A Personal Note:

My name is Hae Jang Lee and I am currently in the works of re-writing, re-editing, and re-creating the Fruits Basket AU fan fiction, "Omiai." After nearly a two year absence I have been taking care of my wonderful daughter, Madison, and completing high school. I'm currently enrolled in college, taking a few classes due to the pressures of raising an overly rambunctious 1 and a half-year-old—whom I love deeply. However, to be honest, I had lost interest in the fan fiction world, Fruits Basket, and manga altogether. This is not due to my suddenly falling out of love with it, but rather of the strains and challenges that one meets in life.

Unfortunately I’m not the type of person who can handle stress well, considering how young I was then and now. But even so, my love, I suppose, “re-awakened” when my parents bought my daughter her own copy of “Totoro.” Oh, you can imagine how much I thoroughly enjoyed watching it with her and being able to relive my childhood. I thought of how truly wonderful it is to share this experience with this young soul. And although she cannot truly comprehend the scenes, the words, or the messages behind these extraordinary stories, I couldn’t help but think of how these tales, these simple though significant works of live fiction had changed my life. Of course one could always say, “but it’s only a cartoon…”. But is it?

Before I close this note, however, I must express my deepest apologies to my readers who had stuck with me during my first year and a half whilst writing this fiction. I won’t deny abandoning the story and I won’t conjure up 101 excuses for refusing you an intact story. You had shown me the kindness of reviewing my stories and reassuring me through a difficult time in my life. So, to you, I apologize and thank you.

Love,

Hae Jang