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. AND THE SONG, LIFE IS LIKE A BOAT IS BY RIE FU, SHE ROCKS!

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:

"Riku, will you go out with me?"

Chapter 16: Threats, Dates, Songs, and Mistakes !

Rika's POV

"Riku, will you go out with me?"

"…Go out with me?"

"… With me?"

Time seemed to slow down to a churning, reluctant, grinding halt.

Okay, okay, time didn't actually stop, but, hey, you get the picture, right?

Shaking brought me out of my mind, which was trying its best to sort out through the jumbled and scattered pieces that was once my train of thought. Looking up to those soft grey eyes, I opened my mouth in a pitiful attempt to speak.

Open.

Close.

Open.

Close.

"If you keep on doing that, I'm going to think you're a fish" Haru voiced out, his hands now clutched my shoulders.

"W-What the hell do you mean!" I automatically responded, bristling. Haru just sent me a raised eyebrow look.

"The fish statement or the date?" He asked, shrugging, ignoring my flustered look.

"W-WHAT THE HELL!" I screamed in his face, too confused. Somewhere in my mind, I felt a smirk waiting to pop up on my face when I saw Haru wince from the high volume.

"It's a question, Riku, you know, those sentences that you have to answer?" Haru said with a frown. Mental imagines of me banging my head against something hard, like the ground or the wall behind Haru appeared before me, dumbass!

"I know what a question is, you moron! What the hell's going on, you asking me to date you! Are you high? Drunk? Sick?" All the dumb cow did was look at me with a straight face.

"A date, that's all, okay? And, people go on dates because they like each other, that's why!" he argued. I just stood there; ignoring the looks sent to us two by others passing by. Ignoring the fact that someone we knew could somehow see this. Ignoring the way those two hands, bigger than mine, were gripping me.

"B-but, what?" I asked lamely, silently happy that I actually managed to say something. Did he just admit his…feelings? Thos grey eyes just stared back. A flash of two people, a girl with long hair and him together flashed in my mind.

"I-is this a…confession?" I asked, anger taking hold.

The answer was silence.

Wrong answer, Sohma Hatsuharu. Way wrong.

Balling up my fists, I give him a right hook. As he loosened his hold on me, I stepped back.

"Go and ask your girlfriend, asshole!" Not waiting for any response (most likely from a Black Haru), I turned and dashed down the street, through an alley and off to Shigure's house.

Next Day At School, Roof

"…And than I ran the hell out of there" I explained to Chi-chan, finally meeting her eyes with mine. All she did was do some staring back for a few minutes, and than crack up. Thanks, Chizu thanks a lot.

"Pfft, you-you po-haha-poor g-g-girl! Mou, to think, hehehe, oh my, I c-can't breath!" She tried to form a sentence, but glanced at me and started to giggle like an idiot again. After about a few somewhat odd ten minutes of this, I sighed and pretended to leave. That got her attention, thank Buddha!

"L-listen, Rika, I-I'm sorry, but, ha, you got to admit that it's funny!" she said, pulling me back to the railing.

"Yea, sure, for you, hardy-ha-ha, but, hell, not to me! And not to mention that he actually EXPECTED for me to agree to it! Hell, he's a moronic-a-a moronic cow!" I said, exasperated.

"Mou, come on, I bet he has a good reason for it, he DOESN'T seem to be gay" Chizu said thoughtfully, finally showing some concern for her childhood friend.

"No kidding, considering I saw him, making out with his girlfriend ten minutes before he asked me out. Not only is he a dunce, but he's a two timer, what the hell?" Before Chi-chan could respond back, the door slammed open, revealing a slightly panting Haru. Greeeaaat.

"Oh, I finally found you, I almost got lost" He said quite happy, walking up to me. We both stared back. Not only was he NOT going black at the sight to Chizu, or the fact that he was admitting to the fact that he almost-the keyword, since I'm assuming he didn't-almost got lost, but he was rather happy. A happy Haru? Near ME! I couldn't decide whether to faint or shiver, knowing something was terribly, terribly wrong today. He handed me a map with some places circled in red pen. I just stared at it stupidly for a second before handing it back.

"What's this for?"

