Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket.

A/N: Yay, I'm updating cuz my school just ended! It's kind of sad too, though. By the way, this chapter is going to be a bit angsty, a bit sweet. The next chapter might be too, but I don't know if I'm going to split this chapter up or not. Probably not.


"Oi, oi, I'm going to visit Akito!" Shigure announced to his roommates as he fixed his kimono. The other two exchanged glances, and then looked at him with steely eyes. He looked up. "What? I have to look my best for her, ne?" he joked. Neither of the others laughed.

"Shigure... what are you going to tell Akito-san?" Hatori asked seriously. Ayame remained silent, eyes falling to the floor, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Oh... this and that..." Shigure said casually, twirling his finger in the air.

"Shigure..." Hatori said in a more forceful tone.

Shigure dropped the act and smirked. "You know what I'm going to tell her..."

Ayame's fists clenched and he looked up at Shigure with a glare. "You can't... Yuki... he'll..."

Shigure shrugged. "You know that the only person I care about is Akito... and myself. As long as she's happy, I'm happy, and that's all I--"

Shigure was cut off as Ayame took him by the coller and shoved him up against the wall.

Hatori's eyes widened in surprise, as Ayame glared Shigure down. Shigure remained unchanged. "Are you... angry...?" He asked Ayame with raised eyebrows. "I always knew you were a good brother, Aya." He smiled. "I'm proud of you."

"I don't want to hear that from you!" Ayame said through gritted teeth, shoving him harder.

"Oh... I'm sorry... but you want to make Yuki happy, and I want to make Akito happy, and that's where we clash. So... I'm sorry, Aya. I have to--" He was cut off again, and this time it was by Ayame's fist.

Hatori's mouth was slightly agape as he stood speechless at the spectacle.

"How can you be so insensitive you..." Ayame's voice trailed off and he released Shigure. "What am I doing...?" His voice trembled slightly. "So... unlike me..." He raised a hand to his forehead, leaning against the wall.

Shigure fixed the collar of his kimono and cleared his throat as if nothing had happened. "If you'll excuse me... I'll be going now." He exited unaffectedly, leaving Hatori frozen.

He looked at Ayame, who was still leaning there, silently. Finally regaining himself, Hatori ran out after Shigure, but by the time he got there, Shigure was already in the car and starting the engine. Hatori rubbed his forehead, wondering for the millionth time if that man had any conscience at all. He sighed and went back to their room. At the doorway, he paused. Through the crack in the door he saw Ayame leaning against the wall, hugging his knees to his chest, cellphone against his ear.

"Mine? I did something... terrible... I'm feeling a bit... down... say something to cheer me up, will you? It's not good for me to lose my charisma..." Ayame paused and chuckled. He closed his eyes and relaxed, leaning his head against the wall. Hatori left, thinking it was best that he didn't intterupt.


The doorbell rang, and those in the Sohma Summer house wondered who it could be this time. It seemed someone new was coming to stay with them everyday. Tohru answered the door, and was surprised at who stood there.

"M-Mine-san... what brings you here?"

For once Mine wasn't in some random maid's outfit, but in a regular skirt and top. She looked up at her with a warm smile and tucked some hair behind her ear. "Boss needed me..." She said simply.

"I-I see... I think..." Tohru smiled unsurely.

Just at that moment, Ayame appeared in the hallway. He blinked in surprise. "Mine...?"

"You mean you didn't know she was coming?" Tohru questioned.

Ayame shook his head. "No... I..." His voice trailed off, as he just stared at Mine's presence.

Tohru looked from Mine to Ayame, who both just stared at each other, and something dawned on her. She smiled. "I'll be leaving you then..." She said knowingly before backing into the kitchen after one last glance. Neither noticed her leave.

Mine's grin widened. "Surprise!" She broke eye contact to rummage through her bag. "Here, I brought this new fabric I found that I thought you would like, and this really good thread I bought the other day... I even brought the sewing kit and..." Her voice trailed off as she looked up to see Ayame still looking at her with the softest smile.

"You came... because you knew... didn't you...?" Ayame said quietly, softly trailing his fingers on her cheek.

Everything in Mine's hand dropped back into the bag as her breath caught in her throat. "K-Knew what, boss...?"

"That I needed you..."

"B-Boss..."

"You don't have to call me boss... We're not at work..." he said, standing dangerously close to her.

"A-Ayame..." Her words were cut off as Ayame leaned forward and placed a slow, sweet kiss on her lips.

He broke off and rested his head on her shoulder. "Thank you, Mine..."

With her free hand, Mine gently stroked Ayame's hair. "No problem, Bo-- uh... Ayame..."


Tohru hummed as she stirred the curry.

"What are you so happy about?" Kyo asked her.

"Summer love! Lot's of summer love!" Tohru exclaimed loudly, raising the spoon into the air.

Kyo stared. "What the hell?"

"Let's count the couples!" Tohru went on. "Ayame-san and Mine-san, Hatori-san and Mayuko-sensei, Isuzu-san and Hatsuharu-san, Momiji-san and Toudou-san, Hiro-san and Kisa-chan, Yuki-kun and Kuragi-san... KYAAA THERE ARE SO MANY!" She giggled, bouncing.

"HOW THE HELL DO YOU KNOW ALL THIS?" Kyo sputtered.

"Woman's intuition!" Tohru grinned.

"I didn't know you had any..." Kyo muttered.

"Ano, Kyo-kun? Do you... that is... is there anyone you like?" Tohru asked suddenly, turning to him.

Kyo blushed, but then looked down at her expectant face and and smiled. He leaned over, placing a finger on her lips. "That's for me to know and you to figure out someday..." Tohru turned red. "What about you, Tohru?" Kyo asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"That... That's my S-E-C-R-E-T!" Tohru giggled, in turn putting a finger on Kyo's lips.

The two realized how they were standing, with their fingers on each other's lips, and pulled away blushing, laughing nervously.

"Maybe someday we'll find out huh?" Kyo said.

"Yeah... maybe someday..." Tohru grinned.

Both returned to the cooking, faces beet red.


Yay, cuteness! X3 Anyway, summer vacation is on, bitches! Hope you guys are enjoying it as much as me!