Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket, I do not claim to be IC at all times, as this is a nearly impossible task.

Part 4: Aya's Vow

"Thank you! Come again!" Ayame called out to the students from his school that were walking away.

The two boys who had just stopped to pick up outfits they had ordered for their girlfriends to wear laughed, "Man…this is gonna be so kinky!" The first boy remarked about the cop outfit he carried.

"Tell me about it!" Said the second, who was toting a bunny outfit.

Ayame beamed as he turned to Mine, "Oh! This is fantastic!" He bubbled, "Business is great! At this rate, I'll be able to open up a shop right after I finish high school! Of course, you will have a position once you graduate too, which I insist you take!"

"Uh-huh…" Mine said, as she checked the customers' names off her list, seeming slightly distracted.

"Mine? What's wrong?" Ayame asked, his voice filled with concern.

"It's my oldest brother…he's started off to college, you see…and now, more than ever, my entire family ignores me. Do you have any idea what it's like to have an older brother that pretends as though you don't even exist?"

"You're brothers seemed to acknowledge you when I was there…though it wasn't the best form of attention…"

"No...I have a fourth brother, he's even older…" Mine sighed.

"I see." Ayame said, an image popping into his head of his own younger brother, reaching out to him for help, "It hurts so badly, to be rejected. Why did I never think of it…?"

"Ayame?" Mine said softly, her curls bouncing in the breeze.

"I have a younger brother." Ayame said, "And out of jealousy, I pushed him away. Refusing to see the horrors he now must face."

"Horrors? What horrors?" The girl blinked wide eyed at him.

"Oh…nothing for you to concern yourself with." He replied, a little more cheerfully, "It's simply some problems my younger brother must face. You know though…I can't even remember his name."

"Ayame." Hatori's voice came from the doorway, "Supper is ready, is Miss Kuramae staying?"

"I should be going…" She said softly. Then she whispered to the snake, "Ask your friends, what his name is. It's never too late to make amends."

PdPdPdPdPdPdPdPdPdPdPdPdPd

Ayame sat down for dinner with Hatori. The snake had finally become fed up with his mother, and for the time being was staying with his friend. And much to Ha'ri's despair, Aya had decided to run his business from the dragon's home.

Hatori's own family wasn't there for supper, but the snake and the dragon enjoyed an excellent meal together, "Wonderful, Ha'ri! It's delicious!" Suddenly Aya became more serious, "Ha'ri…There's something I need to ask you. And, don't think to little of me for not knowing the answer on my own."

Out of his two best friends, it was Hatori that he felt more comfortable discussing serious matters with, this was most likely because the dragon was more down to earth than Shigure, "What is it, Ayame?"

"I have a brother…what is his name?" Ayame asked as he switched his gaze out the window, looking up at the full moon, "You see, I can't remember."

"You always forget him. Why would it matter if I told you Yuki's name?" The dragon replied, giving his friend a serious look.

"Ah, so that's it…Yuki. I shall do my best to remember…and when the chance comes, I shall make up for my transgressions…and be a true brother to him." Ayame looked to Hatori, the expression on the snakes face cemented the notion that he was completely serious in his vow, "After all, it hurts…being rejected by your flesh and blood…especially in a time of need."

Ok, this part is done. It's short to, I know. But, like I said…if the chapters cover the purpose, they don't have to be long.