Disclaimer: I do NOT own Fruits Basket so please don't come sue me I didn't do it!

Dictionary Words!

Fukitsu - Bad Luck

Baka -fool

Omaesan nou za nihongo? - You Know the japanese Language?

Hai, watashi nou sore. - Yes, I know it.

Recap

"You must stay here until your 18th birthday and that is an entire YEAR away!" She screamed triumphantly. She watched as the fire faded from my eyes and my head bowed in defeat. "Now Get to WORK!" she snapped. Shamefully, eyes filling with tears, I turned toward the kitchen to prepare everything as she had said.

Steamrising frommy hot shower enveloped me in a haven of moist solitude as I retreated to the back of my mind to mull things over. I had to force myself to even lift my arms, as they were already sore from al the frantic mopping, scrubbing, cleaning, and dusting they had endured. Why ME? Why do I of everyone in this whole world have all of this fukitsu? I stepped out of my comforting retreat and grabbed the rough cotton towel. Wrapping it tightly about my figure, I climbed the ladder to my attic room carefully. I latched the door behind me and began combing and drying my long ebony hair. As I looked in the mirror I saw my mother's eyes and my fathers hair. Tears sprang into my eyes from a wound of old that had never healed. I quickly turned away from the mirror to dress. I remembered little of my life in Japan, but enough for it to still hurt. My mother was American, She had pale skin, emerald green eyes, and fire red hair. My Father however, was Japanese. He was tall, handsome, and had hair black as night. Mother met Father in Japan while she was there on business. Soon they were married and had me, Rhianna Lynn. I grew up with both Father and Mother speaking Japanese and English so, naturally I am bilingual in both languages. When I moved to America after my parents were killed in the accident, I refused to speak anything BUT Japanese. No one could get me to speak English. Finally Aunt Karin took me in and banned the speaking of it, or else my kitty went out, and didn't feel like loosing another friend. Occasionally she hears me muttering under my breath, and she usually assigns an extra chore or two, no big deal. I pushed the thoughts from my past out of my mind and continued dressing. I pulled on a long black swirling skirt with red designs on the bottom. A tight fitting red blouse with black trim was pulled on over it. I noticed how well it suited me and moved to change clothes, but stopped. I might as well look better than my cousins for once…I shrugged and continued readying myself. My fingers pulled some of my still damp locks into two small braids. I then pulled them back to meet each other and secured them with a small red band. I applied some dark eye shadow and slipped on some strappy heels. I already ticked Auntie Karin off today, why not look prettier than her beloved daughters as well? I smiled to myself and hurried down the stairs just as the doorbell rang.

"Rhianna!" Auntie Karin screamed, "Door!"

I clicked over to the gaudy oak doors and pulled it open. Three people were waiting there. A burly man in an extravagant suit was first. He had slicked back, greasy black hair, and a curly moustache. He reminded me of a grown up member of the Lollipop Guild, and judging by his waist, he had had one to many lollipops. Beside him stood a tall slender young boy. He was dressed in a navy and whit uniform of some sort, but he had the strangest eyes. They were violet. I tore my gaze from him to our third guest. A small stooped man with a shabby suit and brief case looked up at me tiredly. He peered at me through thick glasses and a confused look crossed his face.

"Welcome to the Bordeaux Home," I said to the gentlemen. The fat one looked up warmly.

"Ah, and which of the lovely Bordeaux daughters are you? Delancey? Erika? Noel?" he questioned.

"None," I replied, "I am Rhianna SABURO, her niece."

"Ahh," said the man with the briefcase as he straightened up, "you are the one I am here to see." He smiled at me. For some reason he was speaking very slowly. "Could you show us IN?" he pushed me inside slightly. He smiled at me again, the others were looking at quizzically but soon followed him in. What is going on?

"Ahh Mr. Morrison, Mr. Matheson, but oh…who is this charming young man?" Auntie Karin glided into the room and presented her hand to the black haired aristocrat Mr. Morrison.

"My name is Yuki Sohma," the young man said softly, with a slight bow. He looked up...and…right into MY eyes. I blushed and looked down.

"Oh come you must meet the—GIIIIIIIRRRRRRLLLLSSSS!" Auntie Karin yelled. "Rhianna please go and prepare an extra place at the table for our guest." She turned back to the gentlemen just as Erika, Delancey, and Noel stampeded into the room.

The all blushed and eyed the mysterious boy, Yuki. I rolled my eyes and headed into the kitchen as the droning and crooning of Aunt Karin decreased as she lead them into the parlor. I pulled another flowered china plate and bowl out of the cupboard, grabbed some silverware, and set about preparing an extra place. I began humming bits of a song by Utada Hikaru as I settled everything into place. I went to find an extra napkin ring in the kitchen. I pulled open the drawer that held odds and ends an began to dig for a crystalline diamond flower ring, to match the plates. I pulled it all the way out and pushed aside my pile of chopsticks to search for one. I was reaching into the very back of the drawer and just as my hand came in contact with one, the entire drawer slipped our of its slot and chopsticks, linen napkins, and assorted napkin rings scattered about the kitchen. The kitchen door clicked shut and I whipped around to find Violet Eyes staring at me.

"Umm, Miss Saburo?" he questioned.

"Oh yes, well, you can call me Rhia," I stammered.

"Your aunt sent me to tell you to bring out some tea. Would you like any help with that?" he eyed the mess on the floor.

"Oh no, you shouldn't bother, I will get it," I said shyly. Great, now he probably thinks I'm such a klutz…wait…I don't need to impress anyone...gahh...whatever…

But, Yuki bent over and picked up a pair of plain wooden chopsticks. He eyed them carefully and then looked at me as I scuttled about picking up the contents of the drawer.

