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.
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.
Story: Je Pretend Que Tu Fais Bien
Author: rembrandt77
Chapter 5: Terms of Knowing
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Hug him?! Odette kept her eyes on the ground as the man named Kureno knelt next to her. Why did she have to hug him? Her cheeks flushed brightly against the paleness of her skin. "Um…"
"DO IT!"
She flinched, though the man next to her did not move at all. Slowly, Odette looked up at his face as she leaned into him. This Kureno was very handsome. Her hands moved toward his chest, but he grabbed them in one of his own and closed the gap.
POOF!
What in the world…where did this smoke come from? Odette rubbed her eyes and felt for the in front of her. He was gone. Kureno?
As the smoke cleared Odette searched the room, missing one important development.
"Cluck…cluck"
Sitting in front of her was a small white rooster with a dark orange beak, imbedded in a dark colored kimono. She moved a finger forward to touch the top of its head. Odette was surprised when it did not move. Must be a pet…used to people.
"Does our curse surprise you, girl?"
Odette looked over at Akito who smiled maliciously. "That was a very good magic trick. Where is Kureno?" And I hope he's wearing…something. She thought, picking up the scattered garments.
"Where do you think he is?"
Odette's brows furrowed. "I don't know…it's not my trick. There was a lot of smoke…I'm guessing he left the room with out me noticing."
There was a deep chuckle that echoed through the room. "Are you truly that dense?"
For the first time in meeting Akito, Odette was genuinely angry. How dare he insult her intelligence? "Excuse me for not knowing the fundamentals of your magic."
Akito ignored her. "Kureno has never left the room, and this has nothing to do with magic."
They were both silent for a time. Odette thought the frail man was totally absurd. Did he mean… "If you're expecting me to believe that this rooster is-"
POOF!
The cloud of smoke appeared again, this time Odette lunged to grab the rooster. Kureno must have foreseen the action and side stepped, causing the girl to fall on the floor. Odette pulled herself up, totally humiliated, and noticed a bare foot next to her hand. She looked up. There stood Kureno, naked, and the rooster was gone.
Oh my God…
Then she did the worst thing anyone possibly could. She prepared to scream.
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"What do you think he's telling her?" Shigure asked, fingering a cigarette but not lighting it. He and Hatori had been forced to leave the room so Akito could speak 'privately' with their little American friend.
"Who knows really." Hatori was more concerned then he let on, the pain reoccurring in his left eye. He smoothed a lock of hair over it. "I doubt he would tell her of the curse, since it's his wish that it be kept a secret. But with Akito…"
"We'll never know unless we ask her." Shigure put the cigarette back into its case. His body seemed to repel nicotine at the moment. "Shall we?"
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"Don't say a word."
Odette shivered as a clammy hand clamped down over her mouth, muffling any attempt to scream. The man's breath was brushing her neck lightly, and though there was no smell she could detect, it still nauseated her.
"How trite…they always scream." Akito's hand clamped hard against the softness of her waist. "Here I thought you were going to be different. Like that mindless friend of yours…Tohru." He spat out her name like he would bile. "You know…I doubt they will ever love you the way they love her. She's too perfect."
Odette did not understand anything he said. Every statement he made contradicted the next. She felt his hold on her weaken, and then she was pushed to the ground. Odette winced as her knees connected with the roughness of the wooden floor.
"There are certain members of the Sohma family chosen to bear the curse. He is one of them." Akito sat down again on his futon, not turning to look at her again, but she knew he meant Kureno. "If you hug anyone under the curse, they will transform. That includes your new friends."
Odette took a moment to understand what he was telling her. "So…if I hug Shigure, Hatori, Ayame, Yuki or Kyo…they will transform?"
Akito studied the girl whom had just learned his family's grave secret. "Yes…and it will hurt them deeply." At her slight frown, he surged with a sick enjoyment. "I shall make a deal with you."
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"Odee-chan, Shigure-san…Hatori-san?" Tohru called from the front door, and dusted some snowflakes from her hair. "Yuki-kun, I don't think anyone is here."
