evil-ontheinside

[the-sage-libriomancer]

okay but what if one of the zodiacs Left. what if they packed their bags in the dead of night and ran away, not letting anyone know where they went. what if Yuki escaped Sohma grounds? what if Kazuma took Kyo and bolted? what if Rin or Kureno decided they'd had enough and got the hell out of dodge? i know the bond supposedly keeps them under Akito's thumb and Akito would never let them leave, but what if they tried? what if a near-death experience scared them enough to finally escape. what if they got sick of their life with the Sohmas or were afraid of Akito's wrath and decided to run for the exit while they were desperate enough to try. what if the zodiacs just. left.

[triptychgrip]

Fruits Basket and the temptation to individualize systemic abuse

I certainly wouldn't be the first or last person to think about this, but one thing that I think happens open with Fruits Basket -- or any other piece of media that focuses on generational trauma/systemic abuse -- is that it becomes really easy to focus on an individual perpetrator and to desire for that person to atone for their harm -- in this case, that would be Akito Sohma -- while failing to consider reparations for an abusive system in totality (the Sohma estate and the generations that came before the current zodiac spirits).

And, of course, by focusing so much on the former as opposed to the latter, we often forget that individual perpetrators of abuse are often themselves victims in the system as a whole. NOTE: this does not mean that individuals don't deserve to be held accountable, merely that in the focus on individual accountability, a lot gets left on the table and a lot of nuance gets lost in the shuffle.

The tendency to individualize when it comes to harm is understandable given what we know about human nature; it's much easier to wrap our brains around the concrete in the form of a single emotionally or physically abusive person, rather than to think of an entire system that enables abusive power dynamics to flourish over long periods of time. The latter is so weighty, and if we're talking about pragmatism, reparations offered from a single person are much easier to conceptualize than reparations from the many people who uphold a corrupt system (who are usually indoctrinated from birth to do so).

Spoilers ahead!

We get the sense fairly early on in the manga/anime that the Sohma family is a very powerful one in Japan. As we get further and further into the story, Tohru learns that various people on the "inside" have been responsible for keeping the secret of the zodiac curse (and for allowing the current zodiac spirits to believe that their fate is inevitable). The curse is truly a shackle, and by the point the story begins, it's clear that all of the current spirits -- perhaps with the exception of Shigure who even admits that the curse doesn't really affect him -- feel the heavy weight of its binding.

We learn that Hatori is the only current zodiac member to possess memory suppression, but it's also true that his father once had this ability, and that it was on behalf of Akito and his father that Hatori learned and employed this power (suppressing Kana's memories, Yuki's friends' memories, etc). However, unless I've overlooked something, we never learn Hatori's father's name, or learn about his backstory. Similarly, there are a number of "insider" maids -- some part of the "Ren" faction, and some part of the "Akito" faction -- that we see throughout the story, but we don't know any of their names either, or their backstories. And yet, these maids are a huge part of what enables the corrupt system to flourish (and to a lesser extent, what keeps the power struggle between Ren and Akito going).

I actually find it a little astounding how little focus there is on the maids, considering that 1) they know about the curse, and 2) they are not part of the zodiac, which means they could theoretically defy Akito without enduring emotional or physical turmoil (unlike the zodiac spirits themselves). And honestly, it would have been entirely plausible for them -- at least, in the most practical sense -- to defy her, as we know that Akito is rather frail. Sure, we see her be physically violent at many times throughout the story, but it's a little silly to think that she would be able to hold her own against one or more of them if they teamed up together.

A question that I find myself returning to again and again is: what incentive do the maids have to uphold the corrupt system they are part of?

Does it truly come down to their being raised with a certain set of values, and a disposition to not go against the status quo? Given what we know about Akito, it's not as if we're led to believe that she treats any of them particularly well. So does their loyalty to the idea of the curse come down to having a proximity to power? Even power in the form of a person who is clearly very fickle, prone to tantrums, and generally speaking, emotionally unwell due to severe loneliness and fears of abandonment (note: this description could apply to both Ren and Akito)? Is the prospect of being a mouthpiece for the head(s) of the family really so appealing?

I obviously don't have answers to these questions, but they still inform my thoughts around how dangerous it is to think of Akito as the lynchpin of everything, particularly when it's clear that she has been so incredibly damaged by the family, both in terms of being told that she is "special" from such a young age -- thereby basically ensuring that she has a life of loneliness due to her being put on a pedestal -- and by way of the more obvious point in being raised as a male, counter to her own desires.

Honestly, the first time that I saw the below manga panel, I broke down.

I think it was my first time truly seeing Akito as the scared little girl that she really is...I mean look at her face. She looks like a wailing baby, so utterly helpless.

She is a victim of toxic abuse, and don't get me wrong: she absolutely perpetrated horrific emotional and physical abuse that she deserves to be accountable for.

But, I really wish we had seen more follow-up to the point of reparations...and not only for the individual zodiac spirits. Perhaps this starts with some decent therapy...and to that point, how would that even work? Wouldn't most therapists just generally not believe in a zodiac curse in the first place? -- but some acknowledgment that all of them, even Akito, were caught up in a world that stripped them of their own agency all due to indoctrination that began long before any of them were even born.

[otomiyaa]

Hatori Sohma x Ticklish Reader

Romantic + 01. “I promise I won’t tickle you.” + 18. “Wait… That tickled?” Requested by anon & @magicaltickles for my 1K Followers Event🌻

Stay calm. Act normal. Don't panic.

"May I take a look then?"

Fail. You were panicking. Ahh, but it was a natural response! You were barely dating yet. This should be inappropriate in every single context, except for one: he was a doctor.

"E-e-excuse me?" you squeaked. It was a polite coffee date at your place until you brought up the mysterious red marks on your skin that had been there for a few weeks now.

Since he was a doctor, you thought it'd be good to seek his advice, thinking he'd just explain some things. However...

"I apologize. If you don't want to, I understand. We can make a proper appointment later, if you prefer. Or you can call another doctor of course."

He was so kind. The beautiful, sweet, gentle and mysterious Hatori Sohma. It had been a while since you started seeing him. Of course you were intrigued from the first time you met him.

His past was somewhat a mystery. No one knew where he was working before he joined the clinic in your neighborhood. There were rumors he had been a family doctor for only one family (how lucky those people were?), and that he was a distant person who didn't really like socializing.

Despite his good looks, most people seemed uncomfortable around him for that reason too. He was too quiet, too mysterious. Not you. He seemed lonely, but also gentle and kind, and you had developed a serious crush on him.

Living close to the clinic, it didn't take long before you ran into him once or twice, then more often, and you got caught up in such pleasant conversations that you decided to schedule some coffee dates. They seemed friendly at first, like neighbors.

But lately, the glances... The swift and gentle touches... The depths of your conversations... Your heart was really giving in, and maybe, hopefully, he was starting to like you too?

"No! No, sorry. I was just surprised you would want to take a look. You're not working right now, after all," you said. Hatori shook his head.

"I don't mind. So, if you allow me..."

You swallowed nervously and lifted up your shirt, until right below your chest. It wasn't an intimate spot at all or anything weird, especially with a doctor like him. But it was still your bare skin, and right now it was more undeniable than ever that you were in love with this man.

Hatori sat closer to you, so close that you could take in his nice and charming scent...

"So, your side. And also your back, you said? Do you mind if I touch you?"

Such a polite doctor he was. You shook your head.

"Please, go ahead. It's my sides, yes, and just my lower back. It's fine if you want to touch it. Like I explained, I can hardly feel it. It doesn't hurt or itch, but it's been there for weeks and I just wonder what it might be. Maybe some kind of allergy?"

Hatori didn't respond but carefully brushed his thumb against the red spots on your lower side. You twitched and let out a little "Ohh!", not expecting it would tickle.

"Wait.. It doesn't hurt, you said?" he asked. Gulp. Of course he noticed you twitched. You suddenly panicked, not wanting to seem idiotic in front of him - twitching and making that weird noise after claiming it didn't hurt. In your panic, you started to ramble.

"Nonono it just tickled! S-sorry, I'm a little sensitive there! I swear it doesn't hurt at all. It's not even urgent so you don't need to bother, I'm just curious what it could be!"

"...." He was quiet for a moment while he scanned your bare skin with his eyes, as if he was slowly processing the information like the talented doctor he was. But then after the brief moment of silence, the words that came out of his mouth caught you off-guard.

“Wait… That tickled?”

Wah!! You blushed and nervously looked away from him. "I m-mean, yeah! But only a little! Your hand is cold, you surprised me! I swear I'm not super ticklish like a child or someth-HEH!" you squeaked when a very ticklish feeling startled you- starting at your lower side.

You looked at Hatori in horror. He had an amused smile on his face, a kind of expression you didn't see on him before. He tickled you on purpose!

"As a doctor, I can confirm that not only children are ticklish, don't worry. It's just, I did not expect you to have such a cute reaction."

CUTE?!

You were blushing like crazy now. Was he flirting? You hoped this was him teasing you in a romantic way, because if it happened to be just Hatori the playful doctor, treating you like a child patient, then you were going to be embarrassed for life.

"May I continue? I promise I won’t tickle you."

He even said that! Your hands that still held up your shirt were tempted to pull it back down, but you also didn't want to ruin this moment of what seemed like a little bit of intimacy... Even if it may be just a doctor and his patient, he had never been this close to you before.

"I d-don't mind..." you mumbled. Hatori smiled kindly.

"Which part?"

Hmm? You frowned. "Whether I continue checking, or whether I tickle you? Which won't you mind?"

PFfft! Since when was he like this? You gaped at him in surprise - so surprised that your reaction broke right through your wall of shyness: "Doctor Sohma, are you really teasing me right now?"

Hatori shook with gentle chuckles and he nodded. "I apologize for my lack of professionalism. Yes, I'm afraid I am teasing you," he admitted.

You nodded slowly and pulled your shirt back down. "Then, how about me teasing you back?"

It would and could have been a great move. You reached for his side and tried to tickle him, but within a swift movement he caught your hand, flipped you right over until you lay sprawled on his lap, and you stared up at him in surprise.

Oh god.... He stared down at you and the tiniest bit of a smirk could be seen as he studied your reaction.

"Nice try, but I'm not ticklish," he said. That may have been a very confident lie, but you wouldn't find out now, since the moment he started to tickle your sides for real, you lay in his lap and squirmed and giggled for your poor ticklish life.

"Ehehehe nohoho Hahaha-Hatohohori-sahahan!"

Well, you were honored that he felt so comfortable around you to tickle the shit out of you all of a sudden. But also, what the hell, Hatori?!

"Hmm, let's see," he said, turning you over a little and scribbling all over your bare tummy.

"It's not here. More over here, hmm?" he said, wiggling his fingers from the middle of your tummy to your sides, pretending to still be a doctor as he searched for the red marks that actually caused you to end up in this predicament.

"Hehehe waha-wahahait! Dohohon't!" you giggled hysterically and wiggled and danced on his lap, but although he appeared calm and collected, there was a certain firm strength in his grip and the way he made sure you weren't going to escape...

Well if anything, you were only falling in love more with him, and you had no idea if that was a good thing.

"Nohoho eeeheeeek! Plehee-wahaha!" you cried when you tried to wriggle free, causing you to fall a little off his lap. With your hands on the floor, you managed to make sure you weren't going to slip to the ground entirely, even though that might free you from his tickles.

"Oh you're trying to get away now?"

You squeaked when you could feel his fingers slip under your arms, tickling your armpits until you lost strength in your arms.

Finally dropping in a miserable heap on the floor, you tried to crawl away, still giggling and laughing hysterically, but Hatori came right after you. He turned you over on your back again and tickled your sides and ribs in the most playful and suprising way ever.

"Eeeheheeek I gihihive! Haha-Hatori-sahahan plehehease!" you howled, wishing your hysterical cackling wouldn't get worse than this.

"You do? You surrender?" Hatori smiled. Eeeep.... His fingers slowed down and finally rested against your heaving sides without tickling you any further.

He stared at you with a fond expression in his eyes. "I... think it may indeed be an allergic reaction, but I'll have to investigate further. So I'll need to check again and make some notes later. Would you let me?"

You breathed heavily and looked up at him. "Of course," you said with a blush. And suddenly he was very close.

"Good."

Well, you were kissing him now. Finally. Your arms moved up around his neck. Even sooner than in your wildest dreams, thanks to that crazy tickly experience just now - but you did it! You managed to lure out the romantic and playful side out of the mysterious Hatori Sohma all at once, and your love seemed mutual?

Well, onwards to more dates with him, more kisses, and you would definitely allow him: more tickles!

[cinderella-ish]

Fic Recs: My Favorite Kyoru Fics

Pre-Relationship

Burn Me, by me T | Flash Fiction | Angst If Tohru had to pick one word to describe how Kyo makes her feel, it would be heat.

Completely Hopeless, by me T | Short Story | hurt/comfort Tohru swoons on the way home from school after failing one of her midterms. How does Kyo get her home safe?

Dreams of Paradise, by Sky_Cloudtide T | WIP | AU & angst The Sohma family's lives are forever changed after summer vacation. Unable to live with the guilt, Kyo and Yuki look to the past, to find a way to fix the treasure they have lost.

fantasize. E | Short Story | smut Kyo’s mind runs rampant after seeing Tohru in a bikini for the first time.

forbidden fruit, by ArtificialFlavorz E | Short Story | pining & smut He watches, jaw set, as Tohru scribbles some numbers across the paper, twirling a piece of her hair around her finger absentmindedly, and tries not to picture how it would look wrapped around his hand, her neck arched backwards in pleasure. He decides he cannot blame Adam for the bite that expelled him from Eden.

Grasp, by sparklyfaerie M | Short Story | pining & smut As it turns out, living with a girl is dangerous.

i'll come closer to you (if you come over), by littlerosette T | Short Story | pining Tohru goes for a swim. Kyo's unlucky enough to catch her.

is it me that you see when you fall asleep? by sunflowerstarfruit G | Short Story | hurt/comfort & pining “I-“ Kyo started, a little shakily, before he cut himself off, pressed a fist to his chest and curled the other in the thin blanket on his bed. He swallowed, clenched his jaw, then tried again. “It was a nightmare,” he admitted, the words coming forced and raspy, raking a hand back through his hair. “About you,” he added in a hoarse whisper.

Lifeline, by me T | Short Story | angst Tohru sat on the floor of her room, clutching her knees to her chest. It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay... She clung to the words like a lifeline, desperately seeking to reassure herself that she wouldn’t lose her mother again.

Lonely Future, by me G | Flash Fiction | angst Kyo Sohma didn't believe in soulmates.

