Fruits Basket OVA

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket.

Notes: I'm still not sure that Akito's really a woman because I've only read up to manga 14 so until I read further I'm going to put Akito as he/she.

Chapter Twenty one: Unrequited

Hatori and Kana had been dating for about a week now. But Kana began to notice that Hatori was keeping her at arm's length literally.

Until one day in the bathroom where Kana had decided to put lay her head against him.

Hatori's eyes grew wide as he dissapeared into a puff of pink smoke. Suddenly Kana began to notice that she didn't feel Hatori against her. ''Hatori?'' She asked starting to get worried. She looked down. Instead of an adult human male there was an unconscious sea horse lying in her skirt. ''Water! Where is it? Which one is it? Hatori?'' She panicked. ''Kana?'' Hatori asked starting to regain conscious. ''Hatori?'' Kana asked looking down at Hatori again. ''There's something you should know.'' Hatori said cautiously. ''W-what is it?'' Kana asked nervously. ''I am a seahorse. Well techinally speaking I should turn into a dragon. What I mean is whenever I am embraced by the opposite sex I turn into an animal of the chinese zodiac. So do Shigure and Ayame. It's a family curse.'' Hatori explained. ''A curse?'' She repeated trying to process that information. ''Yes. Listen, there's something else you should know. When we transform back we're-'' Before he could say another word there was a puff of pink smoke and he was a human again. ''Ahh!'' Kana yelled as her eyes grew white and her pupils dissapeared.

When the moment had passed Kana helped dry Hatori off. ''You know, if there was a real seahorse in the tub it would probably die.'' Hatori remarked. ''I didn't think of that. But now I think I finally understand. I always wondered why it was you never wanted to hold me. You were afraid weren't you? Of what I might think? But you don't have to be afraid. Not with me. Hatori, I'm so glad to have to met you. I'm even happier to have fallen in love with you. I want to stay with you.'' She said her eyes slowly welling up with tears. Hatori's face looked blank but he felt as though he were going to cry himself. He had never been this close to anyone outside of the zodiac. The image of Akito and her/his words echoed through his mind once more. ''Hatori, you're as cold as snow.'' As sentimental as it would sound, if he was as cold as snow then she was the fresh, vibrant spring.

One month later

Kana had decide now was the time to introduce Hatori to her best friend Mayuko. Hatori couldn't help but wonder what Mayuko was like. But Kana always spoke highly of Mayuko so he was reassured that they'd get along. But when he first saw Mayuko she wasn't what he expected. She seemed less innocent-looking and more world weary than Kana. ''Hatori, I'd like you to meet my friend Mayuko Shiraki.'' Kana introduced. ''It is a pleasure to meet you.'' Said Hatori as he bowed politely. ''It's a pleasure to meet you too.'' Mayuko said nervously as she bowed. Hatori didn't notice but Mayuko was blushing slightly.

Later that day Mayuko was helping Hatori put away books as they talked. ''Mayuko, You have been friends for quite some time now right?'' Hatori asked. ''You can't call me by my first name yet.'' Mayuko said matter of factly. ''I'm sorry, it's just that Kana always calls you by your first name.'' Said Hatori. ''It's okay.'' Mayuko said reassuringly. She felt something towards Hatori, something that she shouldn't feel. What was strange is that even though she had boyfriends she never felt like this towards them.

Later that day Hatori (well actually Kana) decided that they (including Shigure and Ayame) should get together and have a few drinks. Mayuko couldn't help but feel akward around Hatori. ''So, how long have you three been friends?'' She asked. ''What makes her think that these two are my friends?'' Hatori thought to himself. ''Ah my dear we've known each other since we were in the early years of childhood.'' Ayame replied dreamily. ''We were pretty tight. So much so that kids called us ''The Three Musketeers.'' Shigure added. ''The Three Musketeers?'' Mayuko repeated as she looked at Hatori. ''Well yes that's true.'' Said Hatori. ''Aha aha aha.'' Ayame laughed heartedly. Then suddenly a yellow glittery wall appeared behind Ayame and his expression grew serious. ''But sometimes we're much closer than that. Right Shigure?'' Said Ayame. ''Oh, Aya let's go somewhere else and leave this all behind.'' Shigure said dreamily. ''Yes!'' They said once more as they put their thumbs up. Mayuko had a confused expression on her face. Hatori sweatdropped but Kana giggled.

Later that day Mayuko watched Hatori and Kana talking and laughing together. She couldn't help but see herself with Hatori instead of Kana. ''They look very happy don't they?'' Said a familiar voice. Mayuko turned around to find Shigure smiling in a somewhat sneaky way. ''Oh,hi Shigure.'' Mayuko replied. ''Say,do you want to go out with me?'' Shigure asked. ''What?'' Mayuko said taken aback. ''I'm bored and you seem lonely. So do you want to?'' Shigure asked. Mayuko didn't know what to say. She barely knew Shigure and dating someone out of loneliness was something she never imagined. ''Yeah sure.'' Mayuko replied impulsively. ''Good.'' Shigure said smiling. He looked at Hatori and Kana for a few seconds and turned back to Mayuko. ''Well, I'll see you later.'' Shigure said finally. ''Yeah, later.'' Mayuko said quietly. With that Shigure walked away. As soon as he was gone Mayuko sighed and looked at Hatori once more. ''Mayuko?'' Said a voice. Mayuko looked up to find Hatori and Kana looking worried. ''Are you all right?'' asked Kana. ''Yeah I'm fine.'' Mayuko lied. They smiled softly at her. All Mayuko could do was smile back.