Yuki carried a few bags of Christmas decorations inside, and then went to check Shigure's room. It was dark and empty. Not here. He returned to find a very distraught Tohru. "Don't worry Miss Honda, I'm sure they're okay." He grimaced. What am I saying? She's with that stupid dog! At least with Hatori she has a chance of not being raped. Yuki rubbed a hand over his eyes. "How about we start dinner. They should be here soon anyway." With that Tohru's face brightened into a beautiful smile.
"Great idea Yuki-kun!" She ran to get her book of recipes. "We could make something American for Odette! Maybe it will prevent her from being homesick!" As Tohru flipped through the large book, Yuki could not help but smile.
"That's very kind of you Miss Honda. I'm sure Cohen-san will appreciate it very much."
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"What kind of deal?" Odette knew she would never fully understand the way this man's mind worked, but she was starting to get the general gist, and she did not like it.
"I have two conditions. One, you shall tell no one of our conversation, or what I have shown you. Not even those under the curse." He stared at her eyes. "It will be more fun this way."
Odette stifled a shiver and looked elsewhere.
"Number two, if you decide to fall in love with either Yuki or Kyo, I shall erase your memories…or kill you. Whichever proves most effective. Understand?"
Did he just…threaten to kill me? How does he have that power? "Yes, I understand and will abide by your wishes." She felt like she was signing her own death warrant.
"Good. Now get out."
His words were harsh but to Odette they were like an early Hanukah present. Quickly, she gathered herself together and slid to the door. "Goodbye, Akito-san." She did not wait to see if he would reply.
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Odette walked down the long corridors of Sohma compound, rehearsing what she would say to Hatori and Shigure once she found them. Her mind shifted to the curse. What was it exactly? She knew there was more to it then what Akito told her, but she could not ask. Sighing loudly, Odette stomped on. Suddenly she images from the day before flashed through her mind…
---
"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."
---
Dog…
DOG! Odette breath hitched and her throat became dry. Shigure was the dog! If it was true that he was cursed, then he had to be the dog! She hoped it would be as easy to figure out with the other members.
"Odette?"
Shigure…Hatori? She could recognize their voices anywhere. It was comforting. "Yes?" She turned around to meet them, her long hair swishing over a shoulder. She felt nothing like a vision of loveliness. As Tohru would be… Her nerves were practically shot, and she hoped it did not show. Dealing with anything under stress was not her strongest suit.
"How were things after we left? Did he say anything important?" Shigure had reached her first and began an onslaught of questions. He noticed she seemed a little worse for wear, though she hid it well. Must have had lots of practice.
"Actually," Odette twirled a strand of her locks in one finger nonchalantly. "He didn't really say much of anything. I think he was just trying to make the both of you nervous."
Shigure visibly slumped, letting out a long sigh of relief. Hatori seemed relieved as well, but his face was void of expression.
"And it seems to have worked." Odette added dryly. Were they that worried about me? Why? "Do you think we can go home now? I don't want Tohru to worry."
Shigure and Hatori glanced down at her. She seemed in one piece, which was shocking considering who she had just met with. Though both could not help but wonder if she was telling the whole truth. Unlike their little Tohru, Odette seemed to be more of the deceptive type.
Hatori buttoned up his long black coat. "Yes going home seems like-"
"A wonderful idea!" Ayame Sohma rounded the corner, his long braid flapping behind him. He was holding a bouquet of flowers. "And I think I'll join you!"
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Please Review!!
Note to reader:
I apologize if it seems I'm focusing too much attention on the older members. -_-; I can't help it really. I just love them to death! There should be more of Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo in the next chapter. I also hope this isn't moving to slow for you all. Tell me if it is because I can pick up the pace. One more question:
What do you all think of Odette's character? I wanted to make her a bit cynical, which was why she didn't believe the curse so easily. I also wanted to make her very different from Tohru. One sugary sweet person is enough in my book. I just hope I haven't made Odette too bland. She hasn't really opened up to the others just yet so that plays a part in her reserve. What do you think? Any suggestions? Please email me or leave them in a review! Thanks, much appreciated!
Your authoress,
Rembrandt-san
P.s. I also apologize for having this chapter shorter then the others. Oh dear…with all this apologizing I'm starting to sound like Ritsu…