Chapter 4-I do not own Fruits Basket


It was surprisingly easy for Ren to convince Sohma Mitsune to give the boy to Akito. Mitsune was precisely the sort of self-serving social climber that would sell her soul for prestige and power. She was more than willing to give full custody of her youngest son to the head of the family in exchange for an open ended line of credit and a larger house in the Sohma compound.
"It really is an honor, Sohma Ren-sama, that you would ask for my son Yuki to be Sohma Akito-san's companion." Mitsune smiled ingratiatingly to Ren. Ren smiled pleasantly at Mitsune while inwardly imagining slitting the fawning sycophant's throat.

"Yes, with Yuki being just a little bit younger than Akito, it will work out very nicely. Akito needs someone to keep him occupied. He has entirely too much time on his hands to think up mischief. Your son Yuki, he's a quiet child is he not?"
"Oh yes, Sohma-sama, Yuki is the model of decorum. He is very quiet. You won't even know he is there." Mitsune quickly asserted. "I will make certain he knows that he is to be quiet and obedient at all times."

"Good," Ren said distractedly. God she was getting tired of this foolish woman and her inane nattering. "The account will be opened up and available to you by this time tomorrow. I trust that will be fine with you?" Mitsune's eyes glittered greedily.

"Indeed, Sohma-sama, that will be fine," she hesitated before proceeding. "And the house…?" Mitsune let her question trail off. Ren waved her hand dismissively at Mitsune.

"Yes, yes, of course. The house is already vacant. I will have my servants deliver the keys to you immediately." She looked at Mitsune with an annoyed expression her face. Now that she had what she wanted, she was eager to conclude this unpleasant interview with the mercenary wench. "You will bring the boy over promptly?" Mitsune nodded, "As you soon as you wish Sohma-sama."

"Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock would be fine, Mitsune. We will see you then." Ren rose from her chair, glad to be concluding this irritating interview. She strode out the front door with Mitsune following and babbling behind her about what an honor her visit and her request was. Ren was glad when she was no longer could hear her.
She quickly made her way across the compound to Sohma Kurosawa's clinic. She entered without bothering to knock. Kurosawa was talking to one of his patients, a young, pregnant Sohma woman who looked to be about six months along. Kurosawa excused himself from his patient and led Ren into his private office. After shutting the door, Kurosawa turned to face Ren, his face flushed with anger.

"Sohma Ren, to what do I owe the honor of your presence? As you can see, I was in the middle of a consultation with a patient." Ren smiled, delighted to have nettled Kurosawa.
"Oh Kurosawa, I'm so sorry. I do hope I wasn't interrupting anything important," Ren said with exaggerated regret.

"You do have a point in keeping me from my patients, don't you Ren?" Kurosawa felt more impatient with the woman than usual. His appointments were already running behind by forty-five minutes and at this rate he wasn't likely to get home for dinner until eight o'clock.

"I thought you might like to know that I have arranged for Sohma Mitsune's son, the rat, to live with Akito. Perhaps she will behave less like the animal that she is with a real animal as her playmate." Ren laughed inwardly when she saw Kurosawa's face flush redder with anger at her reference to Yuki as an animal. Calming himself, Kurosawa nodded slowly.

"A companion will help Akito-san out immensely. Perhaps it will make up for the lack of affection she receives from her mother." Ren shot him an annoyed glare.

"Save your sermons for someone who cares, Kurosawa. You and I both know I only had that thing for Akira's pleasure, and with Akira dead, I have no further use for it. Let yourself and the other Sohmas fawn all over the bitch; to me she is nothing." Ren strode towards the door, intent on leaving. She paused before exiting.

"If I were you, Kurosawa, I would worry more about my own place in the Sohma family and less about Akito. Some may consider your concern an overstepping of the bounds of propriety. You might want to consider where your allegiances lie, and just who really is the head of this family; the out of control child…" Kurosawa cut in and didn't let her finish her sentence.

"…or the out of control widow? I think I will take my chances with the child. At least with Akito, there is a chance she will mature into a sensible, intelligent adult. Clearly it is already too late in your case." Kurosawa opened the door for Ren. "Good day, Ren," he said with a finality that left it clear that their meeting had ended. Ren's face ran cold with her rage and she stormed out the door without looking at Kurosawa. Kurosawa shook off his disgust with Ren and looked at his watch. He was definitely going to be late for dinner.