Sorry, I have to apolygize for my lateness in updating, once again. I had anEuropean History AP exam last week. Blah! Just a warning, these next few chapters are definitely going to fulfill or excede the "T" rating. I would change it to "M" if those stories could also show up on the main Fruits Basket page. But, no! So, I hope the language etc. doesn't offend my loyal readers:) Oh, a note on my made-up character names. Honda and Taki weren't completely chosen at random! They are like my two least favorite characters from other animes: Taki is the ASK guy that rapes Shuichi in Gravitation, and Honda is Tristan's original japanese name from Yu-Gi-Oh. (I just think Tristan is boring. I hope I don't offend any fans!) The rest of the names are just randomly my own, though.

Read and review, please! I hope you enjoy!

"No, no," Momiji's distressed voice beckoned to Hatsuharu as he traveled toward a familiar cluster of lockers. "No, of course not!"

Scanning the two boys in front of him, Haru felt a surge of both frustration and embarrassment. 'Yuki couldn't just leave this alone, could he? He just doesn't trust me. Is he that disgusted by me?'

As the rat mumbled something inaudible, Momiji's face lit up with a blush. "No, we've never done that! Nein! Nein!"

"Are you sure?" Yuki persisted loudly, "not even-," his voice fell to a whisper. "He didn't make you-?"

"Nein!" He giggled nervously in response, pushing a lock of sweaty blonde hair from his face. "Why, why are you talking about this, Yuki-san?"

"You know he wants to," Haru heard Yuki insist, causing his heart to drop as he listened to the halted conversation. "He may not do it, but I'm sure he thinks about it."

"Well," the rabbit paused, dropping his gaze to the floor. "Sometimes I, well, I might think about doing that sometimes, too."

Haru's mouth dropped, his head throbbing with incredulous surprise. 'He thinks about that, too? No. Momiji is too innocent. He couldn't possibly-.'

Yuki sounded shocked as well, and he took a deep breath in an attempt to regain his composure. "Momiji-kun, doesn't it bother you? This isn't normal. I'm worried about you. You know that you don't have to say 'yes' to him."

"Stimmt!" Momiji smiled with revived cheer. "Of course I don't have to! Haru always tells me so!" He recounted Hatsuharu's many inquiries. "He always tells me to only do what makes me happy! But I want to be his boyfriend. I love him, just like you love Tohru-kun!"

"I, I," Yuki argued weakly, anguished by the comparison between the boys' relationship and his own crush. "Just be careful," he finished with a false smile.

Momiji nodded emphatically, his eyes drifting toward a lone figure sulking nearby. "Hallo Haru! I didn't know you were here!" Scuttling toward his white-haired boyfriend in an excited flurry, the blonde wrapped his arms around the other boy's waist. "Don't you have to go to detention?"

"Oh, hello, Haru," the steely-haired boy adopted a false air of politeness. "What a surprise." His violet eyes surveyed his two companions' embrace, then scanning the hall in obvious embarrassment.

Hatsuharu tried to brush away Yuki's presence, ignoring him as he turned to address his boyfriend. "I can't stay long. I just wanted to know where we can meet after my detention. I thought maybe we could go to the park and get ice cream, if you want to."

"Really? Ich mag Eis! I can't wait!" Momiji giggled, snuggling against the taller boy's chest. "And then we can go to the park, and play together, and swing on the swings!" He met the cow's gaze with adoring eyes. "I have cooking club now, so maybe we can meet on the stairs outside the gym after I am done. OK?"

"Sounds good to me," disregarding Yuki's horrified stare, Haru bent down and planted a light kiss on Momiji's cheek. "I'll be thinking about seeing you the whole time that the teacher is lecturing me."

The older boy's face blanched in disgust at Haru's flirtatious actions. He quickly checked the area to see if anybody else was watching the spectacle. "You're shameless," Yuki muttered, rolling his eyes. Swiftly rebuilding his soft façade, he cut into the couple's conversation. "I really must get going. I have some work to do in the student council room. I'll see you tomorrow," he hurried to leave.

"Tschüß, Yuki-san!" Breaking away from the white-haired boy, Momiji waved. "Remember, don't worry about what you asked me! I know what I'm doing!" He beamed reassuringly.

Yuki nodded before shooting Haru an icy stare. "Sure," he sounded doubtful, "good-bye."

Haru examined the rat's retreating form, feeling a wave of shame flood through his body as Yuki's disgust burned into his memory. It really hurt knowing that his older cousin could not accept him, and, even though his feelings for Yuki had retreated, he still did not like to be rejected.

"It's OK," Momiji squeezed Haru's arm, instinctively trying to comfort his boyfriend. "It's OK." Tracing his fingers over the cow's flesh, he offered a sweet smile. "I have to go now. I'll see you later, OK?"

Haru felt his uneasiness dissolve as he studied the rabbit's happy face. "Yeah, I'll see you later."

