A/N: Wow, I wrote this a few months ago and forgot to post it, I apologize for that. It's an idea that got while getting ready for bed. I had been kinda thinking about Hatori and his whole situation and a little girl's voice just popped into my head saying "Mommy, did you know that man?" And voila, this story was born. Hope you enjoy!
Two Roads
Hatori was tired. Worn down by working with patients and tending to Akito through most of the night. So as he trudged down the street, with the city still waking up around him, he wasn't at all emotionally prepared for the sight that turned the corner at the end of the street and came towards him. Kana walked up the street, holding the small hand of her daughter, who was bouncing happily and talking away. The clarity with which Hatori could hear the child's voice told him that they would see him soon. Hatori knew that he was too tired to hold off the pain that came whenever he saw her. He would just keep it inside. If she greeted him, he would respond. But otherwise... it would be too painful.
"Hello Hatori-san," Kana said, startling him out of his reverie. She was politely smiling up at him with all the intent of someone meeting an old acquaintance by chance.
"Good morning, Kana-san," Hatori said evenly. He was trying his hardest not to take in every detail about her, but he couldn't help it. He had already noticed how she had cut her hair short again, the way it had been when they had been together. The happy sparkle was still in her eyes, just as it should be.
"How is your practice going?" she asked. So polite but at the same time warm.
"Just fine, thank you," Hatori said. His manner was, as always, like frozen snow. Unyielding but, strangely, not numb. Far from it. He could already feel the ache in his chest, pain setting in.
"If you'll excuse me, I have to meet someone," Kana told him.
"Of course," he replied. He knew he should be getting back, Akito would need him again soon and he wasn't really supposed to leave the estate when Akito was ill.
"I'll see you around," Kana smiled widely at him. Hatori just nodded. She walked away then, and he turned and went the other way. But before he could take the first step, he heard the little girl's voice carrying on the wind. Hatori didn't know what made him stop to listen. Maybe some kind of masochistic or morbid curiosity.
"Mommy, who was that man?" the small child asked.
"He was an old acquaintance of mine. We used to work together," Kana explained.
"Did you love him, mommy? It looked like he loved you," the little girl inquired innocently. Hatori felt as though the breath had been knocked form his body. Was he really so obvious that a small child he had never met before could tell how he felt? Or had she been just guessing? He held his breath for Kana's answer, though that was pointless. He knew what it would be.
Sure enough, Kana's laugh fell through the air like drops of melting snow. "No, sweetie. We weren't in love, though he is handsome. I love your daddy very much."
"I love daddy too!" her daughter exclaimed.
"Then let's go meet him," Kana said and they continued up the street. Hatori began to walk again, back towards the Sohma estate. He knew he should have avoided her the moment he saw her. The pain made his feet drag and his breath hitch. By the time he reached the main gates, all he wanted was to go into his house and sleep. Not that that would help anything, but he could avoid human contact long enough to get himself together.
But there was a servant waiting for him just inside the gate. She told Hatori that Akito had been calling for him. He did his job and then went home. And as he fell asleep, he knew he would see her. The question was, would it be a dream or a nightmare?
Please review! n.n