Author's Note: First 'Fruits Basket' fic. About a girl called Natsu Amaya, [own character], who is pursuing a career as a journalist. Living far from home, she meets the Sohma family.
Wanting To Be Loved
Prologue
I had felt all alone. I was in a strange place. I had no one to turn to. I had left so much behind; the people I cared about the most. I know it was my own choice. My family wouldn't have pushed me to go if I hadn't wanted to go. I know they care very deeply for me. They just wanted me to follow my dreams… Besides, as a journalist you have to go where the work is. There was a time I thought that I could stay at home and work for the local paper, but obviously it wasn't meant to be. Anyway, even though I'm so far from home, I still talk with my family everyday… on the phone that is – but it's not the same. It's so difficult you know, I mean, when you can hear the people you care about but you can't reach out to them… Maybe I made a mistake, leaving home. After all, they do say that home is where the heart is. Well that's where it was, until… the day it split into two. Then maybe your heart can be in more than one place at a time. It all started when I met him…
Chapter One: How It All Started
I awoke suddenly. Someone was knocking on the door. I turned towards the bedside table and looked at my clock it was only seven in the morning. Who could it be this early in the morning? The knocking stopped. Maybe they decided to leave. I threw the covers back over my head, but just as I got comfortable the knocking started again. So I sat up, rubbed my eyes and then reached for my glasses. The knocking got louder. "I'm coming," I called out. Putting on my dressing gown, I rushed to the door. "What is it with people today? Doesn't anyone sleep anymore?" I felt frustrated. I opened the door. "What do you wan –" I began; and that's as far as I got.
"Your rent," she replied, "if that's not too much trouble."
"Oh, of course... I'm really sorry." I started speaking quickly. "I didn't realise it was you, Mrs. –" She glared at me.
"That's Ms., thank you."
"Yes, Ms. Yamaguchi. I'm sorry I offended you."
"That's fine, Missy. I just came for the rent that's due."
"I'll just go and get it for you then," I said smiling sweetly. Leaving her in the doorway, I got the money.
"I trust it's all there?" Her tone was firm.
"Definitely," I told her.
"If there's nothing else, then I'll be -"
"Wait," I interrupted, "I mean, please wait. There was something."
"Yes?"
"It's about next week's rent. I was wondering..."
"Get to the point."
"Since I've been paying on time, if it's possible, could I please have a bit more time before the next payment? You will get it all."
"Ah… I know I'll get it all. It's true, you haven't missed a payment yet and you've proved that you can be trusted."
"Yes…?"
"No, it's not possible."
"What?"
"I'm not running a charity. You stay here, so you've got to pay on time."
"But I haven't enough left for food. I'll starve."
"That's not my problem."
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Get a better paid job." With the last word, Ms. Yamaguchi left. Shocked by the extent of her heartlessness, I stood frozen until she was out of sight. How could she be so wicked? I doubt she'd treat her children like that. Then again, I don't think she has children. From what I had seen of Ms. Yamaguchi, she always had her face plastered with make-up, not to mention her wardrobe looked like that of a sixteen-year-old. There was no doubt about it; she was facing a mid-life crisis. I, unfortunately, would bear the brunt of it because I was much younger than her. Anyway, enough about her, it was time for me to get to work.
"This is an outrage! You were just supposed to interview him, not hurt him," shouted a red-faced Mr. Kyoto.
"He was the one who was out of order," I told him, my tone full of anger.
"Why, what did he do?"
"He tried to kiss me."
"So you hit him in the face?"
"Yes," I spoke more calmly.
"And lost us the interview?"
"He made me an offer I had to refuse."
"Well, I'll make you one that you can't refuse," he raised his voice.
"What are you saying?"
"I want you to leave."
"What…?"
"You're fired."
"That isn't fair."
"Nothing's fair in the media world. That's the first lesson you should have learned."
I stormed out, slamming the door as I left. How dare he? This wasn't what it was supposed to be like. I thought journalism required intelligence and that it was about finding out the truth, not what you could offer in return for a story.
At this moment in time all I wanted to do was run away… but where to? I was so far from home, in a place that was new to me. I didn't know anyone… I had nowhere else to go. I decided to walk back towards the flat. When I reached my street, I thought better of it. It was only lunch-time. I couldn't bear to stay cooped up within those four walls. I needed time to think, a chance to breathe, so I continued walking. I didn't really know my way round, but I wasn't planning on going very far. I just wanted to clear my head. Besides, I had to find my way around sooner or later. On the up-side, the weather was lovely today. The sky was a clear azure blue, the breeze was gentle and the sun shone brightly. I hadn't got very far when I noticed a park. I could hear the birds chirping harmoniously and the shade beneath the trees looked inviting, especially more so on a warm day like this.
Wandering into the park, I noticed that apart from the birds, it seemed much quieter than I had realised. There was no sign of anyone else, not even the occasional person you see walking their dog. Come to think of it, it was pretty clean round here; unspoiled by humans. I mean… there wasn't any litter in sight, not even a sweet wrapper, which a child may have dropped accidentally. I thought about this for a moment. There weren't any fences where I had entered or any signs... No… I was just being paranoid. If someone owned this area and it wasn't open to the public, there would have been a notice. Also, if it was that much of a problem the sign would of said something like 'Trespassers beware'.
Eventually I came to a clearing. It was the perfect spot. Sitting down and leaning back against a blossom tree, I looked up to the sky and took a deep breathe. I yawned; tiredness was getting the best of me. I checked my watch, I had plenty of time. It had only been about half an hour since I came here. So taking off my glasses, hugging my knees and resting my head on my arms I closed my eyes.
