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 7: Noble Indeed
Pregnant. How in the world could she be pregnant? Odette dropped the phone from her hands as quietly made her way upstairs.
Yuki watched her, concerned. "Miss Cohen? Are you alright?"
Odette nodded. "Yeah…fine. Mom just wanted to know how I was doing, that's all." She tried to smile, knowing Yuki could see right through it, but he didn't push her for further information. Thanks…I owe you. Odette turned around and headed for Tohru's room.
"WHERE IS SHE?" Kyo stormed into the living room, covered in snow. Hatori, Shigure and Ayame followed behind him.
"What's the matter Kyon-Kyon? Angry that your accomplice got away?" Shigure teased. "Don't worry we'll get her back too-"
"I wouldn't right now if I were you." Yuki spoke from his seat at the table. "The phone call from home seems to have upset her. I asked about it but she didn't seem comfortable talking so I let it be."
In an instant, Ayame was at his brother's side. "Oh how nice of you, dear brother! You see, we are alike! Both so chivalrous with young damsels in distress! But you know, if I were you I would have followed-" Yuki's fist smashed into his brother's chin.
"Shut up and leave me alone."
Odette blew her bangs out off her eyes and fell backward on Tohru's bed, mussing up her pink comforter. She rubbed oncoming tears from her eyes and sniffled. "Just kill me now." She rolled onto her stomach as her face fell in her hands. The last thing her family needed was a baby. If Odette understood that, then why couldn't her mother? The baby obviously wasn't her father's. Joshua O'Dea had divorced his wife years ago. Odette wasn't even sure she could recall the last time her parents were in the same room together, let alone the same bed. The thought made her queasy.
"WHERE IS SHE?"
Odette chuckled wearily as she heard Kyo's screeches from downstairs. He was really angry with her now. She wondered what Shigure or Ayame had done to him this time. Smiling at the thought, Odette rubbed her face. She hated the feeling of dried tears. It made her skin itch.
"Hey look, I'm still wearing my shoes…" For the first time, Odette noticed she had neglected to remove her footwear when Yuki called her into the house. "Shigure's gonna kill me." She pulled off her long boots and set them next to her suitcase, wondering if it would be safe for her to travel downstairs. Stomping from the roof told her it was, but by then she had a better idea.
"I wonder how Odette's doing…" Tohru stirred her tea absent-mindedly as she spoke her thoughts aloud. Yuki observed the kind girl next to him and gave her a reassuring smile.
"I'm sure she's just fine. From what you told me, Miss Cohen seems to be the kind of person who mends things on her own."
Tohru smiled, as if recalling an old memory. "Yes, that's exactly how she is, but still…" Odette had always been a good friend to her, despite the fact that they hadn't communicated for those three years. But things had been complicated then. Tohru's mind wandered to a younger time, when every time Odette smiled it reached her eyes. Before the loss of Kyoko, before the both of them were forced to grow up…
"Miss Honda?"
Tohru met the eyes of every member seated at the table. Shigure, Ayame, Hatori, Yuki…she smiled and shook her head. "It's nothing, don't worry. I was just remembering when Odee-san and I were little."
"Tell us about it." Shigure said, dropping his chin in the palm of one hand.
"Yes tell us a story!" Ayame enthusiastically leaned closer to his younger brother, who glared and moved away.
Tohru nodded, sifting through her mind like an old album. What story could she tell? There had to be thousands! "Ah ha!" Tohru smiled. "I hope this one doesn't make Odee-san mad, but it's my favorite!" Four faces gave her their undivided attention, although Hatori stared down at his lap or fiddled with the cigarette between his lips. "Let's see…it was a long time ago. I was probably only five, and a group of the school kids were playing tag in the park. Mom and Miss Cohen thought it would be nice to take a walk that day since it was warm outside, so they let me and Odee-san stay with the other children….
Begin Flashback
"Tag you're it!" A tiny brown-eyed girl giggled as she tapped a little boy on the head. "Betcha can't catch me!" She squealed, running away from him to the safety of the other group of children next to the slide.
