Hello! Chapter 2 is now up and running!

This is the second story I updated today. Mama's on a roll! I don't want it to stop either, so don't be surprised if there's another update coming later today. Or maybe even a new story. I don't know yet, but you'll surely find out! I've just been touched by the writing spirit!

... That didn't really sound right xD

Okay, I hope you enjoy!

To your Review:

The High Queen of Angst: T~T You are too kind! Really, thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it and that you have so much faith in me!

Oh, don't mention it! You completed a request for me, it was the least I could do! Thank you for your continued support.

OMG! I totally forgot! You're absolutely right, Arata is yours! That will be corrected immediately!

Queen Ore-Sama: Lol, I'm sorry about your confusion. I was just gonna let it be explained through out the story, but Brielle is Japanese, and before you ask, there is a reason her and her siblings have non-Japanese names. You'll find out later in the story.

Yes, it does indeed rule! When, you know, you haven't promised certain update times... which I've done before. Big mistake. If you're gonna be a procrastinator, don't promise specific dates x3

I'm so glad you thought it well-written and thank you for your lovely review!

Marionette

Chapter 2

He had grown quite a bit since last summer. Naturally tall and slim, he pulled back his semi-broad shoulders and toward over me, but not to the point of intimidation. Although his face was still soft, you couldn't mistake him for a girl anymore. I almost smiled at the thought.

"Hello Brielle," he said casually. "It's been so long."

His long, nimble fingers lightly touched the underside of my chin. I allowed my head to be tilted upward as he leaned in. His lips were feather light against mine. It wasn't fun or passionate, but we did this often ever since we were pronounced engaged by our expectant parents.

Yuki pulled back. "I missed you."

My heart sank a bit. I hated Yuki being so tender and vulnerable around me. Giving me his heart and letting me decide whether to stomp on it or handle it with care. I wasn't used to making my own decisions, so in situations like this I went with whatever was expected of me, or in mine and Yuki's situation, hoped for.

I admitted quietly, "Same here", then looked up at him, a tiny bit of accusation in my eyes. I said, "You never told me you had siblings."

Yuki visibly stiffened. He stepped back a bit and grabbed my hands. I gripped his back. His expression was apologetic, with a glint of something I couldn't place.

"I planned on telling you, but never got around to it." I stared blankly at him. He'd have to do a better job than that. "I'm serious."

"… Alright then."

Yuki gave me a tiny smile and kissed me again, a bit longer this time. Normally I tried to numb myself whenever I was around him (and everyone else in the world, for that matter), but I was positive my discomfort showed, even a little. Either he didn't notice, or he ignored it.

My excuse for never taking things to the next level with him was that I was shy toward intimacy, but I had been using that excuse ever since we began dating and Yuki was a very intelligent man. I knew he'd figure it out soon, if he hadn't yet. And then he'd confront me about it at just the right moment. That's when I'd have to turn on the charm and prove him wrong. Prove everyone wrong.

Not sure what charm I seem to believe I possess, but at the moment, it's not important.

Yuki caressed my cheek, "You will be coming to dinner, correct?"

I nodded. His mouth gave a small curl at the sides. That was the closest to a real smile anyone could get from Yuki Sohma. The rest were forced. You could only tell if you knew him back when he was… well, him. The person he had been before being taught to be someone he wasn't. Like me. Like all aristocrats.

"Then I will see you then." With that, he left rather unceremoniously. Slipping out into the hall after him, I watched him depart. Handsome as he may be, I wasn't sure we belonged together. But as long as I liked him to some degree, which I do, everything would be fine. At least I hoped it would.

Claudia and Arata came to my room to escort me to dinner. By that time I had already been changed by my Lady's Maid, whose name I found out was Vera, into a form-fitting grey dress.

Claudia seemed extremely delighted about something as she practically bounced down the hallway. Arata had his hands shoved in his pockets and looked off to the side, probably admiring the art work hung strategically along the walls.

I knew it was only a matter of time before Claudia shared what got her so giddy. That time came on our way down the stairway. Out of nowhere, she began to prattle on about Yuki's brothers-one in particular.

"They're all very handsome young men," she gushed. "Especially Lord Hatsuharu. You know what he told me? To just call him "Haru". Without the title!"

Claudia sighed dreamily, twirling down the stairs. I looked over at Arata, who looked over at me.

"Why's she so happy about a gesture so…?" I whispered to him, at a loss for the right word. He chuckled.

"Small?" he supplied, leaning toward me slightly in a teasing manner. I nodded. "Young love, little lady. You'd know all about that."

I bit the inside of my lip. I'd never know anything about that. The person I was supposed to feel that way for ended up only feeling like a best friend to me.

"Hurry now, you two. We'll be late for dinner," Claudia tittered, grabbing one of mine and Arata's hands. She began to pull us down quicker. Arata kept up easily, while I stumbled a bit in my heels.

At the last step, my foot got caught in my dress and I lurched forward a bit, falling on to Claudia's back. She very literally squeaked as we fell to the ground. At the same moment, a man walked through the doors to the right, the doors to the left leading to the dining room. Arata and the man quickly pulled Claudia and I to our feet. Red dusted my cheeks.

