Ripple Thirteen

[Chapter 23. Tohru learns about Momiji's mother.]

The girl exited her workplace, head down, and walked towards the young man waiting for her.

Alarmed at her demeanor, Yuki tilted up her chin. "Honda-san, your eyes are red. Have you been crying? Who upset you?"

Tohru sniffed. "I've been crying because of something Momiji-kun told me."

"Momiji? I'll skin that rabbit!"

She caught his arm when Yuki appeared prepared to storm into the skyscraper to face his younger cousin. "You know how Momiji-kun is the son of this building's owner?"

"Uh, no," he replied, "but Sohmas have their fingers in a lot of area businesses, so I shouldn't be surprised."

"Sohma-kun, he stays late there to catch a glimpse of his mother from time to time," she gulped, "the mother that rejected him just because he's a member of the zodiac."

Yuki bit his lip. "Honda-san, that's not altogether uncommon…"

"But he's such an adorable bunny!" Her sniffs and gulps became full-throated sobs.

"Yes, her reaction was rather the scandal at the time from what I've overheard from the adults. And you're right, Momiji is cute in his zodiac form. It's more reasonable to understand my mother's feelings, considering that both her sons are the most repulsive of the zodiac animals."

Her mouth dropped open as she stared at him and nodded. "The rat and the snake. But they are both considered lucky, aren't they?"

He shrugged. "Most mothers—no, make that most women—would not care to cuddle either."

"Yes, I can see—No! She is your mother. She should love her children, no matter what!"

His laugh sounded harsh. "Well, she loved me, or rather what I could bring her, more than she did Nii-san."

"What you could bring her?"

"She virtually sold me to Akito at a young age. For the good luck you mentioned. No matter how I pleaded she would still deliver me to him every day."

"I can't decide what's worse! That or having your memory wiped of even having a child, like Momiji's mom. And his father, not only agreeing but pressing his own son to make the decision."

"I know. I felt sorry for him at the time, not knowing that I would have the same thing happen to me a couple of years later."

"I wish I had known you back then. My mother would have done her best to take the place of both your mothers!" She reached out and gave him a big hug. "Oopsie," she said, even before the transformation sparkles faded away.