Her Rabbit (Fruits Basket)

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Tohru said parting words to our mom's picture as we made our way out of the tent.

Yes tent. We live in a tent. It's kinda complicated to explain but basically our mom passed away last May and our grandfather had to care of things before letting us move in.

I followed her as we crossed the log that led to the path that took us out of the woods.

"Hm Hinata.. I didn't know there was a house here?" She said aloud.

"Huh?" I peeked to where she was looking. A rather cozy looking house sat comfortably in the woods. We changed direction and looked through the door.

"Ah! Hinata look! Cute!" Tohru squealed looking at small figurines.

"Aw! They're so cute, look at the rabbit." I smiled.

"Oh dear. It seems two pretty girls have stumbled upon my home." A carefree voice spoke suddenly. I yelped and tripped, landing on my butt. My cheeks flared red. Could this get anymore embarrassing?

"Ah I'm sorry for looking around without your permission!" Her cheeks flared almost as red as mine. I stood up and followed her flustered example more calmly.

"Sorry sir." I said softly. I wasn't really good around people. My adoptive mother tried to get me to be more outgoing and bold like her but I ended up even more timid and meek.

And ever since she died this May, it's gotten even harder. She was always there encouraging me. She took me in at a young age with no questions asked. I couldn't be more grateful.

"It's okay. I put them out for sunshine. Look if you want." He said kindly.

"I would have thought young people like you would think it's boring." He said.

"The twelve animal ornaments look very cute!" Tohru said brightly.

"Really? I like them too." He said bending to look at them.

"But there's no cat."

I looked over to see she was right. All the animals were lined up except for the cat.

"Ah so you heard the Chinese Zodiac story." He said.

"Yeah. Mom used to tell Hinata and I that story."

"I felt so bad for the cat I decided instead of being a dog I would be a cat." I remembered that. Back then, I had merely stared at my adoptive sister in confusion.

"So your real sign is a dog? No wonder I feel so close to you. Because I am also a dog!" He said.

"Huh?" Tohru asked in confusion.

Suddenly a bag was dropped on his head.

"You look like a pedophile like this. Shame on you for moving closer and closer." A voice said.

I looked up and immediately regretted it when I came face-to-face with Tohru's school 'prince'. I took a small step behind Tohru.

"Ow! It hurts! What did you put in your bag? A porcelain bowl or a dictionary?" The guy asked.

"Mmm two dictionaries."

"Honda-san are you okay? I hope my cousin didn't do anything weird."

"S-Sohma! Good morning!" Tohru bowed blushing.

"Don't make it sound like I'm a pervert!"

"So are you actually Yuki's classmate?" The guy asked.

"I'm Sohma Shigure, Yuki's cousin." Shigure said.

"How are you? My name is Honda Tohru and this is Honda Hinata." She gestured to me.