This fanfiction took me quite a while to write, but it needed to be done and made into a Yukiru. I returned from the AnimeNEXT ‘07 convention yesterday, and am currently FB cosplay crazy. Amazing Yuki and Tohru cosplayers, nya! They made me so happy. I wanted to hug them. Everything was perfect. Their masquerade skit had me dying. My camera didn’t tape it (NO!). I hope someone uploads it on youtube.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket, the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, or the song “From a Distance” sung by many, including Megumi Ogata ((swoons)) XD

Dedication: This fic is for AssassinedAngel, because she’s awesome and it’s her birthday. Whooo!

-Note that this story starts before Tohru lives with the Sohma family-

-.-.-.-.-.-

The curvy writing, always praised by her teachers and friends, ceased in its calligraphy like display as she wrote:

Thus the “scarlet letter” burns on every chest, even now, in a less visible sense. Humanity has become more blind, and in a way, more tolerant. Yet people still feel shame, they still regret- this is why hearts will forever be scarred, forever bearing an emblem of their sins.

Tohru Honda stared out the window by her side, watching colored leaves shudder in approaching winter’s breeze. A few golden treasures fell from a nearby oak and she watched them flitter down, touching the browning grass. With this she tapped her blue ink pen against the heading of her paper. Five minutes remained in the period, and even so, she couldn’t focus enough to proofread the essay she’d just written on the customs and beliefs of Puritan New England.

The topic bored her when reading it within a dull textbook, yet when she placed herself in the time era, she had to admit there was a certain fascination. To think people “caught in the act” would be forced to wear red letters symbolizing their crimes upon their bosom till death… and even more fascinating was the thought of all those who lived with their impure acts secretly. Humanities darkest sins were those never bared to the public eye and that was what made her so entranced.

Her gaze wandered, and she glanced over at her classmates. How many of them had secrets? How many would rather die with them than expose the truth, than expose their beautiful yet wounded hearts? She was happy to say she was a good person, and doubted she would ever wear a scarlet letter, literally or metaphorically speaking. However, she still wondered about others, not that she was judging- she was merely curious.

As any creature with vision is, her eyes were soon drawn to the most unusual color in the room. With highlights shining like the reflection of stars in dark waters, a mass of short angled silver hair soon gained her attention. Prince Yuki Sohma, or so he was called, had stood from his chair to place his test on the teacher’s desk. This reminded her to hand in her own paper, and as she stood, she brushed shoulders with the tall violet-eyed youth. She allowed her gaze to follow him back to his seat, where he then removed a deep red sweater from the back of his chair and slipped it on over his uniform.

Oh yes, in case one couldn’t guess, he had just become her object of momentary obsession. That scarlet sweater was now linked with scarlet sins in her mind and she couldn’t stop herself from sitting back down, and turning her head in his direction once more. I know I’m silly, she felt a smile on her lips, crazy even. As if the “perfect” Sohma-kun would have secrets to hide.

Still, even a figment of mystery excited her, and she would play her psychological game a little longer. Yet all her delightful mind illusions were cut short when Yuki caught her staring and raised his eyebrows in question. She wasn’t exactly one of his fangirls despite the fact she found him attractive; thus he wasn’t used to her ogling him. Tohru sweatdropped and smiled a bit more. Fighting down a blush she gave him a small wave. He returned the gesture, seemed satisfied, and returned to fishing around in his bag for something.

A couple of minutes later the bell rung and Tohru jumped from her seat. It was the end of the day, and considering she had an early lunch period, she was now starving. Rushing out of the room, she ran to her locker and switched out her binders for those she’d need for homework. She was glad she didn’t have much to do that day, having done her harder assignments the night before.

Tossing on her jacket, she wasted no time in leaving school grounds. A chilly breeze greeted her on the sidewalk and she shivered, a bright smile lighting up her features. She loved the cold. Summer heat made her sluggish and fried her brain, yet winter was absolutely delightful to her. Her mother used to think her insane for this idea, yet she respected her daughter’s opinions.

Looking both ways Tohru crossed the street and began making her way home; it took about 20 minutes to walk there since she couldn’t exactly take a school bus to her new dwellings. Shifting the backpack on her shoulder she sighed contently, settling down to disperse the just-released-from-school jitters. Placing her hands in her coat pockets she quickly glanced around- no one. Good, she grinned, Very good.

