A/N: Thanks again to everyone who is so patient with me. I know I suck at updating, but things have become hectic around this time of year... I really appreciate your support.
This is a small filler I wrote (okay, not really "small") and it came to me when I was coming up with new ideas on the story. This is in Mai's POV, in third person, and takes place around Chapters 14-15. Enjoy!
In a Fruits Basket - Bonus Chapter: My Sister
Mai Nadeshiko was just a regular high school student, who had close friends, good grades, a little sister, and a science project due in two weeks.
She swore she was just arguing about her project with her sister, when she slapped the manga book out of her hands. Was that the reason why they ended up here? Was the book some magic portal? Those questions couldn't be answered.
And when she thought it couldn't get any more confusing, she found out more about the story, about the Sohmas, and how they have to take on Tohru's role of breaking the curse.
She would've never thought of waking up in a different world - an anime, to be exact, called Fruits Basket - that Arya was so obsessed about. She never thought she'd come face to face with anime characters that were so alien to her. She never thought her and Arya would survive in an anime - survive being anime.
Lastly, she would've never imagined herself becoming so deeply involved with an anime character...
Months have passed, and Mai felt even more comfortable around the Sohmas. She would always crack jokes with Shigure, playfully argue with Kyo (even though Kyo didn't see it as a joke), talk and play with Momiji, and shop with Yuki.
Shopping.
It didn't seem like much, especially when it was groceries they were shopping for. Mai still enjoyed that part of the day, walking to the market with Yuki, having small talks, that later on developed to more friendly conversations.
One of her favourite conversations with him was about the honorifics he used. She remembered it so clearly.
"Yuki, you don't have to use 'Miss' all the time," she told him.
Yuki raised an eyebrow. "Do you prefer something else?"
"Yeah, but stop trying to be so nice!" she teased him, pushing him gently. "No need for formalities. Just call me Mai. That's what all my friends call me."
"Friends?"
"Yup!"
"Oh... Alright, Mai."
She had a vivid image of his reaction when she told him that. He looked confused for a brief moment, but smiled at her. His eyes seemed to sparkle...
Ever since he and Mai had that talk on the roof during the festival and at the hot springs, she never expected to be so close with Yuki. She saw sides of him not many people saw before, with the exception of Arya.
She wanted to know more about him.
Time was going quickly in the anime world. It was already passed May and the phone rang around breakfast. Mai scurried to the phone and picked it up and pressed it against her ear. "Hello?"
"Hi, is this the Sohma residence?"
"Yes, this is Mai Nadeshiko speaking. Would you like to speak to the owner of the h-"
"Oh my gosh, Mai!" The voice on the other end squealed, "It's me, Sango!"
"And Reina!" she heard another voice say.
"Reina? Sango?" She gasped. How did they find her here? The girls chimed on the other end, "So good to hear your voice!"
"Yeah, how are you?" she asked politely.
"We're good! We miss you so much! How about you?" Reina said playfully, laughing.
"I'm fine, really!" Mai replied, smiling.
"So we're here at your grandfather's house, wanting to surprise you with a visit..." Sango began, "and you and Arya weren't there."
Mai's jaw dropped. "Oh! Really? How'd you-?"
"We got really worried and we found out you're living with the Sohmas," Reina added.
"Uhuh..."
Reina demanded, "Are you alright? Why didn't you tell us sooner?"
"Are they treating you well?" Sango questioned, "Are you hating it there?"
"Well, um- no!" Mai answered. She could hear Arya stomping down the stairs.
"How is like living there? Are you sure you two are okay? There aren't any problems?"
"Not a problem. Really, it's no trouble at all!" she assured her friends.
"I want to see for myself." Reina muttered, "Anyway, we came to see you today. It's our only day off here."
"Yes, we'd like to visit! How's around lunch time we'll be there? Your grandfather has the address." Sango chirped, "And we'll be sleeping over!"
"Quiet down!" Arya grumbled at Mai, lazily scratching her neck. Mai looked at her sister. She didn't want to argue, especially since Arya just woke up. Had she gotten taller?
Mai went back to her conversation. Oh, how pissed off Arya would be if she were to find out! She bit her nails nervously. She answered her friends, "Sure, if that's the only time you're here, then of course."