"For our date, of course."

Oh yes, a terrible day, indeed. Ignoring the girl trying not to laugh next to me, I raised an eyebrow.

"Our date?"

"Yes, Riku, our date…and Yuki and Tohru's."

"So, a double date?" I asked back, wondering how in the world Yuki and Tohru fitted into this all.

"Yes, our double date. Seems like Yuki's nervous about it, and asked me to come along with someone. Which is you, by the way" he answered back, acting smarter than me. I smiled sweetly, raised my fist and decked him – again.

"I said no before, stupid cow. Go ask your girlfriend, since it would be the nice, normal thing to do!" I said hotly, wondering why in the world everybody hated me today. All he did was look even more confused. 'What a moron' was running through my tired mind.

"What girlfriend?" I sighed and dragged a hand through my hair in frustration.

"Moron, that girl with the long hair, what's her name? Rin? Yea, Rin, go ask her out, since it seems that she would most likely say yes. And, I don't know, maybe because she's a GIRL, whilst it seems that I'm not?" Wow, that sounded weird…even to me. I swear I heard a crack, before Haru went all you're-going-to-die on me.

"Don't fucking talk about her!" he yelled, punching my gut, while Chizu scuttled towards the stairs. No doubt trying to get Kyo or Yuki over here.

"About who, huh? Rin? Oh, no, I just talked about her!" I lamely taunted back; quite pissed off at him. Okay, very pissed off.

No words were needed as he swung at me again. I saw it in his expression, in his eyes; he was really pissed…and hurt? Slamming my knee into his gut, he flopped down, out of wind. Sitting on him-how else was I going to hold him down?-I waited until he returned to normal.

"If Ri-she can't, than ask another girl, wouldn't that make more sense?" I quietly asked a still enraged Haru. Maybe I pushed him too hard…

"No!" he thundered back, trying to get up. Grunting, I held his hands behind his back. Hah, get out of this one, I dare you! Pondering a bit on it, I almost released my grip on his arms to slap myself. Duh, the curse!

"If you really do play for the other team, than go ask a guy, you do actually have boy fans, too, you know" I reminded him. Sadly, I had boy fans too, but, that was kind of normal…since I'm really a girl!

"It doesn't matter, it has to be you" he said, turning his head as much as he can to look me in the eye.

"Oh? And why me?" I asked back, raising my eyebrow. My confusion doubled when I saw the smirk appear on his face.

"Because, you're the only one who wouldn't think that there's anything to it…and the fact that you would willingly agree to dress up like a girl." Due to my confusion over his cryptic words, he freed a hand from my now loosened hold and dug into a pocket, revealing a slightly crumpled picture.

"What in the world does this have to do with me…How the-when-WHERE DID YOU GET THIS!" I screamed down at him, waving the picture of me in a dress from yesterday in his face.

"Geez, Haruka, I've seen it already, no need to shove it in my face!" Then, a slow and evil looking smirk came up. He snatched the damned photo back.

"Or…unless you're trying to turn me on…?" That of course, earned him a huge meeting with my fist, his head…and the now cracked floor. I silently pitied the floor, eyeing the imprint of Haru's cranium.

"Moron! Give it back so I can burn it!" I replied hotly. He snickered.

"Only if you go out with me, darling'" was the answer. Blackmail. Was he even CAPABLE with thinking of such a thing?

"You…can't be serious…" I slowly said, looking into his eyes, I cursed. Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT! With a huff, I thought.

A date vs. a humiliation…not to mention the possibilities of more fan boys?

…

Damn it.

If only those fan boys didn't have that much speed or stamina! Couldn't they be really weak, like a fan girl…or like that former student president?

But, nooooooooooooooo, they couldn't, could they? Arg!

"Yea, I know, those fans of ours…they run like demons, I can relate…considering that most of my fans are yours as well…" Haru said, breaking my train of thought. Seeing that he got my attention, he continued on, helping me reach my decision.

"I bet even Yuki would have trouble running from them."

With a huff, I shot up from my sitting position and walked towards the door. When I was at the door frame, I stopped and glanced at him over my shoulder.

"Seven, at that restaurant, and I'll kill you if this is some joke and you don't show. Got it?"