A little Tohru stood at the edge of the sidewalk, watching with interest. "You think they'll let us play Odee-chan?"
The other brunette shrugged, picking a piece of lint off her overalls. "Dunno…you could ask." Her green eyes followed her friends with only mild curiosity. "It don't look like that much fun. They're just chasin' each other around."
Tohru smiled. "They're possed to silly! That's the rules!"
Odette shrugged again, seeming a little too nonchalant. "I know that." The pleading look in the smaller girl's eyes made the other snort. "Fine, I'll go ask." She trudged through the grass, dodging hyperactive two-year-olds and their toys. When Odette came within hearing range of the other children she suddenly felt a little shy. "Um…excuse me." She called, the tips of her white tennis shoes touching. One child turned around.
"You wanna play?" He asked. All Odette could do was nod. "Fine. Hey guys! She's on your team!" The boy called out to his friends who sneered.
"We don't want her? Who is she?"
Odette felt a blush creep over her nose. Suddenly she felt a tiny hand clutch her forearm. Tohru stood next to her, eyes wavering with nervousness.
"Don't say that. Odee-chan's good at games!" The little brunette smiled, trying to sway the children into letting them play. The boy Odette originally talked to nodded and said 'fine' again, which seemed to speak for the rest of the group.
"Go over there; I'll give you a head start."
The two girls nodded and dashed over to the slide, Tohru a little bit slower due to the fact that her skirt kept getting caught around her knees.
"One…Two…Three…here I come!" The children squealed as the boy chased them. Odette quickly maneuvering out of his grasp, but Tohru wasn't quite too lucky. "Tag you're it!"
Always optimistic, the girl smiled. "Okay!" And then she began her count.
The rest of the game continued like this. Tohru was too slow to actually catch anyone, and too kind to run after Odette, who purposefully slowed down when she neared.
"Hey look at her! What a slow-poke!" One of the boys jeered, causing the other children to laugh and point.
"Yeah! Maybe her legs are too short!"
Odette curled her tiny hands into fists as one of the boys pulled at Tohru's skirt while another pushed her on the ground. "Hey! Stop that!" Her cries went unheard as the children around cheered. "Hey! Are you listening to me!" When it became clear that they weren't, Odette picked up a few small stones, remembering a story she had heard in Sunday School. Anger fueling her, she threw one at the nearest boy, hitting him on the cheek. The force caused a small red welt.
"Ouch!" The boy cried, clutching his face. "Who threw that?"
Odette felt fear climb up through her toes, but forced herself not to run. Tohru's in trouble, she remembered, aiming her second stone. "I threw it you butthead! Now let her go or you'll be reading Dr. Seuss with only one eye!"
The kid crinkled his nose. "Dr. Seuss?"
"Yeah, him stupid! Now leave her alone!"--
Tohru was interrupted by Shigure's cackling.
"Really! Who knew Odee-san had it in her!"
Yuki elbowed him in the stomach. "Yes, now continue please Miss Honda."
Tohru smiled. "Of course, where was I…"
"Leave her alone!"
The tiny Tohru felt tears prickle her eyes, as she stood to her feet, her abusers' attentions elsewhere. "Odee-san…"
Odette backed up as the boys neared, the other children forming a circle around them. Deciding it was now or never, she let the rock fly, actually smacking one boy on the forehead. So far she had been lucky, and wondered if it had anything to do with her heritage. Being Irish had to count for something!
"You're gonna pay stupid girl!" The boy rubbed it eyes as they blurred with tears, and for a moment the brunette felt sorry for hitting him so hard. In that second they lunged at her, fists flailing around them as the children chanted, "Fight, fight, fight!"
Tohru squealed in fear. "Odee-san!" She tried pushing through the crowd, but they wouldn't let her pass. What could she do? Suddenly there was a loud crack, and the every child became silent. Someone wailed in pain.
"You broke my nose! You broke my nose!"
Tohru pushed through the children as they parted like wave. "Odee-san!"
