Disclaimer - Character's are not mine.

Chapter Four – Rooster's Prayers

Carefully setting the incense in the small holder on the shrine, Koreno bowed his head and prayed for his parents and sisters as he did every time he came to Hanajima shrine house.

The quiet of the shrine had always soothed Koreno. Having grown up in a house with four older sisters, it had rarely been quiet. That was probably why he had always loved going to the shrine where the priest, Mr Hanajima, had allowed him to spend hours and hours a week just wandering around and doing the odd job when needed. Now that he was older he didn't get to go as often, however he still managed to make time each week for at least a little time to pray and thank whoever was up there for protecting those he loved.

The quiet sound of footsteps alerted him to the presence of someone else and, looking up, he saw the priest's granddaughter, Saki Hanajima, walking towards him.

"Saki, you startled me." Koreno offered her a small smile of welcome as she came over and kneeled beside him.

"Grandpa told me you were around, so I thought I'd come and say hello." She bowed her head, hands clasped before her, to the shrine before looking over at him with a small smile.

"I've not seen you for a while now," Koreno agreed.

Saki was about four years younger than Koreno himself; as such he had seen her around the shrine a lot as a child. He could remember her crying because the kids at school had picked on her and excluded her because she was different. While he himself didn't really understand anything about electrical waves in the body, he could appreciate her unique way of viewing the world.

It wasn't until middle school that she finally found some descent friends. He saw less of her after that as she spent most of her time with them. He was happy for her, if a little sad that he was no longer able to see her so much. Over the past few years they had only seen one another a few times, hearing about each other's lives through her grandfather.

"I'm good, my electrical waves are all positive." She looked over at him with her usual blank expression, dark eyes seeming to glisten slightly.

"Your own electrical waves appear to be fairly positive as well."

He just smiled at her, knowing that such a comment didn't require a response.

'Still as odd as always, I see.' He thought amusedly.

"I hear you've been working here at the shrine for a while now." He spoke after a few minutes of comfortable silence between them, both sitting before the shrine and enjoying the stillness of the area.

"Yes, it allows me flexible hours so I can go and visit a friend of mine."

"Are they well?" He asked, concerned for her friend even if he had never met them before.

"Oh, yes, they're very happy. She has just opened her own business, so I go and check to make sure it is all going well. I wouldn't want something bad to happen to her."

Koreno grinned slightly.

'Typically Saki, always so concerned about everyone else around her.'

"What kind of business?"

"A café – bookstore. It's called Fruits Basket." She looked up at him with her dark eyes. "You should go have a look around."

She suddenly stood up and reached into a pocket of her black dress. Pulling out a slightly crumpled, bright yellow flier she held it out for him. Taking it he looked at the logo and then the helpful directions on how to get there.

"Tell the waiters there that Saki sent you, I'm sure Tohru will give you a discount then." She turned slightly away from him. "Try the jasmine tea, it's lovely."

She began to walk away, her voice floating back to him.

"May pleasant electrical waves follow you."

'Definitely still strange.'He grinned.

Glancing back down at the flier, Koreno shrugged slightly before pushing it into his pocket and glancing at his watch. Sighing, he stood, his lunch break now up, and began making his way back to his office job. Leaving the peaceful atmosphere for the hectic lifestyle he led.

It was another four days before Koreno managed to find time to visit Fruits Basket Café – Bookstore. He had finished on time for once and, as he had skipped lunch, he decided that he should treat himself to something nice to eat. Pulling out the flier from his pocket, he diligently followed the instructions on how to get there and before he knew it he found himself standing before a brightly lit shop, which had a cheerful feeling to it.

Opening the door he absentmindedly noted a cheerful sounding chime from the bell above the door. He walked into the shop and made his way over to a small two-chaired table about halfway into the shop. Sitting down, he allowed is eyes to wander for a moment when he suddenly saw the cutest girl he had ever seen before.

With shoulder length blond hair and deep blue eyes, she was gorgeous.

He watched in some shock as she walked over to him and he felt his heart speed up slightly, only for embarrassment to assault him when she pulled out a pen and paper to take his order.

"Hi there, what can I get for you today?" She asked, her voice light and almost playful sounding.

"Hi, I've been advised to come here and have some of your jasmine tea." He paused for a moment before adding: "Saki sent me."

"Oh! Are you Koreno?" The blond asked, smile getting a little bit larger, if that was possible.

"Yes, and you are?" He asked, thankful for an excuse to ask her name.

"I'm Arisa Uotani, one of Saki's friends."

"Oh, I thought Saki said her friend owned this place, not worked here?" He asked, curious.

