I wouldn't Say That

(Kazuko's POV)

*Tohru & I looked out a window at a lake in the distance*

Tohru: Ah! It's so beautiful! And big.

Kazuko: Very pretty.

*Yuki & Hatori were looking out the window with us*

Hatori: Do you really find it that remarkable?

Tohru: Yes! I've never actually seen a lake in person.

Kazuko: I went to a lake once on a training camp with my Swim Club.

Shigure: This is just the sort of cabin Jason might show up at.

*I rolled my eyes. He was trying to scare us again*

Kyo: Jason?

Shigure: A particularly vicious bear that lives around here. I thought everybody knew that.

*Kyo blushed in embarrassment & then got mad*

Kyo: Yeah! Of course I know about it!

Hatori: Shigure.

Tohru: I wonder why someone would name a bear Jason.

*Yuki, Hatori, & I sighed. Oh, Tohru. So naive*

Kazuko:*in his mind* Things have been a crazy whirlwind these past hours. We were now at the Sohma family vacation house. Hatori came with us unexpectedly. But hey, the more the merrier. But . . .

Yuki: Hey, Miss Honda? Kazuko?

Kazuko: Yes.

Yuki: Well . . . Um . . . *he clenched his fist* Nevermind. It's nothing. Sorry.

*Kyo & Yuki have been acting strange lately. Like something has been bothering them, but they won't say what*

(Fruits Basket - Opening Theme 2 - Chime)

(Kazuko's POV)

*This whole trip started a last night. While me, Tohru, Yuki, & Kyo were having dinner. It was quickly getting awkward because Yuki & Kyo weren't saying anything.

Tohru: So, um . . .

*Suddenly, Shigure burst in*

Shigure: Hello, kids.

Kazuko: Oh, Shigure. Did you're errand go well?

Shigure: It did. *Tohru moved over & he sat down* Now tell me, who would like to go on a trip tomorrow?

Kazuko, Tohru, Yuki, & Kyo: Huh?

Shigure: A trip. It'll be the first day of Golden Week. What better time to get away from it all?

Kyo: Kay, what's with the last minute vacation planning? You drunk or something?

Shigure: I may drink, but I never get drunk.

Kazuko:*in his mind* I don't know if we'd know the difference or not.

Shigure: Let's go. The Sohma family maintains a lake house for just such an occasion. *he turned to Tohru* Well? You in?

Tohru: Oh, no! I couldn't possibly! I mean, I already went on the previous Sohma vacation, so - !

Shigure: Ah, but you see that trip doesn't count because I didn't get to go with you. Such a shame. Missing out like that. I was heartbroken.

Kazuko:*in his mind* Sneaky bastard. He's using the guilt trip on my sister.

Tohru: Then let's go!

Kazuko, Yuki, & Kyo: You manipulator!

Shigure: Well, it's settled. I assume you boys will be coming along? Unless you want Tohru and me to be all alone in the wilderness together. *Yuki, Kyo, & I glared at him* Then off we go! Hop in the car and we'll be there in no time!

*The next morning, we were all the in a car, on our way to the lake house. Hatori had joined us at the last minute & was driving*

Shigure: Thank you for volunteering, Doc. You're such an excellent driver.

*And here we are now. At the cabin by the lake. But Yuki & Kyo still seem bothered by something. I wish I knew what*

Kyo: Hey. Why'd you really pack us up and bring us out here so suddenly?

Shigure: Huh?

Yuki: You have always had an ulterior motive.

Kazuko: So, what is it this time?

Shigure: You're lack of trust saddens me. Can't a man just take a trip with the people he cares most about? Perhaps instead of tormenting me, you should make the most of our lovely surroundings and take Tohru for a walk down by the lake. *the boys just turned away* Hey. What's wrong with you two? So moody.

Tohru: No! It's okay. I don't mind going by myself.

Shigure: Hmm . . . This won't do. We need someone to brighten the mood. *he immediately went to the phone* I know! I'll call Aya!

*Yuki & Kyo both turned to him with death glares*

Yuki & Kyo: Call him and you die.

*Terrified for his life, he put the phone down. Hatori & I sighed & face-palmed. But I can't say that I blame them. I wasn't exactly in the mood to deal with Ayame either. That man can be a real headache*

*With that, Yuki, Kyo, & Tohru all went down for a walk to the lake*

Shigure: Serves them right for not going the first time I asked. They've both been a bit down since yesterday. It's odd. *he turned to me* But what I find really add is that you didn't go with them.

Kazuko: I trust those two with my sister. I know they won't do anything to her.

Hatori: You know. *we turned to him* I think I figured out the real reason for this impromptu getaway. It's all a ploy . . . To torment your editor.

*I sighed & face-palmed again. I could already imagine Mitsuru in front of our house, crying her eyes out. I just hope she doesn't try to commit suicide again*

Shigure: It's all in good fun. I'm just teasing her a little.

