Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Sing a song ❯ Pretty Singing ( Chapter 8 )

Authors note: I am so glad to be back! I also am glad to see you. Hopefully, you have enjoyed the story so far. I am so happy to finally bring you singing! As always, thanks go out to my poor abused but adored beta Salmastryon, she is a goddess. Thank yous are at the bottom to my dear beloved reviewers.

Chapter 8- Pretty Singing

Ayame, microphone in hand, is in his element, the center of attention at last. "I guess, since it was my idea for this evening, to start the fun, I will go first." Turning away to consult a black binder that is sitting with the equipment, he punches in his choice and settles his hair over his left shoulder, away from the mic in his right hand.

Shigure has been joking with Hatori, trying to make Hatori drink sake with him. Shigure's success has been minuscule. Instead, the intent has turned from getting Hatori loopy enough to sing, to Shigure, himself, getting more and more tipsy by the moment. "Hey want to bet on what song he sings?" Shigure playfully inquires.

"No." Hatori shakes his head in response and just sits and smokes moodily, watching the people in the room with him.

"Ahh, Ha-san, why not?" whines the dog, his big puppy eyes all watery.

"Because I do not want to try," Hatori points out the flamboyant individual in the middle of the room, with his cigarette, "to think like that." The distance of a few feet does not lessen the vibration of the energy coming from Ayame at all.

Music starts, an upbeat piano with a sax behind it. "I don't know if you know this one, but it is a favorite of mine." Aya tells the room.

Ayame is in a playful pose as he sings each line:

I feel pretty,

Oh, so pretty,

I feel pretty and witty and bright!

It is as if he is standing in front a a full length mirror and with each line a new pose must be reached.

And I pity

Any girl who isn't me tonight.

He flips his hair, flutters his eye lashes, flirtatiously blows kisses and hamming it up to the microphone.

A gasp can be heard from some of the people in the room, sputters from others. Hiro is so dumbfounded, struck speechless. Kagura's own astonishment causes her to release her headlock enough that Kyo slides down to the floor.

Ayame takes one hand and starts holding it to his chest like he has a bouquet of flowers as he continues to sing.

I feel charming,

Oh, so charming

Kyo uses the time that Ayame's antics have bought him to scoot over towards where Tohru and Yuki are standing.

It's alarming how charming I feel!

And so pretty

That I hardly can believe I'm real.

Aya mimes a pinch with a pouty ouch to the audience.

"Oh, gawd," Shigure rolls off his cushion over onto the floor in giggling fits, "I can't believe he is doing that." He continues rolling on the floor like a particularly pleased pooch.

"I told you I didn't want to think like him." Hatori huffs a puff of smoke out in a rare show dragony mirth.

I feel stunning

And entrancing,

Ayame sways like a snake in front of a charmer to show how entrancing he is.

Feel like running and dancing for joy,

For I'm loved

By a pretty wonderful boy!

Ayame hugs himself, then, takes a bow. He looks up for his due, sees the riotous laughter and stunned amazement prevalent in the room. Ayame spares a glare at the rolling dog as he puts the microphone back in the stand and walks over towards where the other members of the trio are sitting.

"Well, wasn't I great?" Aya asks, seeking praise from both his age mates. Looking to the upright one first, he inquires, "Tori-san?"

Hatori takes another cup of sake, downs it and then tries to answer. "Aya, it was very you," Hatori replies semi- soberly with the smallest grin hidden by his cup.

"Really! I am so glad you liked it." Ayame claps his hands together and turns to Shigure. "Shigure, will you sing for me?"

Still rolling on the floor in his fit of laughter, all Shigure can do is wave his hands and nod with the tears still streaming down his cheeks. Knowing from past experiences that it will take the dog a little while to recover his senses, Ayame starts looking around for his next volunteer. "So who will be next? Come, come, don't be shy." He coaxes.

"How..." Kisa starts but stops when he turns his eyes to her. Then, in a rushed mumble she forces out, "howdoyouchosethe song," and hides behind Hiro.

"What?" Ayame replies, as if this was such a silly question.

"She said how do you chose a song, you pushy snake" Hatsuharu repeats for her.

"Haru?" questions Yuki softly, trying to gage the cow's mood.

"I haven't gone black. He is just so pushy." Haru explains shaking his head in aggravation.

