This one was, in a way, fun to write. I hope you like it! Dont forget to review - please!
I dont own Fruits Basket - but I do own Mari
"It been about two weeks," I thought to myself, as I sat at the table," And Hatori still hasn't took me back to the Main House…I want to know why!" It's not that I didn't want to stay here at Shigure's, but I missed Momiji and Kisa.
"Good afternoon, Miss. Mari-san," Yuki smiled, as he came into the room.
"Hello Yuki-kun," I smiled," How was school?"
"As usual as usual is," he smiled, and then headed upstairs to put his book bag on his desk. I smiled as Tohru came in, and Kyou right behind her.
"Hello Mari-kun," Tohru smiled warmly in greeting, and then she disappeared upstairs as well – which left me and Kyou alone. It was an awkward silence, but I didn't know what to say.
"So…" he said finally," Remember anything new?"
"No," I answered, shaking my head softly. He nodded once, and then disappeared out the door, as soon as Shigure came in.
"Have you done anything while I was gone?" Shigure smiled, seeing that I was still sitting in the same place I was when he left.
"Nope!" I exclaimed, smiling, then I asked," Not to be mean or rude or anything…but why hasn't Hatori-kun been by to take me back to the Main House?"
"He only comes by to check up on me every now and then," I thought to myself.
"Well – I guess it is time for you to know," Shigure sighed dramatically, and I couldn't help but giggle," This is your new home."
"Really?" I asked, my eyes wide in excitement.
"That is," Shigure said," If you want to stay here two young boys, a cute young girl, and the occasional weirdo lurking around."
"Yeah!" I exclaimed in excitement. I got up, and hugged him, excited that I was allowed to stay here with him. I realized I always felt safest here, when he was around.
"Must be because of the accident when I was younger," I thought.
"There is one small catch though," Shigure said, and I was instantly on the alert, worried about that 'catch', but he continued," You'll have to attend school, just like the others." I stared at him for a couple seconds then smiled.
"Okay," I nodded, thinking," As long as I get to stay near Shigure-kun, anything is worth it."
While we were eating dinner, I thought I heard someone outside. I saw Yuki look up, and then his eyes grow dark as he looked at the door behind me. It really scared me to see him like that, and I felt shivers run down my spine.
"Shigure," Yuki said, in a deathly tone," Why – is – he – here?" His tone was violent, which was a difference, because usually his tone was nice and gentle. Soon, I felt someone place their arm around me, and lift me up in a hug.
"My little flower!" he exclaimed," You have grown up so much!" I looked at the guy holding me, and was very confused.
"Shigure-kun…" I said softly, kind of scared and confused.
"No need to be frightened, Mari-chan," Shigure smiled, scooting away from Yuki's hostile glare, then he said to the person holding me," You must be more casual Ayaa – she doesn't know you yet." I saw the look in his eyes flicker, and then soon he took one of my hands, and held his other to his forehead, in a dramatic way.
"Please – forgive me my dearest Mari-chan!" he exclaimed apologetically," I just couldn't help myself when I saw you – It's been so long!" Realization dawned on me, and I figured this was Ayame – my other cousin and Yuki's brother.
"It's alright Ayame-kun," I smiled," Its just I'm getting to know everyone…again… It's nice to meet you." Ayame smiled, then reeled me in closer and held me in backwards hug.
"Are they treating you alright?" he asked," Or do you want to come live with me?" I was flustered and didn't know what to say at first, then I found my voice – or so I thought.
"I'm -" I started, but my voice was beginning to disappear," I-.." Shigure was the one to sense what I needed, because he disappeared into the kitchen, and reappeared with a glass of water.
"Ayaa – let her go for a little while," Shigure said softly, and Ayame was confused, but still done as asked. Once he let me go, Shigure gave the glass of water to me, and I drank it thirstily.
"She still has a small problem with dry throat," I heard Shigure softly inform Ayame behind me, as I drank. I lifted the glass to take another drink, but a soft hand stopped me. When I looked, I saw Yuki taking the now-empty glass, and walking toward the kitchen. I lightly blushed sheepishly at my foolishness, and then turned back to Ayame.
