This is a Wonderful Inn
(Kazuko's POV)
*We were all in school & the final bell of the day went off. On the board was a schedule for the exam schedule*
Mayuko: That's it. Time's up. No complaining. *a couple of students groaned* Pass your tests to the front.
*Tohru stretched out to the front & bent my back, both of us glad it was over*
Yuki: Miss Honda. Kazuko. How'd it go?
Tohru: You know what, I think I did much better than I expected to. I filled in a lot more of the blanks than usual!
Arisa: Oh yeah? *she, Saki, & Ichiro came over* I'm real proud of you, Tohru.
Ichiro: Great job, kid.
Tohru: Thanks.
Saki: I knew it was within your power to pass this exam.
Tohru: Yuki and Kazuko tutored me, so they're the ones who should get the credit. The way you both explained things was so clear. Seriously, I couldn't have done it without you both.
Kazuko: Hey, come on. What kind of brother would I be if I didn't help my own sister!
Yuki: Thanks, but . . . *he smiled the brightest smile I've ever seen him make* It was nothing.
*The members of the Stalker Club were actually like it was the end of the world, seeing him smile like that. But I knew they were too scared of Saki to get close to us*
Yusuke: Hey, Hanajima. *we turned to him & Hiroshi* You're lucky you've got that brain wave stuff. Bet you aced every test, don't you?
Hiroshi: How'd you feel about the midterms.
Saki: Oh, those. Let's see. I went to special tutoring for them. After the tests, the school called my house. Yes. I recall my Mother weeping.
*In other words, she failed*
Yusuke: But . . . What about your wave powers?
Saki: The logical conclusion is that I'm an idiot. So much so that my powers can't make up for it.
Arisa: Yeah, I wouldn't worry too much about that. *she turned to Kyo* At least you can be sure you'll never be the dumbest person in the room.
Kyo: What's that? For your sake, I hope you're not talking about me.
Arisa: Uh . . . Dude. Obviously, I am.
*Kyo shot up from his seat*
Kyo: I never took review lessons and no one's ever had to call my parents!
Hiroshi: Yeah. Turns out Kyon-Kyons surprisingly a good student.
Kyo: Why's that surprising?
Ichiro: Weird. So he doesn't suck at everything that's competitive.
Kyo: I'm gonna end every one of you.
Tohru: I get it. Kyo's been holed up in his room a lot lately. He must have been up there studying the entire time.
Yuki: So, it would seem.
*I just smiled.
Mayuko: Tohru! *we turned & saw Ms. Shiraki at the door* Come here a second.
Tohru: Kay.
*She ran up to the door & she talked with the teacher. She bowed like she was apologizing & Ms. Shiraki just brushed it off. Then she came back*
Yuki: Is something wrong?
Tohru: Oh. Uh . . . No. It's nothing really. I've just gotta work harder! *I wasn't very convinced* Swab, swab! That's my job!
(Fruits Basket - Opening Theme - Again)
(Kazuko's POV)
*That night, I went to work at the moving company. Though I kept wondering what Ms. Shiraki wanted to talk to Tohru about. When I got home, I made dinner. Soon, Tohru arrived home with Momiji*
Momiji: Guten abend!
Tohru: Hi. I'm home.
Shigure: Ah, there you are.
Yuki: Welcome home.
Kazuko: How was work?
Tohru: Fine. Momiji was a big help.
Momiji: I've never seen Shi-Chan's house before. *just then, Kyo walked in with a towel around his neck* This is so exciting!
Kyo: What is that noisy brat doing here!?
Momiji: Did your bath make you grumpy, kitty?
*Suddenly, Kyo started grinding his fists into his head*
Kyo: You're gonna have to tone down the hyper, you got that!?
Momiji: Somebody help! Kyo's picking on my again!
Kazuko: Kyo, lay off of him, will ya!?
*We all sat down around the table, Momiji enjoying a snack*
Shigure: So, Momiji, did you tell them why you're staying over tonight?
Momiji: Not yet. *he shot up one finger* Question for Tohru! What day is it tomorrow?
