The Not So Happy New Years
Greetings everyone- this is the second chapter of my first Fic- so please tell me what you think! I really hope you like it! Thank you to those who have reviewed the first chapter ^_^ I was so happy that people liked it!! I hope you still do after reading this chapter!
I want to thank my friend Heather for inspiring me to write- and to help with the uploading and editing processes. And my sister for catching typos- and my computer for catching more typos, and well - I think that's it for now.
Disclaimer- Fruits Basket doesn't belong to me- I wish it did but it doesn't- don't sue me.
Chapter 2- Festivities
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---- At the Main House ----
Yuki and Kyo barely closed the door of Hatori's car when they both heard a voice that they weren't happy about. "HELLO EVERYONE!" Ayame called in a singsong voice as he pranced over to the car, "Yuki, Kyo how nice of you to come this year!! And Shigure- it'll be fun. How are you doing my dear Brother?? What do you think of the decor? Isn't it absolutely lovely? I do love the pastel colored dragons I have used as decorations! I'm so glad that you three have come in time to help me put up every…." Hatori, who had just finished locking the car doors, cut off Ayame.
"Ayame- maybe we should give these two a time to fit in for awhile- it's been a long time since they've come here- so leave them be for now."
"Oh- I guess you're right." Ayame said downheartedly- but was soon cheered up "I know! We'll all go and help them move their luggage to their rooms!!"
"No- we can do that ourselves" Yuki stated curtly.
"But I want to help my little Brother, He has so much to carry, I wouldn't dream of letting him haul all that up to his room by himself!" He looked pleadingly at Hatori and everyone went silent as they looked at the small bags that Yuki and Kyo have brought.
"No- I think they can handle it- besides aren't you already busy working on something else?" Hatori asked. Ayame scrunched up his face thinking—
"Well- nothing is as important as helping my brother become adjusted to the surroundings!!"
"Aw hell- I'm leaving" Kyo said and he turned around as if to leave- and bumped right into Kagura. "AHH!" he screamed as she let all of her love out for him at once- and in the process of this- almost all of Ayame's decorations were either destroyed or disassembled, and Kyo got a bloody nose and was slightly bruised. When Kagura ceased fighting- she looked around at the disaster that was once a beautifully decorated courtyard. "I'm sorry Ayame- I really am. Let me help you fix it?"
"Oh! No Need to worry- we have extra help now- and I never really liked those anyway- so don't worry about it!" Ayame said. Instantly everyone started milling around picking up the ruined decorations and preparing new ones. In the commotion, Yuki and Kyo tried to slip out- but Shigure caught them and they went to unpack.
Once Yuki got to his room- he called Tohru. "Yes we arrived safely… yes- they're all here… of course… well- he got into a fight…. No- with Kagura, the two of them basically ruined all of Ayame's decorations… no- they're all cleaning it up now, don't worry… yes… are you ok… I'm glad to hear it… oh- Tohru, would you take care of the base for me while I'm gone… thank you… yes, I'll see you then… ok, have a good night at work…yes- I will…. Be safe." As Yuki hung up the phone, he smiled to himself and left the room- finding Kyo standing next to the door.
"SO- how is she?" he asked.
"If you're referring to Miss. Honda- she is fine. She has work tonight and she's visiting Miss. Uotani tomorrow."
"Well, at least she won't be alone the entire time."
"Yeah." Yuki looked off in space, thinking of last year, when they saw her crying.
"Hey- what're you staring at?"
"Nothing."
"Better be nothing, I swear one of these days…."
"Yuki! Kyo! C'mon the introductions are starting!!" Kyo jumped as Momiji yelled.
"Oh really?" Yuki responded placidly "well then, it's best that we make an appearance."
"What about Kyo?" Momiji asked.
"Oh- don't worry Mimiji, the stupid cat will come down if he knows what's good for him."
"You should really see the courtyard- it looks so much better now- although Kagura's still apologizing to everyone."
"Oh- don't worry- she'll be fine…" The conversation faded as the two of them walked down the stairs. Kyo, still sulking, stood up, well might as well get this over with, he thought and followed them down the stairs.