"Well really," Ayame huffs as he turns and goes back to the machines. He returns, looking put upon, carrying two black binders in his hands. "It is quite simple." Flipping open one of the binders, he points and explains, "Here is the listings for all the songs I have for this program. It is really quite extensive," he gestures to include all the pages. "You look for a song, then you note down it's number." He looks over to the keyboard on top of the equipment and nods his head in that direction. "Then you put the number in over there. When the music starts, sing the song into the microphone." Ayame confidently hands over one of the binders, to the younger group. "So, who wants to be next?"

Gathering around the book to see the song lists are Haru, Kisa, Kagura, Momiji, and Hiro. Ayame takes the other one over to where Hatori and Shigure have made themselves comfortable.

Tohru, meanwhile, heads towards the kitchen. Looking at one another, Kyo and Yuki move to intercept her, guessing what she is thinking of doing.

"Honda-san?" Yuki questions when they catch up with her, "Where are you headed?"

"Snacks. We will need snacks and tea or something to drink," Tohru answers turning to the boys.

"Stupid, what are you wearing?" Kyo interjects.

"Huh, what do you mean Kyo?" Tohru questions with a tilt of her head.

"I mean what are you wearing? Do you really think that is the right outfit for the kitchen?" Looking up and down at the silk clad Rice Ball in a questioning fashion.

"But, Kyo, I have to make snacks. We have company," frets Tohru.

"Honda-san, please, you don't have to do that," Yuki tries to reason, soothingly.

"But, Yuki-kun, they are company," Tohru continues to fret.

"If they wanted snacks, they should have brought their own!" Kyo declares, then, turns to look at his gathered family angrily. "Hey snake!" Kyo shouts

"Why, Lucky Kyo, what could you want with me?" Ayame replies.

"I told you not to call me that!!" Kyo yells back getting even angrier.

"Why, Lucky Kyo, you called out for me, remember," Ayame maddeningly answers, disregarding his own safety.

Tohru reaches over and places her hand on Kyo's arm deflating Kyo's anger meter, which has been inching up towards ten. "Did you bring any food for this Mob?" Kyo questions in a more neutral voice.

"Food?" Ayame questions back, as if it is a foreign concept.

"Yes, food, you idiot!" is spit back at him.

"As much as it pains me to agree. Did you bring anything brother?" Yuki adds.

"Yuki you doubt me? I am hurt, truly hurt," Ayame replies with pouting lips and a swing of his hair.

"Brother?" Yuki grinds out taking a step towards Ayame menacingly.

"Of course I have thought of food. It will be delivered soon," he informs them while nonchalantly flicking his coat in a pleased I am so ahead of you manner.

"Really Ayame?" Tohru asks, pleased by his thoughtfulness.

"Why of course Princess." At the thought of having though ahead and doing something good for everyone, the snake preens a little. "China One will be delivering twenty orders of pot stickers here in an hour or so."

Ayame placing the order ahead of time adds to the shock of his announcement that he is providing food for his companions. The idea of Ayame of all people planning ahead is so foreign to their thought processes that they are having a hard time processing the thought.

"You ordered food Ayame?" a recovering Shigure asks, having finally been shocked out of his giggles.

"Why of course, I couldn't have our princess cooking instead of singing," replies the snake reasonably, with a satisfied look. "So, Tohru why don't you come over here and look in the book. I am sure you will find something to suit you." He motions to the book in between Hatori and Shigure.

"All right, if you are sure that there will be food for everyone." She moves over to where the elders are sitting, making both Hatori and Shigure smile. Yuki and Kyo automatically follow along.

Shigure leaning over Hatori's shoulder observes, "Ayame, there seems to be a lot of show tunes?" Looking up from the binder in a more questioning gesture to the snake.

"Yes, there are. It is my personal collection after all." Ayame proudly displays the song list. "I have a great deal to chose from." Looking over at the younger boys next to Tohru in a positively beaming state of happiness at his next notion. "Brother, will you let me choose a song for you?"

"NO!" Yuki answers without taking his eyes up from the page he is reading over Tohru shoulder.

SladesDaughter- you will have to wait a chapter or two, but You shall know what they do.

Tohma's Sleepless Beauty- I hoped that you like the singing and you still like the outfit.

Riles- You poor thing! You thought the one before this one took forever. But, I think you get your money's worth with this chapter. There are great possibilities for many thing to happen.

Aura Black Chan- Nope, I won't hurt my dragon, I just cuddle and squeeze him. Wait where was I? I hope you weren't disappointed in what you got after such a long wait!

DetroitRockCity- I am so glad you do like my fic. I get all excited just thinking a chapter is ready to be posted.