Love Remains 11.
~~~~~~~~~
by girl_starfish
"I'm going to miss you," Yuki said. He was standing with Tohru on the front steps of the house, looking rather awkward.
"So will I," Tohru replied. "I'm sorry I couldn't see you off at the airport, but I've missed so much school lately--"
"It's all right," Yuki smiled. "I understand. Besides, it's the thought that counts." He drew a package from his coat pocket. "I almost forgot--I have this for you. It's not much--"
"It's so kind of you to get me anything at all!" Tohru said, blushing as she took the bag. Her fingers brushed his gently, and she didn't pull away immediately. Like his smile, Yuki's touch was soft and gentle--her eyes widened as she felt that touch on her forehead.
Yuki gently traced the path of Tohru's hair, looping the end around his finger and playing with it. His amethyst eyes were looked on her own, and Tohru felt her blush deepen.
"You're a very special person, Tohru," he said, delicately. "I'm very glad we got the chance to meet."
Tohru opened her mouth to protest--if anyone was special it had to be Yuki--but didn't get the chance.
"If you don't want to carry two suitcases, you shouldn't have brought two suitcases," Hatori said, as he swung out the door, his own bags in tow. "And I don't have room for your walk-man in my carryon."
"Buuuuuuut Hari!" Momiji whined, following him out of the house with a suitcase on wheels. "It's so heavy!"
The doctor opened the boot heartlessly. "That's not my problem is it?"
Momiji tried to pout, but forgot about it as he spotted Tohru and Yuki. "Tohru! Are you coming to see us off?"
Yuki sighed, relinquishing Tohru's hair as he replied. "You know she isn't."
"But I want to say goodbye to Tohru at the airport!" Momiji threw his arms around her. "Please come with us!"
"I can't," Tohru said regretfully. "School--"
"Awww!" Momiji whined.
Hatori frowned at him as he loaded Momiji's suitcase into the back of the van. "Don't pester her, Momiji. We've inconvenienced Tohru and her mother enough."
"But--"
"I'll write to you, if you want," Tohru offered.
Momiji immediately broke into a smile. "You will? Really? Thank-you Tohru!" He jumped around excitedly. "Tohru is going to write to me! Long letters! Twice a day! And postcards too!"
"Ignore him," Yuki advised her, seeing Tohru beginning to look dazed. "Ten to one he'll have forgotten before we reach the airport."
"I will not!" Momiji glared at his older cousin. "I do care about things, you know! And I can be serious--if you'd only trust me with something I'd show you all--"
"Like maybe loading your own cases into the car?" Hatori said dryly, as he swung Momiji's second case into the boot.
"That's different! And I was going to do that!" Momiji protested.
"I'm going to have to leave soon," Tohru said to Yuki as Momiji bawled at an impassive Hatori.
"Take care. And if anything happens--let me know," Yuki told her.
"I will," Tohru smiled. "Give my love to Momo and Ritsu."
"Ah, here's Kagura," Yuki said. "Kagura, Tohru is just about to leave for school."
The dark-haired girl was just coming out the door, carrying her own suitcase. "You're going now?" she asked.
"Yes. I hope you have a good flight," Tohru said, feeling awkward.
"Thank-you," Kagura replied stiffly. "It's been a delight to make your acquaintance."
And on that rather formal note, Tohru left.
~~~~~~~
"So let's see what he gave you," Arisa tapped her foot impatiently as Tohru carefully undid the package. "You don't need to be so careful, Tohru."
Kyou snorted. "Rip it off. Who cares about some stupid gift?"
"I couldn't do that," Tohru protested. She was seated on a bench on the far side of the school field. Saki and Arisa sat on either side of her, while Kyou was stretched out on a branch above their heads.
"Oh, pretty!" Tohru exclaimed as the wrapping paper was finally pulled back to reveal the gift.
"Ribbons," Saki observed. "They're not approved school colours."
"Haven't you ever heard that it's the thought that counts?" Arisa told her. "Well, Tohru, lets see how they look."
"I'll put them on later," Tohru slipped the package inside her bag. For some reason, she wanted to keep that moment private.
