Marmalade
Chapter 1: The Problem with Tohru
By Takara-star-Chan
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket, it belongs to Natsuki Takaya
A/N: This is a sequel to my other story, Calico. Please read that one before you begin reading this one. Thanks!!!!
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(Four months, and 20 days later)
Tohru laid on her back in bed, and stared up at the ceiling. She felt so tired, but couldn't fall asleep. It had gotten that way; it had gotten to the point that she had a hard time falling asleep unless Kyo was right there with her. She sat up, hugging her knees to her chest.
These last few days had been particularly odd. She felt odd. She couldn't quite but her finger on it. But, something was different about herself. A few weeks ago, she had, for the first time in her life, a bad sinus infection. She had gotten pretty sick from that. The doctor had given her some medicine, and anti-biotics; but ever since then, she started feeling strange.
But, she hadn't made this known to Kyo; she didn't want to worry him. Although, for all she knew, he probably knew all about how she was feeling; or, could somehow at least tell. He knew her well enough to tell if there was something different. Maybe he was just waiting for her to talk to him?
Kashuko had definitely noticed something different about her. Earlier that day, when they were cleaning the bathrooms, Kashuko had mentioned the fact that Tohru wasn't herself. Tohru replied that she didn't feel right, not sick or anything, necessarily; just odd.
As if something were amiss.
Then, Kyo walked into the room.
"Hey," he said, looking at her in surprise. "I thought you'd be asleep by now." He untied the belt on his Gii, and laid his shirt on the chair he was standing next to.
"I couldn't sleep," she said staring at him. "I was waiting for you to get back. I…have a hard time falling asleep without you here."
He then climbed into bed with her, and held her close. "I'm sorry I made you wait so long. We had an issue with one of the students and their parents that we had to work out. It almost became an argument." He gave a nervous laugh.
"It's okay, Kyo-kun," she said, resting her head against his chest. "I don't mind waiting."
Kyo kissed the top of her head, and closed his eyes. "So…tell me. What's up with you lately? You've been a little distant."
"I…don't know. That's the problem," Tohru whispered. "Ever since I got sick, I haven't felt like myself. I'm better now, but…"
Kyo squeezed her harder against him. "It isn't me, is it?"
"No! No, of course not Kyo-kun! You've done nothing but make me happy. It's me. I don't know what it is." Tohru then felt tears come out. Why was she crying?
"Hey," Kyo said sitting up some to look at her face. "Why are you crying?"
"I don't know," she said in confusion. "There's nothing for me to cry about. I don't know what's wrong with me."
Kyo stared at her confusedly too. He believed her. She honestly looked baffled as well. She sounded it too. "Well…I'm sure you're okay. It's not…um, that time of the month is it?"
"No," she said shaking her head.
Kyo then smiled at her. "I wish you'd smile."
His smile was contagious to her. She then began to smile back. "I'll be okay Kyo-kun."
"You'd better," he said with a laugh. "I think about you all day when I'm in the dojo. I want those thoughts to be pleasant. I don't want to be crazy with worry because we can't figure out why you're so bummed."
Tohru's eyes widened. "I'm sorry. Have I been worrying you?"
"A little, yes. I know you Tohru. You know I can tell when there's something different about you." He ran his fingers gently down her arm. "I'm always able to tell." He leaned in and kissed her.
"Kyo-kun…I'll try to figure out what's wrong with me. When I figure it out, I'll let you know. Just please don't get really worried, okay? That will make me even sadder if I know you're really worried," Tohru said gently.
"I guess we have a deal then."
----
Later that night, after Tohru had finally fallen asleep, Kyo sat up and began to read. Tohru had gotten him the Death Note manga books for his birthday. He was on the fifth book now, and was thoroughly enjoying it. It was different; not to mention exciting.
He glanced over at Tohru who was fast asleep. He liked watching her sleep. She looked so pretty and peaceful. Also, he wondered what she dreamt about. He turned back to his book, and continued reading.
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Tohru smiled happily as she danced around and around with the pretty little girl standing before her. The sun was shining, and it was overall a beautiful day in the meadow that they were in. The little girl's wavy hair bounced as she spun like a top. Her laughter sounded like a high pitched church bell.
Then, they laid down in the grasses together, staring up at the sky above them; watching the clouds go by. They called out the different shapes they saw in them.
