Heaven on Earth
Disclaimers: Fruits Basket belongs to Takaya Natsuki. I am only borrowing the characters for a few pages or so because I love them so much. ^_~
Chapter 6- Premonition of Tears
***
"HOW DARE YOU GIVE HER TO THAT SOHMA!" screamed the man who was with Tetsuya in a small cabin. He was trembling in anger and vexation as he began cursing and tossing expletives.
Tetsuya stared in astonishment at the man who he always considered eccentric. He had just informed the man that Heaven will not be available for work because she'll be spending more time with her intended, Sohma Yuki. But the moment he mentioned Tohru's plans of marriage, the man began ranting. It was an explosion of such unexpected emotions even Tetsuya found himself wondering if the man was sane.
"It was Tohru's decision to marry Yuki-san. Whatever makes her happy is my own happiness," explained Tetsuya as he rose from his chair, wanting to get away from this man's dark presence. The man was quiet, his head bent down as if in contemplation. Tetsuya had his hand on the doorknob when blinding pain crashed against the back if his skull. Lights flashed before his eyes and he found himself looking into the demented eyes of Minister of Trade.
"She's mine... you gave her to me when you allowed her to sing her song of love to me on my birthday. She's mine because you let her do a duet with my illegitimate son Kosen," said the Minister in a sing-song voice.
"Damn you Gano," whispered Tetsuya before his eyes closed.
The 55 -year old Minster, his face no longer smoothed into an expression of civility or lecherous good nature began to laugh, his laugh echoing inside the small cabin. "You'll still be mine Heaven-- or shall I say, Honda Tohru?" exclaimed the man as he took out his cellphone to put his plans in motion.
****
Tohru was pressing a few keys experimentally on Yuki's grand piano as she gazed at her composition. Her eyes had a faraway look as she lost herself in her music, hardly hearing Yuki come in with breakfast. There was a soft smile on her lips and she opened her eyes to see Yuki walk inside with a tray of breakfast. "Ohayo," greeted Tohru as she tightened the neckline of the silk robe she was wearing as Yuki sat beside her on the bench, the tray of food on his lap.
It's been three days-- or nights to be more exact since she accepted Yuki's marriage proposal. Three magical, wonderful, absolutely heavenly days of his soft touch that made her melt like a puddle of goo, easy camaraderie and getting to know each other that they've been doing, slowly but surely. And from the smile on Yuki's face, it was clear he felt the same way. Only... he has never said 'I love you' and Tohru wondered if he was too shy.
Yuki pressed a kiss on Tohru's cheek and placed the tray on his lap with a flourish. He gave her a bright smile as Tohru looked at the food suspiciously and asked, "You didn't cook breakfast, did you?"
"Iie," answered Yuki good-naturedly and burst out laughing when Tohru began to eat her breakfast energetically. He looked at the crumpled piece of paper on the piano and quirked an inquisitive brow. "What's that Tohru?" asked Yuki as he helped himself to one of Tohru's pancakes.
Tohru chewed for a minute before she got the paper and hid it in her robe. "Ano-- it was kinda private," answered Tohru with a blush. Seeing veiled look of hurt in Yuki's face and she quickly explained, "Actually, it's a song I wrote long ago. It's meant to be a duet when I finished writing it and with Kosen-san hoping to work on a song with me, I was rather thinking it would be a good time for me to reveal my er, song-writing talents."
Tohru paused as she reminisced. "I was rather surprised to see how the lyrics turned out. It was as if there was a specific part for a baritone voice and also for my own voice. It's weird but that's the way it is. This is just the lyrics though, I have yet to find a melody for this song-- and my duet," finished Tohru wryly.
Yuki watched Tohru fiddle with the keys a few times and listened. Tohru played 8 notes over and over again and it seemed so incomplete. Unable to stop himself, Yuki leaned close and pressed a few keys, adding 8 more notes. Surprised at how well his addition blended, Tohru gave him a quick kiss of appreciation and placed all 16 notes together. "That was pretty good," commented Yuki when Tohru tried it again.
/ The day I let you go, please don't look back / sang Tohru softly, trying out the lyrics along with the melody. A luminous smile broke on her face at how well it all blended.
