NB: DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the fruits basket's characters. (But I do have Hatori tied up in the basement, hehe…Yeah right, I wish! ) Only the story is mine (my apologies if anyone has come up with similar themes, I honestly didn't poach!) Anyways, on with the story…
Chapter One
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It was already five minutes past midnight when Kana finally made it home after a long day's work at the hospital. Having just graduated medical school the previous summer, she had begun an internship in emergency medicine at the local hospital. It was hard work, and harder hours, but Kana loved her work – and she eagerly awaited the day when she would finally up set her own private family practice.
Yes, ever since the first day she had worked as an assistant to her distant cousin -doctor Hatori Sohma - years before, Kana had known that it was her destiny to become a doctor, and she would do whatever it took to be even half as good a physician as Hatori.
As she crept quietly into her kitchen, so as not to wake her sleping husband, Kana giggled to herself as she remembered the crush she had had on said Hatori Sohma. His dark hair, his eyes that were the colour pond water, his willowy frame, his deep, rich voice that carried an undertone of sensuality that she was quite certain the good doctor himself was unaware of…well, what red-blooded healthy woman wouldn't have had the hots for Hatori Sohma?
"Kana?"
Kana jumped slightly at the voice behind her, nearly dropping the banana she had begun to peel. As she spun around, she found herself firmly wrapped in the strong arms of her husband's embrace.
"Keiske!" she exclaimed, laughing at her own jumpiness. "Darling, why are you still awake? Don't you have court early in the morning tomorrow?
The man loosened his grip on his adorably flustered young wife, pulling back so he could frame her face with his hands. "I wanted to wish my beautiful wife a happy anniversary." Keiske smiled, and the warmth of it spread to his sea coloured eyes.
Kana tilted her head in confusion. "But our anniversary isn't until tomorrow."
Keiske laughed. "Darling, it's past midnight. Tomorrow's already here!"
Kana grinned. "Well, in that case…" Pulling his face towards her, Kana pressed her lips against Keiske's. "Happy first anniversary, my beautiful husband!" giggled Kana, as she ran her fingers through Keiske's sandy coloured hair.
Keiske tenderly brushed the hair away from her face, as he whispered in response. "Happy Anniversay, my beautiful wife." After kissing one more time, the young couple pulled reluctantly away. As the clock struck at a quarter past twelve Keiske grinned devilishly and took his wife's hand. "Well, seeing as it IS our anniversary my love…"
Kana laughed. "Really, darling it's past midnight, you have court in the morning and I'm expected back at the hospital in less than eight hours!"
At the sight of Keiske's comically puppy dog expression, Kana stifled a giggle. Well, she mused, it was technically her anniversary, surely they were both entitled to a little…recreational activity.
Then she thought of her work at the hospital – her patients. People relied on her to be alert, they trusted her with their lives. She had no right to be up half the night making mad passionate love to her husband (as they had a tendency to do - whenever their hectic jobs allowed for it!) or at least not when she'd worked a twenty-four hour shift, and was already sleep deprived as it was. She shook her head firmly before she could change her mind.
"No darling, you KNOW we can't. Not tonight." She pressed a kiss in the crook of his neck. "But I promise we can make up for lost time tomorrow night. After all, tomorrow's Friday, so..." She leaned in to whisper in his ear. "We'll just make love ALL weekend!"
Suitably placated, Keiske patted her amiably on her cheek. "That my dear, is a deal. Oral agreements are binding in these kinds of man and wife situations." He planted one last kiss on her lips before winking at her. "I'm a lawyer – I know these things! You coming to bed?…to sleep?" he added hastily, at the mock disapproval etched across his wife's face.
"In a little while darling, I'm famished so I'm just going to grab a quick bit to eat." Kana replied as she reached for a loaf of bread.
Keiske chuckled. "Uh oh, you're having one of your weird midnight snacks again, aren't you?"
"There's nothing weird about banana and honey on toast!" Kana said defensively.
"Darling, it's right up there with spreading peanut butter on salad."
"Oooh, peanut butter on salad, there's something to try!"
Kesike shook his head and kissed her cheek. "Don't worry darling, I love you anyway."
Kana sighed happily as she blew her husband a kiss. "I love you too."
As Keiske made his way upstairs and into bed, Kana quickly and skilfully cut two slices of bread and popped them into the toaster. She took the banana, cut it up and put it in a bowl, added a table spoon of honey and began to mash up the mixture together. She was just toying with the idea of adding a spoon of chocolate spread to the mix when she accidentally knocked over the honey jar. As she hastened to clear it up, she managed to cover her hands in the sticky sugary substance. Laughing to herself, she began to wash her hands – silently glad that her some of her more judgmental co-workers at the hospital weren't there to witness her little act of clumsiness. Only then did she realise she'd neglected to switch on the toaster at the mains.
Baka! she mentally scolded herself, I'm running late as it is!
Maybe it was the lack of sleep. Maybe the wires were faulty. Maybe it was just one of those things. But Kana forgot to wipe her hands dry before reaching out to switch on the mains.
