Hmmm, well, no one is reviewing (except Lauren - huggles) but I decided to put up the next chapter anyway, firstly because it doesn't look like anyone will review any time soon anyway, and also because Lauren is about to go insane if she doesn't read more. pats Lauren there there…

Disclaimer: I do not own Furuba and FFVII. If I did, this piece would be at Fiction Press, not FAN Fiction. If, for even one second, you thought I owned Fruits Basket and Final Fantasy, you are an idiot.

Chapter Three: Differences

"Hey, how's it going?" Shigure called cheerfully, peeking around the door. Reno and Kagura jumped in surprise.

Shigure blinked. "Hmm? Kagura?"

"Oh, Kagura here was just telling me all about your family's curse," Reno smiled brightly.

Shigure's eyes narrowed. "Was she now?"

Kagura looked down at her hands.

"You must be careful, giving away the Sohma family secret like that."

"I-I'm sorry," said Kagura. "I don't know what came over me…"

"Ah, well, what's done is done," Shigure shrugged. "Kagura, how about we let Reno get some rest."

"O-Ok," said Kagura, glad to get away from Reno's awkward question. As she was going out the door, she turned back to look at the Turk. What she saw there on his face made her shiver. Reno was determined to find out.

"I still like the idea of tying his feet to the back of a car, and dragging him around till he's dead," Kyo said thoughtfully.

"You stupid cat, neither of us have our licenses," growled Yuki. "The boiling water idea was much better."

"Dammit, your idea sucks!" Kyo stood up.

"At least my ideas are possible," Yuki said calmly. "You think up stupid things like feeding him to starving wildebeest or shrinking him and putting him in a jar with no air holes."

"I never said that!"

"Well, actually, you did."

"You guys still at it?" Haru remarked, walking past the room. He headed for the kitchen and found Tohru. "So, what do you think of the new guy?"

Tohru turned around. "Oh, hello Haru. Um, well actually, I haven't had a chance to speak to him yet. There's just been so much work to do around the house, with everyone here."

"You don't mind that he, uh, what happened when he first arrived?"

Tohru seemed genuinely surprised. "Well, it wasn't his fault. He was drunk and besides, he was only trying to help."

Hatsuharu smiled and walked closer towards Tohru. "You really are amazing, you know. The way you're always so nice to people. You really can find the good in everyone."

Tohru blushed and looked at her feet. "Oh, I don't know about that…"

She suppressed a small gasp when Haru cradled her jaw in his hand and gently forced her head up so that they were staring into each other's faces.

"Really amazing," Haru repeated softly and brought his face closer towards hers.

At that moment, Kyo burst into the room. "Gah?! Haru, what the hell are you doing?!"

Haru's black side arose quickly because of the interruption. He turned towards Kyo angrily. "You really are an idiot, aren't you?"

"You didn't answer my question, baka!"

"Um, I think I'll go tidy the living room," Tohru squeaked, sidling out the doorway as Kyo and Hatsuharu lunged for each other's throats. For once, she didn't try to stop the fighting. Haru's advance towards her had been quite a surprise.

It was the next morning. Reno had managed to end up at the table with the Sohma family for breakfast. It was awkwardly quiet as they all, save Tohru and Shigure, glared at him uncomfortably. Kisa looked scared stiff. She was fidgeting, forgetting all about the breakfast in front of her, half expecting Reno to advance on her right there and then.

"Reno, would you like something to eat?" Tohru smiled politely.

"Nah, coffee will be fine," Reno smiled back. Tohru nodded and went into the kitchen.

"Sooo…" Shigure trailed off, trying to break the silence. "How's your leg?"
"It's still pretty bad, but getting better," Reno answered.

"Baka," Kyo, Yuki and Haru all whispered under their breath.

"Aw, Kyo-kun," said Kagura, who was sitting next to the cat. "You don't mean that. Reno can be nice."

"To hell he can," hissed Kyo.

"KYO! BE NICE!" screeched Kagura, her personality changing dramatically. She bashed Kyo over the head with a random, heavy item, her eyes flashing dangerously.

"Oh, Tohru's back!" said Shigure loudly, trying to drag everyone's attention from Kyo and Kagura.

Tohru placed Reno's coffee in front of him, then sat back down in her spot and began eating. Everyone else decided that this was their cue to also start. Reno, however, pulled out a small bottle from his jacket and began pouring the contents into his coffee.

Hiro was the first to notice. "Uh, what are you doing?"

"Just making this a bit stronger, t'is all."

"Gross!" Kyo spat. "Don't you think it's a bit early to be taking alcohol?"

"Not at all," Reno smiled, taking a sip of his coffee. "It's never too early."

A few eyebrows raised in the Turk's direction.

"This is two days in a row he hasn't shown up," said Tseng.

"I know," Elena sighed dramatically. "I wish he'd hurry up. There's an important letter I'm waiting for."

Tseng looked at Elena, puzzled. "Um, I was talking about Reno."

"Oh… Oh!" Elena blushed, silently kicking herself for acting like such an idiot in front of Tseng. "That jerk. What the hell is he thinking?!"

Tseng stood up, pacing the room. "This is bad. Cloud was seen this morning and we need Reno out there." Tseng stopped and turned to Rude. "Any idea where he is?"

Rude shrugged.

Tseng sighed. "Elena, I'll need you to find him."

"What?!" Elena gaped, standing up. "Why me?! Rude's the one that would know where to look!"

"We need Rude to help get Cloud!" Tseng snapped.

"But, what about…" Elena stopped short and sighed. Tseng was right, after all. Besides, she didn't want to get on Tseng's bad side. "Fine, I'll go look for him."