"The birds and the bees sing 'Momiji'. The frogs in the pond are calling, 'Momiji, yes, it's true," the rabbit sang, skipping across the basketball court with a bright smile on his face. "Momiji, yes, it's true!"

Approaching the gym doors, he burst outside in a rush of sunlight. Clutching a bag in his hand, he laughed impatiently, "I really hope that Haru-kun likes these cookies! I can't wait to give them to him!"

"Ugh," a voice moaned from behind a nearby bush, "how fuckin' obnoxious." A tall figure emerged in a puff of smoke, meeting Momiji with narrow eyes. "Get lost."

The German boy identified the student instantly. Ichiru. An upperclassman with a frightening reputation for violence and gang activity, among other things. "Oh, hello, Ichiru-san," Momiji's squeaked out in spite of his racing heart. "Es tut mir leid. Was my singing bothering you?"

"Who are you, kid?" Ichiru eyed him, smirking at the rabbit's clothing, "and why are you wearing your sister's uniform?"

Momiji failed to see that he'd been insulted. "Oh, my sister doesn't go to this school!" He laughed a little too loudly. "And she's way too small to wear my clothes!" Any fear he had held for the other boy soon melted away, and it was replaced with his usual social ease. Momiji was a friendly person. He trusted everybody. "I'm Sohma Momiji, by the way," the blonde offered a respectful bow.

The taller boy did not return the courtesy. Instead, he turned back to his former hiding place. "Hey, Taki!" He called in the direction of the bush. "Sohma Momiji? Is that the one?"

The plant shook in a shower of falling leaves. "Yeah," the rabbit's classmate approached, a marijuana cigarette hanging from his lips. "That's the fag. His boyfriend should be around here, too, I guess."

Honda followed close behind his friend, watching the exchange with blank eyes. "Hey, brat! Where's Haru?"

"I, I," Momiji stammered, knowing that his cousin would be arriving shortly. He prayed that the boys would leave before that happened. He didn't want another fight, because he couldn't stand to see the cow turn "black" once again. "I'm not sure."

"Haru's real fun to mess with," Taki explained to Ichiru. He swung his leg over the stair railing, flashing the older student a boisterous grin. "He's a real bitch when he gets mad. He thinks he's so cool, strutting around like he's tough. But we all know he's a fairy! You'd laugh if you saw him!"

"Whatever," Ichiru shrugged, boredom creeping over his face as he leaned against the concrete wall. Extracting a lighter and a plastic bag from his pocket, the boy lit another joint and stuck it between his teeth.

Honda gave Taki a frustrated look, questions brimming in his eyes. "Uh, Ichiru-san? He's a queer," he pointed to the shivering blonde, snickering to emphasize his point. "Don't you wanna do something to him, or something? You know, screw him over like you did Tano last year?"

"Oh, yeah!" Taki sounded desperate to keep the older boy's attention. "I heard it was great. I'm so sorry I missed it, maybe you could reenact it for me?"

"Tano was a pompous bastard," Ichiru reminded them casually, looking back to Momiji. He watched the smaller boy as he shifted from side to side, smirking as the blonde sniffled and coughed. "He's just an irritating kid. He's too small."

Momiji heaved a sigh of relief. His hands sweated as they tightened around his sack, and his pulse echoed in his numbing head. "Thanks," he offered the student a shy smile.

"Sure," Ichiru turned around, shuffling toward the street with a flat expression on his face.

"Ichiru?" Honda called in a crushed tone. "About your group, well-."

"I don't usually take first years," Ichiru sneered, knitting his fingers in his black tresses. "You're giving me a headache. Go back to your junior high gang, or something."

Taki bit his lip, flashing Momiji a venomous glare. "You stupid fucker!" He vented, slamming the boy against the metal railing in his rage, "look what you did!"

Tears welled in the small boy's eyes as he fought to regain control of his words. "I'm really sorry he didn't let you in the gang!" He squeaked, attempting a soft laugh, "but maybe it's better! If you join a gang, you might get hurt, and that would be really sad!"

"So, are you still getting laid by your cousin?" Honda's voice stung Momiji's thoughts, his smirk casting ominous shadows through the air. "Do you like it, little whore?"

"Oh no, we don't-," the blonde objected for the second time that day. "We share a bed, but that's all. We've never-." His blonde almost froze as he watched Taki stumble forward. Momiji nearly choked as the other boy drew dangerously closer to him. "I, I, Taki, what are you doing?"

The larger boy draped his arm around Momiji's shoulder, a sneer playing on his features as he flicked ashes all over the blonde's white blouse. "Do you want me, Momiji?" His speech slurred. "I bet I fuck better than your loser cousin!"

"No," Momiji's body tensed, a flush painting his cheeks. He was completely flustered. "Please don't!"

"Look at that!" Honda teased. "I think he likes you!"

