Fruits Basket

***Mikey***

Mikey stood in front of the door to the family home, but it was not a home, it was a mansion surrounded by smaller homes that were about the same size as the house he lived in. Mikey held the letter in his hand that Bob sent him. He had not heard from Bob or any other family member all summer long. They were into the new school year already, and it was passed fall, moving into winter. The school uniforms had changed from the short sleeve button down to long sleeves and sweater. Mikey always found it interesting that the guy's pants became a heavier fabric, and the skirts became a little longer, just below the knees. Mikey had to laugh when the new uniforms were sent to the house, and among the boy’s pants was a brand new winter weight skirt.

”Are you shitting me? Have they not figured out that you are a boy yet?!”

”Um… actually Frank, I asked for the skirt again. I just got used to the uniform and...”

*smack*

Mikey jumped as Gerard slapped Frank up side the head.

”Oh it’s on now bitch!”

”Bring it alley cat!”

”Uh… guys, I, really no, it’s okay and…”

”Give it up kiddo. Just let them fight. Come keep me company, I will show you my newest batch of fan letters.”

”Oohhh, okay Bren.”

”It was not too long after that Mikey received the letter from Bob.”

”Dear Mr. Rush,

”You are cordially invited to the family home on November fifteenth at noon for lunch. There is no need to RSVP, just be prompt please.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert Bryar PhD.

Mikey had claimed that he was on his way to see Tommy and Zack that day, and he slipped out with just a wave to Gerard and Brendon. Now he was standing trying to get the courage to pull the ornate cord and announce his arrival. He took a deep breath and reached out with a trembling hand. Just as he was about to pull on it he heard a voice.

”The door is open you know.”

Mikey looked up and saw Pete casually sitting on the wall of the gate that surrounded the property. He was swinging his legs and smiling brightly at Mikey. Mikey smiled back, grateful to see a familiar face. He watched Pete jump down inside the wall, and disappear from view. Mikey carefully pushed the door open.

”Pardon my intrusion.”

”Silly, you are not intruding, you were invited!

Pete ran up to Mikey and hugged him tightly, picking him up and swinging him around. Mikey could not help but giggle at how awkward they must look because Pete was shorter than him, like Frank.

”Okay okay *giggle* put me down Pete!”

”Only if you give me a kiss.”

”Okay!”

Pete put Mikey down and then closed his eyes and puckered his lips. Mikey chuckled and leaned in and kissed the top of Pete’s head.

”Hey, that is not fair!”

”Hey, you did not say where to kiss you.”

”Peter! It’s too cold out here to be fooling around. Come in now!”

Pete sulked and stuck his tongue out at Mikey. Mikey smirked and quickly licked it back. Pete stumbled back wide eyed and Bob laughed.

”Welcome Michael to the family home.”

”Thank you Bob.”

They walked off leaving a stunned Pete in the yard.

*

*

*

***Brendon***

”Fuck, where is he?”

”Who?”

”Who do you think you mangy mutt!?”

”He means Michael.”

Brendon looked over at Gerard who was lazily watching TV with his lower body tucked into the kotatsu. He waved his hand above his head while he talked.

Frank scoffed at him, and turned his attention back to Brendon for the answer.

”Mikey went to his friend’s house for a visit.”

”Oh, which one's?”

”Mmmm, Tommy and Zack.”

”Really, that’s funny because I passed them in town on my way home.”

Now Gerard looked up at Brendon who looked as though he was thinking about something. He got up and started to head for the door.

”Where the fuck are you going mutt?”

”I have to go to the house and make sure that the preparations are going well for the New Years celebration.”

”What about Mikey!?”

”I am sure everything is fine. I will be back later. Stay warm guys.”

Gerard waved at him and Frank shot him the finger. Brendon chuckled and walked out the door.

*

*

*

***Bob***

”So I am sure you understand my concern. An outsider has knowledge of our curse and you are not even the least bit phased.”

”Well, the curse is not your fault, so why should I blame you guys.”

”Be that as it may, my advice is for you to move out and leave. Go back to your relatives. Nothing good can come of you being here. This life is not a bed of sunshine.”

