Adult-FanFiction.org : Manga

The Fox and The Rabbit	By : naturechild02 Category: Manga Misc > General Views: 4788 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Fruits Basket, nor do I make any monies from this fanfic. For entertainment purposes only.

Chapter List
- 18
- 19
- 20
Please don’t let me accidentally pee my pants from excitement! Aimi thought. She just couldn’t believe that Momiji had actually joined the music club. As he chattered away with other members of the club, showing off his lovely violin, Aimi stood in the background, trying not to have a heart attack. Oh no, I’m acting like one of those girls from Yuki’s fan club! Okay, it doesn’t have to be awkward. He doesn’t think about you that way, remember, so just be normal. Just, normal. As if she had any idea what normal was like.
The president passed out some new sheet music for everyone to practice, smiling winningly at Momiji. He was the only violinist. The club had formed over their collective love of music, and each member brought something unique to the group. An eclectic gathering, some were loud and outgoing, like Aimi, and others were more reserved and shy. Together, however, they studied music both new and old, from all over the world. Aimi found comfort with these like-minded individuals who kept the club drama free.
The small group read over the music, talking quietly as everyone prepared to play. Momiji made a point of approaching Aimi at the piano.
“Want to practice together?”
Aimi beamed at him. The spotlights behind him made his blond hair glow like a halo around his head. So beautiful, she thought.
“Oh, yes! Please make yourself comfortable, Momiji-kun.”
He set his stand close to her so that he was facing her as she began to play the piece. He soon joined her, never missing a note. Soon, they were playing together in perfect harmony, a few others joining them but most of the group staring in wonder. Aimi lost herself in the music, relishing the striking of the piano chords, the humming of Momiji’s strings, the plucking of a harp, and the soft taps of a conga drum. The group played as if they had played together for years, and when they were through, the remaining members of the club gave enthusiastic applause.
“Wow, I’m quite impressed! So many talented members,” the president said.
“Let’s all work together to do our best!” The conga player said cheerfully.
Momiji nodded and smiled at Aimi before leaning in with a conspirator’s tone. “I must confess, I have played this piece before.”
“Oh? You certainly played it perfectly.”
He gave her a knowing smile. “It was your first time seeing it though, wasn’t it?”
Aimi felt a blush creep up her cheeks. “Oh, um, yes.”
“Then you are truly talented. You played it like a professional.”
Aimi thought her face might catch on fire. She ducked her chin, unable to meet his eyes. “Oh, no, you’re the truly talented one here! It’s such an honor to play with you, Momiji-kun.”
“The honor is mine.” He bowed low then began to giggle. Aimi was soon laughing with him. Her eyes lingered on his happy face too long. Does he realize how beautiful he is? How his cheerful demeaner brings a smile to my lips even as I know he will never care for me the way I care for him? It is enough to be near him. It’s enough to bask in his warm, as he is the sun to me.

That afternoon, Aimi was invited with Hana and Uo to Tohru’s house for a soumen party. They ate and laughed together, Aimi surprised to find that she had missed out on meeting Kyo’s father at school. Apparently, for Hana chan, it was love at first sight.
“Are you serious? You like older men, huh?” Aimi elbowed Hana gently in the arm. The girl smiled at her, not at all embarrassed by her feelings.
“He’s the most handsome man I have ever seen.”
“You say that so easily,” Aimi said with a laugh.
Hana merely shrugged. “No point in hiding how I truly feel, especially not from my friends.”
“Wow, your confidence is… refreshing.” Aimi smiled again but inside she was somewhat jealous of Hana chan. She certainly couldn’t voice her feelings about Momiji. She was too embarrassed to admit such a thing to anyone, especially knowing that it would never amount to anything.
When everyone was cleaning up and preparing to leave, Shigure gave Aimi a look. He was smiling his usual goofy smile, but his eyes bored into hers with a seriousness she wasn’t used to.
Did Yuki tell him? He must have.
She said her goodbyes and headed home, dismissing Shigure and the Juunishi curse from her mind. What will be will be. I’m done hiding and pretending.

The next day was an absolute scorcher. Aimi woke up in a bad mood, an unhappy dream lingering in her subconscious. She trudged to school and went through the motions, but she was lost in her own head most of the day. She heard the whispers in the hallway, even Yuki’s fan club avoiding her and giggling as she passed. Anger coursed through her. I’m so tired of being a pariah. So tired of hiding.
The windows were open in class but it didn’t seem to help. Even Sensei was fanning herself, her temper especially short today. As the students studied quietly, Sensei suddenly slammed a hand on her desk and stood.
“Good grief, I’m dying! Aimi chan!”
“Yes!” Aimi hopped to her feet.
“Use your witchy powers and give us a snowstorm or something.”
She knew better. Aimi knew the teacher was only messing with her, but something in her made her do it. Something shifted in her mind and she mentally shrugged. Screw it. What do I have to lose at this point? Why continue this farce?
Closing her eyes, Aimi reached out with her powers. With very little effort, she summoned a breeze. Wind rushed through the open windows and into the classroom, bringing leaves in with it. The students gasped, some jumping out of their seats as it swirled around Aimi. Her hair and clothes fluttering in the breeze, Aimi smiled to herself even as her classmates freaked out. It was so freeing to finally let go. To finally give in and admit to the world what she was. I am different. I am unique. I’m tired of being afraid and ashamed. Let them judge me. Bring the hate! I think I’m finally ready to face it head on.
After a few minutes, the breeze stopped and Aimi opened her eyes. The room was completely silent. Sensei gaped at her, though her expression was one of surprise, not horror. At least, not yet.
Aimi nodded to her teacher and took her seat. The silence stretched on. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that some students were still standing in shock. Every eye was on her but for once, she did not duck her head. In fact, she lifted her chin.
Whispers began all at once. That’s when the dread hit her. What have I done? Have I ruined it for us here? What if they start bullying me? What if their parents find out and my father is bullied worse than me? What if they force us to leave?
Before she could truly begin beating herself up about it, Kyo stood up, his chair scraping the floor loudly. He stretched lazily, appearing nonchalant. “That’s much better. Good job, Fujimoto.”
As aimi’s eyebrows shot to her hairline, Yuki quickly stood as well.
“Yes, thank you, Aimi chan. It seems much more bearable now.”
Holy crap! Aimi’s brain went numb for a moment as the rest of the classroom grew quiet and took their seats. Sensei cleared her throat. “Alright, enough showing off, Aimi. Back to lessons.”
And just like that, it was over.
As Aimi tried to focus back on her textbook, she snuck a glance at Yuki. He caught her gaze and gave her a winning smile. She didn’t dare turn and chance a look at Tohru, but she was sure that her expression would match his. I have true friends here.
The two most popular boys in her grade had stood up for her today in their own, subtle ways. They had basically ensured that no one would give her a hard time, at least not in their presence. Maybe, maybe everything will be okay. She had made things more complicated, but with the support of her friends, she just might be able to get through this. She suddenly felt much less alone.
- 18
- 19
- 20
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

The Fox and The Rabbit