Disclaimer: KareKano is owned by Masami Tsuda. If I was writing a KareKano fic, it would not belong to me. FruitsBasket (Fuburu) is owned by Natsuki Takaya. It is also not owned by me. I enjoy reading KareKano, and I enjoy reading FruitsBasket. I enjoy writing fiction to Fuburu, and remind everyone (as I finish reading Vol. 11) that this is NOT based off of volume 11, it is based off of everything up through Vol. 7, Chapter 42. Enjoy!
Chapter 15: Curve balls and stolen bases
"So you've come to beg me to remove Honda-san from your household." Akito was sitting in the window seat, watching the willow tree outside the window sway in the breeze. A slightly bruised Yuki knelt at his feet, persistent in his request.
"Yes, she is an influence on all of us; and I have decided that she gives incorrect impressions, lies about things if you will." He raised his head and Akito saw the anger in his face.
"When did you figure this out?" Akito did not believe that Yuki hated Tohru.
"About two weeks ago, I started noticing that Honda-san would wait until people were watching to have her 'mom moments.' When it's just her, she doesn't think twice about her mother; but when someone is around, all of a sudden she's eaten with guilt over her mother's death, or she remembers some witty thing that her mother said." Yuki stood and started pacing. "Then one night I heard her on the phone to that Yankee friend of hers, talking about how selfless everyone thought she was; but if they really knew, she was actually quite self-centered."
"Go on." Akito believed this much. He's seen the same thing when he met her last year.
"I just started watching and noticed more and more inconsistencies between word and deed." He turned and looked Akito in the face. "You know how much I dislike the cat…" Akito nodded. "I even mentioned it to him, afraid I was imagining things. He started mentioning little things she did around him, like giving him lots of attention when people were there to notice; but acting as if she couldn't even see him if it was just the two of them." He turned back to the window. "This is very hurtful to the cat because he has feelings for her. Her cold demeanor is harmful to his self-esteem." Yuki turned back and walked over to Akito, leaning right in his ear and lowering his voice. "In fact, it's been enjoyable to watch."
"Enjoyable to watch the bastard suffer?"
Yuki nodded. "Your plan to have Kagura start school with us actually worked well for Kyo. He's been transferring all that emotion over to one who can understand him and wants to return that passion."
Akito's brows frowned. "I thought Hatsuharu and Kagura were publicly an item."
"Oh, they are. But privately…" Suddenly Yuki chuckled. "A pig and a cat…would off-spring be furry and oink, or have curly tails and chase mice?"
"DON'T THINK ABOUT THAT, NOT EVEN FOR A MOMENT!" Akito backhanded Yuki, sending him reeling towards the door. Long slender hands caught him as he slammed into a velvet-covered chest.
"Akito, strong-handed tactics at evening tea-time?" Ayame made a point of looking at his watch. "How about if we all enjoy a strong cup of Keemun first?"
Akito acquiesced and followed the willowy man through the halls into the eating area. Yuki followed behind, realizing the invitation was for both of them.
Ayame was in the middle of the elaborate tea ceremony he was famous for when Akito again spoke. "So, when did Kagura start dating that bastard of a cat?"
Without even looking up, Ayame answered. "About four days ago. Let's see…" Ayame placed the first cup in front of Akito, kept the second cup, and handed the third cup to Yuki, establishing the rank of the three. "School started on Monday, it's now Saturday…Mmm…four days." He sighed dreamily into his cup. "Young love, I so well remember it!"
Suddenly Akito stood up and stomped out of the room. Both brothers continued to enjoy their tea as they listened to him stomp down the hall. Ayame looked over at his brother and grabbed his hands, leaning close. "Did I do something to earn your respect?" Yuki blinked and slowly nodded, uncertain as to WHY Ayame had lied. "Oh calm down. I might not have been willing to see the truth last time, but you're not the only one who has gotten stronger with age. Do Kyo and Kagura know about your plot?"
"Yes, but Gure-san does not."
