/ Enjoy! Disclaimer: Don't own Fruits Basket.

Chapter 54: Anatomy of Love

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I'm giving an interesting lecture Wednesday at noon. Will u come?

Wouldn't miss it. Room?

H528.

I wake up at 6 am on Wednesday to start preparing a tasty bento lunch for Hatori, with all his favorites. He's going to be ravenous, especially after an hour and a half long lecture. His second lecture! It's a stroke of luck that the department head in the biology department offered the part-time position to Hatori. They did their residency together in Tokyo, and he thought of Hatori for the job. He didn't even tell me until our trip over the weekend, typical guy! Gosh, if I had known he was sneaking around on campus, I would have ventured out to do some… casual spying myself. But alas, more opportunities to see Hatori outside of the villa and Shigure's house! We can't exactly hold hands or do any "couple-y" things, but it's okay. As long as I can see him. And I feel so… cared for to be invited. He wants me there! My heart swells like a crest of an ocean wave.

It's typical for him to skip meals, and I can't exactly hover over him and take care of him the way I'd like to, but from now on every Wednesday, when he's on campus, I can. I promise I'll be the best

I take my marinated spare ribs out of the fridge and pop them into the preheated oven.

I leave the oil in the wok for too long and it starts to sizzle and spatter... aiyahhh! I hope it doesn't wake Shigure down the hall. I turn off the fire before putting in the egg, which bubbles on the surface like a witch's cauldron. After the egg is ready, I dump in the leftover rice from last night. Day old rice is the best for making fried rice so that the grains don't stick. I shift it around in the pan so that everything is nicely coated with oil before adding in green onion, peas, corn, carrots, and ham. Hmm, it smells delicious. No time for breakfast… I'll eat at the bus stop… After the fried rice is done, I also prepare a Western spinach salad with candied walnuts and cranberries. I'm salivating already. *Hot mess*

The bento box I'm using for Hatori isn't one of mine. All of mine have little creatures and hearts and cute stuff on it. I don't want Hatori to be embarrassed when he eats my lunch. This is a strictly professional lunch box. Purpose: to serve. It's a cool three layer-ed device that I saw while window shopping around the holidays. Hatori and I had been in a separation phrase after he said he needed time to decide between Kana and I so we didn't exactly celebrate the holidays together. Wallowing in self-pity, I went shopping to soothe the pain pounding under my ribcage.

Each layer of the box can swing out in different directions so you can have all your dishes in an easy to access way. There's a little stand in the back so it doesn't collapse if you decide to fold out the compartments in some strange configuration. It's in a navy color which suits Hatori – dark and mysterious, haha.

Bottom layer: fried rice

Middle layer: ribs and salad

Top: Strawberries and honeydew

I draw a little doodle on a sticky note and place it in a plastic Ziploc bag. A picture is worth a thousand words. Plus, I not want to leave anything incriminating… gods, what kind of secretive relationship is this? No time to dwell… With a kiss, I place the little baggy on top of the fruit. I pick up a little plastic two-pronged fork with a little heart at the top and spear the honeydew. A little cuteness inside that an outsider won't be able to see… I hope he's okay with that…. Then I seal the lid.

It's officially eight by the time I'm done loading the food into his box, my box (a silly Pochacco box), and a box for (ahem, house-bound) Shigure and Kyo. Normally, the three of us eat "made-over" dinner leftovers, but today is a special occasion. I'm giggling the whole ride to school, despite standing (since I've offered my seat to a pregnant girl), being weighed down by my boulder-heavy backpack, and bumping into all sorts of different people. And oops, I forgot to eat breakfast in my giddy excitement. Oh well.

In my continued dream state (blame Hatori), I almost miss my stop. All the other students barrel off the bus like the door has some timer, and it almost closes before I stumble out with an apology to the driver for my klutziness. There are some meanie bus drivers who'll tell you, you snooze, you lose. I've been at the receiving end of that several times. But today, everything is going my way.

I breeze through class, taking notes as the teacher lectures. It is 11:52 when I rush out of the classroom to get across campus to the Hatori's lecture hall. I can't believe I'm going to witness him at the front of a classroom, teaching. I've never seen him in public (haha, he's like a vampire).

/

I'm late by the time I get to the classroom. The seating is coliseum style and completely full. There are already students sitting on the steps. I spot an empty seat tucked away in the middle of the room and wiggle my way past some students to settle myself in. Hatori has written on the blackboard in big clear letters (to add to his list of 'special features' – his beautiful handwriting, it's like a font) – The Anatomy of Love.

Oh Kami. I swallow hard. My heart is thumping in anticipation. What is this? What am I about to witness? Love? He's never even said those words to me

He's standing perfectly straight behind the podium like a marble statue, completely relaxed and poised. I can't believe I'm about to hear my lover give a lecture. How many people can say they've experienced that?

His neck is craning, trying to search the darkening room. Is he looking for me? A little voice inside me squeaks. Or maybe he's just estimating the turn-out rate.

I don't think I've been in a lecture hall with this many people. It's jammed. And I'm not sure if it's just how it turned out, but there are way more girls than guys.

"Okay, let's start off the lecture. How many of you can say you've been in love?"

My eyes dart around. There are a few brave people who are raising their hands.

"Well, let's see if that's the truth."

