Chapter 5- Full Circle
***
"Heaven-san, are you all right?"
Tohru looked up to a pair of green eyes looking so concerned. She managed to smile as she sat down. "Yes, I'm fine," she murmured as she slouched in the comfortable recliner. She can't get her mind off that dratted Yuki! How dare he propose and upset her life with those words! She had been in shock after hearing those words that she never managed a reply, never even realized that Yuki has taken her back to the beach house. She tossed and turned that night, unable to sleep. Was that Yuki's idea of a very sick joke?
"Ano-- Kosen-san, Heaven has a touch of the bug, she would have to cancel your rehearsal right now," interceded Tetsuya as he took Tohru's arm and led her away from the frowning idol-singer. He knew about Yuki's proposal and he would have been overjoyed under normal circumstances if he didn't think that Yuki was asking Tohru to marry him for all the wrong reasons.
The moment Yuki took Tohru back last night, gifts began to arrive. Items of such expense and quality even Tetsuya was astounded. Yuki would have to be as rich as Bill Gates to give such presents to his niece! Tetsuya took the time to assess the young man when he escorted Tohru home. And Yuki, very politely also informed Tetsuya that he proposed to Tohru.
Tetsuya's feeling of happiness for his niece vanished when he saw the look in Yuki's eyes. His eyes were cold. Detached. The only emotion he sensed beneath the young man's facade was the overwhelming desire to marry Tohru, to bind her to him with matrimonial vows. But there was no love. There seemed to be no room for love in the young businessman's heart.
"If Tohru-chan says 'yes', then I would agree to let her marry you," was Tetsuya's reply last night.
"Then I will endeavor to make sure she does," answered Yuki back before he left. Five minutes later, everything a girl could ever ask for began to arrive. Diamonds, designer outfits (all in Tohru's size thanks to Ayame), flowers, chocolates, perfume, more jewelry, wine, and yes, a Mercedes Benz. Tetsuya was speechless at Yuki's single-minded pursuit and he realized what made Yuki such a formidable leader. He was unstoppable if he's determined. But Tetsuya didn't like Yuki's reasons for marrying Tohru. Yuki couldn't make Tohru happy by giving her material things. Yuki can never buy Tohru's love.
***
"Yuki asked me to go to the marina?" Tohru asked Tomoyo who like her, was invited to have dinner with Sohma Yuki. Tomoyo shrugged and smiled as they walked on the wooden deck where large yachts are tied to piers. A helicopter rotor made a loud noise a few minutes later and Tomoyo turned to Tohru and said, "Heaven-san, you'll be having dinner with Sohma-kun at his boat, The Mystic."
The helicopter landed at a pod and the door was opened. Momiji walked out, holding two bouquets of roses. He gave a bouquet of white roses to Tohru and handed the pale pink bouquet to Tomoyo. He gave Tohru a wink and informed, "The helicopter will be taking you to The Mystic, Yuki's seventy-five foot long floating palace. Pretty extreme gestures for a cold guy ne Tohru?" added Momiji, teasing a blushing Tohru.
Tohru could only shake her head as Momiji escorted her up the helicopter. It flew up, leaving the resort behind and headed towards a gleaming white ship in the middle of the sea, about 10 minutes offshore. Silhouetted against a sunset ablaze with purple and orange, The Mystic lived up to its name, looking like a seafaring Taj Mahal.
"This is crazy," muttered Tohru above the helicopter's engine. She had to fight this melting attraction with Yuki! The man was all wrong for her-- she lived in England, he lived in Japan. He was a conservative businessman, she was an entertainer. He was rich, good-looking and well-- he broke her heart! She can't just hand her heart over to him on a silver platter like before! She was different now... 'And maybe he's different now too,' a small voice inside her mind said.