Tohru: Let me think . . . The 14th?
Momiji: Bingo! That means it's White Day! As my gift to you, I'm taking you to a Hot Spring so you can relax!
Tohru: Huh?
Momiji: Surprise! I call this "Heart of a Traveler, Me and Tohru's Steamy Hot Spring Adventure!"
Shigure: There's no need for a title.
Yuki: Which Inn are you going to?
Momiji: Well, there is one run by the Sohmas, so . . .
Yuki: Yeah. Makes sense.
Tohru: Um . . . A Hot Spring is so expensive. And I'd be going without Mom and Dad. What would they have to say about this . . .?
Kazuko: Tohru, calm down. It's just a trip to the Hot Spring.
Shigure: He's right. He isn't suggesting you take a trip to Paris or something.
Tohru: I know, but . . .
Momiji: He's right! And in sure your Mutti and Papa would be happy if you and Kazuko had a good vacation. Unless there was some reason you don't want to go with me.
Tohru: No, I do. I'm excited.
Momiji: Yuki and Kyo will come too! It'll be great!
Kyo: You don't get to decide wether I'm going or not, you brat!
Momiji: Oh, come on! Why are you such a stubborn kitten, Kyo? What about you, Yuki? You're gonna go, right?
*Yuki nodded*
Yuki: Yeah, sure. Why not?
*Tohru looked really happy to hear that*
Momiji: Yuki knows what's up!
Kyo: That makes me wanna go even less!
*Then Shigure looked like he remembered something*
Shigure: Oh yeah. Sorry to change the subject. But I hear your a month behind paying your school trip deposit, Tohru. *I grimaced. I had completely forgotten about that* It's alright. I had a quick phone call with your Grandfather last night. Apparently, your homeroom teacher contacted him about it. Grandpa said he'd be happy to pay the balance for you.
Tohru: Oh no. Please tell me he's not gonna do that. Last month I had to . . . Well, a lot happened. But, I just pay for with the job earning from this month's, so it's fine. I've already told our teacher too. Sorry about this. I didn't mean to get you involved.
Shigure: But I don't understand. You work all the time, Tohru. So why was last month any -
*That's when it hit him, Yuki, & Kyo. She had spent a lot of money on the Valentine's Day chocolates*
Momiji: Where's your class going on the school trip?
Tohru: Oh, we don't know yet.
*Suddenly, Kyo jumped up in a rage*
Kyo: YOU ID -
Tohru: What?
*Then he started to calm down*
Kyo: The bath . . . You're turn . . . Go now . . .
Tohru: Ah, sure. Okay. I think I'll . . . Go and get cleaned up!
*She left the room*
Shigure: Who's a good boy? Managing to control your anger for once. We shouldn't be surprised. That's our Tohru. Of course she bought chocolate supplies with her own money.
Kazuko: I guess this is partly my fault. I should've kept a closer eye on her when we were at the store.
Yuki: How could we not have caught on earlier?
Kyo: Because she smiles to hide her feelings! How're we supposed to know? She shouldn't have felt obligated to give us chocolates. All it did was make life that much worse for her! She should have used it on clothes or shoes or her trip deposit! What about idiot! She's gonna end up drowning in dept one day! At this rate, she'll miss out on all the good stuff in life.
Momiji: Hey, you know what? We had some free time in class yesterday
Kyo: Huh?
Momiji: Yah. So we ended up reading a book together. *he started telling us a story about a gullible traveler that kept getting tricked by all the people around him, including the monsters in the forest. soon, that was left if him was a head with no eyes. we were all silent after hearing that* Everyone else in our class laughed at this. They thought it was dumb. But I didn't. I just closed my eyes instead. I thought about a traveler who even though she was swindled out of everything but her head still cried & was grateful. And what I decided was . . . This girl was a lovely person. Truly. It's a waste of time to think about what you might lose in life. And so the traveler paid no mind to such things. My classmates might think that makes her an idiot, but I don't agree. She was just trying to be kind. Even if other people think it was okay to trick her, I don't believe they're right. All I wanted after hearing the story was for the traveler to be happy for real. So, Yuki and Kyo. What do you think about this character? Was she an idiot? What does your heart tell you?