"To which member of your family do these belong?" he questioned. I froze. Why does he need to know! I should tell him to mind his own business!

"Me," I replied. Your conscious just slapped you baka!

"Oh?" he said, as if it were highly interesting to him. What a Looser…

"And do you prefer Chinese or Japanese food?"

"Japanese," I said. He nodded. The next words seemed to jump from my mouth without even asking me first. "My father was Japanese." WHAT ARE YOU DOING? This strange LOOSER who likes chopsticks is in your kitchen you have never seen him before and your just telling him all about your life! His head shot up. HE looked as if he was very hesitant to speak. But he did.

"What are you doing here then?" he asked

"My parents passed away," I answered quietly looking at the floor.

"Omaesan nou za nihongo?" he asked . Hope filled his voice and his eyes as he waited for me to answer.

"Hai, watashi nou sore." I answered. His eyes lit up.

"Come with…"

"RHIIIIIAAANNNNAAAAA! TEA!" My aunts shrill voice filled the air.

"Oh no, umm we can talk later I had better go." I said hurriedly. I shoved the drawer in place, grabbed the tea tray, and hastened to the parlor.

I entered the gaudy parlor to find the guests, Aunt Karin, and my Cousins all seated on the squashy chintz couches and chairs. The pompous toad was tapping her foot impatiently and glaring at me as I passed around the tea cups. The ragged bespectacled man took my arm as I set the tray down.

"May I talk to you in private?" he questioned, again speaking to me slowly and carefully, "We need to talk about your next school year. School is fun." He looked at me like a three year old and nodded at the end of his sentence. Yuki had reentered the room and was watching the man with a sort of amused look on his face. As I was lead out of the room by the balding stranger. I saw him whisper something into the other mans ear. My aunt's fake giddy giggle broke the silence, "Now Mr. Morrison you shouldn't keep secrets!" What a toad…I wonder if…

"Now Rhianna," Mr. Matheson's wheezing voice interrupted my thoughts. "Your Aunt has informed me of your past and the trauma you received from the crash." I froze. What did she tell this man? Why did HE need to know? What was he getting at? Why does everyone know about MY personal life? " You see, I am the principal of the special public school in , Gay Avenue High School. We are especially trained to deal with people in your condition…I think-" I held my hand up.

"What exactly are you implying with 'my condition' Mr. Matheson?" I asked. The fury was rising in my voice.

"But...you don't...sound…Well your aunt informed me you were mentally slow from all the trauma the impact of the crash, and that she thought it best for you to attend a school for the Mentally Challenged, but you, you don't sound… well…you're educated…I…I…," He trailed off. He just stared at me dumbfounded. I broke. Intense fury burst forth a raging river held captive by a dam that had finally burst. I jumped out of my chair and ran back to the parlor. My native tongue thrashed Aunt Karin in words that would have stung her had she understood them.

"HOW DARE YOU TRY TO SEND ME TO A SCHOOL FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED? THAT IS LOW EVEN FOR YOU! I AM YOUR OWN SISTERS DAUGHTER!" My entire being wanted to throttle her. And her despicable daughters…

"I told you so," a soft voice whispered. I noticed Mr. Morrison standing there open mouthed with Yuki looking quite pleased. The Toad Twins looked absolutely terrified along with their mother. The color faded from my cheeks and I looked at the floor. Aunt Karin opened her mouth to say something but was immediately shushed by Mr. Morrison.

"Young lady," he began. "I have no idea why your aunt would want to send you to a special school, for you are definitely well educated," he paused to glare at aunt Karin, " You see Mr. Sohma is from a branch of Epsilon Private in Japan. We flew him and several other children from different countries to aid in the choosing of candidates for foreign exchange students. The requirements are skillfulness in their respective language and excelling grades. The only candidate not chosen yet is for the Japanese Slot, which, I would like you to fill," He finished smiling warmly. I was shocked. My mouth was open but no sound came from it. I look at Mr. Morrison, then over to Yuki as if to be sure they weren't just kidding. Yuki's eyes met mine and he smile reassuringly.

"I would be honored if you would accompany me back to Japan tomorrow Miss Saburo," he said, eyes still locked on mine. Silence ensued…SAY YES OR THANK YOU OR SOMETHING IDIOT! My mouth remembered how to talk again and I stuttered my reply, "Oh right, I would b very honored to accompany you, and would love to give this a try." I felt like I could float, I, Rhia Saburo, was finally free from Aunt Karin, Finally Free From The Toad Triplets, and finally able to return where I would belong. I sat down in the closest recliner before I actually started flying. I smiled at Yuki, and he smiled back. I owed him so much.

"Would you like me to accompany you upstairs?" he asked suddenly, " I could explain some details while you packed your things. We leave tomorrow morning."

"Sure," I agreed, and hopped up to show him to my attic abode.

"Wait JUST a moment!" It seemed Aunt Karin had awoken form her stupor and began screeching orders. " I never said she could even go, and now I am saying that she CAN'T!" She looked at me triumphantly. My heart fell faster than pennies off of the Empire State Building and shattered into a million pieces when it finally made painful contact with the ground. My eyes fille with tears…I was foolish...so foolish to think she would actually let me leave…I am a prisoner of her home…and she won't let me escape!

DUN DUN DUNNNNNNN! Will our dear Rhia be able to leave? Or will she remain forever in her Aunts clutches at a retard school? There is fluff between Yuki and Rhi. ..but will it last? Find out next time in Raindrops and Roses Chapter Three – Compromises and Bargains! KI