"Sugoi Yuki, that was so great! I didn't know you can play the piano!" exclaimed Tohru excitedly as she felt more melodies in her mind that would complete the song. She began to hum, already catching the tone.
Yuki flashed Tohru an embarrassed look. "Well, you do remember that the only thing I can't do that well is cook and clean," he mumbled, a bit shy. He took a velvet box from his windbreaker pocket and opened it before placing it on the piano in front of Tohru. "For you," he said simply, watching the play of expressions on Tohru's face.
"It's lovely," breathed Tohru as she gazed at the perfectly matched, milky white, three strand pearl necklace with earrings. "Really, you don't have to do this," murmured Tohru as she looked down. Every morning, he'd present her with jewelry and this was his third pair. She felt her smile wavering as she thought about how it seems as if he's paying her for staying with him. Despite feeling queasy, she turned to give a poignant smile at Yuki. "You know, my mother used to tell me that for all its beauty, pearls are very sad. Because-- pearls symbolize tears," narrated Tohru.
Yuki looked down a moment and then glanced away as he said, "That fits us perfectly then..."
It was Yuki's first reference to their less than happy parting from the past. They sat in a tense silence, each waiting for the other to start talking about that painful memory. Tohru's cellular phone suddenly rang and she immediately picked it up. "Hai, Heaven desu."
"Heaven, get back here immediately," Tetsuya said, his voice sounding muffled. And the line went dead.
Tohru stared at the weird phone call quizzically. Her Uncle knew about her acceptance of Yuki's proposal. He was the one in fact, who had a couple of her clothes sent over to Yuki's ship so that she'd enjoy herself. She swung her legs off the bed and went over to her wardrobe. She pulled on a thin white cotton sweater and pink shorts. As she was tying her hair back in a high ponytail, she turned to Yuki who was watching her and explained, "Gomen Yuki but can I borrow one of your motor boats to get to shore for a few hours? Uncle Tetsuya asked me to go back, in a rather strange way."
Yuki gazed at Tohru and said, "Take the helicopter. I-- I'll just be--"
Tohru took a deep breath and interrupted Yuki. "I love you. I promise to come back soon," she said, a blush staining her cheeks. There, she said it!
Yuki gazed at her, his eyes unfathomable, as if deciding whether or not to believe Tohru. "Aa," he said.
***
"Uncle Tetsuya?" called out Tohru as she opened their darkened cabin. Her eyes widened in fright when she gazed at the ransacked mess of their cabin and the petals of red roses scattered everywhere. A huge paper heart was stuck in the middle of the room and with shaking fingers, Tohru took it off the wall and read the note.
I TOLD YOU BEFORE THAT YOU'RE MINE, WHY DID YOU GO TO THAT SHITTY SOHMA! GO TO THE MARINA IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR UNCLE ALIVE
Tohru felt her blood curdle in fear. Her only thought was the man who took her in like his own daughter and who is now in danger because of her. She raced out of the cabin seconds later, headed towards the marina.
She reached the marina minutes later, her shirt soaked in sweat. She looked around wildly and found herself running inside a closed off office. She stopped, her heart pounding wildly as she gazed at Tetsuya, bound and gagged, with blood on his temple.
Tetsuya's eyes widened as he stared beyond Tohru's shoulder. "Nani?" whispered Tohru as she spun around. She found herself face to face with Kosen who slowly closed his eyes and fell on her. Tohru staggered and fell on the floor, trying to heave Kosen off her. "Get off me!" hissed Tohru, so furious she was trembling.
"You look charming underneath a man Heaven," sneered a man's voice above her.
Shocked, Tohru gazed at the malevolent face of the Minister of Trade, Gano Ikeda and she shuddered in horror and revulsion at the look of desire on his face.
Gano bent down and grabbed a fistful of Tohru's hair. Tohru winced as she was forced to look up in his twistedly grinning face.
"You should have been mine," he whispered softly, as if he and Tohru were alone and Kosen 's unconscious form wasn't on top of Tohru, pinning her down.
"Tohru?" gasped Tetsuya as he slowly regained consciousness, struggling against his bonds.
