Disclaimer: Still don't own Fruits Basket.
A/N: Thank you the people that reviewed. That really means a lot. I LOVE REVIEWS. Sorry. Okay so anyway, I love reading so anytime you want me to read something of yours, I will when I find the time. And I'll review! Hahaha. Sorry, I'm in a really weird mood right now. This chapter is pretty much just getting to know Rika. A little bit. It doesn't have much information and it's kind of short, but it's important so you have to read it.
Shigure, Yuki, Tohru, and Kyo were all sitting in the living room waiting for Rika's arrival. When the doorbell finally did ring, Shigure jumped out of his seat so fast he looked like his feet had turned into springs. He went to the door and Yuki and Kyo weren't far behind. Tohru walked behind the three of them, feeling more shy than ever. Then Shigure opened the door and revealed the person in front of it. It was the paper boy.
"What do you want?" asked Shigure, clearly put out that this was not Rika.
"You forgot to pay me last week. I'm just here for my money."
"Fine. Whatever." Shigure stuffed the boy's hand with money and slammed the door in his face. The four of them traversed back to the living room.
Tohru took to looking at the three of them as they waited. They were all supposedly watching an anime that Kisa had left but they'd never gotten around to watching. However, it was very obvious that none of their minds were on the show.
Kyo was sitting and staring a good two feet above the television screen. He was smiling faintly as he thought of something pleasant. Tohru had no doubt in his mind that his thoughts were on a good fight he had had. Perhaps even with Rika. Tohru wondered how good of a fighter she was to be good enough for Kyo and Kazuma.
Next she looked at Yuki was on the floor, leaning against the couch. He had one hand in his hair and his violet eyes had a far-away look to them. He too was smiling. Tohru smiled thinking that whoever this Rika was, if she could make the two people who disliked each other so much like her, then she couldn't be too bad. But the best person to look at was Shigure. The look on his face made up Tohru's mind that Rika must be a good person.
Pure excitement was on his face. His feet were jiggling as though to a tune only he could hear. His eyes were laughing and the smile on his face was almost the one of a lunatic. His hands were running through his thick black hair over and over again and soon you could tell where his fingers took their path. His hair became spiky with the excessive finger running. All in all, Shigure looked like a little kid waiting for Christmas to happen.
Then there were footsteps in the hall. Shigure's head snapped in that direction and Kyo turned off the TV and VCR. They all got up again and then a very beautiful girl came into the room.
She was tall and had the longest black hair Tohru had ever seen. It was up in a high ponytail-braid and reached her waist. Tohru wondered in awe how long it must be when it was down. Her eyes were a deep warm brown, the kind of eyes that if you look at too long you start laughing from their warmth and happiness. Her nose was small and cute above full lips. Her nails were painted bright red and shoes were the same color scarlet. They had funky beads and tassles hanging from them, but they still managed to look good. Tohru could tell just looking at those shoes and her laughing eyes that Rika was going to be an interesting person.
Shigure threw his arms around her dramatically. "Rika, it's so great to see you again!" he cried and stepped back. Rika was smiling even more broadly now as she looked at Shigure, then Yuki, Kyo, and finally Tohru. When Rika's eyes landed on her, Tohru immediately blushed. She felt awkward and shy.
"Who's this Shigure?" asked Rika.
"This is Tohru. She's been living with us for nearly a year now."
When Rika heard her name, a strange light went off in her eye. Tohru wondered if it meant anything. Rika stepped forward toward her and bowed. "My name's Rika Sohma. How did you get to live with such an interesting group of guys?"
"Well, I was living in a tent -"
"A tent?" she asked incredulously.
"Yes. No one had room you see and I decided to make the best of it. Then Shigure and Yuki found me and offered me a home here. I clean and cook for them and they let me stay."
Rika nodded and looked at Shigure. He was suppressing laughter again. Rika smiled and said, "What's so funny Shigure?"
"A tent!" he cried, and the giggles came over him once again. They just kept coming until finally Rika joined in. Soon the two were laughing so hard they were nearly bent over double, holding onto each other's shoulders and laughing uncontrollably. Tears were rolling down Shigure and Rika's eyes and their shoulders were shaking frighteningly.
The laughter eventually tapered off and the pair were left wiping their eyes and letting small titters escape occasionally. Both were red in the face.
"Oh man," said Rika. "I don't think I've laughed like that since my last visit."
Shigure shook his head and then told her to have a seat. The other three did as well and then Rika took to asking how they'd all been since she'd been gone.
"So, Yuki, how's that base coming along? Did you get the strawberry seeds I sent you?"
"Yes, I did. Thank you very much Rika. Tohru and I have just picked them yesterday. Would you like a few?"
"That sounds fantastic."
"I'll get them," said Tohru. She jumped up and went to the kitchen to get them. When she came back with a plateful of strawberries, she saw Rika and Kyo standing in fight positions. Rika was examining Kyo with an expert eye and making adjustments here and there.
"There you go. Now try and hit me." He did and almost got her. But at the last minute, Rika put up a guarding hand and Kyo's went down.
"Here are the strawberries!" said Tohru. She had decided she really liked this girl. She hoped they could become friends.
