DiScLaImEr – Oh I wish…oh how I wish!! LoL…if Fruits Basket was mine, then the anime wouldn't've stopped where it stopped…although I have to admit, it was a good place to end on… But still!! :P
AnOtHeR LiL nOtE – I really never thought I'd give in to write a sequel for anything…but here I am == LoL…but I'm just so glad that ppl out there actually came and read this ficcy…so I decided to surprise everyone with a sequel! But people…this is it…this is the end, gomen nasai! Rather than dragging on forever with my "intended one-shot", I'm working on another FB ficcy at the moment…one that's not a one-shot XD But shh…it's a secret . Hopefully you guys will like this 2nd chappie of my extremely short 2-chap'ed ficcy…and come back lata to read my soon-to-be new FB fic too!!
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"Oh lookie lookie Kyou-chan, it looks like it's starting to rain again!" Shigure said happily in his teasing tone to the orange-haired cat, who despised the rainy weather.
"Ah, shuddup already!" Sohma Kyou growled darkly at the dog from his position at the table as an evil-looking angry aura began to visualize itself around him. Currently, they had just sat down to have dinner together when the sky started to darken considerably, although it was quite early still in the evening. Seeing that the said cat was already irritated by the weather, and was extremely short of patience with his playful cousin, Honda Tohru found that she could only sit and stare with her mouth hanging open at the situation at hand.
Getting more annoyed by the moment at the dog's playful smirk and needing to vent his irritation on someone, Kyou stood up suddenly, towering over the older man who, somehow, seemed to have suddenly shrunk both in size and in confidence.
Watching their argument and sighing, Sohma Yuki simply shook his head and continued on with his dinner, while an expressionless yet interested Hatsuharu kept looking on.
"Mmm…this is delicious, Honda-san." He turned towards the girl, who was currently frozen in shock mode n.n. Seeing her reaction, Yuki smiled, knowing just how concerned she was with the situation at hand. Waving one of the "delicious" stewed leeks to catch the frozen girl's attention, Yuki spoke again to assure her of the bickering pair's—well, mostly the bickering Kyou and the cowering Shigure—safety.
"Honda-san, you really don't have to worry about them." He said calmingly while trying to restrain himself from laughing out loud at her shock-frozen complexion. "You know he wouldn't really hurt Shigure…that Baka Neko is just looking for someone to fight because of the weather we've been having lately." Smiling brightly, he continued as his next words seem to make the girl even more shocked, if that was possible. "And he can't fight over it with me—my kick landed harder than I intended it to, the first time he tried to fight with me when it started to rain two days ago."
Recalling the memory, Tohru felt her face relax as a smile took over her features. While it wasn't exactly a "warm n' fuzzy" moment between the cat and mouse—one would've thought that seeing them fight each other in the rain wouldn't exactly be a fond memory!—it still made her smile just thinking about it, as it was the first time the two of them had resorted to physical violence since Yuki fell sick almost a month ago. I'm pretty sure that Kyou-kun wouldn't fight Yuki-kun if he thought he still hasn't fully recovered yet. She thought to herself as she picked up her chopsticks once again. On top of that…Kyou-kun did end up losing…as usual n.n;;…so I guess that must mean that Yuki-kun is feeling back to normal again. I'm so glad he's finally better.
Smiling back at the mouse with a reassuring smile, the two of them continued to eat while the cow kept his unblinking watch on the angry Kyou-cat, who continued to terrorize the apparently shrinking dog. Looking over at Tohru with a pleading puppy face, Shigure was now in tears because he "could only sit and stare at the wonderful food on the table".
"Kyou-kun, Kyou-kun…gomen nasai! Gomen nasai!! Demo…there's food on the table getting cold waiting for us…so why don't we finish this wonderful conversation together eh?" Shigure pleaded to his younger cousin with a smile, waving his right hand in a "que sera sera" motion…while maintaining his super-deformed form. (…T.T)
Time seemed to freeze as Kyou suddenly stopped and looked peacefully down at the steaming food and the eating Tohru. For a moment, it was as though he would actually be calmed in spit of the dripping sound of the falling rain in the background…if Shigure had not decided to continue treading on with trying to plead his case…with the wrong approach.
"I mean, it's the rain that's bothering you, right? A little rain is good…it's great! Think of all the poor plants that are happily drinking in the wonderful nutrients that the rain is bringing them! And don't worry…I'm sure this rain won't last forever and Kagura will be able to come visit you very, very soon!"
Watching strands of orange hair beginning to stick out in anger, Hatsuharu turned to look at the laughing dog with dots for his eyes, while thinking to himself: Shigure no baka…you just said the completely wrong thing…again…
Grimacing and wanting to stop a prolonged version of the yelling, Tohru found that she could not concentrate as her mind constantly slipped onto something she had been wondering about for the past month, since her last visit to the main house. Recalling the events that happened, a small smile formed to grace her features, unknown to herself.
That time…I don't even remember falling asleep, watching him.
