-1Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket; for it was created by Natsuki Takaya. I do own Kokoro, Kaiya, and Rose. Rose was created by my friend, Mrs.KyouSohma, and I. I'm sure you have been reading about her in my friend's new story. Though Rose comes in differently in my story. If you doubt my word, you can go ahead and ask her if you want. This is my first Fruits Basket fanfiction, so I hope it comes out alright! Let me know what you think as I update it; and please enjoy!
Chapter Eleven
It was the next day, and Kokoro was coughing up a storm; and despite her efforts to fool Shigure, she ended up staying home in bed.
"Why would you want to go to school?" Kaiya asked her in surprise.
"I can't stand staying in bed, it makes me feel helpless and I'm not helpless!" Kokoro told her with determination in her voice and expression.
Then she started to cough again.
"Miss Kaiya, we'd better get going before we're late. Kokoro will be fine. She always has been able to pull herself into perfect health in no time!" Yuki assured.
Kaiya looked at her friend worriedly, but Kokoro's insisting smile told her to go ahead. She didn't want her sister to worry, and staying behind would only make her feel worse. So Kaiya went off to school with Kyo, Yuki, and Tohru.
"Well, at least Hatori won't be able to say that I didn't do a good job!" Shigure said with a confident nod and his hands on his hips, "Kokoro is home resting and everyone else is at school. I would make a very good parent if I ever decided to settle down."
"I think I would have a heart attack if you ever decided to do that," Kokoro coughed from her warm bed.
The burgundy haired teen was sitting up coughing with a book in her hand. Her silk pajamas were decorated with seahorses and dragons. Ayame had made them for her as a welcome home present, along with a few other outfits.
It was clear that Shigure and Ayame were fond of their cousin, for ever since Kokoro was a baby they had taken great care of her in replacement of her parents. Hatori and Kokoro had lost their parents when they were very young, and Hatori had tried his best to care for his younger sister. Though being a doctor in training, he didn't have a lot of extra time, and so his two best friends did their best to help him with raising the little girl.
"Kokoro, you should really lay down and rest. Stop pushing yourself to stay so strong," Shigure insisted.
"I don't want to be stuck in bed all the time! I don't want to be like him!" Kokoro argued.
"My dear little Kokoro," Shigure said carefully as he sat at the edge of her bed and hugged her, "we all know that you are not like him. You take good care of yourself, and you try your best to get along with everyone; but you can't expect to not get sick some times."
Kokoro was clinging to Shigure's brown robes, not wanting to seem so helpless; but he knew that so much was beginning to bother her. Things that she hadn't really thought of before.
"It will be okay Kokoro, don't worry," Shigure promised her, "You just have a little cold, that's all."
"Okay Shigure, thanks," answered the young girl.
Just then a very familiar, deep voice spoke up, "Hello everyone, I've come to visit!"
Shigure and Kokoro looked up to find Ayame walking in with a smile. The two returned the happy expression and welcomed him.
"Oh, my little Kokoro is ill; you poor thing. Not to mention that your perfect match, Yuki, isn't here to help care for you!" Aya pouted.
"Will you guys quit saying that!" Kokoro exclaimed as her face changed to a deep red, "Yuki and I are not a perfect match! I don't even want a boyfriend!"
Then she began to cough again and she covered her mouth until it stopped.
Ayame looked at her with saddened and worried yellow eyes. He too now sat on the bed with Shigure and Kokoro. As he sat there, he wondered what to say to cheer his cousin up; for he had also caught on that a lot was on the girl's mind.
"You still think that you will end up like him don't you?" Aya asked, completely missing what he wanted to say.
Kokoro nodded sadly.
Aya now put an arm around her while Shigure got up and walked around to the other side and hugged her from there.
"Dear little Kokoro, you will not end up like him. You are there for others, while he hurts others, such as Hari and Yuki. You will not end up like him," Ayame assured her as they hugged her tighter.
"If anyone, you'll end up like us!" Shigure laughed.
"I hope that doesn't happen either," a voice spoke from the door way.
"Hatori!" Kokoro cried in surprise.
Sure enough, Hatori was standing at the door way as he got his doctor stuff ready and came over to the bed. Then he began to check on his sister. Kokoro was one of few who got the gentle care of Hatori, while Shigure and Ayame were tortured every time they had an appointment. It was Hatori's secret revenge for causing him so much stress.
"You seem okay now, but you do feel a bit warm still. If your fever returns, I want you to stay home again. I know you shouldn't miss school, but we can't be too risky when it comes to your health," he told her.
Then he sat at the end of the bed, sighing as he discarded his stethoscope.
"Well Hari, I must say that it's about time you showed up to check on your poor little sister. You should really try and see her more often," Aya scolded his friend.
"I have to make sure that Akito doesn't find out that she's here, other wise she'll have to leave again. Would you rather that happen?" Hatori demanded in a serious tone.
"No; but you should at least try to come see her more often."
"I am trying Ayame, I come and see her as much as I can; but if keeping her away protects her from Akito, then so be it."
"Hari?" Kokoro now asked as she looked at her brother.
"What is it?" He asked, "Is something wrong?"
"Please tell me I'll be able to go to school tomorrow," she said.
Hatori smiled a little, "At least you listen to some good ideas. You seem to understand the importance of school."
"Actually I want to be able to spend time with Kyo, Yuki, Kaiya, and the others again!" She admitted.
Hatori sighed again, "Well, at least they hang out at a school."
"Not like some of the places we used to hang out at, right Shigure?" Ayame laughed.
"I know Aya, but please, we shouldn't speak of this in front of our young, innocent Kokoro!" Shigure reminded.
"Oh, let her hear it! She doesn't mind if we are happy! Right Kokoro?"
Kokoro giggled.
"Yes!" The two said in unison when they heard Kokoro laugh.
Just then they heard the others return home talking and Kyo yelling about something. They could hear the two additional voices of Momiji and Hatsuharu. Kaiya was clinging to Haru's arm when they walked in, and he was smiling down at her. Kaiya's face turned a deep crimson.
Kokoro gasped, "Kaiya how could you! You're cheating on me!"
Everyone stared at Kokoro confused. Even Ayame and Shigure were bewildered.
Kaiya giggled, "I know Kokoro, I was bad; but I just couldn't help it! When I met Hatsuharu, I just couldn't help it! Forgive me, but I've moved on."
"I don't know if I can Kaiya, I am deeply hurt. You leave me here all alone and sick, and then you come back hanging on another one's arm!" Kokoro cried dramatically.
Kaiya was standing before Kokoro's bed now with tears running down her eyes, "Please forgive me!"
"What the heck?" Kyo quested from the doorway.
"YES!" The two girls laughed in unison as they gave each other a thumbs up.
Shigure and Ayame burst into laughter, and Hatori shook his head annoyed. Everyone else stared at them in confusion, but then Momiji laughed at the practical joke.
"Perhaps Kokoro and Kaiya should come live with me after all," Hatori said with a hand over his face.
"Oh Hari, don't spoil all our good fun!" Shigure whined, "I like them living here! You can't have them!"
The girls laughed even more now, and Kokoro was feeling much better with everyone around her. She realized that Aya and Shigure had been right. She would not end up like him, and she would be up and about in no time at all! Though for now she cherished the feeling of being cared for by everyone as they took good care of her.
Preview: Kokoro fakes being well, and goes to school, tricking poor Shigure. Though gym class and the rest of school takes it's toll on her, and she begins to get much worse. Kyo is the first to notice and while the others go to get Shigure's help, a young woman comes to Kokoro's aid. Who is this girl, and does she know what becomes of the melting snow?
