Lola: New chapter! Yay! does the happy dance
Paris: coughs Lola, people are watching you. You're embarrassing yourself.
Lola: .....am I? Or are YOU not?
Paris: Baka.
Lola: NEKO!
Paris: That's no insult.
Lola: Yes it is. Cat's are stupid. is smacked upside the head by Kyo's shoe XP Ow.
Paris: Um...TMM? Disclaimer?
TMM: RIGHT-O!! Lola gurl doesn't own Fruits Basket! She does own Akemi Kamikara and the majority of that family (they come along later) Amaya Kamikara belongs to Paris-Rose! Please review and have a nice day!
Lola: With that, on with the fic!!!!
Key:
'thoughts go in these'
"This is talking silly!"
Above are the 'between scenes' bars
Chapter 4: Visiting Shigure
"Amaya, aren't you hungry dear?" Their mother said at dinner.
Amaya sat picking at her food. She had hardly eaten anything. Instead of her regular, pleasant look , she wore a troubled expression. She slowly shook her head no in reply to her mothers question.
"At least eat a few more peas."
The small family felt uncomfortable, after all, they were in a giant dining room with only four of them. It seemed as if it could fit 20. "Why don't we see anyone else around here? Are we like...quarantined or something?" Akemi asked listlessly, trying to break the silence.
"No, everyone is busy. Your grandfather doesn't eat with the family very often, and other than that, we're the only ones who live here in the main house," Their father explained. Akemi dropped her fork.
"Seriously? In this huge house?" She asked, amazed. He nodded. "That's what I said. You're grandfather is a internal person. He likes only the closest of family members near him. Everyone else lives in the other houses."
"I know. I mean...why don't we see them. Shouldn't we get some big welcome and stuff?" Akemi asked again. Her father shrugged. "As I said, people are busy. They've got their own lives to worry about. And as far as I know, we're the only ones sending our children to a public school. Everyone else is using the advantage of our family's wealth and sending their kids to private schools."
"We want you to live outside of that. Even though we sent you to a private school before all this, we wanted you to get a taste of what it's like otherwise. You can't fool us, you were both unhappy there at Aikoden. We didn't want to put you through another school like that." Their mother said sweetly. Akemi nodded, poking at her remaining food. She was full and content. Yawning, she stood up.
"Can I go to my room? I'm feeling sleepy." She said. Her parents nodded.
"May I be excused as well? I'm not feeling very well," Amaya said, also standing
"I Suppose." Her mother said, giving her a disappointed look. "Although, I wish you'd eat more. You worry me, not getting enough to eat."
Amaya gave a small smile. "Don't worry, I had a big snack after school. I'm just not very hungry."
With that the two girls left.
There was a bit of an uneasy silence between the two sisters as they walked down the hallway to their bedrooms. Akemi couldn't help but feel guilty, since she knew she had probably caused this sudden change in Amaya's mood.
"I'm sorry," She said meekly.
"For what?" Amaya asked, stopping. Akemi turned around, head hung low.
"I made you upset. I didn't mean to...I'm sorry." She fumbled with her words as she twisted her hands together. Amaya gave her an odd look and laughed.
"Nah, It's not you're fault. Don't think that. I've just been thinking. I'm not so sure this was for the best. You notice the way grandfather never comes out? What good are we to him, helping him 'get better' and 'being supportive' if we don't get to see him hardly?"
Akemi shrugged. "I went to visit him before dinner." Amaya raised her eyebrows, surprised. "You did? Why? To risk getting in trouble?"
Akemi looked at her quizzically. "Trouble? Why?"
"Well, I was told that I shouldn't visit very often. Grandfather doesn't like to be disturbed.
Akemi's heart stopped as she heard her sister say this. She had been told to visit her grandfather whenever she felt like it. Why? Why had Amaya been told the complete opposite? Was it because of their difference in personality? Was she so much more mellow than Amaya that she got the special treatment? Whatever the reason, Akemi decided not to tell Amaya.
"Yea, I was told the same. I guess I wasn't thinking. Silly me." She smiled and headed quickly to her room. She shut the door and sat on her bed. Why would her parents tell their children two different things?
"Akemi!" Tohru called happily as she entered the classroom the next morning.
"Good morning Tohru. Good morning Yuki." She smiled at the two.
"It's nice to see you. I'm surprised you found your way around the school so quickly," Yuki said, giving a pleasant smile. Akemi returned the smile and said, "Well, Tohru did an excellent job showing me around yesterday." Tohru blushed.
"Oh, no really. I'm not all that good at it. I was just happy to help." She said modestly.
"Hey, new girl."
