Disclaimer: You think I own any of this? (dies laughing)

Note, 1: This is one of my first attempts at writing the Fruits Basket characters. Please forgive me if anyone seems too out of character. Advice is always appreciated; just don't be mean or uppity about it.

Note, 2: I don't like curse words. Nor am I certain that my parents would allow me to type them. Therefore, all swearwords will be written as follows: -CENSORED-. The strongest words I'll ever type out in this fic are: dang, shoot, and crud.

Verisimilitude

Four: Nii-san

The visitor screamed as an orange-haired fury rammed into his stomach. Momiji and Haru were standing in the doorway of the bedroom, the former giggling uncontrollably and the latter emitting a few low snickers. Hatori rushed out of the bathroom, demanding what was going on.

"Ayame!" Hatori exclaimed. He recomposed himself quickly. "Where have you been?" he asked calmly.

"Kyon-Kyon—off—please?" Ayame pleaded breathlessly.

"Kyo, get off Ayame's stomach," ordered Hatori. Kyo pouted, but reluctantly obeyed, joining Momiji and Haru in the bedroom. Hatori used his foot to quietly shut the door behind them.

"I just came to get my things," Ayame, actually sounding serious, stated as he got to his feet.

"You're leaving," Hatori said, eyebrows elevating. "Why?"

"I can't live with Yuki," Ayame shook his head. His long hair swished from side to side. "I know that I'll feel guilty every time I see him. Who am I to call myself his brother?"

"Ayame, listen to me. It's not your fault," Hatori told him firmly. "You were never given the chance to—"

"No, but I could've asked for the chance," insisted Ayame. "I'm just gonna grab my things and leave." He smiled. "Then I won't feel guilty, Yuki won't resent me, and we'll both live wonderful, prosperous lives! Oh, the joy of bringing joy to him!"

Ayame bustled to the corner of the living/dining room—his personal space—and gathered up his sleeping bag and personal items.

"Wish the little darling a happy life, Ha'ri!" Ayame sang out, just before leaving the apartment for the last time.

"Ayame," Hatori called after him. He sighed when the other teenager didn't stop. It looked like he'd have to talk to Ayame later. After all, he couldn't very well leave four little kids alone.

"Hatori-sensei?" a small voice asked respectfully.

Hatori turned around to see Yuki, dripping wet and a towel wrapped around him, standing in the bathroom doorway.

"You, there. Get back in the tub," Hatori ordered, trying not to sound too threatening. He shooed Yuki back into the bathtub before saying, "What was it you wanted, now?"

"W-who was that?"

"That was Ayame. I'll get him to return soon, then you can meet him," Hatori replied, scrubbing Yuki's almost-certainly scarred back carefully.

Yuki winced a bit and asked, "Is he my cousin, too?"

"No," answered Hatori. "He isn't your cousin. Ayame is your brother."

Yuki turned his violet eyes away, staring in the general direction of the apartment's exit. He reached out a small hand, whispering, "Nii-san?"