Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Reversal ❯ The Original Exchange [Monah's first days] ( Chapter 1 )

Hello! I'm Rosie! Two years ago I wrote this story for fanfiction.net. However, when I read it recently, I realized there were some things about it I wanted to change, and the main thing was the length of chapters. Then again, I wanted to get it to another audience, so I heard about mediaminer and decided to post it here! Thank you in advance for reading... or... thank you for reading this author's note... or...
Just read and enjoy. =]

Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket of any of the characters- these belong to Natsuki Takaya. Monah is an original character, however.

 

Tohru walked down the stairs and stopped at an open window. She put her hands on the frame and breathed deeply. “Ah, another fresh spring day!” she said. She was the first one up (as usual) and walked into the kitchen to get breakfast ready. She sighed as she gathered ingredients. This would be the last of this house she'd see for a while.
Tohru recalled the previous day's events.

“I hope you don't mind doing this, Miss Honda. I think you'd be perfect. And it's not an opportunity many would miss.”
Mr. Onijawa was her English teacher. He had recommended Tohru for an exchange program with an American student in a Japanese language class.
“Oh yes Mr. Onijawa! I mean, if they want me there I'd certainly go.” Tohru had a hard time saying no to anyone.
“Thank you, Miss Honda. You have to leave the day after tomorrow. I just got the letter the other day.”
”Oh, so soon?” I'll have to say goodbye to the Sohmas for so long, thought Tohru. I'll certainly miss them. They're more family to me than my blood relatives.
“Yes, and I'm sorry that I couldn't have gotten things together sooner. Here's some paperwork. You'll be staying at the American student's home, and her at yours.”
“Oh it's a girl? What's her name?”
”Her name is Monah Kelnar. She's from Pennsylvania.”
”Oh, I bet she's very nice! Would I ever get to see her?”
”Well, you'll come home sooner than her, so I guess you'll have one day together in Japan.”
”Thank you Mr. Onijawa. I'll be sure to pack my things right away.”

Tohru came back to. She was starting up the rice cooker when a sleepy Shigure came downstairs.
“Oh breakfast, can I have some Tohru?” he mumbled.
BANG!
Kyo stepped into the room and punched Shigure on the back of the head. “YOU'LL HAVE NO SUCH THING!”
“It was a simple slip of the tongue!”
”No, you meant it you-“
Tohru giggled. “You two! Usually it's Yuki and Kyo I have to break up.” Shigure laughed which ticked Kyo even more off.
“Stupid dog, can't you be serious about anything?”
“Aw, but everything's so much fun!”
Then a sleepy Yuki entered the room rubbing his huge violet eyes. “Do you have to make a racket so early?”
”Idiot Rat, I'll take you down now! Then we'll see who makes a racket!”
”Stupid cat, you're even stupider in the morning, if that's even possible.”
Kyo turned red. “Well you can't get any more of an idiot! You-“
Tohru had put breakfast on the table and Shigure and Yuki were already eating. Soon Kyo realized he was the only one still standing and feverishly sat down.
“This is a lovely breakfast, Miss Honda.” Yuki said the same thing to her every morning, accompanied by a slight smile. Tohru thought that was the best thing she could get for her services.
Oh well, thought Tohru, I guess now's the best time to tell them.
“Uh, Shigure, Yuki, Kyo? I'm going away.”
Spoons clattered to the table as 6 pairs of eyes were fixed on her.
“Miss Honda, going away? We didn't do anything to upset you, did you?” asked a startled Yuki.
“No! No, it's nothing like that. I've been offered to go in an exchange program, and, um, it's the last the school will be able to give for a long while. I just thought I'd do them a favor. It helps the school, you see, the school gets more money for each student they send overseas and back. It's a strange system, but the school has already been so nice to me.”
“THEN WHO WILL MAKE US BREAKFAST, HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF THAT? I MEAN DO YOU THINK WE'LL JUST SIT HERE AND WAIT UNTIL YOU GET BACK? WE'LL STARVE BY THEN…” Kyo traveled on thinking of every possible excuse.
”Miss Honda, I'm very happy you've gotten such a great opportunity,” said Yuki. “We'll certainly miss you, I included, but we all understand how important this is. Even Kyo. Well,” he said with a laugh, “hopefully Kyo.”
“Thank you Yuki!” Tohru gushed. “And the girl who is coming to stay here is a great chef, they sent me a paper on her-“
Shigure held out a hand. “There's going to be a girl coming here?”
“Well, yes, that's how the exchange system works.”
Shigure put his chin on his hand. “This isn't good… what if she found out about the curse?”
”I'm sure everything will be okay. We'll just have to be extra careful, won't we Kyo?” Kyo's ears popped up as Yuki smiled again at Tohru. “Don't worry! I'm sure everything will be fine in the year you're away. You know our phone number, and your `new parents' should let you call once in a while.”
Tohru grinned at Yuki. “Wow, thanks! I have the best friends! And I'll call once a week. Okay, once a month,” she said.
“When are you leaving?” asked Shigure.
“Uh… tomorrow,” said Tohru sheepishly. “At the airport, you'll drop me off and pick up the new girl. Her name's Monah, and she's an American.”
"Ooh, an American!” grinned Shigure. “I'm sure we'll do the best to extend her a helping hand…”
“I hope you don't plan on doing anything else with that `helping hand',” snarled Kyo.
“Who me?” asked Shigure, all innocence. “Nothing of the sort!”