"Of course, sweetheart; just remember to come in a skirt, okay?" he slyly retorted. That bastard!

Trying not to kill him, I walked down the stairs, bumping into Chizu on the way.

Smiling, I grabbed her arm and glided her to class.

"Chi-chan…I would love it if you help me out tonight…"

Rooftop

(Normal POV)

"There, was that so hard to pull off?" Haru mumbled to himself in a harsher tone than normal. He wasn't caring if anyone came here and caught him talking to…himself?

I suppose not, but, I bet I would've gotten her faster! The counterpart of him retorted.

"Shove it, Whitey. Knowing you, you'd probably beg…Yamu! Is that moron still asleep!" Black Haru growled fists clenching.

Poor thing, dealing with two rejections in a day…Whitey thought, mentally patting Haru's normal conscience, which was asleep at the moment.

"Please" Black Haru shot back, rolling his eyes. "He dumped that fuck-ass horse this time, not her! Besides, I got that girl to agree, didn't I?"

Don't curse, that's bad! It said with a gasp, covering its ears. All Black Haru did was roll its eyes and saunter back to class. Not paying attention to that rabbit, or anyone for that matter, Haru sat in his desk, waiting for the awakening of his container's mind. Finally, Black Haru felt a tug, and let the containers mind take reign.

"What just happened?" Haru mumbled under his breath, still ignoring the pestering Momiji.

Pfft, you moron. I just saved your ass, that's what. Get ready to go to that 'Shooting Star' place by seven. Black Haru said. Both sides ignoring the nagging white part of the cow spirit, he asked why.

For a date, that's why. Was all it said before cutting off the connection Haru and the cow spirit shared; Haru didn't really mind though, it was nice having some peace and quiet in his head sometimes, but….

"Why can't I do that?" he muttered before turning his attention to the now sobbing Momiji wailing about being neglected, or somewhere along the lines.

Chizu's House

"Mou, I'm glad you got that wig from…where ever you got it from!" Chizu said with a grin, putting clips in it.

"Whatever, I'm just praying that it doesn't fall! Just make sure it's secure, or I'm screwed. Do you need anymore hair pins?" a pouting Rika asked, still irked at Haru.

"Mou, all done! You should thank the fates that it's not windy today, and the fact that you fit in my dresses!" Chizu answered, happy that her long time friend finally, finally, finally found someone besides herself and Riku that liked her…even if he seemed a bit gay.

Getting up, Rika looked in the mirror with a frown. "Are you sure that it's okay? Knowing that fool, he'll probably just say I don't look good enough and not give me that picture!"

"Mou, but, you're so pretty! And stop talking like a boy, speak normally! Tonight's probably the only night you get to act this way with single Hatsuharu!" Rika's friend said; fists in the air and fire in her eyes.

"Single? But, he was making out with a girl before, remember I told you? That must've been his girlfriend!"

Chizu just giggled. "Ex-girlfriend, Rin, you mean! I asked Tohru and she told me that much! Mou, besides, if Hatsuharu-san had one, wouldn't he be taking her out and not you?" Rika just chuckled at her logic.

'Hate to admit…but she's right, damn it' Rika thought while tugging on her new bangs absentmindedly.

"Mou, don't do that!" Chi-chan pouted. Suddenly, her pout turned to an evil grin, causing Rika to back away.

"Now…" she said, dropping her usual 'Mou' to scare the shit out of Rika (not literally, mind you!). She took out a tube and advanced on her prey. "Now…it's time for some make-up!"

Entrance Of Shooting Star

"Explain to me why you're on our date, Haru?" an irked Yuki questioned his cousin icily. The addressed person just looked back, a bit deadpanned.

"Simple, to make sure your date with Tohru over there will go smoothly."

"It WOULD go SMOOTHLY if you DIDN'T come!" Yuki thundered, but was calmed down by Tohru.

"B-but, Yuki! Hatsuharu meant well, and it'd be rude to say no now, seeing that he came all the way here…" Yuki groaned and succumbed to the brunette.

"Besides, I'm not the only person coming. I've got a date." Haru said with a bit more cheer. His smile didn't falter when he caught their looks.