"Great, we'll see you then! Can't wait to see you!" Reina said.
"Hah! Yeah, okay, see you..." she replied nervously.
"Bye, Mai!" they said together.
"Okay. Hah! Bye!" She hung up the phone and sighed in frustration. She glanced over at her sister, who was raising a suspicious eyebrow at her.
Shit.
Everything was going along smoothly. Her friends were over, no one transformed, and the three were out eating lunch together, leaving the other four (Arya, Yuki, Kyo and Shigure), at the house.
Mai heard about Sango and Reina's university stories. It sounded like a lot of fun. Even when they returned to the house and went to the room, they continued to speak of it.
"Can we move onto another topic?" Mai asked gently, feeling a bit left out.
"Sure," her friends replied.
"Is Arya dating one of the Sohmas, do you think?" Sango interjected.
Reina nodded her head. "That's true, is she? The orange-haired Sohma?"
"Kyo," Sango corrected. "So is she?"
"No," Mai answered.
They tilted their heads to the side. "Yuki?"
"No," she said again.
Reina blushed a soft pink. "Uh, that Shigure..."
"Yeah, what about him?" Mai asked. The red-head said quietly, "How old is he?"
"Old," Mai said simply. "But she's not dating him either." Sango giggled.
"I know that..." Reina stated, "but, he's actually kind of cute."
Mai and Sango's jaw went wide open, and they exchanged looks. They burst into laughter, causing the pink on the girl's cheeks to deepen.
The next morning came, and her two friends got up early to get ready for their train that would bring them back to university. Yuki actually woke up early this time, which was odd of him. Mai, her friends, Yuki, and Kyo, sat on the table, eating their breakfast in silence. Arya was still asleep in her room.
"So, Miss Takenaka," Yuki began.
"Yes?" The young lady answered, looking up from her plate.
"Is it true the universities are registering students during the middle of the school year?" he asked.
Mai's heart pounded. That's right... Reina and Sango were talking about taking her back with them to register.
Sango cut in. "Yeah, they are. We were wondering if Mai was going to come, since she's not enjoying high school all that much."
"She did stay back a year," Reina added, nodding.
"Did you ever ask why she stayed back?" Yuki asked, clenching his jaw. Kyo ate in silence, but glanced at him. Even he knew that Yuki was using an angry tone.
"Of course, she's our friend." Sango replied gently, "She wasn't ready to leave Arya yet."
"Of course I'd tell my friends, Yuki," Mai commented sternly.
"I see." Yuki said, "So you think Mai's ready to leave? What about Miss Nadeshiko?"
Reina answered, "Well, we think Arya's in good hands."
"And what of Mai?" Yuki pressed again, "You don't think maybe she won't be?"
"Yuki," Mai said, trying to keep her tone soft, "what are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying your friends shouldn't be telling you what to do," he said a bit harshly. "Make your own decisions, Mai."
Everyone stared at the two, an awkward silence filling the air. What the hell is this guy talking about? Mai wondered, He's embarrassing me.
"Yuki," Mai swallowed, the tone she used when she said his name made him mentally wince, "I think you're done your breakfast."
Yuki cleared his throat. "Yes, I'm finished. Excuse me."
He stood up and left the room, with Mai's narrowed brown eyes following his every movement until he was out of her sight. He was going to get a big ass-whooping from her after. She looked down at Yuki's plate, and felt a pang of guilt hit her chest for being rude. He had barely touched his food.
Mai walked down the pavement, alone, with her grocery bags in hand. That was her excuse to leave the house. To leave Yuki. She was more disappointed and sad than angry. She walked slowly, not caring about the time at the moment.
How can it be so sunny? She thought, Kyoko, how can people be so happy today?
Her eyes longingly followed a couple that passed her, their fingers intertwined. Her heart ached. Why did Yuki make her heart ache? Why did her pulse race every time he smiled at her? Or laughed with her? He barely laughed. But that one time, back at the Hot Spring, she thought he could hear the hard thumping of her heart.
The same thought kept telling her not to get close.
Mai continued walking and even let out a sigh to remind herself that she was upset. One of the bags gave out, causing a canned good she bought to fall through, and roll down the sidewalk. She let out a groan, as she picked up the pace, trying to keep up with the escaping can.
