then gently, she put my hands inside hers. I felt warmth radiating from her – but that didn't stop my heart from pounding a million times more than it was supposed to. I felt my chest growing tighter and tighter.

I couldn't bring myself to say anything. I didn't even know what to say.

"Listen. You must promise me not to freak out or die instantly when I tell you, okay?" Adrienne was using her baby-sitter tone with me. It's an order. I breathed in and breathed out and counted one to ten and did everything that was possible at that moment to calm myself down. I even thought of the calm ocean, but then without being conscious of it, my calm ocean turned into a stormy one. There was no way I could calm myself down!

"Tell me now, Addie! I … can't stand … the suspense … anymore!" I found myself saying.

Adrienne looked at me with worried eyes. Probably she thought that I wouldn't be able to handle the truth. Even I was not sure – would I be able to handle the truth? But I didn't care. I had to know the truth. Even if it would cause my heart to stop. Even if I had to be sent to the hospital because I would get a seizure. "Look, the whole town knows." That's it. I'm dead! "It's only natural that I would hear of it. Everyone's talking about it." Why am I still living? My eyes grew so wide, I could feel them splitting apart. My heart was going to stop any second now, I could feel it. "I'm so sorry about it, Sayu, I know you love him!" Yes, I do. Yes, I do. Yes, I do. I nodded furiously, tears flowing down my eyes like a stream. My head started to grow light. The room started spinning. "Dave was such a jerk. And Katrina – God, she was such a bitch."

The last words took forever to come to me! But when they did – I suddenly realized what had been going on. God, she was talking about my relationship with Dave. Oh God, why hadn't I realized that? Yes, I knew the whole town knew about it. Dave and Katrina, the two people whom Sayu trusted most in the entire world, had a thing going on behind my back. Yes, I do know that everyone's been talking about it. Yes, I knew! Oh, I should have pieced it up. But I was stupid enough to think about the Sohmas. Gosh, I didn't do anything to let the secret slip out, so why did I even worry? Without knowing, I smiled. I smiled! Then I started to giggle.

"Sayu?" Adrienne whispered, her voice dangerously hushed. Then quickly, she placed her hand on my forehead. "Oh, God … you're not sick! Damn, Sayu, what's wrong with you?"

I laughed even harder. I wondered what they would do if they heard of this. It was so stupid! "No, it's nothing. I was not worried about Dave. I … I thought you found out about …" – oops, grave danger – "something else." I wiped my tears away, which were now replaced with ones because of my wanting to laugh so hard, but keeping it inside. Adrienne was now giving me one of her looks. The kind which you wouldn't want to receive. She kept her eyes locked with mine. Then my eyes started to dart around the classroom. Then I took out my bag and fiddled with the things inside, hoping to be able to find something that would change the subject. "Ah! Look, chips!" I exclaimed and whipped out my secret weapon. A bag of chips. Even though I kind of ate three-quarters of it two days ago. And it's been in this bag ever since. I held it out in front of her face – "You want some?"

Adrienne wrinkled her nose and looked down at my packet of chips. Slowly and gingerly, she reached in and picked out a soft and damp chip. "Ew," she said. Exactly what I thought. Ew. Then Adrienne took a tiny bite out of it. And swallowed it with a disgusted look on her face. Then she threw the remaining chip on the floor and squished it under her new pair of Converse sneakers. "You know what, I'd recommend you feed it to Jenna," she managed to joke weakly. Which meant that she was actually quite okay? I mean, she joked. Adrienne never joked if she was feeling really mad or something. I laughed at what she said. Jenna, by the way, was our sworn enemy ever since middle school.

"Yeah," I finally decided to say.

"Okay," Adrienne said slowly.

We both stayed still and gazed at each other in an uncomfortable silence. I think Adrienne was rather hurt that I would keep something from her, because, after all, I knew she didn't keep things from me. She told me everything that happened to her – from her boyfriend matters to her own insecurity matters. And I know that she's such a good soul. I really do. That's why I love her. I couldn't stand her thinking that I wouldn't trust her with my secrets just as she trusted me with hers! I didn't want to lose her. "Listen," I began slowly, deciding to explain certain matters to her. Adrienne perked up a bit. "Whatever that I kept from you … it isn't really my secret to begin with. It's a secret I'm keeping for somebody else. And I really, truly, sincerely can't tell you. I want to. But I can't tell. I mean, I know you'll keep a secret safe, but I can't just tell you because I trust you. It's not my secret – it's theirs. And what kind of a friend would I be if I just told you without them even knowing? I really can't bring myself to do it. I'm so – '

Adrienne grinned and placed a finger on my lips. "Don't be sorry!" she exclaimed as if she had just read my mind, "This is exactly the reason why I trust you, you know?"