Bob could see that Mikey was in shock from his bluntness, but Bob did what he thought he needed to do. He could not have Mikey’s life ruined like hers was. Mikey was about to say something when Pete burst into the room.

”Hey Mikey Mikes, come on, let me give you a tour of the place!”

”But but but, I am Bob’s guest here and…”

”It’s alright. I have some paper work to do anyway. Being a private family doctor is not easy. Ville takes up most of my time anyway.”

”Yay! Come on Mikey!”

”Alright Bob, we will be back, I guess.”

Pete waved at Bob as he took Mikey’s hand and pulled him in the direction of the door. He watched the door close and sighed. He spun his chair around and looked up at the shelf. At her picture.

”Hi, pleased to meet you. I’m Jamia. It’s funny that we belong to the same family, and I have never met you before. I am looking forward to working with you and learning from you.

Bob paid little attention to what the slip of a girl said. He walked over to the desk that would be hers and place a pile of folders on it.

”This is where you will be working and…”

”Oohhh!"

Bob turned around to see the girl with her face pressed against the glass of his office.

”It’s snowing! I knew it would! Hey, do you know what happens when the snow melts?”

Bob furrowed his brow.

”It turns to water and…

"*bzzzz* Wrong Robby, it becomes spring! It is one thing that you can always count on. Every year, winter turns into spring, and everything is awakened and renewed. It is like a second chance at life each year."

Bob pulled down the picture of the raven haired beauty. She was his spring. She awakened in him something he had not felt in a long time.

”Hey Bob, I’m back and oh, sorry. I did not mean to interrupt.”

Mikey walked in through the door and picked up his coat. He moved to leave through the sliding doors on the porch. Suddenly he gasped.

”Look Bob, it’s snowing!”

Bob walked over and looked out at the snow. He smirked as he watched Mikey’s face light up much like Jamia’s did.

”Hey Michael, do you know what happens to snow when it melts?”

Bob watched Mikey think about it. He was ready to scold him like Jamia had done.

”Sure, it turns into spring!”

Bob was in shock that he answered with the same reason Jamia gave. He stared at Mikey in awe as he looked out at the falling softness. He reached his hand out and watched it melt in his palm. Bob’s room overlooked the family rock garden. The rocks had a fine sheet of ice blanketing them.The ground already had a decent covering on it too, the sand could no longer be seen.

”When spring comes, everything awakens and renews. It is like a second chance at life each year.”

Bob was silent as he regarded the waif like boy standing next to him. Mikey reached out to catch another snowflake, but the porch had become slippery and he lost his footing. As he slipped he spun backwards and started to tip over. Bob saw that his head was aimed right for one of the largest rocks in the garden.

”Mikey!”

Bob reached out and grabbed for Mikey, but realized the momentum would pull them both down so he flipped them so Mikey was on top and he went crashing to the ground in the snow.

***Mikey***

*cough cough cough*

”Bob? Bob!?”

”*groan* Right here.”

Mikey looked down and saw that he was lying on top of Bob, but a very different looking Bob.

”Uh… Bob?”

”Yeah, I know. Some dragon huh?”

Mikey sat up and looked at Bob. He had a long scaled tail that curled around between his legs. It was not the tail of a dragon though. It was the tail of a seahorse.

”Oh! I get it! It is the sea horse because they are the dragons of the sea!”

”Yeah, apparently, the Gods have a sense of humor when it comes to this curse. I can also get pregnant too.”

”Oh wow! That is just awesome!”

Bob blinked up at Mikey. Mikey was beaming. He reached down and offered Bob and hand. Bob took it and together they returned to the room. Just then Pete came in the door.

”Oh shit Bobby!”

”Yeah, had a little accident. I will be right back, keep Michael company will you Peter?”

”Wait Bob, I could uh… you know.”

”No, I can handle it. Thank you though for the offer.”

Bob left the room and Mikey collapsed on his knees. Pete came forward and hugged him.

”It’s not you, you know.”

”Pete that is the oldest line in the book.”