--- Now, back to Tohru- who is now on her way to work---
After the boys (and Shigure) left the house, Tohru went through a cleaning phase- she cleaned every nook and cranny she could find, except the boys bedrooms (even she wasn't brave enough to even attempt to clean them). She was done by lunch and, having nothing else to do, went food shopping and stopped by her mother's grave to wish her a happy New Year and to inform her on the latest news. She then went home and Yuki called her. When she hung up the phone, she felt really alone. The house was quite large already, but seemed ten times larger without anyone in it. I'll go read a book, she thought, that will help my thoughts drift away from being alone in this house, oh- why didn't I listen and go somewhere else for new years, No- I have to stay here- there's a lot of work to be done. Now let's see, what to read? She selected a book from a shelf and began to read, the book she picked up bored her though, so she decided to go and tend to the secret base. This took awhile and by the time she was finished- she had to make herself dinner and go to work.
She left the house and started down the wooded lane towards her place of employment. I wonder what Yuki and Kyo are doing now, they're probably involved in the banquet by this time, I hope that Hatori's dance goes well. I really hope to see it one day, oh, but he'll probably want to erase it out of everyone's memory. But it seems that everyone will get along fine. Ayame was planning on using this as another chance to get close to Yuki, which would be very nice. And Kagura and Kyo, well- I hope they're not fighting constantly. My new year's wish remains the same- I really do want Yuki and Kyo to get along even better than they are now.
Being lost in her thoughts, Tohru forgot where she was going and when she snapped back to her senses- she realized that she was in the middle of a park- Oh no! I must have been thinking too much again, I really should pay more attention. She sighed and headed back to her job.
She entered the building, many people were surprised to see her working on New Year's, but she didn't seem to mind. They were grateful she was there. Soon it was time for her to return to Shigure's house. She was a little worried that she would have to spend the whole night alone.
As she left the building, she walked down the streets she always walked, deep in thought and not paying much attention to her surroundings. Suddenly, she heard a noise and stopped to look around, as she was doing this, she felt something hit her head, and all turned black.
--------the Hanajima Vacation House. -----------
Saki Hanajima was playing cards with her little brother Megumi. Of course- she was winning.
"Do you have any three's?" He asked.
"No- I don't" she answered "Go Fish, now it's my turn, Megumi, do you have any Aces?"
"Yes- I do."
"Well then, I now have four of them, and no cards left in my hand, I win."
"Hmm- do you want to play again?"
"Megumi, you've lost every single game, Thirteen, Rich Man Poor Man, Crazy Eights, War, Casino, and now Go Fish, I think it's time we called it…" At this time she collapsed.
"Saki! Are you all right? Mom, Dad, Come quick- Saki's hurt!" He quickly ran over to his sister and propped up her head. "Are you all right?" She looked into his eyes.
"Tohru," she said, "Something happened to Tohru, something bad, I must go home, now!"
"Saki, what is this all about?" he mother asked, running into the room, "Are you all right?"
"Yes mother, I'll be fine," Saki assured her collecting herself, "It's just that I got panic electric signals from Tohru, which means she's in trouble, I must return home immediately!"
"But Saki…" her mother started.
"No- I must go to her- she's always been there for me, now I must go to her and alert the others, I believe there is something wrong with her and I need to help her as a friend, I'll go back myself by train, or plane, or even bus, I just need to get back there now!" She was now in a half-crazed state, which shocked both her parents.
"Well then Saki," her father said, " You and I will take the train back tonight- you can use my cell phone to call Arisa and see if Tohru is at her house, and then, when we get home, we can discuss this."
"Ok" Saki said- calming down significantly. She was glad that her parent's understood her powers and took her seriously whenever something of great consequence happened. Sweet Tohru, what has happened to you? Does in involve the Sohma boys, like last time, or is something worse. She shuddered as she remembered the night she and Arisa found Tohru very upset on the gravesite of her mother.
Soon, she was on a train heading back to her house. She was still thinking about that night, and about all the other times the two of them have helped each other and the boys who, at one time, made her feel like Tohru didn't care about her anymore. She had contacted Uo who told her that Tohru was left alone in Shigure's house because the three Sohmas had to go to the main house for the New Year's Celebration.
When Saki arrived at the station, she found Arisa waiting for her.
"Hey, what's all this about?" Arisa asked her.
"I don't know, I just felt very panicked electric signals coming from Tohru about an hour or so ago."
"But Hana, it's almost midnight, what could have happened?"
"I don't know- that's why I came back, to find out" Saki explained.
"Well, what should we do now?"
" I think it would be wise to go to the house and see if anything is amiss."
"But if no one's there, wouldn't it be breaking in?"
"I'm willing to risk that, if you are." Saki paused, "I'd risk anything for Tohru."
"Yeah- I know what you mean."