Hatori: I pity that poor woman.

*I immediately grabbed him by the arm & pulled him to the phone*

Kazuko: Call her right now.

Shigure: But . . .

Hatori & I glared at him. He flinched, picked up the phone & called Mitsuru*

Mitsuru:*off-screen* You have to stop torturing me like this!

Shigure: Calm down. It's fine. The manuscript is already finished. It was a joke. Yeah, yeah. Okay. Bye now. *he hung up & turned to me & Hatori with tears in his eyes* Happy? I told my editor the truth as instructed.

Hatori: Was that so hard?

Shigure: But who's going to keep me entertained now!?

Kazuko: Hey, we're bored too.

Shigure: Oh dear. No. We can't have Doc Hatori and the elder Honda bored. *he brought out a stack of books* Never fear. I have just the thing. A little light reading. It won't kill you to sit back and relax with a book. Hari, you've always enjoyed reading. Almost as much as me. And Kazuko, I seen you with a book in your hands quite often.

Kazuko: I guess that's true. *I picked up a book & sat down* What the heck.

Hatori: Shigure.

Shigure: Yes?

Hatori: Thanks. *he also picked up a book* Reading a book does sound nice. It's been a while.

*Soon, we were all sitting down & reading together*

Shigure: I wonder how Tohru and the boys are getting along.

Kazuko: I'm sure they're fine.

Hatori: Yes. Especially with Tohru there.

*A hour later, Hatori was reading Summer Sigh, which Shigure had brought with him for some reason*

Shigure: You like it?

Hatori: It's revolting.

Kazuko: Glad to know. Because that I wouldn't want to read it.

Shigure: Hurtful . . .

*Soon, Tohru & the boys came back. That night, after dinner, she told that the guys had been acting weird because they weren't feeling well. But I didn't buy that. My instincts were telling me that it was something else. I learned years ago to always trust my instincts*

*The next morning, Tohru & the boys were going to go back to the lake. I decided to go with them this time, since I had pretty much read all the books Shigure had brought yesterday*

Yuki: Are you both ready to go?

Tohru: Yep! I'm all set!

Kazuko: Ready when you are.

Shigure: You're going to the lake? Try not to fall in, Kyo.

Kyo: Like I would!

Kazuko:*in his mind* No guarantees Tohru won't.

*Tohru leaned down to Hatori, who was on the couch*

Tohru: Well, we're going! We'll see you later!

*But he was sound asleep*

Shigure: Is the good Doctor taking a nap?

Kazuko: Yeah.

Kyo: Huh? Hatori actually sleeps?

Shigure: Naturally. People tend to die without sleep, you know.

*Tohru looked at Hatori for a minute & then left the room*

Kyo: I'm aware of that, idiot! But he doesn't seem like the type who'd fall asleep in front of other people.

Shigure: Ah. It's unusual. But he's tired. He's been through a lot lately.

*Just then, Tohru came in, holding a blanket in her arms*

Tohru: Here. A blanket. He might catch a cold if he's not covered up.

Shigure: You're so kind, Tohru. You'll make a wonderful wife someday.

*That made my sister blush*

Tohru: It's just a blanket!

Kazuko:*in his mind* You idiot.

*Suddenly, Ayame appeared behind my sister & put his arm around my sister's shoulders*

Ayame: He's right! That's wondrously attentive! Allow me to praise you! *we all started at him in silence* What's wrong? You're all so quiet.

Yuki: Because a snake suddenly showed up!

Kyo: Why do you keep doing that!? Where'd you slither in from!?

Ayame: I came through the door like a civilized person. Not the sharpest tool in the shed are you, Kyon-Kichi?

Kyo: Shut up! I'm plenty sharp!

Tohru: Um . . . Hello, Ayame.

*Yuki & I got in front of her*

Yuki: Stay back. I do not trust this viper.

Kazuko: That makes two of us.

Ayame: Greetings. No doubt them your side of me as taken your breath away. But please calm yourselves. I came out here on important business. Thanks to a certain interested party.

Yuki & Kyo: But who would - *they turned to Shigure* You!

Shigure: Oh! Wait! Hold on. It wasn't me.

Ayame: There's nothing to fear, darling! Should the word turn on you, I will remain ever at your side! Steadfast and true! Je t aime mon amour! Bon voyage!

Shigure: Aya! You are the only one I came depend upon!

*They high-fived*

Kazuko:*in his mind* When did this turn into a drama?

Kyo: Will you quit screwing around and tell us what the heck you're doing here!?

Ayame: Now, now. No reason to get testy. In the words of William Shakespeare, love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.

*All four of us stared blankly at him*

Yuki: Okay . . . You're point?

Ayame: It's such a great line.

