Chapter 8: Runaway

Yup yup… it's the eighth chapter. I kinda went brain-dead for a while but got some juices flowing and so… out with this chapter.

AN: Please take note that this takes place fifteen years back.

Disclaimer announcer: I don't own Fruits Basket, plain and simple.

"I hope I actually make it out this time," 16 year old Sayoko thought to herself. She threw her bag out of the window climbed out of the orphanage again for the umpteenth time. Everyone was at dinner and she could sneak out.

"Uh oh… I'm out of bed sheets. Guess I'll have to jump," she thought. She jumped someone caught her.

"Oof… thanks for catching me," she said.

"You're lucky I caught you," the mysterious person said. She looked up at the person's face and saw he was about her age. She then leaped out of his arms and blushed.

"Well, um… thanks again but I must leave. I don't want anyone to find me," she said to him. The boy grabbed her hand and pulled her.

"Come. I know where you can hide," he said as he pulled her. The walked for a while and stopped in front of a car.

"Wait! Where are you taking me?" she said cautiously. She pulled her arm away from his hand. "Who are you anyway?" she asked as the bus pulled up.

"I'm taking you to my home," he said. She looked into his eyes and knew she could trust him. "I'll keep you from harm. You can stay at my place," he said as he started the car. Midway… he asked, "So, what's your name? I'm Shigure Sohma"

"I'm Sayoko Takahashi," she replied, "Where's your house Sohma-kun? Do you live by yourself? I don't want to intrude on anything, Sohma-kun,"

"You ask a lot of questions, Sayoko. You don't have to be so proper. Just call me Shigure. My house isn't far and yes, I do live by myself. Now I have a question for you. What's a pretty girl like you doing falling from the sky?" he asked her. They drove into the forest.

"I'm running away from the orphanage. It's the first time I wasn't caught and I hope they don't find me," she said in awe. Shigure drove the car into the driveway and parked the car. He got out of the car and opened the door for Sayoko.

"Welcome to my home, Sayoko," He opened the door and a sea of garbage spilled out. "Heh… well I haven't cleaned this place in a while," he laughed. He stepped over the mess and helped her over. Sayoko looked around the room.

"Okay. How about this… you can stay if you work as my maid," he said to her.

"Really? I can live here? Thank you so much!" she said and she quickly hugged him. Shigure waited for him to change but it didn't happen.

"Huh? How come I didn't change? I've never been hugged like this before. I feel so warm." he thought. He looked down at her head.

"Ahem… Well let me show you to your room," he said. They walked upstairs to one of the rooms. "You can stay in this room. I'll buy some furniture for you tomorrow,"

"I don't think you have to do all of this for me," she said to him tearfully. "You've been so kind to let me stay here,"

"You're hungry right? Let's go out for dinner. My treat," he said cheerfully.

RESTAURANT

"I'm meeting some people here. You don't mind do you?" Shigure said as he walked in.

"N

"How many?" the hostess asked.

"My friends are already here," he said to the hostess.

"Oy! Shiiiiiiiigure!" somebody yelled.

"Ah! I've found my friends," he said. Shigure and Sayoko went into the restaurant. Shigure spotted the two friends he came to see.

"Who's this I see?" one of his friends asked. He had long silver hair tied back. Next to him was a dark haired boy.

"Hello," she said to the two boys.

"Oh you're cute! I'm Ayame by the way and this sullen person next to me is Hatori," Ayame said happily, "and you?"

"Ah, I'm so sorry I didn't introduce myself! I'm Sayoko Takahashi. Nice to meet you," she said as she bowed.

"Please sit," Hatori said. She sat between Shigure and Hatori. The waiter handed them menus. Sayoko looked at the menu and saw everything was expensive.

"I can't eat this! Everything's so expensive. You don't have to treat me to this!" she exclaimed.

"It's alright. We have the money," Shigure said to her. He patted her on the head.

"Okay then," she said.

After eating, Sayoko fell asleep. Her head fell on Shigure's lap.

"I need to tell you something. This girl is strange. When she hugged me, I didn't change. I wonder why," Shigure said with a stern face. "I don't know but I feel…attracted to her. Is this magic?" Unconsciously he started to stroke her hair.

"Perhaps," Hatori answered. "I think you should take her home now. She seems tired,"

"Yeah, I'll do that. Then I'll go now," Shigure said. He picked her up bride style and walked out of the restaurant. He walked over to the car and put her in the passenger seat and then got into the driver's seat. He looked over to her and smiled.

Ah…poops. It's the end of the chapter. I'm not gonna update until you review until 25! So start reviewing! Muhwahahahahaha!