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
Make them 16 (Hatsuharu and Momiji) or 17 (Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, etc.), the rest, I don't remember -.-
-.-
RECAP:
"Only you know that I'm cursed, but Tohru, you and Momiji know that I'm really a girl."
Chapter 15: Rivals, Horses, Chickens and Swords !
"Next is…Haruka Riku" the teacher voiced out, her arm was propped behind her chair and feet on the desk next to her. It was quite obvious that she was bored out of her mind.
Rika was nervous, as she walked up the row of her fellow students, panicking a bit at what she would say…
…Since she didn't do the project at all.
Her mind wandered off to thoughts of disdain as she caught the stifled giggles of her fan club, quite delighted that they got an excuse to ogle her for more then three minutes at a time.
Finally reaching the front and turning to the class, she felt her stomach plummet to the ground. 'What the hell am I going to say!'
"Um…for this, err…thing, I decided to, umm…" But was cut off as the door was slammed open, to reveal a slightly panting girl in their school uniform. Everyone looked on in befuddlement as the girl looked around the room with wide brown eyes.
"Mou…Am I in the right class? Is this Mayuki-sensei's room…?" The girl asked, brushing her black with tan-gold highlights bangs away from her eyes. She wore her shoulder length hair in a messy bun.
"Yea, why, are you a new student?" the said teacher asked, raising a hand in greeting. The new girl nodded, and waved a hand timidly at them all.
"Well, go introduce yourself, then. Riku, go sit down and wait for her to finish." As the teacher's instructions were done, the new girl's equally black eyes landed on Rika. The orbs grew wide with realization.
"Mou…is-is that you R-Rika-chan…? What are you doing here!" Rika silently cursed at the looks everyone was shooting at her. She glanced and saw Tohru with a shocked look. Sighing, Rika raked her fingers through her multi-colored hair, wondering how to wiggle out of this one. She smiled at a thought and pretended to be wounded, with a hand to above her heart.
"Neh, how could you mistake me for my twin SISTER? Geez, I know it's been a few years, Chi-chan, but really, you hurt me!" Everyone gave her an owl-eyed stare.
"Mou, but-oh! I-I'm sorry, Riku-kun! I forgot Rika-chan doesn't have her hair that short!" She said, tapping a fist to her head as a sign of her error. Rika relaxed a bit, seeing how her long time friend caught on. Rika went and sat down at her seat, but not without seeing the glares that promised up coming doom shooting at the new kid from her fan girls. She ignored it for now and gave her attention to the front.
"Hello, it's very nice meeting you all! My name's Momochi Chizu! Mou…I don't really know where everything is, so, I hope you can help me!" Chizu glanced at the teacher who carelessly pointed to a random person to be her guide. Sadly, it turned out it was a green-eyed fan girl (of Rika's) that was chosen.
"Well, Chi-chan, I'll show you the school right now!" Rika said rather loudly, and bounded to the girl, saving her from fandom doom. She ignored the looks everyone gave the duo and the fact that the teacher's point didn't even come near to where she was. Grabbing her hand, Rika led her out, but not without throwing a happy statement to he teacher.
"Sorry sensei, maybe I'll do the presentation another day!" The two disappeared into the halls, leaving a classroom full of people muttering and whispering to each other of what just happened.
"Think that was Haruka's girl?" a boy in front of Kyo whispered to him.
"The hell I know!" the cat hissed back. But it was drowned out by the wails and outbursts from one of the fan girls.
"What! That's not Riku-kun's girlfriend! He's everyone's, so that-that's impossible!"
Roof
"Mou, Rika-no, Riku-kun, don't you think your pretend name is a bit…simple?" Chi finally said after Rika's long winded explanation of her taking an identity extremely similar to her brother's.
"That's the point, Chi-chan. I'm hoping that he'll find me!" A few minutes later, the new student giggled.
"Mou, Riku-kun, how'd you get through gym?" Seeing the look of discomfort made Chizu start to laugh; shooting a glare in her direction, Rika laughed a bit as well.
"Sometimes I just skip the class, but when I have to, I either have my uniform under my cloths and run into a stall before seeing any other guys, or change behind some bushes, it's quite easy after a few dozen times." Rika said brightly, her gaze never leaving the scene of tree and roof tops the roof gave her. Chi chuckled when she looked down.
"I forgot how much you like high places…Mou" Rika rolled her eyes.