Mikey watched as Pete laughed and helped him up. They walked over to the porch again, and looked out at the snow falling.

”Did you know that Bob is ninety percent blind in his left eye?”

”No, how? Why?”

”Because he dared to love someone.”

”Tell me about it Pete, please?”

”Jamia was sent to Bob by Ville. No one is sure why Ville does what he does, but there is always a reason behind it. Anyway, they spent so much time working together and eventually fell in love. Jamia did not even care when she found out about the curse. She still loved Bob and she actually loved him even more. They decided that they wanted to get married so they went to seek Ville’s blessing. Ville was not happy.”

”We want to get married Ville. We love each other and ask for your blessing.”

”You think you can make decisions behind my back! You think you know what’s best for the family! Only I know that! How dare you act so impertinent?!”

Ville smashed the vase in front of him and it shattered. One of the pieces streaked across Bob’s eye and sliced it. Blood started pouring from it.

”Bob? Bobby? Oh my Gods, what happened?

Ville dropped to his knees and cradled Bob. He acted like he had no idea how the injury was caused and maybe he didn’t. Ville was like that.

”This is your fault you whore! You think you can come in here and disrupt our lives! You think you are so special that you can lift our curse!? You are weak and useless! Pathetic and unworthy to even be in our presence! Get out! GET OUT!”

”What the fuck is going on!”

Brendon came running in and saw the commotion. He saw Ville advancing on Jamia and he grabbed Ville and held him back. He was spitting obscenities at the poor girl. She was cowering in the corner.

”Vee, come on, calm down.”

”No! Look what she did to my Bobby Bren. She ruined him! YOU FUCKING RUINED HIM! GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE YOU WHORE!”

”Jamia fled the room and Bob continued to look down out of his ruined eye. After that she was not the same. Jamia became depressed. She would lie in bed all day and not eat. Soon she became ill. One day Ville called Bob to him.”

”Bobby, it has come to my attention that miss Jamia is very ill.”

”Yes, she has not eaten a proper meal in a long time and she does not go out anymore. I am so worried about her.”

”Yes, yes, well you know that you can stop her suffering right?”

”I know, I just don’t want her to forget what we had and…”

Ville lifts Bob’s head up. He lightly strokes under his chin with his finger nails. They are long because he hardly cuts them, but he shapes them into wicked talons with a file. He moves his hand down to Bob’s tie and lightly pulls on it so that Bob’s face is closer.

”Now Bobby, that is a rather selfish thing to say, isn’t it? You want this poor girl to continue in her misery so that you can enjoy a memory that makes her cringe?"

Ville moves his face to the side of Bob’s and nuzzles his cheek. He breathes out hot air on Bob’s skin, and purrs in his ear.

”You know what you have to do Bobby. You have to help her to forget. You have to give her back her happiness that she had before she met you. She was happier then, you know that right?”

Bob nods in defeat and Ville smiles against his ear. He nips the lobe with his sharp canines and cause a small bead of blood to form. He licks at it and pulls away to face Bob again.

”A wise decision as always Bobby. Once you are done with her, come to my room.”

Bob nodded and Ville pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. Ville rose and left the room.

”After that Bob went to see Jamia. She was in bed as always with a vacant stare. She looked out the window, but he knew she was not seeing beyond it. She was trapped in her own little world. He placed a hand on thigh and she looked at him.”

”I’m sorry that I kept you here so long. It was selfish of me. I am going to release you now. You will be free again my love.”

Bob leaned forward and lightly brushed Jamia’s lips with his. He then placed a hand over her eyes and a blinding white light emanated from it.

”After that Jamia got better. With her memory erased, she just thought that she had caught a bad case of the flu.”

”It was wonderful working with you Dr. Bryar. I learned so much and promise to make you proud at my next place. Bye!”

Jamia bowed to him and then left the office. He watched out the window as she walked up the stone walk and crossed the threshold of the family property. She turned again to wave, and then was gone.

”That was so sad Pete. Why? Why was Ville so cruel?”

”Because he knows what is best for the family, and always takes care of us.”

