A quick note about the last chapter. When Arisa, Hana, and Haru joined Makoto's side, I really wanted to add a hint of Haru/Arisa (I'm really weird, huh. That's my uncannoness for you). But as I was editing, I regretfully had to ommit it so that the relationship wouldn't take away from the plot. Also, my good fanfiction pals, I would be really grateful if you'd review, even if to just say, "meh" or something else that's totally nonsensical. Even if you completely loathe it, I'd probably be all, "... Thank you, fanfiction friend." I'm extending my thanks to peridot scarves for reviewing. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket.

"Let's play hide-and-seek!"

Guess who said this gem of a childish suggestion.

Momiji?

Tohru?

Both.

Typical.

This was in response to a random question floating from some delinquent's mouth about the lack of activities planned for today. Seeing as today was a leisurely day, I took it upon myself to, this once, let them plan such games that would entertain them for the two hours that we would spend here.

I believed that I was making a wise choice. Letting the students choose how to spend their time, stepping back like a parent who has accepted that his children were now adults, trusting these ruffian students... It was not an easy task when I'm so used to controlling every aspect of my life.

This act had to be the most profound. Surely this gesture would not go unnoticed! I couldn't go unthanked!

When the gritty-sounding, "I'm bored." bobbed on the wind's currents and the suggestion made by Tohru and Momiji rose to meet his rudeness, crowds of students responded less than enthusiastically. As usual, Tohru's harebrained ideas were too simplistic for even the most content ditz to contemplate.

But then rising--no, ascending like a crown to a nobleman's head, Yuki said, "That sounds like fun."

Beautiful. Hide-and-seek, what a brilliant game! It really did sound like fun!

"I haven't played that in ages..."

"Sounds kinda dumb..."

I saw an upperclassman suck her teeth. Her hair was dyed platinum blonde, which looked sickening with her deeply roasted skin and white makeup. Glitter covered her entire body. "Crap," she muttered. "I guess we gotta play this stupid game if he says so..."

"BE QUIET, WAIF!!!"

You can guess who said this, right?

Motoko and her girls. Motoko was the most animated, slamming a paper fan over the crude girl's head. While this was indeed justifiable, I couldn't just stand idle while a student starts an altercation with another. It was time for some strict words.

When the girl who insulted Yuki's gorgeous idea started using harsh language, I inserted myself between them.

"I believe the correct term is knave," I informed the disruptive child as I raised her arm and removed the "weapon." I addressed the other child. "And as for you, girl, you will not shoot down the ideas of classmates so readily!" I emphasized my words by pointing at her, glaring down at her from the curve of my nose.

The girl rolled her eyes, chewing gum with a disgustingly open mouth. "Whatever, dude. Try not to piss me off."

She stared me down, not even bothering to mutter her insult, but I took no heed. Motoko was the attacker. Physical attacks were more of a problem than verbal ones. Plus, I'm pretty sure that Yuki didn't hear her...

"Motoko Minagawa, those ribbons are..." I searched my mind for some school regulation so that those men-enticing she-devil ribbons could be removed, "...are in direct violation of--of-- Code Number 52 of the Student Handbook!" That book is like my bible, and so it was whipped out of my bookbag and presented it close to her face. I was fairly sure that Motoko wasn't familiar with the school rules, so she wouldn't have any idea of my lie. I pressed on as I lowered the handbook, "And, while we're on that subject, the school rules prohibit any provocation of a student or acting upon such provocation if the roles are reversed. In other words, knave, no fighting."

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms and darting her eyes over to Yuki, then to me. "Try not to piss me off." From under heavily-lidded eyes, she drawled, "Let's play hide-and-seek. But no one's gonna look for you, Makoto Takei."

And that... that witch uttered a burning obscenity while smirking, then she skipped away with a tune on her lips. Her friends slinked after her with even less than ladylike words for me.

"We--Well I sure as hell hope you'll never be found!" I cried at Motoko's back. A childish gesture, yes, but I had to have the last word. Imagine, Motoko trying to act so cool...