"And I see you love say 'mou', but just to annoy me, right?" Rika chuckled a bit at the way her long time friend who was second to accept her fully nodded with a giggle.
"You know, Chi-chan, even without the curse, I think I'd still like high places…it helps me think."
"Mou! And I think that you'd love meat, even without it!" Chizu joked. They stood there in a comfortable silence until they both heard the bell signaling that lunch was beginning. Turning to face her, Rika gave a happy grin and held out her hand to Chi-chan.
"Come on, I want you to meet my friends!"
"You…have friends?" Chizu questioned in disbelief, Rika silently noted that she actually left out her 'Mou-ing'.
"Why, surprised?" Rika asked, expecting a lecture of how unwise it was for her to be too attached to people she would eventually have to leave. What came out of her friend's mouth, though, was unexpected.
"No…I just thought…it wasn't in your nature to make friends…" This produced a hollow bark of laughter that made Chizu wince a bit. Melancholy eyes gazed far past the roofs, off to a far away place which held painful memories of the past.
"Just because my other self is antisocial doesn't mean I have to be" Rika simply stated, not seeing the sad look Chizu had. As the friend put her hand on Rika's shoulder for comfort, the dazed girl suddenly changed. Smiling, she grabbed Chi-chan's hand and bounded down three flights of stairs, through hallways and towards a group wearing the same type of navy blue uniforms as themselves. Upon their arrival, half of the small group gave a half-hearted greeting while the other half either nodded politely or waved an energetic hello.
"You're the new kid, huh?" Uo-chan asked, looking at her through her blond hair.
"Hai! Mou…Riku-kun, where's the lunchroom, I forgot to bring a bento…" Upon hearing this, Rika insisted on treating her to a bun, waving off the protests, she strolled out from under the shade of the trees and over to the building.
"Neh, neh, Chi-chan, how do you know Rika?" Momiji inquired, bouncing up and down. Haru and the rest perked their ears, waiting for the answer.
"Well, we were friends since we were around…fourteen, when I…moved to her home town. Though…" she trailed off, glancing at the large group of Rika's friends and started to fidget with the helm of her skirt.
"But what, Momochi-san?" Yuki asked, a bit curious about his housemate that he barely knew.
"I never expect him to have so many friends, now! Normally, Riku's…a loner, if you could say that…" At this, Uo-chan and Kyo gave her a strange look and Haru just snorted.
"Riku is a loner, Chizu-san? But, he's so friendly!" Tohru said in a bit of a wonder. Next to her, Momiji nodded in agreement.
"Pfft, he's a loner? That's a new one; here I was thinking he was a moron with a voice problem and liked to watch soap operas" Haru commented, a bit irked that there seemed to be someone that knew Rika much better than they.
"Hey, they're dramas, cow boy!" Rika exclaimed, handing over the melon bun. With a huff, she chucked a stone aimed for his head, which Haru ducked.
"What the hell was that for!" he shouted, feeling Blackie's control rise. The new transfer student was the only one that looked befuddled, while the rest either looked worried or annoyed.
"For being a jerk!" Rika retorted with her arms crossed. As Haru got up to lunge at the girl, Kyo and Yuki slammed their fists down on the bi-colored hair, shocking Blackie long enough for Whitey to come around!
"Ouch" everyone visibly relaxed at the absentminded look Haru now carried.
Shigure's Home
"That Momochi girl is crazy to say that Riku is anti-social" Kyo scowled with arms crossed.
"You don't like Momochi-san, Kyo?" Tohru asked, walking besides the orange haired boy.
"She shouldn't go near Haru anymore." Yuki commented, not liking the idea of seeing Black Haru come out anytime soon.
"Damn right, did you see what happened when we were walking down the hall? He nearly exploded on that girl when Riku protected that new kid from his fan girls! And besides, I still think she's nuts…"
"Neh, Kyon, I think you're right, Riku's so nice!" Momiji exclaimed, but quickly dove behind Tohru when Kyo made a grab for the poor rabbit.
"Don't call me that!" he exploded.
"Yes, only Kagura can call baka-neko that, Momiji" Four heads turned to see Haru strolling towards them.
"Weren't you supposed to go to Kazuma's today, Haru?" Momiji questioned, hoping that he didn't overhear their conversation, whether he did or didn't, Hatsuharu showed no sign of it.
"I changed my mind." He said simply, looking around, he asked, "Where's Haruka?" The four looked at each other for a second and wondered how to answer.
