A/N: Hi people, I'm Diana. (Die-ann-uh) Dia (dee-uh) for short I guess? Yeah, just call me Dia.

Erm... let's see. I think I need to say I do own this story, along with my sister. But we DON'T own the actual anime/manga Fruits Basket, or any of its characters. We simply own our OC and... any other characters we wanna make up.

Alright, you read the chapter, and I'll go to the store and buy myself more candy. I ran out today while typing this chapter up- I like to munch on my stash while I'm writing ^-^ Hmm. Licorice might be good- I've had too much chocolate lately. I should change it up a bit. (But chocolate is probably what I'll buy in the end^.^)

Anyway! Ignore my sugar ramblings and enjoy the story~

[Enter The Shadows]

Chapter 2

- Count Your Blessings -

"I'm home."

All I am met with is a deep silence as soon as I walk into the house. I entered quickly and quietly, as usual, since I like to avoid any and all contact with my family.

The hollow sounds of groaning suddenly met my ears though, and I re-adjusted my school bag on my shoulder, shifting uncomfortably when a tall woman rounded the corner, wiping her eyes and yawning. She's always so pretty, even now, dressed in only a robe and looking as if she had just awoken from a nap. Her shiny, ebony hair nestled around her shoulders in lovely rolling waves, and her shell pink lips were pouted, complimenting the rest of her fair face quite nicely.

She was a natural beauty, the type of person all the greatest painters want to capture in their art, and all the photographers would want to frame pictures of.

"Naomi." The woman moaned my name at me, finishing with rubbing the sleep out of her eyes and now directing a light, green-eyed gaze at me. "You're home later than usual."

I simply gave a nod, wishing this conversation wouldn't drag on so that I could hole myself up in my room as soon as possible.

Suddenly, the woman extended her arms towards me, the sleeves of her robe billowing slightly at the movement.

She gave me a small smile, and said; "Aren't you going to greet your own mother properly? Come here."

I locked my jaw in place, my legs moving mechanically as I started towards this beauty that I shared blood with. As soon as I was within her reach, she grabbed me and pulled me into her, her slim arms wrapping me up in a warm embrace.

I felt her kiss the top of my head, and tried my best not to grit my teeth.

She pushed me back after a few moments of hugging, only to lift a fan she always carried with her underneath my chin, making me look up and meet her gaze. Her eyes searched my face as she spoke.

"The more you grow older, the more you come to look like your father..."

I could feel all of my muscles tense at the mention of my other parent. The one who left us.

"You have his chin, his lips," She gave a tinkling laugh. "You share such a similar complexion... he's a gorgeous man, you know. What drew me to him was his gentle features, his pretty face. He's so fascinating- and charming, like a prince."

A dreamy look appeared on her face, and I begin to feel a bit uncomfortable with her staring at me like she is.

"Yes, you look so much alike... I can almost look at you and see him. But you have my eyes, and my hair." My mother sighed, sounding content. "How lovely, don't you think?"

My own green eyes, identical to the emerald color of hers, looked away as she made that last comment.

I don't want to be like you, or my father. Is all I can think.

"I said it's lovely, don't you think?"

The stern tone that had come into her soft voice now warned me to speak up. "I suppose."

My mother nodded, pulling me to her again. "You are so blessed, Naomi..."

I shrugged in her embrace. "Whatever you say..." I muttered darkly.

"Naomi. Good to see you're home."

Mother pushed me away to address the man who had just interrupted us.

Like both me and my mother, he has wavy black hair and is rather tall. But his eyes, unlike our emerald ones, are a deep brown. His name is Ken'ichi, and he's my uncle. My mother's brother- she has two of them. We all live together. It sucks.

"Oh, nii-san, hello." Mother said pleasantly, smiling at the man.

He only had eyes for me though. And he didn't look happy with me.

"You're late though." He continued talking to me as if my mother hadn't spoken.

"I wasn't told to hurry home." I countered, a gleam entering my eyes. He always got under my skin, as did the other brother-

"Ken'ichi, what's the trouble here?"

I turned around to see said-man standing behind me. Uncle Ritsuki. Unlike his two siblings, he is not so tall, but what he lacks in height he makes up for in his piercing gaze and the way he can take control of any situation.

The second brother spoke up, ignoring the way my mother was looking between the two of them confusedly. "The kid got home late again."

Suddenly, there was a tight grip on my arm. It was Ritsuki- and he was pulling me away, down the hall. Behind me, I knew Ken'ichi was taking my mother back to her room, acting like nothing was going on. They liked to keep her ignorant- which was probably a good thing to do, because she's already a weak shell of a woman, she already has a broken heart, and anything could permanently tear her apart.

That's why I'd grown to hate her so much. She didn't do anything for herself. She just waited around for my father to come back to her- which would never happen. It had been three years now- I got over him abandoning us, so she should too.

"Hey!" I protested, snapping back to reality, where I was being dragged down the hallway. "How is getting home a little past my curfew such a bad thing? Let go already! I have homework to do!"

"Homework?" My uncle snorted, continuing to pull me along roughly. "No doubt, you won't get it done. You never do."

I lowered my head, holding back the urge to throw a screaming fit. These damn people... my damn relatives... all of them are so irritating.

Hah. And mother says I'm blessed. Blessed? Yeah, I'm so fucking blessed. Sure I am. And I count these many blessings every day.

Number one: A father who ran out on his family.

Number two: A mother who still thinks he's coming back, and who sits around doing nothing but waiting for him, and sleeping.

Number three: Two uncles who loathe my existence- who think I'm as bad as my shitty dad

What sucks the most? I've started to think that my uncles might be right about me. I'm not exactly a star student, my personality is bitter-sweet, and there are times when I've even thought about running away from my life, just like my father did.

If I'm supposedly the daughter of a 'charming prince', then I'm the shittiest princess there ever was.

A/N: Hey! Please review, mmkay? ^-^

-Dia-