Gano grinned as he stared down at Tohru. "Well my dear, looks like your Uncle's awake. Should I tell you that he arranged all of these-- ?"
Tohru's eyes widened in horror as she gazed at Ikeda. Betrayal gripped her heart as she fought to breathe. /This can't be happening! / thought Tohru. She could hear her Uncle struggling just a few meters away from her. His shouts were muffled by the handkerchief gagging him. She couldn't tear her eyes away from Ikeda's insane expression.
"Your idiot Uncle probably wanted to take you as far away from that bastard Sohma by agreeing to the contract with Kosen. He's such an idiot! He fell into my trap and he made all the plans!" chortled Gano as he bent his head down to kiss Tohru who was furiously struggling away from where she was pinned down. "No use to struggle my Heaven, Kosen's heavily sedated and when I take you away tomorrow, your he will be blamed for your Uncle's 'tragic death'," said Gano as his dark, greasy lips were only a few inches from Tohru's lips.
Tohru drew back as far as she could and spit in his face. It landed right in his eye, making the man strike Tohru with his palm. "Liar!" screamed Tohru in rage, her nails gouging at the hand holding her hair.
As if he was holding a doll, Gano pulled Tohru from under Kosen's weight and tossed her a few feet away. Tohru skidded against the cement floor and hit the cargo boxes. She coughed, dazed from the impact.
"Bitch," said Ikeda coldly as he began to approach Tohru. He held a 7-inch blade in his hand. "Why don't we have a little fun before we start the honeymoon? I bet you won't be able to escape me with your tongue cut off," exclaimed Gano as he stalked his prey. "Tsk, tsk, don't pretend to be so modest my dear, I know you can't wait to get your hands on me, I knew you loved me when you sang for me," admonished Gano.
"The only way I'd put my hands on you is when I kill you!" yelled Tohru angrily, her anger giving her the strength to fight back. Tohru pushed herself up and weaved from where she stood. / I won't lose to this... / thought Tohru fiercely as she tried to gather her senses enough to make an escape.
"You have so many barriers around your heart, your defense mechanism I suppose... but no matter, I know you're in love with me. You're mine!" exclaimed Gano as he made a running jump towards Tohru.
"YUKI!" screamed Tohru.
***
Yuki looked up suddenly as he heard Tohru's voice clearly as if she was only a few feet away from him. He stood up from his desk and walked over to his ship's helm. He looked at his captain and asked, "Has Heaven-san returned from the island yet?"
The captain shook his head. "You would hear the helicopter sir, if she was back."
"It's funny, I could have sworn I heard her call my name," said Yuki as he gazed at the sea. The blue waters were darker than usual and he found himself unable to shake away the feeling of danger.
"Radio the chopper. I want to be there in the island in ten minutes," ordered Yuki tersely as he went downstairs to grab some stuff.
He had a feeling that somehow, Tohru was no longer coming back. He felt his heart twisting in anger and doubt. / Did she lie when she said she loved me? A mere consolation for all the gifts I showered on her? Is it true that up to know, even with all the gifts I offered her, I'm still not enough? / thought Yuki in anguish as he rummaged in his bags.
He found himself holding onto a gun and he looked at it in surprise. His instincts were screaming that he take it with him to the island. With a slight hesitation, he tucked the gun into his shoulder holster. He may know martial arts but somehow, he knew it wouldn't be enough.
"Yuki-kun..." said a smiling Tohru in his mind before the image faded away. In the darkness of his mind, he suddenly saw two pearl earrings drop on the floor and land on a puddle of blood. And he heard her scream his name again and this time, her scream was louder and full of horror.
TBC
****
A/N: Konnichiwa, konnichiwa! I do hope you enjoyed this chapter, not much Yukiru mush but has enough waff in the start. It may not be on the same level as my other chapters but I'm setting up the next events that would change the course of Yuki and Tohru's relationship. As for Tohru's musical composition, well, you'll find out more about it in the upcoming chapters (if she's ok!) and expect the unexpected in the next chapter. Please, please review my story! Thank you so much for reviewing my previous chapter, please let my reviews reach a 110 and up! It would really make Jo- chan happy and write extra fast. ^_^
Disclaimers: Fruits Basket belongs to Takaya Natsuki. I am only borrowing the characters for a few pages or so because I love them so much. ^_~
Chapter 6- Premonition of Tears
***
"HOW DARE YOU GIVE HER TO THAT SOHMA!" screamed the man who was with Tetsuya in a small cabin. He was trembling in anger and vexation as he began cursing and tossing expletives.
