The Fleeting Truth
Chapter 1 – It Starts
An – Warning, this fic will contain SPOILERS. If you haven't read up to Volume 17 I suggest against reading this.
This fic is an AU set a while after Volume 17, however only events up to Volume 17 have occurred in this timeline. There will be minor hints to both canon and non-canon pairings, however this is not a pure Gureru fic. Rated for language, adult themes, and adult situations.
Day 1
Everything ached. Her eyes tightened and then softened. Blue eyes opened carefully and tenderly and gazed into a dusky haze. Tohru moved stiffly under the heavy blanket and pushed herself up. She rubbed her eyes tiredly, and then blinked as she looked around the room. It was an older house designed with comfort and simplicity in mind. Its traditional concept certainly made her feel cozy, and would have made her smile. If she knew where she was, that is.
Her body tensed and she looked around. There wasn't anyone here, but that didn't make her feel any better. Where the heck was she anyway? Panic flooded into her heart, and she carefully slid out from beneath the covers.
Each step she made creaked softly against the golden light and made her heart flutter at every beat. She was beginning to lose it. How the hell did she get here? She couldn't remember anything. She pleaded for her mind to grant her memory, and she fought to control her fear. She quietly opened the door and peered into the distance. There wasn't anyone to be seen or heard.
Where am I?
She crept painfully down the hallway searching for something she didn't want to find. Then, a gentle footstep reached her ears and her heart stopped. She whirled around to see a man leaning against a doorway. He watched her with a small smile on his face, but didn't speak or move. Tohru gasped and backed up a few steps, bumping into a small table. She grabbed it and used it for support, frightfully watching him.
He was handsome, she couldn't deny that. Black hair framed his sleek face and his smile was ever gentle. His posture told her that he thought highly of himself, but he wore a yukata which told her that he was relaxed. She vaguely wondered which of the two were an act. His eyes were a color she couldn't name, and they twinkled with a mysterious glint. Her heart beat wildly in her chest.
"Who are you? And where am I? What's going on?"
His smile grew, and her heart skipped a beat as he moved forward.
"You're at my house, but there's no need to worry. I haven't done anything untoward and I don't plan too. Well, not unless you want me too, that is."
He laughed. She didn't. That comment didn't ease her fears whatsoever, but his laugh did seem gentle and pleasant.
"Please, don't strain yourself. Sit down, have some tea."
She sucked in a breath as he stepped towards her again.
"Don't come near me."
Tohru wasn't one to show aggression, but she was her mother's child.
He laughed again and held up his hands as he slowly walked past her down the hall.
"Please, really, I mean you no harm. Come, let's sit and have some tea. I'm sure you're thirsty."
She watched as his figure walk down the hall and turn into what she assumed was the dining area. It became quiet and she took the chance to recollect her thoughts. Her mother had always told her that it was wrong to mistrust people. She followed timidly and peeked inside the room. He looked back almost instantly and beckoned her inside.
"Please, sit."
She obeyed cautiously, and when he offered her a cup she gratefully accepted.
"How should I begin?"
She looked up, the panic in her heart fading at his courtesy.
"Why am I here?"
He smiled as he took a sip, then nodded and set his cup down.
"I found you lying in an alley and took it upon myself to bring you back here, to my home. You didn't appear wounded, but I still feared the worse. How are you feeling?"
She shifted nervously and let her eyes fall to her drink.
"I guess I'm a little tired. You saved me?"
She looked up, feeling far more comfortable now, but she was met with cold, calculative eyes. She recoiled slightly, but he smiled.
"You can say that. Do you remember anything?"
Tohru focused on her drink trying to remember.
"I had just gotten off work and I was walking home..."
She gasped and looked up.
"Someone grabbed me and pulled me somewhere, but...I guess that's when I blacked out."
She looked back down sadly realizing that her memory didn't help. The man just watched her carefully as though satisfied with her answer. He sighed and finished his tea.
"Well, do you remember where you live? Your family?"
Tohru looked down.
"Oh, well, both of my parents are dead, and right now I'm living with..."
