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Disclaimers:

All characters portrayed belong to the rightful owner of Fruits Basket, Natsuki Takaya. I'm merely just borrowing it for my own obsession sake.

Rambles:

This serves as a continue to my previous fic, Room In His Heart, where I have left it hanging in mid air as it seemed a little plot-less at this particular moment of time. Thoughts in the previous fic will serve as a prologue to the reasons that led up to the upcoming actions taken by the Sohmas, and of course Honda Tohru. I won't be updating that often due to my constant writer's block. Hopefully it won't take me forever to finish this.

Here's Hatori, for now.

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:: Wishing FireFlies ::

[ 1. Beginning of An End ]

" … a long time ago, it is said that some fireflies have the ability to grant any wishes made upon them … "
" … it was told that these fireflies would only flicker when the moon is completely out of sight … "
" … when the darkness of the night would succumb and engulf everything in sight … "
" … and just as you think you're alone, sparks of red glow would suddenly appear … "
" … yes, these are the wishing fireflies … and if you wish upon them, you'll surely get what you want … "

It took him almost forever to reach the house by the hillside. He'd wished it was forever though. But it was merely just an hour that had stretched on like eternity. He'd wished he would somehow lose his way and never get there. But he didn't and he arrived. He'd wished the house was not in his sight at that particular moment of time. But it was. He could see it so clearly. The brown house that starkly stood out in the middle of a vast green land, surrounded by high-rising trees.

Sohma Hatori stepped down from his car, parked by the sideways of the road that led up to the house. He stopped his tracks for a moment and looked around his surrounding view. The sight was beautiful. Flowers were blooming everywhere. The scent of spring was in the air. It was such a beautiful day. And yet, it didn't quite go well with what he had to do today. What he always did. Just for an order. Without the slightest of emotions shown.

If there was a reason for him to turn around and leave at that very moment, he would do just about anything.  Yes, if he could just run away, he'd be running now.

If only there was a reason …
If only he had the courage …
If only he hadn't cared that much about him …
If only time would just stop and stand completely still …

Yet, reluctantly his feet brought him closer and closer to the front-yard of the brown house. And as he slowly pulled open the white gate, he had silently wished that no one would be in. That the house would be left empty. He had not even bothered to call before he came, so that he won't have to know first-hand who was in. So he could at least have a glimmer of hope.

But as he stepped into the hallways of the house, there she was, the girl who helped melt away his snow-covered heart. The girl who had brought back the smile onto his face again, the very smile that went missing ever since Kana had left him. The girl who always knew the exact words to say whenever one needed to hear them. Just like as though she could read through to their hearts.

Honda Tohru.

"Kuso nezumi!" the orange-haired boy screamed. "I'll get you for this!"

Hatori turned and shifted his attention from the girl to the two bickering duo, replaying their infamous everyday scene. Piles of book were scattered all over the floor. While Kyou had his feline ears and tail up, veins popping, ready to thrust his fists onto his sworn nemesis.

"Why? For your own clumsiness?" Yuki taunted back.

"Why you~" And without completing his sentence, Kyou lunged forward and attacked Yuki. But like usual, Yuki always managed to evade everything and it was always Kyou who would suffer the consequences in return. One kick was all it took to send him flying towards the door where Hatori was standing. And, like always, Tohru would rush to where they were, carrying that worried look on her face, while making sure that everyone was unhurt.

He chuckled to himself as he watch in amusement. Yes, this was the scene that would always take place in that particular household. A scene he was so accustomed to witnessing. And yet, soon, very soon, he would have to take that away. His smile promptly died away as soon as the thought came to mind.

"Ha-san!" Shigure's cheery voice rang out and everyone halted whatever they were doing and turned to the doctor's direction.

"Hatori-san!" Tohru stammered, while Kyou and Yuki just stared blankly back at him.

The doctor just nodded.

***

"You came to visit me …" Shigure said, while crying out what seemed to be tears of joy. "I know you will definitely miss me. The last time we saw each other was ..."

"Yesterday." Hatori helped complete the sentence. And as an afterthought, "Missing you would be the last thing I would do."

Shigure and Hatori were sitting at the dining table. Or rather, the only table that was available in the living hall. Kyou and Yuki were still carrying piles and piles of book, moving them back to Shigure's room, dropping a few along the way. Tohru was nowhere in sight, probably off doing some household chores somewhere, like she would always do.

Shigure then frowned. "Ha-san, you shouldn't be that straightforward. Even if it was a lie ... I would still–"

"Will you stop that?" Hatori interrupted again, this time his eyes glared through to the author and the latter promptly stopped whatever he had wanted to say and resumed to his everyday novel writing, like as though nothing had occurred a moment ago. His glare had always worked miracle. And it didn't fail him this time either.

Hatori silently sighed of relief. What he needed was a moment of silence to sort his over-clouded mind. It was a wonder to him how he himself could actually tolerate Shigure's behavior up until now and still had his sanity remained intact. Not to mention, Shigure had another half who was even a better expert in annoying him.

"Hatori-san."

Hatori shook off his thoughts and turned to the direction of the soft voice. "Yes?"

"I'm making dinner now. Would you ... would you like to stay for dinner?"

Hatori merely smiled and accepted her offer. "I would love to."

Then and there, Tohru's face beamed happily and she merrily skipped her way to the kitchen. Hatori smiled to himself again as he watched her leave. It was fascinating how little things could make her so happy. It fascinated him the very first day he saw her. It still fascinated him now. And he knew the rest of the Jyuunishi members would agree to that too. Yes, Honda Tohru was definitely a kindred soul. In fact, she was a soul too kindred to be involved with the Sohmas and their dark, secluded past.

***

The night came and went like what seemed to be eternity. Hatori was still wide-awake, still staring at the four dark walls that surrounded him. Nothing could make him turn in that night. Nothing would. Especially not with those many thoughts that kept running in and out of his mind. He rose from where he was and took a glance at the still sleeping Shigure who was lying right next to him. No, it was not what everyone had in mind. He was merely just sharing the room since there was no other place else for him to stay over that night. He chuckled at the sight of him. Shigure was wearing that usual beaming smile of his; probably dreaming of something he wished not to know of. 

His mind then drifted back to the night before, right after dinner, when he was supposed to be executing his promised task. Yet, the moment dusk took over the evening sun and heavy drops of rain started to fall, he couldn't help but gave in to the girl's sincerity when she asked him to stay instead. Yes, she was forever worrying about someone else's safety and well-being. Even if it meant neglecting her own. So how could he have the heart to comply with someone else's will then?

He then slid open the shoji and headed down the stairs. As he reached the foot, a glaring ray of light crept in, almost blinding his visions and he immediately had his eyes shut. When he re-opened them again, he found the main door was left wide opened. He knew then she was already up and running about somewhere in the house.

Perhaps this was what he needed. Perhaps this was the time. Before the rest was there.

And so, he slowly walked towards the front yard. As he approached the door, he could see her cheery face through the small crack that was left unattended. He lingered behind the doorway for a moment longer, hesitating on what he needed to do, what needed to be done, while silently watching her, before he finally walked out and closed the door behind him.

The creaking sound of the door closing startled Tohru, and it made her turned around. She gasped the moment she saw the doctor, "Hatori-san!"

Hatori continued walking towards her without any response.

"Ohayo." Tohru stammered, suddenly sensing the uneasiness in the air around her.

When one was to greet another good morning, one would expect the same greeting in return. But it was not what she got. Instead, she got something way out of her expectations.

"Honda-san. Leave this house at once!"

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