It's Valentine's, After All
(Kazuko's POV)
*Me, Tohru, Yuki, & Shigure were all eating breakfast. Me, Tohru, & Yuki were all wearing sweaters over our uniforms. Tohru's was pink, Yuki's was light blue, & mine was olive green. Shigure sipped the soup we had made with bliss on his face*
Shigure: Thanks for the soup, Tohru and Kazuko. It's divine.
Tohru: I'm so glad you like it.
Shigure: Just one more way you and Kazuko have changed things. We never ate breakfast when it was just me and Yuki.
*Just then, Kyo came in, wearing his green coat over his uniform & his red bag over his shoulder*
Kazuko: Morning, Kyo.
Shigure: Hey. Come and eat.
Yuki: Better hurry. Or it'll all be gone.
*But he just took the milk carton out of the fridge*
Tohru: Uh . . . Don't you want breakfast?
Kyo: Not hungry.
*He left, still holding the milk carton*
Tohru: But . . .
Yuki: He can starve if he wants to.
Kazuko: I wonder what's wrong.
*Shigure just sipped his soup*
(Fruits Basket - Opening Theme - Again)
(Kazuko's POV)
*We made it to school & Me up with our friends. Ichiro was wearing the same uniform as me, only with the collar open (look up "Kazuko & Ichiro - Winter Uniform" by "SwanGirl24" on "DeviantArt"). Then Arisa open Yuki's shoe locker, to find a small yellow bag with a green ribbon & a pink heart sticker with a note attached to it inside. Ichiro opened my locker & found a red heart shaped box with a pink ribbon wrapped around it & a note attached with two pink heart stickers*
Arisa: Huh.
Saki: There's only one in each of them.
Ichiro: That's a let down. I figured that the Prince and Kazuko's lockers would be filled to bursting*
Yuki: With what?
Arisa: Chocolates. Ichiro and I were expecting to whole avalanche of them to come spilling out.
Saki: I believe I know what happened. What we have here is a case of the cuckoo phenomenon. Just as a cuckoo chick will take over a shrike's nest and dump out it's eggs, each giro has tossed away the previous girl's chocolates in order to draw attention to her own. *she motioned to a nearby trash bin that was overflowing with boxes & bags of chocolate* Allow me to present Exhibit A.
Tohru: You're right! Wow!
Arisa: Man, that's low. Even for those cuckoos.
Ichiro: No surprise there, considering they're all pretty nutso.
Saki: And I will be the hawk that swoops in to seize the final sugary offering.
*She took the chocolate out of Yuki's locker*
Tohru: Shouldn't Yuki get at least some of his chocolates though?
*I just got out a box & took all of the discarded chocolates out of the trash bin. Ever since elementary school, I've always gotten a boatload of chocolate from girls. I always save a few of them for me, my Mom, Tohru & I give the rest to a local kindergarten*
Kazuko:*off-screen* It's February 13th. Valentine's Day falls on Saturday this year, so today's going to be a chocolate giving frenzy at school. But I'm prepared.
*Me, still holding the box under my arm, Tohru, Yuki, Saki, Ichiro, & Arisa were walking down a hallway, when we saw Kyo coming towards us*
Tohru: Kyo!
Arisa: Sup.
Ichiro: Yo.
Kyo: Hey.
*He stopped in front of Yuki. Things started to get a little tense. Then he threw a punch at Yuki, but stopped an inch from his face*
Kazuko: Kyo!
Tohru: Please don't!
*But Kyo just pulled his fist away & walk in the opposite direction*
Arisa: First thing in the morning and he's already looking to fight.
Saki: I'm not so sure. His waves are more innocent than usual. It's odd.
Ichiro: What? No.
Saki: He's conflicted about something. Well, it's got nothing to do with us. *then she hugged Tohru & held my hand, which made me blush* Just as long as he doesn't cause trouble for our dear Honda twins.
*Arisa hugged Tohru*
Arisa: Good enough for me.
*Ichiro put his arm around my shoulders*
Ichiro: Same here.
*Tohru & I both smiled. Glad that we had just good friends*
*We made it to the classroom, but all the girls were acting a little scary*
Minami: We shall give them to Yuki.
Mai: We shall.
Girl #1: No one is more deserving.
Girl #2: They will be his.
Arisa: Girls are really terrifying this time of year.
Ichiro: Yeah, they look like a pack of starving dogs ready to eat their prey.
Kazuko:*in his mind* This time of year must be really stressful for the Members of the Zodiac. All their admirers wanting to give them presents.