I did notice, however, that she roughly yanked the pink ribbons out of her hair. I had to smile at this triumph.

Only 10 people or so were playing. Tohru volunteered to be the seeker and I suppressed a groan. Was she serious?

I knew it'd take that girl ages to find me, let alone anyone else, so I volunteered to be a sub-seeker of sorts. The two of us found trees to stand by to count.

It's better to find than to hide.

I know.

The seekers have the upper hand. The hiders lie in wait, simple prey for the predator, doing nothing but waiting in breathless fear for their demise.

It's like tag in a way. The person who is "it" is loathed. In the game, children run from "it", laughing. But it's only a matter of time before the fleeing people are caught, much like the secrets they hide.

As I had guessed, that nitwit had trouble finding even Momiji, whose laughter alerted me and everyone else to his location.

And, contrary to the popular belief of idiots and children, if you tiptoe behind a tree, you will NOT instantly become as slim as the tree, thus being obscured from sight. I inferred that Momiji has indeed watched too many cartoons.

Counting…

One.

I found her.

Two.

I caught him.

Three.

Yuki!!! I'll just pretend I didn't see him, walk away…

My quest carried me into a dense forest. Sunlight fell sparsely on the dingy grass. The umbrage made the light golden-green. Birds chirped on occasion, but other than that, there were no other signs of life in this place.

Far from being intimidating, however, it was a nice place to sit and read. I found such a place, a moss-laced log, with just enough room for a passenger. I sat down to rest my legs.

It would be foolish to list all of the mundane hiding spots: behind a boulder, up a tree, behind a bush. These kids. No imagination.

I did find, however, very interesting things.

I found two upperclassmen making out near a brook.

I discovered some punk drinking and carving obscenities into the trunks of innocent trees.

A group of students were plotting to steal the buses and leave me behind. (So glad I caught the schemers!)

Secrets. I found secrets.

Also, as to Tohru's whereabouts. Imagine that, I heard she got lost while looking for everyone. A horrible seeker indeed! I spotted her being comforted by her usual entourage some time into the game.

Yuki included.

I felt my heart drop at seeing this, but I bravely pressed on.

I searched the forest from the inside out and found no one else. I exited the green world, feeling my lungs expand, welcoming fresh air. It was as if the forest, along with choking off all life forms, had suffocated all chances of clean air. A funny thing, because all of the trees would have increased oxygen levels.

Triumphant, I felt a smirk tighten over my face as I headed for the knots of children.

"Time to head back," an instructor announced.

Wow, had two hours passed by that suddenly? I truly hadn't notice the time.

Well, no incidents! Yes, improper behavior, but no injuries at all! A warm bubble of pride inflated in my heart. What a way to end my term: on a happy note, so that—

But wait. That girl, Minami, she was…

Crying!

But why? Out of sadness that I will soon be ex-president?

Outlandish. She and her club should be thrilled that I will soon be gone.

The blonde ran to me and roughly threw her hands on my chest. It wasn't long before her fingers became gnarled. Waves and whirlpools appeared in the fabric of my shirt.

"M…Minami! Let go of me! What is the meaning of--!"

"Motoko's missing!"

She was flour-white and shaken up. Despite her anger, her outburst couldn't disguise the fear in her watery toast-colored eyes.

A panic swept through the teachers, most likely reliving the ire of the parents of those involved in the Beach Incident, but for once I didn't notice. I was numb all over.

I pushed Minami's hands away. So cold, so damp...

Like the frosty wetness all over me. My stomach tied itself around the words.

Motoko's missing!

"Find her. Find her! FIND HER!"

"C... Calm down," I said as steadily as I could. Clearing my throat, I said, "I'll find her."

I always thought Minami was annoying, and my opinion hadn't changed. But seeing her, angry, scared, and upset, biting her lip, I couldn't help it. As a man, I noticed how pretty she was.

It was an odd realization, one I had no time to mull over.

There was something much more pressing to tackle.