DISCLAIMER -- I do not own Fruits Basket, or any of its characters. However, I do own this story and any original characters not from Fruits Basket
Any similarities between this story and others are purely coincidental and I apologize for the inconvenience.
Translations:
San = Added to the end of someone's name out of respect.
Kun = Like "san" only it's used for endearment.
Chan = Basically the same as "kun" only used normally for girls and younger children.
** If I'm wrong, please inform me. **
I'm not too fond of using a lot of Japanese in fics, for the simple reason that some people don't understand what I'm writing.
That is one thing I'm trying to avoid. However there will be times when I'll use some words here and there, just to get the feel.
Warning:
This is a Mary Sue. If you do not like this type of story, please do not read.
I appreciate reviews, but not flames.
Also:
I cannot promise a new chapter every week. This story was made purely
for my pleasure and love of Fruits Basket and writing. School has kept
me very busy this year, so I will update when I can. All I ask of my
readers is patience. I'll get this fic finished sooner or later.
To my reviewers:
THANK YOU!! I really appreciate all you who reviewed my story. I'm glad you like it!
For the questions and comments:
Shiroi Hikari -- Odette's name is pretty isn't it? The origin will be explained in this chapter.
Animelubber – Thanks for reviewing! I'm happy you enjoyed it!
Fanficmaniac – Update? Yes sir!
Drownin' in my Tears -- Okay…
Samii -- I enjoyed "Masquerades" a lot! Thanks for reviewing my fic! I hope you update yours soon.
Story: Je Pretend Que Tu Fais Bien
Author: rembrandt77
Chapter 3: Finally
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Tohru?" Odette found herself surrounded by people she didn't dare to look at. "You found my note I see."
Tohru smiled and nodded, not in the least surprised at her friend's lack of enthusiasm. "Yes! I - well actually, Shigure did."
Odette visibly winced. Oh yeah…forgot about him. She peered up from behind the edge of her bangs. There was Shigure and two other men. The man who helped me…
"Oh, don't be that way. I'm not that bad am I?"
Odette jumped as Shigure spoke. Well actually… "Guess not." She mumbled, but he heard her anyway and smirked.
"I'm so sorry for not being at home when you came Odee-chan!" Tohru leaned forward, her hands clenched in the snow. "I went shopping with Yuki and Kyo-kun for dinner and-"
"Why are you apologizing?" Odette sighed, brushing the damp bangs out of her eyes. "You're not psychic. You didn't know I was coming."
Tohru smiled sheepishly as Odette stood up. "Right." Stupid me…apologizing over nothing again. She gave a small smile, and then felt the presence of two people behind her. Yuki…and Kyo? That's right! "Odee-chan! This is Yuki Sohma," Tohru pointed to a lanky man with silver hair. He smiled, though it seemed only slightly sincere. "And this is Kyo."
Odette studied this "Kyo". He appeared the exact opposite of Yuki; in temperament, dress, and appearance. He didn't look to happy about seeing her either. I believe I'm somewhat unwanted. She brushed the snow off her pants. "Hello," She tried in her best Japanese. "Odette Cohen, nice to meet you." The sliver-haired boy spoke up first.
"Yes, it's nice to meet you as well, Miss Cohen." Yuki bowed politely. Kyo snarled.
"Yeah, same here…whatever."
Odette smiled at his stand-offish attitude, only slightly hurt by his words. She had always been sensitive, but most of the time she ignored it.
Tohru continued as if nothing had been said. "And this is Shigure…oh wait. Silly me! You've already met!" She knocked the front of her fist lightly on her head.
Odette nodded. She had met him before, and run away from him. Odette noticed him cock his head to the side, as she tried to study him further. "Yeah…we've had an encounter."
Shigure was amused, and spared a glance at Ayame, who seemed ready to burst.
"Did you know Shigure writes books?" Tohru asked, her eyes lighting up.
Odette seemed skeptical, but shrugged. "A novelist, huh? That's cool." She ran her fingers through her hair, relieving it of a few snowflakes.
"Isn't it?" Tohru giggled. "And Ayame is a fashion designer….and Hatori is a doctor!"
