Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in Fruit Basket.
Attention: This fiction contains a little of boy x boy sex and some torture. It's a bit confusing or so my beta commented since I took liberties with the timeline and age of the characters. I even changed the gender of Akito since I like him better as a guy. The main reason is because I only watch the anime, never read the manga yet. Hehe. So if you don't like it. Don't read it.
Summary: Ayame always looked so happy and confident. But what if he is not? What if he is just as if not even more tormented on the inside like every other Juunishi? Would he be able to survive the torment or would he crumble? HatorixShigurexAyame, KyouxYuki, maybe others.
Chapter One
As Yuki entered the house, he heard voices drifting down from the hallways. A pair actually. And one of them was grating on his nerves just like its owner would. He was barely able to refrain himself from stomping into the living room to toss the obnoxious owner of the loud baritone out. That was just not him (though he dearly loved to do so) but Kyou groaned instantly when the very familiar and very annoying waves hit his eardrums.
"Not him again! That's it. This time, I'm throwing him out. No more Mr Nice Cat!" With that he did what Yuki had wished to do, with Tohru trailing behind him, trying to stop him.
"When were you ever nice?" Yuki sighed quietly. As much as he loved to argue with Kyou, he just did not have the mood for it that day. Besides, he liked the house to be in perfect condition and not in a wreck.
A blast of shouting greeted him as he entered the living room. The next thing he knew, he was gathered up in a tight embraced.
"Okaerinasai! Yuki! I missed you soooo much!"
Pushing the young man away, Yuki said with polite disgust (A/N only he can pull this off! :P), "What nonsense are you talking about? I just saw you yesterday when you turned up yet again uninvited like today. And just a month ago, you had stayed here overnights for three days. That is more than I can handle now. I had enough of you and your nonsense so please leave immediately. This house does not welcome you." With that, he began to dust his clothes as if Ayame had just dirtied it with his embrace.
The room was quiet for a few moments.
"Yuki…kun…" A shocked Tohru ventured to break the silence.
But Kyou cut in, "For once I couldn't agree less with the Baka Nezumi. Get out and leave us in peace, you annoying Snake."
Ayame took this all in his stride and smiled his brightest. "I'm sure you guys are just kidding. So funny. Hahahaha. No one could resist my beauty and grace. My attract…"
"Just leave. I'm tired of you." The quiet voice cut through the loud baritone like knife through butter. Amethyst eyes locked onto golden orbs, impressing the seriousness of the statement. That the Rat was not joking at all.
This time the silence was longer than before. Tohru was too afraid to intervene. And it would have stretch longer if Shigure was not there.
"Ma… Aya-chan, didn't you just told me that your business has recently improved greatly and there are a lot of orders to complete? Well, it would not do to procrastinate them. Customers will leave if you don't finish them within the deadline."
Ayame who was obviously stunned immediately regained his boisterous self. "Of course. The great Souma Ayame is superb in everything he does. Even business is no challenge for him. My fabulous success in business only further strengthen this point. No customers ever leave my shop unsatisfied!" And he finished off this with a booming laugh. "And now, like Gure-san said, I have to be off to finish my orders. My masterpiece! Mata ne!" Then, like a whirlwind passing through, he swept through the living room, down the hallway and out of the house.
"Takku, does he have no self-humiliation? Keeps on intruding at our place even though we specifically pointed out AGAIN and AGAIN that he is not welcomed."
"Kyou-kun," Tohru said, horrified. "How could you…"
The teenagers began to argue amongst themselves but Shigure paid no attention to them. He was worried for his friend. The flash of hurt and hopelessness. It did not suit the face which was ever-donning on a brilliant smile. The haunted look just seemed so out of place.
Ayame used to have these looks. The look of a tormented soul. But that was a long time ago. Shigure had even forgotten that Ayame was capable of getting sad and hurt. The Snake had been cheering him up for so many long, albeit unconsciously, with his sunny and cheerful characteristics, that he had forgotten that once, he had been the one cheering the Snake up. When did Ayame shed the tears, anger and hopelessness? Did he ever recover from them?
"Aya-chan, what happened to you?"
…t.e.k.s.a.b.t.i.u.r.f…f.r.u.i.t.b.a.s.k.e.t…t.e.k.s.a.b.t.i.u.r.f…
The party was so boring. All the people there were too old and prim and proper to play with. Everyone just stood there talking about stuff a four year old would not understand. Plus, Shigure was unnerved by the amount of glances and stares shot at his direction. The cool, calculating looks of those eyes.
