Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ The Small Things ❯ A Battle of the Wits ( Chapter 4 )

A Battle of the Wits:

 

Tohru's face fell to a not-quite-solemn but not-so-jubilant expression, and the light in her eyes twinkled a shadier shade.

 

“Oh god, it's getting worse.” she muttered, her recently waving hand lowering to massage her cheek. “Gahh…”

 

She inhaled deeply and, as most people do, exhaled soon after. Then she stretched her arms over her head and wrinkled her nose.

 

“O-kay!” She lowered her arms and rotated her head half-way around twice. “Back to work!”

 

The girl turned around to re-enter the house, stepping on Kyo's forgotten coat in the process.

 

Sourly, she picked it up and draped it over her right shoulder.

 

It fell off.

 

“Ok…” Growing in exasperation, she picked it up once again, this time draping it over her left shoulder. She paused for a moment, but nothing happened.

 

Feeling somewhat triumphant, she took a step forward.

 

Then the coat fell.

 

“…You've gotta be joking…”

 

Rolling her eyes to no one in particular, Tohru snatched up the uncooperative jacket and trudged inside. With her free hand, she slammed the door shut behind her. Much to her dismay, her third step landed on yet another forgotten coat.

 

She froze, not even needing to look down. Only the roaring flames in her eyes revealed the sheer fury that was seconds away from exploding within her. Three, two, one -

 

Tohru exhaled loudly through gritted teeth.

 

“I am not a friggin' maid.”

 

She glared down at the coat, which lay so arrogantly on the floor. So pompous, so cocky - so full of itself! It had once been so noble, an item of clothing that dared to be called a friend of mankind, but now - such disgrace! To resort to tormenting a poor, innocent girl who had treated them with nothing but kindness and compassion? For shame, for shame.

 

Tick -

 

Tohru's eyes snapped across to the watch on her wrist.

 

Silence.

 

Lowering her head slightly in approval, she turned her gaze back to the coat beneath her foot.

 

Then it clicked.

 

Smirking victoriously, she moved her foot away and slowly bent down. With the thumb and forefinger of her free hand, she delicately picked up the coat by its collar and stood up straight.

 

And then placed the entire article of clothing upon her head.

 

“Hah.”

 

Tohru walked proudly into the corridor and opened a closet, roughly hanging both coats inside.

 

Still surprisingly smug, she strutted up the stairs and headed to her bedroom.

 

“I'm seriously starting to think that the stress is getting to you.” drawled a muffled voice from her sock drawer.

 

 

 

Author's Note:

This is, admittedly, a very-almost-completely pointless chapter (the only non-pointless-ness being Tohru going into the house and a voice drawling from her sock drawer). Apologies if you disliked it or thought it plain mad, but bonus points if you, like me, could actually see the scene in your mind.

 

But fear not - the men in white coats will be here for me soon.