Chapter 2
A Taste of Saltwater
"Sohma-san, do you have a moment?" Nami called from behind the door.
"Just a second, Nami!" Hatori walked into the room and slid the door open for her. She was leaning against the frame. Her head was hung and her dark hair flowed unruly down her shoulders and arms.
"I would like to talk to you, Hatori-san, if you have some time," she told him, finally looking up.
"Of course," he assured her and led her inside. They sat down together and Hatori gave her his full attention. "What it is?"
"It was all a lie," she said blankly.
"I don't understand," he said, becoming a bit uncertain.
"I'm not free like he had me believe. It was all a lie to have me agree to stay." Nami allowed herself to rest her head on his shoulder.
"I have a confession to make. I've known," he told her. She lifted herself away from him and the mood changed very suddenly.
"You knew... and didn't tell me?"
"Not for sure. When I saw you together in the garden that day I assumed that there was something more. I had the idea that he might have ulterior motives, but no solid facts to back it up with."
"I wish you had said something... anything," she said and hung her head again.
"He tricked me in a way, too. I had spoken with Akito the day after and he told me that he knew the flowers were poisoned. He had me so worried," he explained.
"Must be a nuisance having to watch me all the time," she laughed nervously.
"He didn't do it for convenience, Nami. He did it for you."
"That's absurd. It hurts twice as much now."
"I know and I should have realized it then. I should have told you a long time ago." He seemed so sincere she couldn't be angry.
"It's alright, Sohma-san." Nami knew that he had a good heart and good intentions so she forgave him. "I'm not angry. I understand."
"I'm glad. I hope you don't loose trust in me." He felt somewhat uncomfortable when she called him by his family name. It made him feel formal, as if she were applying for a job rather than talking with a friend.
Nami smiled. "Iie," she said and stood up. She walked towards a window and stared outside. "It's a strange winter." She decided to change the subject.
"How so?" Hatori walked over to the window as well, wanting to see what she saw.
"It rains all the time, but there hasn't been a single sign of snow," she said and sighed. She wrapped her scarf tighter around her shoulders.
"Cold?"
"Just shivers. I wish spring would come already."
"You like spring?" Hatori turned his attention away from the window and back to her.
Nami smiled warmly at him. "Hai, reminds me of new beginnings and second chances. Sort of like a new life each year."
Hatori smiled at her which was rare enough on its own. It warmed her enough to laugh a bit. "What is it, Hatori-san?"
He focused his attention back out the window. "Iie, nothing. It's not important." He sighed.
"Are you sure?"
"Really," he wanted to change the subject and had just the thing. "Tonight Akito and I are leaving the estate to meet with family living in a different city."
"You're leaving me here alone? That's very unlike Akito-san."
"Actually, Shigure agreed to have you stay with him for the night. You see, Yuki, Kyou and Tohru have gone out of town as well and he has a room for you. It works out quite well."
"Hai, Haru told me that they left," Nami said. She thought about what Hatori just said to her. Haru and Yuki said that Kyou couldn't go because he's sick. Did this mean that Hatori and Akito didn't know that he stayed home? Hatori is a doctor, how could he not know that a member of the family is sick?
"Are you alright with this arrangement?"
"I don't have a choice, Hatori-san. I never have a choice. When do we leave?"
"Later this afternoon. Pack something to sleep in and something to wear tomorrow morning. We'll come pick you up on our way home."
Nami nodded. "I'll go pack then." She began walking out.
"Nami," he called her back. "It's raining. Stay and have dinner with me."
Nami decided to take the offer and helped Hatori prepare something edible. Although neither of them were the best cook, they did what they could and came up with a decent dinner. They had mostly pleasant conversation throughout the rest of the time, straying away from topics such as Akito and Kana and other family problems. Hatori told her of how he, Shigure and Ayame went to school together. She found his playful stories amusing, but she knew that Hatori wasn't normally a playful person. He was doing this to help her feel better. She appreciated it but she knew that afterwards it wouldn't matter that she had laughed with him.
As sunset approached, Nami retreated back to her room to pack. A servant carried her bag out for her as she made her way to the car. Hatori sat in the front seat, next to the hired driver. The servant opened the back door for her and she stepped in and sat down.
"Hello, lovely Nami." Akito had been waiting already inside. She fastened her seat belt and sat back.
"Hello, Akito-sama," She said, with sarcasm to spare.
Akito chuckled a bit. She had never used that kind of formality with him before. "Why the sour smile? Aren't you glad to visit Shigure's home?" Nami didn't answer. "I know you're upset and it's really starting to irritate me. Are you too stupid to see I did it for your own good?" Akito's voice was beginning to rise. Again, she didn't respond. She just kept her eyes on the window, hoping that the driver will get there as fast as possible. Akito suddenly chuckled. "Alright, don't listen to me. Suffer if that's what you prefer." Hatori breathed a sigh of relief from the front seat.
The entire drive seemed like eternity. No one spoke which just stretched it out even more. As they pulled up to the house, Shigure had already been standing outside the door with the most joyous look on his face. Just seeing him so happy made Nami feel warmer. Hatori stepped out of the car and opened her door. She stood up next to him as Shigure ran over to them. He placed his hands on his cheeks and they were almost shaking from excitement. His eyes sparkled.
