Fruits Ripe

Episode 2a

While Tohru panics and starts to talk gibberish, she grabs all of the now animals and races downstairs when the doorbell rings. Lily decides to calmly gather the clothing on the ground folding it neatly so she can carry it comfortably downstairs. She concluded they would explain once Tohru calmed down.

The delivery guy knocked on the door drawing Tohru's attention, "Hello! Package delivery!" he called out politely.

Tohru uses all her strength to open the door unknowingly slamming it. Having no idea how they're going to deal with the situation, all the animals sweat drop in her arms. The delivery guy was a bit shocked , but just assumed she had been waiting for her package.

"They're... They're all animals!" Tohru manages to get out with her both breathless and still panicking.

Although she meant the predicament she was in, the delivery guy didn't get that. So he just smiled and took a closer look at them, "Yeah. Those are some cute pets you got there. Now, if you could please sign here." He held out the clipboard for her patiently.

Tohru drops all of them suddenly and continues to panic, at this point Lily has come downstairs and she's just watching from the open doorway.

"No! You don't understand!" Tohru says but they all pause when the dog uses stamp to sign off for package.

Lily chuckled grabbing the delivery man's attention. Upon seeing the Beauty in just an oversized button up navy blue shirt, he blushed. Lily not noticing walked over to the dog leaving the clothes in a neat pile by the door so she wouldn't forget it, not that they noticed anyway.

Getting drawn back to the dog he also chuckled a bit, "Aren't you a smart little poochie?" He watches Lily crouch down and scratch behind his ears blushing even more at the view provided by the new angle. He abruptly straightened up not daring to look down not wanting a nose bleed, he instead turns to Tohru handing her the package and with a wave, "Thanks a lot, ma'am. Have a good day!" And he rushed down the stairs of the mountain.

The dog seemed to enjoy the pats and scratches, so he laid his head on her exposed thighs. She noticed the rat climb on top of the dog's head and gently pat his head too. they both seemed to enjoy it, while she just seemed amused but didn't stop.

Suddenly the cat growls drawing the girls' attention then suddenly he spoke, "We could've covered if you jerks hadn't transformed, too!"

Lily started to piece together the missing puzzle pieces after evaluating the situation but didn't say anything. Only watched amused.

"You're the one who screwed up first, stupid cat." The rat spoke causing her to stop patting them.

"Oh, Yeah?" The cat that could now be identified as the ginger boy, Kyo snapped back.

Tohru just watched the interaction even more confused, "and they can talk?" she muttered.

"Clumsy feline", the rat with Yuki's voice clapped back calmly.

Suddenly the dog, who she can only guess is Shigure, Barks interrupting them from an inevitable fight.

Kyo, the cat, hisses at both of the other animals showing his displease. Lily stood up once Shigure dog straightened up from getting fed up with their arguing. She gently bent down by Kyo and slowly and softly ran her nails down his fur on his back. he didn't want to admit it but it felt really good. She never said anything though even when he crawled into her lap for more, though he still showed the others his back.

Shigure, the dog, noticed the interaction but didn't say anything just amusement and curiosity in his eyes. Then he spoke up about their predicament, "We can either tell them the truth or make up a story they won't believe anyway. As you girls can see, I'm the Dog, Yuki is the Rat, and Kyo Soma over here is the cat. We're all possessed by animal spirits."

Kyo, the cat, Hpmhed hearing him but opting to stay quiet so he could get more scratches. He purred quietly enough not for the others to overhear, but enough for her to hear him. She leaned down and gently whispered in his ear, " I'm Lily", causing a shiver to run through him.

Shigure, the dog, also noticed this interaction with even more amusement as he gazed over at them. Regardless he continued, "Ten others in the Soma family are similarly possessed by the different zodiac animals. Although it has evolved over the years. It's been this way for generations. Unfortunately, it doesn't give us any especially cool powers to speak of. Pretty much all we can do is communicate with our respective animals, and we transform when our bodies are weakened or when hugged by someone of the opposite sex." Lily gently put Kyo down and walked back to the door as she heard Shigure say the next part, just remembering the clothes she gathered before coming down, "We automatically turn human again after a while."

Right as he he said that, there were 3 poofs and clouds of smoke appeared. Upon seeing their transformation back Tohru panicked again to turn around and cover her eyes, Lily didn't bother though.

"Completely naked, I'm afraid." He finished sheepishly.

"Here you go, I figured you'd need it when I saw them on the floor", she told them as she handed them their clothes not closing her eyes but not venturing further from their eyes to give them that privacy. Then she led Tohru inside to calm her again while the boys got dressed.