"Ahh, Hatsuharu, who is she? I bet she's really pretty!" Tohru said happily, giving everyone her usual smile that warmed hearts.

"Do we…know her, Haru?" Yuki asked, wondering what girl his younger cousin managed to get.

"In a way" he said mysteriously. Seeing that Yuki wasn't about to drop it, the cow spirit container swung an arm around Yuki's shoulders. "Never knew you were one to gossip, Yuki. Don't worry…she's related to that Haruka." Before anyone could question more, an almost familiar voice called out to them.

"Hey! Don't address m-uh, I mean my cousin that way!" the trio turned around and was stunned. Well, maybe not Tohru, since she saw Rika in a dress already, and heard her real voice.

"Eh, it's nice to meet you! My name's Honda Tohru!" said girl greeted, bowing slightly. The question in her eyes was caught only by Rika, since Yuki was still wondering who she was and Haru was…just staring on. She pouted a bit. Was her wig falling off!

"Umm…i-is something wrong, Hatsuharu?" Rika asked, still a bit unnerved by the intense stare. And seriously, who could blame the fool?

There, in front of him was a person that looked like Haruka Riku, but didn't at the same time! After seeing Rika in a dress the first time, Haru had some doubts, but after seeing it again, he finally concluded some things.

One, Haruka Riku should've been born a girl.

Two, if not, than he really, really, really think that he should meet his twin sister.

Third, he might be a bit gay, starting now, after seeing the figure in front of him. )A/N: Please, please, PLEASE note that Haru still thinks Rika is a boy!(

Fourth, his tastes in girl clothes were also good, but finally, the one conclusion he reached but didn't want to admit was that…

'Damn it, Riku really does look good in dresses!' Haru thought, letting his eyes take in the person in front of him who is only a foot or two away.

Yamu! Is she's hot, or what! Blackie whistled, taking a full sweep of Rika through Haru's eyes.

Ever so pretty! The counterpart agreed. That was surprising, they both agreed!

And why wouldn't they? Standing not too far away was a slightly flustered Rika, hair let down in all its multi-colored glory, which was behind her back, save for a few strands that framed the side of her face.

On her slim body was a ruffled dull red top, not at all clashing with her eyes or hair, over that was a simple waist-length jean jacket. And, 'thank the gods', Haru thought, Rika was wearing a skirt! Not too short, nor too low, but at the knees, perfectly alright and the night black color of it wasn't bad either, considering the fact that it made her slightly tanned skin a nicer tone. Hell, even her boots made her legs seem longer, slimmer, just above all, nicer.

Coughing a bit, Rika flashed a smile, praying that Haru's intense gaze would lighten up.

"Hello, everyone; I'm Riku's cousin, Haruka Rika!" At this Tohru nodded her head and smile even more while Yuki just nodded, thinking that Riku asked his cousin to go out with Haru as a favor. 'Must've been a lost bet' the rat thought, eyeing how Haru was staring at the girl. As he and Tohru headed for the entrance, Rika was left with a still staring Haru.

"Geez, can you stop that!" Rika huffed, anger flaring up. Sighing a bit, she held out her hand.

"And the picture, oh-mister-non-blinker?" she teased, still waiting for the accursed thing. When all she got was a smile, she fell into a pout.

"A deal's a deal; May I please have it back, now?" She was about to kill with when he shook his head.

"And risk you bolting away? I think not, Rika-chan" he taunted back, guiding her into the building with his hand resting on her back. "You'll get it back after all of this, darling" he whispered, sending chills up and down her spine. She ignored them and denied her instincts, which were telling her to kill him. Now.

As the duo passed the halls of the restaurant, looking for the booth that held their table and friends, Rika made a sudden discovery.

'Oh shit!' she thought, looking around, into the other people's booths.

Those people were either drunk or laughing, and there was someone in each booth with a microphone in his or her hands…

"We're at a karaoke place!" Rika exploded, causing some people to glance at them on the way.

"Why, yes, we are. Tohru wanted to go somewhere 'fun', so Momiji suggested this. Why, scared of singing?" Haru asked with a grin. Before she could argue back, Yuki's head popped out from behind a screen.

