(A/N Here is the first chapter, and I hope someone likes it as much as I do.)

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Fruits Basket characters or the furuba plot. Those belong to the wonderful Natsuki Takaya. I am merely borrowing them. After all this is a FAN FIC.


Chapter One

Ayame's POV

Darkness envelops Ayame, as he stands in his apartment. He hadn't bothered to turn on the lights after returning home. His recent visit with Akito had proved quite nasty and the snake wasn't sure he wanted to see the state of his body. Where the woman had learned to be so heartless, could never be guessed, but Ayame knew well the effects. He groans in pain and slumps down agianst the wall. A clock on the side table read, 4:23. The snake had to be up at 6:00 for work. Several new orders had come in the day before, and needed to be finished quickly.

I never promised you a ray of light

I never promised there'd be sunshine every day

Striping of his clothes, that clung to his body, Ayame drags himself into the bedroom. His pants and shirt were soaked with something, and the snake didn't dare guess what. Not yet. He falls onto his bed, not caring what he gets on the sheets. He needed some sleep, even if it was just an hours worth.

I'll give you everything I have

The good the bad

An unrestful night, and dream filled sleep envelops him. When he wakes up, it is forced by a nightmare. He couldn't even escape Akito in his dreams.

The snake checks his clock and finds it's 5:41. He rolls out of bed and walks to the bathroom, suffering pain all the while. Ayame flips on the light, but doens't look in the mirror. He merely starts the shower, then takes a deep breath. 'I can do this. Be strong, It's not that bad.'

When he turns around, the snake gasps, then begins to sob. Akito had gone too far. Whip marks covered his chest, abdomen and back. Bite marks were evident on his arms and neck, and there were long gashes on his legs, backside and arms. Although Ayame's face looked gaunt, tierd and tearstreaked, and his hair was matted, you wouldn't be able to tell his wounds when he was wearing clothes.

Why do you put me on a pedestal?

I'm so up high that I can't see the ground below

The snake drops to his knees in despair, but screams in agony of his wounds. 'Why does this always happen?' Ayame had often wondered what he had done to deserve this.

It was true that selling off his brother, was a horrible crime. But it hadn't helped him much and he was paying for it with guilt. Yes, he was lucky to live outside the house, and own his own shop, but now Yuki and Ayame were both tortured by their God. Collecting as much resolve as he can, Ayame picks himself up off the floor and forces himself to clean his wounds.

So help me down you've got it wrong

I don't belong there

The hot water of the shower stings his skin like a thousand knives. He sighs and just stands in place, letting the pain take over. He sometimes scared himself in this state. All he felt was pain, and he relished feeling at all. There were no other emotions present, most times. Just pain and longing. He longed for Hatori. But no matter how many times, the snake tried to tell himself, 'No he's off limits, your not worthy of him' Ayame still wanted the dragon. Perhaps that is where the snake went wrong.

One thing is clear I wear a halo

I wear a halo when you look at me

He should have kept his feelings hidden more. Maybe then Akito wouldn't have noticed. Yes, that is why he was always punished. Because Akito didn't want Hatori to realize any feelings and leave her. So God, being her selfish self, took my innocence, my ability to love and be loved.

But standing from here

You wouldn't say so

You wouldn't say so if you were me

Now it it is settled. Hatori will never want a tainted person. Ayame realizes the water has run cold and his skin feels numb. He had gone off in his thoughts for too long, and now he would be late for work.

Quickly and wincing all the way, the snake dries off and dresses in a dark long-sleeved shirt and long pants. To hell with the fact it was summer. He couldn't risk Mine seeing his wounds.

Without eating anything, Ayame leaves the apartment and heads to work. The train ride was busy as usual and people jostled the poor snake all over the place. He feels the wounds on his back open and finds himself hoping the dark shirt will over any bleeding.

When he arrives at the shop, Mine greets Ayame with her usual fervor. "Good morning Ayame-San. Did you have a rough night? You look tierd and a bit feverish." It was true. The snake did feel as if he has a fever. "Do you want me to call Hatori-San?" The woman asks. "No!" Ayame barks harshly, making Mine jump. He tries to look apologetic. "Don't trouble Tori-San. I'm fine. I'll be in my office if you need me, Mine-Chan. Keep up the fabulous work." The snake smiles a smile he knows doesn't reach his eyes. With a swift turn, Ayame goes to his office, his refuge. He needed some time to think. How horrible would it be, if Hatori did see Ayame's wounds, and the pain afflicted upon him?

And I, I just want to love you

Oh I, I just want to love you

The answer, I would be the worse thing imagineable. Hatori would know Ayame's secret life and question him till the answers he recieves replused him.

I always said that I would make mistakes

I'm only human and that's my saving grace

He would run from the snake and Ayame knew he wouldn't be able to take it. If that ever happened, he would die a slow, painful death from the inside out.

I'll fall as hard as I try

So don't be blinded

See me as I really am

I have flaws and sometimes I even sin

So pull me from that pedestal I don't belong there

Like to think that you know me

But in your eyes I am something above me

That's only in your mind Only in your mind

I wear a halo


Song Lyrics "Halo"- Bethany Joy Lenz

(A/N So what did you think of this chapter? Was it long enough? Did it make sense? Was it well written? Or do I need to change things?Review please!)