"Excuse me, Miss" It was a man's voice. I woke up with a start.
"What do you want!?" I called out.
"I –"
"Please, leave me alone." I said as I put my glasses on. I quickly got to my feet and reached into my pocket. I looked towards the stranger. I couldn't see his face because the sun was too bright, but I noticed he was dressed in a kimono. "Listen, I have a, um –"
"Relax. I'm not going to hurt you. I was just going to ask you if –" He began to come closer.
"Stay back," I told him. Without thinking I pulled my hand out of my pocket in protest, and the pen that was in my hand. "I'm not afraid to use it."
"I believe you," he stopped advancing. "I'm a novelist myself. They do say 'the pen is mightier than the sword'," he laughed.
"What's so funny?" I asked.
"Only that I've never met anyone as tense as you before."
"I am not tense. You startled me. How would you like it if –" I stopped mid-sentence. I suddenly felt faint…
I had a pounding headache. I felt as though I had been hit over the head. I opened my eyes slowly, adjusting to the light. As I opened my eyes, I saw a ceiling. Where was I?
"How are you feeling?" A girl, only a little younger than me was sat beside me.
"I – Please, where am I?"I asked her, sitting up.
"You're in good hands," she said with a smile. "Please don't worry." I pulled up my sleeve to check for the time on my watch, but it was gone.
"My watch… It's gone."
"It's 4:30," the girl told me.
"You don't understand… It was a gift from my family," I explained.
"I understand more than you could ever know," she spoke quietly, her head lowered. There was sadness in her eyes for a moment, but then almost immediately she lifted her head and smiled at me. "We will find it, okay?"
I nodded in acknowledgment and then smiled back at her. She seemed to have that personality that made you want to smile too; to look on the bright side of everything, no matter how much it hurt.
"Tohru...?" That voice. He was the one from the park. "Are you going out to shop for tonight's meal?"
"Yes Shigure. I'm going with Yuki, once he gets back from the base."
"Could you do a favour for me and take Kyo with you as well?"
"Sure."
"It's just that I don't want him to take things the wrong way. You know what he's like. Then I'll take Miss… " He looked at me, waiting for a response.
"Amaya, Natsu Amaya, but please don't worry. I can find my own way home."
"I'd better get going," the girl told him. Then she looked at me. "It was nice to meet you, Natsu. Maybe, I'll see you again some time."
"Thank you…Tohru. It is Tohru isn't it?"
"Yes and you're welcome." Tohru picked up her bag and made for the door. "Bye Shigure."
"Be safe, Tohru," he replied.
The door shut and there was an awkward silence. I could feel his eyes on me. I tried to sit still and avoid making eye contact with him, but then he approached me. He sat cross-legged beside me and held out his hand. "Considering the circumstances, we haven't formally met. I'm Shigure Sohma."
"Natsu Amaya," I replied, holding my hand out weakly. Then gently he took hold of my hand with his.
"Nice to meet you," he added.
"You too and thank you for everything, but I really have to go," I said standing up. As I did, the room started to spin.
"Are you all right?" Shigure asked also standing up.
"I think I just stood up too quickly that's all."
"You need to rest. What's so important?"
I sank back to the floor. Nothing… That's what. I'd be going back to four walls, and now without a job. Shigure sat down again too. "Can I ask you something?"
"Oh, I don't know. You see, you've already asked me something," he laughed. Personally, I didn't think it was funny at all. I couldn't help it, but I think he took the hint from my expression. "Sorry, please continue." His tone was genuine.
"What happened? How did I get here?"
"Well, what do you remember?"
"I was sitting in the park –"
"The park?" he interrupted.
"Wasn't it a park?"
"No. Actually it was part of my garden."
"Your garden…?"
"Yes," he nodded. "I can understand why you mistook it for a park, though. It's not your average garden, is it?"
"I'm sorry. If I had known, I wouldn't have intruded. You see… I'm not from around here."
"I thought so," he paused. "You know, you seem to have a lot of issues and that's bad for you. As to what happened, you fainted."
I knew why that was. After paying the rent, there was barely enough money left for food. Now that I lost my job, I'd have to hope I had enough savings until I can find another job.
"I couldn't just leave you out there. It isn't safe. That's also the reason I tried to wake you when I first saw you." He paused again. "It doesn't bother me that you were hanging around there. As you saw, this area isn't fenced off; any weirdo could come and go as they please. Sleeping outside like that in the open isn't a good idea for anyone. Do you understand?" His expression was serious.
"Sure." I could feel my eyes filling with water. "I just wanted to clear my head. I…" I stopped suddenly. Shigure said nothing. He just looked at me. I guess it was because I looked like I was about to cry. Briefly then, I turned my back to him and dried my eyes. I decided that was enough. I was making a big deal out of everything. It was my problem. I didn't know him and he didn't owe me a thing so there was no reason to continue. Besides, if someone owed anyone, I owed him.
"Are you hungry?" he asked me. I turned to face him and thought about this for a moment. The truth was that I was starving, but I didn't want to be rude.
"No, I'm fine. Thank you," I told him. Shigure, however, didn't look very convinced, especially when my stomach made a strange sound.
"Well, I'm going to have to insist, Natsu. Even if you don't feel hungry, something inside you sure does," he was smiling again now. I looked away. It was so embarrassing. "I'm no chef," he continued, "but I'm sure there's some of Tohru's special fried rice."
Feedback is appreciated.
Thanks for reading,
Lady Leonhart 16/05/2004