"Over here, Haruka-san, Haru" He said, also visibly uncomfortable here. With a surrendering sigh, Rika let Haru grab her hand and drag her all the way in.

"Have you ever been to these types of places, Rika-chan?" Tohru asked, quite excited.

"Only once, and the others couldn't sing at all!" was the response, letting out a giggle.

"No, I-I think that they must have sang ok! And, they were awfully brave to stand up and sing, don't you think?" Tohru said. Rika grinned at her warm heart.

"Awfully brave? Maybe. Awfully bad? Heck yea!" Their laughter stopped when a flustered looking waitress came in.

"A-a-ano…would you w-want some sake, sir?" She asked Haru, obviously mistaking his age…and quite in love with him now. Before Rika or Yuki could correct her, Haru nodded, and turned back to looking through a book of the store's songs as the waitress left.

Before Yuki could come down on him, Rika hissed out, "I do not believe, Hatsuharu that you are not old enough to drink. If my cousin, Riku can't, you can't either, you know?"

"Why, Rika-chan, I'm quite touched by your concern, but, don't worry. It's just a bit of sake, not like I'm going to get drunk, right?" Haru calmly responded, flipping a page. In response, she just rolled her eyes and popped some food in her mouth.

As the waitress came back from the kitchen, bringing sake and tea, she fluttered her eyelashes a bit at the oblivious Haru. Pouting at the no response, she left with a huff. After a few minutes of idle chatter and eating, the screen was turned on, and music was heard, coming from the speakers.

"Oh, did someone want to sing?" Tohru asked, looking at the other three. As Rika and Yuki shook there heads no, they looked at Haru, who was now on his fourth cup.

"Naw, not me, Tohru-chan" he said, his voice a bit sloshed.

"But…who put the song up?" Yuki questioned, as the music started to pick up.

"Me, I did, for Rika-chan, of course" Haru said with pride, tossing the microphone to the stunned girl.

"What! Why me! And, what the heck is this song, anyways!" Rika burst out, pointing frantically at the music, which featured some strange sounds.

"Well, sweetheart," Haru said, somewhat normally, "You said how bad your other friends sang, so that must mean that your voice is pretty good. Besides, I bet you've got a great singing voice, if your cousin said so!"

'What bullshit! I never said any of that. Haru, you're going to die very soon…' Rika thought silently, taming her inner demons. Sighing, she tried again, with a calmer tone.

"And what is this song you gave me?" she asked, an eyebrow propped. The smirk he gave her was not very reassuring at all.

"Some American song, by some girl named Brittney Spears. The song's called…" flipping back, he pointed. "I'm a Slave for you."

Smack!

"Don't you dare insult me again, Sohma boy!" Rika yelled, holding a fist menacingly, ignoring Tohru's vain attempts to calm her down. Yuki just sighed. 'Is where Riku gets his…attitude?'

"Ah, you punch pretty well, Rika-chan. But, seriously, I'd love to hear that voice of yours in song form." Haru said, somewhat gently. With a huff, she snatched the binder containing the songs scanned through them. 'For the picture, for the picture, for the picture, for the picture!' she chanted in her mind.

Coming to a decision, she switched the songs, grabbed the microphone and stood up. Her fire-death promising glare that was aimed at Sohma Hatsuharu was washed away as she concentrated on the music. Looking at the screen, she began as the lyrics flashed up.

'Nobody knows who I really am
I never felt this empty before
And if I ever need someone to come along,
Who's gonna comfort me, and keep me strong?'

As these words slid out of Rika's mouth, they froze. Her voice sounded…so different from the normal tone she used tonight. It wasn't ruff with a tint of hostile emotions like when she yelled at Haru, nor the warm voice she used when she spoke with Tohru, ever so fondly.

'We are all rowing the boat of fate
The waves keep on coming and we can't escape
But if we ever get lost on our way
The waves would guide you through another day'

'No, this was…her voice sounds so…lonely' Tohru reflected, looking at the semi-calm, semi-melancholy girl.

