Chapter Two
Disclaimer: Ok, I'm not going to write this every chapter, so remember: I don't own any Fruits Basket except for Meagan, Rachel, and Kristen. Ok? Good.
Oh, and although the route that I take in this might seem a little cliché, it's actually totally different. I didn't exactly see the Sohmas opening their arms to three new girls, and the excitement will wear off. I'm not telling you what's going to happen, but just remember that before you start flaming me like crazy! Oh, and about that, I didn't expect so many great reviews! I love you guys! I tried to reply to all of you; and if I didn't, I'm truly sorry and I will this time!
Kristen's eyes opened slowly, first to a blurry world, and second to a small circle of worried faces. She felt as if her head may split in half; but that was normal. Not that she normally passed out when she met someone new; but she didn't exactly wake up everyday in the middle of the forest in a world of manga either. Then again, maybe it was just a dream and she was waking up after falling off her bed. That would explain it all…
As she gradually sat up, Kristen analyzed her surroundings. She was in an unfamiliar room, but she had a feeling that she had seen it before… This is when she noticed two brown eyes staring at her behind a curtain of black hair. An amused smirk sat on the man's face, a diffidently recognizable face at that. Kristen stared at him for a moment before she realized who it was.
"Shigure?" She asked, realizing this whole fiasco must not have been a dream. Unless she had dreamed waking up from her dream and she was still dreaming… Wait, she was already confusing herself with such a mess.
"That's me."
Kristen sighed for a moment, before blacking out at the realization that it really was his voice. Shigure watched her fall back once more, a blank expression on his face, knowing he must have missed something in the process. He looked over at Rachel, whom merely shook her head. Kristen wasn't one who took stress too well; if she even recognized it was stress at all. But she would be fine, and in the meantime, Rachel was busy trying to figure out what to tell Shigure their names were when he asked. If she told him the truth, he would diffidently think they were crazy and drop them out somewhere. But if she came up with an array of Japanese names; then they might have a chance of getting help.
"How do you like Minako?" Rachel asked Meagan quietly, leaning over to the girl that sat in the chair beside her. It was actually pretty comfortable here; and quiet, which seemed impossible to Shigure. There was always going to be kids and people running around, causing trouble and mingling.
Meagan raised an eyebrow. What was Rachel talking about? Was she crazy? They were getting out of this place as soon as they could, not hanging out so they could socialize with cartoons and drawings. Rachel, unmoved by her reaction, decided that would be her name.
"Keiko!" Rachel burst, receiving surprised looks from Meagan and Shigure. She smiled sheepishly, knowing she had accidentally screamed her thoughts. "That's her name. Keiko. I'm Rei, and this is Minako." She explained, gesturing to Meagan behind her, who looked in a cross between shocked and even a little betrayed. Shigure blinked. Twice.
"I didn't ask you your name." Shigure chuckled slightly. These girls were strange…
"I know."
"I'm Shigure."
"I know."
"I'm sure you did."
Rachel; or rather, Rei, eyed him cautiously for a moment. He had a mischievous twinkle in his eye, and he seemed so much more mysterious in person. Although he looked like he was open and very inviting, his aura was just… Rei shook her head as Shigure turned back to Kristen, or Keiko. Yuki had told him that they knew his name, but that didn't seem unusual. He was the Prince Yuki after all. But Shigure was just; Shigure. Then again, as pretty as he was, a few high school girls knowing his name didn't hurt.
"Is she going to be ok?" A now known, soft voice sounded from the main doorway. It was Yuki, in the process of helping Tohru with the groceries. He had brought the girls to Shigure (why he trusted the dog, he didn't know), helped them around, and then traveled to the store with Tohru. He really was on a hero streak today, but then again, it was just another day in the shoes of Yuki Sohma.
Meagan nodded as she stood up. She was wearing the same shirt she had been earlier that day, now including an old pair of Kyo's shorts. Normally she wouldn't do such a thing; but Tohru and Yuki were so tiny… She found it a coincidence that she and Kyo were about the same size. She had of course refused to wear anyone else's clothing, especially some guy that she didn't even know. But then Shigure asked in what might have been a fake hopeful tone, 'if she was going to walk around in her underwear all day'. She instantly jerked the shorts out of Yuki's hands.
"She'll be fine; she's just in shock that's all."
"Over what?" Shigure asked curiously, looking back over at her. How intriguing was this girl, to just pass out after he or Yuki spoke. Or at least that's what Yuki told him; he had been known to lie. Not really. "I'm not complaining; she can lay there all day in her short shorts if she wants."
