Attention: TheKnightsOfThePentagonalOttomen Do Not Own Fruits Basket or any of the included characters. We do however own the Taiyou Family! Enjoy!
Editor's Note: I understand that it has been an insanely long time since we last updated, but I assure you that at least part of it was for a good reason. In truth we were being a bit lazy during the first 3 months of 2007, but after that, the author and I were in Alaska working over the summer where we didn't have access to anything. Secondly one of our closest friends, Cassey, who the character Caira is modeled after, was killed in a car accident on her way back to school this fall. As you can imagine this has taken a huge toll on everyone in our group and we are just now getting back into the swing of things. Therefore we would like to dedicate this chapter to Cassey, and hope she is still as stubborn as she always was.
Author's Note: I am working on chapter 11 as we speak, so hopefully you'll continue to read. Also, I want to wish everyone a good year to come, both for those we have lost as well as those we have yet to meet.
"I am such an idiot!" Alarice voiced aloud, angry at herself. Taking a slow and painful walk down the street, she reflected on the previous days activities. Why did she allow herself to slip out of her faultless persona? Picking up a small rock from the side of the road and tossing it into a nearby stream, Alarice just knew that she was going to regret this later.
Flashback
Still in shock and showing no visible reaction to her nudge, Yuki managed to choke out, "He is my brother." A little dumbfounded at Yuki's very non dramatic, but still obviously upset statement, Alarice could only manage a short, unemotional response; "Your brother…oh."
End Flashback
"That's my response? 'OH'!?! God I hope I don't act this stupid with Yuki's brother." Alarice continued to sulk and argue with herself as she walked towards the prefect where the address on the paper was located. She had picked out the cutest outfit in her closet; a cornflower, square-necked, fitted tank top, covered in miniature white flowers, a calf-length circle skirt that showed a brilliant alternation of robin's egg and cadet blue; along with a dark blue, denim, embroidered coat depicting the ocean at sunrise that came about mid-thigh. As she was looking for the neighborhood she wanted, she knew one thing was certain; her life was over.
Taking another look at the address, Alarice contemplated weather it was really okay to meet this guy at his house. As she turned down the street to search for the Sohma residence, she noticed that the houses became progressively larger the further she walked. Alarice stopped when she came to a massive gate at the end of the block.
"Wow." Alarice looked around the gate, hoping to find something resembling an intercom, but found nothing. Double-checking the address, she knocked on the gate, hoping she was close enough for someone to hear her and let her in. After a few tries and no results, she decided that nobody could impugn her for not making an effort and experimentally pushed on the gate…It opened…
What greeted her was a maze of beautiful, old, Japanese styled houses with magnificently sculpted trees and pathways leading in every direction. "Wow, it's like their own little world in here." There was another moment of hesitation before she moved on. Alarice had made it partway down one of the paths to search for the correct house when a familiar voice sounded from behind her.
"What are you doing here?" Hatsuharu asked as he calmly leaned against one of the trees she had just passed. Making a sort of shocked noise, Alarice jumped back in surprise.
"Oh, I am here to meet…" she checked the paper again. "Ayame Sohma." Making a quick recovery, Alarice quickly bowed to him in greeting.
"Oh right, the auction/date thing. Poor Yuki…" Haru seemed to be talking to himself before he was startled from his musings by remembering a critical thought. "I am glad to see you made it here in one piece, but it is not safe for you here. I'm sure Ayame will come get you at the front gate." Nodding, Alarice started to follow Haru back towards the entrance. As they turned the corner and she caught sight of the gate again, she felt a sudden zap of irritation enveloped her body. Quickly, she turned towards one of the houses, only to see a shadow disappear from the door.
'What was that?'
"Miss Taiyou, there you are. I was beginning to become worried when I didn't see you at the gate." Ayame's very distinct voice resounded in Alarice's ears. She quickly made her way to where Ayame was standing by the gate. She paused a moment to take in his appearance: He was sporting a gorgeous full-length Korean-style robe similar to the one she had seen him wearing the other day, however this robe was a beautiful and intricate mix of red and silver with accent buttons all the way up to the neck. 'Well his clothes certainly fit his personality.' She thought to herself.
Suddenly, remembering her place, Alarice bowed deeply in a formal greeting. "Mr. Sohma, I am honored you chose me as your date for today." Alarice raised her head and tilted it towards Ayame with a small, sweet smile; a flawless mask. "Oh my dear girl, you are the sweetest thing ever! And now that you're here we should be off; I have a marvelous day planned for us! Off we go!" Ayame grabbed Alarice by the hand and ran off through the gates of the compound and down the street. Hatsuharu lingered for a moment before heading back towards one of the houses. "Poor, poor Yuki."
"So…we are doing a photo shoot for your new clothing line at your shop?" Alarice was frantically trying to make sense of the situation while trying to catch her breath. They had run the entirety of their trip to a quaint but beautiful shop filled with rich fabrics and custom-made outfits. Only when they arrived, did she find out that she was going to be modeling in advertisements for Ayame's new fashion line. She was sweating more than a fish in a smoker. 'What am I going to do? Some one HELP ME!' She screamed in her mind.