"Fag!" Taki spat, taking the smoldering paper from his mouth and jabbing it against Momiji's arms. He delighted in watching the Sohma boy flinch and cry. "Be a man!"

The bag slipped from the rabbit's trembling fingers and crashed to the ground. Struggling to reclaim it, Momiji sank to his knees in resignation, rubbing his singed flesh. "Please don't! I just want to be your friend," he pleaded. "Please stop!"

"What the hell are you doing to him?" An angry voice interrupted the exchange. "Leave! Now!"

Honda laughed, giving the smaller Sohma another shove. "Oh, look, your lover came to rescue you! How sweet!" His voice sounded sickening as he taunted the couple.

Grabbing at Honda's throat, Haru smashed the boy's head against the stairs. His eyes burned with hatred, but inside, he loathed himself more than anyone else. 'Oh my God! Not again! They've hurt Momiji again, and it's all because of me. He doesn't deserve this!' Snatching a fistful of his classmate's hair, he forced Honda to meet his gaze. "You couldn't just leave him alone, could you?" He crushed the shuddering boy against the ground, cracking his face and causing blood to pour from his nose. "You're not so strong now, are you?"

"Haru-kun, please stop it! You're hurting him!" Scrambling toward the tussling students, Momiji reached a nervous hand to help Honda. "Please don't do this! Listen, Haru! I love you! You don't need to do this for me! It's OK! He's in pain. You need to stop!"

"Get off of him, queer!" Taki approached Hatsuharu from behind, aiming a punch at the white-haired boy's back. "We all know what a pussy you really are! You molest your own cousin!"

Haru caught Taki's fist, twisting his arm painfully before throwing him against the rail. "Who the fuck are you to criticize what I do? I'm not the one who's shaking with fear," he pointed out sternly, watching the sweat pool on the other boy's brow. Giving a strong kick, "Black" knocked the breath from his classmate's body. "What, are you afraid I'll kill you? Are you afraid I'll hurt you, just like you hurt my boyfriend?"

"No, Haru-kun," rising to his feet, Momiji gave the white-haired boy's arm a coaxing tug. Sobs wracked his body as he met Taki's terrified stare. Sympathy swelling in his chest, he rushed to gather his belongings. "Stop hurting them. Let's just go. OK, Haru? Bitte?"

Hatsuharu's black side jerked away from his boyfriend's touch. Casting a fiery look at the two boys, he stalked down the path and away from the school building. The dark cloud receding from his veins, the white-haired boy gasped shakily. 'They hurt him. They hurt him because he's dating me. It's all because of me!'

"Haru-kun!" Momiji hurried to follow the taller boy, his voice shattering with distress. "Haru-kun, please come back!" He grabbed his boyfriend's arm. "I think we need to go help Honda. He just keeps bleeding, and I'm really scared!"

"He hurt you," the cow stopped, answering in an empty tone as he traced his finger over Momiji's burn. "They both hurt you. They deserved it."

"No, Haru!" The blonde argued almost hysterically. "You didn't deserve to do that! You're too good to act like them, to fight like they do!" His eyes watered. "You're too good a person to make someone cry without even caring!"

"I'm not a good person, and I don't deserve you," Haru bit his lip, starting down the street once more. "I only cause you trouble. Just stop loving me."

"I, I," Momiji stuttered, wringing his fingers around the crumbled bad. "I can't do that, Haru. And I wouldn't want to, either. It isn't your fault that they make fun of me." Sighing, the rabbit watched the cement rush under his purple shoes. Forcing a smile, he tried to change the subject. "I made cookies in club today! They're your favorites! Sugar!" He mustered a sunny tone. "I hope they didn't get broken, though! But I'm sure they'll taste the same, right?"

"Oh, thanks," the taller boy quickened his pace, trying to avoid his boyfriend, 'We shouldn't even be walking together. This is only bringing him trouble! I made him cry. I'm not worth that.' His head drumming, he focused his attention on the road in front of him.

"Um, Haru?" The blonde paused, scanning his surroundings. He gestured hopefully to the left. "The park is that way."

Silence. Ignoring his boyfriend, the cow continued to pace at a steady rate.

Momiji sounded heartbroken, his voice cracking. "Haru?"

'This is for the best. He needs to stop loving me. This is wrong. He's getting hurt, and it's my fault. I can't keep him in this relationship.' Tears bit at Haru's lashes. "We need to go home," he ordered his voice to remain unemotional.

Stopping, Momiji's fingers tore nervously at his paper package. Taking a breath, he suppressed a wrenching sob. "OK."

Momiji's German lesson #13

Nein- no

Stimmt- I agree!

Ich mag Eis- I love ice cream

Tchüß- bye!(or Tschüss. Special thanksto littlefreeze for teaching me how to show the'ss' on the computer:) )

Es tut mir leid- I'm sorry

Bitte- please

next chapter...something special...he-he. Remember I promised a make-out scene? But it will be bittersweet, I'm sorry to say. This is angst genre, after all!