The bolt of electricity sent shock waves down her body, as she began to shake and convulse before eventually losing consciousness, and collapsing onto the floor.
"Shigure, Ayame, why is it every time I answer the door to either of you I am left regretting my show of hospitality?"
"Now, now Hatori-san – there's no need for such bitterness." Shigure Sohma held his hands up in mock defence against his serious natured cousin, as the madabachi trio sat around sipping sake in Hatori's modestly decorated lounge (well, Shigure and Ayame were sipping sake; Hatori was drinking black coffee and wondering how much more of the afternoon his two goofy cousins were planning to occupy, particularly as – per usual – Hatori was swamped with work).
"Honestly," continued Shigure, "I thought you'd have been pleased to spend the afternoon with your beloved cousins and child hood friends!"
"Precisely, 'Tori-san!" declared Ayame, with a flamboyant gesture of hands, "What other activity could bring you quite so much joy and satisfaction!"
"Having my toe nails ripped off could quite easily be in contention." Hatori retorted dryly.
Ayame feigned heartbreak in response. "'Tor-ee-saaan! How can you speak so harshly to your bestest friend in the whole world? Have you no feelings? See how hurt I am…"
Hatori fought back a smile as Ayame continued on in typical dramatic fashion. He didn't really mind the antics of his two cousins, and in truth they were his best friends. It's just, well…his dry humour was his way of razzing them!
Sensing that Ayame's ranting would probably last some time (after all it normally did!) Shigure leaned forward – sensing this to be his opportunity.
"Seriously, Hatori-kun…are you ok?"
Hatori stared back blankly. "Excuse me?"
Shigure bit his lip. He didn't want to press the subject. If it hadn't occurred to Hatori, then Shigure didn't want to be the one responsible for planting the seed in the young doctor's mind.
"Nothing, it doesn't matter. Say, 'Tori-san, what are you later this evening – would you like to come over to the house and sample some of Tohru-Kun's wonderful cooking? Or perhaps simply sample Tohru-kun?" Shigure winked, living up to his dog-like nature.
Hatori eyed Shigure suspiciously for a moment - Ayame's rambling having become white noise to him some time ago – before it dawned on him. Of course! Hatori cleared his throat. "Shigure, you don't need to worry."
Shigure blinked. "Hatori-san?"
By now, Ayame had finished his self righteous and playful little rant, and he too looked on at Hatori in confusion. "'Tori-san?"
Hatori found himself feeling rather touched at his friends' concern. Of course, it was Kana's first wedding anniversary today. Staring into his cup of coffee, he allowed himself a moment to reflect. Had it already been a year? Yes, he supposed it had. Not wanting to concern either of his cousins with his sudden melancholy mood, Hatori looked over at Shigure. "I appreciate the effort, but I lost Kana long before last year. It's been over for…well, long enough, shall we say? You don't need to worry about me – I'm fine." Hatori put down his cup of coffee and sighed. "Truth is, I'm glad she's found some one to love."
Ayame stood up, wracked with sympathy for his beloved Hatori. "Tori-san, how can you be so understanding – so CALM? If it were me, I could not bear to lie in my bed alone night after night, knowing another man was sleeping next to the one I adored!"
Hatori smiled weakly and fought back another sigh. Ayame meant well…
"Hatori." Shigure adopted his seldom seen and more serious natured side, as he looked kindly over at his cousin. "You're a brave and noble man. And strong too – stronger than any of us. But even you, Hatori-kun, need to be allowed your weaker moments." Shigure rose. "If you are feeling weak tonight, you know you are welcome to borrow strength from us. Besides," Shigure grinned, "Tohru-kun always cooks plenty! Come Aya, let us leave our hard working cousin to his work!"
Hatori saw his two friends to the door, before sitting back down to resume his work. He almost managed to pay attention to it too, at least for an hour or two. Finally, after deciding the reason why he was so unable to concentrate was due to a distinct lack of caffeine, he rose and began to make his way towards the kitchen. He was just about to switch on the kettle when his thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Mayu-chan?"
Mayu stood, slightly duck-legged at Hatori's open front door, trying desperately not to fidget with her long pony-tail. "Konichiwa, Hatori-san!" she managed to blurt out.
Hatori blinked. "Can I…help you?"
"Yes. I mean, no…I just, well…can I come in?"
"Of course," Hatori suddenly found himself uncharacteristically embarrassed at his lack of manners, "Come in."
"Thank you."
Once inside, the two of them stood a few feet apart from each other at a loss with what to say. Mayu was quite certain she heard a cricket harp…
"Mayu?"
"Yes?"
"Can I…get you something to drink?"
"No thanks, I mean…yes, some water…please!"
Hatori smiled despite himself. "Of course."
Three minutes, and one nervously-chugged glass of water later, Mayu realised she had better say what she'd come her to say, or she'd just as well go.
Hatori leaned forward. "Mayu…"
"I should go…"
Again, Hatori blinked. "Ok…"
"No, wait!" Mayu stopped herself just inches from his front door and ordered herself to hold her ground.