Though he was only four, he was smart. And he knew that behind the sweet, smiling façades was the sickening desire to manipulate and control. So, he did any four-year-old could and entitled to do. Using the restroom as an excuse, he ran from those eyes.
When he entered the large house of the host, he was fascinated by the traditional Japanese design since his parents opted for the latest modern design used in most houses. The house was magnificent and dark, resembling those old palaces he saw in the picture books. Instead of bricks, it was made entirely out of solid wood. Lanterns powered by electricity
dimly lit up the hallway he was standing now. The soft yellowish glow of the lanterns revealed several delicate porcelain vases with intricate designs along the hallway and splendid paintings decorating the wall. Maybe he was whisked away into one of those places by a fairy. He was so excited, his heart thumping as his childish mind and overactive imagination couldn't help but anticipated a regal and proud samurai strutting down the hallway any moment now; or a glimpse of a beautiful and kind princess in one of the rooms he would pass by.
As he slowly ventured down the hallway, the darkly veneered boards cool to his small feet, he jumped when a soft, muffled sob reached his keen ears. Frozen in place, he strained to hear the sound again. After a while, he relaxed. "Must be my imaginations." His sigh was loud and audible followed by giggles. When he took another step forward, he was again assaulted, this time by a pair of shining golden orbs.
Startled into immobilisation, Shigure could only manage a stutter, his throat too constricted to scream. "Gh… Gh… Gh… Ghost…."
The shining orbs suddenly dimmed after he uttered those words and disappeared with a barely swallowed sob. The soft sob jolted Shigure back to his senses. He shook his head and walked warily towards the door which the orbs vanished into.
When he stuck his head timidly into the room, his wide chocolate eyes found a small form huddled on a large four poster bed. Then, his keen ears caught the soft unmistakeable sound of crying and mutterings. His heart melted when snatches of "Monster", " Useless…" "Ghost…", "Mama…" and "Not love" drifted into his ears. He mentally hit himself for his cowardice and approached the bed tentatively, speaking in a loud and cheerful voice, "Hajimemashita! I'm Souma Shigure! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!"
The little shaking form turned rigid. "Are you here to laugh at me?" a small broken voice asked, raw fear tainting it.
"Nope! I'm here to play with you! The party outside is soooo boring. The grownups were talking about weird stuffs I don't understand. So I snuck in here to escape."
"Y… You r…re…ally want… t… to… p.. pl… play wit…with me?"
"Yeah!"
"Yo… you w…w...wa…nt t… to be my f… fr… friend?"
"Of course!"
Suddenly, Shigure found himself in a tight but warm embrace. The little form was so cuddly and comfortable, he enjoyed the hug immensely and even return the favour. Breaking the hug, he peered down to have his breath taken away.
Large golden, red from crying stared gratefully at him, piercing him, touching his innocent soul. Tears still trickled down porcelain-smooth angular cheeks. A sharp nose and rose-bud lips completed the whole masterpiece which stole his breath.
"Erm… So… What's your name?" he asked awkwardly.
"I'm Ayame. Souma Ayame." The child said shyly, a blush rising, further heightening his beauty.
By then, Shigure could only stare. "You're pretty, Aya-chan. Are you a girl?"
"NO! I'm a boy!" came the protest.
"Well that does not really matters. Wanna play?"
"YES!" Ayame was jumping up and down in excitement, a true smile finally broke through the tears. His eyes shone like twin suns while the smile was simply dazzling, showing ivory white and perfect teeth.
Shigure's heart leaped at his success of make Ayame smile. Silently, his subconscious made a vow to protect that smile and guard the fragile heart from pain and suffering.
That day, the two boys spent the whole day together, playing, talking or just sat in silence. Anyway, they were glad they met each another. They found out that they were actually of the same age and both were in fact juunichi. This knowledge only brought them closer.
Both were sitting on Ayame's bed after a superb game of hide-and-seek. The house was enormous and ideal for the game after all.
"Ne… Gure-chan."
"Nani, Aya-chan?"
"I am so glad to meet you today. I never felt so happy and lucky. So don't forget me when you leave. I don't mind if I never see you again. Just remember me, ok?"
Shigure's heat clenched at the sad tone of the plea.
"Tell you what Aya-chan. Let's become blood brothers."
"Blood brothers?"
"I saw it on the television the other day. By sharing blood, we could become blood brothers, connected by the blood we share."
"But how do we share?"
"Easy. Each of us cut one of our palms. Then we hold the wounds together for sometimes to let to blood flow for a while and we're done! Sealed as blood brothers for life. Inseparable."