All of the sudden, the little girl's voice disappeared. Tohru sat up, looking around. When she didn't see the small child, her heart began to pound furiously. She stood up, turning in every direction, looking for her. Her heart was breaking in half at the thought of not knowing where she was, and if she was okay. Tears broke through as she ran, frantically searching for her. Then, she let out a scream.
Tohru woke up with a start with a jump in the air, and screaming. When she had landed, she had jumped on top of Kyo, making them both fall out of bed in a tangled heap. They both squirmed through the sheets, pillows, and blankets, trying to come up for air.
When she had freed herself, she sat, staring wide-eyed at the floor, crying.
Kyo sat up and shook his hair. Then, he looked at her in shock. "What's wrong?"
"I-I don't know. I had the strangest dream. It started off happy and exciting…I was dancing with this beautiful little girl, having fun. Then…we layed down to watch the clouds. Before I knew it…she disappeared. For some reason, it really hurt me that I couldn't find her. I don't know why I'm still crying. It doesn't make any sense," she said, bawling.
Kyo stared wide-eyed at her. Then, he grabbed her and pulled her to him; stroking her hair. "Look, I have no idea either why you dreamed that. But, whatever it is, it must have something to do with what's going on with you right now. Something is making you… different. I wish we could figure out what is wrong. I absolutely hate seeing you like this." He gently kissed the side of her head.
"I wish I knew, Kyo-kun. I'm so sorry I'm making you worry about me. I just…I don't know what to do about that something if I don't know what it is!" Tohru whispered, continuing to cry.
"I know. I know. But, for now …if you need to cry…you know where to find me. I'll always be right here, okay? I've got you…no matter what," Kyo whispered back, holding her tighter.
Then, he picked her up, and laid her back down on their bed.
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The next morning, Tohru woke up with the sun glimmering through the windows. She sat up, noticing that Kyo had already left to go down to the dojo. She climbed out of bed and walked to the bathroom, and turned on the shower.
Standing under its flow, her mind raced with everything that occurred the night before. Why had she dreamed that dream about the little girl? Who was she? Why did it almost tear her apart to not know where she had gone? Why did she cry like she did? It didn't make any sense to her whatsoever. All she knew was that there was something obviously wrong with her and that she wasn't any closer to figuring out what than she was before…or, maybe she was. Maybe, the answer was so obvious that she couldn't see it at the moment.
She picked up her body wash, and squeezed some of it onto her pouf. She breathed in its scent. Cherry blossom. She smiled, and began to rub it on her arms. Well, other than Kyo, this was one thing that could make her smile at the moment.
Then, unexpectedly, she felt a strong wave of nausea go through her head. It was so dizzying, that she fell to her knees. Her head was spinning furiously; and the mass rising in her throat began to force itself out. Before she knew it, she had passed out.
When she had opened her eyes, she was back in bed.
"Hey," Kyo said staring at her in concern. "Are you okay? You…threw up all over the shower and passed out."
Tohru sat up and stared at him in surprise. "I remember. I mean, the vomiting part. I don't remember anything else. Um…if you don't mind my asking…why aren't you down in the dojo?"
"Well…I had asked Kashuko to come and check on you. Then a few minutes later, she had come running down and practically screaming at me to come back with her. She said you were out cold, and had vomited all over the shower. So, I came and put you back in bed. Kashuko and I cleaned everything up," he said with a small smile. He reached over and touched her shoulder. "That…really worried me. But once I saw that you were breathing, I knew you were okay. You've passed out before when you've gotten sick."
"Y-yes. But…I feel fine right now," she said, pulling off the covers. She stood up. "As a matter of fact, I'm kind of hungry."
"Well, before you eat something, you should at least get dressed," he said with a laugh. He stood up and walked to the door. "By the way, Kashuko said that she would like to eat lunch with you."
"Okay. Can you let her know that I'll be out in a few minutes?" Tohru said, walking towards her closet.
"Yes, I will," he replied, giving her a smile. With that, he walked out the door, shutting it behind him.
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-Sohma Estate-
Akito sighed in irritation. So many stupid things to do. There was even more things for her to be doing, now that New Year's was coming up. For the last six weeks, she had been planning a New Year's celebration for all of the former zodiac members…including the family and friends of those people. Of course, she had Shigure's help.
