Lola: I'm sorry, it's up! I'm so tired, you wouldn't believe it. I'm in a Symphony with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Choir, etc. and I'm VERY low on time and sleep. So I hope you're happy. SOBS

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket or its characters. I don't own Amaya (Paris-Rose) I own everything else. :-)


Chapter 11 - Problems Over Coffee


The frosty wind swung the door open forcefully as Akemi made her way into the coffee shop. Being a Saturday afternoon, it was generally crowded. She sighed and sat down on one of the deep burgundy couches, her arms folded in melancholy. She couldn't help but sniffle a bit now and then as small amounts of tears trickled down her cheeks.

"You know crying is really unbecoming of a 16 year old."

She lifted her head up and saw Haru making his way over with a blended drink. She gave a weak smile.

"Yea, but I don't really care about what's becoming and unbecoming at the moment," she said, sighing again.

He sat down in an armchair next to her. He put his drink on the table in front of her. She looked at him quizzically.

"Take it. Coffee always makes problems less of a big deal," he told her. "Besides," he added, "I don't really want to have to listen to them."

"No, that's alright. You drink your drink and I'll leave you alone," she said, beginning to stand up.

He shook his hand. "No, I mean it. Sip on that and I'll go get myself another one." He didn't give her much choice either. Without another word he stood up to get back in line. In a few minutes he returned with another cup in hand. He sat back down and leaned back in the chair, closing his eyes gray tranquilly. He opened them again and looked at her.

"Okay, so spill."

"I thought you didn't want to listen to my problems," she said, raising a suspicious eyebrow. He shrugged.

"I have nothing better to do. So go already."

She took a deep breath and began. "Well, I went over to see Tohru today and she introduced me to Kagura-"

"Ouch. You saw her temper didn't you?" He asked. She nodded. "That's enough to upset anyone-"

"No, that's not even it," Akemi said. "We were all fine, unit she found out I was a Kamikara."

He gave no reply. She waited for him to give her the same angry lecture that Kagura had, only he did not.

She looked at him with confusion.

"Oh, you didn't know that did you?" she said, her heart dropping. Great. She had just lost another friend.

"No," he said, shaking his head, "I knew."

"Then you must not know about the family rivalry," she said, still upset at her sudden outbursts.

"No, I knew about that too."

"Then…why?" She asked in wonder. "Why don't you scream at me the way she did? Why don't you hate me?"

"I don't think it's right to judge someone based on another's reputation. Hell, I put up with a lot, looking the way I look. People think I'm some no good punk with an attitude problem. You've gotta show them that you're not like that. When people see that, they'll know they've made a mistake in wrongly judging you." As he spoke, he looked away. Akemi found this odd, for she always looked someone in the eye when talking to them. He was obviously uncomfortable. "Besides," he said, "the rivalry doesn't affect my family at all. Some people bitch about it, but I could care less. You're your own individual, and someone else's mistake shouldn't change that."

She smiled. "Thanks. That made me feel a whole lot better."

The two sipped their blended drinks on idle chit chat, talking about random topics of conversation. Despite the somewhat stoic attitude, Akemi found Haru amazingly easy to talk to. Finally he asked,

"Akemi, can I ask you a question?"

She nodded. "Sure. Anything."

"A few weeks ago, when we played that question game, why did you choose to be a Blackbird?" He seemed very curious, like a small boy upon finding something new and exciting.

"I'm surprised you remembered that. Redwing Blackbirds are really neat birds. Unlike most birds, their color is on the underside of their wings. I'm not really an expert or anything, I just think they're neat."

"You didn't quite answer the question," he reminded her.

"Oh, right. The reason I would be a Redwing Blackbird is this. They look like a plain and ordinary bird on the outside, just minding they're own business. But when you throw a stone at them, or scare them, they fly away, and it's only then that you see their colors underneath. That's why I'd be a Redwing Blackbird."

He raised his eyebrows. "Wow. That's very…poetic."

She laughed. "Yea, I guess so."

Suddenly, they were interrupted by Amaya, apologizing profusely for being late. She had gotten a lecture for leaving a mess in the kitchen, and eventually had to clean it up.