Tetsuya stared in astonishment at the man who he always considered eccentric. He had just informed the man that Heaven will not be available for work because she'll be spending more time with her intended, Sohma Yuki. But the moment he mentioned Tohru's plans of marriage, the man began ranting. It was an explosion of such unexpected emotions even Tetsuya found himself wondering if the man was sane.
"It was Tohru's decision to marry Yuki-san. Whatever makes her happy is my own happiness," explained Tetsuya as he rose from his chair, wanting to get away from this man's dark presence. The man was quiet, his head bent down as if in contemplation. Tetsuya had his hand on the doorknob when blinding pain crashed against the back if his skull. Lights flashed before his eyes and he found himself looking into the demented eyes of Minister of Trade.
"She's mine... you gave her to me when you allowed her to sing her song of love to me on my birthday. She's mine because you let her do a duet with my illegitimate son Kosen," said the Minister in a sing-song voice.
"Damn you Gano," whispered Tetsuya before his eyes closed.
The 55 -year old Minster, his face no longer smoothed into an expression of civility or lecherous good nature began to laugh, his laugh echoing inside the small cabin. "You'll still be mine Heaven-- or shall I say, Honda Tohru?" exclaimed the man as he took out his cellphone to put his plans in motion.
****
Tohru was pressing a few keys experimentally on Yuki's grand piano as she gazed at her composition. Her eyes had a faraway look as she lost herself in her music, hardly hearing Yuki come in with breakfast. There was a soft smile on her lips and she opened her eyes to see Yuki walk inside with a tray of breakfast. "Ohayo," greeted Tohru as she tightened the neckline of the silk robe she was wearing as Yuki sat beside her on the bench, the tray of food on his lap.
It's been three days-- or nights to be more exact since she accepted Yuki's marriage proposal. Three magical, wonderful, absolutely heavenly days of his soft touch that made her melt like a puddle of goo, easy camaraderie and getting to know each other that they've been doing, slowly but surely. And from the smile on Yuki's face, it was clear he felt the same way. Only... he has never said 'I love you' and Tohru wondered if he was too shy.
Yuki pressed a kiss on Tohru's cheek and placed the tray on his lap with a flourish. He gave her a bright smile as Tohru looked at the food suspiciously and asked, "You didn't cook breakfast, did you?"
"Iie," answered Yuki good-naturedly and burst out laughing when Tohru began to eat her breakfast energetically. He looked at the crumpled piece of paper on the piano and quirked an inquisitive brow. "What's that Tohru?" asked Yuki as he helped himself to one of Tohru's pancakes.
Tohru chewed for a minute before she got the paper and hid it in her robe. "Ano-- it was kinda private," answered Tohru with a blush. Seeing veiled look of hurt in Yuki's face and she quickly explained, "Actually, it's a song I wrote long ago. It's meant to be a duet when I finished writing it and with Kosen-san hoping to work on a song with me, I was rather thinking it would be a good time for me to reveal my er, song-writing talents."
Tohru paused as she reminisced. "I was rather surprised to see how the lyrics turned out. It was as if there was a specific part for a baritone voice and also for my own voice. It's weird but that's the way it is. This is just the lyrics though, I have yet to find a melody for this song-- and my duet," finished Tohru wryly.
Yuki watched Tohru fiddle with the keys a few times and listened. Tohru played 8 notes over and over again and it seemed so incomplete. Unable to stop himself, Yuki leaned close and pressed a few keys, adding 8 more notes. Surprised at how well his addition blended, Tohru gave him a quick kiss of appreciation and placed all 16 notes together. "That was pretty good," commented Yuki when Tohru tried it again.
/ The day I let you go, please don't look back / sang Tohru softly, trying out the lyrics along with the melody. A luminous smile broke on her face at how well it all blended.
