Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or its characters. I only own my Oc's
Novalee sat at the table at Tohru's no..Kyo's, no... Yuki... Shigure's...someones living room. Kyo, Yuki and Tohru sat silently as they watched her taking awkward sips of her tea. Shigure cleared his throat from the hallway, although she wasn't supposed to know he was eavesdropping. Though at this point there was nothing to eavesdrop on since no one had directly asked her why she was feeling down. After arriving at Kyo's house...ok just thinking of being in Kyo's house was weird. After arriving at Tohru's house, Nova had called her uncle and partially explained what was going on. He had been rather displeased, but accepted that she needed some time away. Now she sat dreading explaining her whole personal life to her friends, like some bad soap opera.
"Lee?" Nova looked up from her cup at Kyo's voice. He grimaced, as if concern somehow caused him pain.
"Yes Kyo?" Nova replied, as if she had no clue what he wanted.
"We are worried about us what's wrong?"
She said nothing, not entirely sure how she felt at the moment. She was calm on the outside, but on the inside she was trying desperately to sort through her mixture of emotions. She took a deep breath and felt her breathing become ragged. She steadied herself, letting out a whisper. "I can't."
"You can't what? Tell us?" Kyo inquired.
She shook her head. "I can't do it all by myself." She choked on a sob, but refused to cry.
"You're not alone." Tohru encouraged.
"We are here for you." Yuki told her, smiling sadly.
"You don't understand." Nova replied, looking away in dismay.
"Then tell us." Kyo stated.
"I can't take care of everything by myself." She paused "I though things would get better moving to Japan. I mean they couldn't get much worse, but the only things that have happened is Hayli and I have disagreed on everything and we've gotten arrested and her whole future has been compromised because of a stupid boy!" She looked up at her friends. Kyo's jaw and fists were clenched. Yuki and Tohru looked stunned. "I've never fought with her this long and there is nothing I can do to help her." She whimpered.
"What about your family?" Tohru asked, hopeful.
Nova scoffed. "The only that cares is Uncle Ronny and he has enough to deal with. Dad couldn't care less what happens to us. We go days without seeing him. Sometimes I wonder if he even remembers that we're his children...Mom called for the first time since we moved here, almost a month ago."
"That's good though, right?" Tohru realized from Nova's scowl that it wasn't good.
"She didn't even ask how I was. I don't know why I thought she would. She basically called to ask for money and ask about Dad who doesn't want anything to do with her or her drinking. That's all she cares about." After admitting it aloud Nova broke down in tears. Tohru crawled over, pulling her into a hug. Yuki and Kyo shared uncomfortable glances. Nova reached out, taking Kyo's hand in hers. He tensed for a moment and then gave her a reassuring squeeze. She cried harder. Tohru said nothing, simply holding her close. After a few minutes Nova raised her gaze to Yuki, sitting across from her. He looked as much of an emotional mess as her. He wasn't crying but he looked hurt, angry and confused, just on the surface. "Are you ok Yuki?" She asked, between sobs.
His face softened. "You're the one crying and you're asking me if i'm ok?" He smiled gently. "You are amazing."
Nova looked at him with wide eyes, her face flushing even more.
"He's right you know. You are amazing." Kyo chimed in."
Nova let out a soft chuckle. "Did you two actually agree on something?"
Kyo and Yuki exchanged confused glances "No!" Kyo retorted. Tohru giggled at the odd pair.
"Weirdos" Nova muttered under her breath, shaking her head with a smile. "I think I need some air." She said, releasing herself from Tohru;s arms and attempting to stand. She stumbled and Kyo and Yuki were at her side instantly. "Careful." Kyo said.
Yuki brushed her hand against her arm, ready to catch her. "You need to rest for a moment" she sat back down slowly. "I'll get you some water." He told her and walked into the kitchen.
She looked at Kyo and Tohru sitting on both sides of her. "You guys are the best." She smiled, wrapping her arms around her friends and pulling them in close for a hug.
Haylirain was disappointed to find Novalee wasn't home. She had been anxious to talk to her sister. Instead of moping around and waiting she headed to her room to clean it. She had a newfound energy she hadn't experienced in a while. She knew that she should be upset about the break up with Tenkai and in a way she was. It was the end of something, even if it was toxic. It would be difficult but she would make a friend. Heck, everyone couldn't be bad, right? She heard Uncle Ronny come home and she rushed downstairs, greeting him with a hug.
"Hi Hayli, are you feeling alright" He asked, feeling her forehead with the back of his hand, fearing she might be sick.
"I'm great Uncle Ronny." She said with a smile and hugged him again, "I love you."
"I love you too." He said, hugging her back. With that she skipped back upstairs.
Nova pulled Kyo in close for a hug and there was a large puff of smoke. She stared back at an orange cat. Her smile turned to astonishment. Her jaw dropped at her brain attempted to come up with some sort of explanation. Suddenly Tohru's face was in front of hers "What cat?!" She exclaimed, waving her arms around. Nova turned, looking for Kyo to give her some answers. Instead she saw Yuki leap from the other side of the room, snatch the cat up and throw it. It hit Shigure in the face as he walked in wearing a goofy grin. Tohru jumped up, ran over, tripped and crashed right into Shigure and the angry cat. Another puff of smoke and the cat was sprawled out on the face of a black dog. Tohru screamed and attempted to hide the two animals behind her. "Nothing to see here." She laughed suspiciously.
"Oh my, this is quite the predicament." The dog pondered, pushing the cat away. Novalee stood and turned to Yuki. They stared at each other for a moment before she leaned into his thin frame. Another puff of smoke and she was staring down at a small gray rat. She let out a yelp and turned on her heel. Tripping over her feet she fell, hitting her head on the corner of the table.