Fruits Basket

Chapter I; part II

Author's Note::

Oh, man. . . This page looks so bare right now. . . Part II. Yeah, I split up the chapters just because they are so. Effing. Long. Don't mind me, I just have OCD with this story. It's supposed to be mysterious, for the time being. Yeah, I know, Momiji's gone. . . I'm sorry if the upsets you. He'll be back though, for "his" chapter. :D Almost every character has their own chapter. . . Almost. Actually, no. . . That's a vague lie. It was going to be like that, but y'know. . . Things change. Guys, do you even have the tolerance to read my chapters or Author's Notes? Just wondering. . . Hehehe.

Editor's Note::
Tee hee! I told you it would be up by tonight. After the first page((Which took about 45 minutes of grueling editing)) I decided to simply follow my notes. This chapter will probably be edited... Because I want to. So there 3
-Mika

Shigure's house was the perfect stage for a vicarious bloody massacre. Hatsuharu was so avid to see Shigure that Yuki, Kyo, and Tohru could hardly keep up with his expeditious pace. The whole way there, Kyo was demanding Haru slow down, while vibrant cuss words flew carelessly out of his mouth. Tohru had long since guessed that it was Kyo's way of pleading. Yuki was also infuriated; not only was he talking to himself, muttering about Momiji's disappearance, but Tohru could hear a host of cuss words streaming from his mouth.

Their world was spinning too fast, and frequently, Tohru found herself unable to keep up with the slew of words and thoughts around her. Yuki and Haru were in between jogging and sprinting, while for once Kyo tried to be the nonchalant one; staying slightly behind with Tohru, who couldn't keep up even if she tried. Especially since the reality of the events underfoot hadn't sunk in yet, and Tohru was still debating whether or not she should be worrying about Momiji or just panick. . . There was a difference. It was discolored, having Kyo stay behind with her. She would expecting Yuki out of the three Sohmas, but then again, Kyo hadn't been his usual demanding self lately.

When Shigure's house finally came into view after the long solemnity of the small woods, Haru launched himself through the door. Yuki followed him shortly after, although not nearly as harsh with the doorhandle as Haru had been, and then Kyo; who was quite bland about the whole thing. By the time Tohru finally shut the door behind her, the sullen feud had already begun.

Haru was standing threateningly over Shigure, who was currently sitting at his worktable with Haru's apathetic eyes suspended over him.

"What do you mean Kagura's gone, too?!" He spat, voice echoing into every corner of Shigure's house. Tohru flinched when the callous words hit her. She took care to close the door behind her quietly. Shigure was hesitant, the features of his face wary while he watched Haru writhe. Shigure obviously took time to choose his words carefully; which Tohru admired him for, genuinely smile when his eyes met hers.

"Well, you see, Haru. . . It has been Akito-San's decision to send them both away. And as you know, neither of us can do anything about it now, nor could we do it then," Shigure said simply, shrugging. A forced happy note became rooted in his voice, set there to combat the mud-thick atmosphere in the room.

A low growl erupted from Haru's throat before he turned around; clinging to his will against saying anything to antagonize his black side, which was obviously planning to make another tumultuous appearance.

Yuki was obviously just as upset, his lavender eyes narrowing to analyze Shigure's face.

"You've known about this for a long time, haven't you Shigure?! You just didn't tell us!" He barked furiously, while Haru began to pace back and forth restlessly; refusing to meet the direction of Shigure, who frowned and shook his head.

"No, no. . . Akito-San decided he wanted Kagura gone two Sundays ago," Shigure's voice lowered, as if afraid some unnecessary malcontent would overhear. His eyes gently wavered over Yuki, whose furious gaze didn't falter from his face. Tohru glanced over her shoulder to where Kyo stood. A complacent frown etched his observant expression while the debated argument burst.

"Then why didn't you say anything?!" Yuki snapped vehemently. Haru turned his head around slowly, his lips quivering, although no sound drifted from them. He glowered at Shigure, his voice trying to evoke proper insults.

"Naturally, Yuki, Hatori was asked by Akito not to say anything," Shigure replied serenely.

"SO HATORI TOLD YOU ALL OF THIS FIRST?!" Haru reverted, his eyes intense with his eyebrows furrowed over them.

