Lola: Well would you look at that. Another chapter. TMM, bring in THE DISCLAIMER!
TMM: hauls a giant sign reading 'disclaimer' into the room Ok. Lola-Gurl doesn't own Fruits Baskets. She doesn't own Amaya (who belongs to Paris- Rose) She does, however own Akemi Kamikara, and well, all the other Kamikara's too, I guess.
Paris: Don't I get some ownership over them?
TMM& Lola: NO.
Paris: Oh. Damn.
Lola: Oh, and since Paris-Rose so heavily requested it- smacks her with a solid gold frying pan I always try to answer requests. Thank you, fans.
Paris: XP Ow.
BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
Chapter 3: Riding in Cars with Amaya
"Ok, come on everybody, get in if you want a ride, the bus is leaving!" Amaya called. Akemi sweatdropped. "Don't be an idiot. Act your age," She commented. Amaya shrugged.
"It's very nice of you to give us a ride Miss Amaya," Yuki said politely. Tohru nodded in agreement.
"Yes, thank you so much! We really appreciate it! You're very kind, both of you."
Amaya smiled. "No problem. Ok, guys, get in. Hey, orange top, you coming to?" Kyo turned and glared at Amaya. "Don't call me that, bitch," He hissed, seething. "Mild Language child! You're only a 1st year mind you. Don't go around pissing me off," Amaya warned, waggling her finger in his face. "Get in."
Without another warning, Kyo reluctantly got into the backseat of the car with Yuki and Tohru. "Seatbelts please!" Amaya said brightly, putting hers on. Akemi felt extremely embarrassed to have her older sister acting like such a weirdo, especially on the first day. 'Does she REALLY wanna lose me the friends I have?' She thought hopelessly. "That means you too, Akemi! It's dangerous in the front seat." She nonchalantly put it on and turned to Amaya. "Go already," She said.
Grinning like a maniac, Amaya pressed hard on the pedal, sending them flying down the road. "I love driving!" Amaya cheered. In the backseat, Tohru clung to the back of Akemi's. Kyo clutched the door for dear life. Yuki, who sat in the middle, simply sitting as if nothing was happening. Suddenly, Amaya stepped on the breaks, sending them all flying forward.
"What happened?"
"Why'd you stop?"
"What the hell was that?!"
Amaya stared angrily out her window at another car. "Fucking bastard cut me off! Oooh, he'll pay, he will." "Amaya, language!" Akemi yelled instinctively. "Oh yea, sorry. Earmuffs on children."
The four others blinked. So did Amaya. "err...yea. Sorry. Never mind. I've got an idea. Orange haired guy, start wailing."
"Hell no!" Kyo protested, but shut up when he saw the dangerous aura surrounding Amaya.
"Do it."
"Ok!"
With that, he began to whimper in pain, quietly at first, then louder and louder. "Sounds realistic enough," Akemi shrugged. Amaya pulled up next to the other car, motioning for them to roll down their window. "Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I'm taking down your license plate. You see, I've got some minors in this car, and your negligence just hurt one of them."
Kyo wailed louder.
"Bull shit! We didn't do anything!" The man in the other car spat.
Amaya smiled. "Maybe not intentionally. But you'll be paying for the doctor's bills. Go to hell and have a nice day." With that, she drove off at 70 miles per hour, speeding down the empty street.
As soon as the other car was a dot in the distance, everyone broke out in laughter. "That was great!" Akemi said, laughing hysterically. Tohru nodded. "It was. That was very clever Amaya." "Thank you, thank you."
Even Kyo had a small smirk upon his face. Akemi noted this as well. "I think Kyo was a wonderful actor," she added. He shrugged.
"So where exactly do you guys live?" Amaya asked, driving.
"The other side of town." The three said simultaneously. Amaya sweatdropped. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"We were too busy teaching that guy a lesson, remember?"
Amaya laughed slightly. "Oh yea," She said. "Ok, I'll turn around." She made a quick U turn, causing the three in the back to topple onto one another, despite the seatbelts. "Sorry," She commented as she took off fast down the road again.
When at last she dropped them off, Tohru thanked her again. "We really appreciate it. It's much better than walking. Thank you, thank you!" Amaya smiled. "No problem. But are you sure you wanna be dropped of here, in front of a bunch of woods? I mean, I could drive you close. I don't want to make you walk."
