Pandemonium

Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket.

Chapter Posted: June 8, 2006
Brief Summary: Mitsu and Ritsu share a lunch
Warnings: None
Story Notes: This story is experimental, so there may be some changes later. Right now, it's all in Mitchan's point of view, but I may alternate chapters later. Be prepared for edits at some point in time.

A/N: Thank you everyone who reviewed chapter one! Enjoy chapter two! R&R!

-Recap:

"Y-you mean Shigure-nii, right?"

I nodded. "That's exactly who I mean. The damn idiot." I glared again.

Ritsu laughed nervously. "Eh... You're right. He wouldn't be cruel enough to not finish it, I'm sure. He'll pr-probably have it finished as soon as you stop by his house tomorrow."

I let out a happy, shaky– if disbelieving– sigh. Maybe in my dreams... "That would be a miracle! But enough about that– let's go eat; I'm starved!"

-Chapter Two:Uproar
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After that, we went and found a nice restaurant. Ritsu seemed nervous and ready to burst with anxiety at any given moment, but other than that I think he was having a good time.

"What would you two ladies like to eat?" the waiter asked us kindly. Ritsu turned red and bit his lip, obviously embarrassed that he was confused for a woman again. I felt bad for him and just took it upon myself to order for both of us.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly after the waiter had gone. "You're probably horribly ashamed to be seen with me."

"Not at all!" I assured him hurriedly. "Look at everyone– even if they think you're a woman they still think you're beautiful. And that's good, right?" He looked ready to burst into another round of apologies so I quickly smiled and tried to think of a way to calm him down. "Besides, I don't mind how you dress! I mean, it is odd to see someone wear the opposite sex's clothes, but... Um... Well, you look wonderful, you really do. And if it calms you down, Ritsu-san, then that's what's important. Maybe... If you don't like having to rely on... well, rely on cross-dressing to be perfectly blunt, then maybe you can find another way to calm yourself down."

He looked hopeful, and you could see the pain receding. "Really? You think that... that I really could find something else that would work better?"

Well I was pretty sure, but I thought it was best to try and buoy up his hopes– I'd help him with whatever I could. "Um... Of course you can! There are lots of things out there; surely we can find something that will work!" I smiled brightly at him across the table.

He seemed hesitant, and slightly taken aback. "You mean, um... W-we? You'll really help me?"

What? Did the poor guy never have a friend before? "Of course I'll help you, Ritsu-san. It would be an absolute travesty if I didn't."

"Thank you very much, Mitsuru-san," he said with a bright, beautiful smile. "I truly appreciate it."

"Oh, it's nothing really. No need to thank me."

Unfortunately, that seemed to break him. "No... No need! No, someone as pitiful as I am doesn't deserve such kindness! I'M SO UNWORTHY! NO! NOO!" He was practically on his knees, attracting the attention of the whole restaurant.

The waiter came over to see what the all the commotion was, looking far less than happy. I signalled him over discreetly. "Do you think we could get our order to go?" I asked quietly. He seemed more than happy to comply.

I got the two boxes he gave us, paid, then gently grabbed the hysterical Ritsu and led him out the door.

"I'm sorry," he sniffed about five minutes later as we were walking again. "I... I didn't mean to go... To go crazy like that. Sometimes I just can't help it." He smiled apologetically. "Shigure-nii usually just pokes me and I sort of... deflate."

I wanted to growl. "Shigure..."

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Ritsu said quickly. "I-I didn't mean to mention him. I know how much you're worrying about the new manuscript and I didn't even think about what I was saying and I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I SHOULDN'T EVEN BE ALLOWED TO WALK THIS WONDERFUL EARTH! ONCE AGAIN I–"

"Hey," I said worriedly, "I don't mind! It's my own fault anyway; I shouldn't let myself get upset just at the mention of him." I smiled reassuringly. "It's... It's okay. Really."

"W-well... If you're sure..."

I nodded quickly. "Yes. Yes! I'm definitely sure. It's fine."

"Th-that's good. Um..." He looked down. "It looks like I've kept you for far too long. You probably have a lot of important things you could be doing instead of just wasting time with me. I guess I better let you get back to work."

"Alright; you're right, anyway." I glanced at my watch. "Duty does call." I fished through my bag and dug out the only piece of paper I had– an old napkin. "Listen," I said gently, "I had a good time. I... Well I'll be honest, Ritsu-san– I want to be your friend. I meant it when I said I'd help you." I took a pen and scribbled down my number. "This is the number to my cell phone," I told him. "I have it with me at all times, so if you ever want to call me you can." I handed him the napkin. He took it hesitantly, but he did take it.

He bowed, his face red. "Th-thank you. Thank you very much. I'll... I'll talk to you later. You're a very good person, Mitsuru-san. I appreciate it very... Um, very very much. Goodbye."

"Uh, yeah." I said, waving as he walked haltingly away. "Bye."

After that, I went back to the office to try and get some work done. Shigure was having a book published in about a week, and I needed to get the final edit completed. I think the only reason I put up with him was his work– even when it was only pointless smut, you could tell that there was something about the man that was deeper. I had never figured out what it was– or if it was even something good– but I knew it was there, and that was the only reason I put up with him. The only reason.

Well...

Alright. I admit that initially I volunteered– yes, for my own doom– because I had heard that the Sohma author was very handsome. And he is. But he's the freaking devil in disguise. Oh, how he tortures me...

I never intended to get involved with the Sohma family; I really didn't. Shigure was the author I worked with, and Ritsu was my newest acquaintance– I had no idea that I was about to be thrust into something that would change the course of my life forever.

End A/N: Thanks for reading. Sorry it's so short-- the proceeding chapters will be longer. Please review!