Fruits Basket OVA
Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket.
Notes: This chapter is about Kureno and Akito's relationship. Akito is still a kid in the story so there's no romantic undertone.
Chapter Fifteen: Caged bird
Akito was lying in her bed coughing. Kureno was standing over her putting a wash cloth over her head. ''That idiot Yuki hasn't come to visit me! He's too busy complaining and whining.'' She complained. '' I can bring him to you.'' Kureno offered. ''No I'll deal with him later.'' Akito said in a sinister voice. She looked up at Kureno. ''You're the only one who obeys me fully. The only one who's nice to me.'' She said. Kureno couldn't say anything. He knew what he was to Akito. A slave, a puppet. That's how everyone saw him. He couldn't see his life beyond Akito. He could hear Shigure's voice inside his head. ''You're weak.'' He had said. It was true. The other zodiac members were afraid of Akito but they felt no loyalty towards her. There was a small whimpering sound that sounded a lot like Yuki. ''Kureno I want you to go and get Yuki right now.'' Akito demanded. Without a word Kureno saw Yuki hiding in a corner and said:''Akito wants to see you.'' Yuki wouldn't face kureno. He just kept his head down and whimpered like a mouse. Kureno picked Yuki up and carried him out of the room. He sat him on the floor facing Akito's bed. Akito turned his head to face Yuki and said: ''Why don't you come and see me? When I get better I'll improve your behavior.'' She said. ''I'm sorry, Akito.''' He lied. Kureno felt a sense of curiosity. he knew Akito had sadidtic tendencies but why this boy more than anyone? Maybe the two were more connected than he thought but he would leave those thoughts to himself. He could remember clearly when Akito was born and when she was conceived. He was very young five or six. He was sleeping peacefully but when he opened his eyes he began to cry. Shigure, Hatori and Ayame had cried too. They knew that Ren was pregnant with a girl before she knew. To this day he didn't understand why they had cried. But as he looked at Yuki shivering in fear and Akito he could think of a reason. When Akito had fallen asleep Yuki stared at Kureno with a look of anger. Kureno didn't respond he knew that Yuki loathed him because he did whatever Akito said regardless of Yuki's feelings. He looked at Akito as she slept memories flashing into his mind again.
Kureno was running away from someone but he wasn't afraid he was laughing and smiling as he ran. ''Come on Kureno! you can't run forever! Said the voice of a little boy. The boy finally caught up to Kureno and tackled him. Kureno and the boy fell down laughing. The boy had black hair and dark eyes. It was Shigure! '' You're a wimp.'' He said mockingly. '' Brother you're mean.'' Kureno whined. ''Let's go play on the swings.'' Shigure said as though he hadn't heard him. ''Okay.'' Kureno said immediately forgetting about Shigure's teasing. There were only two swings on the playground. As Shigure got on one swing he said: ''I want you to push me.'' ''Okay.'' Kureno said. Kureno walked over to the swing and pushed it. Shigure smiled and laughed in delight. Kureno couldn't help but smile as he watched Shigure. Suddenly the swing slowed down and Shigure grew quiet. So did Kureno. A small child appeared out of the shadows. It was Akito. She smiled in a sick and twisted way. Shigure got off the swing and Kureno stopped pushing him. They stood there immobile as Akito came closer. ''What's wrong Kureno? You both look terrified.'' She said still smiling. Kureno couldn't say anything and neither could Shigure. Akito reached out her hand and grabbed Kureno's own hand. Like a slave Kureno gave in silently. Shigure just watched in complete shock and horror. Akito lead Kureno back to her house without one glance at Shigure. Shigure didn't know what to do. He didn't know why Kureno had just let Akito take him like that. He sat down on the floor crying in anger not at Akito but at Kureno. He could feel hatred for the rooster searing in his veins. He felt as though they were never siblings and thanks to Akito they weren't.
Notes: Big plot twist eh? I know it sounds unconvincing but I read a manga translation where Kureno calls Shigure ''onni chan'' and since Akito's a woman anything can happen. Let me know if this sounds farfecthed. Next chapter Shigure falls in love with someone! Not Akito!