Author's Note: This story is dedicated to Midorina Kazunari who is Member of the Month in the Hostile Takeover forum.

This doesn't feature a single main character because I chose a nonconventional story based on the plot as a whole and the reason why "Fruits Basket" is named as it is.

However, it's written in a way that it does reflect many of the characters past shown throughout the manga and the anime.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy this story!

Story:

This world is a basket, and we were the rice balls thrown into a pile of fruit, trying to not stick out. We were scattered and always on top even though we were made to feel low.

The oranges around me bragged about their many uses and how they'd always be wanted, needed, and useful. The other fruits would cheer them on and laugh to my face. I was different. I was a rice ball.

The apples were a different kind of cruel to you. They didn't want to hurt you so rather than talk for fear that they'd say something wrong, they ignored you. The apples would laugh at jokes but when you came around, they'd stop talking and pretend you weren't there. Alone, you must've felt. When the rain came, the apples used one another's leafs to protect the others while leaving you alone.

There were some who noticed you. Some who even looked and asked, "Why is she so different? Why does she cry?" Sad as it was, the thought of someone worrying and thinking about you made you smile.

But the smile faded as quick as it came. "Don't look that way. The freak will probably think you want to talk. Rice balls aren't fruits. They shouldn't even be in this basket." You heard it. I knew it. The others, they hid from the truth of those words.

You and I thought we were alone. Yes, for so very long, I thought I'd be cursed with only rolling with these oranges who thought they were better than me. I'm sure you thought similarly to me about the apples.

But one day, someone chose the basket with the rice balls on the corners, silently praying to be eaten first. Yes, I prayed for the end to come first for me for I've never known that the world could get any brighter or warmer until that someone dumped out the entire basket and I rolled into you.

I remember the moment so clearly because your white grains were shining like the morning sun. Beautiful, intricate, and powerful you appeared to be.

You were alone-just like me. I smiled at you and asked without hesitation, "Do you wanna be my friend?" No words, just a nod, but even in the silence between us, I could hear our hearts becoming one. Yes, I heard my heart say, "Finally, I belong."