Love Me Not, by me T | Flash Fiction | angst Tohru finds Kyo on the roof. Kyo convinces himself it doesn't mean anything.

must be love on the brain, by littlerosette T | Tohru/Kyo | pining Tohru has a secret admirer. Everyone reacts to it accordingly. Except Kyo.

My Hands on You is Just a Fantasy, by unscheduledmakeouts E | Short Story | pining & smut He likes exercising, it helps clear his mind. When it’s just him and the trail, high-tempo music pumping in his earbuds, he feels free. The steady rhythm of his feet hitting the dirt grounds him, reminds him that he’s strong and focused and capable. When he gets back home, Tohru is on her knees.

Pink Ribbons, by alytsum G | Flash Fiction | angst Kyo reflects as he is plagued by the color pink.

Roots In My Dreamland, by lucybeee T | Short Story | hurt/comfort But when reality confronted her in her sleep, it was hard to run away. There was no way to hide. She was at her subconscious’s mercy until she was released and allowed to wake up as a panting, sweaty mess.

Taking on Your Curse, by modzy78 T | Novelette | angst & drama Tohru didn't realize she actually made a New Year wish when she was talking to Kyo. And that some wishes do come true.

Year of the Cat, by Praemonitor M | Novelette | pining Contrary to popular belief, Tohru Honda was not naïve.

Getting Together

Adult Intervention, by Modzy78 T | Short Story | drama & romance It's obvious Kyo likes Tohru, but he hasn't visited her in the hospital. Can anyone help him get his act together?

Against All Gods, by Athena_theunicorn M | WIP | angst, dark, & drama Tohru Honda woke up in a hospital bed. Kyo Sohma woke up in a desolate cottage. Akito Sohma woke up on a crumbling throne. What would have happened if Akito locked Kyo up, despite Tohru's best efforts? He did lose the bet, after all...

A Mandatory Attraction, by cithara0211 E | WIP | AU & smut Government Quarantine is in effect! For 14 days, Tohru only has two things on her mind: her art and her hot new neighbor, Kyo. And Kyo has only one goal: finally making Tohru his

Cursing the cursed, by modzy78 T | Novelette | drama Arisa, Saki, and Megumi discover the answer to a question they didn't know existed. Can you curse someone who's already cursed?

Escaping the future, by Modzy78 T | Novel | angst, drama & fluff It's time to graduate, and Kyo's still cursed. Tohru doesn't want Kyo to be confined. How far is she willing to go to save him from his future?

ichigo ichie, by me T | WIP | crossover & drama Last Update: July 2024 | Ch. 1/15 | under 5000 words Fruits Basket x Ouran High School / Your Name AU

If You Ever Forget That You Love Me, by villianizuku G | WIP | drama & romance After three months of thinking she was dead Yuki stumbles upon Tohru in an old neighborhood only to find out that she has lost every memory she had. Tohru is wiling to risk everything to find the people she used to love and get her past self back.

inertia, by miss_coverly E | Novel | angst & smut a Kyoru friends with benefits AU

I think about you all the time, by lucybee M | WIP | drama & romance Kyo hasn't heard from her again since. And that's right. It's the way things are supposed to be. A post-canon AU in which Kyo never redeemed himself after the confession scene.

The Last One Cursed, by cithara0211 M | WIP | drama, romance & smut The life of a college musician is a rough one. Add in a partially broken curse and an unexpected attraction to his new roommate, and this new semester back in Japan might be more than Kyo could have ever expected to find for himself.

Learn How to Knock, by BringBackMaes14 E | Short Story | smut Tohru lives in a house with three guys, and she's hardcore crushing on Kyo. She uses what little privacy she can get to "take care" of herself, but it's not unusual for one of the boys to burst in when she needs them least. Or perhaps, most.

Left Wanting, by Shewrites13 T | WIP | drama, hurt/comfort & romance Tohru Honda is newly graduated but not sure what she wants to do in life. She gets a job working for the infamous Sohma family as a maid, but when Tohru unexpectedly gets reassigned to a member of the Inner Family, she accidentally uncovers the very dark secret the Inner Family has been hiding from the world.

The Night We Met, by pettyimperfections T | Novella | angst & romance Kyo never got the chance to chase after Tohru and tell her how desperately he wanted to be with her. Instead, they became strangers. They went their separate ways. Tohru with no memory of her time with the Sohmas. Years later, Kyo and Tohru's paths once again become unexpectedly intertwined.

Of Lost Cats and Half-Shadows, by me T | also Megumi/Yuji (JJK) | WIP | crossover, drama & romance Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara enroll at Kaibara High School to investigate the Zodiac curse and free the souls it binds. Kyo is immediately suspicious of the three new students and rejects their attempts at friendship. Will they be able to break this ancient curse before Kyo is locked up forever?

The One Who Stays, by me T | WIP | drama & romance What if Yuki hadn’t run after Kyo? Tohru confesses her love. Kyo confesses his sins. Yuki sees it all. And then Akito arrives.

Ripples, by proseprincess NR | WIP | drama & romance *Note: this is a two-part series. The first work is complete! What happens when one decision leads to unintended consequences?

The Way Back, by 8_characters_or_less T | Novel | angst, drama, hurt/comfort, & romance After three years locked away in the Cat's Room the curse has finally broken. But three years is a long time and the damage that's been done won't easily be repaired. If there's anything worth fighting for, it's love. Only time will tell if that will be enough.

What's a White Lie Between Friends (& My Family)? by AnxietyAvocado G | Novella | romance Tohru's cousin is getting married, and she's been invited to be part of the wedding. She can't show up alone, so Kyo decides he's going with her. But when her family assumes they're dating, things are going to get very awkward very quickly.

Developing Relationship

Always Only You, by cithara0211 E | WIP | AU & smut Finally back after being gone from nearly three years, Kyo enters his senior year ready to fix the mistakes he made that one summer. And upon seeing Kyo again, Tohru promised herself she would stop running from her feelings. Are they prepared for the crazy new desire eating at them?

Eating Out With Your Wife, and Other Spousal Pleasures, by inheritanceofgeek E | Short Story | humor & smut Kyo and Tohru have been married for six months and their relationship has never been stronger or more fulfilling. Yet their previous ignorance to sex means that some things just never occur to them... Luckily for Kyo, his new Dojo just happens to have a happily married lesbian woman visiting who is more than happy to pass on some advice on the subject.

End of the Banquet, by AveSolace M | WIP | drama All the geopolitical tension in East Asia has come to a head. China has invaded Taiwan, and Japan is immediately drawn into the conflict. The Sohmas' lives are thrown into chaos, even as the Zodiac curse remains unbroken.

Everspring, by f3tid E | WIP | smut Truthfully, the season and the weather are inconsequential. When they are together, it is always Spring.

Fanning the Flame; Waking the Animal, by TripleTyrant E | Short Story | smut Kyo is incredibly gentle, and Tohru wonders what she'll have to do to spark the fire she knows is in his heart.

Heaven, by vylias E | Short Story | smut Tohru swallowed before slowly sliding herself off of Kyo’s lap and down onto the floor in front of the couch. Nestling herself in between his legs, she held his eyes as he watched her start to reach for his belt. Then she saw his breath catch and realization dawn on his face.

Hold On, by Danyu T | Novella | angst, drama, & romance Kyou has accepted his fate as the cat. Relationships change and the bond between he and Tohru is cemented forever. But he leaves something behind, something precious enough to give everyone the strength to hold on.

ignite it, by littlerosette E | Short Story | smut Things get heavy between Kyo and Tohru in a storage closet.

i like my body when it is with your, by littlerosette E | Novelette | pining & smut A girl, a boy, and the evolution of desire.

i really (really really) like you, by alpacas T | Short Story | fluff “Do you think they’ve done it yet?” Haru asks.

Living with Mom's Boyfriend, by Geoduck T | Flash Fiction | Humor When he opened the door, he hadn't expected to catch the stupid cat with his pants down. 

Melting, by vylias E | Short Story | smut But as Kyo pressed his lips against hers, Tohru could tell that this time felt different. This one was somehow filled with more urgency and fire than all the previous kisses that they had shared.

Memories of the Cat, by Modzy78 T | WIP | drama & hurt/comfort Kyo wants to distance himself from being the Cat. But he has one thing to deal with first.

On Top of the World, by me G | Flash Fiction | fluff Tohru has a surprise planned for her date with Kyo.

Orgasm Struggles, by fishcalledwanda E | Short Story | smut Tohru has never had an orgasm before. Kyo explores several ways to increase her pleasure, but eventually, it is Hanajima who comes to the rescue.

remedies for when you're feeling weak, by chicanerywrites E | Novelette | smut It struck Kyo, in that very moment, that Tohru wasn’t blissfully unaware at all. The look in her eyes was permission and trust and maybe a little bit of want and so, with that fleeting thought, his lips covered her fingers too.

Sweet Disposition, by truthwallflower E | WIP | pining & smut Tohru wants Kyo and Kyo wants Tohru. Too bad neither of them know how to go about it. A story of how Kyo overestimates Tohru's naivety and of Tohru remembering Kyo being disappointed in her. Even relationships that have faced millennia-long curses aren't impervious to misunderstandings.

This Air is Blessed, by KyoDoodles E | WIP | humor & smut A series of short, sweet and steamy post-canon fics about Kyo and Tohru’s life together.

We Have the Rest of Our Lives, by me T | Short Story | fluff & hurt/comfort Kyo helps Tohru change her bandages after she's released from the hospital.

Established Relationship

Baby's First Birthday, by me G | Flash Fiction | mild hurt/comfort | Background Machi/Yuki Tohru can't seem to get her camcorder to work.

Fearing the future, by modzy78 T | Novelette | angst & slice of life Kyo faces his biggest challenge, and it terrifies him. How will he face his future?

Hold Me, by me T | Flash Fiction | hurt/comfort A year after the curse breaks, Kyo still gets nightmares.

Like a Bolt Out Of the Blue, by me G | WIP | fluff, hurt/comfort & pining (Hajime/Mutsuki) At their annual family beach trip, Hajime wrestles with some big feelings.

Like Father, Like Son, by me T | Short story | fluff When Tohru and Kyo can't find their two young sons one morning, they turn up in an unexpected-- and very cute!-- place.

Nightmares, by Modzy78 T | Short Story | angst & hurt/comfort Tohru Honda can't remember a time she didn't have nightmares. But this one is unlike any she's had before.

Part of the Fruits Basket, by Athena_theunicorn G | Short Story | angst & hurt/comfort A collection of five Fruits Basket one-shots

Second Visit, by Geoduck T | Short Story | hurt/comfort Kyo and Tohru visit the office of a medical professional. After they leave, they talk about it.

So Lucky, by me T | Flash Fiction | hurt/comfort Kyo always wanted to protect her. She was so incredibly precious to him. He never wanted to let anything bad happen to her. But, as he quickly learned, protecting Tohru was a lot easier said than done.

undertow, by hungryhungryhanachan E | WIP | dark, drama, & tragedy Tohru has always smiled through her pain. Why would this be any different?

Welcome Home, by me G | Flash Fiction | fluff Tohru anxiously awaits Kyo's return from a training trip.

Wish, by me G | Short Story | fluff Tohru and Kyo take their three children to their small town's Tanabata festival.

Here's a link to my bookmarks tagged with Tohru/Kyo!

[yourlocaltrashpandaa]

Rainy Secrets

hatsuharu sohma x fem!reader

oneshot

1062w

A/n: this is a cross post from my wattpad. Hope you enjoy!

Not proofread

Taglist:

@twilightlover2007

<=========>

The loud sound of thunder made Y/n jump as she looked out the window, seeing lightning flash across the sky. She shivered a bit, gripping the book that she had in her hands a bit tighter. Y/n was left alone at her home, her parents were currently on a business trip and they trusted everything to her, which she didn't mind. She was old enough to do things on her own.

Getting up from her spot on the couch, she walked over to the window. She pulled back the curtains and peered out the window watch the rain pour from the sky. Y/n sighed a bit.

"It sure is coming down out there..." She muttered to herself, still looking out the window peering up at the dark clouds the curtained the sky.

Y/n hoped that it didn't get too bad to the point where her house would lose power. She grumbled knowing that she couldn't fix those sort of things without her father's help. He's handy like that.

There was a knock at her front door that startled Y/n out of her thoughts and she whipped her head towards the door. She was expecting anyone, especially not at this hour, in this whether.

Cocking an eyebrow, she asked herself. "Who the hell could that be?" Putting her book off to the side on the table, moving away from window in the living room and walked over towards the door.

Opening it, Y/n answered the door with her eyes closed with a "yes" before opening them to see who has come to her house. Her eyes widened seeing her classmate and a close friend, Hatsuharu Soma.

She and Haru have been friends since they were young which was odd considering the fact that she and her family were outsiders, but Y/n's mother used to work as maid at the Soma Estate before she got a new job and Haru and Y/n met then and their friendship carried over, though Haru would always sneak away from the Estate to see her until now since they go to the same high school.

Dripping wet from the rain, Haru looked up at her through his hair that hung in his face. His brown eyes stared into her E/c ones. She couldn't read what emotion he was showing, it was always hard for Y/n though they've known each other for a long time but she still can never truly know.

"Haru..." She finally spoke and the male perked up to his name. "What are you doing here?" Y/n asked him. It was seriously out of the blue and in this whether no less.

"I just... I just needed to see you." He said in a low tone.

Y/n frowned at this but then raised an eyebrow at the strange boy. "You needed to see me?" She asked him, confused at his action.

"Yeah." Haru replied back, very monotone but that's how he's always been.

"But, you see me every day at school, moron." Y/n said.

"It's not enough." Haru said back.

Y/n sighed out in frustration, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Alright then. Get in here before you drown out there. I'll get you a towel." She said, letting a rain soaked Haru in.

"Thanks, Y/n." He said with a small smile.

"Whatever," Y/n said. "Sit on the floor please I don't want my parents' furniture getting wet." Y/n left to the bathroom to fetch a clean towel for Haru.

*small time skip*

Haru sat on the floor, his back resting on the couch as Y/n dried his hair with a white hand towel. Y/n had a soft glare on her face as looked at the white haired boy. She cared for Haru but he's honestly was kinda hopeless as well as he is careless.

"You're tense," Haru's low voice and him grabbing her arm, snapped Y/n out of her thoughts as she lost her glare and it was replaced with a surprised look in her eyes. "Is something wrong?" He asked her looking up at her with worried look in his eyes.

"No. I'm not tense at all." Y/n said, her hands leaving the towel on Haru's head.

"You're lying." Haru said.

"How do you know that I'm lying?" Y/n asked the boy.

Haru frowned. "We've known each other for years now, Y/n and I know when you're lying. I thought we could tell each other anything." Haru said.

