Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ The Alkalor's Curse ❯ Meeting Nekaru ( Chapter 1 )

Summary~ Tohru and Kyo encounter a young girl, cold and wet on a rainy day on the streets. They take her in on Tohru's request, and only to find that this girl has a dark secret… (Kyoru, maybe Yuki/OC, if you people permit it)

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket; I do, however, own this story and Nekaru.(but not what Nekaru is… Kinda sorta.. You'll know what I mean later)

A/N: This takes place not to long after the anime, `cause I have yet to get the books T_T Also, even if I add another character, it's only to make things a little more interesting since I want to also make this a Kyoru fic ^_^ This is thought-speak

Chapter One: Meeting Nekaru

Tohru and Yuki walked rather idly towards school; Kyo on the other hand was a bit jumpy. Dark gray clouds swirled over head. The sky threatened bad weather with a loud roll of thunder, and the bright spark of lightning dancing in the sky. A few large droplets of water would hit one of the three every now and then, and the water started to come down at a drizzle.

Kyo groaned as a large drop landed on his scalp, sending a slight surge through his body as the rain splashed down on him more and more with each passing moment. Tohru turned her head towards Kyo. A stronger feeling of fondness had unfolded in her after that one day. The day when Kyo had taken on his original form.

Tohru felt her stomach give way to a small flutter as she thought about that day, what had happened, after he transformed back into his normal human form. He had hugged her, repeated her name twice softly into her heart. True, she had loved both Yuki and Kyo like brother, but she felt something stronger attaching her to Kyo. She couldn't help it. Her eyes were glazed over somewhat as she was sucked into her thinking.

"Miss Honda?" Yuki asked softly, setting his hand on her shoulder as he noticed her glazed over expression. Tohru shook her head vigorously, and looked at Yuki with a surprised gaze, "W-what?"

"You were out of it," Kyo commented with a loud grunt, and turned his head towards her, "You looked like you were in deep thought." Yuki said with a nod, Was she thinking about the night two days ago? He thought, his gaze turning towards the sky for a moment. Tohru laughed slightly, and nodded, "Sorry, sorry! I was just thinking."

Yuki smiled fondly at her, and then looked ahead, "Ah, look. We're at school. Let's go Miss Honda." Yuki took her hand and led her through the gates. Tohru felt the blood rushing to her face, and she turned away, smiling brightly.

Damn rat… Kyo thought to himself after seeing the little scene play out. He felt his emotions running rampant as well. His strong desire to hold Tohru in his arms, although, he knew this was impossible unless he wanted to change. His desire to tell her everything that's on his mind. No… That rat will win her over, just like he wins everything else. Kyo thought sadly, and sauntered through the gates, his head hanging quite low.

The day went by horrifyingly slow, and once the three got home, Yuki drug his feet up to his room to crash on his bed; his day was horrible, he could just imagine what Tohru went through. Or Kyo… But he didn't care all too much about Kyo. He knew the cat could take care of himself. Kyo had also gotten a higher status of respect from Yuki now, after the incident. Kyo was fully able to toss Tohru aside and run him and her down, then run away. But he didn't.

Kyo had also gone through a horrible day, not only because of the rain, but because he and Tohru had gotten suspended. Stupid hall monitors. Tohru didn't even do anything… I'm the one that hit the stupid girl for calling Tohru a slut. Kyo growled, and huffed, throwing himself on his bed.

Tohru sniffled slightly as she left her stuff in her room and hopped downstairs to make dinner. Shigure came wandering down, and smiled, "What's wrong with our little flower, now?" Tohru turned around, her eyes all watery, "I… I failed! I failed mom!"

Shigure tilted his head, and blinked, "Why? What happened? You can tell Shigure!" Tohru looked up at the dog, her eyes still watery, and her cheeks stained with tears, "I… I got suspended for a week from school!" She continued to sob, about to hug Shigure for comfort, but she stopped herself in time, "I'm… I'm sorry, I… Almost ran into you…" She apologized in between sobs.

"I'm going to change before I make dinner… If Kyo comes down, you can ask him about the suspension," Tohru said, gulping down her next wave of tears and running up the stairs to her room to change into more comfortable clothes. Kyo was walking down the hallway, and saw Tohru run into her room, crying, "Tohru…" Kyo ran downstairs, and came face to face with Shigure.

"What happened, dog?" Kyo asked, his voice rising, "Ah, is our little Kyo getting angry?" Shigure said with the biggest, stupidest grin that Kyo has yet to see. "WHAT happened?!" Kyo repeated, a lot more loudly, "Calm down kitty, she ran up because she said she failed her mother and got suspended."

"Oh… That," Kyo's eyes darted to the floor, and he stuffed his hands into his pockets, "Sooo, Tohru told me to ask you what happened. So, what happened?" Shigure asked, looking down at Kyo.

"Eh… We got suspended. Some stupid fan club girl came up and called Tohru a slut because she hangs out with me and that damned rat a lot, and made a few other comments she shouldn't have, so I punched her, and a teacher rounded the corner. All three of us got a week suspension right on the spot," Kyo said, looking towards the wall, finding a sudden interest in it.