Her eyes widened. Where was she living now? Her grandfather passed away recently, but she couldn't remember having moved in with Hana or Uo. She moaned and covered her face with her hands, ashamed.
"Oh man, I can't remember..."
Tears welled in her eyes. How could she forget something that simple? She really was useless sometimes.
"Don't worry about it. It's probably just a minor case of amnesia. I'm sure you'll recover soon. But, may I ask you a question?"
She nodded yet kept her eyes on the table.
"What's your name, Sweetheart?"
"Tohru Honda. Thank you so much for helping me. What is your name?"
He smiled though she didn't see, and chuckled lightly.
"Hm," he paused for a moment regarding the question carefully, "you can call me Kiritani."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Kiritani, sir! And thank you so much for helping me again. I'm so sorry I acted like that earlier."
She bowed her head low, and he smiled softly a flicker of tender memory dancing over his mind.
"It's no trouble. It would be silly of me to think that you wouldn't be afraid waking up in a strange house."
She looked down feeling guilty for having acted the way she had.
"What can I do to repay you for your kindness?"
He laughed and waved a hand at her.
"Please, you don't need to repay me. Seeing you is enough."
She looked up questioningly, and he coughed.
"Seeing you up and moving, that is."
She smiled. He really was so very kind.
"No really I want to thank you for saving me! Please, anything."
He grinned and rubbed his chin mischievously with his thumb.
"Anything, hm? Well, what does a man say to such an offer from such a pretty young girl..."
He chuckled, and she looked at him puzzled. He leaned forward and blush tinted her cheeks.
"Well, I personally wouldn't mind a–"
"Ms. Honda?"
Tohru gasped and looked towards the door. A young boy, no a young man stood, staring at her with wide eyes. His eyes were so soft and delicate, and strangely…purple. Wait, she remembered and blushed softly. After a few moments, she realized that she was staring and gasped, exasperatedly shaking her head.
"Oh, Sohma-kun, I'm sorry I didn't realize...I mean why are you...eh!"
He blinked, obviously surprised but definitely not upset at her presence. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed to slits and he turned to the older man.
"What the hell is she doing here Shigure?"
He laughed and waved his hands dismissively.
"Oh come now, can't you trust me at least a little?"
"No I can't. Ms. Honda I'm sorry, did he bother you at all?"
Yuki turned and walked towards her with a great deal of care. He kept a distance from her but the concern in his eyes denied any cold suggestion. Tohru was starting to have a hard time breathing, shaking her head and covering her face periodically. This was Yuki Sohma, the Yuki Sohma, prince of her school. What was going on?
"Um, no he just...uh, I'm sorry."
She bowed her head again, flustered. Yuki turned to Shigure and narrowed his eyes again.
"Can I speak with you in private?"
Shigure gave a defeated sigh in reply and nodded, standing casually. He looked to Tohru as he started to leave.
"Please, make yourself at home. Help yourself to some more tea if you'd like."
Yuki gave Shigure a cold look and quickly ventured down the hall. He turned into Shigure's office with the author following him calmly. The second the door shut, Yuki snapped.
"What on earth is wrong with you Shigure? Why the hell is she here?"
Shigure laughed, uncharacteristically cold now.
"I don't expect you to understand."
Yuki grimaced and grabbed Shigure by the cloth near his neck and pushed him against the door. He had never felt so enraged in his life.
"Tell me, right now Shigure. Or I swear I'll gut you right here!"
Shigure laughed, and that just pissed him off more. He tightened his grip and shook him a little. Shigure lifted his hands in defeat.
"Calm down Yuki, I found her in an alley so I brought her here. She must have gotten robbed or something. I couldn't just leave her there."
Yuki's eyes narrowed to deadly slits. He said that too lightly for it to be true.
"Tell me the truth Shigure."
Shigure chuckled, and looked Yuki straight in the eyes. Now they were cold and laughing, omniscient and dangerous. Shigure was mocking him.
"In good time, my friend. Just trust me."
Yuki slowly unclenched his fists, realizing that acting like this would get him nowhere with someone like Shigure. He had to accept that the author had some plan in mind. He had to submit. For now.