"Pretty smooth--giving you a going away present," Arisa mused, leaning back. "When's the next time they're coming to stay?"
"Not till this time next year," Tohru said.
"The remembrance service?" Kyou asked. "I don't know why they don't just sell the house and forget it--it's dangerous!"
"Is that so?" Saki calmly finished her ice cream. "I think it would be a good idea if we visited you this afternoon, Tohru. If this house is so dangerous, I would like to make sure it is suitable for your habitation."
"With the Soumas gone, the house will be a mess--we're going to clean everything now they're out of the way," Tohru said doubtfully.
"No sweat!" Arisa said cheerfully. "We don't mind mess--you should see my house."
"Of course, we don't want to be a bother to your mother. Perhaps you could call us once you get home," Saki said. She stood up brushing the crumbs from her skirt. "Come down from the tree, Kyou. The bell is about to ring."
"Eh?" Kyou stared at her. "It's only quarter to."
"I have a feeling." Saki said. "I have a premonition--the principal descending from his office--a lecture--many chip wrappers--disaster."
The bell rang.
~~~~~~~~
"How the hell do you do that?" Arisa demanded as they walked from the bus stop. "Freaky psychic-ness and everything aside, how did you know the principal was going to give us a snap assembly on littering?"
"It is a mystery."
"Oh well," Arisa sighed. "Ah, here's your turning Tohru. You'll ring us?"
"As soon as I get home!" Tohru promised.
She smiled as she waved goodbye to her friends but her smile faded as soon as she was alone. Something was bothering her.
Somehow she couldn't shake this sense that something was out of place, that she was missing something--something important--
At least the Soumas were gone. As much as she enjoyed Momiji's playful antics and cherished her quiet conversations with Yuki, she felt much better knowing that they, Hatori and Kagura were out of the curse's reach. It would be quiet with them gone though. Tohru smiled. She was forgetting her other friends. Saki and Arisa who had already offered to come by, Kyou who hid his fondness for her behind dark threats to anyone who even looked at her funny, and of course Shigure with his sly humour and his understanding. And now there was even possibly Ayame too.
"I'm home!" She called as she opened the front door. "Arisa and Saki want to come visit--is that okay?"
"I'm afraid that's not possible, Tohru," her mother's voice sounded from the dining room.
Puzzled, Tohru kicked her shoes off. "Why not? I know you want to clean now the Soumas are gone, but Hana-chan and Uo-chan don't mind a little mess and they wouldn't be in the way--they'll even help out--"
"That's not the problem," Kyoko sounded weary.
Tohru pushed the dining room door open. "Then what is . . .?" She stared.
Momiji grinned at her, sitting in one of the big Victorian chairs that was so tall his legs couldn't reach the floor. Kagura pouted, sitting at the table. Hatori looked annoyed.
"Surprise!" Momiji announced with a cheerful smile.
"But--" Tohru protested. "You're supposed to be going home--"
"That was the plan," Hatori said curtly. "It seems to have gone awry."
"Where's Yuki?" Tohru said, suddenly unnerved by his absence. Had something happened? Was that the reason the Soumas were still here?
"He's in the library!" Momiji grabbed Tohru's hand. "Come on, Tohru, let's go see him!"
Before she quite knew what had happened they were halfway down the hallway.
"Ah, Momiji-kun?" Tohru said hesitantly. "Do we have to go quite so fast?"
"Sorry, Tohru!" Momiji let go of her hand and turned to face her. "I had to get you away from Hari. He's in a really bad mood--we didn't miss our flight or anything you see. Someone rang up and cancelled our tickets."
"What?"
"Hatori's got patients that he has to see. He's really mad at the airline, but they're having trouble finding us new flights. And then, when we got home your mother was mopping the floors. Hatori went in the door just as she threw the dirty water out of it."
"Oh dear," Tohru said.
Momiji laughed. "It was so funny though! But it didn't help his mood any. He's been on the phone since then, trying to organise another flight for us, but the earliest they can give us is tomorrow."
"I see," Tohru said, the anxiety that had been growing since that morning now stronger than ever. "Who cancelled the tickets?"