Ayame laughed delightfully. "Oh, he's had his head between some woman's legs all week, what he doesn't know won't hurt him."
"Wha?…" Yuki was beet red with surprise and embarrassment at his oldest housemate.
Ayame waved his hand. "No…he's writing a sex scene. Not participating in one." Yuki wasn't sure this was the better choice. "It keeps him away from the young girls doesn't it?"
"You have a point." Yuki smiled and enjoyed the rest of his tea.
When Akito returned, Yuki was still sitting at the table; but Ayame was long gone. The rat looked up and patted the seat next to him.
Akito sat and leaned into Yuki's chest. "How badly do you hate Honda?"
"She is repulsive to me." Now that's the first lie I've told, the rest were carefully bent half-truths.
"Is she as repulsive as a pink cat that oinks?"
Yuki blanched. "No one is THAT repulsive."
"If Kyo is interested in a shallow, selfish girl, who isn't that pretty either, we'll give him what he wants." He looked at the young man who appeared to be bristling in anger. He gently ran a hand down the cheek he'd slapped, pleased when Yuki did not flinch. "For me? You would do this for me?"
Yuki turned and kissed the hand that had dealt him so much agony over the years. "For you, I'll make that sacrifice."
ssssss
Tohru was helping Rio clean up from lunch when Hatori's phone started ringing. Hari pulled it out of his pocket and walked out of the room. "Hello Akito, what's wrong?" He listened silently until Akito finished. "So you don't want me to come home until tomorrow? I thought you wanted me home tonight."
"I changed my mind." Akito looked over at the young man who was sitting prettily beside him at the table. "And bring Honda back with you." He smiled as Yuki's eyes flashed with hatred. So you weren't lying about hating Honda, little rat.
"Fine. Tomorrow." Akito hung up and Hatori put the phone back in his pocket. He walked back into the kitchen and laid a hand on the middle of Rio's back. "I don't have to leave until tomorrow. And Tohru-kun, you are to come back with me."
Tohru hesitantly smiled. "I'm going to walk down to the bottom of the falls." She finished putting up the last dish and left the room to get her shoes.
Rio leaned back and looked at him. "One more day of vacation huh?"
Hatori gave her another genuine smile, she had now counted three. "Yes. Guess I better make the most of it."
"Mmm…" She dried her hands off and patted his cheek before walking the towels into the laundry room.
ssssss
Akito turned back to Yuki, who had been quietly sitting and listening to everything that was being said. "Is that okay with you, my little man?'
"Not really," he smiled deviously, "but I understand your plan."
"Good! Now go find the cat and make sure he's not impregnating my sweet Kagura while I arrange for Honda-san to come back to the Shigure Household."
Yuki left in a foul mood, running into Haru walking in the gate.
"Yuki!" Haru went to grab his shirt, but Yuki sidestepped him.
"Don't." He never slowed down, so Haru turned and followed him.
"What's wrong?"
Yuki just kept walking. Finally he calmed down and looked at Haru. "I've been made to do something horrible and it has turned me sour."
"Oh? What?"
Kissed someone, with sweet emotion, who I would rather avoid for all eternity. "I must go back to Shigure's house and await Kyo and Tohru's return."
Haru blinked wisely and smiled. "Very crafty, the rat really IS the smartest of the signs." He thought he saw Yuki wink before turning and taking in his surroundings.
"Um, Haru…" Haru raised an eyebrow. "I know this may sound ludicrous, but do you have ANY idea where we are?"
Haru looked around and smiled. "Yup, two blocks from the compound, quite a long way from your house."
Yuki was staring slack-jawed. "Since when did you know where you were?" He took a close look. "And are you Black or White Haru, I can't tell."
"Well technically, I've always been exactly where I am at that moment. As for my mood, I'd say I was light grey, but only since last night when Uotani and I slep…uh…very recently."
"You…and Uo-chan?"
Haru looked dazed. "Yeah, but I'm afraid I blew it by not holding her, regardless of the consequences."
"I'll talk to her, it's the only thing I can do to repay you."
"For?"