Girl #3:*off-screen* Kyon-Kyon! *we turned & saw a girl in front of Kyo's desk. she gave him a bag of chocolate**on-screen* Here. I brought these for you.
Kyo: Okay . . .
Tohru: Wow . . . Yuki and Kazuko aren't the only ones.
Arisa:*imitating the girl* Kyon-Kyon. *real voice* Go carrots. That girl's in love.
Ichiro: So Tohru, you giving the Sohma boys chocolates too?
Tohru: Yes. And I'd like to give some to Shigure and the other Sohmas. I was planning to give you guys yours on Monday, if that's okay.
Saki: I look forward to it.
Arisa: Merci beaucoup.
Ichiro: Gracias.
Hiroshi: Way to go, Kyon-Kyon.
Yusuke: Yeah, man. I'm like, super jealous.
Kyo: Is today . . . Valentine's Day?
Hiroshi: Uh . . . I mean, technically, it's tomorrow.
*Suddenly, Kyo stood up*
Kyo: I'm going home!
Yusuke: What?
Kyo: No, I can't. It's not safe there either. Right. I'll go on a trip. Get out of town. *then he ran towards the door* I'll see you suckers later!
*Suddenly, Ms. Shiraki blocked his face with the class roster, hard. He fell to his knees*
Mayuko: Don't know where you think you're going, but your desk is over there.
Kazuko: Ms. Shiraki.
Kyo: Just let me go, you old hag!
Mayuko: What's that? Sounds I've got a student who's in need of an attitude adjustment. Maybe dying that orange hair we'll have curve Your disobedience streek. *she took out a box a hair dye* But the good news is I came prepared. *Kyo growled in frustration* Unless you want a makeover, I suggest you sit down.
Kazuko:*in his mind* I think I have a pretty good idea why he's in such a hurry to leave.
*Soon, school was over. Tohru & I were walking behind Kyo as we left the building. By now, the chocolates in my box had grown heavier. Just then, he stopped*
Tohru: You look kind of nervous. What's wrong?
*Just then, we noticed a very familiar girl with an orange cat backpack, standing at the front gate. She turned around, revealing . . .*
Tohru: It's Kagura.
*Then she looked emotional*
Kagura: My love . . . Kyo . . . *then she ran towards him, tears in her eyes* I'm here, darling!
*Kyo jumped down from the stairs we were standing on & ran in the opposite direction*
Kyo: Oh crap! She found me!
*Kagura ran after him, her same crazy look in her eyes. They went past Yuki*
Kagura: My love will not be denied!
Kazuko: I thought so. He was trying to avoid Kagura.
*We went back to Shigure's house, me keeping my distance from Kagura, as usual*
Kagura: Well, it's Valentine's Day after all. An important day for couples to spend together.
Kyo: Not a couple.
Shigure: Careful. You'll only make things harder.
Kyo: Screw this! I should have bought my way out of that damn classroom.
Shigure:*to Kagura* So . . . Delivering chocolates?
Kagura: No. I actually came to invite him out. Tomorrow okay. Let's spend the day together. I want to give you your chocolates then too.
Kyo: Go out?
*Then Tohru came in, holding a tray of tea*
Tohru: Wow. That sounds like a real date.
*Kagura blushed*
Kagura: Oh, when you put it like that, it's kind of embarrassing, Tohru!
Kyo: I'm not going! There's no way!
*Suddenly, she got that scary look in her eyes again*
Kagura: That's where you're wrong!
Kyo: I said no way, dammit! Why should I have to go out in some dumb Valentine's date? And with you?
Kazuko:*in her mind* Wrong thing to say, dude.
Kagura: Kyo . . . That was cruel. *she started to cry* You always have to be so hateful!
*Kyo looked defeated*
Kyo: Please just make it stop . . .
Shigure: This is cute and all, but perhaps you two could take the flirting elsewhere.
Kyo: Shut up!
Kagura: Wait! I have a great idea! *Tohru gave me & Yuki tea* We'll bring Yuki and Tohru with us and make it a double date!
*All three of us looked at her in surprise*
Shigure: Nice. I like it.
Kagura: I know, right!? It'll be perfect!
Yuki: Hey, wait just a second.
Kyo: I'm not going anywhere with Yuki!
*My sister looked excited*
Tohru: Oh, wow. I've never been on a real date! Let alone a double date! Are you sure you wouldn't mind?
*Seeing that look in her eyes, Kyo caved*
Kyo: Fine . . . Whatever.
