Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket, its plot, characters, etc. but I do own my any OCs and my own plot/changes to the original plot.
"Call a doctor! Or a Vet! Or anybody!" Tohru yelled running down the stairs. Rika got up and ran to the main door where Tohru was showing the dog, cat and rat to the postman. "Mr. Postman, it's terrible. You see, there're animals!" she said holding them out to him before putting down the dog and the rat, still holding the cat.
"Oh yes, they certainly are. Here's your mail." He said holding it out. The dog walked forward with the rat on its head and took the mail in his mouth. Tohru put the cat down.
"No no, we gotta do something!" she insisted.
"I wish my dog was this smart." The postman said before he pet the dog's head. "Good day!" The postman said before he left. Rika shut the door before she picked up the cat. The cat struggled to get away then it put its paws on Rika's chest and proceeded to freak out even more until she put him down.
"Rika they're animals!" Tohru said turning to her.
"Yep, they are. I didn't know they had pets." Rika said as she took the mail from the dog and pat his head. The orange cat began hissing arching its back.
"Damn it! How am I supposed to come up with an excuse if both of you transform too?" The cat shouted. Rika blinked.
"Don't you dare try to blame this on us, you stupid cat!" The voice was familiar; it sounded like Yuki.
"Oh go ahead, say that again." The cat warned.
"Stupid cat."
"Why you little…"
"Cut it out! Both of you." The dog said; he also sounded familiar.
"Shigure?" Rika muttered.
"You mean they talk too…?" Tohru said.
"Tohru, I think your craziness finally infected me." Rika said as she stared at the three animals.
"Anyway, it's too late for excuses." The dog said as he put his head down. "We might as well tell them the truth. Tohru, Rika, I'm a dog. Yuki here, he's a rat. That's Kyo." He said looking to the orange cat that was facing the wall. "Don't let his temper scare you. He's got a bit of a chip on his shoulder."
"Wait so that cat's an actual guy? You pervert! You touched my chest!" Rika shouted as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"It's not like I meant to!" Kyo shouted as he jumped to face her. "You're the one who picked me up! Besides, I'm still a cat; it's not like I groped you!" Rika turned her head away and glared in the other direction. Kyo let out a huff and turned back to the wall.
"So this is…normal?" Tohru asked.
"Strange choice of words, but yes. Our family has lived with this curse for generations. We transform into the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac." Kyo gave Shigure a look. "Sorry, twelve animals plus the cat. Anyway, whenever our bodies come under a great deal of stress, or when we were hugged by a member of the opposite sex, we transform. After a little while we change back but the only thing is, uh…" Suddenly there was three puffs of smoke and the three boys were back to normal, "we're naked." Tohru started freaking out. Rika was still looking at the wall but looked at the puff of smoke out of reflex.
"Who's the pervert now!" Kyo shouted at her.
"Eh-?! Sh-Shut up!" Rika squeaked as she returned to glaring at the wall.
…
After the three guys got dressed, the four sat at the table while Kyo sat outside on the porch.
"Well, we must seem pretty strange to you at this point, huh?" Shigure said.
"But…it's not your fault if your family's cursed." Tohru said.
A family curse, huh? Rika thought as she looked at the three. That would explain a few things. If Yuki turns into an animal whenever a girl hugs him, that's probably why he pushed that fan club girl in the hall. He wasn't being mean; he just didn't want her to find out his secret.
"Tohru, Rika, didn't you two say you used to wish you could be cats?" Shigure asked.
"Yeah, uh-huh." Tohru said while Rika nodded
"What's it like, seeing the real thing?" He asked looking over at Kyo. Rika smiled as Tohru had a giant smile on her face. "Yes, it's hard to believe, I know. And I agree the phrase 'cat-like reflexes' doesn't really apply to him, the way he let you fall on him like that. But he is a cat. Well be it clumsier than most. Surprisingly really, considering the amount of martial arts training he's had. I'm sure he'd tell you the same thing himself, if he wasn't so busy brooding like a child…" Shigure said. Suddenly Kyo stood up and turned to him.
"Argh! Will you shut up!?" Kyo shouted. "I told you it's not my fault! If you wanna blame somebody, blame them." He said pointing to the girls. "They shouldn't even be here."
