Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or any of its characters. I only own Sara Tsuko. Don't sue; you'll get nowhere flat.

Shuichi: Oh me, oh my! My second chapter! And I will now thank my VERY FIRST REVIEWER! WOOO!

quillian91 : I agree with you on the OOCness of Shigure, but it's true, it's rather hard to be yourself when you're around Akito-sama. xx Any ways, in this chapter, you'll get what you wanted…and you know what I mean. - (glee)


Chapter 2

Shigure and Sara were walking to the Sohma estate in silence. Shigure wore his suit with his hair slicked back while Sara was wearing a cute summer dress with cherry blossoms all over its light blue background (it's Tohru's dress) and her long blue/black hair was in a braid that went down to her waist. She stood about 5' tall and she had relatively pale skin with shinning green eyes.

After walking what seemed more like a death march, they reached the Sohma estate. Entering through the main gates, Sara and Shigure made their way to the main house.

Between the time that they entered the main gates and the time that they had made it to the main house, Sara was gazing around with complete awe written across her face. She'd never seen anything like it before: little oriental houses around the place, cars in the driveways, and lovely little flower beds in front of the those little houses. This place didn't seem so bad, Sara had thought. It couldn't be that bad…could it?

The long walk soon brought them to Akito's door to his room. Shigure knocked. Akito mumbled, "Come in," and they both entered, Shigure first, then Sara. Shigure led Sara over to the middle of the large room and sat her down before sitting about five feet behind Sara. Akito was sitting in a chair about three feet in front of Sara.

Akito was the first to speak, "Welcome, stranger," his voice was calm and it didn't sound very welcoming, "Tell me…who are you…why are you here…why did you go to Shigure's house…?"

Matter of fact…he sounded like he wanted to kill something.

At first, silence just filled the room. Akito opened his mouth to start to speak, but was stopped when Sara suddenly stood up and walked over to Akito's desk, took a sheet of blank paper and picked up a pen and started scribbling something on the paper.

While she stood there writing on the paper, Akito held a confused expression, while Shigure looked grim.

She put down the pen and walked over to Akito and handed him the sheet of paper, then sat back down in her spot on the floor.

Akito read the sheet of paper to himself and as he read, his expression turned from angry/confused/murderous, to being a little bit softer and a bit shocked and even more confused.

Shigure decided to try and play his hand (a poker term), "Akito…what does it say?"

"…I'm honored to meet you, Akito-sama. My name is Sara Tsuko and I'm seventeen years old. The orphanage was where I lived until it burned down. I had lived there since I can remember. I came to Shigure-sensei's house when I was running away from the burning down building. Shigure and the other nice people that live in that house took me in and took care of me, no questions asked…"

Akito stared at the piece of paper for a moment before setting his hand that held the piece of paper on his lap. He seemed rather calm and collected…up until he stood up and took her by the arm, shaking her and holding fury in his eyes, "WHAT DO YOU TAKE ME FOR! A COMPLETE FOOL! DO YOU THINK THAT I'D JUST BELIEVE SOMETHING THAT WAS WRITTEN ON A PIECE OF PAPER? SPEAK, GIRL!"

Sara was shaking with Akito's grip on her arm, tears were flowing from her emerald eyes as she choked out gasping noises and strangled noises, "Ah…ak…aah…..eh…i…a….hhaa.." it was only after she couldn't make full words that it dawned on Akito: this girl really couldn't talk.

And so…he let go of her arm and backed away a few steps with a look of horror on his face, "…You…..you can't really…talk…can you?"

His voice was calm and shaky.

She nodded several times, tears still going down her face. Akito glared a head of him at the far wall, not making any kind of eye contact with Sara, "…Shigure!"

Shigure's head snapped up, "Yes, Akito?"

"Shigure…does she know…?"

"No, she doesn't."

"…if she is to live there, she should know, now, shouldn't she?"


End of Chapter 2

Shuichi: Oooooh, I know, I'm EVIL, aren't I? –dodges random flying fruits and vegetables- Hmm…salad. ; ACHEM, anyways, as a fanfic reader myself, I know how horrible it is to have a cliff-hanger…so, ya know what that means? Reviews make me happy, so the more reviews, the faster the chapter comes out. –giggle-