A pale, delicate hand took the can and held it out to her. Mai looked up and her eyes met violet ones.
"Mai..." Yuki began, a sad smile on his face, "can we talk?"
She stayed silent. Finally, she spoke. "I don't know. Can we? What's there to talk about? You don't tell me anything, anyway," she said rather coldly.
Yuki's smile faded. "Please?" He was pleading now. "I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me, Mai?"
Mai adjusted her leather jacket, pulling it closer to her so the small breeze wouldn't hit her. Her eyes narrowed. "Give me a reason on why I should forgive you right now."
"I-" he choked out and he turned away.
She snapped, not letting him finish, "Yuki, you embarrassed me in front of my friends! You were rude! You never act like that and out of all times, you chose now... and when I asked what was wrong, you didn't tell me. I'm worried, y'know, Yuki? I want to know if I did something to upset you! I don't want to upset you." She threw her hands in the air, letting the grocery bags fall by her feet.
Her words struck him. He sighed, "I understand. I just- I just didn't want them to take you away."
Mai found herself smiling. She mumbled, "Was that it?" She looked up at Yuki and laughed, "I'm not going anywhere, Yuki."
He ran a hand through his hair. "Right."
"Why didn't you just tell me this from the start?" she questioned.
"I honestly don't know." He chuckled softly, grabbing her arms and stared deeply into her brown eyes.
Mai felt her face heat up. She tried not to look away, or burst into nervous giggles.
"I just hate the thought of..." Yuki began, then turned away, the smallest hint of a smile on his face, "not being with you."
Mai didn't catch the last part. He uttered it under his breath. Even if her ear were right by his mouth, she wouldn't have understood what he said.
"Pardon?" she asked, leaning forward. Yuki's hands restrained her a bit.
"Nothing." He smirked, his face flushing a warm pink.
She snapped, "See? This is what caused all of this! You never tell me anything!" She pouted.
Yuki nodded his head. "Yes, you're right, Mai."
"I mean, I don't want to be nosy," she began, "but I hate feeling like you can't trust me - 'cause you can, y'know?" She sighed, as Yuki released her arms, placing her hands at her sides. "What I'm trying to say is, if there's something I need to know, you gotta tell me, right? Don't let me find out later on, or through the hard way." She paused. "Or I'll get pissed!"
He simply smiled, then took a deep breath. "Then I guess I should tell you why I came here."
"To pick me up?" Mai guessed. He said softly, taking her face and pulling her close, "To tell you that I really like you, Mai."
Mai's cheeks immediately burned a crimson red, spreading throughout her face, as he leaned in closer. Then the same thought ran through her mind, causing her to suddenly push him away.
"I can't," she breathed.
Yuki gasped, "Uh- I apologize, Mai. I didn't mean to -"
"No, it's okay," she replied, her heart racing. "Thanks for picking me up."
They both awkwardly stood in the middle of the sidewalk. Mai's stomach stirred, her emotions welling up inside of her. She quickly took Yuki's hand and simply smiled. "Will you walk me home?"
"Gladly."
The same thought kept beating at her, warning her, but right now, she had to do something.
Stay away, not too close...
The sight of Arya's blushing face when she was around Yuki made her feel so guilty. Arya's mellow voice echoed in her ears, as if she was right beside her, reminding her, whispering in her ear, "Yuki's mine."
It was that thought that pushed Yuki farther away from her.
Mai tried to be a bit more distant with Yuki, ever since he confessed to her... and she turned him down. She felt so guilty and a bit sad. She convinced herself that she didn't have feelings for him.
She rummaged through her things and prepared herself to go to Ayame's shop with Yuki.
So much for trying to be distant.
Mai tried to ask Arya to go with her, but for some strange reason, she decided not to.
She dressed into one of the nicest things she owned. She was seeing Ayame, the king of fashion, after all. She threw on a light dress, that reached her knees. It was soft, yellow material and had a purple bow by the neckline.
She scurried downstairs, where Yuki was waiting for her.
"Okay, uh- let's go," she stammered, trying to swallow what ever was lodged in her throat. She knew she was just imagining things, because she didn't feel like that until Yuki saw her in a dress.
Yuki groaned, slapping his forehead, as they stepped in front of Ayame's shop.