"Calm down, Haru," Shigure murmured, before Haru's face flushed with affliction. "Of course he did. . . Hatori didn't want anyone to know, in fear that this might happen," Shigure paused, staring pointedly at Haru. He waited for another reply from Haru - who didn't speak - before going on.

"I don't blame you for getting angry, but you can't do anything about it. They're already gone, and Akito isn't about to change his mind." The torment on Haru's face squirmed, playing flexibly. Tohru watched him intently, while the house suddenly became vastly quiet. And then it was cracked by the result of another displeased remark.

"I'm leaving, Shigure!" Haru barked, turning around and walking towards the door; eyes blatently meeting Tohru's. They told her that the good-natured Haru was long gone, having been replaced with his nefarious black side. Shigure sat soundless. Approving, surprisingly, to Haru's destination. He was silent, a small smile urging to crease his mouth.

The silence was shattered as soon as the door closed behind Haru. Yuki's head darted to Shigure again; still in undeniable fury. Kyo on the other hand, proceeded to mount the same stance. Although, now his arms were crossed; and his crimson eyes unblinking. Yuki opened his mouth to spreak, but Shigure cut him off.

"Can you wait a second, Yuki? I'm going to give Hatori a call," Shigure insinuated happily. He stood up and strutted out of the room; out of sight. Then audibly, he began humming to himself gently.

The room was deathly quiet. From the unpleasant silence, backed by uneasiness, Tohru thought of a morgue. Neither Kyo, Yuki, nor Tohru made a sound, neither even dared blink. In a way, Tohru found herself afraid to. . . If she said anything, Kyo's concentration could be lost, and as for Yuki. . . She was afraid he might snap on her, given that his usual calm and gentle self was gone. This awkward silence was broken by Shigure's overly ecstaticmood as he appeared through the door.

"Now. . . What were you saying, Yuki?" His feet seemed to glide toward the table swiftly, while his eyes danced from Tohru to Kyo, and lastly, Yuki.

Tohru noticed that Yuki's hands had curled into fists as he spoke again.

"Shigure, why didn't you tell us?" Yuki questioned heatedly, although maintaining some sincere reposefulness. A deliberate grin had managed to grip hold on Shigure's face. Finally, he replaced himself back at the table, brushed off his kimono, and looked back up at the three of them.

"Oh, Yuki. . . You can't possibly think that I would have told you? I knew how upset you would be if you found out, and it simply wasn't worth the animosity in my household!" Shigure replied, throwing out his arms to be dramatic. Tohru smiled, but it disappeared as soon as she could feel Kyo's eyes roll from behind her.

"It still doesn't mean you hide it from us!" Yuki growled through gritted teeth. "I'm getting sick of all the secrets! Where is Kagura going, anyway?!"

"She's going to Spain! Isn't it romantic?!" Shigure exclaimed, standing up, flourishing in excitement. "She's going to be able to meet some tall, dark and handsome Spanish man!"

"Spain? All the way to Spain?! Is Akito crazy?! That's halfway around the world, and Kagura doesn't even speak Spanish!" Yuki protested, a look of worry on his face. Tohru could see Kagura. . . Running around the streets of Spain trying to find someone to speak Japanese. . . In all honestly, she pitied the thought but still had a temptation to giggle.

"Oh, Akito has faith that Kagura will adapt. . . It'll be good for her anyway. I don't think you realize Yuki, that both Momiji and Kagura will be getting a lot of opportunities. . . Kagura's going to one of the best colleges around the world. I'm actually quite jealous of her," Shigure admitted, sighing, lost in imagination for a few seconds before piping up again and grinning from ear to ear. "And as for Momiji. . . Well, getting away from his. . . Family, for a while, will definitely do him some good,"

"But I don't understand," Yuki interrupted, sounding quite annoyed, although all of the rage in his tone had dropped significantly. "Why now? He could have done this a long time ago,"

Shigure took a heavy glance at Tohru; a glance that she couldn't have missed. His eyes slowly drifted back to Yuki, who seemed to acknowledge the long gaze as well. He was also about to comment on it before Shigure distracted him with the filler of his own jubilant voice.

"Well, you know Akito. . . Always coming up with irascible assumptions to what he thinks would do the family good... I know you're all tired of it, but. . . Think of what's best for Kagura and Momiji. They'll be okay," Shigure paused, once more, glancing at the three of them. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and write my novel," He finished cheerfully, beginning to walk out of the room once more. Shigure then stopped, and turned his head slowly so his face could meet Tohru's; a wide grin had spread itself across his face. "Oh, and Tohru, would you mind making dinner soon?"