"Ano…Riku-kun went to walk Momochi-san home…"
"Who's Momochi?" Haru asked, clearly indicating that he forgot all about that afternoon. Too bad Momiji felt he needed to be reminded.
"Don't you remember, the new student, Haru? Momochi Chizu! Her hair is very colorful!" The rabbit tried not to laugh at the reaction Haru had. His laughter died though, when he realized that Black Haru came out. Fortunately, nothing happened since when they reached Shigure's home, the owner himself came out, asking where Riku was.
"Well, I'll call him, instead!" the author happily said, bounding over to the phone. Perplexed, Yuki asked what the reason was.
"Well, dear Aya wanted him over to his store! He was so cruel when he called! He wouldn't even tell me why he needed Riku, not even inform me how they met! Ah, Yuki! You're brother is so cruel!" Shigure exaggerated, placing a hand over his 'wounded' heart. Both cat and rat rolled their eyes as Tohru came in, offering snacks and drinks.
"Non for me, Tohru, I have to go somewhere" Haru said, politely waving off the offer of food. Getting up, he bid farewell and headed out. As the front door closed, Shigure looked on with curiosity.
"I'm surprised Haru didn't propose to Yuki…I wonder where he's going!"
"He stopped doing that long ago, Shigure" Yuki said icily, not wanting to remember any of that anytime in the near future.
Finishing his juice, Momiji leaped to his feet, declaring that he needed to go somewhere as well.
"Tohru, Tohru, come along, I don't want to go alone!" Momiji insisted, holding her hands.
"Eh? B-but, I have to cook dinner…" was the response.
"Wah, you guys are so mean! Taking Tohru away from me, you hog her too much, I'm going to kidnap her!" the rabbit whined, dragging the stunned girl out the door before anyone could stop him.
"Why that little…" Kyo exclaimed, going after him, he was stopped at Shigure's words.
"Now, now, Kyo; let Momiji have his fun. Besides, if I know him, Momiji might be going to save our little Riku from a murderous Haru!"
On The Way To Ayame's Store
"It's a new mission for the match-making pair, Tohru! But, since it's Riku we're helping, you'll be my partner, Tohru!" Momiji said cheerfully. She just nodded, still a bit befuddled. Looking a bit ahead to see a wandering Hatsuharu, she suddenly understood. Nodding a bit happily, they giggled as they formulated plans.
"Quick, let's take a short cut!" Momiji insisted, turning into a narrow street.
Ayame's Shop
"Ahh…Ayame-san? Why am I here?" Rika asked unsurely, looking around the shop in befuddlement.
"Well, my dear-!" But was interrupted by a bell chime; looking to the door, the older man positively squealed in delight.
"Ah! Tohru-chan, Momiji, what a great surprise! But, not really a surprise, who wouldn't want to visit the fabulous designer, me?" Ayame said with a laugh, his nose to the air.
"Tohru-chan! A pleasure to have you her again! Come on, I made a new dress for you to wear for a date with Yuki!" Mine squealed, delighted that her favorite 'doll' came today.
"Mine-chan! As much as it gives me shivers of pleasure showing off my greatness by dressing Tohru-chan, today, we are…going to do Rika-chan!"
"Yes!" Mine said, going to the back to look for a suitable costume.
"Eh! R-Rika-chan…? How'd YOU know Ayame?" Momiji asked in wonder.
"Well, I-!" Once again, the snake was cut off by a panicked girl.
"B-but, my name's HARUKA RIKU! Not Rika, th-that's my sister!" Realizing his error, Ayame laughed it off.
"Ha-ha, that's what I, the great Ayame, meant! For now, you are you're sister! As much as it would be fun to dress her up, I have you here, so let's play!" With that said and a wink, he dragged her to the back, with Mine standing there, holding out a wig and dress.
"Here you go!" Mine chirped with a grin.
"Thank-you, Mine-chan!" Ayame responded with another one of his laughs.
"Um…I'll go dress myself…" Rika said, noticing how Mine-chan was advancing on her. Snatching the clothes and wig, she bounded for the bathroom.
"Man, I can't believe he knows who I am…maybe Hatori?" Rika mumbled, turning on the cold water. She washed her face a bit to clear her mind, accidentally washing off the make-up that made her look more boyish. Looking into the mirror, she frowned at this.