"Wow." Mai said, tilting her head up, "It looks nice."
"I don't know." He sighed, "I'm starting to feel very uneasy about this." As they entered, it seemed both if their pulses began to race, wondering how the shop would look from the inside. "A... fabric store?" Yuki questioned.
The store had multiple shelves, with fabrics and materials of all kinds, with different colours and patterns. There was a door at the back, with a teal curtain hanging in front. A small voice called from behind it.
"Sorry, but we're closed today." A young woman walked in curiously, wearing a maid's dress and glasses, with her hair tied into curly pigtails. A smile graced her lips.
'Cute' was the first word that came to Mai's mind. Another voice said, "Mine, we still need to lift this -" And out emerged Ayame, his eyes gleaming with delight. Yuki didn't return the glance.
He took a step back, horrified. He gasped, "What is that -"
Ayame fully stepped out into the room, and that's when Mai realized what he was wearing. It was white, with lace, multiple layers in the skirt, and tight around the waist. It was decorated with pale pink bows and ruffles by the chest, revealing Ayame's fair skin and collar bones.
Mai squeaked, "A w-wedding dress?"
"That hideous thing!" Yuki said in terror, "I don't know, it's coming right for me!"
Ayame just giggled, running towards them with a bouquet in hand. He tossed it in the air and Mai caught it in her arms. She sweatdropped. It was going to be one hell of a day.
After Mai found out what kind of store Ayame really had, viewing at some of his "finished creations" which included maid dresses and nurse uniforms for both genders, they all took a seat in the back room. All the talk about clothing and styles had both Yuki and Mai's head spinning.
"By the way, there's something I'm wondering about," Mine Kuramae, Ayame's assistant began, with a weird glint in her eyes, "you! Miss, over there!" She pointed a slender finger at Mai. She blushed faintly.
"Y-yes?" Mai replied, "I'm Mai Nadeshiko, I'm friends with Yuki."
"Miss Mai Nadeshiko!" Mine exclaimed and leaned towards her. "So tell me, what do you think of our dresses? You want to try one on, don't you? I think you do!"
"Sure...?" Mai tilted her head to the side.
Yuki extended a hand towards her. "Wait, hold on a second -"
"Oh! Do you have a request for something you'd like Mai to wear? I thought we'd try something elegant."
"Uh, well, I think, uh -" he began, then burst out, "No! No, that's not what I meant! Please -"
Mai's never heard his tone that concerned before. She found her face heating up. Her mind was racing when she heard Mine and Ayame talk about some "thing" she was going to wear.
She choked out, "What's the thing?"
Yuki shouted, too, "Yes, what's the thing?" Mine was already grabbing Mai and dragging her to another room. "Yuki!" Mai gasped.
"Mai!"
She tightly squeezed Mine's arm. "Seriously, what's the thing?"
Mine and Mai gave Yuki and Ayame around fifteen minutes to talk. They sat down, and talked a bit, too.
"I have a sister, actually. Her name is Arya," Mai stated.
Mine smiled, "Oh, really? Is she as cute as you?"
"Uh, I guess you can say that."
A weird glint flashed before the assistant's eyes again. "Oh..." She murmured, "I'd love to meet her some time."
Mai sweatdropped, then Mine snapped back to reality. "Do you get along? Or are you like Ayame and his brother?" she asked nicely, smoothing out her apron.
"It's... different," she answered plainly. Deep in her heart, even though they fought a lot, she really loved Arya. She admired her, too. How she easily got good grades, while Mai always had to study a lot. That's why she works hard, but for Arya, things like that just comes naturally for her.
Even in the anime world, she's pretty popular, and liked by many. She's known for her kindness, soft voice, and the way she's sometimes shy makes her cute.
Even if she's a wise ass at times. Mai smirked to herself.
Sometimes, I wish I was different, like her. Sometimes... I want to be Arya.
Mai was gazing into space, her chocolate orbs suddenly dull and empty, like the lights were on but no one was home. She was in her own world, deep in thought, that she didn't notice Mine pulling out a dress with a mischievous grin on her face, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Okay, enough about that. Let's get you into your new outfit..." Mine purred, coming towards her with her hands open.
Mai's spine shuddered uncontrollably. She let out a hiss, "Creepy woman!"