Pete and Mikey both looked up as Bob entered the room again. Now Mikey understood why Bob never minded the hair that sat in front of his left eye. He rose quickly and crossed to Bob before he could reach them. He pulled Bob to him by his tie and kissed him hard. At first he could feel Bob’s resistance, but then he felt Bob kiss back and embrace him. He needed Bob to feel everything. His love for the family and his sorrow for the relationship that Bob lost. Mikey pushed all his feelings into the kiss. He hoped that Bob would understand them.

”Well it seems like I got here just in time.”

Mikey pulled away from Bob to see Brendon leaning on the doorway with a smirk on his face. He blushed fiercely and tried to turn away when Bob reached up and cupped his cheek lightly. He turned his face back to him and smiled.

”Thank you Michael. Thank you for understanding everything.”

”You’re welcome Bobby.”

”At a friend’s house for lunch huh?”

Mikey looked down. He hated that he lied to them. Bob placed a hand on his shoulder.

”Well Brendon, it just so happens that I am his friend and we did have lunch.”

”Not like you Bobby, not at all.”

”Aww jealous baby? Well I can have you for dessert you know.”

Mikey’s eyes went wide as Brendon flushed crimson, and Pete just laughed. Bob reached out his hand for Brendon to take.

”Uh… I will be just a moment. Pete, will you walk Mikey out? I will meet you guys at the gate.”

”Sure thing Bren, Come on Mikey Mike!”

*

*

*

***Pete***

Mikey and Pete were waiting by the wall when Brendon came around the corner. Pete had Mikey pushed against the wall and was exploring him with his hands and mouth, very discreetly.

”All right Pete, let the boy breathe.”

”Aww, I was just getting started. He makes the cutest noises you know.”

”Yes, I know.”

”Oh?”

Brendon turned away from Pete and pulled Mikey possessively towards him. Pete smirked. Suddenly a white dove flew above them dropping a single feather. Mikey looked where the feather was and gasped. There was Ville casually draped across the window sill. His room was the only one with round windows. He turned a lazy eye to them and then pulled away. Pete wondered how long he had been there watching them.

”Was that?”

”Yeah, it was.”

”Wow.”

”Yeah, come on Mikey. Let’s go home. “

Mikey hugged Pete again and kissed him on the cheek. Pete let this one slide.

”Pete can you give a message to Bob for me?”

”Sure!”

”Tell him that I am not afraid, I am not ashamed, and I am not leaving.”

”All right I will.”

One last hug and they were gone. Pete looked back over at Ville’s room and wondered what the man had in store for poor Mikey in the future.

*

*

*

***Brendon***

”Hey guys, were back.”

Mikey opened the door and took off his shoes and coat. He handed it to Brendon and he hung it up. They walked into the living room and both laughed. Both Gerard and Frank were cuddled under the Kotatsu and asleep. Brendon made a shhh sign to Mikey, and they both went upstairs. He held Mikey’s hand as they went into his room. Brendon sat on his bed against the head board as Mikey curled in his lap and sighed.

”Do you think what happened to Jamia will happen to me?”

”No Kiddo, I don’t. You are much stronger than she ever was.”

”Will Bob take away my memory if Ville asks him to?”

”I don’t know Kiddo. Probably, but it will be hard for him to. Even harder than it was for him and Jamia.”

”I don’t want to forget you guys ever.”

”I know Mikey, I know.”

Mikey looked up at Brendon and Brendon dipped his head, and gave Mikey a reassuring kiss. Mikey melted into it and Brendon felt his body relaxing. They broke the kiss and Mikey snuggled into Brendon’s chest with a sigh. After a bit he was softly snoring. Brendon held the boy tight and drifted off himself. They would all do whatever it took to protect Mikey from Ville’s wrath and strange ways. They had to. He was special and no one could deny this.

*

*

*

***Gerard***

Gerard was in the grocery store with Mikey as Mikey was looking over the fish selection. He was picking up the different packages and looking at them with wonder.

”So Gee, which fish do you prefer?”

”I like all fish, but I am partial to salmon.”

