Calico
Chapter 4: Stolen Gift.
By Takara-Star
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket. All of the characters belong to Natsuki Takaya. (Oi, I hate having to type this. Everyone knows I don't own it. I have no intentions of stealing it either.)
--
Drowning is one of the worst feelings. I remember an outing I had with Kasuke one day going to the beach. As much as I didn't want to, he convinced me to get into the water. He said, "If we are going to break the curse one day, you might as well get used to it." He laughed his laughed that rang like a church bell. I shook my head with a small smile and said, "Fine, Kasuke. Whatever." He took my hand and led me to the oceans edge. I looked at it with contempt and uncertainty. But with one small step, my toes touched water. I jolted back in surprise. I hissed at it, as funny as that sounds. But, I am a cat after all; it was only a natural reaction. Kasuke laughed at me again. I looked at him in irritation. Then, I kicked water up at him. He laughed again saying, "Now that's my feisty Sara." He splashed me back, his eyes dancing. "You are so dead," I told him, a slight smirk on my face. We began to play. One look at Kasuke, and I forgot completely that I hated water. I guess my true form liked him too.
But all our fun was about to come to an abrupt halt. I had never learned how to swim, on account of the fact that I hated water. We were pretty much just wading; the water was up to my knees. Suddenly, a rather large wave shot up, knocking us both down. Apparently, Kasuke had shot right back up. But me? No. I was becoming a drowned cat. I was lucky to be alive.
--
Tohru let out a groan as she slowly began to open her eyes. She stared up at a ceiling that she didn't recognize. She heard a beeping sound; like a machine. Her eyes darted down to her arm where an IV was placed. She slowly sat up, and looked around tiredly. She looked over and saw Kyo sleeping in a chair next to her bed. She then looked out the door to her room, where someone was being pushed to another room. Then, the memories started to come back to her.
The last thing she remembered, she and Kyo were at the beach. They were playing, and then she got carried by the waves. Then, nothing. She looked to the window, where the only thing she could see was a tall streetlight right next to her window. She noticed a clock on the wall. It was two o'clock AM.
"Honda-san?" A nurse said, coming into the room. "Are you okay?"
Tohru looked to her in surprise. "Y-yes. I'm okay. I just woke up. Is Kyo-kun okay Nurse-san?"
The nurse nodded. "Yeah. He's just fine. He's just been waiting for you to wake up; but it seems he fell asleep himself." She laughed heartily. "He seems to really care about you. You're really lucky."
Tohru smiled. "Will I be able to leave here soon?"
The nurse smiled ."Yes, I should say so. The fact that you are wide-awake right now, and talking to me is a good sign." The nurse handed her a cup of water. "Here, drink this. If you drink this, you may get to go home sooner; like maybe around nine AM."
"That would be nice. I have a dress fitting today for all my bridesmaids and me. It's at noon," Tohru said, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Oh, you're getting married? Is he your fiancé?" The nurse said, pointing to Kyo.
"Yes. We're having an outdoor wedding. It going to be at the Sohma estate in the gardens," Tohru said happily.
"That's nice. Oh, yes," the nurse said as if a light bulb went off in her head. "The lifeguard that helped save you…um…Manabe-san, I think it was told me to tell you that he hopes that your recovery goes well."
"Manabe-san was the lifeguard?" Tohru blinked in surprise. "I…don't know what to say."
"You know him?"
"Yes, he was the Vice-President of our school. I also knew him a little before that too…"
"Ah. First love?"
Tohru blushed. "N-no. Th-that's not what I meant Nurse-san! I meant that we conversed some but it wasn't exactly on good terms. H-he apologized one day to me, though. He's my friend Yuki-kun's best friend…so we see quite a bit of eachother more often now."
Then, Kyo sat up in his chair and stretched. He looked up at Tohru, and he smiled. "Hey. You feel okay?"
"Yes. I feel just fine. We may be able to go home in a few hours," Tohru smiled back sweetly.
The nurse looked to them, and turned toward the doorway. "I'll be back in a little while. I'm sure you both have a little to catch up on."
--
"Yes yes yes!" Ayame exclaimed, clasping his hands together. "It is perfect! Tohru-kun looks like a vision of loveliness. And if I do say so, the modesty of this dress portrays the wonderful innocence that surrounds her. Wouldn't you say, Mine?"
"Oh, yes boss. Most definitely. Tohru-kun looks like an innocent blushing bride. The exact look you were trying to convey," Mine smiled happily. "Kyo-kun is going to fall over when he gets a load of you."
Tohru stared at herself in the mirror in utter shock. This was it. No other place she had been to had the right dress. As she stared at herself she knew that this was the right one. It just…suited her perfectly. She couldn't help but gawk at herself.
"I think Tohru has been struck speechless," Arisa said with a small laugh. "She's never worn a formal dress before."
"Hey, Tohru…You okay?" Isuzu said, crossing her arms.