*I smiled. Momiji was quite the philosopher*
Yuki & Kyo: It says . . . That she . . .
*The next morning, Tohru & I were hanging out some sheets to dry on the balcony when Kyo came up to us*
Kyo: I'll go with you.
Tohru: Huh? Oh, hi there, Kyo. I hope you're having a good mor -
Kyo: You hear me? I'll go to the Hot Spring. I didn't get anything in return for the chocolate. So as my gift for you, I'll put up with that damn rodent. Unless you'd rather I stay back here while the rest of you go off on a trip.
*Tohru looked really happy & went up to him. I smirked, seeing the redness on his cheeks*
Tohru: Of course not! You have to come! It'll be so much more fun if you're there with us! This is great! Thank you for changing your mind. I'm so happy! This is gonna be the best!
Kyo: Are you . . . Being serious right now? *he smiled is usual goofy smile* You're really something.
*Suddenly, Momiji came up behind him & hugged him*
Momiji: Aw, Kyo's all heart eyes this morning!
*Kyo's face turned bright red. The. Yuki came out, looking drowsy*
Kyo: I am not!
Momiji: Heart eyes! Heart eyes!
Kyo: Shut up!
Yuki: What's all the noise?
Kazuko: Good morning. Kyo's decided to come with us on the Hot Spring trip after all.
*Yuki looked surprised to hear that*
Momiji: Heart eyes! Heart eyes!
Kyo: Be quiet! I'm gonna smack you if you don't stop it!
*Then Momiji let go*
Momiji: The trip's gonna be fun.
Tohru: Yes! The Steamy Hot Spring Adventure is a go! I can't wait!
*Later that day, we took a bus to the Sohma Hot Spring*
Tohru: Wow. This is a wonderful inn!
Momiji: It's really nice on the inside too!
*Tohru suddenly got a far off look in her eyes*
Tohru: I almost feel like I've turned into a Princess.
Momiji: Majesty, you look radiant.
*I chuckled. Now that I think about it, our experience with the Sohma family has pretty much been a rags-to-riches Cinderella story. Only we didn't have a Fairy Godmother to make all this a reality*
?:*off-screen* You . . .
*We saw a frail looking lady with black hair that she keeps in a messy updo, strands of hair often in her face, pale skin that looked a little blue in some parts of her face, green eyes, & wearing a glacial green kimono & a lime green obi, kneeling against the bottom of door*
Okami: I see you . . . Yes . . . Welcome to the Inn. Welcome . . .
*Tohru & I both jumped at the sight of her*
Momiji: Properness!
Yuki: Proprietress:
Okami: Please make yourselves at home, my dears! *she quickly calmed down & we followed her inside* I apologize if I startled you.
Kazuko: It's fine.
Momiji: The Properness is part of the Sohma family too. But her health is pretty bad so she lives here at the Hot Springs to try and get better.
Tohru: Oh. Oh, I hope you owed over exert yourself on our account.
Okami: What a nice girl you are. I'm sad. I wish Young Master Shigure had joined you.
Kyo: Young Master Shigure!? How old are you? OW!
*I elbowed him*
Kazuko: You don't ask a woman her age. It's rude.
Yuki: He said he had two books due on the same day.
Kazuko:*in his mind* I wonder if she knows about the Zodiac curse or not.
*We stopped at one of the doors*
Ozami: We're here. These are the rooms I've prepared for you.
*She opened the doors, showing the room inside*
Momiji: Dis one's so big!
Ozami: And you'll be staying right next door, Tohru.
Tohru: Thank you.
*We all put our bags down*
Kyo: Wow. What a vacation. Here I thought I could get rid of Yuki.
Ozami: I see you two are still at odds with each other. I can always put up some screens to petition off the room, if you like.
Kyo: That's not what the problem is. Why can't I get one day without -
Momiji: I know why you're complaining. It's because It's because you want to sleep in Tohru's room, isn't it?
*Kyo's face turned red*
Kyo: What!?