The black screen behind him suddenly lights up. There is a tasteful erotic photo of a woman's figure in black and white. Uhhh, what is he doing? This is quickly turning R-rated… My face heats up. I don't even hear the students around me. This is like a private viewing. Mine.

"This picture activates the hypothalamus which is the part of your brain responsible for your body temperature, hunger, and thirst, among other things and your amygdale which controls your arousal. But this is just lust. Purely lust. Love activates a different part of the brain… as we're going to learn."

I'm completely engrossed in his lecture. As is the rest of the class, based on the complete and utter silence spread across the whole 500 people classroom. He doesn't need any slides or anything to keep everyone's attention. His teaching style is very colloquial, honest, engaging. I am surprised by his easy repertoire since he is usually so quiet. I'm happy to note that Shigure isn't the only wordsmith in the family! Hatori's knowledge is profound. Questions asked are answered with thoughtfulness. I would have expected him to be a strictly powerpoint lecture kind of guy.

"…Things like antidepressants alter the chemicals involved in love – including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. It will blunt obsessive thinking, which is a critical component in love. And the effects on desire and performance we won't even go into that because it's a downward spiral from there. A little cliché to fill in all the blanks: drugs are bad for you. They can do unthinkable things to your body's chemistry."

/

Time flies by and soon the bell rings. Everyone applauses and I can tell Hatori doesn't like the praise. He motions with his hands for the crowds to 'settle down.' While his face is a pale mask (never blushes except after a shower or… sex), I can see his gestures are slightly shaky.

As most of the students leave, I can see a dozen lingering behind. There are a few students asking thoughtful questions to which Hatori returns them thoughtful answers. I sit there. Studying the way he interacts with other people. It's not what I expected. He's not some crabby curmudgeon. He's likeable, albeit distant. He's like an actor. Beautiful, charismatic, on screen.

I decide to move so I can hear him. I can see a little throng of girls. I'm not sure if they are in a line to talk to him, or if they are going to approach him together, but I stand behind them, waiting my turn to speak with Dr. Sohma/ Professor Sohma (I'm not quite sure what to address him as). Sigh, he's perfect. In the classroom, and in the bedroom. My sexual urges are returning, full force. I cross my legs to obstruct my traitorous bodily needs. It's the middle of a school day, Tohru! Get your act together!

Then, quiet dialogue drifts into my thoughts.

He's so hot.

I wonder if he's single.

I'm so glad he's filling in for Professor Arata who is so boring. I would have never come to class this whole semester if it weren't for Your Hotness. At least we have Wednesdays to enjoy some yummy eye candy.

And drool.

I'd do anything to get a man like him – smart, handsome, modest, and oh-so-composed.

He's probably a dominant in bed.

Eiko, that's not appropriate! What have you been reading? Not your required reading, apparently.

Do you think he'll accept the bento box I made him?

Wow, someone moves fast. May I Slytherin? Haha. Did you make that yourself or buy it?

Does it matter? It's the thought that counts.

It least if it's store-bought, we know it won't be poisoned with some drug.

Their hushed voices become a jumbled chaos in my mind. The words slashing across my heart. Bento box?

I feel like I've had the wind knocked out of me.

I feel the bile rising up my throat. I've got to get out of here. I spin around and run blindly for the door.

/

I find the closest bathroom which is luckily right next to the lecture hall. Thank goodness there is no one inside. Locking myself in the stall, I proceed to sit on the toilet seat (with the disposable sheet in place, of course) and place my head in between my legs to stop the nausea and dizziness. I let my backpack roll off my shoulders, onto the ground with a solid thunk. It's not the cleanest place, but I don't care at this point.

/

A/N: *5.18.2013 - Awww, poor Tohru. Her insecurities strike again! May I Slytherin? I love that line dunno where I've seen it, but credit to them! Wish I knew more about biology so I could do the lecture justice… boo-hoo.

SolemnPassive: Hehe, good question about whether or not S will back off or not.

Tsukiakage: Yep, but at least the truth is out (somewhat!)

Phenylephrine: S needs time to lick his wounds (and come back bigger and badder… jk jk) Hehe, H is definitely getting more than S, at this moment. Wuv u! p.s. Shuji'll be back in no time too.

Kouga's older woman: Thanks!

Miaboo011: Ahhh, that's where you've been girly! Definitely wishful thinking… wink,wink. :)

Infinity1: Very nice… hara-kiri… -erases those unlovely thoughts from ur mind- :) My attempt: hatokiri? Bahaha fail. Love ur lovely reduction to: ugly family man… AKA #uglyfamilyman. –grinning like a maniac- someone please twitter that. :)

Horny-Bitch-198LuvYa: Whoa, your username is so wild. :) Hope you are up to speed. :)

Mcangel1976: Good questions dearie! T has K. And now H has S. We need S to sweep A off her feet and leave our lovebirds alone FOREVER!

Kris11993: THANK YOU! "You are MY man," I imagined a young girl snappin' her fingers back and forth and waving her head all around. – haha, totally agree. Paired with a: Oh no u din't! Man up – wise words! H needs to make T feel like a princess! Hehe about sitting in the backseat with H and S while they 'hash' things out. Count me in too!

Traceless-Poison: Hehe, it makes me happy that you are drowning in the angst. Yes, we shall see more of them! I'll try to bring in more characters too, must make use of all my little Juunishi! :)

Winter Star light: Hi! Glad you are along for the ride! :) Thanks so much for your kind words.

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