Odette thought their jobs seemed to fit their personas quite well. Ayame was wearing…well a dress, and Hatori looked very professional in his suit and tie. She blushed after being caught staring. How could she fit in here? Everyone was so handsome; it made her feel disgustingly out of place. Of course they loved Tohru! She was quite cute, innocent and sweet. Who wouldn't love someone like that? Odette cringed. But what was she? She was the plain American in need of Weight Watchers.
"Odee-chan…are you okay?"
Odette blinked, being caught off-guard. "Yeah, just a little tired. That's all." She rubbed her eye convincingly.
"Yes, why don't we go home, hmmm? Now that we've found what we were looking for."
Everyone was silent, but showed their agreement to Shigure's suggestion by walking to Hatori's car. Odette, not knowing where to go, just followed Tohru.
"This was a nice idea and all, but how are we going to-"
"I can walk." Odette said, cutting off Yuki while gathering her suitcases. It was obvious to everyone that there wasn't enough room in Hatori's already spacious car. Tohru was the first to protest.
"No! No! You can't walk because it's dark and Shigure says that there are weird people out here and it won't be safe-"
"I've walked around by myself at night before. This area in particular about two times today." Odette smiled softly. "What's a third gonna make a difference?"
She was about to continue walking when Kyo moved to her, grabbed her bags, and threw them in the trunk. "It's not safe. Quit being stupid and get in the car."
Odette, taken aback by his action, could hardly speak. "But-"
"I would listen to him if I were you." Shigure came up behind her, and gently nudged her toward the car. "For once Kyo is actually saying something smart. We shouldn't spoil it."
"Hey! I heard that!"
Odette blushed. It's nice of them, caring and all, but how are we going to fit? Tohru pulled her into the car. "Wai- Tohru!"
"You know, she should sit in front with Hari." Shigure poked his head through the driver-side window, being too close for Hatori's comfort.
"Move."
"Oh, but Ha-san…"
"Move."
Shigure shrugged, removing his head, and stuck out his tongue. "You're no fun."
"So sue me."
Odette looked out the window. Yuki and Kyo were standing next to the car, seeming quite hesitant to get in. She sighed and opened the door.
"Odette?" Tohru scratched her temple, watching her friend slide across the seat. "What are you…?"
Odette didn't supply an answer as she opened the door to the front seat.
"Somebody listened to me, somebody listened to me!" Shigure sang as he pranced around the car. Kyo tripped him when he came around to the other side.
"Stupid dog."
Odette, who had been listening closely, frowned. Dog? My Japanese must be crappier then I thought. She felt eyes studying her, and turned slightly to see Hatori, his eyebrow slightly arched. She quickly turned her face to the window. "People in back…seemed uncomfortable. Hope you don't mind."
"No, it's fine." He said, adjusting his mirror.
Odette pulled on her seatbelt, feeling a little dyslexic. She forgot that the passenger side switched in Japan. Good thing I won't have to drive!
___
Hatori's driving was smooth, seamless. If driving was an art, he would have certainly been Monet. The way his strong hands griped the wheel, it was like a painter with his paintbrush, stroking the canvas. Odette blushed as she thought of such things. In her mind, everything seemed to relate back to art, which was her heart and soul. She had loved art since she was a little girl, though she never really understood why. It certainly wasn't inherited.
Large flakes of snow fell serenely around the Japanese "winter wonderland". Odette wished she had her canvas with her right know, to capture it.
"So…"
Kyo broke the silence Odette cherished.
"Where are you from exactly? You're not Japanese." He received curious glances from Yuki and Shigure. "What? It's not like I care! I just wondered okay!"
Odette chuckled quietly. "America Souma-san. I'm from America." Odette smirked as the hair bristled on the back of his neck. She could see him through the rear view window. He reminded her of a cat.
"Odee-chan's from Illinois! I've been there once, when I was little."
Shigure peered over Ayame's shoulder, who was sitting on his lap. "I never knew that Tohru."
She clapped her hands. "Yep! But only once. It was for…um…Hanukkah?" Tohru's nose crinkled. "Did I say it right Odee-chan?"
"Yeah…Hanukkah. That's right." She looked around to see curious faces. "Oh…uh….Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday."
"So you're Jewish then?" Kyo asked.
"Of course she is stupid, or she wouldn't be celebrating it!" Yuki crossed his arms, still angry at his misfortune in sitting next to Shigure AND Ayame.
"Quit calling me stupid!"