She flushed from embarrassment. He's right, she really can't lie to Haru, Haru might be a bit blunt and dense at times but that doesn't mean he's not observant. Y/n looked off to the side. She went into her thoughts as the two sat in collective silence until Haru spoke.

"Y/n," He called her name, making her turn her head to look at him. His saddened expression made Y/n's eyes widened a bit. "Do you not want to be around me anymore?" He asked.

Y/n turned to face him fully and shook her head frantically. "No, No, that's not it all, Haru! It's just... my family and I are so very different from you and yours. I mean we are from the outside, we're outsiders. In all honesty, I wonder why you're still friends with me." Y/n confessed.

Y/n felt arms wrapped around her small frame for a split second until a puff of colored smoke appeared around her and a black and white cow was in Haru's place with its head on her lap. She was shocked and honestly horrified. What just happened?!

"Why are you worried about what my family or anyone else thinks?" Haru's voice came from the cow.

'What, the cow is Haru?! What is going on? What is he not telling me?' Y/n thought.

"I-I don't know... I just didn't know if you're friends for real or this is all fake." Y/n replied.

"It's not true at all. I'm friends you because I want to be and I want to be more than just friends, Y/n." Haru said.

"Uh?" She asked not sure what he was getting at.

Cow Haru looked up at her. "I've fallen for you, Y/n. And I can't keep it a secret anymore."

[imagineanime2022]

Tohru's Cousin

Shigure Sohma X Fem!Reader

Word Count: 3821

Requested: @twilightlover2007

Requested: Ok, I've been ITCHING to see this. Your writing for fb is FANTASTIC! I would love to have Tohru meet her cousin on her mom's side, her cousin locates her and they set up a meeting.

I'd love to see headcannons of her meeting a few of the Sohma's. While some, Kyo, might be worried she's more like her mother's wild side she's actually quite a bookworm. I'd love for her to end up with Haru or Shigure whichever you think would be best! Please and thank you!!!

Warning: Parent death, no mention of a father, reader is injured, this is long!!

How The Boys View Tohru's Cousin

You sat at your desk looking at the letter that your mother had left you, she had said that there were things that she had never found the right time to tell you, though she figured that you should know. Things about your family and the reason that she very rarely spoke about them. Part of you wondered if you should just leave it be but the only person that you had was your mother, you had never been an outgoing person and when your mother got sick it was an excuse to stay in the house and deal with as few people as possible. That would get lonely now though with literally no one in the house. Even if you didn’t talk, having your mother there made up for it.

Finally you leaned forward taking the letter in your hands you took a deep breath and opened it, you smiled at the familiar handwriting of your mother’s:

My Dear (Y/N)

I know that I should have told you this in person when we were both there to make amends but I’m too much of a coward to approach this subject head on. The sicker I get the more I realise that you will be alone by the time you read this, I can’t leave you like that, not when I know that you still have family out there, a cousin. Younger than you and an aunt out there hopefully, with any hope they will be willing to give you the family that you need now.

When I was younger, I didn’t realise how much she needed help, your aunt was the leader of a gang back then and to me it was pointless and dangerous and for the most part did only bring trouble to us all, that was what prompted me to cut ties with her but as I got older I knew that I had just abandoned her and left her to whatever fate befell her.

Then she sent me a letter asking me to meet with her and a picture of a small girl, her name was Tohru Honda, that was what she had told me. When that letter came through it reminded me of the fact that I had walked away and still she wanted to make it better, she is a better person than I am, that’s why I send you to her now.

As you can tell I never accepted the offer and she never attempted to contact me again but I hope that she’s still in the same place, you will at least have someone to reach out to if you need them.

The letter went on to give you the address that your mum had last known your aunt to be living at as well as your grandparents last known address. You decided that you had nothing better to do then to go and at least apologise for the way that you mother had behaved right?

You were starting to regret ever trying to find your long lost family. It had you socialising with more people then you had ever wanted to, in fact when you knocked on the door of the apartment was not your aunt but your grandfather and grandmother both of whom seemed to recognise you for your resemblance to your mother. “We were told that she had passed, we were in the process of getting a letter to you ourselves.” Your grandfather had said “with everything else going on, we sent it out later than we hoped.” “I see, well my mum left me a letter explaining that my aunt was trying to reconnect, I don’t know if she still wants to or not but I at least wanted to apologise for my mother ignoring her all these years and you it would seem.” You explained. “Your mother was a good girl even when she was younger, Kyoko was the troubled one, it was no wonder that your mother separated herself from her and us, we spent a lot of time chasing after Kyoko while she chased after us all. Eventually she fell behind. I don't blame her for the distance between us, I’m just happy that you want to get to know us.” Your grandmother explained. “I wish that there was some other way to tell you this but your Aunt has passed as well.” Your grandfather informed you. “But her daughter Tohru is still here in fact, we are having out house renovated so that she could move in, maybe you could too if you like here.” “How are you so accepting after everything that my mother did?” You asked. “You are not your mother, you should not answer for what she has done not to mention your here, you want to be different do you not?” Your Grandfather asked. “You should meet Tohru, she'd be happy to have someone other than us around, you may be able to connect with her a little more, even if you are older.” Your grandmother suggested. “Okay, I can leave my number, I have to check in for the room that I booked but she can call whenever she wants… If she wants.” You explained as you stood from where you were sitting. “Thank you for seeing me today.”

You had only been settled into your room for about 2 hours before there was a knock on your door, you frowned not really knowing who would be knocking on your door “Are you (Y/N)?” A voice asked before you had even gotten a look at the body it belonged to. It only took a second for your eyes to fall on the girl with mid length brown hair, brown eyes and soft features, behind her was a taller blonde girl and another girl dressed in all black with black hair and a mysterious air about her. “Yes, that’s me.” You finally answered, waiting for whoever of the three to speak. “I’m Tohru, I know that you left your number to call but I couldn’t wait to meet you.” The brown haired girl said, your eyes widened. “These are my friends Saki and Arisa. Do you mind if we come in?” “Oh of course.” You stepped aside allowing them all to come in “please um, sit anywhere.” “You seem surprised…” Tohru frowned. “I just wasn’t expecting that you would want to meet me, you know considering it was my mother who cut connections with everyone, it wouldn’t be unfair for you to want nothing to do with me.” You shrugged. “No, I don’t think that it’s your fault that all of that happened and Mum always talked about the fun that she had with her sister before they grew apart, she missed her and I promised that if we ever met that I would try to make it work, honestly I thought that you would never contact us.” Tohru explained. “I didn’t know about you, when mum left I wasn’t born, she kept you a secret from me, only told me in a letter that she left me after she died.” You answered. “I’ve never been good at talking to people or making friends so really I don’t have anyone back home, I thought that maybe I could make some friends here and fix what my mother had broken.” “Well then we can be your first friends, Grandpa said that he offered you a place to stay, so why don’t you stay for a little while and see if you like it here.” Tohru suggested. “There are some other people that I could introduce you to as well.”

When Tohru sat down to eat with the Sohma’s that evening they could all tell that she was distracted but Kyo was the one to point it out “what is wrong with you?” he asked, causing Tohru to jump looking at him. “Oh sorry, I was just thinking, I met someone today, she needs some friends, I was hoping that maybe I could introduce her to all of you.” Tohru explained. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Yuki asked. “I don’t think her touching you is going to be a problem, she’s very reserved, it’s just that she’s my cousin and her Mum died, she doesn’t have anyone else, so I want her to feel welcome here, so she can stay close to the family that she has left.” Tohru explained. “You are always thinking about someone else.” Shigure smiled. “I don’t see the problem with you bringing her here as long as these two behave.” “Us!? What about you?” Kyo asked. “I don’t go around starting fights with everyone I meet.” Shigure dismissed him. “No, you just flirt with them instead.” Yuki muttered as the three launched into an argument which had become common at the table only stopping when Kyo launched across the table at Shigure, almost knocking everything everywhere.

It was only a week later that Tohru arranged for you to come over for dinner, she had made a huge meal for you all to enjoy and hoped that you would be able to find a friend in Shigure who was closer to your age then she was. What she hadn’t expected was for Hatori and Ayame to be there as well, when she entered the house with you, she had expected Shigure, Kyo and Yuki but she was face with the other two as well, she didn’t mind but it seemed that you did. “When you said meet other people, I assumed they would be other girls, are you trying to get me a new friend or boyfriend?” You asked. “O-oh I wasn’t trying anything, I swear!” Tohru panicked as she waved her hands around. “Is everything okay Miss Honda?” Shigure called over as he caught sight of your hushed conversation. “Everything is fine, we just weren’t expecting such a large group.” Tohru answered nervously. “Oh don’t worry we’re harmless, I promise.” Shigure smiled, his eyes caught on the book tucked under your arm “you like to read?” “I am better at reading than making friends.” You explained. “Maybe that will change here.” Shigure shrugged, “My name is Shigure Sohma.” “(Y/N) Honda.” You answered. “Well this is going to be confusing if we have to call you both Miss Honda.” Shigure muttered his hand coming up to his chin as he talked. “You can just call me (Y/N).” You suggested “there’s no reason for all the formalities.” “Then in that case please call me Shigure.” He smiled as he turned to the other two that he had been sitting with “Those two are close friends of my Hatori Sohma and Ayame Sohma. There are two friends of Tohru, Kyo Sohma and Yuki Sohma.” “Wow, such a big family.” You observed. “Not as close as some may think but yes we are a big family.” Shigure nodded as he led you over to the other two where he offered you a seat “what did you do back home?” He asked. “I had odd jobs, mostly working from home, especially after mum got sick.” You answered. “What do you all do?” “I have a shop in town where I design clothes, you should stop by sometime, I’m sure I could make something you like.” Ayame declared, you smiled softly, he seemed nice. “I’m a Doctor though I primarily work for the Sohma family.” Hatori answered and you nodded. “Shigure?” You asked and he smiled as he looked at you. “I’m a writer.” He answered. “Writer?” You asked. “That’s right.” He nodded. “I don’t suppose that you’ve read anything from me.” “I have a large collection, it’s highly likely that your books are in there too.” You answered with a nod “I’ve never been good with names, even if they write some of my most loved novels… Sorry.” “No need to apologise, all I ask is that you enjoy the work that I put out.” Shigure smiled softly as the conversation continued for the rest of the evening.

By the end of the week you had decided that you would stay, you didn’t move there straight away instead taking some time to move everything that you needed to your new home and finally finding a job, with the small amount of money that your mother had left you, you were able to secure a place to stay without a job but you still needed one to live. It didn’t take long to get a job at a small bookstore, with your knowledge of books and opinions on the subject when asked. You became better with the names of the writers and had even read all of the books that Shigure had written and even some that he had recommended. You were in that very shop now, you were the only one working that day, it was a small shop but the woman who ran it was old and had no children to help her. You were shelving some of the new stock when the door opened “well don’t you look at home.” You recognised the voice as Shigure’s. “What are you doing here?” You asked. “I was actually looking for someone.” He answered, “I believe that her shift ends soon.” “Her shift does end soon but what could you possibly need with her?” you asked as you turned to glance at him. Since meeting him a few months ago, you had become good friends and often teased each other. He was a flirt but the distance he kept between the two of you gave you the impression that that was all it was flirting. “Well I was hoping that she would join me for dinner tonight.” He said as he leant against the counter of the small store. “Dinner?” You asked. “What’s the occasion?” “Nothing you need to worry about… Dinner?” He asked again as he watched you place the last of the books on the shelf ready for the next day. “Sure, let's go.” You nodded.

The next day you were in the shop as usual, it was a slow moving day but when your next customer came in you were glad of the fact “You. What’s your name?” She asked, she seemed to darken to the entire shop as her shadow stretched from her feet. “My name is (Y/N).” You answered. “You're the one he talks about, the one he sees.” She moved closer and you suddenly felt as if you weren’t safe. “The one who stole him from me!” You gripped the counter behind you as you tried to stand your ground, you hadn’t taken anyone, she definitely had the wrong person. “I’m sorry but I don’t know what you're talking about.” You tried to say but as you hands lifted in a sign of surrender she grabbed your wrist, grip tight as she pulled you closer. “He was always by my side, what is so special about you!?” If venom could be fashioned into words those would be the ones, almost as if she wished she could kill you with them. “Who?” You asked. “Akito! Let go of her!” Shigure. He was the one that she was talking about. “She stole you from me!” Akito yelled. “No you pushed me away, she had nothing to do with the way our relationship has progressed, now let go of her!” Shigure ordered. Akito yelled, sharp and dangerous before throwing you to the floor, the speed and angle that you fell caused a sharp pain in your wrist, you were even sure that you heard it break. “We’re going home.” Akito ordered. “No, you are going home, I am going to make sure that (Y/N) is okay.” He answered as he walked past her crouch near you, there was another growl before you heard her step retreat. “Can you move?” “Who was that?” You asked pushing yourself up on your good arm to get into a proper sitting position. “The head of the family, she’s been a vile person to know for a long time now, the rest of the family had pulled away from her long before now but I had no one to pull back.” He answered. “Come on, we have to get your wrist checked.”

The next morning your wrist had been casted and you were back at the store, you hadn’t spoken to Shigure and you didn’t expect to instead it was Hatori who came to see you on the first day. “I’m only here to check on you.” He promised. “How are you holding up?” “I’m fine.” You answered. “And your wrist?” He asked. “Those painkillers work wonders.” You answered. “You know that he never meant for this to happen.” Hatori finally said “he is sly and cunning but he would never have wanted you to get hurt.” “Doesn’t matter, he’s not here you are. He never wanted me anyway, your head of the family had it all wrong.” “Is that what you think?” Hatori asked. “You are very much like Tohru from what I hear. It doesn't run in the family.” “What are you talking about?” You asked. “Tohru told us about her mother and while I didn’t know yours it would see that they were both similar, it was why they clashed so much maybe.” He suggested. “Maybe.” You answered. “You are nothing like that, you would rather let go of what you want if it meant that he’d be safe.” Hatori answered. “Sometimes the best course of action is not to take action at all.” You explained the door to the shop opened signalling the arrival of another customer.

The next day Ayame was the one to come and see you “Now why are you hiding away in here dear?” Ayame asked. “I’m not hiding, this is my job.” You smiled as he walked over to the counter. “And yet I don’t see you anywhere else.” He argued as he leaned against the counter. “You should have been given half the confidence that the rest of your family seems to possess.” He sighed. “What are you talking about?” You asked. “If only either one of you were brave enough to take what you wanted.” He sighed. “He’s worse than usual without you around, more antagonistic and annoying.” “It’s been two days, he’ll be fine.” You answered. “Can you blame me for wanting to keep the rest of me intact.” “I guess not.” Ayame sighed “but this has nothing to do with keeping yourself intact, your family has never been good at self preservation, Tohru has shown us that.” “I’m not Tohru.” You reminded him. “(Y/N) what are you still doing here dear, you need to pack.” The old lady who runs the store Miss Okai said. “I told you I didn’t need the extra time.” You smiled at her “it’s only a trip back to my old town to see some old friends.” “Go, now child the quicker you leave the quicker you see them.” She smiled, pushing you towards the door “go”.