"Mom was being a bitch, as usual," Amaya explained. "I'm seriously convinced that she's on permanent PMS. I'm SO glad I'm leaving and living on my own. This stuff is getting annoying." Akemi rolled her eyes.

"We can talk about it later you know." She turned to Haru and waved goodbye. "It was nice talking to you."

He nodded. "Same here."

"Thanks a lot for helping me. Oh, and I owe you for the coffee!" She called as she walked away.

He shook his head and smiled slightly as she walked away.

Hatsuharu Sohma is a pretty special guy, Akemi decided.


Akemi looked up from her movie as the telephone began to ring.

"Amaya, can you get that? I'm busy," Akemi said, eating another spoonful of ice cream. Although talking with Haru had gotten her into a better mood, she had not gotten words from the Sohmas yet.

So she had found solace in ice cream and Disney movies.

"Hello," Amaya answered in a sing-songy voice, "I'm sorry, but she can't come to the phone right now. She's too busy wallowing in self pity, eating a pint of ice cream and watching The Little Mermaid."

After a long struggle for the phone, Akemi eventually got her hands on it. "Hello?" she said breathlessly.

"Akemi, I am so sorry for what happened this afternoon! You see, Kagurareallydidn'tmeananyofitandafterShigureexplainedittohershefeltreallybadandsodoIandsodoYukiandKyoandwewouldreallylikeitifyouandAmayawouldspendthenight!"

Akemi laughed and said, "Tohru, it's okay, but you're going to have to calm down and explain things slower." Tohru took a deep breath.

"Kagura felt terrible when she found out that you didn't know anything about the family rivalry. Kyo and Yuki didn't know about it either, and it wasn't until Shigure explained it this afternoon that it was all understood. I just want you to know that we hold no grudge against you and I still really want to be your friend, if you forgive me," Tohru sounded on the brink of tears.

"Tohru, it's alright, I promise. I'm not angry. I was afraid that none of you could forgive me for what my family did. I guess it was probably kept from me for a reason."

"In that case, do you and Amaya want to sleep over?" Tohru asked. "I would really like it if you would! Hana and Uo are going to come over too. Kagura's still here, and she would really like to apologize to you."

"Alright, if it's okay with my parents." She put the phone down and asked both Amaya and her parents.

"Alright, everything's set. Amaya and I will be over in a little bit."

"That's great!" Tohru exclaimed happily (nearly in relief) "I'm so glad that you're not angry."

"Tohru, I couldn't be angry with you," Akemi laughed. "I'll see you in a little bit. Bye."


Within an hour, Akemi and Amaya were sitting at the Sohma dinner table eating a wonderfully cooked meal (thanks to Tohru and Kagura). As she entered the door, Kagura had rushed up apologizing profusely. Akemi just laughed and waved it off as if it was no big deal. To be perfectly honest, she was incredibly glad that no one was angry with her.

"So what's with not inviting us to go this afternoon, huh?" Uo asked, teasing Tohru playfully.

"Oh! I'm sorry! I completely forgot!" Tohru bowed apologetically.

"Tohru," Uo reminded softly, "I was totally kidding."

"Where's Shigure-sama?" Hana asked, suddenly looking around.

"In the tub." Yuki answered.

Amaya shuddered. "Friggin. Nasty."

"The last time I checked, bathing was a good thing," Akemi replied sarcastically.

"Yea, but that guy in a tub is a SCARY thought," Amaya said, shuddering again.

"Oh, it's unfortunate to hear you speak so ill of me, I'm hurt!" Shigure cried, coming around the corner clad in only a towel.

Amaya screamed and covered her eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry to cause you such a shock, yes I do have a beautiful body, I admit. But really, it shouldn't surprise you all that much."

Suddenly, there was a small odor of something burning.

"Uh, Tohru, did you leave something in the oven?" Kyo asked.

"Oh no! I forgot the dessert!" She ran passed Shigure, who disappeared in a cloud of smoke, followed by a loud 'pop!'

Shigure was gone, leaving a towel lying on the floor.

"Oh god. Now he has no towel!" Amaya shrieked, mortified.

"Hey, it's Spot! Here Spot!" Akemi whistled for the dog, who had suddenly trotted down the hallway.

Flinching 'Spot' turned around and ran to Akemi.