"I'm sorry. That was clumsy of me." My eyes went to the man that helped me up and I was barely able to stop myself from staring. He had a boyish face that held fiery eyes burning deep red and a tall, toned body. His slightly tanned skin and vivid orange hair made him seem all the more exotic. Absolutely gorgeous.

"Watch where you're going," the man grumbled, slinking up the stairs and leaving three of us behind without a second glance. He sounded so angry-without a proper reason, might I add. He didn't have to help me up; I would have managed just fine without him.

"That's one of Lord Yuki's younger brothers. Kyo Sohma," Claudia informed me, dusting imaginary dirt off her surprisingly expensive looking dress. "He doesn't seem very nice does he?"

"No," I answered, staring as he disappeared into a hallway. So Kyo was his name. It seemed to fit him well.

"Well he most definitely wasn't when I first met him. He was just the same. Don't you think he was rude just now?" Claudia asked, putting her hands on her hips.

"Yes."

"Then why do you seem so interested," Arata asked, eyebrow quirked in question and clover eyes shining with curious amusement.

I paused on that question. How was I supposed to answer that? Saying something like: "Oh, I'm interested because he made a bad first impression at first meeting… seemingly on purpose?"

There's no way I'd admit that.

"I don't know," I said simply, hurrying to open the dining room doors, so that she couldn't question me further with Arata helping to add fuel to the fire.

Everyone in the room focused on me at the same time. Without thinking, I stepped back into Arata. He put his hands firmly on my shoulders, trying to reassure me.

"Welcome," Kazuma greeted us. "We were worried when we heard a scream. It seems everything is alright, though." He turned to look at everyone around the table. "Everyone, this is Brielle and her other cousins, Claudia and Arata."

That caught me off guard. My eyes locked on Hajime, who sat on the left side of the table, nervous. Claudia made a little sound of disbelief and Arata looked down at me, waiting for my reaction.

It made sense now. Why they weren't immediately taken to the servants' quarters, why-now that I looked at them-they were wearing expensive looking clothing, and why they were invited to dinner. It felt wrong to lie, but it also felt wrong to tell the truth and get them sent away. They were born-except Claudia-and raised as servants all their lives, not able to get even a taste of the good life, no matter how lonely it is. Maybe I could give them a chance at a new life. A life they found more desirable. Just because I didn't like it didn't mean they wouldn't. With that in mind, I smiled and said, "We're pleased to meet you."

Claudia was shocked beyond belief, while Arata gave one of his famous lazy smiles and strolled over to where Hajime sat, dragging the confused British woman with him. As expected, I took the seat next to Yuki.

Everyone went around the table introducing themselves. It turned out the little girl outside was Yuki's younger step-sister, Kisa Sohma. She was a shy little thing, her cheeks dusting pink as she told me her name. I wondered if she were excited to see me.

Ayame and Kagura Sohma were Yuki's elder step-siblings. Ayame had gold eyes and Kagura had grey. Very unusual colors.

The two younger brothers I had yet to meet were Hatsuharu Sohma, who Claudia couldn't help but swoon over, and Momiji Sohma. Hatsuharu, as expected, told me to call him Haru. I didn't know what it was about this family, but their looks were far beyond unique. They were borderline outrageous, which made them seem more attractive. Haru's hair was split into two colors: Black on the bottom and white on the top. His eyes were grey like Kagura's, but duller. He was covered in jewelry.

Momiji was blonde with brown eyes-The most regular looking family member so far, I believed. He was small and dressed in, well, a dress.

The last person I was introduced to was Tohru, Kazuma's new wife. She seemed pretty ordinary, compared to the two beauties I had previously seen him with. Her brown hair was long and straight, and her eyes were turquoise. She was pretty and sweet, but average.

Something that bothered me a bit was that there was a missing person (Kyo) and no one made that known. They didn't even seem fazed.

Dinner went on with Kagura and Momiji bombarding me with questions, Claudia starting up a conversation with Haru that seemed to be difficult to keep up, and at one point Ayame almost leaping over the table in an attempt to capture me in a hug over something I said he thought was "cute". Kyo still was not mentioned.

In the middle of dinner, Yuki grabbed my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. I found my cheeks heating up as he kissed my temple.

"Yuki, not in public," I whispered, but no one seemed to mind. That's when I realized they probably saw enough of it from Kazuma and Tohru, who seemed lost in one another's eyes. Her soft features held the most adorable expression, like she was nervous and excited at the same time. Kazuma brushed her brunette hair gingerly behind her ear. Even though her face was redder than mine had been, she continued to smile instead of frown. She must have been enjoying their closeness. My chest tightened. Would I ever be head-over-heels in love with Yuki?

For both our sakes, I wanted more than anything for the answer to be yes.

This chapter was shorter than the first, which is actually a good thing, but I'm not as confident in this one. However, that does not mean that I don't like it.

The only part I really enjoyed writing though was from her talking to Yuki to where Kyo left. I don't know if you can tell, but I hope it's all very nice quality for very nice readers (and potential reviewers!).

So, yeah, Read, Enjoy, REVIEW~!

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Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or any of its shiz ;p

Claimer: I DO own Brielle, Hajime, and Claudia.

Extra Disclaimer: It has been brought to my attention that I do not own Arata. He belongs solely to The High Queen of Angst, for I have given him to her xD