Title: An Awkward Day on Valentine's Day

Author: Seireenko (Yes, this is my other screen name since this screen name on this site is too long!)

Pairing: Sohma Ritsu/Sohma Ayame

Fandom: Fruits Basket

Theme: #1 look over here & #23 candy

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I do not own Ritsu/Ayame or Fruits Basket. They belong to Natsuki Takaya.

Summary: It must've taken Ritsu a lot of courage to finally meet Ayame, but what happens when he finally meets him on Valentine's Day?

Notes: I have combined two themes in one story! As you can see, Ritsu and Ayame are still kids and it is Valentine's Day. It all takes place at the hot springs owned by Ritsu's mother.

"Hey, Ha'ri-kun! Come on in, the water's fine!" Shigure shouted to his black-haired cousin, who was standing there with his arms crossed and a towel draped around his waist. It was obvious that Hatori didn't want anything to do with either Shigure or Ayame, who was soaking in one of the hot springs. Why had he let Shigure and Ayame drag him into this? He could've been home not having to worry about the two idiots. No such chance.

"Come on, Tori-kun!" Ayame piped up and continued to beg Hatori to come in with them. When Hatori said, "No," that made the silver-haired teenager beg even more. Both cousins kept begging and begging knowing that Hatori would get so annoyed that he would have to give in. However, today, the begging would not go that far.

"Ayame-kun?" The voice belonging to someone came as a whisper but it was loud enough for the snake to hear. Ayame turned to look to where the voice was coming from, his eyes widening. He glanced up to see his timid cousin standing there outside the hot springs a few feet from where Hatori was standing.

Wheels began to turn in the snake's head as he recalled ever hearing about Ritsu, who was just as timid and apologetic as his parents. Ayame hadn't really met him until now, since every New Year's Eve, Ritsu would hide behind his parents so no one would see him. Also, because Ritsu and his parents mostly kept to themselves. It wasn't long before Ayame's curious glance turned into a playful one. "Little Rit-chan, what're you doing here?" He was a bit surprised that the younger boy was now standing before the three of them.

"I, I. I'm sorry! I shouldn't be here! I'll leave!" The small frantic turned and ran, but bumped into Hatori in the process, causing the older boy to fall into the hot spring where Ayame and Shigure were in.

"Well, that's one way to get Ha'ri in," Shigure remarked. He watched as his younger cousin continued running around in a panic.

"Gure-san, I'm getting dizzy watching Rit-chan run around us. Make it stop," Ayame whined as Shigure thought of what to do to stop his frantic cousin. A light bulb went in the dark-haired Sohma's head as he walked out of the hot spring and just as Ritsu came running toward him, Shigure reached out his long finger and poked Ritsu in the side. The younger boy fainted in a matter of minutes.

Five minutes later…

"My dear Ritsu, are you okay?" Ritsu began opening his eyes and saw a blurry figure leaning over him. As soon as the younger boy's vision came into focus, he saw Ayame leaning over him with a hand over his mouth, trying to hold in his laughter at what had happened five minutes ago. "Now Rit-chan, what was it that you wanted to speak to me about?"

His eyes scanned the trembling boy who seemed to be frightened by something. Inches away from Ritsu, he saw a small bag of chocolate hearts. As soon as Ayame reached his hand to grab the small bag, Ritsu quickly grabbed it and clutched it to his chest.

"Rit-chan, what is it that you have?"

"I brought you something for Valentine's Day, but you won't like it, so I'll just-" Ritsu started, but was interrupted.

"Really? Well? Let me have it then." Afraid of what Ayame might do, Ritsu handed him the small bag.

The moment was cut short as soon as both of them heard panting and coughing. Ritsu and Ayame watched as Hatori started getting out of the water. He was soaked from head to toe.

"Now look what you did to Tori-san!" Ayame smirked. Panicking, Ritsu started running around again. Seeing this, Hatori tried to reassure him ("Rit-chan, he was only kidding. Calm down."), but to no avail. He only got bumped by Ritsu, causing him to fall into the hot spring again.

Meanwhile, Shigure and Ayame were standing next to each other laughing. This was the day the Mabudachi Trio (and Ritsu) will never forget.