Like a Switch [Fruits Basket]

Chapter 23

A/n: the movie I will mention actually came out in Japan in December 1999. However for the sake of a fanfic let's say it comes out in May.

Like a Switch
Chapter Twenty-three

"Don't you want to go see the movie with us?" Tohru asked the polite young man in front of us. "I thought you had been looking forward to seeing it."

Yuki smiled politely as he sat at his spot at the table. Truth was that he had been looking forward to the movie. He and Tohru had tentatively made plans to see it with her friends last month. However, there had been some changes in his life since then.

"I'm afraid I cannot attend. I have conflicting plans that I can't get out of. But you should go Miss Honda. You deserve it and I'm sure that you'll have fun with your friends," the smile on his face was completely natural and convincing.

He did want her to go see the movie. The Disney film Tarzan had received positive reviews in other countries. And it had seemed like an interesting idea. Normally he didn't like childish cartoons but the way that Tohru's face had lit up when she saw a commercial advertising for the new Disney release made him see past that. That being said he found himself a bit unable and unwilling to go. He didn't want to tell Tohru the real reason as to why because he didn't want her to feel guilty. So he decided to tell her that he had other business to attend to. She could think whatever she wanted about that.

"I see. Are you sure Yuki?"

"I'm very sure. Please go have fun and enjoy yourself," The smile on his face paired well with the gentle tilt of his head. Tohru practically saw sparkles.

It didn't take too much longer after that to convince Tohru to go to the movies with her friends. Shortly after she used the house's phone to call them and set up all of the details. Meanwhile Yuki made a few plans of his own. Though he didn't need to check in with any friends as Tohru had. His plans were slightly more singular than that. And so he kept quiet as he waited for Tohru to leave so that his deception didn't offend her. That was one of the last things he wanted to do. Thankfully once the matter had been settled she didn't poke and prod him for more answers.

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Shigure looked up from the book he was reading as he heard one of outer doors closed. Most might not have been able to hear it with how quiet it had been but Shigure was not most people. There were some advantages with being cursed as they were. Not many mind you and they tended to be more trouble than they were worth. Regardless, all of those cursed by the Zodiac had aspects of their respected zodiac animal and an affiliation with those types of animals as well. But right now none of the traits he'd gotten from his canine sign felt like a gift. Everything felt like it had been dialed up to eleven. He'd taken more pills for headaches in the last couple of weeks than he cared to admit.

There were certain scents in the air that just wouldn't go away; particularly yours. In the last two weeks your scent kept coming to him like one big tease. At first he thought it was his mind playing tricks on him. But then he found that it was strongest in Yuki's room. Though after the issue over the silly pillow, Yuki had locked his door every time he was away. Which was unfair as Shigure wanted to know what Yuki had that still smelled like you. Especially considering that your scent had otherwise faded after that first week. But with the locked door he had not been able to get through. It was a tease too as Yuki had gone out every other night for the past week.

It had only taken Shigure two days to put together where his younger cousin was going every time he went out. It was especially easy as Yuki always came back smelling like you. It was faint and not the exact same combination of scents from a mint and a half ago that had driven him nearly mindless, but it was from you regardlessly. Which was exactly why Shigure took such interest as Yuki went out for the night again.