“Shigure!” Ayame yelled as he all but fell into the living room of the small house. “You have to stop her!” “Who?” Shigure asked his eyes moving to the man who was seemingly heaving breaths. “(Y/N)! The curse has been broken, you don’t have to worry about Akito, I know what happened but she’s leaving, she said that she’s going to see old friends.” Ayame explained. “What’s the problem with that?” Shigure asked. “Shigure she has no friends back home remember, if you let her leave now you might not see her again, are you really okay with that?” Ayame asked. “You should go and see her.” Tohru said from where she was in the kitchen. “She spoke to me today, she said that she would probably be gone for a while, that I could call her whenever I wanted but that she would be here.” “You're worried?” Shigure asked. “This was the first place that she’s belonged to for a long time and Akito made her doubt that.” Tohru answered “I’m worried that if we let her leave now, she’ll never find somewhere to settle again.”

You sat on the sofa bag packed in the corner, some of the things that you thought you might need on your travels, you had decided that you needed a break even if that meant leaving everyone behind for a while. Your train left in the morning so you had to wait until then even if you were given a half day at work. “They were right about you leaving.” Shigure, you hadn’t heard that voice for a few days and only now do you realise how much you miss it. “What does it matter to you?” You asked, you didn’t bother to ask how he had gotten in, you were sure that he’d side step the question. “You didn’t tell me that you were leaving.” He said as he walked towards you. “I wasn’t aware that I needed to.” You frowned. “They all think that you need me, I don’t think that's true.” Shigure said as he came to stand in front of you “it’s me that needs you.” “What?” You asked as he leaned forward, hands placed on either side of you keeping you pinned to the sofa. “I need you.” He answered, pressing a kiss to your temple “I want you.” Another to your cheek. “I love you.” the last a kiss on the lips, soft, tentative as he one of his hands came up around the back of your head to hold you in place, pressing harder now that you were pushing him away exploring more of you than anyone else ever had, his tongue swiping gently against your bottom lip asking for entrance only pulling away when you needed to breathe. “You love me?” You asked. “More than you could ever know.” He promised “for a long time I chased Akito but she never wanted me, not the way I wanted her and then you came along, innocent and unburdened, you got to know me as Shigure and I loved every moment of you, my best memories are the ones I share with you.” “Then we should make some more?” You suggested, it sounded like a question and he hated that. “We will make more, no matter who tries to stop us.” He promised his hand moving down to gently rest on the cast on your wrist. “We can still see the world if that is what you want but I won’t let you do it alone.” “I leave tomorrow.” You reminded him and he smiled as he flopped down in the seat next to you. “We leave tomorrow.” He smirked, pressing another kiss to your cheek, his hand playing with your hair and drawing you closer “and then once we come back we’ll show everyone that we are the best thing that ever happened to each other.”

Request Here!!

[likealittleheartbeat]

hello !!

i was wondering, do you know any other characters like aang from other shows/movies/books? or maybe, just his theme of radical kindness appearing in other stories?

i've been missing aang, and it would be nice to find other representations of such a fun and warm personality like his.

ps.: your blog is like, fantastic. truly.

🥰🥰🥰🥰 This is the best ask I’ve ever received!!! Depictions of radical kindness in media is a special interest of mine—not exaggerating. So I’ve done my best to make a list of rec’s, just tv, from most formally similar to ATLA to least, with a short description for each.

1. Fruits Basket (2019)

"My mom told me, it's better to trust people than to doubt them. She said that people aren't born with kind hearts. When we're born, all we have are desires for food and material things. Selfish instincts, I guess. But she said that kindness is something that grows inside of each person's body, but it's up to us to nurture that kindness in our hearts. That's why kindness is different for every person."

An anime orphan whose established memory of the kindness by which her family raised her ends up transforming and liberating a whole clan from an intergenerational curse that enforced an abusive hierarchy all within a show that has a deeply queer subtext, beautifully complex plotting and character development that due to its zen influence refuses to demonize anyone or any perspective wholly, AND a straight romance you can actually root for!? Nothing comes closer to ATLA thematically than this show. While the lead Tohru Honda is the biggest representative of radical kindness, the character of Momiji Sohma with his complex purity, idealism, and gender performance is one of the closest you'll find to Aang in any media.

2. Mob Psycho 100 (2016-2023)

"The truth behind one's charm is kindness. Just be a good person, that's all."

Mob Psycho 100 explores a core tenant of ATLA's critique of imperialism and power: greatness and perfection are overrated. They both ask the question about what to do for the world with one's gifts if that's the case. How can one be both normal and prodigious at the same time? The satirical comedy and style of this anime, which deconstruct a lot of the shonen genre tropes, are pretty distinct from ATLA, but when ATLA arrived on the airwaves, it was a pretty massive break from tradition in Western animation, and for both of these series, that difference of style is tied to the message of the show about the experience and acceptance of difference.

3. Natsume's Book of Friends (2012-present)

"As I encountered kindness, I wanted to be kind myself."

The anime, Natsume's Book of Friends and ATLA both depict the challenge and necessity of facing abandonment, loss, and a deep-seated loneliness with kindness and gratitude despite the persistence of grief. Both take a deeply spiritual view--even a responsibility--of this experience that demands a compassion for all beings including those who intend to do harm. Natsume, an orphan shuffled between houses who is one of the few people who can see spirits called youkai, inherits his maligned grandmother's book of yokai names, becoming a target for them in the process. He hides all of this from everyone in his life, and even five season in, still has trouble admitting to the one person who understands him when he is struggling and needs help. The gentle and light tone papers over a profoundly honest representation of attachment trauma and the wisdom of compassion that develops as a tool to cope with it.

4. Hunter x Hunter (2011-2014)

"You can do whatever you want to hide your feeling. You still have a heart."

If you think that "Radical Kindness" is by definition non-violent, then this show is either not for you or going to change your mind. Gon, the protagonist of HxH, like Momiji mentioned in Fruits Basket, is another rare character whose naivete and optimism are treated with respect. He is allowed to suffer, to be wrong, to be stupid, and to inspire others away from their own cynicism with the persistence of his beliefs nevertheless. But HxH is a show that integrates the most violent aspects of the world (organized crime, capitalistic competition and privileging, state-sanctioned brutality, pure sadism) with its examination of human potential for goodness. And even within a list of shows deeply inspired by spirituality and religions, this show is abundant with religious references as it seeks out meaning, balance, and an ethic for modern experience. On top of that, it ranks with ATLA for the depth and relevance of its magic system to its themes, plus its got gay subtext out the wazoo!

5. Mushishi (2005-2014)

“Make sure to remember, every person and place has a right to exist. It is true for you too, the entire world, as a whole, is your home."

Elegaic, episodic, compassionate, and strange, with some of the best short story-telling of all time, Mushishi is the story of a medicine-man who travels the Japanese countryside helping people deal with the spirits that accompany the little trials and tragedies of life that cling to our minds long after they're passed. The protagonist, Gingko, and the show itself takes the approach of restraint to observe these problems fully and come to a conclusion that's taoist in its balance and acceptance of reality--"Eyes unclouded by hate" as Miyazaki/Gaiman would have it. Each episode is like a therapy session arguing for you to choose to live even as the heaviest burdens sit on your chest.

6. Reservation Dogs (2021-2023)

"See...love doesn't have to be received, it can just be."

We're finally out of the animes, and moving away from the zen and shinto approach into some other options. Reservation Dogs' indigenous humanism was groundbreaking, bringing in distinctly modern American realities (with the kind of true-to-life details only a an on-location shoot could offer) with Native beliefs about ancestry, community, and connection to the land, while rarely feeling preachy. Instead, it's just fucking hilarious and casually heartbreaking. Four friends on the edge of graduating high school on a reservation in Oklahoma try to figure out what to do with their lives after their plans to go to California get abruptly messed up. Radical kindness as a concept often gets focused on accepting the enemy but what about accepting the weird stoner uncle who farts all the time and won't talk about his years in the army. I think that might be a more important goal of radical kindness, in truth, if we are being asked to look and accept reality for what it is, because growing comfortable with disappointment and the mundane let's us live without the relentless striving that drives perfectionism.

7. Skam (2015-2017)

"The second you start looking for hate, you find it. And when you find hate, you start hating."

A Norwegian teen drama that understood internet culture better than any show before or since, four season-long romance plots better than any romance film from that decade, and a masterfully constructed exhortation about leaning into failures of connection to build deeper compassion rather than demonize another person or group. Each season focused on a specific character within a high-school friend group, emphasizing the limited scope of subjective experience, and had them confront the challenges of opening up to others fully. And even when they return into the scenes with new protagonists, their lives weren't sorted perfectly, reflecting how resolving a single romantic plot point would not resolve life. The impact of this low-budget public-television web series (!!!) will be felt for years (it's already been referenced by Netflix juggernauts like Sex Education and Young Royals), but we're not likely to see something that juggles political themes, heartfelt characterization, realistic dialogue, and meta-commentary (it flashed its own hater and fan comments across the screen in the last episode!!) in such a obsession-inducing package anytime soon.

7. Boys Like Boys (2023)

"Because I have always been someone who hates myself, I don't have the courage to face it. Running away is my only option...What if I give myself one more chance to be brave?"

So how can a reality show make it onto a list of radically kind tv series, especially a dating show!? Well, when that reality dating show casts people who radiate warmth, vulnerability, and respect and seem to have the kind of chemistry that most scripted shows can't even manage, it's a good start. But then, when they elevate that cast with a format that addresses the cruelty of dating, elimination formats, and broader societal exclusion (an important consideration for a gay dating show), it offers a new model for future shows. Boys Like Boys did this when mid-season (spoiler alert) they had contestants vote out a contestant, only to provide the contestants with a vote in which they could retain a contestant who they didn't want to leave. In fact, many of the contestants asked if they could abstain from making a vote that would eliminate a constestant and were allowed to. The final result left one contestant, Jia-Hang, up for elimination--he had voted for himself to be eliminated, and many contestants, recognizing his reticence to continue on the program, didn't want to force him against his will to stay. Then, looking around at nearly the whole cast sobbing, even apologizing to him for not providing him enough support, Jia-Hang chooses to stay on. This is just one of many heart-warming authentic moments in the show that illustrate the vital influence of kindness to impact the trajectory of our hearts.

8. Joe Pera Talks With You (2018-2021)

"I can help you reach things. I can tend the garden. The different hours we keep are a good thing. And when they overlap, I can offer companionship and entertainment."

So much has been written about this show's groundbreaking kind approach, I'm going to quote instead: "It can be difficult to convey how a TV show airing on Cartoon Network’s provocative nighttime programming block Adult Swim can evoke almost nostalgic feelings of kind-heartedness. The premise of Joe Pera Talks With You is so simple as to almost be beside the point: Comedian Joe Pera plays a lightly fictionalized version of himself as a sweet Michigander, a middle-school chorus teacher with small and specific passions. Joe likes breakfast food, obscure trivia, beans, trips to the grocery store, and his grandma. He greets every day with a contented smile, stands beneath a pale blue sky, packs a balanced lunch that contains no surprises. (A turkey sandwich with cheese and a tomato, a banana, some trail mix, and as a treat, some cookies.) Joe, more than anything, is satisfied. His greatest joy is sharing these small pleasures with you, the viewer who exists on the other side of the fourth wall he has cleanly dismantled, often speaking quietly to the camera like he’s sharing a secret, just between you two. That he’s talking “with” and not “to” you is a crucial distinction in the show’s title: Joe never lectures nor rhapsodizes. Instead, he waxes poetic about what he loves and who he cares for and how he leads his life, telling his stories from a vulnerable position of welcoming you into his daily existence.” --“A Great Comedy About Being Good,” Allegra Frank for Vox

9. Anne with an E (2017-2019)

"Her life was not short on challenges, and still she held no grudges, believing instead that grace is perennial like the green, green grass."

While maligned for not being the 1980s version, this Netflix adaptation of Anne of Green Gables takes what many have read as an autistic subtext and made it text, giving Anne a performative quality that pushes a lot of the audience into the same irritation that the characters of Avonlea feel for Anne at first, and, thus, requires its audience to persevere toward the same kindness that Anne inspires in her adoptive mother figure, Marilla, among others, which is much more rewarding than simply identifying with Anne right away. In so doing, it enhances the development of its broader approach to acceptance--an approach in its insistence on the requirement of a community of kindredness (see Sebastian's excitement at finding out about the black community in "The Bog") that is much more rigorous than many other shows will cop to. Expanding far beyond literal adaptation into queer, black, and indigenous characters, without disguising history or disparaging the thematic seed of grace at the heart of the novels, Anne with an E imagines what it meant and what it might still mean to build real joyful community with others through kindness.

10. Little Bear (1995-2003)

"Interesting."

A childhood favorite that disguised in its simplicity a wide-openness to the world and an acceptance of different natures. While most child shows emphasize kindness, few do so with as much patience, wonder, and generosity extended to its viewers. Little Bear is a curious kid who goes on adventures in the woods around his house that can turn into games or small imagined experiences. He is sometimes with his friends Cat, Duck, Hen, Owl, and Emily, whose personalities, along with Little Bear's, bring about small tensions in their games that ultimately resolve, if not independently, then with the help of Mother Bear or Father Bear, who give each other knowing glances about the expected childhood behaviors. This is the first show that initially taught me to observe things while withholding my judgment, that first step of radical kindness.

12. The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968)

"The key to happiness is finding joy in the simple things."

One really old and somewhat controversial throwback for my last entry. If you have concerns about a sheriff character representing radical kindness, I would encourage you to start with the third episode of season 3 where Andy, the sheriff in question, has to explain to the new mayor why he doesn't carry a gun and lets prisoners go to gather their crops. There have been some fantastic pieces written about the complexities of this show's bucolic fantasy and Southerners (of all races) attachment to it, but they all acknowledge a type of humanistic and deceptively simple virtue found in Mayberry that audiences long to witness, if not emulate themselves. It's a morality that resists the "hyperactive zealotry" and bureaucracy that the show satirizes through Barney Fife (along with guest characters like the new mayor) and instead emphasizes the understanding that one can have for each individual and the trickstery middle paths that one can find to address conflict.

[buddyhollyscurls]

You know, in my opinion, I think what makes Tohru's and Kyo's relationship work so well is that they're really two halves of the same coin. At their core, they're two lonely little kids who are learning that they deserve to be loved and that it's okay to want to be loved.