I grinned. Adrienne – I was so lucky to have her. I'd never seen how lucky I was. But now I do. I mean, I have someone I can share my secrets with. And this very person also understands if I don't want to share secrets with her. She's so amazing. I hugged her. "Thank you so much. You don't know how much your understanding means to me."

"What kind of a friend did you think I was?" she told me teasingly.

Then we had a little chat. About almost anything that was under the sun that we could think of. We talked a little bit about Dave. Then I asked about her summer and she said that she had the most amazing holiday in Hawaii showing off her bikinis and meeting cute guys. That's when suddenly, a guy stepped into the classroom and rapped his long, wooden ruler at the door.

"Everyone!" he announced as he continued to rap the wooden ruler on the door.

Adrienne sat up straight. "Gosh, you know what I heard?" she asked me, whispering and her lips were barely moving. She had sort of mastered the art of talking with lips barely moving. It was essential, especially when you lived in a world full of teachers who disallowed you to talk during class time. Adrienne's eyes were at the guy who made his way into the classroom. He didn't look any older than our age! "We've got a special teacher for this new term. They told me that he was going to be pretty young; around our age. I didn't believe it. But now I do. I think our new teacher is he." What? I silently observed him. I was sure Adrienne was, too. He looked so … young. He looked so fifteen or sixteen. He looked like one of us.

"You," he thundered and pointed his long, wooden ruler at Adrienne. "Get your butt out of her desk."

Adrienne pressed her lips together and mouthed to me, "Bye." Then she scampered to her desk awkwardly. She's usually graceful. But this teacher was so scary; he probably made her heart shiver. I don't know for sure. But he did make me feel kind of frightened.

He didn't seem to have carried much with him. Except for that long, wooden ruler which he probably planned to use to rap doors and point accusingly at others. And his pencil case. And clipped upon his collar was a pair of thick rimmed glasses. "I don't know if you've even heard of me before, but I'm going to be instructing you on this lesson – which is Psychology. Yes, it's …"

He was interrupted by a knock on the door. We all sat, silent. But we were all silent only because we were so taken aback, so shocked and astonished that we couldn't find the words to say anything. This boy was only fifteen or sixteen! "Yes, yes, I'm doing pretty fine," we all heard him say to another teacher, who was probably checking up on him. This boy. If I were him, I'd have been intimidated by now! I mean, he was teaching all these kids who were the same age as him. Why, it'd be easy to go against and defy him, wouldn't it? "Don't worry. I'm not going to get stage fright," he reassured the other teacher. Then the other teacher said something else which sounded like mumble-mumble to me. Then he replied calmly, "Yes, I'm aware that I can be easily disobeyed. I don't know what to expect. I don't want to expect too much. I …" then he got interrupted again. "I know. Okay, thanks for your concern!"

"Okay!" he said and walked to the front of the class once again, taking centre stage. "I'm going to hurry with the introductions. My name's Nathan. I wouldn't feel very comfortable with you guys calling me Mr. Nathan, so I propose that you'd just call me Nathan, okay? So it's settled?" he looked around the class. Nobody said a thing. "I suppose silence means consent! Now, I'll have you get to your first assignment."

I stifled a groan. There were some groans, but quite little. I guess we were still pretty shocked. The teacher, or Nathan, looked around our classroom before biting his lip. He looked rather amused. "So, are you all usually this quiet – or just still in shock?" he asked good-naturedly. He started to slump his shoulders. Then he raked his fingers through his crop of dirty blonde hair. Then he proceeded to the teacher's table, dragged the teacher's chair over to the front of the classroom and … pounced on it playfully! He put his legs over the arm of his chair and rested his back against the other arm. "Yo," he said.

I couldn't help but giggle. It was all too weird! It was as if the strict and intimidating persona of his was just an act!