"Leave them out of this." Yuki defended. "Who we chose to allow into this house is really none of your concern. You're the one who doesn't belong here." Kyo got angry and hit the table making it split in half. The half on the girl's side came up and hit Tohru in the forehead while Rika had brought up her hands to stop it from hitting her in the face.
"Oh, Tohru, you're bleeding." Shigure said and she gasped. Rika turned Tohru's head to look at her and looked at the small cut. Suddenly Yuki slapped Kyo. "I knew that Kyo was reckless with his temper, but to act like this…" Shigure said holding a cloth for Tohru.
"You're still as stupid as ever." Yuki said to Kyo. "And I'm going to prove it to you by giving you exactly what you want." He said unbuttoning the top button of his shirt. "Only this time, I won't hold back."
"Ok, sissy boy!" Kyo said swinging his leg at Yuki.
"No… Yuki!" Tohru said frightened as the two began fighting.
"Don't worry." Shigure said turning her head to clean her cut. "This goes back a lot further than just today. Those two do nothing but fight whenever they see each other."
"But ...eh, shouldn't we stop them?" Tohru asked.
"No. It's ok. It'll all be over in a second." Shigure said. Suddenly Yuki kicked Kyo sending him flying, knocking down the door and sending him outside.
"I told you I wouldn't hold back. You should have listened." Yuki said.
"He…sent him flying." Tohru said.
"Wow pretty boy can fight." Rika said. Yuki looked over to her and blinked, a very faint pink going across his face.
"Yuki, try not to destroy the house, ok?" Shigure said.
"I really didn't mean to put him in the yard. He should learn to keep his guard up. Miss Honda, you're hurt." Yuki said walking over and bending over towards her.
"Oh it's fine. Really, I'm ok." She said waving her hands. "But I …eh, I'm not so sure about him."
"No, the only thing he's bruised is his ego." Yuki said as Kyo started to get up.
"I'm guessing your dreams of being a cat are pretty much shattered at this point."
"Well I don't know." Tohru stood up. "I wouldn't…" Suddenly Kyo got up and ran off. "… say that." Tohru finished quietly.
"Is he gunna be okay?" Rika asked.
"He'll be fine." Shigure said. "Are you okay?"
"Hm? Yeah I'm fine." Rika said scratching the back of her neck. She suddenly brought her hand away. "Ah!" She looked down at her hand to see a small splinter sticking out of her finger.
"Here let me." Shigure said taking my hand.
"No, I can do it." Rika said as she was about to pull her hand away. He held her hand a little tighter.
"Let me." He repeated with a small warm smile.
"… Fine." Rika said and let him look at it.
"Yuki, could you get me the tweezers." Yuki nodded and left the room.
"Are you okay Tohru?" Rika asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She said sheepishly. Yuki came back with the tweezers and handed them to Shigure as Tohru suddenly started running around franticly. "Oh no, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late. I'm late. Sorry, thanks for everything, I've gotta go. I've gotta go."
"I'm not so sure you wanna go in that uniform." Shigure said as he pinched Rika's finger. Tohru suddenly stopped and looked down at her dirty uniform. "Ah, suddenly she remembers her adventures in the woods."
"I don't know. It's not that bad. Maybe no one will notice." she said hopefully.
"Oh, I think they will." Shigure said pulling out the splinter. Rika winced slightly. He put a small Band-Aid on it before he brought her hand up and kissed the Band-Aid. Rika felt her cheeks heat up slightly, she pulled her hand from his, looking away, and he chuckled.
"You're right. But I promised Mom. I have to go to school." Tohru said.
"Fine. Don't let me stop you. A promise is a promise. Which reminds me, I will have to tell Akito about everything that's happened this morning." Shigure said to himself.
"You have to tell who?" Tohru asked.
"Oh, sorry. He's the head of the family."
"So, then I guess…this Akito, he must be someone really important, huh?"
"Well, he is to us, at least. And after all, we did just give away the big Sohma family secret."
"Alright. That does make sense. But I really am late. Good bye."
"Wait Tohru, wear my uniform, I'll wear yours." Rika said.
"But mine is too small for you."
"I guess I'll just wear something else then." Rika said as she held out her uniform.