Taking a small breath of crisp air she began to sing quietly, something she found made her very happy, yet she was far too shy to sing when others were around.

“From a distance the world looks blue and green, and the snow capped mountains white,”

She looked up at the gray sky, thankful the merciless hot sun wasn’t beating down on her,

“From a distance the ocean meets the stream, and the eagle takes to flight.”

She paid close attention to the lyrics she sung,

“From a distance there is harmony, and it echoes through the land. It’s the voice of hope, it’s the voice of peace, it’s the voice of every man,”

Yet, was it only so from a distance? Were all things just the opposite up close, in reality?

“From a distance we all have enough and no one is in need- and there are no guns, no bombs, no disease, no hungry mouths to feed...”

How terrible to think that such things existed. Just as it was horrible to think there were really scarlet letters hidden under the flesh and material exterior of living creatures,

“From a distance we are instruments marching in a common land, playing songs of hope, playing songs of peace, they’re the songs of every man…”

She turned a corner completely oblivious to the figure gradually approaching from behind,

“God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us… from a distance.”

Ah, God, she wondered what he thought of Earth sometimes. Was it a rebellious child, an infant still learning, easy to forgive, neglected or loved…? So many questions! She wished her brain would just be quiet sometimes,

“From a distance you look like my friend, even though we are at war. From a distance I just cannot comprehend what all this fighting is for…”

A shadow soon fell beside her own, and still she failed to notice, staring absently at a few prancing squirrels ahead.

“From a distance there is harmony and it echoes through the land. It’s the hope of hopes, it’s the love of loves, it’s the heart of every man. It’s the hope of hopes, it’s the love of-”

A flash of silver choked her words and she turned, shocked to find she’d bumped elbows with someone. “Sohma-kun?” The surprise was evident in her voice and he chuckled. How long was he next to me?! She panicked internally, praying he hadn’t heard her singing to herself.

“Would you mind some company on your way home? I’m heading in the same direction.” He offered, his beautiful gaze pouring into hers.

Tohru shifted uncomfortably, “I-I’m sorry, I wouldn’t want to be a burden.” Being caught walking with Yuki would surely mean death by his fan club, “Please, have a nice day.” She bowed and hurried to the end of the block, her backpack tucked tightly under her arm. Unfortunately that force brought by nervousness also snapped one of her fruit themed key-chains, and it fell with a light tap to the cement crosswalk.

Yuki saw the item fall, picked it up, and rushed after her, “Honda-san, wait!” She reluctantly halted and turned half way, “Yes?” He reached the spot she stood, taking her hand to place the charm in it, “You dropped this.” He closed her fist around the plastic strawberry, yet didn’t let go immediately. She didn’t know what else to say besides, “Thank you…”

With his warm fingers still wrapped around hers, he spoke, his eyes suddenly refusing meet her own, “Forgive me if this sounds strange, but there is a reason I’d like to walk with you, if only for a little while,” she blinked unable to stop her brain from buzzing with questions, all of which she held back, letting him explain. “I want to know your opinion on something.”

Knowing Tohru wasn’t going to run, he released her and she opened her mouth, “Honesty is always the best thing,” She smiled, “you should’ve said so in the first place.”

“Sorry,” he was a bit embarrassed and she let a giggle escape.

“Yet before I help you, why would my view on something be of value?” She asked curiously. He finally returned to matching her gaze, “Well, because I think your writing is amazing.”

Tohru’s face: O.o ?!

He laughed, “I help out the literary teachers after school, and more often than not, I’m asked to grade papers. It’s become somewhat of a hobby of mine… reading your work, creative assignments or even deductions of novels. Your philosophy on life is fascinating, and your sense of justice almost naïve.” He paused for a moment, “Your evaluation of human nature makes me wonder. What do you think of me?”

Naturally she was caught off guard, “Sohma-kun…”

“You don’t have to tell me immediately,” he continued, “After all, you don’t exactly know me, nevertheless…when you have a clue, let me know.” With that said, he turned, leaving her alone. With both amazement and perplexity she stared after him. Unexpectedly, and after such silence, a strong wind whistled past tangling those retreating and sinfully mysterious silver locks.