And yes, Yuki is so different now. Harder, harsher and looking more untouchable than before. As she thought more about his proposal, the more disturbed she felt. He didn't say 'I love you', he just proposed-- like our marriage would be some sort of business merger! Nani? Did I just say our marriage?! I can't be seriously considering saying yes now am I? Tohru asked herself, feeling faint all of a sudden. This was too soon or better yet, this proposal is seven years too late.
"I'll be saying no, Yuki-kun," whispered Tohru softly, looking up as the helicopter began to land.
***
"Welcome abroad Miss," a man in a white uniform said, bending low and helping her step down from the helicopter. He led her to the main deck and then two levels below, escorting her to the bow where a table stood, covered with a linen cloth and set with china and crystal for a formal dinner for two. "Sohma-sama will be joining you shortly," said the man and then with another bow, left Tohru trailing her hand along the polished railing, looking out the sea.
Trying to take her mind off her rejection of Yuki's marriage proposal, Tohru gazed appreciatively at her surroundings. Although no stranger to such wealth, it was rather hard to imagine the boy she knew as Sohma-kun before would now own something like this. Tohru was a little surprised as well because the interior of the ship looked more like an ultramodern penthouse. The carpeting was gray with shades of lavender. A circular staircase with chrome railing led to the upper and lower level. Groups of sofas and chairs upholstered in the carpet's colors were arranged artistically around tables with thick glass tops. Sculptures in silver, jade statues and priceless vases were displayed. It was a feast for the eyes indeed.
"Good evening Honda-san," said Yuki from behind her, making her turn around sharply.
Tohru caught her breath as she gazed at Yuki who was dressed in a dark suit, deciding that he looked so natural in his opulent surroundings. Unbidden, a mental image of a 16 year old Yuki happily working on his garden came to mind. She banished the thought as she flipped her hair, trying to act nonchalant. But her voice came out breathless, soft and she inwardly grimaced as she said, "You never fail to amaze me Sohma-kun."
Yuki gave one of his small, devastating half-smiles. It did weird things to Tohru's heart rate. "Let's have dinner now shall we?" offered Yuki as he extended his arm for Tohru to take. Tohru took it automatically and was very glad that she opted to wear a short sheath dress instead of a longer dress. It was a little hard to walk on the very thick carpet and her heels kept sinking. Yuki pulled out her chair for her and then sat down facing her. Their dinner was quickly wheeled in by the French chef.
If Tohru had any apprehensions over dinner with Yuki, it vanished within the first five minutes. Yuki was smooth, charming, and overly polite. It was really quite easy to talk to him and when their dinner ended, Tohru realized that she did most of the talking and when Yuki did talk, it was mostly about general topics like business and acquaintances. Nothing about their past, nothing about family.
She looked up when Yuki asked her a question. Was it her imagination or were his eyes different tonight? Softer, warmer, the candlelight reflected in his purple eyes. She felt a twinge in her heart at the thought of saying no.
"Were-- were you happy in England, Tohru-san?" asked Yuki. Sometime during dinner, the honorifics and formal use of names faded. It was as if the two of them relaxed from their initial hidden unease. Or maybe it was also the large amount of wine the two of them has already consumed.
Tohru smiled a little wryly. "Define 'happy' first Yuki-kun. I think I was but I was always too busy to enjoy what I had in the moment. Uncle Tetsuya told me not to let success get into my head and the thought of making more people happier-- that made me try harder," admitted Tohru.
"Sou ka," murmured Yuki as he looked away from Tohru's earnest face. It was like seeing 'his' Honda-san from before, always trying to make people happy even if her own happiness is at stake. / But if she is so concerned about people's happiness, why did she leave me before? / thought Yuki as he gulped down his wine. Yet he could sense no cruelty beneath Tohru's smile, no artifice in her softly spoken words. His eyes traveled from the shining blue of her eyes and then landed on her pink lips.
"I want you," said Yuki in his mind, not realizing that he had said it aloud.
