Mmkay, 'tis Chapter 7. Wow, you've managed to survive this far? Good for you. So, I've decided to add little twists to this story, but I'm not telling you guys, so just read along and tell us what you think. So, ya, I'm mean, I know. And bribes don't work. Unless you can give me cash and good CDs.

Disclaimer: If I owned Fruits Basket, ya really think I'd be writing this? Nada. I'd probably be spending my money. Or doing random shit. Probably both. Yeah, both.


After breakfast, the day turned out to be pretty normal. Everyone basically spent the whole day doing whatever they wanted. There real 'fun' wasn't starting for a while anyway.

Kyo was outside, training as usual, and Momiji was catching butterflies around the place. He'd draw them, then let them go, or course.

Shigure, Ayame, and Hatori were sitting around the dinner table, talking about some pretty important stuff, but we'll get to that later.

Tohru was cleaning up the dishes, humming a tune, and preparing some of the lunch.

Haru was lying down on the porch, sleeping perhaps?

Yuki was sitting down on the couch, reading a book.

Varance was being held 'captive' against her own will, so she was sitting in the living room, leaning against the wall.

And Stephanie? Well, Stephanie had gone and taken a walk, trying to clear her mine and re-organize her thoughts.


'I don't understand any of this! I know I like Yuki now, but why? I've spent more time with Kyo, and he's awesome! Really sweet too! But then... then why do I find myself wanting to kiss Yuki? I've barely even talked to him! I mean, I've heard of love at first sight but - Wait. What am I saying? I don't love him. I can't love! I'm not even out of my teens yet! Me saying I love Yuki is like Varance saying she wants to stop hating. But still... It all happened too quick. How am I supposed to know if I like Yuki, when I just met him. It's impossible to like someone in that short amount of time... Is it? It is, I'm sure of it. That's all. I like Yuki, as a friend. Kyo too,' Stephanie told herself, her brain trying to convince her heart.

She sighed, shaking her head. She'd gone in this walk to try and clear her mind, but the more she thought, the more she confused herself.

Deciding that enough convincing was done for the day, Stephanie started heading back over to the house.

Once she reached it, she saw Kyo outside practicing. He had been there for at least three hours, so he was all sweaty and his clothes were sticking to his body. He saw Stephanie and started to walk over to her.

'Oh no, I can't talk to him! Not right now! Not when I can't figure out if I like him or Yuki!' She though, panicking. 'How come my heart doesn't beat faster when I see him though? I bet it would do that to Yuki... AGH! I can't understand anything!' Her mind exclaimed before Stephanie came back to the real world. Oh yeah, Kyo was coming toward her, now she remembered.

Stephanie quickly turned around and dashed into the house, leaving a very confused cat in the dust.

"Did I do anything?" Kyo asked himself looking at the door where, just a few seconds ago, Stephanie had run through. Shaking his head, he muttered "Girls," and went back to training.


Stephanie sighed. She'd managed to get away from him. Looking around the room, she saw that everyone, except for Kyo, was in there. The three adults were still talking in hushed voices about something.

"Well, that concludes that!" Shigure exclaimed loudly, standing up and clapping his hands. He then turned to the rest. Kyo had now joined them in the living room.

"We have some excellent news," he started.

"What, you're getting married to Ayame?" Varance asked from her corner, her voice cold. Stephanie shivered, feeling the need to appoligize for her sister.

Shigure looked at Varance for a second, then started talking again.

"We're going to the beach today!" he exclaimed. Stephanie tensed. The beach? She couldn't go! So many thoughts racing in her head, she couldn't hear Shigure's next words. But she did see Varance get up and head for her room, slamming the door shut, then locking it.

"If you want her to stay here, I suggest you lock the door triple times, have guards around the room, put up video cameras, and lock her in a straight jacket," Stephanie spoke up. "And even then, she might get out. Varance is like a Houdini at locks and escaping. Possible better, considering the fact it takes us forever and ever to find her afterwards."

"That good, eh?" Shigure asked, showing surprise. Stephanie nodded, and he sighed.


A few hours later, many water fights, some small new tans, a few racing competitions, three destroyed sand castles, and countless Kyo head-ducks, courtesy of the oh-so-loving Hatsuharu Sohma, the five Sohmas - Haru, Momiji, Hatori, Ayame, and Shigure ((A/N- Just in case you didn't count.)) - returned back to the house.

Only to come home to a very different sight.

Their clean-enough-to-drop-a-penny-on-the-bed-and-have-it-bounce-back house was a mess.

Trashed.

Books were ripped up, thrown across the floor, ink was splattered everywhere, and there was more paper seen on the floor then the actual floor itself.

Looks like someone got into Shigure's office.

The big table in the dining room, the one they used for dinner, was split into two, splinters covering the floor around it.

And, next to the window - which had also been destroyed - was something that make their stomachs sink.

A shallow pool of crimson liquid.

Slowly, Haru walked up toward it, kneeling down and sticking his finger in. When he got back up, he gave them a look that confirmed their fears.

Blood.

"Go check Varance's room!" Shigure ordered, taking charge. Tohru nodded, running up the stairs in a hurry. Soon, she was back down, a slight look of fear on her features.

"She's not here. Her room is clean though. And no blood. The window is opened, she must've left..." Tohru reported. Shigure cursed softly under his breath. They'd locked that window. Locked it three times, plus the original lock, to be exact. Stephanie's earlier words repeated themselves in their head.

Stephanie.

Instantly realizing the girl was gone, Kyo dashed out the room, searching for the brunette.

No such luck.

Sighing, Kyo made his way back to the living room, where everyone was seated, trying to calm themselves down.

"Stephanie isn't anywhere either," he told them, looking at the floor. All the other Sohmas exchanged glances. Where in the world could they have gone? Varance had probably snuck out, since her room had still been locked when Tohru went to check, and Stephanie...

Well, they'd love to think that Stephanie left on her own free will, but the broken objects and the small pool of blood canceled out that small flicker of hope.

Noticing everyone's grave expressions, Tohru stook up, clasping her hands together. "I'll go make us some tea," she stated, rushing towards the kitchen, Momiji following her.

Silence.

None of the males knew what to do. Should they try and find both girls? Only Stephanie? Or should they just let it be? Or maybe-

"GUYS! Look at this!" A shout interrupted their thoughts. Momiji came rushing in, holding a piece of paper in his hands. He handed it to Hatori, who read it over quickly, a grave expression on his face. The paper was crumpled, and streaked with what looked like tears. In a calm, much too calm, voice, Hatori read it's contents outloud. Well, the contents that were readable, as the P.S. was soaked in blood and unreadable.

"Dear Sohma family, and Tohru;

I have just found out that I am needed... somewhere else.

I am sorry for the damage that may be caused to this house.

I promise I will find a way to repay you, for the broken objects (if there are any) and for your kindness.

Please do not go looking for me.

Varance may have left, I do not know.

Please do not go looking for her either.

Much love,

Stephanie."


A/N - Kagome, you're going to hate me for that last part.

Ha.

But I needed to add a twist into there.

Anyway, who took the girls? Or did they leave by themselves?

Read and Review all!

And yeah, I know I suck for not updating in three years.

So sorry.

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