The school day went by quickly and soon it was time for Tohru to pack her bags. Yuki was at a student council meeting, so Kyo was helping her gather her things.
“Thank you so much Kyo for helping me!” said Tohru. Kyo sighed. He'd miss that grin. That smile shined though even the blackest of nights. As they gathered suitcases together, Tohru's room was bare except for the bed and rug.
“Listen, Tohru?” asked Kyo in a serious tone Tohru had never heard before. “I hope while you're gone, you don't like,” he paused. Kyo sometimes did this when he had to say something hard. “forget us. Please, don't. That would be the worst thing in the world.” Tohru blushed. Kyo was being awfully serious. Then Kyo did something totally surprising. He grabbed her left arm and kissed her gently on the lips. When they parted he looked frazzled and he ran away (most likely to the roof). Tohru put her hand to her lips, still feeling the warmness. She looked at herself in the mirror. What triggered this? She wondered. Kyo is never so serious. And that kiss… she faded off. It wasn't a bad kiss. No. Not at all. It was actually a breathtaking moment, and she didn't know if she would ever forget it. Suddenly, she didn't want to leave to go to America. She sat on her bed and stared into space.

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Tohru walked downstairs to cook her last breakfast for a long time, unless her exchange family wanted food. She was about to cry. She didn't want to go! She would miss them all so much, Yuki, Shigure, Kyo…
Her mind drifted to the night before. He kissed her… had he meant it? Or was it an accident? Did he slip and land on her lips? (Even Tohru isn't naïve enough to believe that.) No, he must have meant it. And it was such a good kiss. She'd been obsessing all night, even in her dreams. Kyo must have slept on the roof, because when she went to his room it was empty. Was that the last she'd see of him for a year? Would he even come to the airport? She hoped so. She suddenly snapped back and began to cook. Soon a beautiful breakfast was ready, and she was proud. It was probably the best she'd ever cooked; it consisted of each of her Sohma housemates' favorite foods. She stared at Kyo's dish. Would he be there to eat it?
Shigure walked down the stars. “Ah, it's Tohru!” he said, as if it was the first time he actually realized she was there. “Kyo's a bit under the weather. I think it's the rain.” Tohru walked to the window. Sure enough, it was pouring.
”Oh, how long has it been raining?”
”Since last night,” replied Shigure. Oh no! thought Tohru. He spent all night on the roof in the rain!
“Oh, is he going to be alright?”
“Yes, so don't worry! He's been through worse. But I don't know if he'll be able to accompany us to the airport.”
“Here, I'll take his food up, be right back.” She picked up the plate and was about to ascend the staircase when there was a knock on the door. With a pleading look she gave the plate to Shigure. He grinned, “Tohru, you're so cute!” he turned behind him. “And no Kyo to hit me! Oh well,” he said and began to go up the steps. “He'll find some reason to hit me, sure enough.”
Tohru walked to the door and opened it. Inside were her two best friends, Saki Hanajima and Arisa Uotani, better known as Hana and Uo.
“Hana! Uo! You're here?”
“Well sure, kid,” said Uo ruffling her hair. “We wouldn't miss it for the world. And you make a killer breakfast,” she added. Tohru ran into the kitchen to hurriedly cook for Hana and Uo. Yuki descended the stairs slowly.
”Ah, so even the prince has his off days,” said Uo.
”Try every day,” said Shigure, now coming down the steps with an empty plate. “Yuki is a heavy sleeper, and well, sometimes he has no desire to wake up. It's a shame how some people will just lie in bed with a lovely “Breakfast by Tohru” waiting for them. Oh Yuki, how could you be so cruel?”
“Shigure,” said Yuki. “Shut up.”