Shocked, Tohru drew back and stared at Yuki. He said it so seriously and then he seemed surprised when he heard himself say it. /Want me?/ Shakily, she focused her mind on her agenda tonight. "Ano-- Yuki-kun..." began Tohru as she began twisting the napkin at her lap.
Yuki, who was still too surprised by his own thoughts merely waited for Tohru to speak.
"I--," began Tohru, her words almost too soft to hear, "I'm sorry--"
Yuki sat up straight, thinking that Tohru was apologizing for abandoning him in the past.
"-- but I can't marry you," finished Tohru as she bowed her head, refusing to meet Yuki's stunned gaze.
Yuki inhaled sharply, feeling as if a horse kicked him. And unexpectedly, he felt a rush of pain that made him feel like lashing out. He gave Tohru a cold smile as he stood up, his napkin falling unheeded on the floor. "That's quite all right. I didn't really want you anyway," said Yuki haughtily as he bowed briefly and said, "If you'll excuse me, I have business to resolve in America and my associate is waiting for my call right now. The helicopter will take you back to the resort."
Tohru watched, dazed at how fast things ended. Her eyes followed Yuki's stiffly retreating back and he headed up the deck before going inside a room. She was surprised to feel tears trickling down her cheeks. She wiped it away quickly. "Baka, this is what you wanted right?" muttered Tohru. But it felt wrong. It felt like a mistake, one that she would regret for the rest of her life. She shuddered as she closed her eyes, searching her heart. After a few minutes, she took a deep breath and followed Yuki to his room.
***
Yuki cradled his bruised knuckles, wondering what made him punch the wall in the privacy of his sleeping quarters. "Baka," mumbled Yuki as he looked back up at his ceiling in hurt and frustration. After all these years, Akito words still rang true. Honda-san will never love an odd ball like you. Like you? Yes, probably in pity.
"Chikusho," cursed Yuki before a timid knock sounded on the door. He swore again. "Leave me alone Keichi, just navigate the damn ship yourself," he ordered harshly. It was silent for a while and he gave a loud sigh. He never heard his door open and Tohru walk up to him by his huge bed.
"Yuki-kun..." whispered Tohru as she looked down at the young man lying down on the bed. She noticed him stiffen at the sound of her voice and turn his head away. He ignored her, making tears pool in her eyes once more. Since his proposal, he has been nothing but gallant, generous and completely charming. He made grand gestures just to make her say yes and she flat-out refused him. She sat down on the soft bed, trying to make Yuki look at her. She has made her decision all right and she wanted to make sure that she won't be able to regret it in the future. She leaned over him, her hair falling against his cheek. "Yuki-kun..."
Yuki turned and opened his eyes to see an angel hovering over him. Tohru was so close that her hair tickled his cheek and he can feel her breath fanning softly over his face. He watched her give him a gentle smile, close her eyes and bend her head. Right before her lips touched his, she whispered, "Yes. I'll marry you."
A/N: For the lack of a better description, this is a very mild LEMON. If you can't handle it, move on. ^_~
And then she kissed him. Hesitantly, as if fearing he'd reject her. For a full minute, his mind couldn't react and Tohru had already drawn back, taking his lack of response as rejection. They gazed at each other silently and Yuki burst into action as he took Tohru into his arms and set her down on the bed, kissing her hungrily.
It was spontaneous combustion! It was fireworks and music in the background, it was like-- magic. Perhaps their own feelings had been too inhibited before that when they touched, it was like blazing into the sun.
His hands held her shoulders tightly as he rolled on top of her on the bed, kissing her deeply as if trying to make up for his coldness, all those lost years and the fact that he couldn't embrace her. He lifted his lips from hers and began brushing soft kisses over Tohru's temple and face. Yuki trailed his lips to Tohru's ear, smiling when Tohru shivered and pressed closer to him.