"Oh, yeah, Tohru owns this place. I don't actually work here, I'm just doing her a favour because one of the waiters, Yuki, he had to do an extra study class today." She explained, smile turning slightly shy.

"Oh, well that explains it." He offered her another smile, finding her shy one adorable.

"Well, Saki said that we needed to give you a discount for your excellent record for visiting Grandpa Hanajima's temple." Arisa said, jotting down something on her notebook.

"Was there anything else you'd like today?" She asked, looking back up at him though her blond bangs.

"Yes," he looked over the menu before placing the rest of his order.

He subtly watched her as she puttered about, watched as she spoke to the orange haired kid at the counter and a black haired man who stuck his head out of another room and said something, causing Arisa to laugh and orange haired kid to scowl.

He was slightly distracted by the chime of the door opening and a purple haired guy walking into the shop. He walked over to the counter and they spoke to him for a moment before he disappeared into where the black haired man had gone into. Arisa turned and came over to him, Koreno's dinner held in her hands.

"So, how do you know Saki?" She asked, setting his food down and smiling as she waited for his answer.

"Well, that's an interesting story, if you have some time?" He asked, smile stretching unchecked across his face.

"Well I've got some time now, if you've got the time yourself?"

"Aren't you working?" He teased lightly, glancing over to the counter where there were two young men conversing, or rather, arguing.

"Nah, Yuki just got here so I'm free now." She grinned that small, shy smile again, looking at him bashfully.

"Well, have a seat then." He gestured to the seat across from him.

"Hey, Yuki, the usual please." Arisa called out to the purple haired guy who nodded to show he'd heard, though he didn't stop his argument with the orange head.

"So, how I met Saki, hey?" With that the two began talking and found they got alone very well.

'I'll have to thank Saki when I see her again.' Koreno thought to himself as he listened to Arisa telling one of the stories about when she, Tohru and Saki had been at high school and some of the adventures they had experienced together.

They had been talking for a good half an hour when Arisa, who had glanced up at the sound of the door opening, suddenly raised a hand into the air as a large smile spread out over her face.

"Tohru! Come over here and meet Saki's friend."

Looking away from her for the first time since they had begun talking, Kazuma saw a brown haired woman walking over to them, a friendly – if slightly unsure – smile on her face.

"Tohru, this here is Koreno, the guy Saki was telling us to give a discount to. Koreno, this here is Tohru Honda, the owner of this awesome place." She said, enthusiasm for her friend clear in her voice.

"Hello," he said pleasantly.

"Oh, Hana's told me about you. She said you've known each other for a long time, at Grandpa Hanajima's temple, right?" She asked, her voice bubbly and full of enjoyment, though at what Koreno wasn't entirely sure.

"Yes, that's me." He still smiled none-the-less.

'Strange girl, no wonder her and Saki get along so well.' He thought in private amusement.

"This is so exciting, I get to finally meat you! I'm so glad." Tohru held her hands clasped before her, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you too." Koreno felt an odd amount of pride at the delighted look on her face at his words.

"Is there anything else I can get you all?" A new voice asked. Looking around, Koreno saw the purple haired guy – Yuki – standing slightly behind Tohru. Although a smile was on his face, his eyes were cold as they stared at Koreno.

'What's his problem?' Koreno wondered idly to himself. He was pretty sure he hadn't done anything to the guy, anything he was aware of anyway.

"No, I really should get going actually." Arisa said, her voice clearly disappointed as she shot him a look, causing Koreno to smile at her.

"Oh, already." Tohru sounded disappointed, her elation disappearing as quickly as it had appeared.

"Yeah, sorry Tohru. Don't worry though; I'll come by in a couple of days." She stood and hugged the other girl before turning to Koreno himself.

"It was great to meet you, Koreno." He grinned at her, loving the small blush that stained her cheeks as he did so.

"Yes, you too. I'm sure we'll see each other again." He promised, pleased when she looked happy about that before she turned and walked out the door.

"So, did you want anything?" Yuki asked again, eyes a little less cold now as they darted from the door, to him and then Tohru.

Putting the pieces together, Koreno mentally rolled his eyes. Typical, the guy liked Tohru and thought that Koreno himself did as well.

'There's nothing going on there.' He thought to himself as he slowly stood up.

"No, thank you. It was lovely I must say, but I have to get going as well." He held out a hand to Tohru who shook it happily.

"It was lovely to meat you, Tohru. I'll be sure to tell my colleagues about this place and return myself soon."

"Oh, yes please do. It was nice to meet you, as well. I'll be sure to tell Hana you stopped by if you don't see her first." She promised happily.

Nodding to the guy behind her, Koreno took his leave; mentally wondering what Saki would say to his dating one of her friends.

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