TITLE: Somewhere, The Fates Are Laughing At Me

SUMMARY:For Rika Haruko, eating a blessed fruit which leads to being cursed like the one on the Sohma family and impersonate her twin brother are the least of her worries when she has to deal with love! Oh, and did I mention she has an active conscience?

DISCLAIMER: No, I do not own anime/manga/products of Fruits Basket, so don't attempt to sue me. Thank-you.

IMPORTANT: "..." speech )...( annoying A/N interruptions ------ Rika might have an annoying conscience that talks to her throughout the story, I haven't decided yet.

Make them 16 (Hatsuharu and Momiji) or 17 (Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, etc.), the rest, I don't remember -.-

-.-

RECAP:

"Hmm? Yes, Tohru-chan?" the cursed teen replied.

"I just wanted to say...welcome to the Sohma house," and with that, she left, without hearing the surprised and almost choked gasp that came from the figure on the bed.

Chapter 7: Plans, Fights, Misleading Appearances, and Boars!

Rika's Room

"I just wanted to say...welcome to the Sohma house..."

"...Welcome to the Sohma house..."

"The Sohma house…" repeated the cursed teen. Rika was lying on her new comfy bed, starring at the clean, white ceiling. Her mind blanked out again when she thought about what Tohru-chan just said. The Sohma house; what she was looking for all those years was right here, less than half a hour walk from her 'camp'! She rolled over, with her face covered by the pillow and her hands pressing the purple pillow to her face, she screamed, which came out as a muffled shout, in excitement. I'm in the Sohma house! I'm in the Sohma house! I'm in the Sohma house! I'M IN THE SOHMA HOUSE! Rika thought with another yelp. I can now cure this stupid curse! She was about to throw a punch in the air when a sudden thought came over her. Wait, how should I ask them about it? 'Hi, I'm really a girl, and I was lookin' for the Sohma family to break this curse I have that I got from some pissed off God…so…what animal do YOU turn into, Haru?

"Humph! I'd probably be sent to the hospital in a gag and straight suit because of that!" Rika snorted. No, I've gotta get to know them better! I gotta prove to them that I'm sane, and earn their trust. Yea, that would be good…But before she could fall back to sleep, her annoying conscience butted itself into her brain.

'So, they offer you shelter and a home, and you start to scheme right at the bat?'

"Shut-up, you," mumbled the exhausted girl.

'And, you decide to stay LONGER than intended, all so you can get some free food, shelter and closer to that Hatsuharu, huh?' it continued with a tone of disdain.

"First off, I am NOT a freeloader! Secondly, I gotta make sure they're the right Sohma family, or going back to Riku will be even HARDER. Oh and-hey, wait! I don't want to closer to Haru!" She scowled, sitting up on her new bed.

'Uh-huh, then why do you not say 'Sohma-san' or something? Why address him with such familiarity?' it teased.

"I DON'T like Ha-I mean, him, that way!" Rika said to it (or herself, whatever the reader likes) with a huff.

'Riiiiiight, you just keep thinking that,' and it stayed quiet. With a grunt in return, Rika fell back to the mattress for some much desired sleep.

Tohru's Room

Gomen, Rika-chan! Tohru thought with a sigh and rolled to the other side of the bed. It's not that I don't trust you; it's just that…if you're really a girl, then why didn't Momiji-kun transform? Feeling very guilty, she turned again, trying to ease the guilt in her mind. Gomen, Rika-chan, Gomen! And with that, she fell to sleep. Her last thought was a prayer that no one would get hurt tomorrow…

Yuki's Room

"Damn it." Yuki thought with a sigh. For some strange reason, he couldn't sleep. Maybe it was because of the Rat spirit that kept trying to say something's wrong with Haruka-san or the fact that Haruka-san's room is right NEXT to Honda-san's room or because due to his lack of consumption of dinner, hunger is keeping him awake, heck, Yuki thought with grim sarcasm, due to my curse, I've gained extra super-senses. Leading to me to unconsciously know that it's the end of the world due to some freak accident at some lab in Kansas, causing doughnuts to gain highly advance intelligence, causing them to take over the world, making all nationalities cry out, 'Stupid Americans!', so my lack of sleep is a warning. Far away, the doughnuts of Kansas snapped their pretend fingers and all thought, "Darn! He foiled our plans! Oh well, maybe next millennium!" Now, that's just STUPID. Are you sure you're the descendant of the Sohmas, 'cause I have NEVER inhabited anybody with ideas as STUPID as that one! The rat yelled mentally.

"Yep," Yuki said, "I'm definitely hungry. And with that, he went to the kitchen for some leftovers. As he walked back with a fuller stomach and a more of an urge to sleep, he accidentally stumbled into Shigure's lit room.

"Shigure?" Yuki said in a drowsy voice.

"Hmm? Yuki, what's wrong?" Said the older cousin, looking up from his newest novel.