”Oh good, so that makes it easier. Both Frank and Brendon had said they liked the same kind of fish as well. I just hope I make enough of a feast for New Years Eve dinner.”

”Oh, um… we won’t be home. I thought Brendon told you.”

"You won’t?”

”No, we have a big banquet at the family home, and everyone from the family goes.”

”Oh, okay, well I guess I have too much then. I should put some back.”

Gerard watched as Mikey put most of the food back in his basket till he only had enough for one. He then queued up, paid for it, and they left. Nothing else was said about the situation.

*

*

*

***Frank***

”So are you guys all ready?”

”Fuck, I don’t want to go!”

”No one wants you there anyway.”

”Stupid Rat.”

”All right you guys, have a good time and be safe.”

”Are you sure you will be alright by yourself Mikey?”

”Yes yes, I will be fine. I will see you in a couple days.”

They waved bye to Mikey as they made their way up the path. Frank could see that Gerard was lost in thought as they walked.”

”You know he leaves the window to his room open right?”

”Yeah, he likes the fresh air.”

”Did we tell him to lock the door?”

”Yeah, but knowing him, he will forget.”

”Yeah he would, and he's clumsy too.”

”Yeah, he can trip and fall on his way up or down the stairs.”

”Yeah, but none of us would be there to catch him, and he could be laying there unconscious for all three days we are gone.”

Both Gerard and Frank stopped their banter and stopped walking. Brendon turned around and looked at them.

”Oh come on guys. Mikey is not that bad. You are making yourself paranoid.”

”Yeah, Brendon’s right. We are psyching ourselves out.”

The boys started walking again, with Brendon behind them this time.

”You know though, I do remember reading about a burglar that has been prowling the streets lately.“

The boys stopped again and turned to face Brendon. He stood there with his hand on his chin stroking it thoughtfully.

”Mikey would probably let him in and make him tea. He would want to know what it is like to be a burglar, and ask him how he became one.”

”That is the dumbest fucking thing I ever…”

”So he’s alone huh?”

All three jumped and screamed as Zack appeared out of the shadows.

”Do you know how to say hello normally!?”

”No. So you did not answer my question. Is he home alone?”

”Yeah, he told us to go on and be with our family tonight, that he would be fine.”

”Yes, he told me the same. It seems like he is putting up the same brave front for all of us.”

Frank cocked an eyebrow at Zack.

”What do you mean front?”

”This is Mikey’s first New Years alone, without his mother.”

”What!?”

Both Frank and Gerard exclaimed at once.

”You did not know?”

”No, of course not! We would never have left him alone!”

”The poor kid is probably crying right now.”

”Fuck this, I’m going back. Brendon tell Ville he can go fuck himself. I have more important people to be with.”

”The same Brendon, although not that crass.”

Frank and Gerard both took off for home. Behind him, he heard the fading voices of Brendon and Zack.

”Did you set that up Zack?”

”No, I just told the truth.”

”Hmmm, have a good New Year Zack.”

”May you all have positive energy waves in your future.”

That is all Frank heard as he and Gerard now broke out in a run to get to the house quickly. As they came upon the house they saw that all the lights were out except for a small glow from the living room. They burst into the door and saw Mikey sitting at the table with the picture of his mom and an offering burning in a ceremonial bowl. A lone candle lit the scene.

”Hey guys, what are you doing here?”

Frank reached out and caught the tear that was making its way down Mikey’s cheek. He held it up to Gerard and he nodded.

”So Zack was right, he would have spent the night alone crying.”

”What? You saw Zacky?”

”Yeah and he told us what you told him.”

”*sigh* Zacky worries about me too much. I was alright, really guys.”

”Yeah, well we weren’t.”

Gerard stepped up to Mikey and took his hand.

”I want to watch the sunrise with you.”

Frank took his other hand.

”And I want to be there when the New Year begins.”

Mikey looked at both of them and smiled.

”I would like that very much.”

