Project Rivalry
Author's Note: Welcome to my third Fruits Basket fanfic. I hope you enjoy this story. After all it's another humor story. Read and review!
Disclaimers: As usual, I don't own Fruits Basket.
Chapter 1: Rivals Unite
Papers ruffle through out the class that the sounds start from the front to the back of the room. As eyes observe the sheet, groaning and moaning comes from their mouths. The teacher in front waits expectedly for the horrible music to be at a halt. She nods quietly. After the class was quiet, she speaks of, "I know how much work this project has and also it is worth an abundant amount of points, but this is a group project." She picks up a piece of paper full of names typed on a blank sheet; "I will call out your name and the person you are to work with. Just to warn you the names were picked randomly, so if you're not satisfied, well, deal with it."
Time by time, the group were called with reactions of unsatisfactory or grateful faces. "...Hanajima Saki and Minami Kinoshita..."
Minami's face darkens with disappointment, while Hanajima's dempai waves flow around her rising antenna. Her face clearly didn't show the grief. In Hanajima's dark thoughts, she wanted to have some kind of plan to convince Minami to leave her friends alone; yet, projects must come first. She had no choice, but to work with her scared partner. "Good luck," Minami's companion whispers to Minami's ear.
Minami couldn't leave out the fearful imagination that she might be zapped again, if she did not agree with the wave-girl's demands. She desires not to go back to the three-day torment of terrifying murmurs. She might as well give into that girl for now, until the group work ends.
"...Tohru Honda and Arisa Uotani..."
The blonde elbows Tohru's arm lightly. "Alright, Tohru, we get to work together!" she shouts joyfully.
Tohru smiles brightly at her friend, who was sitting next to her. "That's good. We could meet at the library to do the project and do our best on it," she suggests.
"Sure," Arisa agrees, leaning her back on the chair. The conclusion of a guaranteed grade A-project consumes her thoughts. She always thought working with a friend would work out best for a group work. After all, her friend was the first nice friend that changed her into a person she wanted to be.
"...Mio Yamagishi and Mai Gotou..." The list of calling names was coming to an end. Various expressions continue as names were announced. "...Yuki and Kyo Sohma..." The teacher pauses momentarily, while Yuki sighs exasperatedly with his hand scooping up his front bangs. He didn't want to show his face to anyone. He was deeply saddened to have to team up with that "stupid cat".
A chair skids, bumping onto a desk behind. "What the hell, sensei! Why do I have to be teamed up with that damn Yuki!" the orange head yells, standing up and pointing towards Yuki. Kyo could not believe it. He had to work with that "damn rat". He rather work with one-track minded Kagura - change that; he would prefer to be with the happy Momiji.
Never. Ever. That Yuki.
How embarrassing? What horrible commotion? Ugh... not with this cat.
"Kyo-kun, why don't you sit down and cool it?" Mayuko asks, waving her hand to him lazily.
"Cool it"? How could he "cool it", when he had his worst enemy to deal with. Hatsuharu would also be suitable, too, or any other person, besides that Yuki. "Why don't you switch me with someone else!" he asks, demandingly.
Mayuko knew how much Kyo hated Yuki. She knew from when it was about break time in between classes. From her curiosity, she wanted to discover of what would happen if those were to work together without fighting, but it wouldn't be possible. She had pity for the boys, but she had to stick with the groups. "No, I'm not changing it," she solemnly answers.
Out of anger, Kyo punches the wall, but not too hard to break it. The punch causes the bang sound. He really hated that teacher and Yuki.
The teacher sighs and tells Kyo, "Sit down and don't go breaking anything. I'll send you to the office for destruction of property."
Kyo follows directions. He wasn't stupid not to get into any huge trouble. It was only for about four weeks, but he couldn't determine if he had the ability to handle. Actually, he could never...
As for Yuki, he was internally disappointed by Kyo's rage and actions. Hatsuharu might have been a better person to work with instead of Kyo, but then, again, he couldn't be the spoiled one and get everything he desire to change or receive. There was no such thing as "perfect" anything.
Tohru feels this coincidence probably be terrible for them to handle, since they both fight a lot, but deep inside, she thinks this experience might possibly change each other's view. However, observing from the disappointment level of Yuki and Kyo, it would take a while for them to change.
The bell rings, as soon as Mayuko was to explain about the project. "Okay, then, dismiss! Be sure to read the instructions!" she explains, as the students leave the class and go towards their after school agendas.
Tohru and her best friends, whom she's conversing with, were walking out of the class. "Uo-chan, when should we do our projects?" Tohru asks, looking at Arisa.
Arisa places her hand under her chin and replies. "Maybe, on Friday; tomorrow."
"Sure," Tohru agrees, happily and nods.
"Oh, look, it's one of the Yuki-loving freaks," Uo points out and observes her coming forward to Hanajima. She perks her eyebrows with interest.
"Hanajima, if I'm to work with you, we will have to set up a time and place, so any suggestion?" Minami asks. She hopes the location wasn't Hanajima's house. She did not want to go back there with Hanajima's brother among the house. She prays inwardly.
Hanajima senses her fear. She slightly admires Minami's way of facing her bravery towards the one she feared and hated. "Hmm... let's see... how about the library on Friday?" she suggests, "You would have to come with my friends."
"Yeah, sure, see you there!" Minami stammers, and then, leaves off continuing home. She let out a gasp, after she got out of the school. She couldn't believe she had to experience that. She hopes that the four weeks would be a fast one.
"That was interesting," Arisa comments.
"Yes, it was. She wasn't planning anything against us," Hanajima agrees in a serious tone, "...but there is a project to work on."
TBC
Author's Note: There goes the first chapter. I hoped you enjoyed it. Review, please.
