Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket, and I take no credit for any of these characters.
Yuki pulled himself out of bed. The bright morning sun would not let him sleep any longer. He yawned and wiped the sleep from his eyes, though it didn't help. Yuki was definitely not a morning person. With his eyes still closed, he found his way around his bedroom, picking up a shirt from one dresser drawer and a pair of pants from another. Skillfully, he buttoned up the shirt in seconds. Though he was asleep, his body still worked at his normal pace.
He trudged drearily down the stairs, his feet shuffling across the floor. Shigure was the first to greet him, having just stepped out of the bath.
"Ah! Good morning, Yuki-kun." He said with a smile, wiping the water from his ears. Yuki just grunted. "Hm. Articulate as ever, I see." Shigure shook his hair, almost imitating his other form, and followed Yuki into the kitchen. "Good morning, my little princess!" The man beamed a bright-as-sunshine smile in Tohru's direction.
"I'm glad to see you both up," Tohru said happily, leading the still half-asleep Yuki into the dining room. A breakfast was already prepared. "I hope you don't mind, but I've already eaten. I promised Kisa that I'd take her and Hiro to see a movie." Tohru explained. She gently shook Yuki's shoulder, trying to encourage him to eat.
"Oh, no. Not at all." Shigure replied. "Although, I do wish you would go out for yourself every now and then. Sometimes it seems like you're cooped up all alone here." He said with an unnoticed glance at Yuki, who was now ladeling stew into his mouth.
Kyo came in from outside, where he had been working out all morning. His red eyes were narrowed to small slits. "I found this." He growled, pushing a young, blond-haired boy into the room. No one really had to wonder why Kyo was upset; Hiro had a reputation for his social skils... or rather, lack thereof.
"This, eh? You say it like I'm some little trinket you might have picked up. Believe it or not, some people would actually acknowledge another human being's sentience." He brushed his shoulder and straightened his clothes before turning to Tohru. "You're late. Kisa and I have been standing outside for almost ten minutes!" He said with a snap. "Hurry up and get a move on." The boy folded his arms over his chest.
Tohru bowed several times. "I'm so sorry! I guess I lost track of the time."
"You guess?" Hiro sniffed indignantly. "You mean you don't even know? And yet you expect to be able to make it to movie on time?"
Shigure put a firm hand on the boys head. "Hiro, stop being so difficult. Tohru-san is taking you out after all, you should at least be grateful."
"Hmph. I'll be grateful once she does something right." He turned and stormed out of the room.
Tohru hurried after him, pulling her cooking apron off as she ran. "I'll be back soon!" She called to the men still inside eating.
Shigure waved, "Be safe." He said, underneath his breath. Kyo took no time for morning pleasantries, but disappeared back outside. Once Shigure was sure Kyo was out of hearing range he faced Yuki. "Are you still planning to go and see 'Him' today?" He asked vaguely.
Yuki was now fully awake, but only replied with a nod. He hadn't lifted his head from his bowl yet. From the outside, he still looked tired and almost unawake. Inside, however, his mind was rolling over and over and his stomach felt all in knots. I can't believe I'm actually going through with this. This is going to be a disaster, asking him for help! One part of his brain screamed. Who else can you turn to? He's bound to have a least one shred of sound advice.. The other half of his brain argued. Yuki was certain that he'd be a nervous wreck before the day was through.
"Good. I asked 'Him' to close the store so that you wouldn't have a problem getting a moment alone. He's really looking forward to seeing you." Shigure sounded so calm. Yuki just nodded again, making sure to keep quiet. He feared that if he tried to speak, he'd only yell in frustration.
He quietly rose to his feet and went back upstairs, leaving an almost untouched meal on the table. Shigure stifled a laugh and shook his head. He had wondered how long it would take for Yuki to realize he was in love with Tohru. It became apparent when Yuki started detaching himself from her. He had tried to help Yuki, but the boy ignored him and denied all possibilities of any relationship. Shigure was just happy to see that he had finally given in to what his heart had known all this time.
Yuki soaked in a hot bath. It was the first bit of relaxation he'd had since deciding to seek out his brother. Even now, he still mulled over what he would say. They had never been close. That was an understatement... They had never been anything... and though Ayame had tried to patch things up over the past few years, Yuki still found it difficult to put aside a lifetime of neglect. But now, in his desparation, he decided to consult the one person he knew would understand women. Although, what kind of women, Yuki still wasn't sure.
He slumped down lower into the bath, until only the top of his silvery head stuck out. He wished he could just throw away all his worries. Pull the plug out of the drain and watch his anxiety flow away with the bathwater. For a moment he played with the thought, but finally brought himself back into reality. He unstopped the drain and stood up, wrapping a towel about his waste. Yuki caught his reflection in the corner of his eye and wiped the fog from the mirror. He looked harder, making sure to look over every bit of his face. He was never really certain of what girls, or boys for that matter, saw in him. He had always been so pale of complexion and so feminine looking. He pushed his long, messy hair out of his face and pulled away from the mirror.
Yuki stood in front of the store, his hands clenched into tight, shaking fists. He had mustered every last inch of courage to come here, and now there was no turning back. I can do this. He had been reciting this mantra since he left the house. He knew he had to be quick before anyone saw him. The store was not the sort of place that he would want to be found at. On the awning above the door was a picture of a half-naked fairy maiden wrapped up in a silvery snake. He drew a heavy breath and made for the doors, which opened for him automatically. With his last ounce of pride, Yuki entered the shop.