Rachel made a disgusted face. "You perverted dog." She muttered, as everything seemed to turn serious. Shigure turned to look at her with a slightly grave expression.
"What?"
"I said you were perverted."
"Oh."
Shigure instantly transformed back into his happy, carefree self. How did these girls know him so well? It was as if they knew his entire history; his every move from the past. And the mention of a dog seemed just a little too odd… But it could be mere chance. Shigure was always paranoid of having to have some new person's mind erased.
After a few minutes, Meagan sighed and leaned back into her chair casually. It was getting boring, just sitting there and watching Kristen lay unconscious. She was always so bubbly and outgoing; but Meagan couldn't help but think it was unfair that she was getting all the attention once more. "So, aren't you guys supposed to be cursed or something?" She asked, as if making small talk. Shigure's eyes widened slightly as Yuki dropped a grocery bag in the next room. Lucky for him it was only noodles and rice.
"I... The… How?" Shigure asked, his jaw slacking slightly. No one outside the Sohma family knew; and even some inside the family hadn't been enlightened. No one, save for Tohru Honda... But that was pure luck on her part. Shigure honestly didn't know if he would be able to convince Akito not to erase her memory. But three more girls? There was no way that would be allowed. "How do you know?"
Meagan waved her hand in the air like it was nothing; but Rachel was giving her hard warning glances as if begging her to stop. Yet, Meagan didn't notice and continued, and was soon getting daggers glared at her from her friend in the chair beside her. "Oh, Rach- Rei told me all about it; but I forgot some. I just know it has something to do with animals or the moon or something, right?"
Rachel shook her head, cradling her forehead in her hands. If she would just stop… But she knew what would happen now. They would go to get their minds erased, and then they would have no clue they were in the wrong world. If Meagan wanted to leave so badly, then why would she make sure they were guaranteed to be stuck? Now they would probably never see the Sohmas again; so it was a lose-lose situation. Why couldn't Meagan be the one passed out on the couch?
"That's… True?" Yuki asked from the doorway of the kitchen, receiving a confident nod from Meagan as if she were a genius. Yes, what a genius she was. Shigure sighed and stood.
"Well, that's nice to think, but it's not true… There are two guest bedrooms upstairs; you're welcome to stay the night." He informed them, and then promptly left the room. He walked into the kitchen past Yuki; leaving Rachel to sit and think of what an idiot her friend was. Meagan sat there like she was worth a million yen; however much that might be in U.S. money. She would figure it out later.
Shigure sighed as he sipped on his warm tea. "Yuki, you know I have no choice. There's no way Akito would allow three more in. You know that…" He trailed off, glancing at the younger Sohma. What was his problem, anyways? But then again, Shigure felt the same pain that he did. Or at least what he thought Yuki did. He never really much liked watching people get their memories erased; it was like wasting their lives and telling them they weren't good enough. But it was necessary. "Besides, do you even know them at all?"
Yuki shook his head, and then realized he was defeated. "I just… They seemed so innocent Shigure, just like Miss Honda… But different, you know?" He asked, as Shigure nodded. The three girls were hopefully already sleeping; they had retired to the upstairs some hour or so ago, where Tohru showed them their temporary rooms. The Rei girl, still in her pajamas from that afternoon, had shared the room with the still unconscious Keiko; and said something about hoping she would wake up from this nightmare. Minako had merely gone to her room and closed the door behind her, somehow leaving everyone curious about the true nature of her knowledge. And if she really did get it from this Rei girl, then whom, or rather how, did Rei get her hands on the secret of the curse?
"When?" Yuki merely asked, looking up warily at Shigure. He now felt exhausted, and was just ready to go to sleep. Maybe Shigure could somehow sneak them out of the house so Yuki wouldn't even have to know they were gone… That was always how he liked them to go.
"Tomorrow."
Yuki nodded reluctantly. He knew it had to be done; but it still seemed so unfair to them… But then again, this whole business of the curse was unfair. Yet, of course, if he ever brought that fact up, they would only reply: 'Life is unfair, Yuki'.
All three girls awakened to the smell of fresh, warm breakfast waiting for them downstairs. Meagan grumbled about how stupid this place was, and how she wished she could be at home to have Reese's cereal; but Kristen and Rei both thanked their lucky stars that Tohru Honda was there. Cold breakfast had grown old the past month, and they were ready for some real food to start the day right. They each made their way down the stairs at a leisurely pace, stumbling half awake into the kitchen at the sight of the small Sohma family eating. Kyo instantly opened his mouth.