How odd, she half expected the young man to disappear, an illusion of her overactive imagination. Yet all that stole him out of view was his form turning around the corner of the block. Glancing down she went to see the damage she’d done to her key chain, happy to find it wasn’t scratched.

She let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding, returning her thoughts to Yuki, “Is he serious?” Heck, was he expecting her to be the next Sigmund Freud? Which reminded her, she didn’t like that guy. “Father of Psychology” her butt; he was just an old weird guy. Yet back on topic, did Yuki really want her to dissect his character? Who would want that? She certainly wouldn’t want someone she hardly knew prying at the secrets and shadows of her heart. “Maybe…he’s crazy?”

-.-.-.-.-.-

That night Tohru lay in her sleeping bag, staring at the drooping ceiling of her yellow tent home. She had managed to brush off thinking of Yuki for the last few hours, too indulged in working, eating supper, and finishing up homework. But now that there was nothing left to do, and since the crickets around her hardly served as distracting, she was left to ponder his words.

Of course it was inevitable, never before had she been given a more difficult task. Diving into the soul of a fictional character was one thing, into the soul of another living creature was something else entirely. Was he just messing with her, or was there truly something he wanted to her find? Some fault? Some dark secret? Maybe he killed someone?!

Yep, there goes that imagination again.

Okay, let’s go back to the start of it all, she bit her lower lip in mild frustration, “Mmm…” She didn’t remember where it started. Sad, huh? She couldn’t recall her first encounter with the princely phantom. She fast-forwarded to the beginning of the school year. Surely there would be some hint there.

An hour later she’d pretty up come up with absolutely nothing.

Bong!

So went a distant clock tower signaling a new hour, most likely eleven o’ clock or midnight. She wasn’t very good with time. Turning over, she pulled the blankets up over her head trying to wipe her mind blank. It worked, and before she knew it she’d fallen into a state of partial unconsciousness.

While flittering between this world and that of dreams, a faint tapping began to irritate her forming fantasies. At first she dismissed it as the ticking of a clock, only after she realized she had a digital clock and the clock tower was too far away to be heard ticking did she open her eyes. Sitting up, the sheets fell to gather around her waist. “Huh?” She blinked, rubbing away the sleep that clouded her vision.

There was a scuffle, some more tapping, and silence. Tohru crawled forward and unzipped the entrance to her tent, peeking out. A few mice were playing outside her “house”, and she smiled. Cute. She watched them a bit longer, eventually concluding they were rats, not mice, given their size. Either way, she still considered them adorable, and over all, not a threat. She returned to her blankets, happy furry animals present in her dreams as she fell back asleep.

-.-.-.-.-.-

Yuki sat in the library, grading some papers as a favor. A male teacher sat across from him, doing the same, though focused more on his dying red pen. Oh, how he loved to correct his students when they were wrong. Breaking from fussing with the tool he glanced up, suddenly noticing something, “Sohma, you’ve been grading that same essay for the last half hour.”

“Have I now?” he raised his eyes from the handwriting he’d come to admire, “I lose track of things when I’m reading her work.”

“Her?”

Yuki let her name escape his lips and the teacher raised his eyebrows, “Is she the one with the gold ribbons in her hair today?” The teen felt a pang of some unknown emotion- it felt like possessiveness, yet maybe it was disgust. Why was a teacher looking at Tohru enough to memorize her hair ties? Was he some sort of pervert like Shigure? He fought away his mind’s accusation, simply saying, “Yes, she likes to match the season I suppose.”

“That’s cute.” The teacher continued attempting to revive his pen.

Another pang. “Mm,” Yuki tried to keep himself from glaring and chose to reread Tohru’s essay once again as a distraction. Amazing.

-.-.-.-.-.-

A few days later, Tohru woke up, dressed, and left her little tent with a quick good-bye to the picture of her mother inside. “It’s so sunny!” she commented while looking joyfully towards the sky. The night had been a cold and windy one, so she was happy for the sun’s warmth on her face. She began her walk to school, figuring she had enough time to take a small detour along a second path she’d only seen two days before. The woods really are beautiful in the morning. She gazed at a stream, making her way across the wooden makeshift bridge above it. The gentle flow of water soothed her mind, which by the way, was completely Yuki free. Since he hadn’t approached her, she’d come to believe he’d been joking.

