I do not own Fruits Basket or Tokyo Mew Mew
It was morning. The fresh snow still frosted the windowpanes and it was still slightly cloudy from the snow of the night before. Thankfully, in Hatori Sohma's house it was warm. Hatori awoke to find himself on the sofa, and pondered how he had come to sleep there. Then he remembered the girl he had carried home the previous night.
He got out of bed. He knew he needed to get some breakfast made.
As he made his way to the kitchen, he peeped inside his room. The Ichigo was still sleeping; he needed to be quiet so she could rest. She needed it.
He made his way to the kitchen and got started on a rice omelette and some miso soup. "Now, where is that pan?" he said. He began searching the cabinets. He found it, but only after it crashed to the floor.
Hatori winced.
Suddenly, Hatori heard footsteps and turned to see Ichigo standing in the kitchen doorway, dressed in the kimono he had given her to sleep in. She stared, puzzled.
Hatori sighed.
"Sorry," he said.
Ichigo looked at him for a moment and then picked up the pan.
"I can help," she smiled.
"Okay," Hatori agreed. "If you want."
Ichigo was a bit clumsy as she cooked but Hatori helped her with her mistakes and guided her.
Everything went well, until Ichigo tripped. And you know what? She fell straight into Hatori's arms.
Hatori braced, knowing he would change in front of her. Everything would be over; Akito would probably hurt her.
"Hatori-san?" Ichigo asked. "Are you okay?"
Hatori noticed he hadn't changed. Why didn't he?
"Yes," Hatori finally replied. "I'm okay."
He got to his feet, still confused. Now that he thought about it, he had picked Ichigo up in the park but he had never changed. He began to cook again. As long as Akito didn't know, it would be fine.
Little did Hatori know that a little bird was watching…
Later on that day, Ichigo followed Hatori to the supermarket. She was cheery and smiling, and made Hatori feel happy as well. As they shopped she would grab things from his list and show him helpful things he may need. He loved having her around and she felt the same about him.
When they returned home, Hatori began to put the groceries away, but then noticed the time.
"Ichigo," he called.
"Yes," she stepped into the kitchen.
"We need to take you home, okay."
A sudden rush of fear and despair appeared in her eyes.
"No," she said. "No don't! Don't take me home! Let me stay. Hatori-san!"
Hatori was shocked by her sudden outburst, tears streaming down her saddened face. She was on the floor now, despairing more than before.
"Ichigo," Hatori moved to the floor. "Ichigo. It's okay. Don't cry."
Ichigo flung herself into Hatori's arms.
"Don't make me leave," she sobbed. "I-I don't want to."
He felt her pain, and saw her tears. It melted him, like some sort of weakening power. Hatori held her tight as he could.
He knew where his place was, why he shouldn't be caring for her at all. But, strangely enough, he couldn't break away, like a father can't abandon his child.
They stayed together that way for a long time and in the end, Hatori let her stay. He decided he would have to find out about her by himself. He couldn't hurt her anymore.
A/N: Thank you for reading. Sorry I took so long to update, I've been busy. ^.^; But thanks for coming anyway.