There the girl stood, her dark brown braids coming loose from their bands, and her overalls were smudged with dirt. She was holding one boy by the collar as the other one fled. Blood and tears had stained his shirt. Odette clenched her hand tighter and glared. "If I ever catch you-"
"ODETTE VIOLA HADASSAH COHEN!"
Odette dropped the boy from her hold and he scrambled away with the rest of the children at the sight of an adult running toward them. "Mom I-"
"Don't you mom me! Get over here! Look at your face!"
Odette trudged over to the woman, who grabbed her roughly by the shoulders. She winced and glanced over her mother's head. Kyoko stood there with a small grin.
"Looks like she took one for the team." The red haired woman winked as she gathered Tohru in her arms. "From the bruise on that boy's face it seems she has quite an arm on her."
Sharon Cohen scowled. "Yes, well it doesn't matter. I don't approve of fighting and Odette knows that. You know that too!"
Tohru pulled at the sleeve of her mother's shirt and whispered in her ear. Kyoko's smiled widened. "You should be proud of her. According to Tohru here she's a hero."
Odette smiled a bit, forgetting for just a moment how much her eye throbbed. A hero, huh? She liked the sound of that.
"A hero is the last thing she is!" Sharon stood abruptly, grabbing her daughter by the strap of her overalls. "At this rate she'll become a delinquent! Come on Odette. We're going to have a talk with your father."
Tohru watched her friend as she was hauled away, frowning a bit. "Mom do you think she'll get spanked? I don't want her to." Kyoko glanced at her daughter and kissed the top her head, mussing up her hair.
"Nah…not if they're going to see her daddy. She's his favorite."
End Flashback
Tohru straightened her skirt and smiled at the amused faces around her. "That night Mom suggested that Odee-san should start training for softball, and she never did get that spanking…but she did have a black eye for a week!" Once realizing what she said, Tohru panicked. "No, no not from her father…from the fight you see-"
"We understand Miss Honda." Yuki smiled, trying to picture a young Odette with a purple band around her eye.
Shigure chuckled and Ayame pointed into the air dramatically.
"How noble our swan princess is! I am truly honored to know such a girl!" Although no one else spoke, in their minds they agreed.
Hatori snuffed his third cigarette into the ashtray. How noble indeed.
"Yes that's exactly what Mom thought!" Tohru grinned, her eyes softening. "She always said Odee-san had an extreme sense of justice…I guess that further proved her point-"
"KYYAAAAA! WHAT THE-"
Everyone's eyes rolled upward to the ceiling, where shuffling could be heard along with a string of obcenitites.
"Sorry Kyon-Kyon! I think there was an icicle in that one!"
"Icicle? What are you talking about?! It was a freakin' rock!"
Odette flew down the stairs into the main room as a very angry, and snowy Kyo chased her out the front door. Once outside, another snowball war had begun. Kyo would have had the upper hand, if not for the fact that he seemed to step on every patch of ice and fall on his rear.
Ayame and Shigure were rolling on the floor in a fit of giggles, as Yuki sighed, Tohru scratched her head, and Hatori pulled out another cigarette, watching the display outside with a hidden smile.
How noble indeed.
Dear Readers,
Sorry this took so long for me to get out. I know you don't want to hear a sob story, but my computer broke down in the middle of June, and my father just decided about a week ago that he was going to get it fixed. Yeah…
Anyway, I started this, not really knowing where I was going with it, and ending up deleting it five times before I found something I liked. I hope you enjoyed it, even though it really didn't add to the plot. I guess it could be described as filler, but that's not how I feel about it. The story of Odette and Tohru as kids somewhat tells you about Odette's character and how she is. I didn't want to brag about how wonderful she was or anything, considering she didn't necessarily win the fight. But I didn't want her to appear weak either, and with Tohru it was the same way.
Writing Ayame is hard for me, if you haven't noticed, but I love him to death and have to have him in here! I think I might add Ritsu to the mix later. If any of you know how to get inside Aya's head, I would love the help!
Once again I'll ask the same questions:
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?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story!
Your authoress,
Rembrandt-san