"We don't know," Momiji frowned. "But they said they were Hatori."
"No way!" Tohru couldn't believe that anyone would be brave enough to do something so audacious to Hatori--he was so stern, so scary--
"All you'd have to do would be to get our flight details which are kept in Hatori's study." Yuki leaned against the stair rail. "An easy matter--for a ghost."
Tohru caught her breath. "You don't think--" she began.
"I knew it!" Momiji crowed triumphantly. "I knew it couldn't be coincidence! So, who do you think it is?"
"Momiji--" Yuki sighed.
"Do you think it has anything to do with the other booking?" Momiji continued, bouncing around Tohru and Yuki.
"What other booking?" Tohru asked.
"Whoever cancelled the flights booked us on the same flight tomorrow," Yuki explained.
"Less one!" Momiji said excitedly.
"Less . . . one?" Tohru stared at Yuki not understanding. "You think--"
"Someone's trying to scare us," Yuki said. "Or--"
"One of us is going to die!" Momiji hugged Tohru. "I'm scared! Can I sleep with you tonight?"
"Ah--" Tohru had barely time to blush before Yuki had hauled Momiji off her.
"You are no longer in grade school, you pest! You can't just go grabbing girls like that! You've embarrassed Tohru!" Yuki scolded.
"Ah--it's alright--" Tohru started.
"Ah, Yuki's jealous!" Momiji sing-songed, skipping out of Yuki's grip. He dodged the lunge his older cousin made at him and continued up the stairs. "Yuki and Tohru sitting in a tree--"
Yuki sighed. "I suppose we can't expect anything better from a child," he said, though Tohru was startled to see a hint of pink in his pale cheeks. Was cool Yuki actually . . . blushing?
"I'm not a child!" Momiji protested, leaning over the banister.
"Could have fooled me," Yuki said. "Come on, Tohru, we need to go somewhere private so we can talk."
"About the ghosts? I want to come too!" Momiji said, beginning to bounce downstairs again.
"Who says you're invited?"
Momiji stopped, his brown eyes wide and hurt. Tohru couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
"I'm sorry, Momiji-kun, but maybe its better if you don't come. What we're talking about might be dangerous--"
"You think I don't know that? After what happened to my sister?" Momiji was absolutely serious for once. "I know all about the ghosts."
"I don't know what you think you know--" Yuki sighed. "But you are not helping us and that is final."
"But I can help! I'm good at finding things! And--" the blond boy held up an battered object. "I have this!"
Tohru gasped. "Shigure's journal!"
"You took that out of Hatori's office?" Yuki was taken aback.
"Uh-huh!" Momiji grinned, waving it in the air like a trophy. "You wouldn't tell me anything so--"
"Give that back!"
"Nuh-uh!" The blond boy shook his head. "You have to say the magic word."
His elder cousin gritted his teeth. "Please."
"Nope! The magic word is 'Momiji you are wonderful, you can help us look for ghosts now.'"
"Forget it," Yuki growled, running up the stairs after Momiji who, laughing wildly, was running away. "Give that back, brat!"
"Waaaaaah! Yuki-kun is angry!"
"Yuki--" Tohru faltered.
He was already out of hearing. She could hear crashes and screeches from the second storey, and she hovered anxiously at the foot of the stairs. Something was wrong, something was very wrong--
"It's begun."
Tohru jumped.
The quiet voice had seemed to come from nowhere, cutting through her thoughts with an aptness that scared her. She spun around, relaxing somewhat as she saw Shigure leaning against the library doorway.
"Shigure," she said. "What's--"
"You feel it too, don't you?" he said. "The house is awake with dark emotions, too long alive--and doesn't Tohru-kun look pretty today!"
Tohru blinked. "Eh?"
Shigure smiled and before she was aware he'd done it, had ruffled her hair. "You're adorable when you're serious," he told her. "Still--" he sighed, turning to enter the library. "I wish there wasn't every reason to be serious right now."
"You heard about the flights?" Tohru asked, following Shigure into the warmly lit room. Motes of dust drifted lazily in the late afternoon sun, typical of the relaxed feel of the library. But Tohru found she couldn't relax.