*Later, while I was helping Tohru clear the table, we overheard Kyo talking with Shigure*
Kyo:*off-screen* Get to know him? Don't make me puke! I hate his guts and I always will! All of you should just except that!
*I could hear him panting. Tohru & I got up to check on them*
Shigure: You know, it almost sounds like you feel obligated to hate him. *Kyo look scared* What's wrong? Are you scared of what might happen if you actually got to know him?
*Kyo looked really terrified for a moment & then ran off*
Tohru: Kyo, wait! *she went after him* Please, come back to the house!
*I went up to Shigure with a glare, ready to give him a piece of my mind, but then Yuki appeared behind him*
Yuki: Something happen? What's wrong?
Shigure: Me. I may have been a bit impatient with Kyo. Pushed him too far.
Kazuko: You really do need to learn to respect other people's feelings.
*Shigure just shrugged & went back inside. I stayed outside to wait for Kyo & my sister*
*They came back a few hours later, it being dark by that time. Then we all had dinner & went to bed. The next day, Tohru, Kyo, & Yuki got ready to go on their double date. They went to Shigure's office to tell him*
Yuki: Shigure. I'm not sure how long we'll be.
Shigure: Go. You kids enjoy yourselves. What fun. Who doesn't love a double date? *they started to leave* Oh, one more thing, Yuki.
Yuki: What is it?
Shigure: Don't be a cheapskate. No splitting the bill, okay.
Yuki: Wasn't planning on it.
*Kyo was putting on his shoes*
Shigure: And you. Be a proper escort for sweet Kagura.
Kyo: This is so stupid.
Tohru: Sorry. Are you sure you don't mind going over to the main estate? I can probably just deliver the chocolates myself later.
Shigure: Worry not. I wasn't planning to eat them.
Tohru: Oh no, that's not what I meant! You missing really busy with work!
Yuki: No, it's fine. He'll do it. You just stay away from the estate. *he turned to me* You too, Kazuko.
Kazuko: I wasn't planning on going there anyway.
Tohru: But, well . . .
*Of course, he didn't know that we'd already been there once before*
Shigure: No, Yuki's right. I'll handle it. *he petted her head* You just leave the chocolates to me. Enjoy your date.
*She looked really happy as he touched her head*
Tohru: Okay.
Kyo: Hey. If we're going, let's go.
Tohru: Right. Coming! *just then, we heard the phone ringing* Thanks a lot! We'll see you when we get back!
Kazuko: You guys have fun.
Shigure: Sure. Now get out of here. *the door closed & they were gone* I'm surprised you let your precious sister go along with this.
Kazuko: As long as she's with Yuki and Kyo, she'll be fine. I trust them to keep an eye on her.
Shigure: Well, I'm glad to hear that.
*I went to put my shoes & coat on*
Kazuko: Well, I'm going to go hang out at Ichiro's place. You get those chocolates delivered.
Shigure: Sir, yes, sir.
Kazuko: I'll see you when I get back.
*I closed the door & left*
(Third-Person POV)
*Shigure made it to Hatori's house in the Sohma Estate, holding out Tohru's chocolate as he held the door open*
Shigure: Special delivery! Valentine's chocolates from yours truly. *Hatori just stared at him & closed the door. Shigure opened it with tears in his eyes* Okay, your right, I lied. They're really from Tohru.
Hatori:*in his mind* Idiot. *they went inside & Hatori out the chocolates on his desk**out loud* She's a thoughtful girl.
Shigure: That's an understatement. She sent some along for Momiji and Haru too. She was going to bring them over here herself, but I volunteered. And do you want to know why? Because she, Yuki, Kyo, and Kagura are all going out on a double date together.
Hatori: That's unexpected.
Shigure: Isn't it? Must be Tohru's influence. Those twins have worked a Valentine's miracle.
Hatori: And what about Kazuko?
Shigure: Oh, he didn't really have any plans. So he went to hang with a friend. I'm surprised someone like him didn't have a date today. Especially not with the girl he likes.
*The two men sat down to have tea*
Hatori: I can imagine her and her brother influencing them. They have the most uncanny way of softening anyone they meet.
Shigure: I have a confession. I may be kinda sorta picked on Kyo yesterday. He got a bit agitated and ran off.
Hatori: Don't winde him up.
Shigure: But then, Tohru went after him and brought him back. And he seemed almost normal. She had some sort of tranquilizing effect on those two. And Kazuko is a bit of a peace keeper, always making sure that they don't start fighting.
