This isn't what I wanted to post today. At all. You see, it's Yuki's twenty-ninth birthday today (August 26th) and thanks to my friend, Emzi-chan, who helped me to brainstorm a few nights ago I had a happy fluffy story all planned out. But… I couldn't get it typed out in time and now we have the start of an angsty depressing story. I'm sorry, Yuki-kun… I will post that birthday story though, just not on the correct day. (500 words is this fluffy fluffy scene that's borderline citrus and I haven't even finished it yet. ^^)

Now, this story is my rendering of Yuki's past. Each chapter covers events from one year that he was there. I'm trying to show the slow progression over the years to who is when he's finally released. Okay? Keep that in mind. Also, the chapters may be short or long, depending on events depicted and time needed.

Disclaimer: I don't Fruits Basket or its characters and all rights go to Natsuki Takaya.

Year 1 – Five Years Old

I don't know where she went, but she'll come back. Mother's going to take me home soon. I know she will. Sometimes I don't think she loves me but I know that she wouldn't leave me somewhere. She wouldn't do that, even if she doesn't love me all the time.

"You know, Yuki," Akito says, "The Rat and the god of the Zodiac are very close." We're out in the gardens so that Akito can get fresh air like Hatori's parents said he should.

"Oh," I say. "That's why I'm here?"

He looks annoyed. "No, stupid, you're here because your mother didn't want you anymore."

My eyes widen. That's not true, is it? She wants me, doesn't she? But Akito just said that she didn't and Akito hasn't lied to me before.

"Don't look so shocked," he says. "Besides, I'll always love you, Yuki, even if no one else does."

Yes, Akito would always love me. I don't understand exactly how I feel about him myself. I do love him, but there are times that I don't want to be around him. I want to both run to him and run away. It doesn't make any sense, and I try not to think about it.

But maybe he was lying, and maybe she does love me, and she'll come back. She'll take me home and away from the main house. She'll understand if I tell her how much I hate it here. Won't she?

OoOoO

Two days later, Mother comes to see me. I knew it! She's going to take me home! She does love me! Akito watches silently as I run up to and hug her leg and then take hold of the fabric of her blouse.

"Am I going home now? Can I go home with you?" I ask, looking up at her.

"Yuki, what are you saying? Don't you like it here?" She looks annoyed and I don't know why. Doesn't she want me at home? Isn't that why she's here?

Akito's watching and I know that I can't answer her truthfully without hurting him. I don't want to hurt Akito, so I don't say anything and only hold onto Mother more tightly. I hope she understands because this is the only way I can say what I'm feeling.

"Yuki, let go," she says, her voice sounding irritated.

I can't. She's my mother and I want to be near her. She does love me, doesn't she? She wants me, right?

"Yuki!" Her voice is a little louder and I squeeze my eyes shut, holding on with clenched fists still hoping that she'll understand. "Yuki, I said to let go!" She pushes me away and starts to leave.

"No! Mother, wait!" I run after her and she turns around to look at me. Her eyes are cold, but she must love me if she's going to take me home.

What happens then, I don't understand. She slaps me and tells me that I'm being disobedient. I try to make sense of it so I can know what I did wrong and can do better the next time. I just wanted to go home and be with her. Why was it wrong?

"Stay here," Mother says before walking away and leaving me behind with Akito.

"M-mother?" I say, holding a hand up to my face.

"See? I was right," says Akito. "But it's okay, because I'll always love you." He holds open his arms and I go to him. Akito loves me. That's enough, I think. Mother doesn't love me anymore, and I'm not sure why. I don't understand what I've done to make her not want me anymore, but it doesn't matter as long Akito will love me, right?

After all, Akito was right, Mother doesn't want me, but even though she doesn't he still does. I stay in his lap and let him hold me, hugging him back as hard as I can.

*weeps* I'm a terrible person for posting this on his birthday! Terrible! But, despite that, what did you think? Please review! It was a little difficult to write from a five-year-old's point of view, so how did I do? Review! Please?