"Umm…" Yuki started, trying to find the words to apologize. As the Rat spoke up again, he blurted out, "Why is there a strange voice in my head?" Strange? You think I'm- well, you really…YOU THINK WE'RE STRANGE!' the Rat said in some annoyance.

Shigure raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Strange, you said, Yuki?"

"Y-yea, like, there are these thoughts that keep saying, 'I'm the mighty spirit of the Rat, blah-blah-blah…' in my head. It also says that all the cursed Sohmas have it…I'm…I'm not going crazy, am I?" Yuki said.

"No, no, no! Yuki, I think it's time…" Shigure said in a tone so different from his regular goofy one.

"Time for what, exactly?" Yuki said, sitting next to him. This is probably the first time I'm taking him seriously! Yuki thought with mild surprise.

"It's something we ALL go through…My dear cousin, you're growing up, and even if you heard this already, as your elder, I feel a need to see that this serious subject is explained thoroughly." After taking a deep breath, he continued.

"Yuki, I'm talking about the story of…" Yuki leaned forward, expecting to learn some more knowledge about the curse which only his family seemed to posses.

"Yes, the story of…The birds and the bumblebees!" Shigure finally said with a wicked grin. With a punch, Yuki got up and quickly exited, saying a cold good-night. As the light of Yuki's room disappeared, Shigure went back to reading his new novel, Chung's Hopes of Paradise )A/N: Made it up, don't try to find it on E-bay, or something.(, he paused after a while and commented to nothing in particular, "So, the spirits of the Zodiac are seeing to yet another." Marked the page, and retired to his bed.

Afternoon

"ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGG! YOU STUPID RAT! BE A MAN, AND FACE ME WITHOUT YOUR EXCUSES!" Kyo hollered at Yuki as he left the bathroom. He simply raised an eyebrow and continued walking towards the stairs. With some annoyance, the orange-haired teen lunged at the other, resulting to Yuki ducking and kicking him out the second floor.

"YUUUUUKKKKIIIIIIIIII! KYYYYOOOOO!"Shigure shouted like a child. "YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IT'LL COST FOR ME TO FIX THIS RICE PAPER WINDOW!"

"I'll do it, then." Rika suggested her head out of her new, yet temporary room.

"No, Haruka-san. There's no need." Yuki said, turning back to the stairs.

"No, it's okay. I owe you guys, and Tohru might get a bit worried, and try to fix it herself. And, one, she can't do it, and two, she already has too much to do." She then started to ask where the ladder and needed supplies were. Yuki continued down the stairs, almost, bumping into Tohru with her usual basket of laundry. Feeling a bit guilty with Rika's remark, he offered to get the groceries needed for dinner. Waving off her jumbled apologies, he grabbed his shoes and went on his way.

"Tohru, can you please do me a favor?" Rika asked the approaching girl through the hole.

"Yes, Rika-ah, I mean, Riku?" Tohru asked back, with a slight bow, an unvoiced 'sorry!'

"It's okay, can ya hand me my cap in my room? It's orange." Rika said, managing to get the message out, even if her mouth was full of nails. "H-hai!" And a few moments later, she handed over the slightly burned cap. "Thanks!" Jamming the cap down to hold all her hair in the cap, Rika continued her duty. Tohru hurried down stairs and called Momiji.

"Hello?" A monotone voiced said.

"Oh, Hatori-san! Hello, how are you? May I please speak to Momiji-kun?"

"Sure." With some shuffling noise, Momiji's cheery voice rang in Tohru's right ear.

"Hiya, Tohru! Is the birdie in position?"

"Hai! We're ready to fly, where's the bacon?" Tohru replied back in code.

"Good, I'll get the bacon right over!" with a farewell, Tohru hung up the phone. There was nothing left to do but watch the plan unfold from the ground.

Main House

"Kagura-chan!" Momiji cried out in the doorway of the Boar's room. Turning her head from her 'little' shrine of Kyo, she asked what was up.

"It's Kyo! Kagura, have you've seen him recently?"

"N-no. Actually, I'm trying to give him some space, so he can be happy!" Kagura said, with a sad yet happy smile. Momiji was a bit taken a back, but he swatted that away and plowed through.

"B-but! Kyo-kun! Kyo might miss you! O-or, maybe…he thinks that you gave up on him!" At this Kagura gasped at Momiji's logic and ran towards Shigure's house, yelling all the way, "KYYYYYYYOOOOOOOOOO! I'M COMING, DON'T WORY!" Momiji bounded towards the house, as well, wanting to see the show.

Back To Where Rika Is!

"Whew! I'm finally done!" Rika said with a smile, hammering the last nail in her mouth to the wall. It was a pretty good patch, even Kyo said so! As Rika Haruko made her way down the ladder, a large gust of wind blew past her, and she wobbled and fell down. Fearing of losing her brother's beloved hat, she clamped it tight to her head and flipped back, landing harmlessly in a bush, on her knees.