*Ozami's eyes gleamed & a dark aura surrounded her body. Tohru smiled wryly. I just ignored them. I knew that wasn't really complaining*
Yuki: Pervert.
Kyo: Uh! That's not what this is about! Seriously! I swear. That brat's only - Uh.
*He turned towards , feeling the dark arua coming off her*
Ozami: You fiend! *suddenly, she grabbed him by his shirt & got a crazy look in her eyes* How dare you say you wanna room with the girl you brought along on vacation! I always wanted to believe you were a good boy, even though you're the Cat! Eee, you lascivious beast! This is a horrifying turn of events! For shame, Kyo!
Kyo: You're the one who's horrifying here!
Ozami: If you won't apologize, I'll do so on your behalf! And not just to them, but to the entire world! Please forgive this child for his many perversions!
Kyo: But why? I told you that's not what I mean! *we all just stared at them with different expressions. Momiji smiling, Yuki calm, Tohru pale with her mouth hanging open, & me just deadpanning* I take it back, I'm happy sharing a room with Yuki!
Yuki: Are we sure she's in frail health?
Kazuko: I'm starting to doubt that myself.
*She quickly calmed down & left the room, leaving us tea*
Kyo:*sigh* Finally. Some peace and quiet.
Momiji: Tohru! Aren't you so excited for the Spring!?
Tohru: Yes!
Momiji: Let's bath together!
Tohru: Okay!
*Suddenly, Kyo grabbed Momiji's head & held it against the table*
Kyo: You're the one with bad thoughts around here!
Momiji: Kyo! Why are you picking on me!?
Tohru: But Momiji is little. I - I don't mind if he's there.
Kyo: What? Don't you talk crazy too!
Momiji: Stop it! Let go of my head! Yuki, Kazuko, get him off me!
Kazuko: Sorry, but you're not getting off the hook today.
*Yuki pulled something out of his bag*
Kyo: Geeze, you little wimp, stop crying! Shut up! Quit wiggling!
*Just then, Yuki grabbed his face & turned him towards him*
Yuki: Momiji. Stop begging like a spoiled child. You didn't bring Miss Honda here to make her feel uncomfortable.
Momiji: Nein. *he turned back to my sister with a smile* But we can still sleep together tonight!
*Kyo & Yuki looked even more mad*
Kazuko: I guess that would be fine.
Kyo & Yuki: It would!?
*Then we all went out to the hot spring. I stayed on one side with the guys & Tohru went on the other side alone. Momiji actually started swimming around in the water, but I just ignored him & enjoyed the heat. I already knew that Tohru had brought Mom & Dad's picture with her, wrapped in plastic to keep they dry. I smiled, knowing that Mom & Dad would definitely love that*
*After we all finished, I changed into a a blue yukata (look up "Kazuko - Hot Spring Yukata" by "SwanGirl24" on "DeviantArt") & met up with Tohru, who was wearing a pink yukata. Momiji was wearing a light green yukata. Yuki & Kyo were wearing the same color yukatas as me. She told me that the Proprietress' son was a member of the Zodiac. The monkey. And that she was very nervous when she heard about us discovering the family secret. She was worried that us, being outsiders, knowing about it would cause harm to the others, especially her son, was suffering from psychological wounds. But now she knew that we were both good people & that we would protect their secret. She also hoped that we would become friends with her son. I hope so too. Yuki & Kyo were playing ping pong while we talked to Momiji*
Momiji: That's right. The Properness is Ritchan's dear Mutti!
Tohru: Oh yeah. The monkey.
Momiji: Ritchan lives outside like Shi-Chan does. I'm sure you three will meet one day.
Kazuko: Me too.
Momiji: Hey, do either you want to play a round of ping pong with me? I'm good, but those meanies win let me join in any of their games.
*Suddenly, Kyo hit the ball really hard & it hit the wall behind Yuki*
Yuki: That's out. I told you, you have to bounce it first.
Kyo: Shut up, rat! Why would I do something that slows down the ball!?
Yuki: 'Cause those are the rules of the game. *he hit another ball at Kyo, who hit hard again* Still out.