Tohru snapped out of her reverie and turned to her. "Oh, um…yes, I'm okay, Isuzu-san. I'm just a little surprised by the dress." She turned to Ayame. "This dress is beautiful Ayame-san. You and Mine-san both did a wonderful job." She gave a small bow, and a smile to them.
"Ah, my dear Tohru-kun," Ayame said proudly. "Think nothing of it; but by all means thank me. These hands of mine, and Mine's of course, created this wonderful dress just for you. I'm not expecting praise; but by all means do so. Ha ha ha!"
--
"So," Arisa said looking up at Tohru. "Tell us. What happened at the beach yesterday? I heard it didn't go so well."
Tohru stirred her straw in her Strawberry milkshake. But she let out a small laugh. "No, I suppose it didn't, Uo-chan. I…almost died. I think. I was lucky though. But they let me out of the hospital early because I seemed to be doing well. If People live through that, sometimes brain damage can occur. That's what the doctor told me. I feel pretty lucky."
Hana sighed. "That would be a scary thing for all of us if you got brain damage…especially for Kyo-kun. You are very lucky in this situation."
"Yes," Tohru stared distantly out the window, as if in a trance. But she wasn't. "Odd things are about to happen, I think. I'm not exactly sure what, but I get that feeling."
Arisa and Hana both nodded.
"It does seem that way, doesn't it, Arisa?" Hana asked her.
"Yeah. I guess it does. I guess it's the fact that everything is changing. It's strange that you will be leaving with Kyo in a few weeks, and I with Kureno. What are you going to do, Hana?"
"What I've been doing," Hana sighed again. "Continuing to work for Kazuma-san and getting to know him better."
"Of course," Arisa said chuckling, and rolling her eyes.
Tohru smiled at them. "We'll be keeping in touch, and hopefully see eachother at New Year's. Kyo-kun says we might come back for a visit then."
"That's cool. Is Akii-chan planning something for New Year's already?" Hana asked curiously.
"Sort of," Tohru replied. "She just knows that she wants all of her new friends and her family, of course, to be there."
"Hm," Hana said with a small smirk. "Sounds like a plan."
--
The most surprising things can happen when you least expect it. I had two other best friends other than Kasuke. Their names were Ruuka and Chii. They weren't members of the zodiac, of course, but they knew of the curse. They both had siblings that were part of the zodiac. Ruuka's older brother was the Ox, and Chii's little sister was the sheep. We had fun together. We would all go out into the woods and do whatever. Kasuke usually came with us. We also would go into town and do some shopping at the market, and maybe even buy some new kimonos. Then, one day after shopping, I was coming back home and excited because I had bought a brand new blue kimono. I had spent my whole month's allowance on it.
I walked home imagining myself wearing it on the next outing Kasuke and I would make. It was in the late afternoon, and the sun would probably begin to set within the next hour. The most unexepected thing happened to me. The one thing that I'm going to regret causing to happen to happen to Tohru-san more than anything else that has happened to me. I don't wish my experiences on anyone; but I'm willing to do anything just to know what happened to Kasuke and to see him again.
I'm sorry Tohru-san. So sorry. My heart breaks to cause what is about to happen to you. Just as it has for everything else that has and will happen.
--
Tohru waved goodbye to Arisa and Hana as they parted from the restaurant. She pulled out the brand new cell phone that Shigure had recently bought for her. She found Kyo's cell phone number and pressed the "send" button.
"Hello?" he said into his phone.
"Hello, Kyo-kun. I'm on my way home."
"Hey. Did you have fun?" He said with interest. Tohru could tell he was smiling.
"Yes, I did. I had a wonderful time. We went shopping, and then stopped for dinner. Did you get your dinner okay? I left it on the counter for all of you."
"Yeah. We found it. It was delicious…as always!" Kyo said with a laugh.
"Good. Well, I love you, Kyo-kun. I'll be home in thirty minutes."
"Okay. Love you." With that, they both hung up.
Tohru began walking home with a steady pace. She looked around and noticed the sun was beginning to set. The sky was in a huge array of beautiful colors. She should be home before dark. As she made away from the busy town, and came towards the woodsy area that was the sign that she'd be home soon, she sighed happily.
The setting sun was creating beautiful golden sparkles on the forest around her. Especially on the trees that had just begun to change colors. It was an amazing sight to see. And, to think, it would be that way for the next couple months. Tohru pulled her sweater a little tighter as a cool wind blew through.
"Oh my," she whispered. "It's getting cooler."
Suddenly, she heard a twig snap. She turned towards the sound, but saw nothing. She figured that it was just a rabbit, or something of that nature. She then began to walk again, without a care. Then, she heard another twig snap and a brush of leaves. She also heard two small whispers.