"The way Momiji was carrying on?" Shigure snorted, drawing her attention back to him. "I couldn't help but hear about it. That kid has only got louder as he's grown."
"Momiji-kun is very exuberant," Tohru agreed.
"That's one way of putting it." Shigure rolled his eyes.
"They've been very quiet recently," Tohru said, eyes travelling towards the ceiling. No loud crashes or shrieks and giggles had been heard lately--
"Momiji's decided to hide amongst the old boxes in the attic and Yuki doesn't have a clue where he is," Shigure said, settling down in his usual armchair, then pausing as the thought hit him. "How did I know that?"
Tohru watched as Shigure stood up again, starting towards the library door. He stopped before he got there though spinning around to face her with an intent expression. "You put the picture frame I gave you on the second drawer of your shelves, and you were thinking as you did so that you needed to get a nice picture of you, Saki, Arisa and Kyou to go in it--"
Tohru's mouth dropped open. "How did you--"
"I don't know. I didn't know we could do that--" Shigure stopped moving, and leaned against the bookshelf. "Makes sense--we're only memories and things now--still," he looked seriously at Tohru. "You don't still have that handkerchief do you?"
Tohru shook her head silently. Something in Shigure's eyes stopped her from saying anything--they seemed more intent then usual, melting grey shadows that seemed to have a power over her--she couldn't look away as Shigure stepped forward.
"Good," the ghost said, leaning into her. "Because if anything happened to you--"
And he was suddenly kissing her.
Tohru froze. He couldn't be--Shigure didn't like her like that--his lips were gentle against hers, and he skillfully slipped past her defences--she sighed. His touch was feathery, light and compelling . . . and so cold.
Too cold--
While she'd been distracted a chill had settled over her body. Her limbs felt lethargic, and her head was dizzy--numbly, and with what strength she could summon, she pushed him away as hard as she could.
They stared at each other. Tohru shaking, her eyes wide, Shigure, the shock in his expression slowly being replaced by one of deep hurt--
"Shigure--" Tohru's voice shook.
Shigure held up one hand, his expression now veiled. "No need to say anything, Honda-kun," he said lightly, but Tohru could hear the bitterness behind the words. "It won't happen again, I assure you."
His fringe hid his eyes, so all she saw was his usual lop-sided grin. She stopped, unable to think of anything to say.
"Just--be careful." And then he was gone.
Tohru slowly sank to the ground. Her limbs still felt shaky--and it never failed to alarm her, the way Shigure could melt into nothingness like that. Her eyes felt hot, and putting her hand up she was surprised to find tears there. In just that one short moment--everything had changed--
The library door opened.
"I couldn't find that brat," Yuki sounded annoyed. "He's hidden himself somewhere--Tohru?" Yuki knelt beside her all softness and alarm. "What happened? Is anything wrong?"
Tohru shook her head. "It's nothing--"
"Are you sure?" Yuki helped her stand, his arm warm around her. Tohru dried her eyes quickly, smiling in gratitude for his help.
"I'm fine. Thank-you Yuki."
In spite of Tohru's blushing protests, Yuki insisted she let him help her to the kitchen. With his arm around her, he led her down the hallway.
The door hadn't been shut two seconds before The Complete works of Donne went flying into it, followed by The Essential Shelley.
Shigure slumped against the bookcase. He'd been a fool to hope--to think even for a second--he sighed. It was impossible--he'd known that and still . . . Then because his temper was less vindictive than Hiro's he began picking up the mess he'd made. He frowned at the dent he'd made in Donne--it was lucky the spine hadn't cracked. That was an old book, beautifully bound in leather--
He paused. Where had Shelley landed?
"Is this what you're looking for?"
Akito leaned in the doorway, idly flipping through Shelley. He looked exactly like he had the first time Shigure had seen him, ten years ago.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"Just curious," Akito said, his voice cool as always. "Throwing things is more Hiro's style than yours--I wondered what had managed to rattle the ever so circumspect Shigure to this extent."