Aisles of ribbons and fabric stretched out in front of him. Along the walls were silk flowers. The store had the strange, yet familiar smell of fake perfume. It was not very big, but it seemed vast as he stood here alone. The last time he had been here, Tohru was by his side. He had hope it would be his only visit to this place. Though to the common customer it would seem only a very nice craft store, he had learned, much to his dismay, that the store had a not so innocent side to it as well.
"Aha!" A voice boomed from the back room. "My little brother has journeyed here, seeking my advice! At last, the moment I have been waiting for all these long years has finally arrived!" Yuki shot rigid as his brother bounded into the hallway. At least this time he was wearing men's clothes. "Yuki, you should thank me, I closed down my business just to offer my wisdom to you." He laced his arm through Yuki's and led him to the back of the store. Yuki felt as though he had just willingly entered the pits of hell...
On the walls hung different costumes. Maid, nurse, stewardess, teacher; different uniforms were on fitting dummies and hangers. Yuki tried not to notice them. At the end of the hallway he saw a sleeve of white lace which brought Tohru to mind. I'm here for her. He declared in his mind. I can do this.
"Now, let us speak of this manly romance of yours." Ayame said the words so calmly.
I can't do this! Yuki sighed and fell back onto the sofa. He was still unsure what to say and having this raving lunatic in front of him was making it even more difficult. His eyes were shut tight and his teeth were clenched together. Finally he lifted his gaze and looked at Ayame. "I need some.. advice." He said simply and quietly.
"Of course you do! You've never been in a relationship. Fortunately for you, I have stamina and charisma to share! You're lucky that you have an older brother who sprouts forth charm, that you might learn a thing or two!" He laughed, tossing his long platinum hair over his shoulder. "Now, tell me, little Yuki, who it is that you yearn for."
Did he have to use those words!? Yuki fought the urge to smash his brother's face and make for the door. Instead, he just smashed his brother's face. "It isn't like that!" He growled. Ayame just laughed and pushed Yuki back into his seat.
"Calm down," Ayame said, rubbing his face to make sure everything was in place. "You can deny your feelings for only a while. Soon, I, your older and wiser brother, will help you to realize your fantasies. But for now, Yuki, you can tell me what it is that you desire."
"I..." Yuki paused. He was finally going to say it. "I need help with, Honda-san." He said shyly, his face burning under a crimson blush. For a moment Ayame was silent, and Yuki was thankful for this. The silence lasted only a moment, though.
Suddenly, Ayame's tone was very serious. "So, you need help sweeping the young princess off of her feet, am I correct?"
Yuki was amazed at how Ayame had been so intense. "Well, yes." He replied.
Ayame nodded, his golden eyes disappearing as he closed his eyes. "What you need, dear little Yuki-kun, is to romance her." He said, his deep voice reverberating in the nearly empty room. Yuki was unsure of where this was going. "Perhaps dinner, then a walk, then show her inside your--" Ayame was cut off by Yuki's hand up the side of his head. "Or you could take things even slower. Not that I would. For it is no secret! We all know of my many triumphs, not only as the ideal romantic date, but as the ideal lover!" He puffed his chest up proudly.
Yuki just wanted this to end as quickly and painlessly as possible. "Look, can you help me or not?"
"Well, of course! Never doubt the power and might of Ayame, master of maidens, guru of girls, and leader of ladies." Ayame laughed hearitly and looked so full of himself.
"I knew this was hopeless... I don't why I bothered coming." Yuki stood up to leave. He pushed aside the purple curtain that separated the backroom from the store. Ayame's arm was soon slung across his shoulders.
"Now, wait just a minute, little brother. Perhaps I was going about this the wrong way. This is Torhu-chan, we speak of and I know just how special she is." Ayame whispered into his brother's ear.
Yuki looked up at his sibling, the dim light softening his features. For the first time he could remember, Ayame actually looked like he cared. Yuki was unsure, because he had never seen this expression before, but he decided to give it one last try. He let his brother lead him back to the sofa. Ayame sat across from him and looked directly into his eyes. For a moment, Yuki was almost scared that Ayame had something more in store.
"I know exactly how to romance this young princess. I knew when I first saw her that Tohru-chan was special to you." Yuki had tried to put the memory out of his mind. Somehow, his brother crawling into Tohru's clothes was not an admirable first impression. "And I knew that someday you would seek my advice on how to handle this situation. Yuki-kun, I, the noble and trustworthy Ayame, your mighty brother, shall help you capture this young woman's heart!"
Yuki could feel his life force fleeing from withing his body, and he wished he could escape with it.
Ayame leaned closer to his young brother. "Tohru-chan is a simple, delicate young woman. In order to sweep her up, you must find a simple and delicate way to tell her you love her."
Yuki gasped, his eyes wide with surprise. Ayame had actually said something that made sense. And what's more, it wasn't about himself!
The snake smiled ever so softly. "I shall share with you all my secrets. It's the least that one so magnificent as myself could do for you, my love-sick brother."
That's chapter two. I found it very difficult to write for Ayame, so I had to do this while watching the show at the same time, trying to get into his mood. I hope he wasn't too out of character I want to thank Godess Girl for pointing out my mistake. I was thinking of Kagura and I'll correct my mistake immediately. I hope you all enjoyed this next installment. My third chapter is the double date to the fair. Thank you all for your wonderful feedback. Be sure to check back tomorrow for my next surprise Let me know what you think, R&R!