"Finding Kyo and Kagura and bringing them to Shigure's house." Yuki set off in the correct direction while Haru chuckled and started on his mission.
ssssss
Uo was slamming through the park, kicking every pile of leaves and stomping in every puddle she walked through. "Stupid imbecilic muddle-headed spawn of a bull's mother."
Saki walked slightly behind in order to preserve the integrity of her clothing. "Are we still talking about Haru?"
"Yes!" She looked up and realized they were surrounded by trees. "Where the hell are we anyways?"
"I thought that was Haru's line. Surely you're not lost."
"You bet your sweet bippy I am. All day has been really fucked up. First I can't find my keys, then I lose my homework." She whipped around to Hanajima. "Which got me detention, I note. Then you find me wandering the street, turned backwards and confused." She suddenly stopped. "It's almost as if we traded places when we slept together."
Saki, known for her composure, suddenly tripped and bumped into Uo. "What? You SLEPT with Haru…as in HAD SEX with him?" Uo blushed. "He's younger than you."
"In age only." She kicked a pebble and watched it splash into another puddle. "Besides, it wasn't anything worth talking about. It was quick and dirty."
"Yes, but did he leave you satisfied?"
Uo thought for a few seconds. "You know, he did." She walked up to Saki and leaned close. "He also said he was out of control and didn't really want it to happen that way because we'd both have regrets."
"Do you?"
"Not really. I just wish I understood him better, why he did things the way he did." She started walking. "But I'm almost tempted to investigate whether he's still getting lost."
"He's not." Both girls stopped and looked towards the voice. Yuki walked out from behind a bush. "Isn't it a little dark out here to enjoy a good tromp through the park?"
"He's not getting lost?"
"No. Perfect sense of direction. Guess that means you rubbed off and vice-versa."
"What do I do?"
Both Saki and Yuki grinned and spoke at the same time. "Sleep with him again."
She stood frozen to the spot while Yuki and Saki discussed the peculiarities of a relationship in which the partners traded quirks every time they had sex. They were around the bend before she snapped to and ran to catch up.
"Hey, were you spying on me Yuki?" She grabbed his shoulder stopping his forward motion.
"Yes."
"You're a rat, you know this?"
He quirked a grin. "Yes." He suddenly turned to look at her. "But I'm also the only one who can get the two of you in a position to reverse your predicament."
"Whatever. Let's go. Take the lost girl home please."
ssssss
In another part of Japan, Tohru was having problems sleeping. After several turns in the bed, she decided to get some fresh air. She was thinking about how to act with the boys as she stepped down into the kitchen. Would they still be ignoring her? Better ignore them just to be on the safe side. Reaching the French doors leading out to the deck, she noticed one set was open. Funny, they were all closed earlier.
Hearing a noise, she looked over towards the edge of the pond. Rio was kneeling on the ground. Tohru had just opened her mouth to check on her when Rio's yukata suddenly fell off her shoulders. Confused, Tohru kept her silence. As her eyes adjusted to the dark, she realized that Rio was straddling Hatori and neither of them needed to be bothered. Slightly embarrassed but very curious, Tohru watched as Hatori put his hands on Rio's waist and thrust his hips up, causing Rio to throw her head back and moan. So that's why I had such weird dreams last night. She stayed to watch for a moment longer, getting an idea about establishing rhythm, before heading back to bed to dream of two boys yelling at her for much better reasons than anger. The couple at the pond spent the remaining night handling the details of their relationship.
ssssss
Haru found Kyo and Kagura at about the same time as Uotani arrived home. She went directly to bed unaware of the big meeting happening at the Sohma house.
A/N: I didn't mark the one sentence lemon. If I'm very bad, call me on it; but I felt it was ridiculous to mark one line.
Amayou, thank you! That's one of the biggest compliments a writer can ever receive.
Everyone, have a great week! I'm warning you now, I'll be either late posting the week of July 10th, or early. It'll be Saturday the 9th, or Saturday the 16th. My internet will be unavailable that week.
Later-TK