'tooku de iki o shiteru toomei ni natta mitai
(Each breath escaping my body becomes transparent and goes far away)
kurayami ni omoe dakedo mekaku shisareteta dake

(And even when I think everything's dark, I'm only blindfolded)'

'Her English is very good' was all Yuki thought as looked on. )A/N: Yuki! You moron!(

'inori o sasagete atarashii hi o matsu

(Offering a prayer, I wait for a new day to come)
asayaka ni hikaru umi sono hate made

(Until the reflection of the sunrise sparkling on the sea disappears completely)'

Once again, Haru was stunned. Her voice reminded him of someone, something that was calling out for someone else, someone special. It tore his heart a bit, as he understood how it felt to be lonely. 'Heh, who knew Riku could sound like that,' he questioned to himself with a slight smile, sipping more of his sake.

He looked at his cup with a frown. When did it get so empty? Reaching for the bottle, he accidentally knocked it over, stopping Rika from the next verse. Dropping the microphone to the floor, she went towards him with a scowl.

"Haru, you moron! What did I say about you getting drunk?" she asked, steadying him. With a sigh and an apologetic look, she swung his arm over her shoulders and rose, in an attempt to support him. Staggering only a bit, Rika steadied herself and the drunk; she nodded her head and bid the couple a good-bye.

"Neh, I guess I'll take this drunken retard home, huh? I'll drop him by…my cousin's house, since it's the only other place I know. I'll just tell my cousin what happened, okay?"

"What? We'll go with you, too, Rika-chan!" Tohru said, preparing to get up.

"Na, it's okay. This is your first date together that wasn't interrupted by fan girls, right?" seeing the nods, she continued on, inching towards the door. "So, enjoy yourselves, don't mind the moron! He's also light, so it's okay."

Noticing the still skeptical faces, Rika bid another 'good-night and good-bye' and left, before they could go after them. 'And besides, you're the ones paying, not us!' Rika reasoned, thinking that this was fair enough.

Nobody knows who I really am
Maybe they just don't give a damn
But if I ever need someone to come along
I know you would follow me, and keep me strong

As the two walked down the streets, Rika couldn't help but sigh. Glancing at her sloshed companion, she shook her head.

"Haru, you owe me more than just my picture back, okay?"

"Mmm, 'kay. But it can't involve a bed, okay, darling?" Haru said, surprising Rika. She yelped, and almost bolted away, but couldn't, since his arm was around her.

"Haru! Don't act drunk if you really weren't! You dunce, how could you!" Rika scolded, calming her beating heart.

"Ba I want to keepsh you to meself!" he replied. After deciphering his jumbled words, she blushed a bit.

"Damn it, if you're dunk than don't act somber, what the hell!"

"Aww, ba, ba, Riku-kun, dear, Ish love youish!" he said, swinging his head to face the night sky, he started to laugh.

hito no kokoro wa utsuriyuku mukedashiteku naru
(People's hearts are constantly changing, peeling away fresh layers)
tsuki wa mada atarashii shuuki de mune o tsureteku

(With each new phase of the moon)

"Thank Buddha that we're almost there!" Rika said under her breath. The pair started walking a bit zigzag, since Haru felt it was fun to wobble like a drunk he was.

"Neh, neh, Riku, guessh whats?" he said, nudging the other person in the ribs.

"What, fool?" was the tired reply.

"Youesh…yoush sounded reeeaaallllyyy really prettish tonight!" he said with a sloppy grinned. The poor girl had no idea where this was going, nor did she really consider a compliment from a drunken Haru all that flattering.

Seeing the disbelief written on her face, Haru tried to convince her.

"Na, seriously! Yoush sounded lonely, yea, ba, ba, really lovelish. Ya know?" She nodded to shut him up.

And every time I see your face
The ocean heaves up to my heart
You make me wanna strain at the oars, and soon
I can see the shore

As they neared Shigure's house, Haru started to list how the things he thought of about her. At first, they weren't all that nice (ranging from hot-tempered to tacky), but than Rika started to miss those insults when he started on what he thought was good.

"Ba, dun't worry about it, 'cuz you'vesh got nice hairsh, and all."

She groaned. How much more? How much more until their destination!

She stopped that rant, when he continued.