Yuki, Kyo, & Kazuko: You just wanted to say it!?

Kyo: I'm tired. Just seeing you is exhausting! Go home, there's no reason for you to be here!

Ayame: How rude! Behold my reason! *he grabbed Yuki's hand* Yuki! Today, we will deepen our brotherly bond.

Yuki: I'll drown you in the lake myself before that happens.

Ayame: How poetic! We shall be together even in death!

*Tohru started to get nervous, seeing them argue*

Yuki: I wasn't planning to drown with you!

Tohru: Uh . . .

*Just then, Hating appeared behind Ayame & hit him on the head with a book*

Hatori: What have I told you about making a nuisance of yourself, Ayame?

Ayame: Well hello there, Tori!

Kazuko: Sorry. Did we wake you up?

Hatori: I don't know anybody who could sleep through all of that yelling.

Shigure: Sorry for ruining your beauty rest.

Ayame: Had I known you were sleeping, I would have been as quiet as a mouse, sweet Tori!

Kazuko:*in his mind* I highly doubt that.

*Hatori sat down on the table next to Shigure*

Hatori: Well, what brings you to the Lake House?

Ayame: Oh, simple really. I went to the Main Estate, where I spoke to a maid who was 53 years old and she told me that you'd gone to the cabin. I immediately decided to join you here. I got in a car and the rest is history.

Kazuko:*in his mind* Of course, I forgot this guy only listens to Hatori.

Hatori: Yuki, Kyo, you should be going. Didn't you have plans to take Miss Honda and her brother down to the lake today?

Yuki & Kyo: Uh . . .

*Ayame turned to us*

Ayame: Ah, is that true, boys. Then you had best make haste. You gentlemen are escorting a young lady and her brother. And the young lady should not be kept waiting. I don't know why you're not gone already.

*That got Kyo & Yuki really angry*

Kazuko:*in his mind* That's because it's you're fault!

*Tohru jumped in in between them & us, nervous that a fight would break our*

Tohru: Right! We've got our things, so we'll be going now! Wouldn't want to waste this beautiful day! Bye!

*Then we'd all headed down to the lake. It was a pretty sight*

Tohru:*sigh* Looking at this view, you can almost feel you're worries melting away.

Kazuko: Might wanna tell that to them.

*Yuki & Kyo just looked really annoyed*

Yuki: That jerk. Is he gonna stay the night?

Kyo: He's your idiot brother. Do something about him.

Yuki: Don't you think I would if I could? I hate people who are so dependent.

Kyo: You're the one piggybacking off of Shigure. Sounds like dependency a family trait.

Yuki: Shut up! That's none of you're business! Don't talk to me about my life!

Kyo: I don't wanna talk to you at all! The only reason I'm even looking at you is cause you're in my space!

Yuki: In that case, maybe you should leave.

Tohru: Hey. Guys. Calm down.

Kyo: I wish I could! Trust me! You really think I'd be at the damn lake with you if I had a choice!?

Yuki: I promise being here is an exercise in torture for me too!

*At this point, I decided to just let them yell and each other until they ran out of energy*

Kyo: Huh! Well, this dumb place -

*That's when they seemed to realize something. Then they turned to Tohru, looking anxious*

Yuki: It's not that, Miss Honda!

Tohru: Huh?

Kyo: I just don't like it that he's here! That's the problem!

Tohru: Right . . . Huh?

*Apparently, yesterday, Tohru thought the reason the guys were so angry was because it was something she did, but that wasn't the case. I still don't know what, but I intend to find out. Then they realized that she wasn't taking it the wrong way & looked away, blushing in embarrassment*

Yuki: I mean . . . Uh . . . Nevermind.

Kyo: As long as you understand.

*Tohru & I smiled as we all looked back at the lake*

Tohru: Isn't it beautiful? Maybe we should do a lap around the lake so we see the whole thing.

Kazuko: Good idea.

Yuki: Okay.

Kyo: Sure.

*A few hours later, we made it back to the cabin. Ayame was waiting for us*

Ayame: Yuki! You've returned! Did you have fun with your friends?

Kyo: I am not his friend!

Kazuko: Take it easy, buddy.

Ayame: By the way . . .

Kyo: Hey!

Ayame: Tori gave me sound advice regarding our relationship. I shall be more aggressive in my attempts to deepen our brotherly bonds. That is no doubt the best course!

Kazuko:*in his mind* Or maybe you can just give him some

Tohru: Sorry, but, um. What do you mean aggressive?

Ayame: You see. Yuki is my younger brother. And I am his older brother. With that truth in mind I declare the following! Yuki! As I am your elder, you must obey me!

*We all just stared at him in shock. Then Yuki's face twisted into a smirk*

Yuki: Not in a million years!

*Then he punched Ayame & sent him flying. I sighed. He really doesn't get it*