"Yeah, I know it can be kind of weird having another person the same age as you being your teacher," he began, "But I'm hoping that it'll work out. I'll only be here for a little while only, after all. I'm not sure for how long, but I'm not going to be a permanent teacher. So! I hope that bit of information kind of helped? I mean, y'all can breathe now." He looked around the class. Again, we were still as tense. "Look, look, look!" he exclaimed, almost frustrated. He jumped out of his seat. "Okay, whatever. I'll give you your first assignment now." He stood in front of the board and paced up and down.

I sat up even straighter and brought out a notebook to take down things. "It's going to be about your summer holiday. I'm sure," he said, "that there are people who did things you regretted? Who have? Raise your hands."

I glanced at Katrina out of the corner of my eye. Her hand shot up almost immediately, amongst many others. I had that same feeling again. I almost felt like … forgiving her. But she betrayed me, for God's sake! I slapped my forehead. Even when she had told me more than a million times that I was her best friend. She was so … I shook my head, trying to shake the thoughts out of my mind. It's horrid. And they made me feel as if there was something wrong with me. They could have just told me straight out! Dave could tell me that he wasn't interested in our relationship anymore. Katrina could confess to me how she felt about Dave. I wouldn't have stopped them since there was nothing else that I could do! I couldn't voodoo Dave and use some weird hypnotizing thingy to make him fall for me, could I? But no. They had to secretly go out on dates, sneaking around here and there, making me sometimes pass messages to each other about their 'tuition' class. I was not only lied to, I was made use of. Boy, I must have been the most foolish girl there is.

"Now, who think that they've learnt something during their summer holiday? Raise your hands," Nathan's sharp voice pierced through my thoughts.

I thought about the many people I had met. I raised my hand.

This went on for several more times. Nathan asked if there was anything that we wanted to do, but didn't. Nathan asked if there were things we want to remember. Nathan asked if we had done anything to be proud of. "Alright!" he said and clapped his hands. "Now, who wants to remember their summer? Like, for example, perhaps we've done something wrong and actually learnt from it and we want to remember this lesson?"

I put up my hand – I really wanted to remember this summer. But like they said, I've got many years before me. After all, I'm only fifteen. But I hope that I'd never forget this summer. I truly, really wouldn't want that. It'd be such a pity. I'm actually scared of forgetting. Then, when I looked around the classroom, I saw an astonishing sight – everybody had their hands up.

Nathan raised an eyebrow as he observed our classroom. "That's pretty cool. So it seems like everybody's going to agree with what I have in mind," he smiled, "You can all put your hands down now. Well, after summer's over, you're all probably having all these things crammed inside your mind. Even I do. That's why I feel as if without getting all these thoughts sorted out, I won't be able to teach you guys properly. That's just the way I work." Nathan gleefully walked over to his table and rapped the wooden ruler.

"Anyway, it's the first week and nobody's really teaching anything. We're all pretty chilled, aren't we? So, I've decided to do something special for the first few Psychology lessons. I'm going to ask you to pretend you're writing a letter … to me. Yes, to me. But you can decide whether you want to keep it private or not. The privacy is all yours to decide. Of course I'd love to read what you guys have written, but I'm not forcing you, okay? It's going to be like writing a journal, except that I'd prefer you write it in story form. So everything you're thinking, everything you've thought – it's going to be inside this little story. How you've changed. How you've decided to live your life. I'm going to write mine as well. And after every lesson, we're going to have someone volunteer telling something about what you've written or about your holiday or whatever. It's just for the sake of fun. Okay?" Nathan said, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.

I raised my hand up – if I was going to write about my holiday with the Sohmas, which he definitely wasn't going to have even a single peek, I will not write by hand. My story will be far too long. "Can we like, use the computers or something? I don't think I can …"

"Of course!" Nathan cut in, "I've even thought about that! We're going to use the computer lab!"

I grinned in return. "Cool!" I replied, just as eager as he was.

So here it is – my first part of the story. And it's not exactly like a letter, but what the heck!

Yup, there it is. In the next few chapters, I may be inventing certain ... stuff. I'm just hoping that the readers (if I have any) would understand. Plus, I've not watched the anime before, because they don't show it in this region, but I've painfully torn a hole in my pocket to purchase the manga. And so far, I've only bought three books so far. That's around chapter twelve. I'm not sure. But that's about it. I still don't know much about the characters and all. Please forgive me. Sumimasen and sayonara! Ja ne (hopefully)!