Her soft lips parted with only the slightest urging from Yuki's tongue and her hands reached up to tangle in Yuki's silvery hair. He teased her, tormented her, offered himself to her by thrusting deep with his tongue, then slowly retreating and thrusting again and again, a prelude to their ultimate union. Tohru was gripping Yuki's hair tightly as his mouth moved back and forth over hers in a passionate surrender to the wildly erotic kiss.
Yuki stroked Tohru's hair lovingly and slid his hand over her throat to her breasts, circling the in feathery light caresses until Tohru moaned and jerked against him, he pulled the zipper down from her dress and tugged it down, revealing Tohru's naked body for the first time. His hand paused for a moment as he stared at the creamy curves and the delicate pale pink of her nipples. "You're so beautiful," breathed Yuki as he dipped his head down to kiss Tohru. He knew then that there was no turning back, he was claiming this angel as his own and no force on Earth or in Heaven that would keep him from cherishing her.
Tohru blushed slightly and ducked her head from Yuki's boldly admiring gaze. Her heart was pounding but it wasn't from her fear because it's her first time. She felt so strange, her skin hot wherever Yuki's hands touched. And then Tohru realized that she wanted this, that hopefully this act of love will bring them closer and assure her that she meant as much to Yuki as he means to her.
When Tohru's hands began to wander from Yuki's head to his shoulder, to his chest in caressing motions, Yuki felt as if a flame was racing uncontrollably in his body. It was her tentative touches that drew him to the edge and Yuki found himself taking off his shirt and pants, breathing hoarsely from desire. "I want you so much," he said as Tohru opened her eyes and smiled up at him.
"I want you too," whispered Tohru as she gave herself up to him.
And in the darkness, as the waves crashed against the shore, two hearts long separated were finally one.
Yuki's eyes opened in the darkness as he held himself still above Tohru. There was sweat on her brow and she was tense. Moving his hand to smooth the hair at Tohru's temple, with awe and wonder in his eyes, Yuki whispered, "Thank you..." Enclosed within her sheltering warm, Yuki felt safe and the ice around his heart melting with each subtle movement, each sigh and moan of pleasure.
It was a heartfelt prayer of gratitude to God for giving him a second chance with Tohru.
****
On the ship's deck, the captain of Yuki's vessel sighed as he listened to one of Tohru's songs from her japanese album. It was a slow song, lulling and comforting. Its title was "Dearest". Disclaimers: This song is Inuyasha's third ending theme song. Not Fruits Basket all right? ^_^
Tohru: hontou ni taisetsu na mono igai subete sutete/ It would be nice if we could put away and throw out
shimaetara ii no ni ne/ everything except what really mattered, but
genjitsu wa tada zankoku de/ reality is just cruel
In such times, /sonna toki itsu datte
I see you laughing / me o tojireba
whenever I close my eyes./ waratteru kimi ga iru
Until the day I reach eternal sleep,/ itsuka eien no nemuri ni tsuku hi made
that smiling face will/ dou ka sono egao ga
have to stay with me without fail/ taema naku aru you ni
People are all sad, /sohito wa minna kanashii kara
they go and forget, but--/ wasurete yuku ikimono dakedo
For that which I should love,/ aisubeki mono no tame
For that which gives me love, I will do what I can. / ai o kureru mono no tame dekiru koto
Back then, when we met,/ deatta ano koro wa
it was all awkward./ subete ga bukiyou de
We went the long way, didn't we?/ toomawari shita yo ne
We got hurt, didn't we?/ kizutsuke atta yo
We went the long way, didn't we?/toomawari shita yo ne
We got there in the end./tadoritsuitan da ne
"Dearest" by Hamasaki Ayumi, 3rd Ending song of Inuyasha
"Full circle," whispered Tohru in the darkness as Yuki lay on his side facing her, holding her hand tightly.
"Hmm?" asked Yuki as he bent his head to brush a kiss on Tohru's palm.
"We went the long way only to come back here, together," explained Tohru softly as she closed her eyes and nestled her head in his shoulder. And she slept, dreaming the dreams of a woman who has found her way home.
***