"Sugoi Yuki, that was so great! I didn't know you can play the piano!" exclaimed Tohru excitedly as she felt more melodies in her mind that would complete the song. She began to hum, already catching the tone.
Yuki flashed Tohru an embarrassed look. "Well, you do remember that the only thing I can't do that well is cook and clean," he mumbled, a bit shy. He took a velvet box from his windbreaker pocket and opened it before placing it on the piano in front of Tohru. "For you," he said simply, watching the play of expressions on Tohru's face.
"It's lovely," breathed Tohru as she gazed at the perfectly matched, milky white, three strand pearl necklace with earrings. "Really, you don't have to do this," murmured Tohru as she looked down. Every morning, he'd present her with jewelry and this was his third pair. She felt her smile wavering as she thought about how it seems as if he's paying her for staying with him. Despite feeling queasy, she turned to give a poignant smile at Yuki. "You know, my mother used to tell me that for all its beauty, pearls are very sad. Because-- pearls symbolize tears," narrated Tohru.
Yuki looked down a moment and then glanced away as he said, "That fits us perfectly then..."
It was Yuki's first reference to their less than happy parting from the past. They sat in a tense silence, each waiting for the other to start talking about that painful memory. Tohru's cellular phone suddenly rang and she immediately picked it up. "Hai, Heaven desu."
"Heaven, get back here immediately," Tetsuya said, his voice sounding muffled. And the line went dead.
Tohru stared at the weird phone call quizzically. Her Uncle knew about her acceptance of Yuki's proposal. He was the one in fact, who had a couple of her clothes sent over to Yuki's ship so that she'd enjoy herself. She swung her legs off the bed and went over to her wardrobe. She pulled on a thin white cotton sweater and pink shorts. As she was tying her hair back in a high ponytail, she turned to Yuki who was watching her and explained, "Gomen Yuki but can I borrow one of your motor boats to get to shore for a few hours? Uncle Tetsuya asked me to go back, in a rather strange way."
Yuki gazed at Tohru and said, "Take the helicopter. I-- I'll just be--"
Tohru took a deep breath and interrupted Yuki. "I love you. I promise to come back soon," she said, a blush staining her cheeks. There, she said it!
Yuki gazed at her, his eyes unfathomable, as if deciding whether or not to believe Tohru. "Aa," he said.
***
"Uncle Tetsuya?" called out Tohru as she opened their darkened cabin. Her eyes widened in fright when she gazed at the ransacked mess of their cabin and the petals of red roses scattered everywhere. A huge paper heart was stuck in the middle of the room and with shaking fingers, Tohru took it off the wall and read the note.
I TOLD YOU BEFORE THAT YOU'RE MINE, WHY DID YOU GO TO THAT SHITTY SOHMA! GO TO THE MARINA IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR UNCLE ALIVE
Tohru felt her blood curdle in fear. Her only thought was the man who took her in like his own daughter and who is now in danger because of her. She raced out of the cabin seconds later, headed towards the marina.
She reached the marina minutes later, her shirt soaked in sweat. She looked around wildly and found herself running inside a closed off office. She stopped, her heart pounding wildly as she gazed at Tetsuya, bound and gagged, with blood on his temple.
Tetsuya's eyes widened as he stared beyond Tohru's shoulder. "Nani?" whispered Tohru as she spun around. She found herself face to face with Kosen who slowly closed his eyes and fell on her. Tohru staggered and fell on the floor, trying to heave Kosen off her. "Get off me!" hissed Tohru, so furious she was trembling.
"You look charming underneath a man Heaven," sneered a man's voice above her.
Shocked, Tohru gazed at the malevolent face of the Minister of Trade, Gano Ikeda and she shuddered in horror and revulsion at the look of desire on his face.
Gano bent down and grabbed a fistful of Tohru's hair. Tohru winced as she was forced to look up in his twistedly grinning face.
"You should have been mine," he whispered softly, as if he and Tohru were alone and Kosen 's unconscious form wasn't on top of Tohru, pinning her down.
"Tohru?" gasped Tetsuya as he slowly regained consciousness, struggling against his bonds.
