Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with Fruits Basket.
What does it take to set the Sohmas free after Akito's death?
The Puppet Master's Last Testament
---
Chapter Four:
Hunting Down the Perfect One
Shigure turned into his bedroom. He grunted as he removed the uncomfortable jeans. He hated pants. They were so... restraining, to say the least. Pants were one of the many things he disliked. Among them, finding the perfect one for the 'game'.
Why was it so hard to find a girl to like? It's not like they were getting married or anything binding like that. He just needed to finish the deed and be freed. Nothing more.
He was young and handsome and smart and charming and well-mannered and... the list could go on forever, he thought. This should be a piece of cake.
He changed into his yukata and collapsed onto his bed. He looked over at his clock: 11:03. Hatori would still be awake. This writer was in need of some serious help. Even if it was from someone who knew little about the 'girlfriend' department.
Ring, ring.
"Hello, Doctor Sohma. How may I help you?"
"Hatori. It didn't work out. She got one of the nine questions right. Is this really the only way to end the curse? I mean, no will ever know if I really fall in love or not. I could pretend—"
"Akito told Mr. Kitano that any 'slips through the cracks' or 'hoaxes' would ruin any chance of stopping the curse. Don't try anything stupid, Shigure."
"Fine. What next?"
"Since you only have two more chances left, you better choose wisely."
"Who?"
"You're on your own on that one. Someone who intrigues you. Makes your heart skip a beat."
"Every human with breasts intrigues me, Hatori. I like all girls."
"Shigure. You are going to get over that 'phase'. You need to find someone to love and love you back. Real love. That's what Akito wants."
Shigure thought to himself, What is real love? Sex? Professing love to each other over dinner? Picnic at the beach under the moon? What was it, for Kami's sake?!
Hatori clicked off. He ran his long fingers through his hair a couple times. Real love. He doubted Shigure even knew what it was. The man was smart, but knew nothing.
But Hatori knew what love was. He had endured its sublimity, and its pain. But none of that concerned him now.
Now, he needed to deal with this 'game'. He wanted freedom so much. Was he willing to sacrifice someone dear to him for it?
He knew one person who could do everything that the will would want. Probably the person that Akito wanted. He knew someone who could answer any question about Shigure. He knew someone who could provide everlasting, unadulterated love. Someone with a heart of gold. Someone who forgave and forgot. Someone who could make a man's heart skip a beat. Someone smart and charming and independent and reliable and spunky, yet innocent and fragile and gentle and simple. Someone intriguing, like a rose bud on the verge of blooming.
But he couldn't let that person get involved.
He cared for her too much.
It was her who had mended his heart unknowingly.
No. He couldn't allow it.
No.
---
The next morning, Shigure didn't leave his room for breakfast. He racked his brain trying to think of someone who could answer the questions without any outside help. Who?
Finally, he settled on Mayuko. She was a smart, independent school-teacher.
As much as they were different, she was the only female who knew anything about him. He was the enigmatic romance novelist. Of course he was hard to read. What did women expect?
She probably hated him right now, but he could get her to do the questionnaire. Hopefully. And everything would blossom from there.
Ring, ring.
"Mayuko? Hi, it's Shigure. I was wondering if you could come over to the house to help Yuki and Kyo with a questionnaire. It would only be twenty minutes."
She said she'd come, but no funny business. Shigure laughed. She was so untrusting of him.
Mayuko arrived an hour later. She was still as beautiful as ever, her long sleek hair in a low ponytail, wearing comfortable jeans and a pullover sweater.
She didn't even bother to look at Shigure, but immediately went to the table to greet the boys. Grudge?
She beamed when the boys told her about how much she had helped them prepare for college. She pinched Kyo's cheeks when he rolled his eyes at Yuki's admiration.
"So, let's do this questionnaire."
---
That night, Shigure visited Hatori's office for a smoke. Mayuko answered two right. She knew his favorite snack, and his favorite garment (besides underwear).
"Hatori, what now?"
Hatori's eye twitched. He was fighting internally. To give her up for their own selfish deeds? Was that what Akito wanted in the first place?
"Shigure, go home and just think. I can't right now," Hatori said, stalking back into his office.
"Hey, you're supposed to give me a ride home!"
No response. Hatori was so queer and moody.
"Fine. I'll walk," he muttered.
He took the long way home, through the winding path up the hill, around the pond.
He knocked on the door and the door was thrown open. Tohru greeted him.
Shigure tried to give her his best face, but she saw right through him. "What's wrong Shigure?"
"Just thinking about my latest book." He lied. But at that moment, something clicked.
---
She was the one.
Tohru was the cure to all their woes.
---
She poured him a scorching cup of tea and they sat down on the couch, sipping quietly.
"So what's the topic for your latest book?" she asked innocently.
"I'm thinking about a city girl who goes to visit her grandma in the countryside and meets the perfect guy, but is arranged to be married... maybe a love triangle, with guy-girl, and guy-guy relationships-- but enough about me. How was your trip?"
"It was absolutely wonderful. I wish everyone could have come with me. Maybe this summer we can all go to Tokyo. But I did take lots of pictures for you all to see. I bought tons of gifts too. It's absolutely beautiful, Shigure."
She was so into describing every detail of the city to him. From the lockers at the train station to the cookies left on her bed in the hotel room.
"That's all very nice Tohru, but can you do me a favor, my little flower?"
"Of course, anything, Shigure."
"Will you answer a questionnaire for me?"
She looked bewildered at the favor but complied willingly.
Shigure dragged oblivious Yuki and Kyo out of their rooms. He ignored Kyo's, why do we have to do this every friggin' day? What's it for?
Yuki asked, "Do you like dogs?"
"Of course. You all know that. And my favorite one is Shigure."
Shigure beamed at the comment.
"What are Shigure's favorite color boxers?" Asked Kyo.
"Black, except on Sundays he wears green plain ones, and the occasional white-tighties when he's depressed; some idiosyncrasy." She knew more about him that he knew about himself! Shigure blushed at the white-tighties comment. It was true.
Yuki asked next, "What is Shigure's favorite snack?"
"Uirō and oolong tea with lots of honey."
"What is the only thing that Shigure wears at home?"
"His brown yukata."
"What is the first thing you look for in a guy?"
"Only one?"
Yuki nodded.
"Okay, self-respect. He needs that first before he can be successful in anything else," she said with conviction. He liked that.
"What do you think is the perfect romantic date?"
"Anything that allows us to spend time together. It could even be in a cave for all I care, as long as we're together."
"What do you think defeats all: love or fate?"
"Love. 'That Love is all there is / Is all we know of Love.' You can't explain it. It just happens, and it will overpower anything."
Wow, Shigure was seeing a different side to Tohru. She was so calm and collected, so different from her usual flighty, giddy self.
"Would you ever forgive someone after you found out that he/she betrayed you?"
"It depends, but yes. Everyone deserves a second chance. Or third."
"If you found out your lover had a deep secret that he didn't tell you, how would you feel?"
"It's a secret for a reason, and if he kept it from me, he probably has a good one. I would trust him with all my heart."
Shigure's heart skipped a beat.
He had found her.
The game was about to begin.
---
A/N: Tohru's quotation is from poet Emily Dickinson. I look up tons of love quotes. They were all so good! But I needed something really short and sweet.
So, the pairing for the story has been set. Poor Tohru seems to be a 'pawn' in this 'game'.
Who did you want to see? Happy? Angry? Share your thoughts!
Let the games begin!