"Of course not, Shigure-san!" Tohru piped quickly. She didn't think it could possibly happen, but the grin on Shigure's face ceased to widen. He turned around - only to turn his head around again - letting his boyish grin slip.

"And I forgot to tell you, Yuki. . ." Shigure paused, waiting for an eager look to paint Yuki's face. "You remember Kasumi Guirao, right? She came by today," Yuki's face was suddenly reminiscing, eyes unfocused on Shigure. "She said she'd come back later. After visiting Aya, of course."

Yuki snorted loudly, shaking his head.

"Poor Kasumi. . . He probably locked her inside of his shop, and is putting dresses on her. . . Unwillingly," Yuki mumbled numbly. Shigure laughed to himself, mocking the way Yuki shook his head in the process.

"Yes, well. . . Like I said, she intends on dropping by. Don't let her come with such a shock to you." Again, Shigure's tone was sing-song, which made Yuki's head whip up to glare at the doorway that his older cousin no longer lingered by.

"What do you mean, 'shock'?!" Yuki hissed, lavender eyes relentless and hostile. Shigure's manacle, greedy laugh roughed the icy silence; echoing. Yuki sighed, dropping himself on the foot of the staircase.

Kyo, who hadn't spoke a word since before they arrived at Shigure's house, scoffed and walked out the front door. Tohru assumed to the roof again, considering he probably didn't have anything better to do. She was lost in these thoughts, her worry about Kyo, only to be disrupted by Yuki's calm and soothing tone.

"You know Miss Honda, if you don't feel like cooking tonight, that's fine with me. . . I'll find something for myself, but I don't think Shigure deserves to eat tonight. . ." Yuki mumbled, tone very serious. Tohru smiled, finally letting out the laugh that had kept itself unexposed for - what felt like - such a long period of time.

"Oh, it's okay, I wouldn't want to make him disappointed. . . And since you have a friend coming over, I suppose it'd be a good idea," Tohru concurred optimistically. The corners of Yuki's mouth carved upward in her encouraging response. Optimism. . . Yuki refused to find it a humorous thing, considering he had so little of it. He hadn't really thought of Kasumi staying for dinner. And why? She was just a childhood friend, that's all. . . They were friends for what, maybe a little bit over a year?

Before it happened. . . Ha. Yuki could feel the same bristle chills run down his pearl-like skin from that day. . . When the girl had run into him, and the Sohma secret was unraveled in children publicity. Kasumi was there. . . She was always there, playing with all of them, her straw-colored hair shining. Yuki could hardly remember a face, just the hair color. . . Maybe even the eyes. Hazel? Were they? He shook his head at these discontinued visuals, while trying to recall the memories that had long since deceased. . . Their mothers had been friends, he remembered that much. Kasumi had been one of Yuki's first "real" friends. . . The only girl that his mother had actually allowed him to hang around with, before. . .

Another girl, a miscellaneous girl. . . A girl that both Yuki and Kasumi has seen so often - had accidentally embraced him. That was possibly the only thing Yuki remembered of Kasumi vividly. . . Looking up, from his minuscule rat body, to see Kasumi's horrified face. . . The tremor, playing flexibly - painting, carving, engraving - at every muscle of her face.

But how did Kasumi remember him? All of the children, playing that day, their memories had been modified. . . They didn't even remember Yuki, not to mention he never saw Kasumi afterward. . . She moved to Osaka, didn't she? Shortly after the incident? Yuki sighed, frustration of the unknown languishing his thoughts. Those memories were almost 10 years old. . . Parts of them he could recite like the back of his hand, but others - like Kasumi - they seemed to be buried in an exacerbated state. Yuki was sure they were buried there on purpose. . .

In all honesty, he wished Hatori would have modified his memories as well.

"Yuki-kun? Are you okay?" Tohru cried out, her face worrisome. The soft tone to her voice made Yuki abandon his effete thoughts. He looked up and smiled mirthfully, even though he was sure that his face was cheerless while looking up at Tohru's reluctant face.

"Yes, I'm fine, Miss Honda."

-----------------------------

"Shishou. . . When will be the next time I see you?"

"Not for a long time, I'm afraid. I have things and people to take care of."

