Chp 2
I roll over, my stomach growling. First night here and Shigure already forgets to feed me…not a good sign.
I slip out from under Tohru's blankets and put on a sweater. Turns out the door Yuki and Ayame smashed earlier on was the door to my room. There are bits of splintered wood everywhere. Shigure assured me that we'd fix it up as soon as possible though. He said that it was so I could have a comfortable room when school starts. I can't believe that I'm starting at a new school in just a few days from now. Of course I'm transferring into the second semester, which is already going to raise a lot of questions.
I can feel my face heat up in the darkness of the hallway at the thought. The anxiety starts to weigh down on my chest and my throat starts to close up. I can feel the tears welling up and I am paralyzed at the bottom of the stairs. There are a thousand relaxation techniques that I should be doing. I know that I should be breathing deeply, but how do I do that when my throat is tightly shut? I know that I should be un-flexing and reflexing my tense muscles, but how do I do that when I can't even move? They say that I should stop and replace the whatever is making me anxious with my mind with another thought, but how do I do that when it's all that I can think about? I should be pacing, moving, or doing whatever to burn off this "excess adrenaline" , but I am paralyzed and cannot move.
"I figured that you'd be a night wanderer."
It's Shigure's voice that brings me back. I am suddenly able to breathe again, and as soon as I take my first breath, the tears fall and my knees buckle.
"Hey now." He cautions as he catches me. "Careful."
All I can do is cling to him in reply and sniffle like a pitiful child. And I am, pitiful that is.
"Hey now, being here can't be that bad can it?" he says it in an almost sheepish voice, like he's being serious but is also joking. Joking because he hopes that I do not truly hate it here.
All I can do is cling to him tighter because I haven't yet found my voice. I feel him wrap his arms around my back and under my knees, lifting me off the ground and cradling me to his chest. I feel him walk for a while and then he sits with me on his lap. I am embarrassed by my current situation, and yet I cannot find it within me to pull away.
"I-I'm s-sorry." My mouth allows me to whisper, and he chuckles.
"Whatever for? You know, if you have something on your mind you can tell me."
I want to tell him, but my throat has closed up again and I cannot say anything.
"Is it your anxiety?" he inquires, and I stiffen.
How does he..?
"Your sensei told me."
Of course he would, it was his job after all, to prepare adopting parents for what is to come. I nod into his chest and I realise that he's stroking my back soothingly. My eyes droop slightly and I let out a shuttering breath that releases all the tenseness in my body.
"There now. Do you feel better?"
"Yes, thank you."
"You're very welcome. Now, excuse me while I make us some tea, then we can chat. Sound like a good idea?" I smile up at him and nod.
He smiles back and removes me gently from his lap and sets me down gently on the couch. I blush at my childish disposition, and the feeling of shame and embarrassment intensifies when I miss him cradling me.
Shigure sits back down on the couch with two steaming cups of tea. I accept the one he offers me with a smile and I sip it. My eyes close appreciatively at the taste of peppermint.
"You like it?" he asks.
"Yes very much thank you. Peppermint, i-it's my favourite." I blush.
He chuckles. "You're adorable, you know that?" I blush harder. "I'm really looking forward to getting to know Anju. And if you ever need me, for anything at all, I'm here alright?" he gives me a gentle smile and I bow my head, using my copper bangs to hide my tears.
I nod.
"Speaking of which, what had you so upset earlier."
"I was just a bit anxious about school." I confess. "It's stupid. I don't usually get like this over such a small thing, I just need to adjust and get comfortable in my new environment is all. It won't happen again I promi-"
"Stop." I look up at him, shocked. "Don't go getting the wrong idea now. I was fully aware of your condition when I chose to adopt you. And I want to make this change as comfortable as possible for you. But I don't want you to think that I'm scolding you for this or that you're being a burden." He turns to me then, smiling at me in that soft reassuring way. "You're family now."
My light green eyes widen and begin to water as I smile. I get up and bow.
"Th-thank you. Thank you so much." I feel his hand rest on my head affectionately.
"You're very welcome. Why don't you go get some sleep?"
I flash him a grateful smile as I right myself. "Good night."
"Good night."
I ascend the stairs in a quiet yet cheerful manner. When I slip back under Tohru's blanket she wakes up and sits up slightly.
"Anju, what's the matter? Are you okay?"
"Yes." I say honestly. "Yes I am."
AN: IM SORRY IM SORRY IM SO SO SO SO SORRY! I know that I haven't updated in forever, please forgive me. I just wasn't feeling it anymore, but I've been watching fruits basket lately and my idea for this story came back to me. But I'm going to need help getting to the end of this story so I ask you to bear with me. Thanks so much, and plz review.