Abekku || A Fruits Basket Fanfiction

Close to Home

"Why're you crying, Kazu-chan?"

It's a cold and gloomy Sunday afternoon after New Years'. The winter winds whistle and blow into the gates of the Sohma Estate. Not a single soul walks in the paths. The leaves fall and gather under most trees in the roads. The large Sohma gate creaks and rattles. Not even the sun dares to shine from behind the gray clouds-

"It-it's beautiful Shigure." Tears flow down my cheeks. The sun shines down on my new house as if it had descended from the heavens. My entire vision is covered in sparkle emoticons. I wipe a tear from my under my eye and pull my hands to my face in a praying gesture. "I won't bake you into a pie after all," I say as I place a cardboard box next to my other belongings.

"You don't have to pay to live here, or any of the maintenance bills either. Call it special treatment from Akito, which is something I'd like as well," Shigure says with jazz-hands. He unlocks the the door and slides it in, "Ladies first."

I step into the house. Dust flies everywhere. Only a dim light shines through the windows. "Ah, this brings back memories," Shigure whispers to himself.

"This place clearly hasn't had much fresh air in a while," I sneeze and sniff.

"I'll open some windows. Go on and explore the house so long," Shigure suggests and walks into the house. I peel off my flats and step onto the large floorboards. My feet freely wander in the spacious area as I look around in awe. I can hear Shigure opening doors and windows from other parts of the house. I look out a window. I notice the unmowed lawn, moldy gardening pots and weeds sticking out from below. There's a large tree in the backyard as well.

I walk to the doorway of a room which I assume is the kitchen and flick the light switch. I wait for a lightbulb to glow. Nothing? I flick the switch rapidly and stare at the lightbulb. Shigure must've heard as I hear footsteps getting closer. I look around the kitchen and my attention is drawn to markings on the wall. Huh, that's cute. Must be measurements from the previous owner's kids. I read the kanji of the wall from the highest marking. 

'Shigure' 

I look lower. 

'Moon'

"Kazu-chan!" My attention is drawn to Shigure and away from the marked wall. "I heard you flicking the lights and came to check. The electricity will be turned back on when you move in tomorrow. I had it turned off when I moved out earlier this year."

"Ah, so that's why your name was on this wall," I confirm.

"Yes. Might I add that I was very proud with my height as a child. Also, I'll be leaving you here for a while. I have to speak with your new roommate." My face is filled with confusion. "You didn't think you would live here alone, did you? A zodiac member still has to watch over you. It's just not going to be me," he reassures me. Should I be relieved or disappointed?

"At first, I thought of asking my brother if he could but I know he would've declined. I don't think he would've liked the idea of sharing his old home in this boring estate." Shigure walks to the front door and I follow. 

"Oh, you have a brother?" Now I understand why there was another name on the wall.

"Yes, but he doesn't seem very fond of me. I tried visiting him at work once, but they said he was busy. That's when I got into the elevator and poof. A red panda. I tried my best to think of a bluff, you know. Once we got to the ground floor, I took you home and boom, chapter two."

 "Thanks for clearing that up. It must've been a great task for you back then."

Shigure slides open the front door, "Truth be told, you were a bit heavy. Anyway, I must be off now. Feel free to roam around the house more. It's partially yours after all"

"This doesn't feel right. There's no way I could live here for free! There has to be some sort of payment!"

"Well, let's just say you're paying with you zodiac curse."