A few feet away, Tohru gasped at what Momiji did to Rika, wondering how in the world he did it.

Many yards ways, Kagura saw only an orange-headed teen fall of the wall, assuming it was her beloved Kyo, she sped up, screaming that she would catch him.

Many more yards away, Momiji saw a dark figure with an orange dot for a head fall. Realizing it was Rika-chan, he sped up much more, wondering how in the world Tohru accomplished this effect. )A/N: Yes, all these people have incredible eye-sight!(

High up in the clouds or where ever the gods are suppose to dwell, Buddha made sure that his sudden wind would land his little believer into a safe space. He kept helping her, since he saw if HIS fault that Haruko Rika had to suffer such a fate. In fact, he was very pleased with the fact that a few of the gods came to help, agreeing that Yamu was a bit off in the tolerance shop, so to speak.

"Thank-you, Buddha!" Rika said with a smile to the sky (Buddha gave a thumbs up at the other gods) and was about to go into the house when, all of a sudden, a girls with dark brown hair, a light pink summer dress with red ribbons and a cat-shaped bag ran into her, yelling how thankful she was that Kyo didn't die.

"Kyo, Kyo, Kyo! How could you scare me like THAT!" and started to pummel the poor girl into the ground, left-piece-of-ground to right-piece-of-ground to left-piece-of-ground to right-piece-of-ground and so forth. After awhile, Kagura gave the supposed 'Kyo' a death-squeezing hug. She failed to notice that Rika's face was turning a bit purple, or the fact that her hat fell to the ground some time ago, revealing her sandy light brown hair with rusty streaks.

"WHAT THE HELL IT GOING ON HERE!" All four teens turned to the house to see a white-faced Shigure, a Yuki with a stoned expression, with his bags of food dropped on the ground, and a rather pissed-off looking Kyo. Kagura looked shocked, Tohru and Momiji were equally speechless and Rika looked half unconscious, due to the lack of air.

"HUH! K-Kyo!" Kagura said with a lot of surprise, "I-if you're there…then…" Looking to Rika, the Boar's eyes became even larger discs of brown.

"Uhhh…y-yea, I-I, u-uhhh, and c-can't br-breath…" Rika managed to choke out. With a shriek, she pushed Rika away hard, and scrambled behind Kyo, putting her arms around the orange haired teen's knees.

"Ahh, Kyo! H-help! I-I'm gonna change! I'm gonna change!" Kagura kept saying, shaking her head right behind Kyo's knees.

"HUH! I-If you're gonna change, get a room!" Rika blurted out, a bit shocked. All heads turned to the imposter-boy, and she said, "What? That girl said she has to change, why? I have no idea!" Yuki was, as always, the first to recover from the silence.

"Uhhh…Haruka-san, I suddenly remembered!" Ignoring the eyes that were all staring at him, he plowed on, "I-I well, it's a bit embarrassing, really, but, can you go back to the store for me? I know it's a bit far, but I forgot to buy the-umm-the-err…milk! Yea, that's right, the milk! And, if there's no milk, Kyo might explode or something, he'll tear the house down in his rampage for milk, and, umm…cookies! YES, cookies, what good is milk without cookies? I mean-"

"Alright, Sohma-san! I'll go and get…milk and cookies, if you blabber that much about it," with a final strange look directed at Yuki, she went on her way. When she was gone, Shigure cleared his throat.

"D-did Riku-kun just get hugged by Kagura?" he questioned the group of five.

They all nodded back.

"And…when Kagura hugged the boy, did she transform into the boar?"

Each teenager shook their heads 'no'.

"And…it really was a hug, right?"

Again, they nodded their heads.

"Okay, then. Thanks for clearing this up for me." And with that, he fell down with a state of shock, while the others looked on, too stunned to move.

-.-

Hitaru: My god you people review so fast!

Mini-Waffle: Yeah! Poor Hitaru, she has to go rush and write the next two or three chapters to keep up!

Hitaru: Wow, controlling your mind was easier than I thought!

Mini-Waffle: What did you say? '.'

Hitaru: What? Nothing! cough-cough Yeah, now I have to look through my notes this time!

Mini-Waffle: (Now returned to normal) WHAT THE HELL DID YOU PUT IN THAT COOKIE?

Hitaru: Oh! Uhhh…this new brand of sugar? (Holds up bag of random sugar, which expired a month ago.)

Mini-Waffle: You moron!

Hitaru: BAWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Sorry reviewers, I tend to keep my promises, but I can't right that fast! So I'll be a meanie person! 14,000 reviews!

Mini-Waffle: That's TOO much!

Hitaru: Fine! Then, I'll settle for 14!

Mini-Waffle: Wow, going into the double digits, we're all so frightened!

Hitaru: Smack-Bash-Hit

Mini-Waffle: But, 'Hit' isn't a sound affect!

Hitaru: …

...And they all walked away