"Shigure-chan is being very kind to me, and treating me very well," I told him smiling," I like it here." Shigure beamed, and Ayame nodded.
"Here you go, Miss. Mari-chan," Yuki said politely, handing me the freshly filled cup of water.
"Thank you, Yuki-kun," I replied, smiling, softly taking the cup from him. I was determined to drink this one slower then the other.
"Shigure tells me you are in need of a uniform for school," Ayame said, as Tohru began cleaning up dinner. She, Yuki, and Kyou all looked at us.
"You're going to school?" Kyou asked me, an unreadable expression on his face.
"Yes," I answered, nodding, "Why?"
"Well – you keep needing water every ten minutes, and sometimes you slip into a sleep in the middle of the day," Kyou said," Are you sure you can manage?" I was slightly angered by this.
"Are you saying that I am incapable of being able to do simple tasks?" I asked him, my anger starting to flare up out of no where.
"I'm just asking," he said, slightly backing up, but he ran into a wall.
"I'll have you know," I said, taking a step towards him," If I want to go to school, I will. So what if I need to get a drink every ten minutes, or I fall asleep every now and then? I'll explain to the teachers and everyone else who wants to know – I'll tell them that its because I survived a car wreck when my parents couldn't!" I felt anger and sadness rushing through my veins; a feeling I have never felt before, slowly unfolding from me.
"So what if I have to keep repeating it to tens of people! I Will Go To School Tomorrow!" For some reason, I felt tears pouring from my eyes, and I ran from the room. I didn't see Yuki glare at Kyou, the surprised look on Tohru's face, or the expressions of sadness, pity, mixed with sorrow on Shigure and Ayame's faces.
Before I could lay down on my bed in my room, my legs gave out on me, and I fell with a loud thud. My crying worsened, because I felt so weak, and I hated it. Soon, two people where beside me, one hugging me, and one with his arm around my shoulder in comfort.
I just cried even more, but I was glad to have them their.
"It's alright," I heard Shigure say, close to my ear.
"Everyone has to let it out every now and then," Ayame agreed, from beside me.
"Why..did..I..just..burst..out..like..that? It's..not..usual..for..me.." I cried.
"Well – you're related to Yuki and Ayaa," Shigure said," So we expected it at some point." I remember Yuki's hostile nature back at dinner when Ayame had arrived, and realized what he was taking about.
"I wonder what Ayame-kun is like when he gets going on his hostile side," I thought to myself.
"As for tomorrow," Ayame continued," I will talk with the school, and let them know about your condition. You should expect someone to approach you on the matter in the morning. Until we meet again – my little blossoming flower." I felt Ayame give me a hug, and I re-positioned my body so I could return it.
"Thank you, Ayaa-kun," I said gratefully, and I felt him laugh slightly, then he got up and was gone.
"How do you feel?" Shigure asked softly.
"Horrible – maybe I should go apologize," I said, standing up, but as I went to stand up, my legs gave out on me.
"Here," Shigure said, offering me his hand. I took it, and he lifted me up, then was tried walking, but I kept slipping.
"Would it be alright if I carried you, Mari?" Shigure asked me softly, and I nodded. He softly picked me up and carried me into the dining room where everyone was.
"Kyou-kun?" I said, tentively. He looked at me, suspiciousness in his eyes.
"What?" he asked.
"I'm sorry about earlier," I told him," I didn't mean to just explode like that – but I just want you to have a little faith in me… please." I saw him look at me for a minute, then nod.
"Thank you," I said, and then to everyone," I guess I'll see you all in the morning." Shigure carried me back to my room and laid me down softly on my bed.
"Thank you Shigure-kun," I said, as he stood back up," For everything."
"No problem," he replied, and then walked toward the door.
"'Night Shigure-kun," I quietly said, tiredness sweeping through my body.
"'Night, Mari," he smiled, then closed the door, and my eyes closed as I fell asleep.