"Great, my disguise is coming off-literally!" Shedding her uniform, she looked at the dress and sighed. 'Better get this over with, I'm pretty sure Ayame wouldn't let me leave the shop without me doing this…" she thought while slipping on the dress. Once it was over her shoulders, she placed the wig on her head carefully. Once again glancing at her reflection, she smiled.
"Wow, this is almost like my real hair! The length is a bit short, but the color is pretty much right, this is amazing!" Taking a deep breath, she opened the door.
As the door opened, everyone's head swerved over to Rika. Their curious faces turned to one of awe and wonder.
"Wow...Riku looks super cute!" Momiji exclaimed, running up to her to see the dress better.
"Yes, you look very beautiful" Tohru said with a smile.
"Y-you think?" Rika asked, blushing a bit, not remembering when she received such compliments. She bowed her head a little, happy to see hair so like her own fall like curtains to the sides of her face. She held her hand together, and twirled a bit to show off.
"Of course, it is after all, a creation thought up and produced by me and Mine-chan!" Ayame said with confidence, he himself was inwardly doing a happy dance at how well Rika fit the costume. Bringing out a camera, he started to take pictures to a flushed Rika.
Unknown to them all, Haru was there as well, staring at the girl with raised eyebrows, not knowing whether to show his presence or not.
Main House
(Three Hours Later Of Ayame's Constant Self-Compliments)
"Neh, so that gift is for Hatori, Riku?" Momiji asked, leading the girl to the doctor's house.
"Yea, it's a thank-you gift, since he took care of me. Wow, Momiji, you're place is super huge…I bet it's easy to get lost!" She retorted. Not looking at wear she was going, she accidentally knocked into someone.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Rika exclaimed, scurrying over to the fallen person. Offering her hand, the young man accepted it.
"Ah…thank-you so much" was the reply before he dusted himself and went off. Shrugging, they set off for Hatori's house. Waiting a bit, the door opened to reveal a haggard looking Sohma.
"Ah, hello Haruka-san, Momiji. I'm sorry, but I have to meet with Akito…" he said apologetically.
"No, no, I understand that doctors are busy, I thought I'd give you this, since you helped me out so much!" Rika said with a grateful smile, presenting the small gesture of gratitude.
"Thanks, I'm sorry, but I'm in a rush…" giving a slight bow, he hurried on to some direction.
"Hatori is a really nice person, huh?" Momiji asked, leading him out. If she noticed that the rabbit was a bit quieter, Rika gave no sign.
"Yes, he's one of the kindest people I know!" Smiling, they continued on to the entrance.
'Hmmm…now that I'm in the Sohma compound, I should go and explore…' Rika thought, wondering how she could do it.
'You're so evil, always scheming…' it said lazily, Rika could almost picture her conscience on the floor with its head propped up by one hand.
'Well, sorry for trying to break this dumb curse!'
'Why bother, trying to fight with a god's will?' was the retort.
'Well, would rather I...err…us being trapped there? At least this part of me is fighting!' When not response came, she smiled smugly.
"Momiji, how far until-Momiji? Momiji, where are you!" Rika asked, looking around, not seeing anyone but herself and a few houses.
"Damn it!" she ignored the taunts from her conscience and started walking around, searching frantically for anyone. Her ears suddenly picked up voices, relieved, she headed over, but stopped short around a corner when she heard the conversation.
"Go away, I'm tired of you!" a girl's voice sounded out. With a grunt from someone else, Rika heard struggling.
"Rin, do you really mean that? So, if I die, you won't care? Huh Rin, you won't?" Haru's voice sounded out.
"Don't you touch dare me! I've gotten over you, and from Momiji's talks, you got over me too! So, stop pretending that you care, and stop tou-!" Rin's voice was suddenly muffled. Feeling growing dread, Rika peeked over the corner and froze.
There, right there in front of her, Haru's arms were around a girl, his mouth over hers.
And it didn't look like she was resisting too much, either.
Biting her lower lip, she did the first thing that came to mind-she ran.
Unknown to her, Haru suddenly broke the kiss and stalked off, leaving a sad Rin behind.
"You…really did move on…" Rin whispered to herself. Gathering her wits, she left as well.
Rika flew past houses, her mind in a jumble. It was only when she tripped that she noticed that her surroundings were different. In front of her was a shrine, much like the one in her village, except this one lacked peaches. Coming closer, she noticed that in the center, surrounded by offerings was a-a sword?
She took another step, but stopped short when she felt a jab of pain shoot down her spine.