There was a definite malice in that tone. Shigure forced a cheery grin. "Well, everyone has off days--"
"It's that girl," Akito said. "I suppose she rejected you. She could do nothing else, you know."
He held out the book. After a moment's thought Shigure accepted it. But instead of letting go of the book, Akito continued to hold it. Startled Shigure looked up into his midnight blue eyes.
"There is a way, you know," Akito said smoothly. "You could hold her and she wouldn't pull away--"
Shigure's own eyes reflected none of his feelings. "You mean--"
"She could be yours forever." Akito smiled. "After all in an old house like this--accidents happen so easily." He let go of the book. "I'll leave you to think about it."
~~~~~~~
"Your first kiss," Saki said, her tones as measured as always. "I see."
"I don't know what to do," Tohru admitted. "I thought I knew him well--but I never expected--and then there is everything else that's happened--"
"I'll admit," Saki said, her quiet voice almost lost by the telephone, "that I am rather concerned. It is too much of a coincidence that the Soumas' flights were cancelled."
"They're booked on flights tomorrow, I hope that will be enough," Tohru sighed. "I'm--I've got a bad feeling about this."
She said goodbye to Saki and hung up the phone. It was time for bed.
Heart tight with misgivings, Tohru was a long time getting to sleep. Her dreams, once she did, were anxious, fitful things formed around half acknowledged fears that slipped from her before she was aware they were there.
She stood in the passageway again, before the locked door. Smoke filled the passageway, stung her eyes and caught in her throat. Somewhere in the distance she could hear the thin whine of sirens but they were too late--she would never find her father--
Sirens--the sirens were louder now--
Tohru opened her eyes.
There was no smoke, no flames--but the sirens remained, howling right outside the door.
Tohru pulled open her window. An ambulance was parked in the driveway, its crew banging at the door.
"Tohru!"
Kyoko threw the door open. "Tohru--oh, thank god you're alright!" She hugged her daughter fiercely. "I was dreaming and I heard the sirens--I thought--you don't want to know what I thought--"
"What's happened?" Tohru asked.
"I don't know. Come on." Kyoko pulled Tohru's dressing gown out of the closet and threw it to her. "We may need to help."
By the time they reached the hall the ambulance crew had been let in and they were clustered round the foot of the stairs, intent on something there. Shivering even in her dressing gown, Tohru looked around and saw Yuki sitting at the opposite end of the hall, his arm around Momiji who looked very young and pale.
Both of them had their gaze fixed on the ambulance crew. Tohru followed their gaze and her breath caught. One of the men had stepped back, revealing soft black hair sprawled untidily over the floor . . .
Hatori was nearby, answering questions. "Not as far as I know. She often gets up to walk around the house at night--she's never been a good sleeper." He sounded matter of fact and calm, but his next question belied his true feelings. "Is--is there any chance . . .?"
A harsh mechanical whine suddenly split the air. The activity around the foot of the stairs increased . . . and then . . .
The man with Hatori shook his head. "I'm sorry."
Sorry? For what--Tohru's eyes widened as she saw one of the crew draw the blanket covering Kagura over her face. It couldn't be--
"This appears a straightforward case of accident," the man with Hatori said. "But I'm going to need to ask a few questions of the boy who found her." He looked to Yuki and Momiji. "Which one of you is Shigure?"
Yuki and Momiji stared at him, but in the end it was Hatori who answered angrily. "This is not the time or place for this kind of carry on. Which of you made the phonecall--"
"I was asleep until I heard the sirens at the door," Yuki said. "And I woke Momiji. We both came down after you--it couldn't have been us--"
Hatori glanced at Tohru, who took a step back--she'd never seen anyone look at her so darkly. "You're sure it was a boy?"
"Certain," the ambulance man was starting to get annoyed himself. "We were on the phone to him for nearly fifteen minutes getting directions to this place, and giving him instructions of what to do."
"The blanket then--" Hatori said.
"None of my men put it there," the ambulance officer continued. "What, you're saying we can't talk to this Shigure?"
"It would be rather difficult," Hatori said. "You see, my cousin Shigure has been dead ten years."