And I know you could say that about the Sohma's in general, yk, the majority of them are incredibly lonely and most of them also have a hard time accepting love or feeling deserving of love. But i think what brings them together is they have both carried the burdens of other people FOR SO LONG

Tohru, from the time she was a little girl after her dad died, tried so hard to fix her mother's broken heart and her grief. She imitated her father in the hopes that she could alleviate her mother's pain, that she would see her father in her and it would help her mother feel as if he were still around. It's what makes her who she is - such a self-sacrificing and giving person who opens her heart to everyone in need.

From the time he was born, Kyo has been the zodiac's scapegoat. Shigure even says the zodiacs are monsters, and it helps to know there's someone worse than them. His whole purpose because of the curse is to essentially martyr himself for the zodiacs and to live his life in a cell. He is uniquely isolated from the family just because he exists.

I think it's so important that these two people who've been conditioned that others matter more than they do found each other and show each other constantly that they matter to each other. it's just

[basedkikuenjoyer]

We have Academy Episode 44 and I already want more. So we do resolve the stuff with Corazon, he's fine and after a couple of days to heal we get everyone together to debrief. (Can I see them? Yohohohoho) Seriously though, we do get an update on the Oni Middle Recon Team. Not too much though because they couldn't hear over Queen's Zoomin-Zoomin-Zoomin. Y'all should know by now I'm being serious when I say things like that. Sadly no Kiku, the mention Yamato not being there briefly, but it is very similar to the scene where we came back from Wano setting up there was stuff with Kiku we didn't see. Very short recap.

They saw a meeting with the Tobi Roppo assembled where Vergo shows up. Keeping up this trend of a jumbled New World Saga plotline. What I do find legitimately interesting is how we put the uniform game on display here. You can see Ulti very visibly in the very different Oni girls' uniform. Vergo also has a scene of switching them. Recall that was the fun little "read between the lines" thing with Kiku when this started. We had no way of knowing they were different yet, but she was wearing a New World Middle uniform which makes sense through context we cement in all this with Law/Cora. We've seen Izo a few times, people tend to live with their first family in this verse. Ergo, Kiku & Izo might still be like, at a dance school and it wouldn't be unrealistic for Kiku to be in a situation like Brook studying abroad at a music school. Working part-time as a model or something. There's one more thing here that makes me think of that even if she's not in this chapter directly:

I'm as incredulous as Luffy is to see Cora without his hat. So he can take it off...

This conversation is all about big brothers, weirdly enough it's Luffy who has the most faith in Doffy to do the right thing. But Cora goes off on a tangent during about how he's coming back to school and you can think of him as a 2.5 year student because does anyone actually care about the school part of this? That does actually play well with how Yamato described Oden & the Akazaya several chapters ago. That they were students in the past but delinquents who hopped between Oni/New World. All that to say we got our update on the Oni Recon team, it played back into making sense of our Marine side ventures, and just so happens to do it in a way that plays nice with our girl's cryptic shit in the background. All set up to come to a head with a promise Doffy will show up in time if Kaido attacks...

Well damn, that was fast. So we gonna get Monet in here or are we being exclusive with the big brothers theming? Her and Sugar finally getting to be together would be a treat. Check Dellinger's outfit, lil psycho Momiji Sohma over here. Baby 5 is one of my absolute favorite designs in this series. The headband and extra frills on her skirt. I assume the flames on Doffy's pants make him go faster.

Uh yeah...looks like this may be all coming to a head soon! Academy has really matured into telling a compelling narrative in its own right on top of making excellent use of a known cast in a different setting.

[cynicallyanime]

The Distance Between Us

Author: @cynicallyanime

Warning: Lots of angst with a fluffy ending! (Also memory loss.)

Notes: Sorry if this seems a little short or cut off in a weird spot. I’ve been trying to get back in the groove of writing. But, I’ve been having lots of personal setbacks. I had originally planned for more of the story so I might make a part two later if I find the motivation. Please COMMENT/REBLOG if you enjoy!

Pairing: Momiji Sohma x yn

Words: 5,965

Momiji Sohma was always a peculiar one. Ask anyone who's ever met him. They'll tell you about how he liked to wear feminine clothes until high school and he finally hit a growth spurt. Or they'll tell you about his accent and frequent use of German words that hardly anyone understood. Maybe they'll even tell you about how he always had a smile on his face and goofed around like a little kid, never taking anything too seriously.

The first time I met Momiji was when we were both really small. Probably, like, age twelve or maybe even younger. But, he went to an all boys' school and I went to a regular one. So, that's not where we met. I actually met him when I was preparing for my first big duet competition.

I play the piano. I have ever since I can remember. And for the competition, I needed a violinist to play alongside me. Or at least, that's what my instructor told me. My family had me in solo lessons, so practice was always pretty lonely. I was excited to finally be able to make a friend I could share music with. However, it was up to my instructor to make the match for me. I just hoped she picked someone nice.

There I sat at the practice piano on the day we were supposed to meet. All my instructor told me was that he was a boy, he was my age, and that we were at the same skill level in each of our instruments. So, it was a good match for the competition coming up in a few months.

I expected someone very studious. Someone who would probably not want to have any fun. That's just the way my instructor was. All work and no play. So when the door to the studio opened and I turned my head to see, I was surprised to say the least.

In barged the exact opposite kind of person I had imagined. A little blond boy skipped in through the doorway before the adults could even open it all the way. He bounded straight over to me with his violin case clutched in his left hand and practically touched his nose to mine.

"Hallo!! It's so wunderbar to meet you!!" His light brown eyes shined happily, the same as his broad smile. But, I couldn't help but be a little lost by his accent and the way he was saying things. "I'm Momiji Sohma! Und I can't wait to play together!"

Despite his friendly personality, I was still too flustered to speak properly. "I-uh..."

"Momiji. You're here to practice together, not play. Understand?" The stern adult scolded him. I presumed it was his violin instructor that had come with him.

He instantly stood up straight. "Ah! But we are practicing to be able to play together! No?" The instructor rolled his eyes likes he was used to his antics.

"Excuse me," I whispered out, not quite as outgoing as he was yet. He turned his eyes to me in surprise. "Why...um...why do you sound like that?"

He tilted his head and put one finger to his lips as he thought. "Sound like what? Hmm...oh! You must mean my accent. I'm part German on my mutti's side!" He explained with no hint of offense at all. Then, he continued with a small wink, "Mutti means my mother, by the way."

"Oh!" I finally relaxed when I realized that he wasn't intimidating at all. He was actually quite kind. "It's so nice to meet you! I'm yn yln!" I reached out my right hand and he took it without hesitation to shake it.

And that was the beginning of it all.

For the next few months, we spent nearly every day after school together. Hours upon hours of playing the piano alongside him made me so happy. His violin playing was so amazing. His face would become so serious while he concentrated on his strings. Sometimes I just wanted to listen to him play by himself. But our instructors said if one of us was playing, then the other should be too.

We learned so much about each other so fast. For the first time in my life, I had felt like I truly had someone I could call my best friend. Except...he wouldn't hug me like I saw all the other best friends doing. In fact, the closer we got...the further he moved away from me. At first, we would high five, bump shoulders, and even touch foreheads. Just like the first day we met. Out of nowhere though, he suddenly seemed shy around me and we stopped doing all of that stuff.

That was what was peculiar. The outgoing and bubbly boy who had become my best friend changed completely when I tried to get closer to him again. That made me a little sad. And also curious if maybe I had done something to hurt him. But, I never pushed because I wanted to keep being best friends.

Finally, it was the day of the competition that we had been practicing so hard for. But, we also had so much fun together that it hardly felt like practicing and sometimes I forgot that there would be an end. It was my hope that we could continue to be friends even after the competition. Maybe we could compete in more if we won this one. I had made up my mind to try harder than I ever had before.

A few hours before the competition started, I walked into the massive building with my hand held by my mother's. I gripped the skirt of my fancy dress in my other hand while she checked me in, nerves starting to get to me. All the nerves went away, though, when I finally saw Momiji.

The door opened to the green room we were waiting in and he skipped in, like always. My heart started racing so fast it felt like butterflies were hatching in there. I had never seen him dress so formally, all buttoned up in his suit and tie. He was so cute.

"Yn!!" He exclaimed upon seeing me as he walked closer. Maybe it was just my false hope, but I thought his eyes sparkled when he looked at me. "I've never seen anything prettier than you are!"

His declaration caused me to blush hard. So much so that I had to turn away. Our instructors and my mother excused themselves to go get some drinks, since we would be performing last. I clutched my hands over my chest, wondering if I would be able to hear the keys over my heart out there.

"I mean it, you know," he said softly, leaning his face to be in front of where I was looking. "It's not just the dress. You're always shining, just like schatz...like treasure." Momiji placed his hand on my shoulder for the first time in weeks and all my worries melted away.

I couldn't hold back anymore. I had to know why he had been distant from me. "Momiji," I whispered, eyes fixed on the ground, "do you...hate me?"

"What?" He sounded genuinely surprised. Like he didn't even know that his actions were impacting me.

Finally, I fully met his eyes as one of the tears that had been building up inside for weeks slipped out. "I asked if you hated me!!" His eyes widened at my volume and I was shocked a little bit too. But, how could he say I was like treasure when... "I thought we were best friends! But, you don't ever want to be near me anymore! You...you say I'm like treasure but you won't even hold me like I am!"

My outburst left a deafening silence hanging in the air. Tears flowed freely from my eyes. And Momiji...looked like I had struck him right across his face. His hand fell from my shoulder and I wished I could take it back. I opened my mouth to apologize and beg him not to stop being friends with me. But, he spoke first.

"You are wrong." I wanted to cry more at his words. How could I be wrong when I could see it so plainly? "It's because you are my best friend that I can't do that."

I clenched my fists. Couldn't he at least be honest with me? "Why?? How does that make any sense?!" I clapped my hands over my face to hide how red and puffy it was getting. Embarrassed. I was so embarrassed by my own behavior.

"Yn, stop that." His tone was stern but kind and he reached out to pull my hands away by my wrists. "Don't hide your sadness. Especially, when I'm the cause."

"Momiji," I sobbed, "I don't understand what you're saying." Feelings were hard at that age. First, you were confused about what they were in the first place and then about why they wouldn't go away. Mostly, I was confused because he was contradicting himself.

He reached out with both hands to wipe the wetness from my cheeks. Then, he patted my head so gently. "I want to hug you. But, if I do...bad things will happen. I don't want to stop being friends-"

"Then, don't!" I had listened to enough. My body moved without me telling it to. I slammed into his chest and wrapped my arms around his middle so tightly. "Nothing would ever make me stop being your friend!"

Then, it happened.

In a puff of yellow smoke, Momiji disappeared. The sudden absence of his body sent me tumbling to the ground. I sat up on my knees as the smoke started to clear and looked around. All I could see was his clothes piled in a heap where we were standing.

"Momiji?" I couldn't believe my eyes. The clothes heap started rustling. "Uh!"

I was scared of what it was...until a little yellow bunny poked its head out. Somehow, I didn't even have to ask. I knew it was him. His long ears sagged and his nose twitched as he looked at the floor. "I tried to warn you."

"Ah!!" I yelled in surprise. I hadn't been expecting him to talk in that state. But, I settled down pretty quickly. "Sorry! You just caught me off guard. That's all."

He looked up at me, his ears raised the tiniest bit. "You're not...scared at all?"

"Of course not!" Tears started to form again, except this time, they were happy ones. I promptly scooped him up and cuddled him in my arms. He placed his tiny ones on my shoulder. His nose nuzzled into my neck while I gently rested my cheek on top of his head. "You're my best friend, Momiji. I want to be friends with you forever."

I could feel the cold droplets falling onto my skin.  So I held him closer with my hands. As I set him down and smiled at him, a noise on the other side of the door made us jump. Without thinking, I scrambled to shove his clothes out of view and hid him behind me as the door opened.

Our instructors and my mother had returned with the drinks, laughing and chatting about who knows what adult stuff. Momiji's instructor immediately whipped his head around. "Where is Momiji?" I gulped. I didn't know why, but I lied.

"The bathroom...? I think? Or maybe backstage?" I pressed one finger to my chin thoughtfully. "He did say something about watching the others from a good seat..."

With a groan, the instructors quickly left to search for him. My mother took a few steps in and looked over my face. "Sweetie, what's wrong?? Is it nerves?" I nodded.

"I think I left my lucky bracelet in the car," I lied again, "could you get it for me, please? I think it would really help."

She took one look at my pitiful face and her expression softened. "Of course, sweetie. I'll be back soon!"

I let out a sigh of relief just as I heard a poof sound behind me. "That was clo-" The words died on my tongue as Momiji reappeared...naked. "Ahh!"

"Thank you," he said calmly, and proceeded to put his suit back on while I turned the opposite way. "If they had found out, we wouldn't be able to see each other anymore."

We sat next to each other on the couch and he told me everything. The curse that ran back generations in the Sohma family. That hugging the opposite sex triggered the transformation and that it lasted for varying amounts of time. That no one was allowed to know or the head of their family, Akito, would be furious and erase their memories. It was a little hard to swallow. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would've thought he went crazy.

With his secret finally out in the open, he clasped my hand in his. I squeezed it tight, never intending to let him go. Of course, I had to when it was our turn to perform. I thought I couldn't get any happier up on that stage playing with Momiji. But, then we won and we were allowed to keep playing together for more competitions.

Day in and day out for six months we would meet up to rehearse. We would hold hands when the instructors weren't looking, and when they left us alone for short periods, I couldn't help but hug him. One day, I even got up the courage to give him a peck on his little pink nose. When he returned to normal he was as red as a sakura blossom.

Momiji had his birthday in that time, so he had turned thirteen before me. It was finally my birthday...and I knew what I was going to ask for. I waited on my piano bench in the rehearsal room like always. The keys played a soft melody under my fingers and I hummed until I heard the door open.

Momiji walked in and closed the door behind him. I was so excited to see him that I missed the signs. Skipping over to him, I grasped his hand to pull him over to the bench with me. I couldn't feel how he dragged his feet over my racing heart.

"I finally know what you can give me for my birthday!" He had asked weeks ago and I couldn't come up with anything. But, it had finally come to me. "Momiji, I li-"

He squeezed my hand as he interrupted me. "We can't, yn."

"You...you don't even know what I was gonna say," I protested, worry seeping into my skin.

When he finally met my eyes, I saw it. They were red and puffy and his nose was as pink as it was in his bunny form. "I do. Because I want to say it too..."

"What happened?" My voice came out barely above a whisper. I didn't want to know the answer because I knew it was bad. I felt it coming off him in waves.

He sighed. "We can't be friends anymore."

"But...why?" My heart shattered.

