Let's be for real here: I had to do an Uo/Haru story! The pairing's cute and uncommon. This tale is related to "Second Best". It's kinda like the sequel, I guess. You don't have to read "Second Best" to understand it, but it'd be cool if some of you R+Red it... On to the storica!

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket.

The sky was slate gray, but to the young woman staring up while sitting on the park bench, it was a clear blue. Arisa was almost oblivious to the snowflakes floating down to earth. Her golden hair fell back in an arch as she tilted her head back.

So many things, events leading up to Hatsuharu and Arisa's love affair seemed almost surreal. If she didn't think back on the good times they shared, she was sure she'd think she had fallen into a coma and that this was an elaborate dream.

A male and female walked while escorted by an entourage of trees. The autumn air was crisp, causing her to wrap her arms around herself to preserve her body heat.

"You cold? 'Cause I could hold you if you want..."

"I ask that you spare me. I'm not a wuss like you," Arisa said smilingly as he wrapped his red scarf tighter around his throat.

"At least I'm not cold."

"And at least I don't look like a blue marshmallow."

Hatsuharu looked down at his coat and grinned. "And you're so gangsta without a coat."

"I don't need a coat."

"That's gonna change, Uo." He plucked a red maple leaf from a drooping branch and held it to her forehead. "You're looking kinda pale," he said while looking into her eyes. "You'd better take better care of yourself, my...frail Yankee." Hatsuharu pointed to the left. "And now for my dramatic exit!"

Arisa's eyes lingered on his diminutive back as he walked further away. A grim line settled over her lips.

"I am not frail."

"Ah-choo!"

Hatsuharu slammed his back into the rows of lockers as if her sneeze was a fatal explosion. Uo glared at him.

"...What?"

"You jinxed me. I'm comin' down with a cold. The prom's in two days!"

"...Because of...yourself?" he asked rhetorically. "You teased me about wearing a puffy coat, but at least I'm not the one with a cold."

She sneezed into her hand and menacingly advanced on him. "Oh, that'll change, Hatsuharu."

"Don't take it out on me! Why not on Kyo?"

The blonde froze. "Cat Lover? Why him?"

His eyes twinkled mischievously. "It'll be fun."

"...Alright, I'm in. What's the plan?"

"What's shakin', Kyon Kyon?" he inquired as he threw his arms around the teen's shoulders.

"Don't call me that! What do you want?"

"All's well in your world?" Uo asked as she rushed to his side.

"What?"

"Hey, Kyo. I heard it was gonna rain today. Not dogs and cats though. Just cats," Hatsuharu said.

Kyo blinked. "The fuck? It's gonna be a sunny day!"

"Not for you!" Uo and Hatsuharu said together. In seconds, tuna and cat food pelted the boy.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhh!" The cats that usually were attracted to him brought friends. The felines pelted Kyo, thinking he was hosting a smorgasbord of kitty delights.

"Uo! Haru! Grow up, you two! God, you both suck!"

The culprits ran off laughing.

"The hell are you laughing about?" Hatsuharu grinned as he handed her a cup of tea. "Or does tea amuse you?"

Arisa openly laughed. "Remember when we played that joke on Kyo?"

His eyes brightened in remembrance. "I couldn't forget if I wanted to. And why would I? That was hilarious!"

"Kyo got you back by making you miss the prom and taking care of me." Arisa's eyes glowed. "Do you regret it?"

"Nah."

"I'm sorry."

"What for?"

She took a sip of the green liquid before continuing. "My chapped lips, polka-dotted pajamas, and Chicken Noodle breath were too much for you to resist. Now you're stuck with a headstrong former Yankee."

"A Yankee that I love!" He threw her on the ground and peered into her eyes from above.

"Dipstick! You made me spill my tea!"

"Oh, Ari! Ari, Ari, Ari, Ari!" He pulled off her glove and gazed at her sapphire ring. "I'm glad I have a former Yankee for a wife. Now if any guys try to beat me up, I can have you destroy them!"

She laughed as a serious expression claimed his face. "What?"

"I'm so happy with you. You make my gray days sunny, my cold days warm... You are my life, my love, my everything. I love you."

"Maudlin!" she sang. "Now get off me, heifer!"

"Heifer!" He rose while smacking his cheek in mock surprise. "How insulting!"

"Endearing." Arisa put on her glove and grinned.

"Dearest? You need this." He threw a tube of Chapstick into her lap. "Fix those crusty ass lips of yours!"

"I love you, Haru, but sometimes, you are infuriating as hell!" She smacked his arm. "Tag, you're it!"

She smiled as he chased her out of the park and down the street. A few adults looked at them strangely, but neither noticed.

"Grow up," Kyo had said before becoming buried by the felines. But Arisa and Hatsuharu weren't going to obey that command. Love kept every experience new and fresh. They were free to be youthful, to be themselves.

Maturity is boring, she thought as she threw a snowball at her husband. Being silly definitely has its rewards!

The lesson is that pelting Kyo with tuna and cat food equals funniness :). Sike naw! Love means being able to be yourself, being as crazy or as immature as you want to. You should be able to joke around with the person you love.