Momiji: Again, really?
Yuki: I thought you could compete with me for once, but you remain hopeless.
Tohru: Kyo! Give it your best!
Kazuko: You could at least try to play it that way.
*But instead, he exploded & flipped the table*
Kyo: We're finished! Done! This sucks! Real men battle with their fists!
Yuki: You're the one who suggested a ping pong war.
Tohru: Um, well, maybe . . . I could play.
Kyo: Huh?
Momiji: That sounds fun to watch!
Kazuko: This outta be interesting.
*We fixed the table & the game began*
Kyo: Just so you know, I'm not gonna take it easy on you 'cause you're a girl.
Tohru: Okay!
Kyo: All right. Here it comes, 'kay?
Tohru: Ready!
Yuki: Don't forget, you have to bounce the ball
Kyo: Ah, shut your trap! Here.
*Tohru swung her paddle at th ball as it came towards her, but she missed & it bounced past her. I let out a snort*
Tohru: I completely missed!
Kyo: I can see that. You're not too good at this.
*At this point, I couldn't hold it on anymore & started laughing. My sister blushed in embarrassment*
Momiji: You've got no room to talk, Kyo.
Kyo: Oh, yeah? If you're so good, then show us your skills, shorty.
Momiji: Wenn schon, denn schon!
Kyo: Wen-den what?
Momiji: It means I'll do it.
Kyo: Then come on!
*Yuki left the room & Tohru went after him. While they were gone, I watched Kyo & Momiji playing ping pong. Kyo beat Momiji & then challenged me. I beat him completely, which made him frustrated. Yuki & Tohru came back, her with a light blue ribbon in her hair. She told me that the ribbon was Yuki's White Day present to her, which made me smile. Then I pulled out my White Day present to her, which was a charm bracelet with a half heart charm on it. I had the other half on my keychain. She absolutely loved it & told me that she would wear it always. Then we all went to bed, feeling happy & content*
*The next morning, we were a ready to leave. The Proprietress was leaning against Kyo's shoulder*
Ozami: I must apologize for not being a better host. Please come again. Sometime soon.
Kyo: Why are you using me as a crutch?
Kazuko: Because you're the strongest one here.
Tohru: Please take care of yourself.
Proprietress: The same to you.
Tohru: Thanks.
Momiji: I don't see the bus anywhere. It sure is late picking us up.
Tohru: I'm sad, Momiji. I'm not gonna see you as much since we won't be working together after the break.
Momiji: Huh?
Tohru: Oh, yeah! What grade will you be going into once we get back? Are you starting middle school yet?
Momiji: Nein! I'll be starting high school! Surprise! I got special permission, so I'll be going to your school from now on! Haru's are coming, too!
*Tohru looked really shocked*
Tohru: Huh!?
Kyo: Wait, you're what? Why the hell would you and Haru secretly apply to go to our school together?
Momiji: To see the shocked look on your face, of course!
Kyo: Seriously? I get why they gave you and Momiji a pass, but I'm amazed they'd let Haru in with his hair.
Momiji: Huh? What do you mean?
Yuki: Miss Honda, it seems you didn't realize, but Momiji is just a year younger than all of us. The same as Haru.
Tohru: Huh!?
Kazuko: Sorry, Tohru I guess I forgot to tell you.
Tohru: Oh no, it's not your fault, Kazuko! I'm the one who made the wrong assumptions! I could've sworn he was only an elementary student, but it turns out he's coming to our school in April? With Hatsuharu?" she asked, fidgeting nervously and waving her arms. "I can't figure out which part of this I should be more surprised about!
Momiji:
Kazuko:*in her mind* Well, I guess this new school year is going to be very interesting.
(Third-Person POV)
*Meanwhile, back at Shigure's house, he hung a pink maid costume on a hanger on the wall. Hatsuharu was sitting on the floor, reading*
Shigure: So, what do you think of the White Day gift I got Tohru? This old man will be thrilled the day she wears this around here. Ooh. Maybe she'll call me Master.
Hatsuharu: One of these days, you're going to be arrested or Kazuko will pound you flat*
