Hi!
This first chapter is basically going to be short, sweet, and to the point. Emphasis on the 'sweet' part. Although expect angst. Either way, this is only the prologue, so I hope the rest will be longer.
Enjoy!
He wasn't sure what to do.
He, Ritsu Sohma, officially had no options left. He had just done the unthinkable. He had just run out of money.
For anyone else, this wouldn't be that big of a deal. But for Ritsu, this was the end of the world. He didn't know if he could bear it to return home and hear, over and over again, what a failure he was.
The tree branch Ritsu happened to be sitting in shook a bit as Ritsu wept into his sleeve. If only he could be a son his parents would be proud of! If only he could actually get somewhere in life! If only he hadn't run out of money! If only he had a job!
If only, if only.
Suddenly, though, he heard a familiar voice call out to him. Ritsu tensed for a second.
"Ritchan?" came the voice. "Is that you?"
"A-Aaya-san," whispered Ritsu quietely. Then, "Aaya-san?" a bit louder, this time.
Ristu looked down, only to find that his beautiful and feminine cousin was, indeed, standing beneath Ritsu's particular tree.
"Ritchan?" asked Ayame. "Are you alright?"
"Oh, hai!" cried Ritsu. "Gomen ne! I shouldn't be up here and crying and worrying people! Gomen! Gomen ne! I'm such a waste of space! The world would be better off if I were struck by lightening!"
"Now, Ritchan," said Ayame. "You simply must stop putting yourself down like that. After all, one is inclined to worry of they see someone up in a tree and crying. Now, my dear cousin, whatever is the matter?"
At that, Ritsu dissolved into sobs again. To be such a failure in front of his idol! He was truly a disgrace.
A soft sigh from below. "Ritchan," said Aaya, calling Ritsu by his pet-name. "I don't suppose you would mind climbing down from that tree? I can't climb at all in these dreadful heels! Oh, I shouldn't have let mine talk me into wearing these."
Ritsu managed to calm himself enough that he could lower himself to the ground. "I'm sorry, Ayame," he stated miserably. "I'm just such a failure! Oh, everything goes wrong for me! I should just go back home to my family and let everyone comment on what a failure I am. If only I weren't so prideful! Why can't I have a sense of shame like everybody else! Oh, I'm a disgrace to the family name. I'm sorry, Aaya-Sama. I'm sorry to all the Sohmas. Oh, gomen ne!"
"Ritsu," said Ayame softly. "What happened? Why are you crying?"
"Because I'm a failure! Everything I've ever strived to achieve is gone! Oh, I should have just offered to run the onsen like my parents! I'm a disgrace to everyone with my presence! Gomenasi! I wish I could have done one thing right in my life. Gomen!" cried Ritsu, tears seeping through his closed eyes.
Ayame eyed the young monkey in concern. Ritsu seemed to be worse off than usual. He couldn't help but wonder what had set the fragile young man off. A visit to Shigure's, perhaps?
To be honest, Aaya had never really approved of the way Shigure treated Ritsu. Poor Ritsu couldn't help it that he was so apologetic; he truly believed himself to be a failure at life and a nuisance. When Ayame had first met his cousin, he had been thrilled to find a fellow cross dresser. Ritsu's apologies didn't bother him as much as they did everyone else. In fact, Ayame found them slightly endearing. So of course, Ayame was always kind to his 'Ritchan.' In fact, Ayame was the one who had given Ritsu his nickname. Of course, once Shigure picked it up, it was less of a pet-name and more of an embarrassing nickname.
Shigure didn't mean any harm by it, but occasionally he did cause harm. When they were children, poor Ritsu had felt guilty for hours just because of things Shigure had said. Ayame hadn't known Ritsu at the time, or else he might have tried to help (And probably fail miserably and worsen the whole thing) his poor cousin.
Aaya had always been fond of Ritsu, really. So he was saddened to see the poor man, clutching his head and sobbing.
"Now, Ritsu," said Ayame. "It can't be that bad."
"Gomen for making you worry!" cried Ritsu. "But it is! I-I've... I've run out of money! Now I have to go home a disgrace to my family. Oh, my parents will be so ashamed of me!"
Ayame looked at his poor cousin in sympathy. If such a thing had happened to him, Aaya didn't know what he would have done.
"There, there, Ritchan," said Ayame, reaching over and patting Ritsu's shoulder. "It'll be fine. I know! Why don't we go back to the shop, so you can have some tea and rest for a bit."
"O-oh no!" cried Ritsu. "I couldn't bear to burden you, Aaya-sama. I'm sure you have a lot of work to do."
"Nonsense!" cried Ayame. "My dearest Miine-chan has the day off, so I, too, have been taking a bit of a break. It'll be fine!"
"A-are you positive I wouldn't be a burden?" asked Ritsu timidly, tears momentarily slowing.
"Of course!" said Ayame. "Don't worry, Ritchan." With that, the older Sohma grabbed Ritsu's arm and began to gently lead him away from the park and towards his shop.