Soon everyone (with the exception of Kyo) was at the table eating. Tohru happily watched all of the people she cared about sitting and eating together. No, she thought. Kyo isn't here. And he would have made all the difference. Could she ever encounter him about that kiss, or would she just have to pretend it never happened? Would he forget all about it, or would he greet her home with another? She had mixed feelings, did she love Kyo? She had never really thought about it that way but now just thinking of him sent shivers down her spine. Yet she felt similar shivers when Yuki's large, questioning, purple eyes gazed into hers. Kyo was definitely handsome, yes, hot, but Yuki was a looker too. He was beautiful and had a charm that no one could match. She sighed. She was disputing with herself! And I thought that was the one person I could get along with most, she thought with a laugh. Everyone looked up.
Is she laughing at herself again? Thought Uo. Honestly, that girl is too weird. But that's why we love her.
Hana looked up. ”I am detecting waves of sickness. Is Kyo ill?”
“Yes, Saki,” said Shigure. “He's feeling a bit under the weather. But he'll be back to normal when we arrive with our new guest, I hope.”
“I will have to check out this American girl. I hope her waves are good enough for this household. I would hate it if she would cause ruin while Tohru was gone.”
The two Sohmas froze.
“Cause… ruin?” asked Yuki.
“Yes. You can't count the times new people release evil spirits into another's home. They blacken the walls and suck the souls of those they most care about.” She took a bite of sushi. “Tohru, this food is delicious.”
Uo, Hana, and Tohru were the only ones eating.
“Is this, normal for Saki?” mumbled Shigure to Tohru.
“Oh yes! Her wave reports are quite helpful. She's gotten me out of some tough spots. So has Uo.” Tohru grinned.
The clock on the stove beeped, signaling the change of an hour. “Oh, it's 8:00 and your plane leaves at 8:45. We better get moving.” Shigure and Yuki got up and were surprised to see Hana and Uo do as well.
”Are you coming along to the airport?”
”Yes, writer guy. You think we'd just leave our little Tohru all alone? What kind of friends would we be then?” Uo snapped.
Most people would be offended by that, thought Shigure. But not Tohru. She still has that smile on her face. Why is she so special?
Shigure walked to the steps. “Kyo!” he called. “Are you coming?”
No reply.
“Can I go upstairs to say goodbye?” asked Tohru.
“Sure,” said Shigure. “Ha'ri's driving us, so when we come back he can check him out.”
Tohru walked up the stairs and into Kyo's room. His eyes were shut, and he looked extremely innocent when he was sleeping. His breaths were regular, so she knew his slumber was genuine. She wrote a note and put it by his bed. “I'll miss you so much,” she said quietly. The second she turned around Kyo's eyes opened. He hadn't been sleeping at all.