"No I can't. You'll get in troub- "
"Tohru." Rika said sternly as she put a hand on her hip and held out the uniform. "I want you too. I'll be fine." she said. Tohru finally nodded and quietly ran to change.
"You sure play the big sister role well." Shigure commented.
"I have to. I am." Rika said as she walked over to a bag with her clothes in it and pulled out a white t-shirt and a pair of dark green shorts that went down to her knees. Rika left the room to change before she went back into the other room to wait for Tohru. She came running within a few minutes. Tohru grabbed her hand and ran out of the house.
"Thanks again for letting me use the washing machine." Tohru said holding her now clean uniform. She was still wearing Rika's but she didn't want her to get in trouble. So far no teachers has seen Rika's clothes.
"Believe me. I did us all a favor. Now, how did you say you got so dirty?" Arisa asked.
"L O V E, We love Yuki Yuki! Yuki! Lalalalalalalalala~ Lalalalalalalalala~" Rika grimaced as the Yuki fan club did their idiotic cheer.
"Say Miss Tohru, how come the dirty clothes? Did prince Yuki give you the ditch?" One girl asked before her and the other three began laughing. Before Rika could say anything Saki opened her mouth and Rika's eyebrows went up. The girls all ran away as Saki went after them.
"Good grief, those girls give me a headache." Arisa said. "Their prince doesn't show so they have to bother someone. But why you, I wonder."
I can't imagine what they'd do if they knew we were staying at Yuki's house. Rika thought. I'm pretty sure Arisa and Saki would be upset if they knew.
"Oh, well, silly silly. I better go change now." Tohru said before taking my hand. "I'll give you back your uniform."
"I was actually looking forward to not wearing it." Rika said with a frown. Arisa chuckled.
…
Tohru changed much faster than Rika and left the room to wait for her. She closed the door behind her but Rika could still hear anything that happened outside.
"Hello, Miss Honda." Rika heard Yuki say.
"Oh, Yuki! Hi."
"So, did you tell them, your friends, about this morning?"
"I told them I tripped…. Oh! Your secret! No. No, I didn't. I promise I won't tell a soul. Mom always said it's not right to gossip. Oh, but you don't know me that well yet."
"No really, this is…" She cut him off.
"I swear. I'll write it in blood if you want. Cross my heart and hope to die. Whatever it takes for you to believe me. I'll swallow a thousand…" He cut her off somehow and then Rika heard a light thud.
"That's not what I meant. I'm sorry. I do believe you when you say you'll keep our secret. But it doesn't matter. We still might have to erase your memories."
Erase our memories?! Rika's eyes widened. I'm not letting anyone mess with my head!
"It won't harm you." Yuki continued. "It's something like hypnotism. You'll simply forget everything you saw this morning. I know this, because this isn't the first time someone has learned about us. It happened when I was seven years old. I was playing with some other children in the garden behind our house. After that, we had to erase every one of those children's memories." He said.
"Yuki? Are you alright?" Tohru asked.
"But…I, I can't go against Akito's decision, whatever it is. I can't stop him no matter how much I might want to. That's why…I'm sorry." He said and Rika opened the door to see him walking off.
"Oh, wait!" Tohru said going after him. Rika closed her eyes as she fell against his back. "I am so sorry! Really, I didn't do it on purpose! Oh, I'm such an idiot! I wasn't even thinking!" Rika shook her head as she walked over.
"It's alright. Just as long as no one else saw." Yuki said.
"Oh, ok. What I wanted to say was," Tohru said picking him up. "thank you for being concerned about me. But really … it's ok. I'm fine. I'm not scared. So don't worry. I mean, I completely understand if you and your family don't want anyone to know about your secret. That's why it's called a secret, right? So whatever you decide is fine with me. I want you to do whatever makes you feel the most comfortable."
"…Can I hold him?" Rika asked with a small smirk forming. He looked towards her finally noticing she was there.
"Uh." Tohru held him out to her and Yuki moved into Rika's hands. Rika grinned and stroked his head with a finger.
"You're so cute as a rat." Rika chuckled as he looked away. She kissed the top of his head and he stared up at her with his wide little eyes.
"You can erase my memory." Tohru said. "But afterwards, promise you'll still be our friend?" Suddenly there was a puff of smoke as he transformed back making Rika drop him. Tohru and Rika blushed turning away.