"'nd 'night, man. Yoush looked really…beaut-beaut-" Haru tried to finish the word, but couldn't, since it seemed that he was too drunk to say 'beautiful'. So what did he do? He opted for some other word that describes her better, not to mention something that he could pronounce.

"'nyways, hot. Yea, that's tha word, hot." That, of course, stopped Rika in her tracks. Looking at his face to see if he was joking, she frowned and continued on.

"Look at you, you're totally wasted."

Oh, I can see the shore
When will I see the shore?

I want you to know who I really am
I never thought I'd feel this way towards you
And if you ever need someone to come along,
I will follow you, and keep you strong

"Na, I not!" Haru said, trying his best to look dignified. It, sadly, backfired and blew up in his face.

"Suuuuuuuure you're not, Sohma Hatsuharu. You repeat that back to that hangover you're going to get tomorrow morning, okay?" Rika said sweetly.

"I'll show ya Ish a'int drunks!" Haru said, stopping. He looked at her with slightly glazed eyes and began showing his evidence.

"Ifsh Ish was a drunk right now, I'd wouldn'tsh be able to says that…yoursh names is Haruka Rika, seesh?" Seeing that Haru's non-drunk escort was sighing he plowed on, eager to show. Swing his arm off of her shoulders, he backed up a bit unsteadily, and regarded her with a look.

"'nd…'nd that-that, really, yoursh hname was sHaruka Hiku!"

"Hiku, huh?" Rika answered, raising an eyebrow.

"Hells no! Itsh…itsh Riku! Yea, that'sh right, Riku!"

tabi wa mada tsuzuiteku odayakana hi mo

(And still, the journey goes on, even on these calm days)
tsuki wa mada atarashii shuuki de mune o terashidasu

(And still, each new phase of the moon reflects its light onto my heart)

"And…and that even if you don't care, you looked…really beautiful tonight" he said in a tone so somber, Rika wondered if he was really drunk or not.

"Sorry, don't believe you. Only a drunken Haru would say that!" she said with a snort.

"Well, I said it 'drunk' and I'm saying it somber. You. Are. Extremely. Beautiful."

"Haha, that's nice. Now come on, drunk, I got to get you to a bed." Rika said, taking a step towards Haru.

"Only if you promise to come with me, gorgeous."

"Alright, alright, enough with this! I get it now; I'm pretty like a girl when you're drunk."

He just shook his head.

"You don't understand do you? I am not drunk, regardless of the alcohol in me, and, you are definitely not just pretty…"

inori o sasagete atarashii hi o matsu

(Offering a prayer, I wait for a new day to come)
asayaka ni hikaru umi sono hate made

(Until the reflection of the sunrise sparkling on the sea disappears completely)

Killing the small space between them, he held her to him, murmuring into her ear,

"You, right now, always were, stunning. More than Yuki, okay? Just…" he let the statement hang in the air as he breathed in Rika's smell.

"…lovely."

Rika just stood there, as if another tree on the road. She was stunned; he acted drunk a second ago, but now…

'Now…is he really acting or not?' she thought, so confused, so befuddled.

She closed her eyes when felt him sway.

"Please, Haru…stop this, and let's go find you a bed, alright? I'm sure you're going to feel like hell in the morning." She reasoned into his chest. Sneering a bit, he held Rika at arms length and looked her in the eyes.

"Listen, Riku, I am not, and never was, drunk. Don't you dare say it again, got it?"

Glare met glare.

"And if I do? Listen Haru, because right now, even if you are drunk, my understanding is going down the drain, I was going to forgive you about your dumb behavior, but right now, I'm having doubts."

"And you listen to me! I'm not drunk, god damn it!" In frustration, he nearly shook her, but held back.

In her eyes, Rika saw Haru, but drunk, even with clear speech, he obviously didn't truly grasp what he was telling her. Those compliments that she heard…were probably all lies. All those nice words…were probably for that girl, Rin. 'The sake must be playing with his mind' she reasoned silently.

In his eyes, he saw Rika, in disbelief, which angered him. He didn't care what the hell he was, boy or girl. He wanted her to see, for some strange reason, that Rika looked fucking damn hot right now.

"You know that I'd never kiss an ugly girl, you know that, Riku? Only pretty girls." he asked, his eyes still locked with hers.