Shigure smirked, and crossed his arms, "Well, at least you'll get to spend some time with Tohru," he said with that perverted grin of his, knowing to some extent of what was running through Kyo's mind. Kyo's face lit up with a rosy color, and he instantly smacked Shigure, "I can't believe you just said that you stupid dog!" Shigure laughed nervously, his expression took on that animated swirly-eyed effect.

Shigure rubbed his head, and laughed nervously, "Well, why don't you go… and uh… comfort Tohru?" He said quickly. Kyo looked at him, his dark crimson eyes narrowing. His cat instincts were telling him to sharpen his claws on the dog's head, but he nodded slowly and trudged up the stairs, knocking lightly on Tohru's door. "Y-yes?" He heard Tohru ask, her voice still sounding shaky.

"Can I… Uh… Can I come in?" He asked hesitantly, and heard a muffled `yes'. He walked in slowly, noticing that Tohru was sitting cross-legged on her bed, "Are you ok?" Kyo asked quietly, and sat next to her on the bed. He gulped subconsciously, and looked towards her, How am I going to do this…? "I.. Failed mom… By getting suspended…" Tohru explained, her voice muffled because her head was craned downward, tears were still flowing freely down her face.

Kyo put a hand on her shoulder, and bit his lip, "It's… ok… Tohru…" He said hesitantly, he obviously has issues trying to comfort others. He lifted her face, turning her head towards him, and ran his hand through her hair, "It's ok… …. Tell you what, how about… I uh… Take you.. Somewhere?" He said slowly, wincing slightly, Maybe… Maybe this is my chance to… tell her… While I try to take her out somewhere. Maybe I can actually beat that damn Yuki … No, I don't want to think that way. She isn't a prize in a competition…

"B-but Kyo!" She instantly brightened slightly, only to reject his well-meant offer, "I couldn't possibly let you do that for me, I'd be asking for it! And… And I don't have the money to pay for it!" Kyo smiled slightly, and shook his head, "Don't worry, I'll beat some money out of the dog,"

"Oh! But Kyo! I must ins-" Tohru was stopped when Kyo suddenly stood up, "Don't worry, we will go." He has said this somewhat roughly, and noticed it, "Uhh… I know it's raining… But we can take an umbrella! I… Uh…" Oh god, I'm no good at this. "Uhm… Please?" Tohru smiled slightly, wiping her tears from her face, and nodding, "Ok, Kyo, but I must at least pay for my admission if it costs anything!"

Kyo shrugged, "I'll do that, you don't have to pay anything,"

"Uhm… Ok…"

Tohru woke up kind of late the next morning, running downstairs to find out that Yuki already left for school, "Oh my! I wasn't able to make breakfast!" Shigure laughed lightly from his seat, and shook his head, "Don't worry my pretty flower, he was able to manage. Kyo said something about waiting for you outside about five minutes ago, though…"

"Oh! I almost forgot!" Shigure laughed again, and shook his head, "And I assume Kyo beating some money out of me has anything to do with this?" His smile was good, he didn't really mind, Tohru, on the other hand…

"Oh! Did he really beat it out of you?! I'm so, so sorry! I'll repay you when I get my next pay check!" Shigure shook his head, "Don't worry Tohru, I'm ok with it. Just, have fun, ok?" He said with another one of those grins, Tohru smiled brightly, not really getting the hint, and nodded, "I shall!"

Tohru ran out of the house with a white shirt and black jeans on, with black sneakers, covered by a jacket. She knew it was going to rain, so she had bought some warmer clothes a few weeks ago. Also resting in her palm was a pink umbrella, and she noticed Kyo sitting cross-legged on the ground about twenty feet away, "Kyo!" Tohru yelled out, smiling.

Kyo looked behind him, his stoic expression plastered on his face. He stood up, and waited for the prancing Tohru to come, "So… Where do you.. uhm… Want to go?" He asked, his voice hinting at nervousness, "Hmmm… How about the movies? It's nice and warm inside the theater!" Kyo nodded slightly, and sighed, Hopefully it won't be some chick flick… I have to please her though! So if… she wants to watch one, I'll have to bear through it. Kyo sighed out loud, and Tohru looked at him doubtfully, "Oh… Are the movies a bad idea?" Tohru asked, her eyes becoming larger. "No! I told you this was your day, let's just go."

Tohru nodded happily, and opened the umbrella as the rain suddenly decided to pour down on them. Kyo growled, and opened his as well. They walked through various streets to get to the Movie Theater, getting odd glances here and there, because of not being at school. Tohru and Kyo walked passed a narrow alleyway, and Tohru heard sobbing coming from behind a large trashcan.

"Oh my! Who's in there?" She said loudly, walking towards the dumpster, "Tohru!" Kyo yelped, and walked after her. The sobbing got louder, and Kyo now just noticed it over the rain, "Wha? Who's there?" He asked Tohru, leaning over her shoulder to get a better look around, "I… I don't know!"