Just SAY it…
"Mayu?"
"I wanted to make sure you were OK!" she exclaimed.
There was a deafening silence, followed by the sound of Mayu's sigh, and yet another cricket. Embarrassed beyond belief, Mayu shut her eyes and dropped her head. "It's just…I knew it was Kana's anniversary today and I wanted to make sure you weren't…I mean that you were…well…"
"Mayu-chan?"
Mayu's eyes shot open at the sensation of Hatori's hand on her shoulder. Looking up she found herself staring into his eyes. She recalled that Kana had once mentioned how like pond water they were in colour. To Mayu, they were the colour of perfection…
"Thank you, Mayu-chan. It was kind of you to worry. I'm ok."
Mayu breathed a sigh of relief, whilst also being annoyed with herself for the pang of disappointment she felt when Hatori removed his hand from her shoulder. "I'm glad to hear it, Hatori-san." Despite her best intentions, Mayu began to fidget with her hair. "I should go, it's nearly six and I'm sure you have work to do."
She turned on her heels and nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard Hatori's voice callout after her.
"Mayu-chan, Do you want to stay for dinner?"
Mayu's heart all but stopped. Had she heard him right? Was this another one of her dreams? Yes they'd eaten lunch together that one time, but that was months ago, and besides it was…
"Mayu-chan?"
"Yes?" she replied, in a voice several octaves higher than normal.
"I'm not a very good cook, but if you don't mind that, I'd like it if you stayed and had dinner with me. Maybe you could help me cook, that way we'd have a meal that's at least half way edible."
Mayu forced herself to calm down, open her now tightly shut eyes and turn around – in that order- before replying. "I…Yes!"
Hatori laughed that rich low laugh that she so adored before he looked at her, smiling. Really smiling. "I'm glad…Mayu."
It was with the heaviest of hearts that Keiske Mikage held a virgil beside his wife's bed in the hospital where she worked. Day after day Kana Mikage was one of the many doctors that worked so ardently to heal and save the lives of every patient that came through their doors.
But today, it was Kana who was the patient.
Keiske's silky mop of sand-coloured hair was dishevelled from the hand that was constantly running through it in frustration. His eyes, that usually sparkled, were dull and bruised from lack of sleep. His heart had almost stopped when he'd found his wife lying unconscious on the kitchen floor the night before. He'd rung for the ambulance while still in a daze, and now – in these last few hours – the daze had subsided, and he was left only with the palpable fear that coursed through his veins.
What if he lost her? What if she didn't wake up?"
He barely noticed the nurses and doctors as they breezed in and out of Kana's room. Many of her colleagues had stopped to share with him words of sympathy, but Keiske had not heard any of it. All he could hear was the voice in his head that continuously screamed Why?
"Mr Mikage?"
Keiske looked up to see the serious face of Kana's supervising resident, doctor Tsukino – the very physician who was now treating her. "Yes?" Keiske replied, in a voice so devoid of hope it was alien to his own ears.
"Her vital signs are steadily increasing. Don't worry, she's going to pull through. In fact, it could be any moment now." Doctor Tsukino tried to reassure the distraught young man, before creeping quietly out of the room.
Keiske nodded, not daring to believe it until he himself could look into his wife's eyes and hear her say his name. Forcing himself to keep it together – to be strong for her sake; he knew it would frighten her to wake up and see him looking so shaken – he made himself take some deep breaths.
Then he closed his eyes, and – as he had been doing for the past seventeen hours - let himself drift back into deep prayer…
"Kei…Keiske?"
His eyes shot open and he squeezed the hand of Kana's that he'd been holding onto with his for dear life. "Darling, my darling – you're…you're awake." He brought her hand to his lips, kissed it twice, then kissed her wrist. "I was so worried…"
Kana looked nervously around the hospital room, recognising immediately where she was. Her eyes were cloudy and her expression was deeply shaken, something that did not go unnoticed by her relieved husband.
"Darling," he said, "Are you okay? Do you remember what happened?"
Kana didn't look at her husband, but only stared up at the ceiling when as she spoke. "Yes…I remember…"
"I'll be right back Kana, I'm just going to fetch the doctor. I'll be right back, don't worry."
Keiske ran out of the room, nearly falling over in his haste. Only then did Kana close her eyes – overcome by the old familiar pain that had found it's way back into her mind and her heart.
Pain that had nothing to do with her accident the night before.
In her mind's eye she saw a picture of herself…and Hatori…on a summer's day, walking through the park…laughing with eachother…saw her self rushing around frantically trying to save the poor little withered sea horse, throwing it comically into a bath tub filled with water…saw Hatori covered in blood, his hand pressed to his eyes…saw herself clinging onto him, crying uncontrollably as she wailed the words 'it's all my fault'… 'it's all my fault'… 'it's all my fault'…
"Yes…" she sighed to herself, "I remember…everything."
To be continued…
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AN: Well, there's the first chapter! Do you want the rest? Please let me know what you think…aw, go on…please review…Pretty please?
Hehe, thanks for your time1 Baby jen xxx