Odette heard Hatori sigh. She wondered if it was always like this. The atmosphere seemed so tense. It was giving her a headache. "Yeah…half Jewish anyway. My father's Irish. Cohen is actually my mother's last name. She was one of those women's rights activists. Instead of getting my father's name when they were married, she kept hers. Gave it to me too."
Ayame squirmed on Shigure's lap. "Speaking of names, yours is so interesting. What does it mean?"
Odette picked at her fingernail. "Well…it's from a play actually, my mother's favorite. Ever heard of Swan Lake? Odette was the cursed princess who turned into a swan"
"Oh look-y Shigure! We have another princess! Princess Odette!" Ayame laughed dramatically.
Kyo snorted. "Yeah, one that turns into a bird."
Hatori slowed down, and the car came to a halt. They were at the home of Shigure.
"Aren't you staying for dinner Ha-san?" Shigure winked at his friend who still held tightly to the steering wheel. "It would be fun, no? With two girls in the house now."
Hatori looked solemn. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Odette pull her bags into the house. "Were putting ourselves on the line, Shigure. What will Akito do? He'll find out eventually, and we don't want Tohru to be hurt."
Shigure put his hands in the pockets of his yukata, as Ayame came out the front door, wondering where they had run off to.
"Oooh, keeping secrets are we? How could you Shigure?" Ayame pretended a pout, and lightly slapped his cousin's arm.
"Oh Aya!" Shigure leapt to the other mans' embrace, when Hatori's eyebrow started to twitch.
"This IS serious, you know. What if Akito asks me to erase Tohru's memories?
With the mood dampened, Shigure and Ayame lost themselves in deep thought.
"Yes, that could be an issue." Shigure spoke first. "Odette would be in trouble too, not that her safety comes before Tohru's."
Hatori nodded. "We'll have to keep the curse a secret as long as possible. If she finds out…let's hope Akito is feeling generous."
___
Odette hummed to herself as she unpacked. Tohru had just gone downstairs to start dinner. Odette assured her it was okay. She could settle in all by herself.
Tohru's room was very bright and cheerful, much like the girl herself. Odette wondered how she kept it so clean. Not a spec of dust anywhere.
"Oh Odee-chan!" It was Shigure. "I was sent to fetch you." His head peaked through the half opened door.
Odette stifled a giggle. He was definitely an interesting person. She wondered what he would look like in something other than a yukata.
He was quiet as she studied him. Shigure hadn't noticed her green eyes before, or the way her long brown hair preferred to fall over her left shoulder. She wasn't particularly pretty, but rather plain. Her waist was thicker then Tohru's. Hips too. Shigure noted with a sly smile. She was feminine, but definitely not fragile, and pure American.
"So you're um…a novelist?" Odette asked nervously, trying desperately to make conversation.
"Yes, you could say that."
Odette pulled a few American books from her suitcase. "Fiction? Nonfiction?"
"Preferably fiction."
"Genre?"
"Romance."
Odette choked. Romance? This guy can't be serious. She raised an eyebrow. He didn't appear to be lying. Odette heard someone clear their throat.
"Ah, Ha-san! What a pleasant surprise."
Hatori stood in the doorway. His usual solemn expression had loosened up, and his shoulders slumped in what seemed fatigue. Odette wondered if being a doctor was more stressful then she had originally thought.
"If you're done packing, I'm here to escort you downstairs." Hatori said.
Odette blushed. "But what about…"
"I don't trust him."
Shigure pouted. "Aw Ha-san! I thought you knew me!"
Hatori rolled his eyes and mumbled, "Only too well."
Odette chuckled as she slipped on a pair of black ballet shoes, looking up to see the two men staring at her. She smiled sheepishly. "Walking around without shoes is a little…uncomfortable. Forgive me for being so American."
Shigure eyed Hatori, who seemed equally amused with their little foreign friend.
"Gure! Hari! I-" There was a yelp, and then a thud.
Odette winced. "Was that just Ayame-san…falling up the stairs?" The two men nodded, as if it had happened many times before. She sighed. This will be a very long two weeks.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Questions from the author:
1. How well to do think this story is progressing?
2. Any suggestions? Comments? Advice? But no flames…
3. Do you like Odette's character? Any improvements?
4. What do you want to see happen in this story?