Tohru and Kyo started to walk into the alleyway, and the trashcan moved slightly. Tohru jumped back onto the balls of her feet and yelped, surprised. A girl tumbled out from behind the dumpster, her black tank top and black pants sticking to her because they are wet. Her dark brown hair is matted to her head, and her crimson colored eyes look dull and lifeless. Her left earlobe is pierced with a small black hoop earring, and her cartilage has two black piercing, she also wears a spiked choker, and has black wristbands on each wrist. "Please…" She gasped, "Help… Me…" She coughed horribly, and clawed at the ground as she struggled to get up.

"Oh no!" Tohru cried, "She'll catch pneumonia if she's left out here in those clothes and this rain! Kyo, will you please, please, please, please help me!?" Tohru's voice was raspy after her begging, and the look she was giving him, he had no choice but to accept. "Are we taking her back to Shigure's house?!" He suddenly questioned loudly, looking down at the girl, "Pleeeeaaaase," Tohru said, her eyes watering over, "If you don't want to then I shall stay with her until I can get help!" Tohru whined, tears starting to slip down her cheeks.

Just like her, Kyo thought to him self, bending down to carefully pick up the fourteen, fifteen year old, Always worrying about people… Oi, this girl is pretty cold…! Tohru promised to make him special fish dinners for the next week for his help, "Meh, I would have done it anyway…" For you, he neglected to add. Tohru bowed in thanks, and rushed him back home.

Kyo almost kicked down the door to get in, "Shiguuuuuurrrreeee!" He shouted, "Get your ass over here and help!" Shigure came into the room, rubbing his head, "What do you… Oh! You bring another girl to the house?" He said with a grin, but it faded as soon as Tohru popped up and explained what happened.

"Well, then, Tohru, you must change her into warm clothes, then you can lay her on the couch with a thick blanket to warm up. I would change her myself, but…" Kyo whacked Shigure to wipe the grin of the dog's face, and barked at him to go find something warm for the girl.

After many hours of the girl sleeping on the couch, Shigure pondering over her, trying to figure out if she should stay for a few days or not, just to get better. He decided so much to Tohru's persuasion, but he would have anyway… She must be an eighth or ninth grader, he decided to himself with a grin.

Yuki came home, and looked at the girl for a few moments before… "Tohru…." Yuki turned around and walked into the kitchen, finding Tohru making dinner, "When did the other girl arrive?" Yuki asked politely, and tilted his head, "Ooohhh, uhm, well…" Tohru explained everything that happened, and Yuki nodded, "I guess it's a good thing you and that stupid cat were there to save the poor girl."

"Oh, um, yes, Yuki… She's been asleep since about eleven this morning," Tohru informed him. They both heard a load groan coming from that room, and saw the deep chocolate brown head rise from the couch, a pale colored hand rubbing her head. "Well, I guess we should meet our guest." Yuki said, smiling lightly at Tohru, "Oh! Yes!" Tohru said perkily with a bright smile.

Tohru appeared in front of the girl with a huge smile plastered on her face, and Yuki walked up behind her. The girl blinked a couple of times, and she cocked her head to the side, "Uhmm… Hi?" She said worriedly, "Are you the one that helped me?" She asked, pointing to Tohru. Tohru nodded, "Yes! Yes I am, and my friend, Kyo. He's not in here though…"

"That's quite alright," the girl said with a grin, "So," Yuki started, "Why were you alone in the streets, in the rain?"

"Well, uhm… That? Oh, um… Well, you see… My family's home was ransacked while I was at school one day… The people who did it… Well, they killed all of my family." The chocolate-headed girl said sadly, Tohru lowered her eyes, "Oh, sorry to hear…" Yuki said, his tone lowered, "Yes, well, that's in the past. I was out looking for somewhere to stay, make a living by working, even if I am only fifteen years old, but I got caught in the rain, and no one wanted to take in a dripping wet girl. So I tried to sleep behind the trashcan that girl found me behind," She explained, pointing to Tohru, "And, well, that's where she came in, her and the orange-headed boy."

Tohru looked at Yuki sadly, her eyes searching his for a moment, "Yuki, can she stay? At least for the rest of the day and tomorrow? To rest up?" Yuki swept his gaze over the girl, and looked back at Tohru, "I guess so. Maybe she can stay longer, if you would like that, Miss Honda?"

"Oh! That isn't necessary! It would be fun, but, it's not up to me!" Tohru said quickly, looking back at the girl, hoping she could stay for a week or so until they figured out what to do, "I'll go talk to Shigure." Yuki said simply, smiling, looking down at Tohru, "OH! Thank you, Yuki!" She grinned even wider, and turned around to the girl, "Oh, and by the way, what's your name?" Yuki asked quickly.

"Oh? Me? I'm Nekaru!" The girl with deep brown hair said, grinning sheepishly, "Ok, Nekaru," Yuki said with a fond smile, "I guess I'll go and speak to the adult of the house,"

"Ok!"