Akemi turned to see Kyo standing casually by the door.
"She has a name, stupid cat. You might want to learn it." Yuki said, narrowing his eyes.
"Aw shut up you damn rat! If you want me to, I'd be happy to kick your ass right here in front of everybody!" Kyo spat back, clenching his fists.
"Please stop, I didn't mean to start an argument! It's alright that Kyo calls me 'the new girl'. After all I am." She laughed nervously. Both slowly calmed themselves as Tohru sighed in relief. They had avoided yet another fight.
"It's Akemi, by the way." Akemi noted to Kyo, who rolled his eyes.
"Just tell your sister she's a damn crazy driver." He said, walking away. Akemi smiled and said softly, "will do."
"Akemi, would you and Amaya like to come over after school? We'd be gracious." Tohru said. Akemi smiled and answered, "Of course. But what do you mean by 'We'?"
"She means herself, Kyo and I. And Shigure of course," Yuki answered.
Akemi raised her eyebrows. "You guys all LIVE together?" She asked, unable to believe it. Yuki nodded. "Tohru isn't related to us, but she stays there with us since her mother died. Shigure, my older cousin, is my guardian, as well as Kyo's, so we live with him."
Akemi sat down in a chair. "Wow. I expected you guys to live in the same neighborhood but, jeez. That's...wow. But sure, I'll be glad to go with you. It'll be fun meeting this Shigure person." She smiled.
"Nope, sorry, can't go," Amaya said when Akemi asked her at lunch. "But why?" Akemi asked, disappointed. "Because," Amaya replied.
"Because why?" Akemi asked.
"Because because!" Amaya said.
"Because Because Why?" Akemi asked.
"Because Because Because!" Amaya said, voice growing.
"Amaya, I don't have time for this!" She said, sounding annoyed.
"I have prior arrangements. Now go away, I'd like to eat without you breathing down my neck." Akemi glared at her as she walked away.
"It's a no go. She's made 'prior arrangements'" She emphasized the last to words. Tohru sighed. "Alright. She'll have to come next time. But you'll still come, won' t you?"
"Of course I will, don't worry!" Akemi said in an assuring tone. "That's wonderful, thank you! Shigure will be very happy!" Tohru said cheerfully, clapping her hands delightedly. "Did I just hear that Akemi is coming after school?" Yuki said, politely joining them. Tohru nodded. "Yup. She's going to walk home with us. Amaya can't come though, she's busy."
"Well, we'll see you after school then," Yuki said smiling. Inside, he was worried about the outcome. If any of them slipped up, they'd be in big trouble.
"Well come on in, don't be shy! Shigure's probably in his office!" Tohru pushed Akemi through the door.
"Make yourself at home," Yuki smiled.
"Yea, go ahead, do what you want. Just don't break the house and stuff. Shigure'll have a fit," Kyo muttered, trudging through the door, kicking off his shoes.
"Are you hungry Akemi? I've got some rice balls sitting in the kitchen," Tohru said pleasantly.
Akemi blushed; she felt so awkward, everyone fussing over her so much. "Uh, well, I don't know. If it's any trouble, than no-"
Tohru shook her head vigorously. "No no no, it's no trouble at all! I'll go get them, you sit down and get comfortable," She said, rushing in to the kitchen.
Akemi looked around as she sat down at the small living room table. The walls were decorated with few pictures and paintings that hung on the wall in various places.
"Well well, seems everyone's back-" Shigure stopped when he saw Akemi. Immediately, he walked over to her and gave her a flashing smile. "Well hello, you must be the new student in Kyo, Yuki and Tohru's class. The one from Okayama."
Akemi nodded and smiled. "Yes. I guess they told you about me."
"Why certainly! Now don't you have a sister?" He asked, looking around. Akemi laughed. "I do, but she couldn't make it. She made other plans, I guess. Although I can't imagine what, since today's only our third day in town." Shigure gave a small shrug. "Well, I guess you'll have to come over again and again until she comes with. You're welcome anytime, of course."
"Ok everyone, I've got rice balls!" She set them on the table pleasantly and sat next to Akemi. "Where are Yuki and Kyo?" Akemi asked, looking around.
"I'm not sure," Tohru said, standing up.
"I'll go look for them, Shigure said, standing up as well. The two collided instantly, knocking Tohru to the floor. There was a puff of smoke and a small popping noise.
Upstairs, both Kyo and Yuki winced.
"A...a dog?" Akemi said uncertainly. "You didn't tell me you had a dog."