"Nami-kun! Ha-san! Which to hug first?!?!" His voice squeaked.
"Nami." Hatori insisted.
"If you say so!" Shigure lunged himself on her and hugged her. Immediately, he turned into a dog. "Ha-san, your turn!" He sang as he wrapped his paws around Hatori's leg.
"I really should have seen that coming," Hatori sighed and Nami giggled. He kicked Shigure off and turned to her. "Have a good time, will you?" Nami nodded and Hatori stepped back inside the car.
Shigure stuffed his nose into the car in search of Nami's bag. "Hello Aki-kun!" Akito gave him a scornful look for calling him such a stupid name. Shigure found her bag and pulled it happily out of the car.
"Good-bye Hatori-san, Akito-san." Nami shut the door behind herself and followed Shigure back to the house. He carried her bag in his teeth, tail wagging, and ears standing upright.
"Gure-san is so cute," Nami said sweetly and petted him upon entering the house. He swiftly changed back to human form and Nami averted her eyes as he scrambled to find something to put on. He pulled on a robe and grabbed her hand.
"Time for the grand tour!" He told her.
"But I've already been here before," she pointed out.
"Maa, just pretend!" Shigure pleaded. Nami smiled, happy to oblige. He ran with her to the living room, the kitchen, the dining room, the garden and every other room except for the ones upstairs. They ran back into the living room and collapsed on the couch.
"Gure-san?"
"Hm?"
"Great tour."
"Arigato! Nami-kun is so nice to an old man like me!"
Nami giggled a bit and asked, "What about the rooms upstairs?"
"Too exhausted. Maybe later, ne?"
"I agree. We really could have taken a walking tour instead."
"It's more fun this way." He smiled. "By the way, Yuki-kun volunteered for you to take his room while he's gone. It's the second one on the left from the stairs. You can't miss it. It's the one infested with rats."
"..."
"Kidding."
"Very funny, Gure-san," Nami said and yawned.
"Tired, Nami-kun?"
"Hai, a bit."
"Not surprised. You've had a long day. Let me help you with your bag," he said and began walking upstairs.
"It's alright. I've got it." She took the bag back from him.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. You've done more than enough." When she reached the top of the stairs she called "Good night!" to him and walked into Yuki's bedroom. Just for the sake of it, she flipped on the light switch before stepping in. She changed into a nightgown and sat down on his bed. She could barely keep her eyes open before she collapsed totally onto it. It was soft and warm. She felt very welcome.
A Taste of Saltwater
"Sohma-san, do you have a moment?" Nami called from behind the door.
"Just a second, Nami!" Hatori walked into the room and slid the door open for her. She was leaning against the frame. Her head was hung and her dark hair flowed unruly down her shoulders and arms.
"I would like to talk to you, Hatori-san, if you have some time," she told him, finally looking up.
"Of course," he assured her and led her inside. They sat down together and Hatori gave her his full attention. "What it is?"
"It was all a lie," she said blankly.
"I don't understand," he said, becoming a bit uncertain.
"I'm not free like he had me believe. It was all a lie to have me agree to stay." Nami allowed herself to rest her head on his shoulder.
"I have a confession to make. I've known," he told her. She lifted herself away from him and the mood changed very suddenly.
"You knew... and didn't tell me?"
"Not for sure. When I saw you together in the garden that day I assumed that there was something more. I had the idea that he might have ulterior motives, but no solid facts to back it up with."
"I wish you had said something... anything," she said and hung her head again.
"He tricked me in a way, too. I had spoken with Akito the day after and he told me that he knew the flowers were poisoned. He had me so worried," he explained.
"Must be a nuisance having to watch me all the time," she laughed nervously.
"He didn't do it for convenience, Nami. He did it for you."
"That's absurd. It hurts twice as much now."
"I know and I should have realized it then. I should have told you a long time ago." He seemed so sincere she couldn't be angry.
"It's alright, Sohma-san." Nami knew that he had a good heart and good intentions so she forgave him. "I'm not angry. I understand."
"I'm glad. I hope you don't loose trust in me." He felt somewhat uncomfortable when she called him by his family name. It made him feel formal, as if she were applying for a job rather than talking with a friend.
Nami smiled. "Iie," she said and stood up. She walked towards a window and stared outside. "It's a strange winter." She decided to change the subject.
"How so?" Hatori walked over to the window as well, wanting to see what she saw.
"It rains all the time, but there hasn't been a single sign of snow," she said and sighed. She wrapped her scarf tighter around her shoulders.
"Cold?"
"Just shivers. I wish spring would come already."
"You like spring?" Hatori turned his attention away from the window and back to her.
Nami smiled warmly at him. "Hai, reminds me of new beginnings and second chances. Sort of like a new life each year."
Hatori smiled at her which was rare enough on its own. It warmed her enough to laugh a bit. "What is it, Hatori-san?"
He focused his attention back out the window. "Iie, nothing. It's not important." He sighed.
"Are you sure?"