"Who's there?" A male voice called out. Turning, Rika smiled nervously. Looking at his face, she relaxed.
"Oh, hello, I'm sorry for bumping into you earlier" with this said, the stranger smiled a small smile back.
"It's ok, I wasn't looking properly. My name's Sohma Kureno, by the way."
"Un, nice name, mine's Haruka Rika; umm…why is there a sword here, at the shrine?" Rika asked, not really thinking. Looking at her strangely, Kureno questioned her.
"Sword? What sword?"
"In the center of this shrine! Don't…you see it?"
"No, and there's no shrine here. This is a place where a shrine was believed to be placed, though. And a sword, if I remember correctly" Rika just looked on stunned. 'But, I can see it, I can smell the incense and everything!' she argued mentally.
"Wait…why would you say that?"
"Well, there was a story that a long time ago, during war time, a Sohma stole a sword from a god to protect his clan. Enrage, the god cursed them for all of eternity, since that Sohma never gave the weapon back. Pleading for forgiveness, it's said that the spirit of the Sohma planted a shrine here, offering the sword back to the gods. Some of the Sohmas believe in the curse, and say that those who are affected by it can see a shrine here." Kureno explained with in a soft tone.
"Oh, well…that sounded…interesting" Rika stammered out, looking at him closing to see if Kureno was toying with her or not. She didn't get a chance to guilty the sad look on his face, since he suddenly whirled around and started walking away.
"Come, I'll lead you to the front entrance" waving off the strange feeling that was being radiated from the shrine that seemed like only she could see, Rika followed earnestly.
With Haru
His teeth clenched as he stomped father away from Rin, his mind a hurricane of thoughts. In his hand clenched a photo of Rika from earlier, in that dress that complimented her so well. Smoothing it out a bit, he scanned the figure in it.
There, in the center of almost everyone, stood someone who looked like Rika, but didn't at the same time. Shoulder length hair that only Rika had was behind her shoulders, as white gloved hands held each other. A white summer dress showing off her slightly tanned shoulders was covering Rika. The seemingly childish frilly lace ribbons that were placed at the collar, waist and back didn't diminish the fact that she looked cute. In fact, it seemed to show off some sort of innocence that Haru never saw before in Rika.
'Hell…this-this guy in a drag…looks almost…' He stopped his thoughts right there. But, the cow's spirit finished it for him.
Hot? Blackie asked with a snigger.
Now, now! She looks more cute than hot! Even beautiful! Whitey reprimanded. Further conversation of how Rika looked like ceased when Hatsuharu saw the very person waving at some figure that was already in a distance; she was heading for the gates.
Running on impulse, he quickly covered the few measly feet that separated them.
"Hey! Riku, Riku, wait!" He called out, not wanting to miss her. Turning around, Rika saw who it was and tried to dash out the gate and into the street. Her little escape plan was foiled though, when Haru grabbed her arm.
"Wait, I have to ask you something!" He said, trying to keep his hold on the struggling girl.
"Haru, stop and go aw-!" Her protest was suddenly cut off by Haru's next sentence.
"Riku, will you go out with me?"
-.-
Hitaru: Ouch, I am soooooooo mean!
Mini-Waffle: Yes you are!
Hitaru: Anyways, I was looking at the reviews, and was hooting with evil glee, yep, I still didn't reveal the animal!
Mini-Waffle: But, THERE WERE HINTS in the story!
Hitaru: To Angeles, how do you KNOW that it's a dog? For all you know, I picked a muffin! And yes, I just got Microsoft a few months ago, and I'm lovin' it!
Mini-Waffle: …Muffin? That's not even an animal!
Hitaru: Oh yeah…well, I meant to say, fish, I could have chosen fish!
Mini-Waffle: Though these hints were quite obvious, if you ask me that Hitaru over here didn't pick fish.
Hitaru: Hey, that's mean!
Mini-Waffle: And L33Tbunny, as much as the thought of Rika/Hatori amuses me…and Hitaru, it won't happen, sorry.
Hitaru: Yeah, he's going out with their teacher, remember? And besides, age, is that even legal? But, the concept never crossed my mind, so, good for you!
Mini-Waffle: 10 reviews, or more! Lol.
Hitaru: Yea, but I'm so proud of you all, you reviewed even when I didn't tell you too!
Mini-Waffle: Yes, so in other words, she's happy…what a sad life…
Hitaru: -.-;
...And they all walked away