"Sorry. The amount of time before we change back varies a bit." He said as he got dressed.
"It's ok." Tohru said. They turned around as he was dressed. Tohru giggled. "Yuki, where did you learn to tie a tie?" He looked down at the poorly tied tie.
"I guess I've never been very good at this sort of things."
"Don't feel bad. Nobody is perfect. Good thing you have me here." she said as she moved closer and started to fix his tie. He looked down at her a little shocked.
"Miss Honda, Rika…" He glanced at her before a light pink went across his face. He looked back to Tohru. "It- It really didn't bother you to see…"
"Oh, don't worry." she said moving back. "I closed my eyes in time." Rika chuckled. He looked at her again still blushing.
"No, I didn't mean that."
"Huh?"
"So … can I... walk you to class?"
"Uh-huh." She said happily.
"Well I gotta get to my own class." Rika said with a smile and a small wave. "See you two later, yeah?" Rika turned around and walked the other way to her class.
"I'm back." Yuki said as the three entered the house.
"Hello. We're home from school." Tohru called.
"Shigure?" Yuki asked opening the door to Shigure's office. "He must have gone out."
"I'm gunna go put away my bag." Tohru said before walking to the stairs.
"Okay." Yuki said.
"Tohru, would you mind taking mine up too?" Rika asked.
"Of course." She said with a smile taking the bag before heading upstairs.
"I'm home." Shigure said as he entered the house. "Yuki, Tohru, Rika! Are you here? And Kyo, I hope you're not doing something stupid and tearing up my house again." Suddenly Kyo came down the stairs looking pissed off with Tohru right behind him.
"Wait! Please don't go." She said as he left.
"He'll be back." Shigure said. "It's not like he has anywhere else to go. But never mind him. Can you two come in here for a second?" He said to them.
"Oh …ok." Tohru said and girls followed him.
"I had a little talk with Akito today." Shigure started as the four of us sat at the table, Tohru between Yuki and Rika. "He's decided that as long as you two can keep our secret, you can stay here."
"Oh …good. So then …there's no punishment?" Tohru said.
"Punishment? Why would we…? You can keep the secret?"
"Yes." She said happily.
"Now, we won't have to lose our memories." Rika said. "Like I'd let anyone erase my memory anyway." she said as she crossed her arms.
"You wouldn't have had a choice." Shigure said. Rika shrugged before getting up.
"I'm going to get changed."she said before leaving the room and going up to the bedroom the girls now shared. When she walked in the first thing she noticed was the step latter then that the hole from where Kyo had crash landed was covered up.
That must have been what he was doing here earlier. Rika thought. She picked up the step ladder and walked into the hallway.
"Hey Shigure?" Rika called down.
"Yes?" He called back up.
"Where does this step ladder go?"
"Step ladder?" He asked coming up the stairs.
"Kyo fixed the ceiling." Rika said with a shrug.
"Oh." He said walking over. "I'll take it." He said taking it from her. "If you need anything just ask." He said with a smile, holding the folded ladder under his arm.
"Thanks Shigure." Rika said with a smile. He nodded and turned to walk down the stairs. Rika went back into the bedroom and closed the door. She went over to the dresser the girls put their clothes in. She changed into a long white shirt and a pair of black shorts. A few moments later Tohru came in and also changed. They agreed that we would alternate between who slept in the bed and who slept on the futon. Since it was Tohru's turn to sleep in the bed Rika laid down in the futon and she got in the bed before turning out the light.
"Good night, Rika."
"Good night, Tohru."
The next morning when the girls got up Rika braided Tohru's hair and Tohru changed into a white shirt and a red skirt white Rika put her hair in a high ponytail and changed into black cargo shorts with a white tank top. They went downstairs and Yuki showed them to the kitchen after Tohru put on her apron. The three of them, even Yuki, stood in the doorway amazed at how filthy it was. There were smelly garbage bags everywhere and dishes piled into the sink.
"Well, it's not gunna clean itself." Tohru said.
"I'll help you." Yuki said. "Just tell me what to do."
"You better not." Shigure said opening a nearby door. "The closest thing Yuki's ever seen to a mop is that haircut of his." Rika chuckled and Yuki glared slightly. "I think he'd just get in the way."