With that, the two girls walked silently through the woods to Shigure's house. They arrived exactly when the clock struck midnight. As they opened the door to the house, the phone rang, Arisa and Saki looked at each other and Arisa decided to pick up the phone. "Hello," she said tentatively, "Oh hi! – (She looked at Saki- It's the Prince- she informed her)- Umm- no, Tohru is not here- We don't – oh- Saki Hanajima is here too- yes, she came back early because she got disturbing signals from Tohru- No, Tohru is not here- that's why we're so worried, yes I've looked all around the house- I don't know- Sure- If you can, We're looking into it, yes. All right then, see you in awhile."
"So, what did the prince have to say?" Saki asked her.
"Well- he seemed really upset, He said he was coming, and he's bringing Orange-top as well."
"All right- that is good, they may be very useful to us."
"Yeah- hopefully"
--- Meanwhile, at the big house---
After Yuki hung up the phone with Arisa, he sprang into action, he called Momiji over and got him to call his dad to see if Tohru was at work that night, he discovered she was. Something must have happened on her way home, he thought, now I have to find that stupid cat. This was easier said then done, but Yuki knew where to look and found Kyo sitting on a rooftop somewhere in the complex.
"What do you want? Can't you see I'm avoiding people? Go away." The cat stated.
"I don't want to be bothering you, but seeing as Tohru is missing, I have no choice but to include you in the search for her."
"Tohru's missing!!! Hell, why didn't you just say so."
"I was going to."
"Well- fine, but how are we going to get out of here?"
"During Hatori's dance, it should be fairly easy to skip out."
"Oh-right- we'll just walk through the main gates…"
"No- we're jumping over them."
"Oh- I see. All Right, let's do it!"
"Stupid cat, does it look like Hatori's dancing yet?"
"Oh- right" Suddenly there was a flare of fireworks as the dance started to welcome the New Year with a dance, Yuki and Kyo went down to watch Hatori. He was in a costume that included many flowing robes and a dragonhead headdress. As for his dance, well-- I like Hatori's character and would not want to describe the embarrassing moment that his dance was- so you can imagine it—Anyway- Kyo and Yuki were successful in escaping out of the Main House and ran to their house.
"Do you think Akito has something to do with this?" Kyo asked.
"Although it is probable that he did- I hope for Miss. Outani and Miss. Hanajima's sake that he has nothing to do with this, for if it was him, Tohru's friends would be useless."
"Well, who else would want to harm Tohru?"
"I don't know, but let's stop talking, we're coming up on the house, don't do anything stupid, ok Kyo?"
"I should be saying the same to you, damn rat!" They stopped running and arguing when they reached the porch of their house.
"Hey Orange Top, what took you so long?"
"Don't look at me Yankee, if you want to blame someone for being late, blame that damn rat!"
"Please, I know better than to think the Prince had anything to do with this…"
"Maybe you two should stop having this foolish argument and start thinking about Tohru." Saki said, coming into the room with hot tea for everyone.
"Yes- that does sound like a practical thing to do," Yuki agreed.
"So, who do you think did it?" Arisa asked.
Yuki and Kyo looked at each other, "Well," started Yuki, "We have a feeling it is the person who is the head of the Sohma house, Akito. He doesn't like her and with the two of us gone, she would be an easy target."
"But if he has that much power, why didn't he do this earlier?" Saki asked. Everyone grew silent, sipping tea and thinking. Suddenly Arisa's eyes lit up.
"I think I know who it was!" all eyes turned to her, "well, from my stand point, there are only two parties in the world who would even dream of hurting Tohru, one is this guy Akito, and the other is the Prince Yuki Fan Club."
"The fan club?!?" Yuki and Kyo both blurted out.
"Yeah- they're afraid of Hana, who was out of the way this time because she was on vacation, and they don't know that you're living with Tohru, so it would make sense that they'd find her on the way home from her job, and they figured that I wouldn't find out until they have finished with Tohru, or someone told me."
"That does make sense, and I do sense that they have been plotting something before break." Saki mentioned.
"Yeah- so it's settled, hey, you two- (Yuki and Kyo looked at Arisa)- go do some investigating, find out if it really is those creepy fan club girls, we'll wait here for any more information."
"Actually Uo- I think it would be wise if we went, this is their house after all, and besides, they do not know where to find these girls, I can track their electric signals and find them quite easily, anyway, (she looked at Yuki) I wonder how they would react if their idol showed up to save their enemy."