His other hand covered our clasped ones. "Akito found out that you know." My eyes widened. "He doesn't want anything or anyone to take us away from him. So, I can't see you anymore."

"No," I whimpered, "that's not fair!"

I watched as he scrunched his eyes closed, his eyelashes becoming wet. "He said...you have to have your memories of me erased."

"No!" I yelled, standing up abruptly. "He can't do that! I don't want to!"

Momiji opened his eyes and looked at me brokenly. "You'll be better off...not remembering. You'll be safer. He'll leave you alone that way," he tried to explain. I just kept shaking my head. I didn't want to hear it. Suddenly, he got up and grasped me by my shoulders. "It's not a request. Akito's word is final."

Tears started dripping rapidly from my lashes as the door opened. A studious looking man in a trench coat walked in. He looked guilty already. This must be the one that does it. I quickly looked at Momiji, curling up his shirt in my fists. "Please, don't let him do this, Momiji!"

"I'm so sorry, yn!" He sobbed and reached in his pocket before pulling something out. Angling himself so the strange man couldn't see, he grabbed my face in his hands and pulled me closer. Momiji pressed a soft kiss to my lips as he slid something under the layers of my short hair. "Happy Birthday, mein schatzi," he whispered in my ear as he pulled away.

When he did, I almost reached up to pull it out and look. But, he glanced over his shoulder and I realized it was supposed to be a secret. "That's not fair," I cried but smiled slightly, "kissing me like that when I won't be able to remember."

"I'll remember for the both of us," he stroked my bangs softly out of my face, "I promise."

He held my hands as he sat me back down on the bench. I took a deep breath, trying hard to stop crying so the last time I looked at him wouldn't be blurry. Finally, I nodded. "Close your eyes. It will be over quickly." The man said as he stood in front of me.

"Thank you, Momiji," I said as I closed my eyes, "for being my best friend." All I felt was falling asleep.

I opened my eyes and groaned. Lifting my head up, I saw that I was in my rehearsal room. "Did I fall asleep at the piano?" I looked around as I stood up and stretched. It seemed...emptier than before. "That's weird," I chuckled to myself and scratched the back of my head as I went to pick up my bag.

My fingers grazed something and I carefully pulled it out. "What's this?" I mumbled. Turning it over in my fingers, I saw a yellow, bunny-shaped hair clip. Something poked at the back of my head briefly. I shrugged. "Where'd you come from? I think I'll keep you. It is my birthday, after all!" I used it to clip my bangs back and decided to leave for the day.

~Ten Years Later: Momiji's POV~

I'm tired. These auditions are never-ending. My dreams are finally starting to become a reality. Ever since the curse broke, I've gotten closer with my family. So, I've started preparing for the concert that I want to put on just for them. My father, my sister, and my mutti. The one I promised to play for Tohru will come later.

The thing about the concert is that I thought it would be more fun for them if I wasn't playing alone. So, I'm searching for someone to accompany me. I've been holding these auditions for days and yet, no luck. It's not that they're untalented. But, they're all...missing something.

I've almost given up entirely. There are still a few musicians left on the list for today. But, I can't bear anymore. I stand up to gather my things from the table as someone walks onto the stage. "I'm sorry, but I've decided to cut things short for today. I'll be leaving now," I sigh, not looking up from my stack of papers.

"Oh," says the voice of a woman. "I understand! Does that mean I'll be first to audition tomorrow?"

That voice. Older and more mature, but still somehow the same. My body goes rigid and I'm afraid to look up. It's not her. It can't be. Tentatively, I peek up at the woman standing on stage, her hair pulled into two low pigtails. She smiles shyly and my heart constricts. Surely, it's not. I look back down, scrambling through the list of people auditioning today. It's got...to be here...somewhere...aha!

With a flourish, I hold the paper up. Her picture is attached to the corner and so I lift it up to uncover the name. I can't believe it...it's been how long? Ten years, almost? Quickly, I sit back down. "Play."

"You," she pauses uncertainly, "want me to play now? I thought you were leaving..."

I clasp my hands under my chin and lean forward intently. "I've changed my mind. You'll be the last today. So, please," I gesture one hand toward the piano, "play me something that you love."

Even from this distance, I can see her cheeks blush under the stage lights. She nods and makes her way to the piano. The light glints off of something in her long hair and my heart skips a beat. A bunny clip holds the bangs out of her eyes as she sits at the bench and takes a deep breath.

Just when I thought I couldn't be any more surprised, she starts playing. Fond memories wash over me as the notes fill the theater. This is the duet piece we played at our first competition together when we were children. Does she remember? How would that even be possible?

Perhaps, she chose this piece because it reminds her of the first competition she won. That's the thing about how Hatori erases our secret from their minds. He leaves just enough of the truth that they wouldn't notice anything is missing. There's no other explanation for why she chose it.

She's gotten taller...but not by much. Then again, I've grown as well. I'm sure I would tower over her if I could stand beside her. We're different people now. We've both gone through so many experiences that shaped us into who we are now...experiences that we didn't get to share with each other like we were meant to.

"Mr. Sohma?"

Her gentle voice pulls me from my thoughts and back to the present. I got so lost in them that I didn't notice the piece was over or her standing in the center of the stage again.

"Are you...alright?"

I tilt my head quizzically at her. Why would I not be? I'm confused until I blink again, and something warm slides down my cheek. Reaching up, I feel the wetness that has gathered there. I quickly wipe the tears away and stand up, plastering a smile on my lips.

"Yes, yes! I'm alright, danke!" My feet move me toward her of their own will as I continue speaking. "You just played so sweetly that it moved me to tears." Suddenly, I'm so close that I can see the surprise glinting in her eyes and I realize that I ran to her. "I don't remember that piece being so sad the last time I heard it," I admit.

She ducks her head for a moment before looking up at me from beneath her eyelashes. I knew it. I knew that I would finally be taller. "It's not supposed to be, actually," she begins shyly. Still so nervous despite all the talent in the world. "The original piece is a duet with the violin. It's missing its other half...so I can't play it without longing or sorrow."

"Where do you suppose its other half is, then?" I question, never letting my gaze leave hers.

I watch as a hopeful shine fills up her eyes. "It's right here." It feels as though my heart stops completely when she gestures to me. She remembers me! Overcome with emotions, I step forward. Ready to wrap her up in my arms and never let go again. That is, until she gently places her hand on my chest to distance herself from me. "Mr. Sohma...what are you doing?"

As quickly as my heart soared, it came crashing into the ground. Of course, she doesn't remember. She only meant I was the other half because it's the job she's auditioning for. I step back, bowing my head slightly.

"I'm so sorry, miss," I clear my throat for fear that she'll hear how disappointed I am. "I don't know what came over me. The job is yours...if you want it."

She clasps her hands in front of her lips. "Oh, really?!" Yn gasps. I miss her always having that excitement in her voice when she's near me. "But, I thought you have more auditions to go through..."

"I don't need to hear any more," I declare, "you are the one I want." She nods and I take that as her acceptance. "Wunderbar! I'll contact you in a few days with information regarding rehearsals. Danke and enjoy the rest of your day!"

I turn to go gather my things without a second thought. But, I'm stopped in my place when something pulls on my hand. I look down and see both of her slender hands grasping mine. When I glance at her face, I see that she's blushing and looking at our hands in shock.

"I just wanted to say..." I watch as she turns redder and redder before she finally meets my eyes. "Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I'll work really hard to make you glad you chose me!"

Some things never change. I smile softly at her while I take the hand she's not holding and pat the top of her head once. "I don't think you'll have to try too hard." The flustered look on her face makes me chuckle for the first time in days. "Bis bald, Miss yln."

Finally, I leave the dim theater to walk around in the late spring sun. Sakura petals float though the breeze as I sit on a bench and stare at my hands. I can still feel her small hands holding mine and the soft strands of her hair. So what if she doesn't remember me? We can make new memories now. Yn fell in love with me once, as children...we can fall in love again. There will be nothing to stop us this time.

Over the course of the next few months, we spend every other day together. It's almost like old times. The weather is getting hotter and she's started wearing her hair up. I have never seen her look so beautiful. I find myself getting so distracted looking at the loose hairs on the nape of her neck that I mess up frequently. But, each time she laughs and the embarrassment is worth it.

She's been so professional. Never wanting to take too long of a break to chat or stray off course for long. It's hard trying to get to know her again. She's very different from when we were kids. I can tell that she keeps a carefully placed wall up almost all the time. But...I don't know why. Could it be because of me? Does she remember the feeling of being hurt and abandoned, but just not the reason why?

On one particular day when the leaves are starting to fall, we get out of rehearsal so late that the sun has already set. I clasp the handle of my violin case as we exit the studio I rent side by side into the cool breeze. She bows toward me politely, like always.

"I'll see you next time, Mr. Sohma!" Yn turns to leave, but I want to stay close to her.

So, I call out. "It's been about four months since we've been working together!" She turns around in surprise. "Let's celebrate! It is dinner time and I kept us too late today." My heart thuds in my chest while she hesitates.

"Oh, no! I wouldn't want to trouble you," she begins to politely decline.

I tilt my head to the side. "You're never any trouble to me." Her eyes widen, the streetlights twinkling in them. "I insist. I'd like to get to know you better, anyway. You don't talk much about yourself..."

"I just don't think it's a good idea..." she says hesitantly. "We shouldn't mix our personal and professional lives." There's brief regret in her once twinkling eyes.

"Oh, I see." Disappointment sinks my heart into my stomach. "How long have you been together?"

Her eyebrows cinch together momentarily as her lips part. "What do you..." I smile softly, trying not to let it show in my face that I can't breathe. After looking over my face for a long moment, her face lights up. "Oh! I'm afraid you have it all wrong, Mr. Sohma!"

"I...do?" I try to keep my hope in check.

Then, she giggles gently, eyes closing in amusement. "Yes!" She opens her eyes once again and meets mine. "I'm not seeing anyone...romantically...that's not why at all," she explains, "I've actually never dated anyone."

"How is that possible??" I blurt out before covering my mouth with my hand. Her cheeks flush red with embarrassment. "No! That's not what I meant! I just figured that you're so wunderbar...there's no way someone hasn't-"

I cut off my stupid rambling before my foot slides further down my throat. She rubs the back of her neck sheepishly. "It's sort of silly...you might laugh."

"I won't," I say hastily, "I promise." Placing a hand over my heart, I lean a little closer to her. "Feel free to talk about anything you like with me."

Hesitation mixed with something else war on the expression of her face. With a sigh, she sinks onto a nearby bench and gestures for me to take the empty spot next to it. "I'm waiting for someone special," yn reveals.

"Isn't...everyone?" I genuinely question.

She shrugs, brows furrowing in what looks like an attempt to sort though her thoughts. "This is different. It's someone I've met before."

"!" Her words cause my heart to stop beating and my lungs to stop taking in air. I thought she had no memories left.

Her hand reaches up to tentatively touch the bunny clip in her hair that she's worn every single day I've seen her. I watch as her lips curl into the whisper of a smile, nostalgia painted in the way her eyes soften. Her eyes shift to mine and I jump slightly, not prepared for this look of complete and utter innocence.

"Have you ever...felt like-no," she corrects herself, head tilting up to look at the stars, "have you ever known that something important was missing? Like, you walk into a room and forget why you went in there in the first place but you know it was for something you needed?"

I nod silently as she looks at the clasped hands in her lap. "Of course..." You. You are what's always been missing for me...

"The past ten years have been that way for me," she admits with a sigh. Finally, she looks back at me again. "I found this clip in my hair on my thirteenth birthday." Pulling the clip from her hair, she holds it up for me to see. "Someone gave it to me. And I can't remember who..."

"Are you sure you it wasn't just a gift from a classmate?"

She shakes her head. "I didn't have friends as a kid." I want to take her hand in mine so badly. But, she always shies away from contact. "The piece I played for my audition...I won a competition with it as a child. Except...it was a duet competition. How can I not remember who I played with?"

"..." I can't find any words to say. Hatori messed up somehow. There's no other way she would be able to put it together. But...she's been thinking of me and looking for me all this time! How do I tell her it was me?

Waving her hand dismissively in the air, she lowers her head. "I told you it was silly-"

"Not at all!" She glances at me, grief swimming in her eyes. I'm the cause of that. She should never have that look on her face. I scoot closer and open my arms to give her a comforting hug.

She flinches back, panic filling her features. "What about the curse??" I immediately stop my movements as she looks around. "I'm sorry," yn covers her mouth in surprise, "I...don't know where that came from."

I can't stand it anymore.

Without thinking, I wrap her up in my arms. She goes still for a long moment, her heart thudding so fast against her chest I can feel it in mine. I carefully take the clip from her hand and place it back in her hair. "Yn," I whisper into her hair as I kiss it.

Seconds later, her arms slowly wrap around my middle. She clings tightly to the back of my jacket as she starts to shake. "Momiji!"

"What did you say?" I pull back slightly to search her face.

Her eyes are watering, a few tears dripping off her lashes. She sniffles, rapidly looking at every aspect of my face before smiling. "It's you."

"It's me." A small sob escapes her as she throws herself back into my arms. I squeeze her tightly, lips buried in her hair, never intending to let go of her again.

But, she untangles herself from me abruptly and scoots back. "Wait, what about-" she waits, probably realizing that minutes have gone by since our embrace and I'm still human. "How did...when did-"

"Oh, mein schatzi," I chuckle warmly, the hole that's been longing for her finally filled, "I have so much to tell you!"

Her whole face lights up. She finally remembers me. We're finally together. Nothing is standing in the way of us living the life we were always meant to live together. She reaches out and cups my face. Her thumbs brush my cheek and come away slick. I didn't realize I was crying, too.

"My birthday is coming up," she whispers hopefully, "and I know exactly what I want-"

I swallow her words with my lips on hers, my hand cupping the back of her neck gently. She presses against me, her arms holding me snug against her. Our lips push and pull, like the waves that crash on the beach shore. And I'm sure I'm not getting any oxygen because the only thing I want to breathe in is her existence. Her serendipitous reappearance in my life.

My lungs start to burn and I know that it will have to end soon. But, I don't want it to. I want to keep feeling her in my arms, smelling the perfume on her neck, and tasting the tea on her tongue. And she wants the same. I know it. But, eventually it becomes too much to bear, and I have to pull away.

We pant with foreheads pressed together, breath mingling in the air between us. "Sorry," I swallow thickly, "I couldn't wait until your birthday...I've already waited almost ten years for you."

"So, you..." She begins quietly, smile quirking one corner of her lips. "You've never..."

I brush a strand of hair behind her ear, closing my eyes as I kiss her forehead for a long moment. "I've never kissed anyone like that before. I've been saving it for you. Only for you."