"Hello?" Tohru said, heart beginning to race. She turned, looking for what was making the sounds. She found that they were coming from a bush nearby. Then, she turned to run away. But a few seconds after, she heard a pair of running feet behind her. She tripped over a tree root, and her purse and shopping bags went flying. She looked back and realized that her foot was caught. She panicked, as the footsteps came faster. She didn't dare look back. She focused on pulling herself out. She finally pulled out, but then she felt a pair of strong hands pull her back.
--
It was cold. And dark. She could see nothing except for a little moonlight peeking through the trees. She desperately wanted to get her sweater so that she could at least keep a little warm. But her wrist was twisted, and her leg possibly broken. She had tried to move, but every large move she made hurt her. She couldn't even call out for help. She moaned in pain as almost every part of her body ached, or burned.
How could this have happened to me? She thought. Tears ran down her face. She was all alone, in pain, and scared. Other than her leg and arm, she had many bruises and scrapes all over. Her thighs felt warm and wet. Where are you Kyo-kun? Anybody? She never expected this to happen to her. Not at all.
--
Kyo looked up at the clock. Where was she? It's was an hour past the time she said she'd be home. He checked his phone. No text messages, or missed calls. He balled up his fist. He knew something must have happened. She was rarely late; if she would be, she would have called. He stood up.
He walked into the kitchen where Yuki was. "She should have been here over an hour ago."
Yuki turned to him holding a rice ball. "She hasn't called?"
Kyo shook his head. "No. Not since she called me and said she was coming home.
"That's not like Tohru-san. Do you think she's okay?"
"I dunno. That's the problem. But I think that there is something wrong. Come with me. I'm going to look for her." Yuki nodded back
Kyo turned and went to a closet, and pulled a blanket out. He had a feeling he'd need it.
He picked up his phone and dialed her number. No answer.
"Yeah, I'm definitely going."
--
(Tohru's POV)
I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do. I'm in so much pain, I can barely move. I'm cold. I'm exhausted. I'm scared. I'm all alone. All I can hear is the rustling of leaves, and the wind.
I'm sure Kyo-kun is worried sick. What will he do…what will happen? Why did this happen? I feel the tears running down my face, and tell myself no. But, I can't stop! I can't stop crying. I can't. I feel as though I've been stolen from. Something deeply a part of me was ripped from me. It hurts so much. I had a gift that was meant for something entirely different. Not this. I had something to give. But you can't give a gift that has been trampled on…can you?
--
(Regular POV)
Kyo was running at top speed, with Yuki close behind. Suddenly, they spotted something on the path in front of them: shopping bags with the items strewn all over the place, and a purse. Kyo picked up the purse, and it looked exactly like Tohru's.
"She's gotta be here somewhere," he said, voice breaking. He knew now without a doubt that something had happened to her.
"Where could she be though?" Yuki asked, wide eyed.
"That's the question, isn't it?" Kyo said through gritted teeth. He punched the dirt in front of him.
Suddenly, a small groan was heard from nearby. They both looked up, and quickly went toward the sound. He clicked on his flashlight and went into the woods. They didn't have to go far. Kyo's light fell on Tohru's face and bare shoulders.
"Kyo-kun…" she whispered in tears. "I want to go home."
He stood frozen in shock. This couldn't be…did someone…?
He quickly then walked over, throwing the blanket over her. "I know. I'll take you home." Then he picked her up gently, knowing she was most likely injured. "Call for help. I'll take care of her."
Yuki nodded solemnly, and pulled out his phone.
Kyo then began to walk back toward the house, Tohru's tears soaking his shirt.
--
A/N: I almost started crying while writing this chapter. It was kind of hard to write this. But it's part of the overall story that is taking place inside of my head. Sara will make more appearances soon, starting in Chapter 5. Her entire purpose will start making more sense as the story will go on. I know that it seems odd and insane that she caused this to happen to Tohru. The whole thing is really sad. I'm not giving away any spoilers though.
Anyway, I'm currently at home. I would be at school, but I had a bug incident. Last December, I almost went into anaphylactic shock from a bee sting. But the night before last night, I find I have another kind of allergy. It wasn't as bad as the incident last December, but, bad enough. I was in bed sleeping, and I guess I moved my hand to go behind my head. Then, I felt a sharp pain in my pinkie; like two little teeth bit into me. It was enough to wake me up. I flung off whatever it was, and turned on my light. Sure enough, there were two little bite marks on my finger. I looked over the side of my bed to figure out what in the world bit me. I was worried that it was a dangerous spider of some sort, or a baby snake. I looked frantically, not seeing anything. I didn't have my contacts in, so, it made this task a little more difficult. Suddenly, I spied the culprit. It was pretty blurry, but, I could kind of see it. It looked like a centipede. Ugh. And, it was. Believe it or not, but I was bit by a centipede. My hand swelled up like a balloon, and my doctor prescribed some meds and I can't go back to school until Friday. For me it's always bug problems. I don't react well to bug bites or stings. It really stinks. But…the swelling in my hand has gone down enough that I can type. That's a good thing. Lol.
God Bless!
-Takara-star-chan