Hatori drove everyone to the Nomagrati Airport. It wasn't too far from the teens' school, so they got there right on time. They walked inside, Tohru freaking out because the building was so large and she couldn't read the map. When Shigure turned it right side up, they seemed to do better. They found their gate okay. “So the girl will be coming out on the plane you're leaving on and they'll take a minute to switch pilots and then you'll be on your way.” Shigure looked like he was going to wrap her in a hug but remembered the curse. Uo had seen the almost-gesture and said, “Don't hug her, you perverted old man.” Shigure laughed but inside was glad for an excuse not to hug her. He saw understanding in Tohru's eyes and smiled. It wouldn't be the same without her, even with a new friend.
“Boarding call for flight 578 B, plane has just entered the base.”
“That's us,” said Hatori. Everyone walked to the base and people started to file out of the hallway, some American, some Japanese, all kinds of folk. It was hard to pick out Monah. Then a petite girl with large eyes and blonde hair came out of the hallway.
”That's her,” said Hana, pointing. The girl looked up and walked over.
”Tohru Honda?” she asked with accented Japanese.
”That's me!” said Tohru with a smile. Wow, she's really pretty! Thought Tohru. She had American beauty, something totally different. She looked about 5'6 in height, and her eyes were blue and giant. Her hair was to her shoulders and a darker blonde with natural highlights. She was very thin and looked like she would break if you touched her too hard.
“My name is Monah Kelnar. I'll be your exchange partner. Please introduce me to your friends.”
Wow, thought Shigure. It's like an American Tohru!
“These are my best friends, Arisa Uotani and Saki Hanajima. This is Shigure, I stay in his house. And this is Hatori, he's a friend of the family's.”
Monah bowed Japanese style and Tohru held out her hand for Monah to shake it, the American way to say hello. Monah smiled and gripped it firmly, happy to find something familiar.
“I was top in my class for Japanese, so they picked me to come,” she explained. “But this is a lot different!”
Wow, top in her class? Thought Tohru. She must be really smart, like Yuki!
Hana stared at Monah. Monah analyzed Hana for a while and then a smile came to her face. “You can read electric waves, can't you?”
Hana smiled serenely. “Yes, I can. And your waves are, interesting. They aren't normal, but they aren't like Sohma waves, although they are closer to Sohma waves than normal waves. Yes, you will do fine. Very fine.”
“Well I'm glad Saki's pleased with her, because I am too!” said Shigure. Hatori sighed and hit him on the head lightly.
”Oww… Ha'ri…”
A flight attendant was talking to Tohru. “It's time for me to leave now,” said Tohru. She got hugs from Hana and Uo and waved to Monah, Shigure, and Hatori.
”It's a shame to see that girl leave,” said Shigure to Hatori. They watched Tohru board the plane and then the plane took off. “Well anyway, come on Monah! Yuki, my cousin, is waiting at the car for us. Someone had to park it, but there was no room, so he's watching it.” Monah smiled.
“Okay, Shigure was it?”
“Yes, it was. You're sharp!”
”For remembering your name?” drawled Hatori.
They got to the car, Yuki looking absentminded. “Just so you know, this Yuki guy is apparently the hottest guy in school,” said Uo. “Or so every other girl thinks. When they see him, they go-“ Monah caught a glimpse of him and gasped. “Well, yeah, they do that.” Oh my goodness, he's the most beautiful person I've ever seen! His silver hair was swimming in the wind and his large violet eyes were firm and focused. He was tall and thin, but well built.
”Yuuuuu-ki!” chanted Shigure. “We have our new friend with us!” He shoved Monah to the front of the crowd. Yuki looked at her and gasped himself.

-----------------------------

Whenever Yuki had dreamed about meeting a girl, she was always tall and dark. She'd have a long black mane of hair that swept over her face whenever she laughed, and huge, black eyes.
This was the girl he had grown up dreaming of. He'd think about the future, and he hoped that sometime he'd meet that girl.

That was a long time ago. He still had visions of the beautiful laughing girl in his mind, but he always thought he'd go by those guidelines. But this American girl, so small, so fragile, so helpless; Yuki felt he had a need to protect her. And she looked at him with her huge deep blue eyes and he saw yearning for comfort. He felt that way too. He had never wanted to grab someone and hug them so much as he did now, to tell her it was all okay. He was the last one to say anything was perfect but he would say anything just to snatch the fear from those huge pools.

