Tohru and the Beast
By: Kinomi Shadow
Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket.
Tohru stood outside of her small cottage, waiting anxiously for Yuki's return home. The hours quickly passed and Tohru grew more worried. When he didn't show up for dinner, that's when Tohru knew something was definitely wrong.
She called out his name down the streets, but no one answered her except for the villagers whom thought she was a strange girl. Ignoring their stares, Tohru called his name again, only this time Akito (who was the village's pretty boy came at her call).
"Lost that little rat boy?" Akito said cooly. "Maybe if you do as I say, I'll help you look for your precious friend."
"You would?" Tohru asked innocently. "That's kind of you, but I'm sure he'll be home any minute."
Akito snorted rudely.
"Well suit yourself," Akito growled. "But remember: you will be mine, Tohru."
And with that, Akito walked away, half sulking, half cursing.
Tohru called out again, but had no luck. She was about to go back indoors when Shiguri came bounding up to her in a mad dash, barking furiously.
"What's wrong Shiguri?" Tohru asked, noticing Yuki wasn't with him. "Oh, where's Yuki-kun?"
Shiguri whimpered and growled and spun around in circles.
Now Tohru had a gift with animals and she knew what Shiguri was trying to say. Her face went pale as she went indoors to fetch a coat and pack up some food for her journey.
"If a monsters got Yuki then I'll just have to reason with it," Tohru told Shiguri.
Shiguri whined and tugged at her dress.
"Oh this monster can't be all bad," Tohru said. "I think maybe all he wants is a friend."
Sighing, Shiguri crawled on his belly back into the house. There was no way he was going back where that cat monster was.
Putting her coat on, Tohru started down the path into the woods. It was nearly midnight, now, and the wolves in the woods were howling and growing extra hungry for flesh. Tohru grew frightened as she heard rustling in the nearby bushes.
Turning sharply, she saw a row of glistening fangs snap at her. It was a wolf, no, a pack of wolves. They surrounded Tohru, snapping and growling viciously. Tohru let out a shrill scream and took off running.
The wolves, hungry and mean, gave chase to her, snapping at her heals. Tohru's foot gave away and the wolves leaped in for an attack.
Then, a horrible smell caught in Tohru's nose. She felt sick at this smell and the wolves were also disgusted by it. The wolves backed away and took off running like cowards.
When Tohru looked up to find the source of that stench, she saw the most horrible creature imaginable. Kyo stood before her, glaring at her with contempt.
"What are you doing on my land?" Kyo demanded.
"I was looking for my friend," Tohru said politely, smiling at him as kindly as she could. "Oh, and my name's Tohru, sir."
"Well your friend is locked up in a cage," Kyo growled. "And if you don't leave now, you'll be joining him."
"Well may I please see him?" Tohru squeaked, feeling a tad bit uncomfortable.
Kyo shrugged and led Tohru back to his castle, forcefully pushing her along.