[anqelically-archived]

moment 7 · ͟͟͞͞➳❥ kyo sohma x gn!reader

word count: 0.4k

content: no manga spoilers, fluff, the curse is broken already

navigation | event masterlist

kyo sohma wondered why you loved him.

before the curse had even broken, before he came to terms with himself, you loved him. without a doubt, you only saw him as kyo sohma, the tsundere ginger you dearly loved.

but why? why love him when he was shunned and cursed out by most of his family for being a monster? kyo thought that maybe there was just something you weren’t seeing, but he realized that he was wrong. you saw everything, and it was everyone else that fell short of doing so.

you were never sohma in the first place, hence your unbiased opinion. the zodiac tale was merely a story passed on from one generation to another in your eyes. its words held no meaning.

despite that, you knew it held its weight to those it concerned. the moment that kyo was free of the curse, it was as if pounds of burden had been lifted off of his shoulders.

he was able to do something that he had held back on for so long. with a swift movement from his arm, he pulled you into a loving embrace.

“i’m yours,” he told you. “i’m all yours.”

it’s been quite some time since the zodiac curse broke, and he was happier than he ever was. with no restraints, he was free to live a life with the choices he could make. freedom had never been so beautiful, especially with you at his side.

you sat right at the small dining table while kyo cooked your guys’ lunch. as if you were a pro, you folded paper roses with red and green tissue paper. multiple completed roses were in a pile at the end of the table.

you had finished your task the moment kyo placed a covered bowl and chopsticks in front of you. on a day like today, he decided to make your favorite ramen.

after setting aside the roses, you excitedly took the bowl’s lid off. the steam cleared and you found yourself staring at the food with a small smile.

“hm, is this what i think it is?” you mused.

on top of the ramen and other toppings was a sunny-side-up egg. however, it was cooked in a soft heart shape.

you gushed, “aww, how cute of you, kyo!”

“don’t mention it,” he shyly looked to the side.

“here,” something red came into his vision. “a super special flower for my love.”

kyo stared at the homemade rose for a moment before gently taking it with his hand. crafted with your hands during your own time, you handed him something he would hold on to for as long as he could.

“super special is right. as long as it’s from you, it’s the most precious thing to me,” he met your eyes, smiling.

as his first love, he hopes you’ll be his last.

note: kyo, my first love ❤️ we need more work for him and the other fruits basket characters (i say that but this is my first fruits basket work out of many 🙈)

please reblog for more!

[triptychgrip]

In Totality: Yuuri’s family secretly learns Russian in order to surprise Viktor at their wedding

Though I teased this story last week, real life sadly got in the way of my being able to post in time for Day 6 of Viktuuri Week (‘Happiness’). But, better late than never!

You can now read In Totality, my one-shot about how Yuuri gets his family/friends to secretly learn Russian in order to surprise Viktor during the Katsuki-Nikiforov wedding reception. In addition to chosen family feels, this story features Yurio stepping up to the plate to ensure that no one butchers his native language, the Nishigori triplets acting with astonishing levels of independence, Viktor doing some scheming of his own, and Yurio/Otabek/Mila tallying an Official Cry Count at the wedding. Below is an excerpt that I hope piques your interest in this story, or my other Yuri!!! on Ice fics!

—

“If anyone saw the most recent videos I have on my phone, they’d be thoroughly creeped out,” Yuuko dead-panned, switching to Japanese temporarily.

Mari smiled, and even Yurio cracked a grin from his side of the laptop screen. 

This was her and Yuuko’s third speaking practice session with him, and just a few days ago, the Ice Tiger had sent the two of them a number of videos in which he’d taken close-up footage of his lips while he’d pronounced different vocab words and sentences. 

So far, one of the hardest parts of learning elementary Russian had been training her brain to give the correct signals to her mouth to form the right shapes. 

They were so different from the ones used in Japanese!

 “I don’t know if you can tell, but I took that last one in the locker room, and Viktor walked in just as I was about to start speaking. I told him I was making a video for my dentist. What kind of creep dentist would ask for hand-made videos, anyway?”

Yuuko laughed so hard that she spewed water over her diligently-recorded notes, and Mari moved out of the line of fire just in time.

Once they’d all settled down, Yurio eyed her, appraisingly.

“Ok, your turn. Ready?”

Mari cringed but nodded, having to remind herself that she’d seen this particular teenager in a number of unflattering situations. Namely, those post-temple onsen soaks, two summers ago. 

So they were on even ground.

…somewhat.

One of the realities of learning a language was resigning yourself to the fact that you were bound to look and sound dumb, especially in the beginning. With her brother’s encouragement, she’d told herself to lean into that as much as she could.

“Hello. My name is Yuri, and I live in St. Petersburg, Russia. How about yourself?”Yurio began.

She took a second to think, trying to recall the content from the last few Meiji Academy lessons that she’d completed. 

Sohma-san, Kitagawa-san, and the other virtual instructors were excellent and always made time to answer questions well after the lesson had ended. But even so, there was something far more freeing in being able to practice this stuff with Yurio. 

[third-arch]

My Trafalgar Law HC's!! pt.15🤍🤍

ft. Kanna!! Longer Edition

Here are 5 random things that made Law bawl his eyes out:

-The story of Hatori and Kana Sohma

-The ending of Deemo

-The true ending of Undertale

-Rengoku's death

-The ending of Yomawari: Night Alone

Furthermore, Hatori Sohma is his favorite character in Fruits Basket.

I think one of the things that Law really likes about Kanna is that he sees Lami's kindness and personality in her a lot. It's probably what sparks his protectiveness and is more understanding of her. He enjoys the idea of what could've been.

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but since it is a really really old HC of mine, I'll say it again:

I think Law has some musical talent. I think he can sing, play some of the piano, the ocarina, the tambourine, and write sheet music.

But, it's been awhile, so he'll need some warming up.

When he first heard "I Need You" by BTS, he learned how to play it on the piano.

I think their HYYH Era in general might've helped him pick up playing the piano a bit more.

Speaking of BTS, Kanna reminds him of V.

To Kanna, Law reminds her of Suga.

If Kanna and Law were tarot cards, here's what they'd be:

Law-The Moon, Emperor

Kanna-The Sun, Empress

Together-The Lovers

I honestly don't know what his favorite season is. I think it would make sense for summer, spring or fall to be his favorites.

However, I do think he would hate the winter, since he seems like someone not particularly fond of snow or cold weather.

In a prompt list I did with an old friend, the question asked was,

"Board games, card games, tabletop games and such, what game do they like to play together or with the crew? Who’s good at what?"

Here was my response for Kanna and Law:

"Law and Kanna play chess. They bond a lot over it. They also play BS. Which is a game where you put down cards and call BS if you don’t believe them. If they’re not lying you have to take all the cards. If they are then they have to take all the cards. Winner gets down to 0 cards. Law and Kanna are equally good at this game and chess. Law finds it really attractive that she can spot his lies LOL."

Another game I think they'd play together is Fluttering Souls.

They might've also tried Karuta, but Law was too busy for it.

In that same prompt list, the question was asked,

"What store would they shop in at the mall? Or what area? How about law? Would he stand outside this store and wait?"

Here was my response:

" I am from the US. So, my answers will be based from there.

Law would probably be someone who’s very introspective in his selections and will basically slowly narrow it down if he doesn’t know what he wants, regardless. He’d spend a lot of time analyzing and exhausting all of the options on price and quality before he buys anything. You’ll be spending a lot of time with him if you go shopping with him.

- As for US mall stores, I think Law would shop at: 

Vintage Stock

Zumiez

Men's Wearhouse

Yankee Candle

Old Navy

Rue/Forever 21

Hollister

Pacsun

Tillies

(I put a number based on how long you’d be here, Tillies being in and out and Vintage Stock being you’re never seeing your family again.)

I think in general, law would shop in bookstores, clothing stores, or stores with like music and stuff for his coin collection. He’d be on eBay alot also looking at the prices of coins and always keeping tabs. He has a journal dedicated for coin collecting and like writes everything down. He’s very offline."

In another couple's prompt list I did, the question was asked,

"What do they think of each other's family? And how does the family feel?"

Keeping in mind that I made Kanna to be Koby's older sister, here was my response:

"Law is really interested in meeting her family. Kanna doesn’t talk much about her family, but Law thinks that they seem really awesome. Kanna feels the same. I’m sure that Law would be very awkward when if he meets Kanna’s family.

Ideally, I’m sure their families would adore each other and like seeing Kanna and Law together. Koby and Lami would get along really well, too. Lami would adore Kanna, and Koby and Law would eventually gain a mutual respect for one another. Kanna’s dad would be the only one who struggles to like Law."

No Surprises Spoilers Ahead

In a prompt list, I answered a question regarding Kanna and Law's dynamic. Here is what I said:

"This couple can best be described as 'right person, wrong time' with a sun and moon dynamic. Had they met in another life, they’d be a very happy couple with a daughter (Taiga) and possibly a little brother (Ame). 

After Dressrosa, Law helped Kanna remember how to love through his kindness. While Kanna began to love once again, Law learned to become vulnerable. Together, they were eventually able to stop “running away” from each other and reciprocate their love. Their relationship took time, patience, and many sacrifices. It was a rocky road and they still struggle at times. 

Yet, their love was a choice, and neither regretted it one bit."

[thelaughtercafe]

Ler Hatsuharu, Kyo, and Shigure*

Tea Type: Brown Sugar Boba

Potential Triggers: Suggestive twording mentions, especially in Shigure's, and it has a brief mention in Haru's as well!

Pairing: Hatsuharu/F! Reader, Kyo/F! Reader, Shigure/F! Reader

Length: 1.7k+

Summary: I split up White and Black Hatsuharu here just to give a heads up!

White Hatsuharu:

Ok confession time. Hatsuharu's been a dream Ler of mine since childhood so buckle in.

White Hatsuharu is an asshole.

Love him, but as a Ler? He’s an ass.

That bitch who will pretend he isn’t touching you when you’re falling to pieces.

Tickle you in public discreetly so you jump a foot in the air and look behind your shoulder every 5 seconds only to still manage to catch you by surprise.

Make you squeal, bang your knee on a table at a family dinner, or snort and draw attention to yourself and revel in the blush that fills your cheeks as you scramble to brush off your reaction.

0 shame too omg. You think he won’t do it in public where people can full on see because it’s been teases of exposure before?

Oh sweetie. How naive.

Don’t recommend calling his bluff unless you want to get wrecked right in a public classroom while he apologizes for you “overreacting” and you weakly try to hit him, which does literally nothing.

“You didn’t really think this would work did you? If you wanted me to tickle you more all you had to do was ask, not be a brat.”

He sighs like it’s a big inconvenience as if there’s not a faint smirk tugging at the edges of his lips.

“Guess I’ll have to wreck you more now to keep a desperate brat like you sated a little longer. Now behave before I get annoyed.”

King of cheer up tickles too though. That man will make you laugh with deadpan humor first and then attack later while you’re watching tv and cuddle while he makes you laugh yourself hoarse.

Technique wise he varies. If he wants to startle you he’ll dig in to a place like your hips, sides or ribs but if he wants to draw out the tickling for a long term session he can easily start out slow and methodical and gradually ramp up the heat.

Black Hatsuharu:

Oh you poor lamb. Have fun being fed to the Wolf.

See, White Hatsuharu? He’s a saint compared to when he goes Black.

White Hatsuharu can pace himself, has certain things he doesn’t do so he doesn’t overwhelm you.

Black Hatsuharu uses that against you to make you regret angering White to the point he lost his inhibitions. There’s a reason I made his title “The Punisher” in my notes.

And it definitely has nothing to do with the fact I’ve had a Ler! Haru Lee! Reader Bully fantasy in my head for over a decade what-

So yeah! Black Hatsuharu really only comes out if you either ask for it, verbally or by being intensely bratty.

Or if you provoke another Ler/get tickled by someone else. He’s possessive af and wants to be the only Ler you have, or at least the most memorable.

Therefore, his methods are much meaner than Hatsuharu's. Unlike White Hatsuharu he only Ler’s you in private.

But he’s also much more ruthless.

White Hatsuharu doesn’t use tools or his mouth but Black Hatsuharu uses both liberally so good luck with that.

Will gleefully make you scream yourself hoarse.

Also bondage. And blindfolds. Yup. Sensory deprivation in general.

After all, can’t focus on anything but him when you can’t feel anything but what he’s doing to you right?

Oh yeah, smirks openly the whole time he Ler’s unlike White Hatsuharu's stoic expressions.

He’s also much more vocal, and raunchy as well(if you like twording that way obviously!)

Either way he’ll make fun of you for liking tickling, all while wrecking you to oblivion. Especially if you verbally have asked for him rather than acting up.

“Oh? Were you really so desperate to scream yourself hoarse that you called me?”

He’d snicked coolly as he pins you to the nearest bed or wall.

“You’re being an unusually good girl today. Perhaps my lessons are sinking in at last. …or maybe you’re just that much of a needy ticklish brat.”

Kyo Sohma:

Kyo’s…funny as a Ler.

He likes the control it offers and though he’ll never admit it he also loves the touching more than anything.

A healthy way to show affection that’s not too emotionally draining where he’s in control and can cope with his touch starvation? Of course he adores it.

But he can’t ask for it! That’d be a weakness and Kyo isn’t weak!

Tries to get Yuki and has succeeded one singular time when he went to move him aside and ended up brushing his side.

Yuki left him gasping when Kyo laughed and taunted him and though he still tries now and again Yuki will look at him deadpan, smirk a little and move to attack or wiggle his fingers at him and Kyo is gone before Yuki can so much as take a step towards him.

Kagura teases him about liking it a little too much and that makes him flustered so he tried Hatsuharu.

…He went Black once and he has never tried to Ler Hatsuharu since. He was still confused when he came to, only to find Kyo near tears and trembling from exhaustion.

So his next target was Momiji, and he found rather than forcing it that it came very easily. He had the excuse of the boy annoying him for a cover and Momiji, even if he knew Kyo liked tickling him, never said a word.

Kyo would never admit it but he was grateful.

He’s shyly begun expanding his horizons with the boys in class when he has the nerve to. Little things like poking their sides when they ruffle his hair and such or call him Kyo-Kyo.

When he lers, he tends to act bothered by their weakness. He’ll scoff and act annoyed and tell them he’s “toughening them up” or “helping them get stronger”.

“Can’t believe you’re this ticklish. Tsk. You know what a big handicap this would be in a fight?”

Speaking of; loves to playfight. Will let his tired Lee up, encouraging them to wrestle/spar/try to come at him and then scold them when they don’t have the right form or not enough strength behind their moves before taking them down gently and continuing to wreck.

This is typically the point he can’t hide that giddy schoolboy-like smile he has so try and steal a glance while laughing your head off if you can.