"Who the hell are they?" He asked, gulping down the rest of the rice. Shigure smirked from his side of the table, already finished eating and sitting contentedly against the wall.
"That's Keiko, Minako, and Rei. They're your new best friends."
"Whatever." Kyo mumbled, standing from the table and stretching. He rolled his shoulder for a moment before speaking. "I'm going to the Dojo for a while." This was his only explanation of where he would be; although everyone knew good and well they were lucky enough to even get that. Kristen's eyes grew wide as soon as she walked into the room.
"Kyo?" She asked softly, and he looked at her as if she were crazy. He probably thought that she was.
"What!"
Kristen sighed happily once more, as Meagan rolled her eyes and Rachel rushed to catch her before she fell. She failed. Kristen hit the ground with the same force she had the first time, but would probably not be in as much pain as the first time she had awakened. She should be used to it by now.
"Oh my God, not again." Rachel groaned, flicking Kristen's face twice and rendering no results.
Meagan shook her head. "You guys have problems." She didn't pass the two another glance as she sat down and looked at her breakfast. Rice. In a bowl. If this was how it was, then Meagan would starve to death in this place.
"I'm sorry," Tohru apologized to Meagan as soon as she noticed the look of disappointment on her face. "I didn't know what you liked, so I just made what everyone likes… Rice!" She exclaimed happily, as Meagan tried to exhale her hunger. Grains really weren't too filling for her… She picked up the chopsticks before her, fumbling with them as Shigure poured a bowl of water on Kristen's face. It held an immediate reaction.
Kristen sat up, gasping for air as if she had just about been drowned. Water dripped off her face and soaked the collar of her shirt while she tried to push her now sticky bangs from her face. "What; what happened? Why am I awake?" She asked, looking around frantically. Shigure smiled down at her.
"It's nothing. You're just psycho."
"Hey!" Kristen frowned, moving ungracefully to her feet. "That wasn't very polite Shigure."
"Maybe I'm not a polite person."
Kristen, trumped, took her place at her own table mat. Without hesitation she picked up her chopsticks and began to eat without any problems. Meagan gaped at her, still not even understanding how to hold the pieces of wood. This house was so foreign to her; she didn't understand half of the things people said or the things that happened. She didn't understand why she had to sleep on the floor that night, or why she was sitting on the floor now. But she supposed she would have to learn before long.
Rachel, who didn't understand half of what had just happened, sat at the closest set place. She too picked up the eating utensils and went easily into a quick transition, gulping down the rice as if she hadn't been fed in a month. Yet, she didn't request seconds, and sat there for a moment, dumbly. Tohru looked up from her cleared space and smiled.
"Are you finished?"
Rachel bobbed her head, as Tohru stood and took her bowl to the sink; grabbing Kristen's as she offered it to Tohru. "It's good to have someone new around… What's your name? Rei?" She asked from the counter-side, and Rachel nodded once more although the other girl couldn't see her.
"Yes… Tohru Honda, right?" Tohru nodded the answer to her inquiry, as Kristen tried to make conversation. Meagan finally decided to hold the chopsticks side-by-side and use them as a spoon.
"So, Shigure," Kristen started, finishing her orange juice. It was her favorite drink; no matter what time of day… It was so good. "Any special plans for today?" She questioned, and he shrugged.
Rachel dreaded hearing the words that fell out of his mouth carelessly. "I was going to take you to meet my cousin, Hatori." He informed them, as Kristen's face lit up expectantly. Hatori, Shigure, Kyo, Yuki, and Tohru all in a matter of two days? How lucky was she!
"That would be great!" Kristen exclaimed, beaming. Rachel thought she would fall over. No, it wouldn't be great. The only reason they were being taken to Hatori was to get their memories erased. Surely Kristen couldn't be so trusting… "What time are we leaving?" Or maybe she could.
Shigure shrugged once more. "As soon as we can." He answered, and Kristen turned back into her seat joyously. This would be great! Rachel had a grim look on her face, and Meagan was the first to notice; considering she was sitting beside her and immediately noticed the difference in her friend.
"Is that not a good thing?" She asked in a whisper, barely audible. "Why not?"
Rachel didn't try to keep her voice low as she answered her in a normal tone.
"Because you're an idiot."
Hmmm… What happens? Was this chapter better, worse, or the same? Should I drop it dead? What? What? What? You tell me what to do!