Tohru shook her head. "Oh no, we're fine. This is all Sohma property. We're safe here. Thank you again!"
They waved goodbye and watched the three walk down the path again.
Akemi slumped in her seat. "You know they think you're crazy," She mumbled. Amaya shrugged in reply. "You're point?"
Akemi looked at her harshly. "It's all a game to you isn't it? To show off in front of people. To play the fool." Amaya turned the keys and shut off the car. "Hold up here. What's this all about?"
Akemi refused to look at her sister. Amaya sat patiently. "Well? What's up with all this?"
"It's just that..." She began, but stopped. She had no intentions of hurting Amaya's feelings, or her pride. "You attracted a lot of attention to you today at school. And you dragged me into it. Don't you see it? Everybody likes you already? I'm just your dumb little sister who's too plain to be noticed." She looked out the window, away from Amaya.
"Hey. You got friends today. Three of them just got out of the car." Akemi shook her head. "No, they're YOUR friends now. You had to go around acting the part with you're conceited attitude and get them to like you. What happens when people don't. What then Amaya?" Akemi looked at her fiercely, surprising her. She had never heard her sister speak so harshly.
"Don't get jealous. Be happy for what you've got," Amaya said quietly.
"Yea, a sister like you. I'm lucky to be your shadow." She mumbled, too quiet for Amaya to hear. "Just get home. I've got homework to do."
Akemi sat in her bedroom reading quietly, headphone's streaming soft classical music. Her foot tapped the rhythm as she hummed quietly to herself. She was trying to forget the incident in the car, hoping Amaya wouldn't bring it up. She had never meant to lose it with her sister, but she hated the circumstances. Amaya was as bright and beautiful as a peacock, while Akemi looked so plain and ordinary. Nothing like her sister.
A knock interrupted her thoughts as she looked up.
"Who's there?" She asked unconcernedly. "It's Amaya. Can I come in?"
Akemi didn't answer for a second, but finally answered with a simple, "Whatever."
Amaya opened the door and closed it quietly. Akemi turned off her music and sat up. The two sisters stared at each other for a moment, in awkward silence.
"I know you're pissed off at me."
Akemi shook her head. "Not pissed off. Just...upset. I'm just tired of being the one in the shadow."
"You wanna know the truth kid?" Amaya said, flopping down on her bed.
"What?" Akemi replied, sounding glum.
"The friends you made today seem a hell of a lot nicer than the girls that have been following me around. You know, they won't stop talking about that Yuki kid. The one with the silvery hair. They adore him, yet he doesn't really know they exist. You on the other hand, have become friends with him within your first day. These girls have gone to school with him for god knows how long. And what about orangey? He's not to versatile, I bet you anything. You made friends with him. And all the other people as well. You've made better friends, TRUER friends just being ordinary, than I have being extraordinary."
Akemi was silent after her sister's 'speech'. Could Amaya be right?
"Although," Amaya said thoughtfully, "you're more extraordinary than I'll ever be. You need to learn how to spread those wings more, show 'em off. You've got talent, so show them. You don't have to be so modest all the time."
"How can you say that on the first day of school?" Akemi said doubtfully.
Amaya shrugged. "Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. Hell, maybe not even next week. But just...think about it." With that, she squeezed her sister's shoulder and left the room.
Akemi sat in somber silence, thinking about her sister's words. Could She? Would She? Being like Amaya was impossible, that was for sure. But could she show everyone her talents, and still, be herself?
"Shigure, we're home!" Tohru called as they walked through the door, coats covered in snow.
"Well, welcome back." He said smiling. "Did you learn anything important today?"
"Never accept a ride home from that crazy bitch ever again," Kyo said, walking up the stairs.
"And who would that be?" Shigure asked, confused.
"Amaya. She's a 3rd year. She and her sister Akemi just moved here yesterday, according to Akemi. She's in our class. As for Amaya, I'm not sure," Tohru reported.
Shigure raised his eyebrows. "Oh, you don't say," He said scratching his chin thoughtfully. 'More high school girls!' His thoughts sang happily inside his head. He smiled. "And where did they move from?"
"Okayama," Yuki said, throwing his school bag down on the table and seating himself at it.