Hatori: You certainly look satisfied. Things are going exactly as you planned them.
Shigure: why do we detect a note of criticism in your voice when you say that.
Hatori: Like hell you're not using the twins. You shameless liar. You and Akito both. They're pawns you two are using in some kind of elaborate game. Don't even think about pretending otherwise.
*Shigure just smiled & looked out the window*
Shigure: Do you remember that morning? The dream? We all woke from it crying. You, me, Aya. For you two, it became something twisted and painful. But for me, those feelings still linger. Unfaded. That affection. That passion, so thrillingly sweet and sad. All these years and that vow is still right here. If I have to lie, or manipulate a few people along the way, then we be it. It's a small price to pay, even if someone gets hurt. *Hatori sighed* I do feel about it sometimes though. Mostly it's when I'm looking at Tohru and Kazuko. Tohru's just good. Through and through. She helps for those two. But her innocence may be a bit much for me. And Kazuko is always looking out for Tohru and others, all while hardly ever thinking about himself. His kind heart can also be too much for me at times. Sometime they forces me to realize, that mine might be the filthiest soul of all. Granted. I am as dirty as they come. It's funny, but sometimes I find myself feeling jealous of you. And I wonder if maybe I'm the most cursed of us.
*Just then, a maid entered the room*
Maid: Pardon me. Doctor, it's time for Akito's checkup.
*Shigure stood up*
Shigure: Ooh, I know! Why don't I fill in for you? I promise, I'll be very thorough.
Hatori: Saw that one coming. *Shigure put his candles on* Tell Tohru I said thank you for the chocolates when you get home.
Shigure: Sure, sure.
*He started to leave*
Hatori: Whatever outcome you're aiming for, you had better be prepared to loose a tooth. Yuki, Kyo, or Kazuko. Maybe even Tohru. One of them is about to punch you in the punch in the face before this all plays out.
Shigure: Yes, well. That maybe. I don't care for pain, but I'll take it.
Hatori: You should know, I won't be your ally in this. But, I won't work against you either.
Shigure: Right then. Goodbye.
*He opened the door*
Hatori: Shigure, don't let Akito catch cold. *he closed the door* You're not the only one. My hands are dirty as well.
(Kazuko's POV)
*I arrived home just as Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, & Kagura we're coming back from their double date*
Tohru: That was really touching.
Kagura: With so many moving scenes. Especially that one with Mogeta and the true Emperor.
*Apparently, they had gone to see the new Mogeta movie. Both of the girls had tears in their eyes*
Tohru: That was my favorite one too.
Yuki: Glad you liked it.
Kyo: So thd date's over, right?
Kagura: Now, now. I know you don't really mean that, Kyo. Such a shy boy.
*She poked him in the forehead, a little too hard. He was sent flying back down the stairs*
Kazuko: You okay, dude?
*Yuki stopped at the top of the stairs*
Yuki: Um . . .
*We all turned & saw a woman with short, straight purple-greyish hair which reaches down to her ears, with evenly-cut baby bangs framing her forehead, skin, purple eyes, & wearing a tan jacket over a light tan shirt, a brown skirt, & high heels, kneeling in front of the front door, looking like she was devastated. Tohru & I went up to her*
Tohru: Excuse me. Can we help you with something?
Mitsuru: No. Nothing matters now. It's over. *then she took out a box cutter & brought it up to her wrist* I'm ready to ene my worthless existence!
Kazuko: Wait, hold on!
*Suddenly, Shigure appeared behind us*
Shigure: If you have to die, could you maybe not do it right in front of my house.
*The woman turned around & faced us with tears in her eyes*
Mitsuru: Sensei!
*We went inside, the woman still crying as she sat in Shigure's office*
Shigure: This is my editor, Mitsuru.
Mitsuru: Why did you do it. You jerk. I asked you not to run off and then you went and did it anyway!
Shigure: That wasn't running off, I went out for a bit is all.
Mitsuru: How's that not the same thing!
Shigure: Mi-Chan. Que sera sera.
*Tohru gave her a cup of tea & I gave her a box of tissues while he kept talking*
Tohru: Would you like some tea?
Kazuko: Or a tissue?
Mitsuru: Okay!
*She sipped some tea & then wiped her tears with a tissue*
Shigure: By the way, Hatori sends hud thanks.
Tohru: Oh, I'm glad. I was worried he'd think it was weird.
Shigure: So, do I get some?
Tohru: I'm actually making them right now. I want them to be perfect for you.
*We left the room so he could get his work done, even with Mitsuru hovering over him*