"That's alright. We'll take care of it. We did all make a deal that we'd do the housework in exchange for our room. We wouldn't be earning our keep if we let you two help us."
"Well I can see we're in good hands. I'm going to go to find Kyo and I'll be out with him for a while. We should be back by lunch time." Shigure said.
"Sure, just leave it to us." Tohru said.
"In that case, I guess I'll go out too." Yuki said.
"Fine. We'll be done when you get back." Tohru said. The two left and Tohru and Rika walked to the kitchen. Rika turned to her.
"Oh boy."
"We can do it!" She said.
"I'm glad you have enough energy for the both of us." Rika said chuckling. Tohru smiled fixing the white bandana on her head.
After about an hour Tohru and Rika had gotten the kitchen all cleaned up and Rika started on the rest of the house while Tohru started cooking. Rika asked her if she needed any help but Tohru said she'd be fine and that Rika should do the sweeping and the dusting. Rika finished both tasks quickly and ended up helping her anyway.
"Amazing." They turned to see Yuki walk in. "If I didn't know better, I'd think I walked into the wrong house. Since when do we have a rice cooker?"
"I found it in the trash. Oh, by the way, I hope you got your appetite, coz lunch is almost ready." Tohru said with a smile. The girls finished making lunch before bringing it out.
"It's delicious." Yuki said.
"You think so? You don't think it's too bland?" Tohru asked.
"It's perfect. The best lunch I've ever had." He said.
"Don't be silly."
"That reminds me. I wonder where Shigure and that stupid cat ran off to."
"I don't know. He said they'd be back by lunch time."
"Well, shame on them. It's rude to let a meal this good get cold." He said taking another bite.
"Oh yeah, you went out for a while too, didn't you? Where did you go? Shopping?"
"Oh no. I just went out back to my secret base."
"What? You have a secret base? You mean like a fort, or an underground hide-up? That sounds so exciting!"
"I don't think it's quite as elaborate as you're thinking. But I'll tell you what, next time I'll take you with me."
"What? Do you really mean it? I'm going to a secret base! I've always wanted to see one in person. The neighborhood boys had one when I was a kid, but they told me girls weren't allowed. Rika and I tried to make our own but the tent we used kept falling down. I can't wait to see-"She was cut off as Kyo pushed open the door, Shigure behind him in a suit.
"Stop." Shigure said. "Kyo just listen to me!"
"I don't wanna hear it. You think it's fun jerking me around like that." Kyo yelled moving to the other side of the room.
"Now hold on, it wasn't… ok, it was a little bit fun but that's not why I did it, it was for your own good. And don't forget it, it was Akito's decision."
"Shut up, I don't give a damn about Akito!"
"Oh, um…are you hungry? Rika and I made you some lunch."
"Shut up!" He yelled again and closed the door as he went into the hallway. Tohru flinched.
"Kyo, don't take this out on Tohru." Shigure said taking off his shoe. "And use the front door next time. And take off your shoes!"
"And you're setting a fine example." Yuki said.
"This is the first time I've seen you in a suit. It looks good on you." Tohru said.
"You don't say."
"You look like a butler." Yuki said.
"Ah, lunch is ready." Shigure said.
"Yes, but shouldn't we see about Kyo?" Tohru asked.
"Oh him?" Shigure said taking off his jacket. "He just needs to let off some steam. He's angry that I made him take an entrance exam." Shigure sat down at the table.
"An entrance exam? For what?" Tohru asked.
"Funny, you should ask. As of today, Kyo's officially the newest student at your school. Oh and he's also going to be living with us from now on too."
"Don't you take a single bite." Yuki said darkly. "Get out."
"…haha, well I had a feeling you'd be upset." Shigure said with a chuckle. "You see, Kyo pulled a bit of a vanishing act on us. He just up and disappeared for four month. And do you know where he disappeared to? He was up on a mountain top, training."
"What kind of …training?" Tohru asked.
"Let me guess, he's been meditating under waterfalls and fighting bears." Yuki said.
"Ah, I'm not so sure about that part. But the point is, Kyo really wants to beat Yuki."
"Stupid cat." Yuki said. Rika got up and Tohru looked up.
"I'll be right back." Rika said before she left the room.