"Well guess what, I'm not a pretty girl."

"No, you're not a pretty girl…" He agreed, hugging her closer, making her breath hitch just a bit more.

"…You're stunning and beautiful," and crash-landed his lips onto hers.

And every time I see your face
The ocean heaves up to my heart
You make me wanna strain at the oars, and soon
I can see the shore

She shivered at the new sensation, before she tried to gather up her scattered thoughts together.

'Is he…?' she dimly asked, feeling her eyes close, feeling his arms settle onto her waist. She felt strange, and upon further investigation, she felt lightheaded, and wondered why the ground felt so unstable, because no way in hell were her legs threatening to buckle from under her!

Yes, that cow is. Was the unexpected reply; snapping her eyes back open, ignoring his attempts with his tongue to open her mouth, she carefully thought back.

'…Who are you?'

I'm the one that you hate. I'm the one that knows your pain the most. I'm the one Yamu assigned to become part of you. If you want it simplified, I'm your cursed spirit animal who feels your hurt, your pain, your hope. I am essentially, a part of you, Rika, dear.

'…That was long' was all she manage as a comeback.

I suppose so, since everyone feels that I'm anti-social and all, but, you know what?

'What?'

Your body is running out of air. Cursing, Rika now noted that her dizziness wasn't from this kiss, but the lack of air.

Focusing her vision, she glared at those closed eyes, and tried to wiggle away. She started to thump on his back with her fist, but he ignored it still. Narrowing her eyes, she moved her hands to his chest, as if trying to clutch the shirt he wore, but pushed pretty hard.

Dazed, Haru stepped back, and then growled. "Why'd you do that?"

"WHAT!" Rika exploded, wiping her mouth harshly, ignoring the fact that his scent was on her; that her lips tingled. "That's my line, mister! NEVER do that again! Whether you're drunk or not, gay or not, you should know: I'm straight!" she yelled, giving half the truth.

Yea, she's straight, but that didn't mean that she'd still let Haru kiss her like that! As he advanced towards her, most likely for another kiss, she dropped her glare and ignoring her instincts and what her cursed animal spirit were yelling at her, she did the exact opposite of what they wanted.

Her body, hell, even her heart was saying to stay, to see what was going to happen next. Even the vengeful animal spirit that resided within her told her to not run, but she couldn't.

In fear, in confusion, Haruko Rika bolted from him.

unmei no hune o ko gi nami wa tsugi kara tsugi e to watashi-tachi o shou kedo

(We are all rowing the boat of fate, the waves keep on coming and we can't escape)
sore mo suteki na tabi ne, dore mo suteki na tabi ne

(Even that is a beautiful journey; even anything is a beautiful journey)

And Sohma Hatsuharu did not follow.

-.-

Hitaru: Ready?

Mini-Waffle: (Sigh) Yes…

Hitaru and Mini-Waffle Together: GO AND READ HITARU'S NEW FRUITS BASKET FIC, E V E N I F! YES, RIKA WILL BE IN THIS TOO, but she won't be cursed, and she's not the main character, but! She'll show up a lot!

Hitaru: Gosh, that was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long! And, yayness, you guys got to 'hear' Rika's cursed animal spirit!

Mini-Waffle: Was it just me, or did they seem…different at parts of the story? O.o

Hitaru: Well, I was a bit stuck…and, yea, so I wrote this over a week, with some revising from a loyal reader/friend. (Hurray, Preci0usMiracle-chan!). So, each time I wrote, I was in a different mood.

Mini-Waffle: Reviews, dudes, reviews, 8 would be enough! But more, and hell, you'll read more about Rika's family!

Hitaru: Yes, and…umm…loveableM, thanks for the review, but, there's no link. ToT, so, I'd LOVE it if you…sent it to me by e-mail? Pleeeeeaaaasssssseee? My e-mail is on my profile, you know!

Mini-Waffle: And thus ends another chapter…wows…it's almost done!

Hitaru: (Still begging for the link) Huh? Gasp! You're right! But…hey guys, EVEN IF is gonna be good, so read it! Review it! (along with this one, of course ;P)

...And they all walked away