"I see. And what's their surname?" Shigure said, growing more excited.
Tohru blinked. "Um...I don't quite remember. Do you Yuki?" He shook his head. "I'm afraid not," he replied.
"I wonder if Kyo knows," Tohru said, making her way up the stairs.
"That idiot cat doesn't know anything," Yuki muttered disdainfully.
Tohru came back down stairs, looking disappointed.
"Did he know?" Shigure asked. Tohru shook her head. "Nope."
Shigure shrugged. "Well, looks like they're going to have to come over after school. Would you like to invite them, Tohru?"
"Really? Would you let me?" Tohru asked, clasping her hands hopefully. Shigure nodded. "Of course."
Yuki looked at him distrustfully. "This isn't just your way of meeting more girls, is it?" Shigure looked him embarrassed. He put his hand against his chest dramatically and said, "It hurts Yuki. Can you not trust me?"
"No."
Shigure sighed. "Well, at least I tried. In any case, tell them that they're both welcome to come tomorrow."
"Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean...what if they find out about the curse?" Yuki said softly.
Shigure shook his head. "Oh no, I'm sure we'll have no problems. Miss Uotani and Miss Hanajima didn't find out, did they?"
"No," Yuki answered icily, "But they almost did. Five times."
"Oh Yuki, don't over dramatize things."
"FIVE TIMES Shigure. FIVE. I'm not dramatizing," He said seriously.
Shigure shrugged. "We'll just have to be careful, that's all. More careful than last time. I do hope Kyo gets along with them better than he does Miss Uotani. Otherwise, we might have a bit of a problem."
Tohru laughed nervously. This might be harder than they thought. But then again, she wanted Shigure to meet both of them. Shigure gave her an encouraging smile when he read the look on her face. "Don't you worry your head, Tohru. Things will be fine."
Taking a deep breath, Akemi gathered her courage and knocked on the door. It was silent for a moment until she heard "Who is it?" from the other side of the door.
"It's Akemi," She said, throat feeling like sandpaper.
"Oh, do come in."
She cautiously opened the door and stepped in. "Good evening grandfather. Are you going to come to dinner?" She asked.
He looked up from his view out the window. "Oh, no Akemi. I've already had my dinner. As an old man, I need to eat different things than you."
Akemi felt idiotic, being talked to by her grandfather as if she was a child.
"I figured," She said smiling. "Um, grandfather, I was wondering something," She said uneasily.
"Yes, what is it?" He asked, his awkward smile once again on his face.
"Well, it sounds silly, but do you think that one of these days, I could look around the estates? You know, see other people and such. My father told me that there's lots of room to garden. And I-" she broke off uncomfortably.
"Ah," he said knowingly. "I see. You're father told me you were quite the little landscaper. Never fear. I will make sure you have your own garden. He was right when he told you there was lots of room. Unfortunately, now is not the time to be planting. During the winter, it is as barren as Antarctica, if I don't say so myself. But come spring, I promise I will go with you to find the perfect spot. Does that sound good?" He asked.
Akemi nodded. "Yes, that sounds wonderful. Thank you very much," She said gratefully. His smile grew wider. "You're very welcome. But until that time comes, I must ask you not to go wandering around passed the main house. It's true, all others who live on this estate are related to the Kamikara family, but many of them you've probably never met. Besides that, it's very easy to get lost, and I would be very heartbroken if anything were to happen to you. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes, absolutely. I promise I won't go wandering around grandfather. It's too cold to do so anyway. I'm a bit of a baby when it comes to that," she said.
He gave a laugh. "Thank you Akemi. Now run along and eat. I'm sure you're very hungry." She nodded and bowed. "Thank you very much," She said, leaving the room.
Closing the door, she smiled. 'He isn't as scary as I thought he was,' she thought happily. 'He's very kind, and generous. To let me have my own gardening space, I can't wait!' With that, she ran off towards the dining hall to join the rest of her family.
Lola: Oh yea! Another chapter! I SO TOTALLY ROCK, DUDE!
Paris: XP (Still out from the solid gold frying pan) Urgh....
Lola: snickers You REALLY deserved that one, you know. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Anyway, please review! Any questions, comments or concerns can go there! Thankies! - -
