Chapter Two

"I'm home!" I called out, slipping out of my shoes in the foyer before I headed into the living room.

"Yuki! Welcome home." Tohru exclaimed, appearing in the kitchen's doorway with a wooden cooking spoon in her hand. "Oh! Hatsuharu, you're here, too."

"Hello." He replied, appearing behind me. I felt his fingers curl around the back of my shirt.

"Are you staying for dinner?" Tohru asked excitedly, but neither Haru nor I got the chance to reply. A figure came flying out of the hallway leading to Shigure's office and pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. I flailed my arms out helplessly, as Haru's fingers were knocked away, and I was practically thrown into the wall.

"Little brother!"

Oh, not him! Anyone but him!

"A-Ayame? I think you're hurting him…" I heard Tohru stammered fretfully, and I could just imagine the worried expression on her face. But, unfortunately, I couldn't actually see anything, but Ayame's chest.

He's going to die!

"Oh, Aya! Why don't you ever hold me so lovingly!?" Apparently Shigure had entered the room as well. I wanted to tell him that I was being strangled, not held, but I was struggling to breath as it was. "I invited you over so that we could be together!"

You invited him!? You're going to die, too!

"Get off of me!" I growled angrily, trying to thrash away from his grip, but Ayame simply held on tighter and began talking to Shigure.

"Oh, Gure! Don't be jealous! You know my heart belongs to you!"

"Aya, my beloved, how could I have ever doubted you!?"

"I forgive you! From now on, we'll be together!"

"Yes, together!"

"Gure!"

"Aya!"

"Off." A third voice suddenly cut in. It was Haru.

"Huh?" My brother and Shigure replied. I could hear Tohru to the side, her anxious voice almost becoming hysterical.

"Get off of Yuki." Ayame's arms abruptly fell away, revealing a very irritated Haru standing nearby. A heavy silence enveloped the room as Haru's intense eyes glared threateningly at my brother. Tohru eyed the two of them nervously, her hands fidgeting with her spoon.

Suddenly Ayame let out a choked, panicky laugh before retreating quickly to Shigure's side. "Ha, ha, ha…ha…Gure, darling, let's go back to your office!" He rushed, and then he disappeared as hurriedly as he came, dragging Shigure along with him.

I let out a sigh of relief and flashed Haru a small, appreciative smile.

Thank you.

Haru's face lit up, as he returned my smile.

"H-Hatsuharu? Did you, um, go B-Black?" Tohru inquired apprehensively, snapping the two of us out of our silent communication. I had almost forgotten that she was there, almost forgotten to be the Prince, and I turned away with a blush.

Did she notice me looking at him so affectionately?

"No." Haru deadpanned. And then he grabbed my arm and pulled me down to sit at the table and watch TV as if nothing had happened.

"Yuki smiles more often."

I stopped when I heard Shigure say my name from behind the living room door. It was late in the evening. Haru had went home hours before, and dinner had been over for so long now that I was beginning to get hungry again. But unfortunately, the late hour hadn't succeeded in driving Ayame from the house. He was still here and apparently talking to Shigure about me in the living room.

"Does he? That's good. I'm glad." My brother whispered, and his voice sounded so sincere that I felt sorry for him. Just for a moment, though. "I just wish I was the one making him smile."

You could never make me smile. You're one of the reasons I can't smile in the first place.

"We're just going to have to leave that job to Tohru." Shigure responded. Someone took a sip of tea.

"Yes, a prince always needs a princess. But isn't the prince the one who's suppose to do the saving?" Ayame laughed.

"Well, Yuki did save Tohru from living in the woods. But you're right, Tohru is Yuki's savior. Without her, he couldn't smile at all."

Then how come almost all the smiles I give Tohru are fake? Reassuring smiles…the kind the Prince specializes in…

"You're right. I'm glad Yuki has such a…wonderful source of strength."

I'm not strong at all…you don't know what you're talking about.

"You know…" Shigure whispered, his voice becoming mischievous. "I would even go as far to say that Yuki loves Tohru!" They errupted into childish giggles.

"I just know you're right! I bet Yuki doesn't mind turning into a rat at all when it's his princess giving out the hugs!" More giggles. I clenched my fists.

That's not true.

I abandoned my spot outside the door and headed for the stairs. I just needed to ignore them and go to bed. Neither of them really knew me. If they did, they would understand that Tohru hadn't save me at all. She had simply helped me become more comfortable as the Prince. She was my link to the outside world. Her kindness was an example of how the Prince should act. When she touched me, it felt distant. It felt like…she was touching someone else, and I just happened to be there to witness it.

No. Tohru hadn't saved me. With her innocence, she probably couldn't even comprehend how hideous I was inside. It was true that she had experienced hard times, but I was different.

I was broken.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Fruits Basket nor any of it's wonderful characters. I do, however, own the plot of this story. Aren't I special? xD

AN: First and foremost, I'd like to thank my friends, Odango43938 and SakuraBubbles. They've given me wonderful advice and encouragement! ::cling::

Then there's pookie crisp. No, dear, you can't be in the story. Lol.

lymerai, Haru and Yuki do make an adorable couple, don't they? ::smiles blissfullly with you::

Peter James, thank you for saying that the characterization is close to that of the manga. I wasn't exactly sure if Yuki was in-character or not, so your comment made me really happy!

Sagi-chan, I'm glad you find my writing original! xD

Anywho, look for Chapter Three next Tuesday!

Thanks for reading!

- Jessiegurl43953