"That's a pretty good idea Hana," Arisa thought for a moment, "Then it's settled, we'll go and report back here with information.
"All right," Yuki said, "we'll wait here…"
"But…" Kyo started. Yuki ran over to him as if to start a fight, when he got close enough he whispered, "When they're gone, we'll investigate Akito on our own, besides I wouldn't want to transform…"
"Ok, ok, Fine!" Kyo cried out, "You two go, now!" Arisa and Hana finished up their tea and left quickly towards their first stop, Minami's house (since Motoko has graduated, Minami became president of the fan club). After they left, Yuki and Kyo searched the grounds to see if there was anything important lying around the property.
Arisa and Saki had little trouble finding Minami's house, there were no lights on, which was strange seeing as it was new years. "Wow- this place is creepy" Arisa exclaimed.
"Yes- but then, I sense there is something going on inside." Saki whispered, for just when she spoke, she saw a door crack open, and Minami step outside; Arisa and Saki were hiding in the bushes.
"Do you see anyone?" A girl's voice asked from inside.
"No! Number 2 Be Quiet, we don't want anyone to know we're here!"
"But President Minami, I don't like the dark!"
"Number 1, please get over it."
With that the door shut and Arisa and Saki got up and headed back towards Shigure's house.
"Well, what do you think?" Arisa asked her.
"I don't know, I didn't sense Tohru's electric signals anywhere."
"Well- can you sense them when the person you're looking for is unconscious?"
"I don't know, I never really concentrated on them too much."
"Oh, well, I think those girls were very suspicious," Arisa offered.
"Yes, very suspicious." Saki agreed. By this time, they were nearing the forest, and it was a good thing they were walking because Kyo ran up and almost tripped and fell on Arisa.
"Yo, Carrot top, watch your step."
"Oh- Miss Hanajima," Yuki called as he came up to the girls, "Did you find Tohru?"
"We think so, we're pretty sure the fan club girls have her."
"Oh, great, a bunch of girls stole her, that sucks… OW What the hell was that for?!?" (Yuki had just smacked him upside the head.)
"At least we know the people who have her." Yuki said.
"Yeah- but it means that…"
"That a stupid cat needs to shut up! I'm sorry for him, really, just ignore him."
"Umm- it's ok- we were just going to go to my place to discuss this, weren't' we Hana?"
"Yes- we'll leave you now- we shall call you tomorrow with our plan."
"Oh- we're sorry, but I don't think we'll be much of an assistance, see, we need to be with our family, and we'll get into a lot of trouble if we aren't there."
"Oh- ok then- give me the number of where you'll be and I'll call you tomorrow." Arisa decided.
"Yes- that sounds like a great idea Uo," Saki agreed. They started walking off.
"HEY Wait! What about us!" Kyo started.
"The prince told you what you're doing, I'll talk to you guys tomorrow!" Arisa called, waving good-bye.
As soon as they were out of earshot- Yuki kicked Kyo. "Hell what was that for???" Kyo asked.
"For being a stupid cat, you know as well as I do that if we got involved, there would be too much of a risk of becoming transformed, and I don't want that, do you?"
"But don't you care about her? At all?" Kyo insisted.
"Yes- of course I care, but I also care whether she comes out of this with her memory intact!"
"I get it. But still! You're trusting those two…"
"Tohru's friends have been there for her many times more than we have. They're tough- they can take care of themselves. If we need to rely on them to retrieve Tohru, than that's what we have to do!"
"But still I feel- Oh I don't know- like an idiot!"
"That's because you are one. I feel bad too that I can't help her, but sometimes you have to let others do things too."
A car pulled up- Hatori was in it.
"Oh look- there they are, the two runaways. My dance wasn't that bad was it?"
"Hatori, Tohru's missing." Yuki informed him.
"Well- you two are in a lot of trouble, Akito knows that you left- he's waiting for you. You'd best not try to escape again."
"It's not like we had a choice…" Kyo started.
"Just get in the car, we'll discuss Tohru on the way back." Hatori concluded, having little choice, the boys got into the car and they went off to the main house.
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Soon to come: Uh- oh- Akito knows of the disappearance of Yuki and Kyo- I still haven't decided what the punishment will be, (don't worry- no erasing of memories)- Saki and Arisa have to now go through with the saving of Tohru- and Also to be included- what did Tohru go through after being knocked out.
REVIEW!! Tell me what you think ^_^ (also- any suggestions for possible punishment will be helpful, although I may or may not use them)