"Really?" Two large liquid gold, hopefully stared at him. He nodded confidently, earning a second embrace that day and a shout of "thank you" from the silver head.
Without further ado, the two friends performed the ceremony and thus became blood brothers.
…t.e.k.s.a.b.t.i.u.r.f…f.r.u.i.t.b.a.s.k.e.t…t.e.k.s.a.b.t.i.u.r.f…
A wave of sudden sadness engulfed his whole body, bringing tears to his eyes. An involuntary sob escaped his mouth.
"Akito-sama. Daijoubu?" a concerned Hatori asked. "Where do you feel painful? Did I hurt you somehow?"
Suppressing his feelings, Akito managed a smile which looked more like a grimace to the beholder. "It is nothing. Just a wave of dizziness as usual."
"But the…"
"It's alright. Now leave. I need some time alone." And he waved his hand as a sign of dismissal.
As he blocked the wave of sadness, a weak throb of concern, barely a tingle rose. This only heightened his glee and turned the grimace into a smug smile.
He couldn't help it. Hatori was feeling genuine concern for him. Him alone. No one else. Not that stupid Kana. The life lines connecting Master and Juunishi were the reason why he was able to sense the feelings. He could distinguish a few of his favourites. Actually every Juunishi has a distinct life line, a trait that set them apart from the others. But Akito never bothered to learn all, just the few of his beloved Animals, namely Hatori, Shigure, Kureno and Yuki.
Oh! And one more. The recent wave of sadness. The intensity of it, so powerful, it was able to influence his mind and feelings. Powerful enough to wrench tears and even a sob from him. Even Yuki did not influence him like that, not that strongly. Yuki's life line to him was never that strong. His was the same as the rest. When feelings were transmitted, it was weak compared to that particular life line. Like comparing a candle light to a furnace, or a gentle wave to a tsunami.
Feeling the intense sadness brought pure mirth and glee to Akito. He was proven right, as usual. No one would love his Juunishi like he did. Why did they keep trying to hurt themselves by rejecting him and seeking the outside world. Couldn't they see that he was all they ever needed. That his love would satisfy their thirsty souls. That he was theirs and they were his, God and Juunishi, Master and Pets.
But no. Even his most precious Yuki left him. Now the Rat had his eyes glued onto the stupid girl Tohru, bewitched and tricked by her cunning charm. So entranced by her, he even skipped the New Year Feast. That Tohru bitch would pay one day for meddling with his Rat, for getting in the way between him and his beloved. It was all her fault. Her fault that the bond between him and Yuki grew more estrange every second. Her fault for stealing Yuki. That good-for-nothing witch! In his deranged mind, he saw Yuki as the victim, a pure innocent Rat fallen into the snares of a black cloaked and cackling Tohru.
Now, he was rather pleased with himself. His action has been justified yet again and at the same time, he could feel genuine concern radiating from Hatori, deepening their bond. Killing two Juunishi with one stone.
…t.e.k.s.a.b.t.i.u.r.f…f.r.u.i.t.b.a.s.k.e.t…t.e.k.s.a.b.t.i.u.r.f…
Hatori was worried. Akito was acting weirder than usual during his 3 o'clock check up. First he cried for no particular reason then the man suddenly burst into fits of maniac giggles.
Maybe the young Master had lost his marbles. A stab of pain pierced through his heart at that thought.
No matter what Akito did, he still loved the man as a brother. A younger spoiled brother who had a fatal disease. Even if he was the one of drove Kana crazy and out of his life, Hatori would still care for Akito. The dragon knew that Akito did it in a desperate act to protect him, to prevent the hurt of rejection after a life of bliss. For Hatori had seen Kana for who she really was. While she was still able to accept Hatori as a Juunishi, the gentle lady had shown her weak will and mental strength when assaulted by Akito. She completely broke down when Akito confronted her and poisoned her mind, planting the seed of guilt and madness. Like growing on fertile land with optimum condition, the seed took root and grew into a monster, tearing up Kana from inside.
This proved her weak state of mind. And this kind of person could never survive in the Souma Clan. In this twisted family, only the strong willed ones would remain. The weak would be utterly consumed by the manipulation and the twisted games played among family members. He himself was barely able to avoid from drowning and Hatori doubt that he could keep both him and Kana afloat in this demented family. In short, simple terms, he and Kana was not meant to be. And he was ever grateful of Akito for the realisation.
However, that did not mean that he could ignore the love and passion he shared with the wonderful woman. His heart shattered like porcelain on a rock when he had to erase every single memory of him from her mind. To save her. With every step she took away from him, he felt a stab on his heart. The first few days without her were awful and would had been worse if Shigure and Ayame were not there for him.