". . . What do you mean?"

The roof was exactly where Kyo was staying; currently hooked on his own lugubrious imagination, while his eyes lay - unfocused and unblinking - on the dismal sky. The same boring script played like poetry in his head. . . Conversations between him and Shishou, especially when he took the beads from him and allowed Tohru to see the affronted, grotesque shape that absolved Kyo's natural body. . . Shishou's distress should have been at a calming point when he left, rather than the same disconsolate state he had begun with.

Kyo tried letting it go, just so he could get a brush-stroke of what it felt like to be mature, but there was umbrage. . . Umbrage telling him to be jealous, and to let the calamity lacerate his ill-tempered personality. If that girl wasn't there, Kyo wouldn't be having this problem. The pondering. . . There was nothing he despised more; pondering things that made him petulant. Except when people had power over him, which surprisingly, in this case, both were happening. . .

It was the same way with Yuki. That jealousy, and knowing that the moronic rat had so much physical and mental power over him. . . Especially when he could prove it. Although, there was one thing that Kyo admired about his hatred for Yuki - he never pondered it. It was never indecisive, he never had a moment of thought to ask himself. . . He always hated Yuki. He always hated the rat, and that was the end of it.

The girl. . . Kyo found himself scowling at the thought of her living in Shishou's house again, replacing him. He had met her before; she was originally from Japan, and was very fond of the Sohma's. Her mother was well admired by Kazuma, although, Kyo never exactly understood why Shishou spent so much time trying to cure the woman of her illness. The knowledge of that illness nearly killed Shishou. Kyo remembered how upset he was when he had found out, and drove himself sick with worry trying to help the woman.

Ha. . . The woman's illness. . . Kyo had that picture engraved into his mind. She had severe chest pain; constantly in pain, especially when the coughing fits were active. She always had a fever - Kyo remembered that. The fever was so tenacious, that it gave her chills. She was easily fatigued, always pale and restless. Kazuma would constantly ask her to sleep, but she would insist that she wasn't tired. . . That she wasn't in pain. It had an affect on her appetite as well, making her abnormally thin.

Hatori had been the woman's doctor for a little while; probably one of the only patients he had seen without them being in the Sohma family. . . Kyo had seen the mother and her daughter around often, they were, what seemed constantly, around the estates. Her daughter always played with the rest of the Sohmas, like she was one of them, which was something Kyo despised. . . Of course, he would be glaring at everyone from a distance after the majority of the children harassed him about his hair color and kicked him out of the game they were planning on playing without him. (AN: That needs to be reworded too.)

The woman and her daughter stayed at Kazuma's house frequently. Visits ranging from days to months. Her mother's unstable condition was worsening. The girl was often broken, and sat around the house moping. . . Kyo remembered snorting at her gloomy existence, although he rarely ever spoke to her. There seemed to be a mutual dislike between them, especially after Kyo felt himself jealous of the girl when Shishou would try to bring her languished state to a more joyous one. . . Which never succeeded to be exemplified.

Kyo never witnessed a smile paint her porcelain face. . . Not once while the girl and her mother had lived there. . . Especially after her mother's condition corroded her lungs further, it just seemed that the unhappy frown would continue to its downward curve. Eventually, the two of them left - from living at the Sohma estates for nearly two months - to Italy. It was a peculiar thing, having the two of them move so far away. . . Of course, Kyo didn't ponder it too much, he was just happy that they were gone. They were gone from Shishou, and that way his envy didn't have to strengthen.

Although Kazuma seemed upset over the whole thing, life went on, and Kyo hadn't seen or thought about her. . . At all. She was just a vague personage in the back of his mind; just like his real father. Kyo shook his head, dismissing the hazardous man from his thoughts. . . There was definite refusal there, to see the visuals of both the girl and that man. Kyo didn't know how the girl became in the same category as his dismissed thoughts, but he assumed that it didn't matter.

All that mattered now was that the girl has returned, stealing Shishou from him; again. And again, Kyo wasn't willing to share him. . . If he wasn't going to share him with Yuki, he was more than definitely not going to share him with some girl. A girl that had already upset him to uproar his estrange envy. The envy that was telling him to go back to Shishou. . . Go back to the main house that he had been avoiding for two and a half years, ever since Akito made that unfair treaty with him, and he decided to go to the mountains. . . Kyo put that in the back of his mind too.