"Oh my dear try the red one on next!" Ayame's personality had turned nearly 180 degrees. Alarice watched in amazement. "Do most of your models try on 13 different outfits?" She tried to smile, but was beginning to become tired and a little irritated at being treated like a doll. 'I don't care if he paid for me, I shouldn't have to put up with this!'
Alarice gazed about the shop while Ayame and Ms. Kurame argued over which outfit would complement her the most. No sooner had she lulled herself into her own thoughts, when she was jolted out of here reverie by a very…very loud squeal. "I have it!" Ayame shouted, practically knocking Alarice over from the impact of the shockwave.
'No! Not another one!' Alarice grimaced inside, but did her best to continue smiling while she was with her gracious host…"Wonderful!" She put on the largest smile she could muster as Mine took her to the back room to change…yet again. This time though, even Alarice was surprised at their choice of outfits.
The dress Ayame had picked out resembled an old Greek style gown, with layers upon layers of rich fabric. The luscious blue layers flowed together in an almost liquid fashion, and Mine also handed her several accessories! The outfit came complete with a draping, silk scarf, a long, delicate gold chain to go around her waist, and matching blue sandals that wrapped around her calves and tied below her knees.
"Sir, it's magnificent! She looks so real!" Mine squealed, shoving Alarice out where Ayame could see her. "Splendid! Simply marvelous!" Ayame's aura pulsed with satisfaction. "What do you think Miss Taiyou?"
Alarice was in shock. When she turned around to look at herself in the three way mirror, she was stunned. She paused, 'Is that really me?' Still in awe of her appearance, she answered "I look wonderful, thank you so much Mr. Sohma!" She cried. 'Geez, what I won't do to keep up my image. And while I must admit I do look pretty good; I just hope he hasn't figured out my secret. This outfit is just way to perfect for my siren form.'
Suddenly Ayame clapped his hands together and said the words Alarice had been dreading. "And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! It's time for pictures!" Out of no where people with various forms of photography equipment began filling the room; and a few women surrounded her, applying some light makeup and touching up her hair.
And then they started to take pictures. This continued for about two hours with the occasional adjustment by Ayame or a makeup touch-up. And with that the day ended. Alarice changed back into her street clothes and prepared to leave.
Ayame smiled and waved to the tired and dazed Alarice (thanks to the multiple camera flashes) as she made her way out of the store. "Farewell. Be safe now little one!" Ayame's happy demeanor did not sit well with Alarice, but she smiled and bowed back to him.
Alarice walked aimlessly through the busy streets pondering the consequences of today's "date". She couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom as she thought about what would happen when the pictures came out. 'I am so screwed! Aunt Margo can't see those pictures. The school can't see those pictures!" Alarice was panicked. She stopped abruptly and began to circle back towards the store when she smacked right into the person in front of her.
Bam! "Ouch! Oh I'm so sorr…" Alarice cut herself off when she realized who she ran in to. "YOU!" She cried in shock.
"Alarice?!?"
"Aiden! What are you doing here?" Alarice's shock was quickly replaced by anger when she noticed that Caira and Tempest were there as well…And in disguise. "Uh…well…" Aiden scratched her head, pretending she had been looking for an address as she read the sign on a nearby building. "Well?" Alarice stood there expecting an explanation, but it seemed that nobody really wanted to tell her. "Alright, if you don't tell me I am going to call Vanya and…" Caira jumped in with a tone that made it sound obvious. "We were following miss bipolar on her date!"
"What?" Alarice was a little confused, so Tempest clarified it for her. "You know how Gypsy bought the date with Yuki Sohma at the auction? Well…" But before she could finish what she was saying, Aiden interjected her own thoughts into the conversation, "We decided to follow them and try to have a little fun while we're at it." Aiden's smile was obvious and you could tell her head was just filled with several of the most mischievously sabotaging ideas imaginable. Alarice was still trying to figure out why they cared so much, but then she decided that she could find out by joining them…Plus it might be kind of fun.
"Hey guys, bipolar and sparkle prince just entered the building across the street!" Caira exclaimed as she had been ignoring Alarice's musings; opting to keep a visual on their targets instead. "We need to follow or we'll lose them." Aiden lead the way and the others followed suit. Tempest looked over her shoulder at Alarice, 'What is she planning?' "So, are you coming or not?" "Of course."
As the group crossed the street they were able to read a sign on the building telling them about the various businesses inside. Everyone stared in shock as they read the title of the establishment they had seen the two enter. "If she transforms, we are so screwed." Tempest stated, making the tension even thicker among the group. Leaning back to examine the building further, Caira confirmed everyone's uncertainties about the situation. "Chic de Mer; a four-star restaurant known for their French cuisine…and for their not so humble prices. I just hope Yuki doesn't see a side of her that he isn't supposed to..."