Speaking of Ayame, Hatori glanced at the clock. The Snake was extremely late. Not that he and the silver-haired man had an appointment. It's just that every day without failure and unusually on time, the snake would arrive at his house at 4 o'clock sharp to pester him. But now, the digital clock on his wall displayed 5 o'clock.
Ayame was very easy to predict. Once he had fallen into a certain habit he would almost never break the habit. Like pestering him around four. It started right after his break up with Kana. At that time, Shigure would follow suit, just to be there for him and cheer him up. When he had eventually regained some of his old composed self, Shigure stopped visiting but the Snake never. That was two years ago. Come rain or shine or even snow, he would be here at four, his loud baritone announcing his arrival. Sometimes, it was rather annoying when Hatori was busy. But he was used to the loud and hyperactive Ayame. Thus, he tolerated the visits and even came to enjoy it, sometimes making it a point to leave the period between four to five free just so he could enjoy the cheerful company.
By now, the house would be filled with merry laughter and wild proclamation. But today, the silence was painful, so silent, the tinkle of the pin hitting the floor would have brought forth echo. The house seemed to miss the melodious laughter, holding its breath, waiting for the explosion of sound. But it never came. And the owner himself was having the same problem. He'd never thought that there would be the day when he would miss the typhoon that was Ayame.
Where did that Snake disappear to? He was never late before. God knows about his irrational fuss for punctuality. Forever quoting the infamous Gandalf from his favourite novel
the Lord of the Rings, "A man is never late nor is he early. He arrives at exactly when he is needed.", Ayame took outrageous measures just to be sure he was punctual.
"Where are you, Ayame?"
…t.e.k.s.a.b.t.i.u.r.f…f.r.u.i.t.b.a.s.k.e.t…t.e.k.s.a.b.t.i.u.r.f…
Hatori sighed softly. The last family gathering was so meaningless and boring. Meaningless because he couldn't complete the task his father gave him. Boring… because of the task too. That day, his father had taken aside while his mother was putting on the finishing touch of make up.
"Hatori, I have something I need you to do." His stern father said.
Hatori, always eager to please his father though he never show outwardly, answered solemnly "Yes, father."
"Thus party we're going, is the first family gathering you'll be attending. The whole Souma Clan will be showing up. But the most important point is all the Juunishi will be there, from the Rat until the Boar. What I need you to do is befriend the Dog. He is the same age as you and this is his first party as well. He might be bored thus you could take the chance to know and play with him. Understand?"
"Yes."
"Good. Like I said, the boy is around your age and he has black hair and brown eyes. Don't get the wrong person, Hatori."
"Yes." Thinking that was all, he turned to leave only to have his father stopping him.
"And one more thing, Try to stay away from a silver-haired, yellow-eyed boy."
"Yes, Chichiwei. I'll try my best."
A proud and satisfied smile graced his stoic father's face after the proclamation. "That's my boy."
With that, he left to enter the car waiting outside, determination burning in his heart, determination to bring forth the rare smile he received just now.
'I can do this. This is easy. Just befriend a boy my age. Even if he is the Dog, how hard is that? I'm a Dragon, after all."
But the fates believed that Young Hatori was too arrogant for their liking. Thus, Hatori never get even a glimpse of the Dog. The only kid his age was a little boy who kept saying sorry for no apparent reason. In short, the party was boring. That would be ok if he could only tell his father proudly that he managed to befriend the Dog. But, alas, at the end of the day, only disappointment shone in his father's emerald eyes. Not the twinkling of pride and satisfaction of a job well done that he envisioned.
Hatori sighed at the thought. He would try his best to find the Dog today. Even if he had to break into the scary-looking house.
His mother who was sitting beside him asked gently, "What is the matter Tori-chan? Are you feeling well?"
"Nothing, Hahawei. I'm fine."
"Well, don't look so down. I'm sure you would have a lot of fun in this party!"
Hatori smiled. His mother was the only one who could bring forth such a smile. She was the only one who ever made him felt needed. If only his father would be the same. Well, he was determined to change that today.
…t.e.k.s.a.b.t.i.u.r.f…f.r.u.i.t.b.a.s.k.e.t…t.e.k.s.a.b.t.i.u.r.f…
It was the same as before. The boy was nowhere in sight. Only one more place left to search. The mansion.
His little heart trembled at the thought of entering the house which looked exactly like the haunted mansion in the TV. He gulped as he stepped onto the wooden floors, jumping when a breeze gently rang the wind-chime.