Gano grinned as he stared down at Tohru. "Well my dear, looks like your Uncle's awake. Should I tell you that he arranged all of these-- ?"
Tohru's eyes widened in horror as she gazed at Ikeda. Betrayal gripped her heart as she fought to breathe. /This can't be happening! / thought Tohru. She could hear her Uncle struggling just a few meters away from her. His shouts were muffled by the handkerchief gagging him. She couldn't tear her eyes away from Ikeda's insane expression.
"Your idiot Uncle probably wanted to take you as far away from that bastard Sohma by agreeing to the contract with Kosen. He's such an idiot! He fell into my trap and he made all the plans!" chortled Gano as he bent his head down to kiss Tohru who was furiously struggling away from where she was pinned down. "No use to struggle my Heaven, Kosen's heavily sedated and when I take you away tomorrow, your he will be blamed for your Uncle's 'tragic death'," said Gano as his dark, greasy lips were only a few inches from Tohru's lips.
Tohru drew back as far as she could and spit in his face. It landed right in his eye, making the man strike Tohru with his palm. "Liar!" screamed Tohru in rage, her nails gouging at the hand holding her hair.
As if he was holding a doll, Gano pulled Tohru from under Kosen's weight and tossed her a few feet away. Tohru skidded against the cement floor and hit the cargo boxes. She coughed, dazed from the impact.
"Bitch," said Ikeda coldly as he began to approach Tohru. He held a 7-inch blade in his hand. "Why don't we have a little fun before we start the honeymoon? I bet you won't be able to escape me with your tongue cut off," exclaimed Gano as he stalked his prey. "Tsk, tsk, don't pretend to be so modest my dear, I know you can't wait to get your hands on me, I knew you loved me when you sang for me," admonished Gano.
"The only way I'd put my hands on you is when I kill you!" yelled Tohru angrily, her anger giving her the strength to fight back. Tohru pushed herself up and weaved from where she stood. / I won't lose to this... / thought Tohru fiercely as she tried to gather her senses enough to make an escape.
"You have so many barriers around your heart, your defense mechanism I suppose... but no matter, I know you're in love with me. You're mine!" exclaimed Gano as he made a running jump towards Tohru.
"YUKI!" screamed Tohru.
***
Yuki looked up suddenly as he heard Tohru's voice clearly as if she was only a few feet away from him. He stood up from his desk and walked over to his ship's helm. He looked at his captain and asked, "Has Heaven-san returned from the island yet?"
The captain shook his head. "You would hear the helicopter sir, if she was back."
"It's funny, I could have sworn I heard her call my name," said Yuki as he gazed at the sea. The blue waters were darker than usual and he found himself unable to shake away the feeling of danger.
"Radio the chopper. I want to be there in the island in ten minutes," ordered Yuki tersely as he went downstairs to grab some stuff.
He had a feeling that somehow, Tohru was no longer coming back. He felt his heart twisting in anger and doubt. / Did she lie when she said she loved me? A mere consolation for all the gifts I showered on her? Is it true that up to know, even with all the gifts I offered her, I'm still not enough? / thought Yuki in anguish as he rummaged in his bags.
He found himself holding onto a gun and he looked at it in surprise. His instincts were screaming that he take it with him to the island. With a slight hesitation, he tucked the gun into his shoulder holster. He may know martial arts but somehow, he knew it wouldn't be enough.
"Yuki-kun..." said a smiling Tohru in his mind before the image faded away. In the darkness of his mind, he suddenly saw two pearl earrings drop on the floor and land on a puddle of blood. And he heard her scream his name again and this time, her scream was louder and full of horror.
TBC
****
A/N: Konnichiwa, konnichiwa! I do hope you enjoyed this chapter, not much Yukiru mush but has enough waff in the start. It may not be on the same level as my other chapters but I'm setting up the next events that would change the course of Yuki and Tohru's relationship. As for Tohru's musical composition, well, you'll find out more about it in the upcoming chapters (if she's ok!) and expect the unexpected in the next chapter. Please, please review my story! Thank you so much for reviewing my previous chapter, please let my reviews reach a 110 and up! It would really make Jo- chan happy and write extra fast. ^_^