Love Spell

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Fruits Basket franchise, story line, characters, etc etc. Though if I did...heheh...Ahem. Please enjoy the story!

"Sohma! Pay attention!"

A small 'pfft' escaped the boy's lips as he sighed, flipped open a black notebook and began jotting down meaningless scribbles. As the teacher droned on, Hatsuharu Sohma continued to zone out, not paying attention and letting his mind wander. 'What the hell would she be at sensei's house so late for? Yuki might know something…then again if he did he wouldn't tell me.' His eyes traveled out the window to the front quad below before resting on a few leaves that were falling carelessly. He suddenly drew in a quick gasp as he saw a graceful, longhaired figure leaning up against the tree in which leaves he watched fall. "Rin…" Without hesitation he feigned a headache before rushing down the stairs and towards the front entrance just as the last bell rang. He hurried back up and grabbed his things, stuffing them heedlessly into a black fabric schoolbag before hurrying back out. An exasperated sigh escaped Haru's lips as his eyes scanned the area to find no trace of her in sight.

"Looking for me are you?"

Haru then turned to see Isuzu Sohma watching him with a mild expression of interest. "Heh…it's more like are you looking for me…? Rin what are you doing here…you've said time and time again that you don't need me. So why torture me more than you already do?"

"It's not like I came here because I wanted to…Hatori wanted me to remind you that you have a checkup soon…that's all…" she then turned and began walking off before Haru grabbed her arm and spun her around, his eyes gazing on her.

"I miss you Rin…I don't know if you feel the same way…but…" he then tucked something into her hand before turning and heading in the direction of Shigure's house. "I hope you feel the same…"

Rin then stood there, watching him walk away before tucking the note into the pocket of the short, black miniskirt she wore, now turning and heading for Kagura's house. As she trudged along the dull gray sidewalk, her thoughts began to wander. 'I…miss you too Haru. But I can't tell you that. I can't tell you how I really feel or else he'll hurt you. It was my decision last time but I won't let anyone get hurt on my account.' She then nodded, sealing the silent pact she made with herself before sauntering into the house, pulling off her boots and heading towards her room. The messy but comfortable bed made a slight poof sound as she flopped onto it, now pulling the carefully folded note from her pocket. Her pale, slender fingers hesitated before unfolding it carefully, her brown eyes reading the page word for word.

Rin,

If you're reading this note then I'm kinda surprised. Normally you'd throw it out…perhaps there's still some of the old Rin left in you…? What I said today…about missing you…it's not enough. The feelings go so much farther than just aching for someone's company. Rin I want to talk….I want to tell you everything in person but I can't do that if you're not willing to see me. It's been killing me these past few months…or has it been shorter? That's just it…I think, once you let a person have that side of you…once you let them see your true self, a bond begins to grow. Not like the Zodiac bonds which tie us all to Akito…but a really special bond that only two people can share. I'm hoping that you miss me. If you don't…I'll understand…but it won't stop me from loving and caring about you. This Saturday…meet me…you should know where…if you don't show then it's too damn bad because I'll keep giving and sending you notes. They'll pile up for sure. Saturday…12a…you know where. I'll wait as long as it takes for you to realize that I need you.

Haru

By the time she had finished the note, Rin's eyes were stained with tears. 'He…needs me.' She thought, now breaking down in loud silent sobs. 'I need him too…but I can't endanger him like that. I just can't…Haru I want to see you more than anything but I can't and won't risk you being struck by Akito's hand.'

"Rin?"

She then looked up, her face wet with tears, her cheeks and eyes pink and slightly puffy. "Kagura don't you ever knock?" she sniffed, rubbing her eyes with the fabric of the longsleeve, black cotton shirt she wore.

"Isuzu…I heard you crying…are you alright? Did something happen?" The girl's eyes were full of worry, her expression was soft and caring to Rin.

The usually hard horse decided to be nice for once, "I'm alright Kagura. But…thank you…for being worried about me. This is a matter I have to resolve on my own."

Kagura smiled, nodded her head in understanding before heading for the door, "Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes…you should come eat with us…it might be fun…" The boar then left, sliding the black paper door behind her, the door making a slight clicking noise as the magnetic panels connected.

Rin stared at the closed door for a few moments before slipping out of bed and pulling a pair of black slippers onto her feet. She took a few deep breaths before opening the door and heading downstairs to the dining room.

The family was seated around the low table, Kagura setting out bowls, chopsticks and such before eyeing Rin. "Ah…Isuzu. Do you want me to set a place for you too?" The boar eyed her with a hopeful expression as the graceful and silent horse nodded, taking a place at the table.