Shigure noticed Monah and Yuki's odd staring and said in a cheery voice; “I think he likes you!” as if he was talking about a puppy. Yuki glared at Shigure but didn't make any physical moves. “What's this, no fight? No put up your `dukes?”
“Where in heck did you learn that?” asked Hatori. Shigure was pouncing around, punching an imaginary opponent. “I swear, that man watches too much TV… come on, lets drive.”

As the car pulled out, they began to drive down the highway. “Are we going back to your house or to the school?” Hatori asked Shigure.
“My house,” said Shigure. “I want Monah to be able to put all of her things together. They said it was okay if Yuki missed school, but you,” he said, turning to Hana and Uo, “don't have a ticket out. I'm sorry, but Hatori will have to drop you off on our way home.”
”Ahhhh, whatever,” said Uo. Hana simply nodded. I'm detecting passing waves from the American to the prince… but it's like they're speaking without using words! And now her signals are stranger than ever…

The girls were dropped off at the school and waved goodbye. “That Monah girl…” began Uo.
“Yes, she seems perfectly sweet, like Tohru.”
”Is that her wave report?”
“Yes. She will be a great friend to us and even more to Tohru. But her and the prince…”
“You caught that too? Yeah, there's definitely something between them. I thought he leaned towards Tohru, but when he saw her he just like gasped, didn't he?”
”Yes. And Yuki is a very together individual. He's not the one to go `gaga', as one would say, over a girl. Monah must really be something special, and her waves just confirmed that.”
”What was that you were saying about her waves being like Sohma waves?”
”Ah, yes; just like there's something odd about the Sohmas, there's something odd about her waves. They aren't exactly the same as the Sohmas, but they are very similar.”
“Huh. Well, we better get to class.”
”Yes, lets.”

Meanwhile in the back of the car, Monah was beginning to open up. “Yes, I do love to cook,” she gushed. “I love to make food, but I'm a really picky eater so I don't get to cook so much. I don't eat meat, you see.”
“Well that's interesting,” said Hatori. He liked Monah, she seemed genuine.
“Yes, but I can't tell you how many times I've been teased, you see,” she said quietly. “Lots of people don't like me, because I look different, but now I look even more different, so I think many other people won't like me.”
“Don't say that, Monah,” said Yuki. “I'm sure you'll make a lot of friends! And you're very pretty, so I can't see how anyone wouldn't like you because of how you look.”
“Thank you, Yuki,” she said quietly. “You don't know how much that helps.”

They got into the house and Monah oohed and ahhed in all of the right places. She found the things she usually used in the kitchen and then they were led up to her room. At the top of the steps, Kyo leaned against the closet at the end of the hall. He eyed Monah. “This the new girl?”
“Yes, and you best be polite,” Yuki warned.
“Whatever. She's just going to ruin everything,” Kyo turned to leave.
“Kyo!” both Shigure and Yuki yelled. Monah looked seriously hurt, but then shook her head and a small smile was on it.
“He's easily excitable, isn't he?”
Shigure smiled. “That's our Kyo, all right.”
“I have an uncle who's just like him. Same hair color too,” she said with a puzzled look on her face. Shigure's face brightened.
“YOU'RE SO CUTE!” he yelled. This time Yuki hit him. “I was waiting for that,” sobbed Shigure. Monah was laughing. Yuki grabbed her hand.
“Come, Monah. I'll lead you to your room.” They walked down the hallway, Yuki carrying Monah's suitcase in one hand and Monah's hand in the other. She looked really happy to be at her new home. He opened the door to Tohru's room. The giant pink bed loomed in the corner.
”Oh it's so huge!” She said, running to it. She lay down and breathed deeply. “Yuki, I can't thank you enough for letting me stay here.” She sat up to look him square in the eye. Wow his eyes are huge! thought Monah. And he's so sweet! He really seems to be a prince, as Arisa said. Yuki put the suitcase down on the bed.
“It seems like you didn't bring much stuff,” he pointed out.

“Yes, but I have a uniform at school, don't I?”
”That's true, but what will you wear on weekends and after school?”
She patted her suitcase, and unzipped it. She pulled out an envelope with American money inside. “I have to trade it for yen, but I'm going to buy a lot of clothes here. I don't have many outfits because I'm a hard to find size.” Yuki looked at her. She wasn't a hard to find size; she was just tiny. She folded her small hands and looked at them. She seemed to drift away for a moment and Yuki just kept staring. She looked up at him for a while and just stared. Suddenly the door opened.