Tohru opened her eyes to see none other than a transformed Shigure in front of her. 'Oh no. We can't let Akemi know. I'll have to make an excuse of some kind'
"Oh Spot, there you are! And look, you're covered in dust, bad dog, bad dog! You left dirt everywhere! Come on, I'll wash you up!" She grabbed Shigure by the scruff of the neck and pulled him out of view.
Kyo and Yuki came tumbling down the stairs to distract their guest. "Are you comfortable Miss Kamikara? Everything good? Try one of the rice balls, they're great!" Yuki said in a hurry, stuffing one in her mouth.
Akemi chewed and said, "ifsh wbeby goobf!" Kyo raised an eyebrow. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" He asked her. She swallowed and said sheepishly, "It's very good." Kyo nodded nonchalantly and replied, "Yea, Tohru's a good cook and all. Better than that damn rat over there."
"Well at least I know my weaknesses and don't try over and over, embarrassing myself," Yuki shot back coldly. "Stupid Cat," He added under his breath.
"Alright, that's it rat boy, I'm gonna beat you THIS time!!!" Kyo said, grabbing Yuki by the collar, forcing him up. Yuki shoved him off. "We don't have time for this, moron," He muttered. 'But if it will save time for Shigure and Miss Honda, it might do us some good,' he considered as an afterthought. "Alright," he said, a small smirk appearing on his face, matching Kyo's, "if you want to embarrass yourself in front of an audience."
"Then lets go!" Kyo said, firing a blow at Yuki's head. Sighing, Yuki caught his fist and flipped him over onto his back. He then twisted his arm and said, "call mercy when you want to except defeat." Within a seconds time Kyo yelled 'MERCY YOU DAMN RAT!' and stomped off. Yuki straightened himself up and smiled at Akemi. "I'm sorry you had to see that. I'm sure it's quite an embarrassment."
Akemi shook her head, "No, not at all. It's just..." she bit her lip. "I hope he'll be alright." Yuki smiled. "Don't worry, he's fine. The idiot is just going to sulk on the roof as usual." Another loud popping noise was suddenly heard. "What was that?" Akemi asked looking around.
"Oh, I'm sure it's nothing. I'm going to go find Tohru and assist her. She's probably having some trouble with Spot." With that he left Akemi alone in the room.
"Hey," Akemi said meekly. Kyo looked over at her, then turned his head away from her. "What the hell do you want?" He asked sharply.
Ignoring this, Akemi stood on the rooftop and began to walk towards him. "I just figured you didn't want to be alone up here-"
"Yea well, you figured wrong so just leave me alone!" He snapped. Clenching her fists, she decided to be stubborn and sat down next to him.
"Everyone says that. No one really wants to be alone. Inside, they regret every minute they waste." She said matter-of-factly, looking at him. He folded his arms and replied, "You're stubborn aren't you?"
She shrugged. "I guess. When I want to be."
They sat in an awkward silence, until Akemi suddenly said, "You know, I've noticed, Yuki always anticipates your first move. You always open with a punch. If you were to plant your foot behind his ankle, he wouldn't be able to move back and avoid your blows anymore. Besides, then you catch him off guard." Kyo looked at her confused. Akemi blushed and quickly recovered by saying, "well, not like I'm an expert fighter or anything. I'm sure my opinion seems ludicrous to you, so you can just tell me to shut up if you want."
Instead of doing so, Kyo asked, "How do you know so much about fighting?" Akemi shrugged. "Well, Amaya and I learned martial arts as kids. She's pretty good, but doesn't fight that often anymore. She nearly gets an asthma attack every time." "What about you? How good of a fighter are you?" He asked. Akemi blushed in modesty and replied, "I dunno. I'm not all that good I suppose. Nothing compared to you or Yuki. I've only beaten Amaya a few times, but that was by luck." Kyo stood up, surprising Akemi. "Well, come on, show me how good you are."
Akemi raised her eyebrows. "You want to fight me?" She asked uncertainly. "Yea, come on. Don't be scared." She stood up and looked down. "What if we fall off the roof?" "You idiot! I didn't mean here! Even I know better than to fight on a steep roof in the winter!"
He jumped down off the roof and landed casually on his feet. 'Amazing,' Akemi thought heading for the ladder. "You're such a girl. Going for the ladder." He got into a fighting stance. "Yea, and maybe you didn't notice, but I don't take offense to that," Akemi said smirking. She readied herself, knowing Kyo to take the first move.
"Begin."
Sorry to cut off there. I know, it's mean. I'm sorry. But I didn't want to continue on and have a REALLY long chapter. The fight will happen in the next chapter, I promise. In the meantime, review and I'll give you a shiny object!
LOLA-GURL