A sigh escaped his lips as Haru sauntered along the sidewalk the following Saturday night. As he looked up, he saw that it was a cloudless summer's eve, the moon to its fullest extent. It had been about six days since he had given Rin the note and he couldn't help but have a small shred of doubt as to whether she was going to show or not. He prayed with all of his faith in her that she would…for the sake of everything; their relationship, his unsettled feelings for her, his sanity. It was here that Haru turned and crossed a street, his hands in his pockets. He loved everything about Rin, there was no denying that. He knew the struggles in which she tried to overcome by herself…including the fact that she was trying to find a way to break the Sohma curse. 'Damnit Rin!' he thought. 'The least I can do…is be there for the times when you fall…or maybe…when you can't stand on your own anymore…' His gaze then lifted and his heart seemed to skip a beat. There she was…waiting for him…As Haru calmly walked up to her, he noticed that she seemed somewhat distracted.

"So…I came. Now what?" Rin questioned, her gaze flickering up to meet his.

"Well…I want to talk to you about everything. I can't do anything else until I know if you truly don't need me anymore." Haru took her arm and gently pulled her away from the crowded sidewalk to the more secluded area on the top of the hill, which overlooked the city. He sighed to himself before flopping into the grass, watching the sky with mild interest. As Rin did the same, he noticed that she was looking tired, frustrated, and a bit sickly. "So I take it the investigation with the Curse isn't going anywhere…" he mused, gently picking at the healthy grass.

"How do you know about that? And besides even if it is, it's none of your concern." She glowered, her resolve never faulting.

"Rin…" Haru then turned onto his side to look at her. "Tell me I'm not needed….that I'm just garbage that someone's throwing out and maybe I'll leave you alone. When I said that missing you isn't enough…I meant it. That bond…it hasn't weakened…I know it. I need you Rin…can't you see that? I want to be with you more than anything, but a relationship isn't one-sided. You have to want to be with me…and need me too."

The stubborn horse turned away from him, hiding the emotion that was evident on her expression. "Haru you know that I would do anything to protect you from Akito. If that means distancing myself from you…then so be it. If it means I have to ignore you, I'll do it without regret because I know that it will keep you safe from him." She then stood, the gentle summer breeze rippling through her long, silky black hair.

"Then I don't want your protection Rin…" Haru's voice was in a gentle whisper as he had stood, his breath in her ear. "I have to know the truth…if you want to be with me or not, that's all that matters." With that his hand lightly brushed the long silky locks of ravenous hair from Rin's neck, his lips lovingly placing kisses on her skin.

A lump formed in her throat as she held her breath, wanting more than anything to hold him and tell Haru how much she loved him. Instead, Rin turned, pulling away from his lips. "I can't Haru…I'm sorry. The stakes are just too high to risk and I can't and won't forgive myself if anything were to happen to you." As she met his gaze, her brown eyes widened as Rin witnessed the look of utmost pain in Haru's expression. She had seen that look before…and it tore her heart to pieces to have to see it on her love's face.

" Do you think…that I haven't felt that kind of guilt before? Having to hear it's your fault that the one girl you would give your life for was scarred because of your actions…that, Rin, is the utmost guilt. You think I didn't know? I didn't…for awhile. But then the other day Hiro told me." Haru stepped forward, his hand reaching out to touch her. "It's my fault that you have to live with that scar on your back. Why? Why would you go to such great lengths to protect me when it's me that should be protecting you?"

Rin shook her head. "Damnit Haru stop it! This scar is nothing compared to what Akito could do to you. Physical wounds heal…but if I were to loose you…" she then looked away.

"It…would kill me…." Haru's eyes were now gentle, full of understanding. "After I found out what Akito had done to you…that it wasn't an accident…I went insane. I remember the hatred, how badly I wanted to see him die by my hand…but if you were to die because I love you…I don't think I could live with it." Haru pulled Rin to him gently, his arms embracing her tightly. "There are times in our lives when we're faced with an altering decision Rin. The decision we made that time…I don't regret it nor will I ever forget." He pulled back slightly, his thumb gently running over the pale lips that he wanted so badly to kiss. Upon this intimate but simple gesture, Haru let her go reluctantly. "It's late…I better get back to the house before they discover I'm missing…"

Rin nodded, her expression solemn and on the verge of tears as she watched the one boy she loved turn and saunter back towards the main house.

When you walk away…

You don't hear me say…

"I…want to be with you…"

- Konnichi-wa and hajimemashite! I'm Akusuru-chan and this is actually my first Furuba fan fiction. I've been writing this over the course of almost a year but I never thought it was good enough to put up until now of course. If you haven't noticed I really like the Haru x Rin pairing, their relationship is put to the ultimate tests at times but I believe they will perservere! -Laugh.- Yes yes, some of you may notice my writing style may change a little over the course of this story and for that I hope for the better. I might consider posting the story on Adult Fan for anyone who wishes to read the lemons and limes to come. ; Arigato and please enjoy Love Spell.

Akusuru-chan 3