Tohru’s eyes wandered and she soon found herself staring at a house down the grassy, tree filled slope she stood on. Curiosity got the best of her and she went over to it, discovering a collection of animal ornaments out on the front porch drying. With a small squeal of delight, she realized they were all animals of the Chinese Zodiac. She also noted with slight disappointment the cat was missing- surely keeping along with the old ledged she’d loved as a child (and still loved even now).

She’d hardly studied the detail on the animals when a dark haired man stepped out to greet her. Naturally she was embarrassed, apologizing for trespassing, and quickly complimenting the Zodiac ornaments he’d painted. He was nice to her, laughing off her flustered panic. She started to relax, but was sent back into a small state of alarm as Yuki came out of the house she stood before, hitting the first man with his book bag. She stared at him wide-eyed. It didn’t take long for Yuki to acknowledged her presence, a trace of surprise crossing his features, “Honda-san? What brings you here?”

She redirected her attention to the ground, not wanting to lie yet not wanting to confess she was staying in a tent, “Oh… I, uh, live nearby.” She told him, truthfully. Yuki didn’t question her further, instead inviting her to walk with him to school. Once out of earshot from his cousin, he asked, “Have you thought about what I said?”

Tohru couldn’t gather courage to look at him, “A little, but I’m sorry. I couldn’t think of anything…” She hadn’t seen the image of slight disappointment on his face, “That’s okay, don’t worry about it.” He’d been hoping Tohru, the girl who wrote such insightful essays, could see through his façade. Yet it seemed she could only examine that which was written in books, plain in her view. Still, he found it odd. How could such a cheerful and oblivious classmate write the way she did? It didn’t make sense.

They walked together in silence, parting at the school gates. Yet as the fates would have it, they met again leaving school as well- this time with more conversation, mostly about the Chinese Zodiac. And afterward, Tohru was left with more mystery than before. Yuki really made her brain hurt. After work that night, exhausted and still having homework to finish, Tohru crawled into her tent. She grabbed a towel, hoping to wash up in a nearby stream, but never got the chance… Shigure and Yuki were standing there in the dark, pure shock evident in their eyes as they looked down at her. She too was shocked, too much so to be bothered by Shigure’s fit of laugher that began a second later.

She was taken into their home, offered a place to stay, and hours later discovered why Yuki had asked her to evaluate his character. He was cursed. Cursed because whenever he was hugged by a member of the opposite gender, he’d transform into a rat- the same went for other members of the family, all possessed by animals of the Chinese Zodiac, including the cat.

So that was Yuki’s “scarlet letter”, his deep dark secret. She wouldn’t exactly call it a sin, but she could understand why he wouldn’t want people to know about it. The curse undoubtedly scarred his heart.

Hours turned to days, and days to weeks. The Sohma family was accepting of Tohru, and she was happier than she’d been in a while. Living in a home filled with people she could help was much better than living alone in a tent. While cooking dinner, she was joined by Yuki. They’d become close while residing under the same roof, and Tohru was glad to say he wasn’t as mysterious. He was simply calm, and warm. She enjoyed his company very much.

“Do you need any help, Honda-san?”

She shook her head, “Nope, I’m almost done.” She didn’t noticed how close he was, and as she turned to face him, they collided. A poof of colored smoke informed her she’d just transformed the poor guy… again. Not a day went by without her hugging or bumping into someone. She hated her klutzy self sometimes, “I’m so sorry!” She bent down, lifting the tiny rodent into her hands. She didn’t need to pick him up whenever he transformed, but it was a habit she’d acquired. He was just too cute and furry for her to resist. Holding him made her want a pet rat, but she didn’t think her confessing that would comfort him.

“It’s fine,” he looked up at her, seeing the worry and care in her eyes. He felt small next to her, not because of his current size, but because of his admiration of her. It far extended from the writing that had originally caught his attention. Tohru was sweet, she was patient, she was kind- she made him feel horrible. Horrible because he was none of those things. He was a lair, wearing a mask at school, wanting people to like him without really knowing him. Why couldn’t he be more like Tohru? Why couldn’t he be as perfect as her? Maybe then he could stand beside her and be proud, not feel like a coward.

“Honda-san?”

“Yes?”