*

*

*

***Ville***

Ville watched out the window as Brendon appeared alone. He saw Pete run up to him excited. It was the year of the Rabbit so Pete was the one to dance for them. He still remembered when Gerard danced for them. The outfit slipping off his shoulders as he twirled and bent in his performance. Ville remembers getting a taste of that exposed skin later that night. It was delicious. He would do the same for Pete, but it was not as much fun. Pete was not afraid of him like Gerard was. Ville liked that fear, it made everything much better.

”Good evening Vee, Happy New Year.”

”You are alone I see.”

”Yes, Gerard and Frank send their condolences.”

Ville turned away from the window and beckoned Brendon to him. Brendon walked in and sank to his knees in front of Ville. Ville caressed his face with his long sharp nails.

”Do they now? And where are they spending the holiday then?”

”At the house… with him.”

Ville increased the pressure on Brendon’s face and dug his talons in causing rivulets of blood to show. Brendon did not even wince. Ville leaned down and licked up the trail of blood. He licked his lips at the taste.

”Well it is a shame, but there is always next year. I am sure someone will tape Pete’s performance for them.”

”Of course Vee.”

”Well shall we get ready and join the others?”

Brendon remained on his knees as Ville began to disrobe.

*

*

*

***Mikey***

They were on the roof now, just before dawn. Mikey was curled up with his head on Gerard’s shoulder and his legs resting on Frank’s. Frank was drawing lazy circles on his skin and it felt really good. Gerard was just still and his breathing was soothing. Mikey was content. He really did not want to be alone today. He must thank Zack when he saw him next. Mikey briefly closed his eyes and breathed in the fresh cold morning air. He knew that soon it would be February and spring would not be far away. Mikey realized that by then he would have been living with the boys for a whole year. It felt strange to think that it had been longer since he lost his mom. He still had his grandpa, but now Gerard, Frank, Brendon, Pete, and Bob were counted among his family. Mikey felt very lucky indeed.

”Hey, Angel. Wake up, you’re going to miss it.”

Mikey opened his eyes and stretched. He sat up off the boys, and looked out over the roof. The pink rays of the sun were covering the snow blanketed land. He smiled as it rose and chased away the purple and black of the old year and replaced it with the orange and blue of the new one. Mikey turned to Gerard and kissed him.

”Happy New Year Gee.”

”Happy New Year Michael.”

He then turned and kissed Frank. Frank wrapped his arms around his waist and turned it into one of their kind of kisses. Mikey was flushed by the time he pulled away.

”Happy New Year Frankie.”

”It already is Angel, it already is.”

Mikey looked out at the rising sun again. He placed his hand on his heart and whispered into the wind.

”Happy New Year Bren.”

*

*

*

***Brendon***

Everything hurt right now. Brendon dragged himself from the bed he shared and moved over to the round window. He looked out at the rising sun. His ceremonial robe was shredded in places where sharp nails scrapped across it. His body had several of the same markings all over them. He looked out into the new day and the New Year. He heard a voice on the wind. It made him smile and remember better moments. He wanted to make more of them this year.

”Happy New Year Mikey.”

• Part 6 of MCR Hentai Fan Fic
• Part 2 of MCR Anime Fan Fic

Notes

I have no excuses on why this took so long to update except writers block mixed with depression suck. I am slowly getting back my muse though and I think things will be better. I hope those of you reading this one, will be happy with this chapter. It is a bit confusing since it contains a lot of flashbacks, but they are important and easy to identify hopefully.
Mikey gets an invitation to the family home. There he learns a great deal more about Bob. Also it is New Years for the family. Since the point of the fic is the Chinese zodiac, New Years is after our traditional in the US. It is more around the end of January or early February. In the fic , it is the year of the Rabbit. For us this year, it is actually Year of the Horse and a wooden one for the element. Just a fun fact, your truly is year of the Rabbit and my element is wood. Momiji means Rabbit in Japanese. Neyuki is falling snow.
Also a kotatsu is a heater placed under the tables that the Japanese eat on. A thick blanket is placed around the table to enclose the heat in. It is the one time that the legs are allowed to be stretched out under neath. Cool huh? ^0^
Okay guys, enjoy! ^-^