Mentally berating himself for his cowardice, he pushed down his fears and forced himself forward into what his mind believe was his doom, his heart pounding at 100 mph.
When nothing hideous jumped out to maul him, Hatori let out a sigh of relief. That was when a blood-curdling shriek rang as hands grabbed him.
…t.e.k.s.a.b.t.i.u.r.f…f.r.u.i.t.b.a.s.k.e.t…t.e.k.s.a.b.t.i.u.r.f…
Shigure and Ayame were having the time of their life, playing hide and seek. The mansion was just perfect for the game with its many hallways and rooms. Today, Shigure was 'It' and he was looking for his silver-haired friend. When he passed by the reception hall, he saw the shivering boy standing at the doorway, uncertain as to enter the hall or not. He was so absorbed in that, he didn't even notice the prize he had been hunting for, who had a gleeful and evil smile carved onto his face.
True to his prankster nature, Shigure crept up the boy from behind and proceed to scream like banshee while grabbing the boy's shoulders roughly. The effect was simply wonderful and till the present day, Shigure would still laugh about the memories.
…t.e.k.s.a.b.t.i.u.r.f…f.r.u.i.t.b.a.s.k.e.t…t.e.k.s.a.b.t.i.u.r.f…
Hatori jumped a mile up into the air before crashing down onto the wooden planks, screaming out his heart, certain that death was at hand. Tears of fear streamed down his cheeks uncontrolled as his hands flailed in a last and futile attempt (in his opinion) to save his life from the terrible monster that held him. He squeezed his eyes shut and waited for the fatal blow.
But it never came. Instead, laughter pierced the silence after his scream ended. Relief washed over him at that. No monster would laugh. In all the stories he had watched on TV or read in a book, the monster would kill its victim after it had caught it, not laugh. Puzzled and curious, he slowly cracked his eyes opened and looked around.
There, rolling on the floor, tears of mirth streaming down his cheeks, was a black-haired boy who looked to be his age. Wait. Black-hair, checked. Boy his age, checked. Now, the final confirmation. The eyes.
"What is so funny?" he asked, unable to keep the indignity out of his voice.
"You! And how you jumped!" and the boy broke off into more laughter.
But Hatori saw the chocolate-coloured eyes. This was the boy he was looking for. Now is his chance. Before he could talked, a timid voice asked, "Gure-chan? Is everything ok? I heard screaming just now?"
Hatori turned to lay eyes on an angel. That was the only description his childish mind could provide at that time. Standing at the door was a frail-looking girl clad in the purest white. Large amber eyes, sparkled from the tears that threaten to fall. Finally, the silver moon-spun hair, glinting under the sun, gave an otherworldly yet pure glow to the being standing in front of him. Hatori was too stunned for words, unable to even breathe normally.
At the voice, the boy ceased his laughter and looked at the angel. The sight of tears blurring the rays of the twin suns was too much for Shigure. It tore at his heart and he berated himself for bring forth tears in those eyes when he had promised himself that he would prevent them. He quickly leapt up from the ground and rushed to the boy while saying, "Aya-chan! Everything is ok! Don't worry!" He flung protective arms around the trembling boy, making soothing sounds.
The boy's action jolted Hatori back into his senses. He really admired and envied the boy for being able to approach and hug the angel. He wanted that to. To stop the tears from falling. No, the angel did not deserve that. He must be happy, smiling.
"Erm, Angel-san are you ok?" Hatori asked hesitantly, though the concern was apparent.
Happy that someone else was concern for his friend, Shigure smiled that the boy and answered, "Aya-chan is fine. I guess I'm the one at fault here for scaring you and him. Sorry. Oh, by the way, I'm Souma Shigure. The Angel-san is Souma Ayame. Who are you?"
"I'm Souma Hatori. Please to meet you, Shigure-san, Ayame-san."
The angel or Ayame, finally pushed away from Shigure, looked at Hatori shyly. "Please to meet you too." A hesitant smile and a blush grace his features. Hatori instantly swore fealty to the angel, to protect the priceless smile.
"Alright. Ha-chan, you wanna play with us? Don't go back to the party. It's so boring!" Shigure was ecstatic that he had another friend and playmate.
Hatori, on the other hand, was happy to be able to befriend the Dog and the angel. All his father's command to stay away from a silver-haired, golden-eyed kid was tossed aside.
Eventually, Hatori was allowed to join the blood pact. The shock he received when he realised that Ayame was a boyleft Shigure rolling on the floor while Ayame fumed about stupid blind boys. However, the ceremony was repeated and the three boys became blood brothers, innocently believed that nothing could part them and everything would be ok as long as they had each other.