He voiced his contemplations, “Do my imperfections disgust you?”

Tohru thought it silly of him to wonder such a thing, “You’re not perfect, and that’s what’s so wonderful!” She lifted him from her lap, “Like puzzle pieces scattered on a floor, not one soul is complete alone. You’re flawed so you can become perfect, no, not the world’s perfect, but her perfect.” She believed in soul mates, feeling everything was the way it was for a reason, “When you find her, you will be perfect in the only eyes that matter. Without having to change anything about yourself, you’ll fit absolutely perfectly.”

“Honda-san,” He felt his doubts yield to the power of her passionate words, “I…”

She smiled warmly at him, “You’re not alone. We all have to find the one who sees us as perfect. When you find her, Sohma-kun, and I’m sure it’ll all make sense.”

He stared at her in awe, yet a second poof of smoke removed him from her grasp. She hid her face in her hands as he dressed quickly. Yuki returned to sitting, reaching out, wrapping his fingers around hers carefully, I don’t need to find her. He kissed Tohru’s knuckles and she blushed, her heart skipping a beat. “S-Sohma-kun?” She didn’t mean to sound nervous, but no one had ever acted so gentlemanly towards her.

“You’re right,” he looked up into her beautiful eyes, the same ones that had tormented him, innocent yet full of wisdom. She was right. She was always right. About him. About Life. About everything.

Scars dig deep into the heart, into the soul, both marked eternally by sins. Carved permanently into the flesh, the scarlet letters of life may have hurt when inflicted but are worth the pain. His curse had led him to hope. And as she said, the disfigurement made at least one thing easier- finding that single person meant for him. That soul would be blind to him, as love so often is, and accept him despite flaws. One can find perfection only through imperfections.

“I’m right?” She questioned.

His smile brightened, “Yes,” he leaned over, brushing his lips softly against her cheek. He caught her pleasantly off guard, and as he stood, he left her warmed from head to foot. “Thank you.” He winked and retreated with the biggest truest smile he’d worn in quite some time. He leaned his back against the wall outside the kitchen, her words lingering in his mind. It was nice to think there was someone out there ready and willing to accept him and his flaws, yet at the same time, he didn’t to meet that person. He had Tohru. His wise and beautiful Tohru. As long as he had her, he’d be content with any scars because they didn’t bother her.

-.-.- -.-.-

Laundry.

Why was there so much laundry?

Tohru stood in front of a massive heap of clothing, all of which needed washing. She and her companions had finally returned from the Sohma summer home, meaning an end to fun, and a return to chores. All the clothes from vacation had to be cleaned, then put away. Attempting to sort the darks from lights, Tohru’s eyes latched onto a sweater she hadn’t seen in ages. She pulled it from the pile, running her touch over the crimson cotton fabric. She knew it was Yuki’s, but she didn’t recall him wearing it recently, not that she was going to debate it. She smiled slightly, remembering the only time she the color on him.

“Honda-san,” Yuki walked into the laundry room, internally grimacing at all the clothes he knew she was about to wash. He felt guilty she had to do so much. Yet that wasn’t the reason he’d come to her. He needed to tell her something he’d come to terms with a day before. He walked over, taking the sweater from her grip so he could hold her hands, “I wanted to let you know that I found her.”

“Found her…?” Tohru didn’t recall the conversation they’d had months ago, the one Yuki was referring to. Then again, he was kind of glad she didn’t since he didn’t have the strength to tell her his feelings straight out yet. Tohru was perfect, and he loved her. He only hoped she could feel the same about him. He chuckled at her confusion, “Nevermind.” He looked down at the clothing covered floor, “Mind if I help?”

“That’d be great!” She beamed. Chores were always fun with Yuki. He was so nice to her. He really is a prince, she though as she watched him trying to figure out if the red sweater belonged in the dark or light pile, He’s perfect.

-.-.- -.-.-

…done? I feel like this fic may have been confusing, though I really hope it wasn’t. Please tell me I didn’t confuse anyone! I think some of my metaphors make more sense if you’ve read Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter.

I’ll be placing a link up soon on my bio to the Yukiru fansite I’m working on. HTML hates me, but I’m determined to win over it.

And three cheers for AssassinedAngel! Everyone go and wish her a Happy Birthday!

-SilverYouko300