"The idiots ordered the WRONG color tablecloth!" Akito said in exasperation. "They're supposed to be red…not magenta!" She slammed the cloth down onto the table in front of her.
"Akito…maybe…the magenta table cloth would be good for the celebration. I mean, it is a festive color," Shigure said trying to offer some consolation to his exasperated girlfriend.
She looked up at him, giving him a frustrated look. "Shigure...when has magenta EVER been used as a TRADITIONAL color for New Year's? Never! I want it to be a traditional celebration! Ugh!"
"Well, maybe you can make a kimono out of it!" Shigure said teasingly.
"NO! I am NOT wearing such a loud color! Are you out of your mind?" Akito said standing up with a scowl on her face.
Shigure laughed. "I cannot take you seriously with that face, my dear. Now, calm down before you give yourself an ulcer."
"Whatever," Akito said, sitting down in a huff. "So irritating."
Then, Kazuma walked in. "Excuse me…Akito-san. Is this a bad time?"
"No," Akito said sarcastically. "I'm just peachy. You know why? SOME IDIOTS KEEP MESSING UP THE NEW YEAR'S PLANS!"
"Oh…um, I guess it is. I can come back later if you wish," Kazuma said backing up.
Shigure shook his head. "Don't worry about it, Kazuma-dono. She's going to be like this until the actual celebration. Might as well be now."
"Shigure…shut up!" Akito said, gritting her teeth. "You're NOT helping." She turned to Kazuma. "Yes, by all means sit down."
Kazuma looked at her in surprise, then sat down with them at the table. "Um…I wanted to ask if there was anything you needed help with."
"Everything about this celebration needs help," Akito said, picking up a piece of paper. "But if you really want to make yourself useful…take this list and make invitations…or call people."
"Okay…I'll get Hana Jima-san and Kuunimitsu and get started on this right away then," he said with a nod. He picked up the list, and put it in his kimono.
"Thank you," Akito said with a sigh. "If I find anything else for you to do, I will call you."
"Yes," Kazuma said with a nod. "Please do." With that, he stood up, and walked to the door. "Good day to you, Akito-san. You too, Shigure-san."
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The kitchen on Kyo and Tohru's side of the house was right next to the dojo. So, during lunch, Tohru and Kashuko would sit down and watch their husbands teach the kids karate.
"Um, Tohru-chan…you know you just put six pickle spears on your sandwich, right?" Kashuko said, wide-eyed.
Tohru put the other slice of bread on top. "I did?" she replied, looking bewildered. She lifted the bread again; and sure enough, there were six, long, pickles. "I did. Um, I hadn't even noticed that I had done that."
"Tohru-chan," Kashuko started, picking up her cup of tea. "We're…all really worried about you. You're not acting like your usual self. I know that I've brought this up before, and I know Kyo has probably brought it up with you…but, there is something up with you, I fear."
Tohru sighed, staring at her sandwich. "I know there is. I just can't think of what it could be."
"How about some ice cream?" Kashuko asked, smiling.
"Oh, yes!" Tohru exclaimed happily. "I would love some! Thank you!"
Kashuko stood up, and walked over to the freezer, and pulled out a box of chocolate ice cream. She got two bowls, and carried them to the table.
"Here. You get the first scoops, Tohru-chan."
"No…Kashuko-san…you should get them first!"
"No, Tohru-chan, I insist you get the ice cream first," Kashuko said, pushing the box and scoop at her.
"Okay, if you insist, Kashuko-san."
Tohru opened the box, and began to scoop out ice cream into the bowl. Seven scoops. When she was done, she pushed it back to Kashuko who was staring at her in shock.
"Is something wrong, Kashuko-san?" Tohru asked, cocking her head.
"Nothing, Tohru-chan. Nothing at all," she replied shaking her head. It seems I may be right about what's wrong with her. Kashuko let out a chuckle. I wonder how long it will take for her to realize that possibility?
For the rest of the meal, Kashuko mentioned nothing about Tohru's bizarre behavior.
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A/N: Welcome to Marmalade! Did you enjoy that first chapter? What could possibly be wrong with Tohru?! Will Akito get her plans together? Find out in chapter two!!!!
God Bless!
-Takara-star-chan