Mostly, it was because of the fear of Akito that he was no longer with Shishou. But now, he didn't care what Akito had to say. He wouldn't let some random girl take his place. It was unacceptable.

"Oh, hello Kyo. Are you planing on harassing me too?" Shigure inquired when Kyo arrived at his door. He was surprised - Shigure was actually working on his novel, sporting his glasses. Kyo could feel his muscles tense, while standing undyingly quiet. He'd spent all this week, debating whether or not to tell Shigure he was leaving, or just to leave miscellaneously. He finally figured to tell him -though that way he wouldn't have to explain his problem to Tohru and break her heart.

Kyo's crimson eyes narrowed on Shigure, making the convivial grin fall from Shigure's face. It was suddenly quite serious, complying with the intensity on Kyo's face.

"Is something wrong, Kyo?" Shigure's second inquiry came out in a waver of doubt. Kyo felt his hesitance interfere, but carefully fought it back. He wasn't about to get this far and back down, not to mention he was enjoying the almost hurt look on Shigure's face.

"I'm leaving," The words sounded unfamiliar, even though Kyo had spoken them so many times in his lifetime. Switching from house to house seemed like one of his hobbies nowadays. Then again. . . He realized how attached he had grown to Shigure's house ever since Tohru moved in. . . Again, he placed thought in the back of his mind.

"Leaving? Leaving where?"

"I'm moving back to the main house, with Shishou," Again, the words were unfamiliar. . . They continued to feel foreign to him.

". . . I see. You must be upset about Metoumo - "

"Shut up, I'm leaving and that's it!" Kyo snarled, interrupting whatever Shigure had to say; whether that was meant to be a good cause or not.

Yes. . . That had been her name - Metoumo. Metoumo Saguchi. . . Kyo had remembered, but for so long, she had just been known as 'the girl'. The girl he had been exceedingly jealous of for so long. . . He was surprised Shigure knew about the conversion, but then again, he realized that Kazuma and Shigure must have had a lengthy conversation while they waited during the treacherous night two years ago.

". . . Well, I'm not going to try to stop you. You don't listen to me anyway," Shigure mumbled, shaking his head while taking off his glasses and holding them loosely in-between his fingers. "So, you do whatever you think is necessary. . ."

"You're not going to try to stop me?" Kyo mumbled carelessly; pretending like he wanted Shigure's consent. A minuscule, grim smile slowly etched against Shigure's mouth.

"Well, you know. . . You are 17, and it's about time you start making decisions for yourself," Shigure replied, eyes gazing on his glasses. "But I'd like to know if you're planning on telling Tohru?"

"No." Kyo replied, as quickly as the question could process out of Shigure's mouth. His smile was still grim.

"Suit yourself, then. You'll still see her at school, you know?"

"I know that," Kyo replied heatedly. Shigure's eyes drifted lazily from the glasses, landing on Kyo's unreadable face. His formidable smile grew wider.

"Well then, have fun." He finally said, after giving examining Kyo's expressions for a short length of time. Kyo spun around instinctively; not wanting to say one more word to Shigure. All he wanted to do was stride out of the house like nothing was happening.

It was unexpected when Yuki popped up in his face like he did. Kyo jumped back slightly in his introduction. He was standing there, a mix of a riled and feeble pleased look on his face. Kyo scowled, having a strong dislike to the look that Yuki was endowing him with.

"Why are you looking at me like that, you damn rat?" Kyo growled, his teeth gritting. The look disappeared from Yuki's face and was replaced with an intense scowl. He stood for a few minutes; unspoken, his eyes glued to Kyo's face.

"You know, you could say goodbye to Miss Honda... She's really worried about you," He said finally, darkness rough against his vocal cords. While he stood, eyes unblinking.

"Yeah, well, what the hell am I supposed to do? Shishou needs me. And why am I even telling you this? You don't understand."

"I understand perfectly you stupid cat, I just am asking you to be careful about Miss Honda's feelings!" Yuki shouted at him. Before Kyo realized it, he was already down the hall; his back turned towards Yuki. It was silent for a few seconds, and neither of them spoke. He could hear Tohru scurrying around the kitchen, probably cooking. There was resentment, for a half of a second. . . He knew how upset she would be, but he fought back the temptation.

He fought back the temptation to comply with the rat's wishes.

"Well, now that you want me to, I won't."