"That's a good boy!" Akemi cooed, petting the dog lovingly. 'Spot' lay down on the ground, thoroughly enjoying the fact that Akemi was scratching behind his ears.

Yuki stood up and cleared his throat. "Excuse me Akemi, but Spot hasn't had his dinner yet and I'm sure he's very hungry."

"Alright," Akemi said regretfully. 'Spot' looked remorseful as well, but ran after Yuki all the same.

A few minutes later, Tohru came out with her dessert (which she had saved just in time) and Shigure (with clothes on, much to Amaya's relief).

The night was filled with games, jokes and destruction (mostly Kagura's doing). It was well into the night before anyone was tired.

Akemi yawned as she looked at her hand. They were playing BS.

"Amaya, are you sure we have to play another game after this? I'm really getting tired," Akemi pleaded. Amaya shook her head.

"No! I refuse! We're gonna play until Kyo is put in his place!" Amaya said, sneering at him.

They were dead even, with 3 cards each. Akemi was fortunate to have only a few cards as well. Poor Tohru was left with nearly half the deck.

"I'm sorry, I'm just not a very good liar, I guess," Tohru said, sighing.

"That's not a bad thing, Miss Honda," Yuki said kindly. Hana yawned as well.

"I'm beginning to agree with Akemi. I'm awfully tired as well."

"Oh come on," Uo protested. "I want to see Amaya kick orange top's ass!"

"Shut up, Uotani!" Kyo hissed, "I'm NOT going to lose!"

"Sure," She said sarcastically, "That's what you said when we played Rich Man, Poor Man."

"Well, are you ready to lose then?" Amaya said, holding up her last three cards. Kyo narrowed his eyes at her.

"Bring it on, bitch."

The rest of the group looked at the two foes uneasily. It was going to be an interesting game of BS.

The two played ferociously, doin what they could to keep from getting any more cards. The pile of cards get growing higher and higher, so big it could bring downfall to whomever was caught lying.

Finally, both Kyo and Amaya were down to their last card. Kyo's turn was first.

"One Three," he said, putting the card atop the large pile, a large smirk on his face.

Now it was win or lose for Amaya. But she wasn't worried. Not in the slightest.

"Bull Shit," She said, eying his card with a large smile, "You're lying." She turned his card over.

Ace of Spades.

Scowling, Kyo took the large pile of cards, which was much bigger than the amount anyone else had (yes, even Tohru). Akemi tried hard not to laugh at his misfortune.

"Now it's my turn," Amaya said sneeringly, "One three." She placed her card face up. "I win."

"Amaya, how did you know he was lying?" Tohru asked.

"Yea, I was wondering that myself," Akemi admitted, "How DID you do it?"

"Well, a while back I had all four threes and knowing that Kyo hadn't picked up any cards since I placed them, I knew he couldn't have had a three. Besides I heard Tohru complain about having most of the threes."

Kyo slammed his pile of cards down on the table and concluded, "This game sucks!"

Yuki smiled and laughed at him. "Stupid cat. Maybe losing is just a part of your curse."

Immediately after saying it, he regretted it. In the late night fatigue, he had forgotten that their guests had no idea about the curse.

"Curse?" Hana asked idly. Yuki, Kyo, Tohru and Kagura all froze in panic.

"Curse? Why that's silly. There's no curse on Kyo!" Tohru said laughing nervously. The other three joined in, agreeing vigorously. Uo raised her pencil-thin eyebrows.

"I think it's lack of sleep," she decided.

"Yea," Akemi agreed, "I think I'm pretty much out."

The others agreed wholeheartedly and began to set up their sleeping bags on the living room floor.

"Kyo, you're sleeping by me!" Kagura said, putting a vice grip hold on his arm. He sighed.

"Why does all the bad stuff have to happen to me?" He asked himself aloud.

The group settled in and talked nonsense for quite a while, laughing frequently. Insults were flying across the room, and the swearing was so colorful it could have painted a picture.

Akemi fell asleep feeling that she was right where she belonged.


I'm sorry that I rushed this chapter (especially the ending) I was in such a hurry to get it done and on. Don't worry, more to come soon.

Up Next...

- Some interesting topics at breakfast

- More Sohmas: )

- Something drastic is about to happen to the Kamikaras...what is it?

Love you guys! Don't forget to review!

Lola