"Really," he wanted to change the subject and had just the thing. "Tonight Akito and I are leaving the estate to meet with family living in a different city."
"You're leaving me here alone? That's very unlike Akito-san."
"Actually, Shigure agreed to have you stay with him for the night. You see, Yuki, Kyou and Tohru have gone out of town as well and he has a room for you. It works out quite well."
"Hai, Haru told me that they left," Nami said. She thought about what Hatori just said to her. Haru and Yuki said that Kyou couldn't go because he's sick. Did this mean that Hatori and Akito didn't know that he stayed home? Hatori is a doctor, how could he not know that a member of the family is sick?
"Are you alright with this arrangement?"
"I don't have a choice, Hatori-san. I never have a choice. When do we leave?"
"Later this afternoon. Pack something to sleep in and something to wear tomorrow morning. We'll come pick you up on our way home."
Nami nodded. "I'll go pack then." She began walking out.
"Nami," he called her back. "It's raining. Stay and have dinner with me."
Nami decided to take the offer and helped Hatori prepare something edible. Although neither of them were the best cook, they did what they could and came up with a decent dinner. They had mostly pleasant conversation throughout the rest of the time, straying away from topics such as Akito and Kana and other family problems. Hatori told her of how he, Shigure and Ayame went to school together. She found his playful stories amusing, but she knew that Hatori wasn't normally a playful person. He was doing this to help her feel better. She appreciated it but she knew that afterwards it wouldn't matter that she had laughed with him.
As sunset approached, Nami retreated back to her room to pack. A servant carried her bag out for her as she made her way to the car. Hatori sat in the front seat, next to the hired driver. The servant opened the back door for her and she stepped in and sat down.
"Hello, lovely Nami." Akito had been waiting already inside. She fastened her seat belt and sat back.
"Hello, Akito-sama," She said, with sarcasm to spare.
Akito chuckled a bit. She had never used that kind of formality with him before. "Why the sour smile? Aren't you glad to visit Shigure's home?" Nami didn't answer. "I know you're upset and it's really starting to irritate me. Are you too stupid to see I did it for your own good?" Akito's voice was beginning to rise. Again, she didn't respond. She just kept her eyes on the window, hoping that the driver will get there as fast as possible. Akito suddenly chuckled. "Alright, don't listen to me. Suffer if that's what you prefer." Hatori breathed a sigh of relief from the front seat.
The entire drive seemed like eternity. No one spoke which just stretched it out even more. As they pulled up to the house, Shigure had already been standing outside the door with the most joyous look on his face. Just seeing him so happy made Nami feel warmer. Hatori stepped out of the car and opened her door. She stood up next to him as Shigure ran over to them. He placed his hands on his cheeks and they were almost shaking from excitement. His eyes sparkled.
"Nami-kun! Ha-san! Which to hug first?!?!" His voice squeaked.
"Nami." Hatori insisted.
"If you say so!" Shigure lunged himself on her and hugged her. Immediately, he turned into a dog. "Ha-san, your turn!" He sang as he wrapped his paws around Hatori's leg.
"I really should have seen that coming," Hatori sighed and Nami giggled. He kicked Shigure off and turned to her. "Have a good time, will you?" Nami nodded and Hatori stepped back inside the car.
Shigure stuffed his nose into the car in search of Nami's bag. "Hello Aki-kun!" Akito gave him a scornful look for calling him such a stupid name. Shigure found her bag and pulled it happily out of the car.
"Good-bye Hatori-san, Akito-san." Nami shut the door behind herself and followed Shigure back to the house. He carried her bag in his teeth, tail wagging, and ears standing upright.
"Gure-san is so cute," Nami said sweetly and petted him upon entering the house. He swiftly changed back to human form and Nami averted her eyes as he scrambled to find something to put on. He pulled on a robe and grabbed her hand.
"Time for the grand tour!" He told her.
"But I've already been here before," she pointed out.
"Maa, just pretend!" Shigure pleaded. Nami smiled, happy to oblige. He ran with her to the living room, the kitchen, the dining room, the garden and every other room except for the ones upstairs. They ran back into the living room and collapsed on the couch.
"Gure-san?"
"Hm?"
"Great tour."
"Arigato! Nami-kun is so nice to an old man like me!"
Nami giggled a bit and asked, "What about the rooms upstairs?"
"Too exhausted. Maybe later, ne?"
"I agree. We really could have taken a walking tour instead."
"It's more fun this way." He smiled. "By the way, Yuki-kun volunteered for you to take his room while he's gone. It's the second one on the left from the stairs. You can't miss it. It's the one infested with rats."
"..."
"Kidding."
"Very funny, Gure-san," Nami said and yawned.
"Tired, Nami-kun?"
"Hai, a bit."
"Not surprised. You've had a long day. Let me help you with your bag," he said and began walking upstairs.
"It's alright. I've got it." She took the bag back from him.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. You've done more than enough." When she reached the top of the stairs she called "Good night!" to him and walked into Yuki's bedroom. Just for the sake of it, she flipped on the light switch before stepping in. She changed into a nightgown and sat down on his bed. She could barely keep her eyes open before she collapsed totally onto it. It was soft and warm. She felt very welcome.