“Hah, wow. That was pitiful. Maybe we’ll just focus on your stamina for now huh? That’s clearly all you can handle at the moment. Let’s see how you do with another 10 minutes of tickling hm?”

Shigure Sohma:

So I dunno too much about Shigure given I’m not fully caught up in canon(I’ve only watched both anime's first seasons since I want to watch the new stuff with friends).

But I do know there’s more to him than meets the eye. He’s got this fascinating darkness inside him that pops out through snide comments that cut someone deep before he covers it.

I believe Hatsuharu referred to it as “being unable to see a wound without rubbing salt in it.”

So, as a person in general and a Ler I peg him as a closet sadist.

To build a little off my prior Fruits Basket headcanons!

In Kyo’s case it’s a more tsundere like affection for exerting control over others, and for Yuki it’s also a touch of closet sadism but he’s much less mature and experienced so he hasn’t grown into it yet or likely even realized he actually is a sadist in some shape or form. This is likely in part due to his trauma and not wanting to be like you-know-who, in any capacity.

Shigure however? Oh, he definitely has had the experience and time and uses it well. He’s explored every facet of himself throughout his years and recognizes his penchant for sadism as an unavoidable part of him.

What does this mean for him as a Ler?

It means his poor Lee is fucked of course. Especially if they know about his darker side. Even if they don’t if it’s been a while since he could let that sadism flag fly and his mask may slip a tad.

Shigure’s mask is cheerful, playful and light.

He’ll make jokes, take pictures or video of you laughing yourself silly or blushing and send it to your friends.

Stupid, fun stuff like that.

Which is why his more cruel side is often such a shock.

But in a dark mood he’s eerily professional.

First off, Shigure is a grown adult at 26, even at the start of the series, and the people his dark side would show for would also be of age.

It’s a big departure from our other babies so I just wanted to clarify.

Let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised if Shigure had a raging tickle kink.

I’m keeping this sfw but yeah. Something to keep in mind.

In any case, he’s a big anticipation guy. I could definitely see him using blindfolds and silk bondage.

Proceeds to let you stew in anticipation while he works on a new chapter for his novel; maybe has one of those motion activated fans that’ll blow air and listen to you squeal in expectant surprise just for fun.

Once he finally does touch you he may as well not be, initially, his touch is so light. You can barely feel it. He doesn’t truly start till you’re near crying and begging for him to tickle you.

Lives for the intoxicating sense of control and relishes in utilizing it over you. Will absolutely degrade while he lers.

Unlike Hatsuharu; doesn’t make fun of you for liking it we’re way past that if he’s made you beg for it, oh no.

He makes fun of you for begging him for a break, or not to tickle you somewhere.

“Ah, not here you said? But your hips make you squeal so loud for me, and that’s to say nothing of those endearingly pathetic bucks you’re doing in hopes of dislodging me.”

“Come now, a break? It’s only been an hour, my sweet. Surely you’re stronger than that? If not, you have a safe word. Use it if you feel so inclined. Otherwise; keep that pretty mouth of yours shut until I give you permission to do anything but laugh for me. Understood?”

God he’s such an asshole, he’s lucky you love him enough to put up with all his shit honestly.

[cinderella-ish]

Adulting: What did everyone do after the curse broke?

So, I have a LOT of headcanons as to what the different characters did after the curse broke. We do get several answers in Another, but for the answers we don't get, here's what I think happened!

Tohru: I don't think the specific nature of her job would be terribly important to her, so much as just entering into the workforce. From her outfit in the Prelude epilogue, it seems like she's not doing manual labor (like cleaning, which was what I initially thought she'd be doing, since she had experience). I wonder if she's an employee at a school; her colleague kind of looks like an elementary or middle school teacher to me. I don't think Tohru would be able to teach without further education, and she was very clear that she did not want to pursue further study. I'm not sure if Japan has classified staff/paraprofessionals or an equivalent, but I think she'd be amazing at that job. I also think she probably became a stay-at-home parent as soon as she and Kyo had the means for her to do so.

Kyo: we know he became a karate instructor, and I just bet he's a fabulous teacher. I think him eventually taking over the Sohma dojo would be a full circle moment for both him and the Sohma family.

Saki: I can honestly see a lot of different jobs for her. Some favorites that I've seen in fanfic are art gallery employee, ghost hunter, and food critic. I have her becoming a hairstylist in Bloom Within Us, after attending beauty school through correspondence. Her clients ADORE her and she uses her wave-reading to make sure they're satisfied and tell them anything they really need to hear. It's common for appointments to end with her clients crying and hugging her because she's just healed some childhood wound of theirs. I could also see her becoming a ritual mortician, preparing the departed for their funeral (which would include hair, makeup, etc...) I think she'd be really good at working with grieving families and getting the deceased to look just right.

Arisa: she worked to put herself through junior college after she moved in with Kureno (though they had the money, she insisted on doing it for herself), and became a nurse in elder care. She makes friends with the crankiest old folks and cries like a baby when one of them dies.

Yuki: I shared in my Yuki headcanons post that I see Yuki going into politics and eventually working in international relations. I see him wanting to see the world far outside of the Sohma estate.

Machi: I always pictured her becoming an accountant.

Kakeru: we know he goes to college, and that he wants to help Komaki's family with their business, so I always assumed he'd major in something that would help with that. Maybe business management?

Momiji: we know he went on to take over his father's corporation. In my Momiji headcanons post, I shared that I see him going to university in Germany, and getting his MBA (or the equivalent). I think he'd need to know this before beginning his third year, so I suspect his father sat him down at some point during his second year to bring up the possibility of taking over his business, and told Momiji of his intent to "adopt" him so he could officially be part of their family again without raising his mother's suspicions (in Japan, it's common for CEOs to adopt their successors). I think this is what would've led Momiji to pursue business instead of music. I do think music is probably still a huge part of his life; I suspect he still plays violin casually, and he probably has a season subscription to orchestras in both Tokyo and Berlin (or wherever the German branch of his father's company is).

Kagura: she studied childcare, and I actually think that's a spectacular fit for her. When she's not being a total yandere over Kyo, she's a very nurturing and big-sisterly character.

Rin: so, I think Rin would continue to have major health problems for the rest of her life, and would probably struggle to find work that accommodates her needs and doesn't trigger any of her stress-related symptoms. I think she'd have short stints in a few jobs, like maybe retail, or modeling, or something artistic or design-y, but eventually I could see her just taking commissions for her own artwork when she feels like it. She seems like someone who wants very badly to contribute, and I think it would take a lot for her to accept that her body won't let her work full-time or on someone else's schedule, but Haru (and all her friends) would gently encourage her to take better care of herself, and at some point I think she'd accept that working for someone else just isn't sustainable for her long-term. (Though, pregnancy would also be extremely risky for her, and I'm surprised they had kids, let alone TWINS.)

Haru: I love that he does metalwork and makes most of his own accessories, so I always imagine him continuing that. I could also see him picking up odd jobs (like dog-walking? why does that seem like something he'd do?) from time to time. I think an independent, artisan-type job would suit him best.

Kisa and Hiro: most of the fandom seems to have Kisa becoming a teacher and Hiro becoming a lawyer, and those are absolutely perfect jobs for them.

Ritsu and Mitsuru: I like to imagine that Ritsu goes to work for Ayame, specializing in styling traditional clothing. This is how Ritsu comes back around to wearing whatever tf he wants, which ends up being a mix of "women's" kimonos and more flamboyant menswear (like his idol, Ayame). He and Mitsuru do eventually get married, and Mitsuru's the one who ends up running the onsen, because that girl deserves to relax!!!

Ayame, Mine, Shigure, Akito, Hatori, and Mayu: we mostly know what these characters do as of Another, and I don't have a ton to add except for Mayu (see below).

Megumi: Since we know Megumi becomes a teacher at Kaibara, I also headcanon that Mayu's still a much-loved teacher at Kaibara in Another, and that she and Megumi are work besties who like to mess with Makoto Takei when he's being especially obnoxious. I also headcanon that Mayu eventually introduces him to his future wife, since we know he likes older women.

Kureno: I imagine he'd become someone else's assistant; even better if he can work from home.

Yusuke and Hiroshi: In Bloom Within Us, Yusuke helps his dad run a grocery they own, and Hiroshi becomes a doctor (GP). I think, if I were only going off canon and not the elaborate backstories I created for them, I could imagine Hiroshi being someone who emcees events (almost a la Ryan Seacrest? but on a much smaller scale) and Yusuke I could see working at a University as like, a freshman advisor or residence life director. Basically someone who makes sure everyone's adjusting well to the campus and who people can go to with questions. I could actually see both of them doing this.

Kimi and Nao: side note, I kind of ship these two? But anyway, I can see Nao becoming a very stressed out CEO or (more likely) director of a non-profit, and I can totally see Kimi as someone whose job it is to secure donations for that non-profit, which she absolutely does by flirting with prospective donors. They'd be almost frighteningly effective when working together...

What do you think? Did I miss anyone?

Also, I almost used the scene where Tohru imagines their future together while at Kyoko's grave for the header image, but it made me cry, so...

[blues824]

Would it be possible to request a male Kyo Sohma reader (for the Remarried Empress) who's a (begrudgingly) visiting Prince sent with his cousin Yuki (who, also begrudgingly, acts as his secretary despite being a Prince as well) to gain favor of The Emperor during the New Year Ceremony. The Empress catches Reader's eye (platonically, since he's already interested in someone from his country) and they form a bond.

He's outraged on her behalf (though he can't really act on it) but offers to gather any information she may need, even dragging his cousin into it as well. Her Majesty finds herself getting letters from an orange cat and a pretty silver rat.

A small time issue ends up with the cat being exposed as Reader being the cat who admits to it being a pretty risky idea to begin with.

(I don't know where I was trying to go with this, I was mostly wondering about the cast's reaction to such a strange pair)

Preface: You are originally from this world and not isekai’d. You are the Crowned Prince of the Southern Kingdom (completely made up place), sent by your family to go gain the favor of the Emperor of the Eastern Empire.

Sovieshu

Even before you met the Emperor, you were still pretty disgusted that he had the audacity to take up a mistress. You didn’t do anything to hide your distaste for this action either, and would announce it to the world if you could. Unfortunately, your family was counting on you to make a good impression.

The second you laid eyes on His Imperial Majesty, bile started to rise. You didn’t hide it either, much to the dismay of your cousin. But, you used your charisma to win over the nobility of the Eastern Empire. They all felt the same way you did, and they told you about it.

Then, you made eye contact with Her Imperial Majesty, and you felt an instant connection. It wasn’t love, but rather two souls who know how to hide their true selves have found each other. So, you decided that the only logical thing to do was to go talk to Navier, and the conversation was really relaxing for the two of you.

Sovieshu was absolutely angry that his wife was conversing with another man, especially a man who had high authority in a different region of the world. It didn’t matter if the two of you weren’t romantically interested in each other, the fact that you had the audacity to converse with his wife while they were going through a rough patch was frustrating for him.

When it was revealed that you were the cat who assisted in delivering letters from Heinrey to his wife, he would have ordered your execution had you been one of his subjects. Unfortunately, because you were the Crowned Prince of the Southern Kingdom, which was an ally to the Empire, you were spared (albeit hesitantly).

Rashta

Honestly, you couldn’t really blame Rashta for being thrust into the life of a mistress since it was all Sovieshu’s fault for making that decision. That doesn’t mean you liked her though. It was like if someone tried to take Tohru’s place in the palace. The thought alone made your blood boil.

The moment you saw the new mistress, a hairball was rising in your throat. How could she be so happy knowing that she’s only in the palace for the Emperor’s pleasure? It’s not like any nobles actually liked her. Plus, she smelled of filth covered with different perfumes.

Rashta saw how you went straight to the Empress and struck up a conversation between yourself, her, and your cousin, and she was incredibly jealous. You were doing it on purpose too, all under the guise of ‘preparing the concubine for what is going to happen both in the castle and outside of the castle’.

She could see that Sovieshu was getting increasingly angry at you talking to Navier, and she was angry that his attention was off of her. She wanted you out of the Empire, but it was way out of her jurisdiction because not only were you there for the party, you were there for the regulation of trade between the Eastern Empire and Luipt as well. Basically, you were there for political affairs she couldn’t mess with.

When your identity as the cat was revealed, she didn’t know how to feel. It’s not like you were trying to hide it, but she’s just so naive that she didn’t even notice you disappearing for times on end to see a cat roaming around in your absence.

Navier

You had received a personalized invitation on behalf of Her Imperial Majesty of the Eastern Empire, stating that you were welcome to an extended stay in the palace to act as ambassador to the Southern Kingdom dealing with the trade routes between your kingdom and the Empire as well as Luipt.

However, the minute you saw Navier, you could sense that she was upset. So you went to go talk to her, ditching all proper etiquette that your cousin had talked you through. It was a pleasant surprise for her, and you both got to learn a lot about each other. You heard that Sovieshu hadn’t even asked for permission before bringing Rashta into the palace, and that made you unbelievably angry.

To distract herself from the pain, she asked why an eligible bachelor such as yourself attended the party with your cousin rather than a date, and the conversation turned into you spilling tea about Tohru. Navier wished you the best of luck in your romantic pursuit of the girl. That night, she became an older sister figure to both you and Yuki.

But, when she went back to her bedchambers, she was a bit suspicious upon finding a cat and a rat ‘conversing’ with each other and seemingly understanding one another. She didn’t piece everything together, but when Queen wasn’t allowed to fly in, you used your cat form to bring in letters.

When it was revealed that you were the cat who delivered her the letters, she hugged you. A few tears definitely did slip, but then she scolded you for being so reckless with your life. 

Heinrey

Your Kingdoms were in an alliance with one another, and that’s how you both knew each other. The two of you were Crowned Princes who were acting as representatives of the Kingdoms you hailed from at Navier’s party. But, the two of you didn’t always get along. It wasn’t until Tohru came into your life that you really established a friendship with Heinrey.

Mans was partnering with your cousin to try and get you to hide your obvious disgust at His Imperial Majesty, but you always wore your emotions on your sleeve. Plus, you weren’t doing anything too bad. You just kept shooting death glares at Sovieshu.

Heinrey was definitely jealous when you started a conversation with Navier, but he was glad that it seemed platonic rather than you just trying to woo her. You even introduced the two, and gave him a thumbs up from the side of the ballroom as they danced. You best believe that you were one of the groomsmen at their wedding.

Anyways, during the time where any birds sent to Navier would be shot down as declared by Sovieshu, you wrote to Heinrey and offered your help. You would use your cat form to sneak in and deliver the letters yourself so that open lines of communication between the couple could continue. You can consider yourself a hero. We salute you, soldier 🫡