"So, this is the thing, huh?" Mai said under her breath, her voice trembling a bit. The material was tight on her, so she couldn't breathe very well. "Mine, please loosen the bow."
"But men adore tiny waists!" Mine complained.
"Men don't adore dead women, which I will be if you let this dress choke me to death!" Mai gasped out.
Mine sighed, "Okay, sorry." She grabbed the ribbon on the back of Mai's dress, and began to slightly undue the bow. Mai began to breathe better, taking deep breaths, watching her chest rise and fall. She was blushing like hell, but the colour on her face only made her look prettier.
"It's okay," Mine assured her and tried to pull her out to the room where the two brothers were, "come on out!"
Mai bit her lip and quickly shook her head. She mouthed out a "hell no".
"Come on," Mine said in a soothing tone, rubbing her soft hands over hers.
The brown-haired girl rolled her eyes and took a step out, her face flushed with colour. She met eyes with Yuki's, which were wide with surprise. She quickly looked away, pouting a little in embarrassment.
"Mai?" Yuki said, looking down. They had some time to sit down and talk while Mine and Ayame did the same.
"I think I figured something out about my brother today," he commented.
"Oh? Well, me too, about Arya," Mai replied nervously.
"I don't really like what he does," Yuki answered, "and half the stuff he says is nonsense, but... if I'm ever going to understand him I'll have to accept that's just the way he is and try to look beyond his faults, otherwise I think the more I see him, the more it's only going to wear me out."
"You're chatty today, Yuki," Mai giggled, "and it's about your brother, too."
"Somehow it makes me very sad to say that," he mumbled. "But still, still I'm glad we came here today," he turned his head and faced her, "because I also got to see you look so adorable."
Mai realized what she was wearing. She had a pale, pastel green dress that was by her knees, flowing outwards from the waist. She had a white bow on her back, tightly secured by Mine. It was sleeveless and ruffled on the top, with a high neckline.
"S-Shut up," Mai muttered, turning a beet red. She hasn't blushed this much before!
"Honestly, I knew you were girly and all, but I didn't know you could look this cute -"
"I said 'shut up', dammit -" she began to punch his shoulder, when he caught her hand in his.
"You don't have to hide it." He chuckled.
"I'd like to see you in something," Mai snickered and Yuki released her hand.
"I'd hate that -"
"What a wonderful idea, Mai!" Mine and Ayame burst out, coming from behind them. The two younger teens almost jumped out of their skin.
"Oh, the thought of my own brother wearing one of my dresses, what a beautiful sight and example of how much he truly admires my work!" Ayame let out a slow, dramatic laugh, only to be cut off by Yuki with a punch.
"Cut it out!" he snarled. Then he turned around and gasped, with his eyes wide, teeth clenched.
Mai had a smirk on her face, "Let's dress Yuki up so he looks like a prince! Mine, can you grab some accessories from the shop?"
"Sure!" she replied excitedly and ran out the room.
When Mai made sure she closed the door, she threw herself at Yuki. Both if their faces turned a bright pink, but after the expected "poof", she grabbed Yuki's clothes, and took him in his rat form.
"Mai, give me back my clothes!" he exclaimed.
Ayame burst into laughter, "I love this girl!"
Mai smiled at the rat that was in her grasp. She lightly kissed its head. "Come on, you'll bond with your brother."
She placed the rat in the change room and threw in one of Ayame's finished products, which she believed to be navy blue dress pants, and a sailor top with a matching hat. She held onto Yuki's clothes. He'd have no choice but to wear what she gave him unless he'd choose to go naked.
Mai began to laugh with Ayame, when Mine walked in. "Did I miss anything? Do you still need these materials, Mai?"
"I don't think so, but thanks." Mai giggled.
Mine smiled, "So you got Yuki to wear something? How nice!"
"He'll look cute in whatever he puts on," she replied, beaming.
Yuki was blushing madly in the change room, now completely naked in his human form. He fumbled with the clothing Mai had thrown into the change room with him. He sighed and began to dress up.
"Mai, you're going to pay for this," he muttered under his breath, but couldn't help and smile when he said her name.
A/N: So that's that! You saw a bit of the story through Mai's eyes. Hope you liked it! Don't forget to review :)