“Before you get `cozy' with the new girl, rat boy, she should make some dinner,” ordered Kyo. Yuki looked angry and embarrassed.
”Okay, Kyo!” Monah said with a smile on her face. “Thanks for reminding me, I was just talking to Yuki. What do you like to eat?”
Kyo looked taken aback. He had just been totally rude to her and she just smiled and asked him a question. “Uhh, salmon I guess,” he said. She smiled.
“Alright, I hope we have some. I'll have to run to the store later.” She turned to Yuki. “Can you show me where the store is? I'll be able to go by myself next time, but I don't know where it is.” Yuki was awestruck too.
“Yes, Monah.”
”Good! Thanks! Okay, I'm off to cook,” she said and she skipped out the door leaving both of the boys staring.

Shigure met her downstairs as she was cooking. “Ah, Monah, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but…”
“You want to know why I just agreed to Kyo's request, right?”
He looked taken aback. “Why, yes.”
“My uncle's just like him, remember? Just do what he says and he'll shut up for a while.”
Shigure smiled. “Well you know Kyo better than me and I've been living with him for a year now. I'm impressed, Monah.”
Monah just grinned and started the rice cooker.

Soon a delicious meal was in front of them. Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure had salmon, while Monah had white rice and soba noodles. Her cooking was enjoyed by all, though everyone didn't want to admit it.
“You're cooking sucks. I've had cardboard that tasted better,” commented Kyo after a big bite of salmon.
“I don't know, I've never tasted my own cooking of salmon. I guess there's the possibility that it might suck.”
Shigure and Yuki were still amazed. She brushed off all of Kyo's rude comments as if they were nothing. Kyo just pounded the table and ate more salmon. When he was finished, he pushed the plate in front of Monah and left. “Please don't mind him, Monah,” said Yuki. “He's just… angry. He always is.” Monah nodded and slurped a soba noodle. She stood up and walked to the stairs.
“Is she going…” asked Shigure. Yuki nodded.

Monah stepped on the roof covered in a soft sweater that blew in the wind. The sunset was visible, and Kyo was lying on his back. Monah walked over and sat next to him. “Kyo? Can we talk?” Kyo just grunted, but he sat up. “Kyo, you're really angry, but I understand.” He sat up and looked at her. “You think that Tohru's gone, and I'm trying to take her place. But I can't, Kyo, both you and I know that. No one can take Tohru's place. Just from those five minutes I spent with her, I felt what an impact she had on the people she cared about. The way her friends, Shigure, Hatori, Yuki… the way they looked at her proved to me that she was a really special person. And you can't replace special people, and you're a fool if you try.” She sighed and moved so that she was sitting on her knees. “But it seems that's what I'm trying to do. Replace Tohru. But it's not, Kyo. I couldn't do that even if I wanted to, even if I tried as hard as I could. If my life's goal was to replace Tohru in your life, I would die a failure. I can see by the way you look that you're pained. You're pained, Kyo, because you lost someone you loved. I lost someone I loved, too,” she said, a tear falling from her eye. “My best friend died in a car crash. You might say, `that's all good and swell', but it hurts, Kyo. Seeing that look in your eye when I say Tohru's name makes me remember her. And think of this, you'll get your special someone back. In one year, Tohru will be back, happy to see you again.” A dreamy look came over her eyes. “She'll open the door and say, `Oh Kyo! I've missed you so much!' And then we'll all be happy, because Tohru's back where she belongs.” Kyo looked at Monah. She was so… deep. Like Tohru. But he couldn't summon any anger. Monah walked over to Kyo and squeezed his hand. “I don't know if this changed anything, but I just felt like telling you how I feel. Thanks for listening.” She walked away to descend from the roof.

“Monah-“ Kyo started. She looked at him. “Thank you. I can't thank you the way I'd want to. Thank you for those kind words.” Monah just smiled and walked down to the hallway.