Disclaimer: I do not own Furuba (Fruits Basket) or anyone in it. I'm just writing this fanfic for the heck of it.

SIDE NOTE: I decided to write this in honor of Ritsu. He rocks my pink kitty socks! He's my…hmm…how do I say this? He's basically…my soul equal. Not my soul mate, but he's just like me. Sad, I know…but, seriously, I wanted to give him some confidence, and a purpose in his life. So, everybody cheer for Ritsu!!

Ritsu Sohma is one of those people who does just about everything quietly…so very quietly, that everyone hardly suspects him of doing anything. So, on the morning precisely one week after Tohru had left the lives of the Sohmas, Ritsu quietly got up and dressed in one of his favorite kimonos, quietly exited his home and walked to Shigure's house, then quietly stood at the door for a long time before quietly knocking. It was only two minutes into his visit that he not-so-quietly apologized for just about everything a person could have done wrong and Shigure had to use the 'magic touch' on his high-strung relative.

"I'm very sorry for all this trouble." The monkey of the Sohmas bowed his head shyly. "I shouldn't even be here…and yet I insist on troubling you with my presence like this. I'm so terribly sorry. I just so terribly wanted to see you all, because I'm sure you've been lonely and all…I mean…without Tohru…"

A grunt came from Kyo in the hallway. Ritsu flew into a second not-so-quiet apologetic frenzy at that moment. The 'magic touch' was again used.

"You don't have to apologize," Yuki told the older boy gently. "Yes, we are a little upset by her leaving, but…it was for the best."

"She just couldn't take all the secrets she needed to keep," Kyo added in a murmur.

"Yes, well, I just wanted to offer my blessings to you all and…well…I got some gifts for you." Ritsu blushed and began to dig through his bag. He pulled out a book, some very squished jelly rolls, and a carton of milk. "I…tried my hardest to think of things you might like, and…well, I hope I did alright."

He handed the book to Yuki. "It's got some very helpful gardening tips in there. It might be useful."

Yuki smiled. "Thank you."

He handed the milk to Kyo. "Um…I know you like milk…I hope it's okay that I couldn't think of anything else."

Kyo grunted in response. "Yeah, whatever."

And he finally handed the jelly rolls to Shigure. "I'm sorry if they're a little crushed…but I was hoping it would give you some inspiration."

"These are very thoughtful gifts, Ritsu," Yuki said. "We appreciate it very much."

"What do you plan to do with your life now, Ritsu?" Shigure asked, already digging through the jelly rolls. "You are nearly twenty-two, after all…I assume you've graduated college?"

Ristu frowned slightly. "I…have graduated, but…I don't have any certain degree. I didn't have any one focus so no one could give me one."

Shigure sighed. "Ritsu, you must start thinking about these things. How will you ever be able to support yourself?"

"I don't know," the monkey of the zodiac replied honestly. "Maybe…I'm just too useless to do anything with my life." He stood and bowed. "I'm sorry for the intrusion. I'll be leaving now." He left the house without another word.

As Ristu walked down the street, he thought about what Shigure said and about his experience in college. All his teachers told him he could never be capable of what their university required. This just proved he was useless, at least in his mind. He could never amount to anything.

But…Tohru always said that everyone had something they were good at, he thought. I'd be a horrible person to not listen to what she said. She was a kind girl. So there must be something I'm good at…something that I just couldn't find in that college. He sighed dejectedly as he halted in his walking. No…there's no way I could be good at anything…so long as I lack the confidence. He turned slightly and saw a poster of a famous male model. The look in the model's eyes was one of pure, unhampered confidence.

Ristu gazed longingly at that confidence. "Now if only I had what he had…maybe I'd be successful and famous like him." He stared at the picture a bit longer. "I wonder what that look feels like…" He tried to copy the model's stance and look.

What am I doing? He thought suddenly. I feel like a complete fool… He sighed and his gaze shifted to one more like himself. Shy, hidden, and depressed.

"It's brilliant!" Ristu turned at the sound of the voice. He saw with great surprise a woman running towards him with an ecstatic look on her face. Her too-big glasses fell down her nose again and again and she had to slow her pace to push them back up. Eventually though, she reached Ritsu.

"It's absolutely brilliant! That longing, that pain, those conflicting emotions, all raging in those eyes!" She was out of breath, but still smiling. "Now that is what the modeling field needs, and that is exactly what I've been looking for! A new look!"

Ritsu blinked at her. "Are you…talking to me?"

The woman rolled her eyes. "No, I'm talking to the guy on the poster. Of course I'm talking to you!" She held out her hand. "My name is Sakuya Kirashumi, current owner of Broad Styles Modeling Company. And you are?"

Ristu took her hand for a very weak handshake. "R-ritsu Sohma. I apologize for asking, but…what is Broad Styles?"

The woman sweat-dropped. "Well…it's no wonder you haven't heard of it…it's brand new. I opened last month, but…I'm afraid business has been slow. I haven't got any models to represent my company, so I've been out looking for a long time."

Ritsu blushed. "Oh, I'm sorry…you must be very disappointed. I apologize that I'm not something more extravagant. I'm sure you'll have better luck elsewhere."

"Hello! Are you deaf?!" the woman practically screamed at him. "Did you not just hear what I said not long ago?! You're perfect! You've got a great figure, and those eyes are to die for! The modeling agency will love you! That is, of course, if you're willing to try it out."

Ritsu bit his lip. "Um…well…I don't know…I mean, I've never been very good at anything…I'm not so sure modeling will be any different."

"Listen, honey, I've just met you and I already think you're model material," the woman said flatly. "How's that for certainty?"

"I still don't know…"

"Come on, you want to be good at something, right? Well, how do you know you won't be good at this if you don't take a look-see? I promise I'll be totally honest if you're not good at this, alright?"

Ritsu bit his lip until it bled. Then he looked at this excited woman, and quietly replied: "Okay. I'll give it a try."

SIDE NOTE: Yup!! I'm making Ritsu a MODEL!!! I just think with a little confidence and the right attitude, he would make a SEXY beyond SEXY model. Dontcha think? Oh, and as for why Tohru isn't here…well, I didn't feel like putting her in here. But I promise I'll make it worthwhile to the story. Well, plz review!!