Tohru and the Beast

By: Kinomi Shadow

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket...

Yuki Sohma was an adventurous young man. He knew better than to be in the woods at dusk, but since he was adventurous he went into those woods anyway. He carried with him only a flash light to see with and his trusty dog, Shiguri.

The woods were cold and Yuki knew that his friend, Tohru, would be worried. But he only ventured deeper into the woods, away from the village. Yuki could hear wolves howling in the distance, but he pressed on anyway.

When Yuki saw the great castle before him, he was pleased with his discovery. Because Yuki was a curious boy, he entered the castle with out any regard to whom ever might happen to live there. Shiguri (who sensed danger) stayed outside the castle doors, anxiously wanting to go back.

"Stay put Shiguri," Yuki told him gently. "I only want a look inside."

The inside of the castle, Yuki noticed, was dark and ominous. Quite the most unwelcoming place he had ever seen. He weaved through the mounds of cobwebs, searching for somewhere to warm himself.

At long last, towards the back of the castle, he came upon a huge chair by a warm fireplace. The fire was crackling merrily and Yuki took that as an invitation to sit in the chair. He relaxed his tired muscles, starting to drift off to sleep when something caught his eye.

There, upon the table, was the most beautiful rose Yuki had ever seen in his life. Awe struck, he reached out his fingers to touch it. It was so soft to him.

"I bet that would be the perfect gift for Tohru," Yuki said softly to himself as he reached out to tuck it away in his pocket.

But before he could put the rose away, Yuki caught an awful smell getting stronger. Suddenly, Yuki was nauseated. He leaned over the side of the chair to vomit.

As he did so, a long clawed hand gripped him on his shoulders. Over come with the urge to puke, Yuki spun around, gazing upward at the most hideous face he had ever laid eyes upon. The skin was brown and hairless, its face like a ran over cat, and its stench was worse than fermented manure.

"What are you doing in my castle you stupid boy?" the beast, Kyo, spat.

Yuki shivered all over, feeling as if he were about to faint.

"I- I was just resting!" Yuki sputtered fearfully.

"Lies!" Kyo roared angrily. "You were stealing my rose, weren't you!"

"I was only looking!" Yuki screamed as Kyo threw him across the room.

"You're such a lying rat!" Kyo spat. "But I know how to deal with lying thieves!"

And, picking him up by his shirt collar, Kyo threw Yuki into a bared cage, his fangs glistening as he snarled at his new prisoner. Kyo then picked up his rose (which had been dropped on the floor) and stormed out of the room in rage, leaving Yuki curled up in the small damp cell.