…
Rika walked outside and stretched her arms above her head, holding her hands together. She let out a sigh as she dropped her arms. Rika looked up at the sky and something orange and red caught her eye on the roof. She turned to see Kyo sitting up on the roof looking down at his hands. Rika ran back inside and up to the second floor to the balcony.
"Hey Kyo." she said and he snapped his head down to look at her. "Help me up." Rika said. Kyo narrowed his eyebrows.
"Go away."
"Come on, help me up." Rika said as she climbed up onto the railing of the balcony.
"W-What are you doing? You're gunna fall!" Kyo shouted as he jumped up.
"Then help me." Rika said. He growled before moving down and grabbing her arms then he pulled her up. He moved back to the top and sat down.
"If you're gunna be up here stay at that end." He said looking away. Rika got up to the top at sat down next to him. "Hey I said-!"
"Listen. I get you have a temper problem and hate everyone but don't take it out on people you don't even know. Tohru is a caring girl, you shouldn't just snap at her because you're pissed off. If you need to blow some steam come yell at me." He gave her a weird look.
"Why would I yell at you?"
"I don't know. Just don't yell at Tohru or I'll..." He rolled his eyes.
"You'll what?!" Rika moved closer and he leaned away, his face having a hint of pink come to it.
"Or I'll hug you and throw your fuzzy ass in a bathtub."
"You don't scare me." He said.
"I have the power to make you a cat."
"It's not a power! It's only cause you're a girl!"
"Yes. One of two living in this house that accepts the Zodiac Curse including the cat." Rika said. He sighed and looked away.
"Fine. I'll try to control my temper around her. Just don't hug me."
"I'm sure even a brief hug would be nice." Rika said sliding a finger down his back. He jumped, moved away and stared at her. Rika started laughing as his face went red.
"Shut up." He mumbled. "You hug me up here I'll... jump on you then transform back naked." He said trying to make a threat.
"Who said I'd mind that?" Rika asked with a smirk. He began blushing again deeper and Rika laughed more. "I'm just teasing you kitty."
"Don't call me kitty."
"Would you rather I call you another word for cat with two of the same letters?" Rika asked. He didn't say anything for a moment then his face went bright red. "Kyo you pervert what did you think of?"
"Nothing. Just… don't call me kitty in front of anyone, okay?" Rika smiled.
"Thanks Kitty." He sighed. "Hey… How do we get down from here?" He face palmed.
"There's a ladder right there." He pointed to the other end of the roof.
"Oh." Rika blinked. Kyo face palmed.
The next day when Yuki and the girls went to school Kyo walked with them. Before classes started Rika went to Tohru's homeroom class with them. Kyo was sitting at his desk surrounded by students.
"Poor Kyo. He looks so scared." Tohru said as she, Saki, Arisa and Rika stood at the back of their classroom watching Kyo who was sitting at his desk, surrounded by girls.
"There're the same." Saki said. "His electric signals are exactly the same as Yuki's. I don't know, but there's something about them that's almost inhuman."
"Hana, that's just rude." Arisa said. "Ah, hey." Arisa said as Yuki walked by. "Question. So this new guy, is he really your cousin or what?" she asked Yuki.
"Yes, that is the rumor going around. I prefer to leave it at that." He said before going to his desk.
"Hey, I thought we were talking?" A girl said as Kyo got up and started to leave.
"Wait, come back." Another said hugging his arm. He suddenly grabbed her arm and suddenly she was face first on the floor.
"What are you doing?!"
"Oh Kyo, I don't think that's a good idea." Tohru said.
"Get off me!" The girl said. Rika rolled her eyes, grabbed Kyo's arm and pulled him up as another girl helped up the girl on the floor.
"Hey, what did she do to you?"
"Leave me alone!" Kyo suddenly yelled before pulling his arm from Rika's grip and going to the window. Rika sighed as he opened the window and jumped out. She looked out the window to see him land on his hands and feet like a cat before he got up and started running.
"Amazing."
"That proves it. He's definitely related to prince Yuki."
"I can't believe he jumped."
"Hey, aren't you forgetting about me? I did just get my arm ripped off."
"That was hysterical." Arisa said laughing. "He looked like a cat trying to get out of a bath." Arisa said.
"Poor Kyo." Tohru said quietly.