Tried though she might have, the tired girl had not have the energy to stay awake to watch over the family head as she had planned to, and ended up falling asleep resting on the side of his bed. Never thinking that she could have slept long even if she was to fall asleep, with the night made cold by the then-falling rain, the next day when she woke up she had slept almost into the afternoon. Although she was just leaning on the side of the bed, she found that she was covered by blankets to keep her warm, and, somehow, a pillow had found its way underneath her head, and cushions around to support her. In her haste to get home to assure the others—who were extremely worried—that no harm had come to her, Tohru didn't even have the time to figure out just how she had ended up being so well taken care of, or…
Or where Akito-san went, either… He was still sick, and should have been in bed! I wonder if he left just so that he wouldn't have to see me and feel forced into speaking with me when I woke up…
Somehow…for all that Sohma Akito was the proclaimed cold-hearted monster that had been brutal to every single member of the zodiac, something about that thought just could not seem to quite register itself in the girl's mind.
Sohma…Akito-san… she mused, pronouncing the name gently and carefully in her mind. Why is it that I can't seem to get my mind off of you? Is it because everything that happened after I fell asleep that one night is a mystery to me? Is it because I'm trying to find an answer…? Okaa-san had said I should always try my hardest to figure out my problems…is that why I find myself thinking of you so often?
No matter how much she tried to convince herself that that was the reason, deep down, Tohru herself has never believed it. Although that only left her to wonder and question over the strangeness of the feelings that always come along with these "ponderings" and "slippages of train of thoughts" more.
After all, she mustn't omit the fact that Kyoko has also once told her while laughing good-naturedly that she believed that Tohru's innocence will also be her blindness to "something important". When was asked by her young daughter what that "something" was, the Red Butterfly had simply smiled her motherly smile, taken her child into her arms, and said that it was something she will undoubtedly learn about and find for herself as she grows up some more.
Maybe…maybe this is what okaa-san was talking about…that "something important" that I never understood, or had linked anything to…until now. This…strange feeling…wondering…
This strange longing…
One of the reasons why he chose to be so quiet most of the time is because this way, he found that he could observe people better—understand them better, without needing the extra words come between them to bridge this understanding. Taking his mind off of the still on-going "fighting" for a moment…or a lack-thereof-fight with one of the participants just sitting there, looking like he's about to starve to death and barely paying any attention to the only other participant in this "fight", Hatsuharu realized that Tohru has been unusually quiet for awhile now. Looking over at the girl, Hatsuharu saw that she was deep in thought while keeping a soft smile on her face. Curious as to what she could possibly be thinking of with such importance that it could momentarily block out her wanting to break up the fighting, Hatsuharu decided to ask the person who could best answer him.
"Honda-san, what are you thinking about?" the white-haired boy asked abruptly.
Snapping out of her thinking trance, Tohru almost jumped when she heard someone speak her name. Blinking rapidly to bring herself back to reality, and tracing the source of the voice as Hatsuharu, she smiled apagogically before speaking to him.
"Sumimasen, Hatsuharu-san…but what was that?"
Smiling at her, having guessed, accurately, she had a lot on her mind, the black-and-white cow repeated his question with less subtly.
"I was just wondering what you were thinking about, Honda-san." He said, facing her. Beside Tohru, Yuki had stopped what he was doing and was listening intently as well, curious and a little worried about the preoccupied "Honda-san". After all, it wasn't everyday that Tohru would sit there and lose herself in her thoughts without telling them about it.
What I was thinking about?! Uh-oh…what am I going to say? They'll be so worried if I told them I don't quite understand it, myself! Laughing a little at her own confusion, the girl found herself actually at a loss of words at how to reply his question. Now just how do I explain something that I have yet to figure out for myself…??
"Ano…it's nothing, really! I guess I'm just a little tired." Smiling a bright smile in attempt to assure them, and on the verge of her frantic mode, the girl realized that she had gained the attention of everyone in the house now, including the now-silent and concerned-looking Kyou (who was still standing over Shigure, fist raised!), and the relieved-looking novelist. Looking from the standing Kyou to the de-sized Shigure, Tohru felt herself smiling all over, feeling more herself again. "But I'm really glad that you two have come to a solution!"
As soon as those words left her mouth, beads of sweatdrops appeared on all four Sohmas' heads as they all thought of the same thing at once: what solution?
Nethertheless, that was the end of the fighting, and as the five of them (including the visiting Hatsuharu!) once again began to eat the now partially-cold food. Everything seemed to be the way they always were again in the Sohma Shigure household.
Finishing the last of her dinner with the rest of them, Tohru decided to put her wonderings away…for another time. With an inward sigh that was so unlike her, she thought to herself as she and the glaring Kyou and Yuki began to gather the dishes for washing. I hope I'll figure it out soon…I don't want them to worry about me over something this silly.
It's starting to rain again. Sohma Akito thought as he leaned on his windowsill. All was quiet in the Sohma main house, save for the rhythmic sound of the raindrops splashing. A person who used to despise the cold, clammy weather, somehow, staring up at the rainy skies and watching the droplets of rain fall onto the ground, Akito found it strangely comforting to him. Relaxing and smiling to himself in the serene quietness, the head of the Sohma clan was surprised when he realized what he was doing…and how peaceful he was feeling right then, just enjoying the company of the memories the rain brought with it.
So it's been a month…already huh?
Recalling the puzzling events of that hectic night, when his own and only trusted personal doctor had had to leave him during an illness to attend to another sick member of their family—and he had been left alone angered and made weak by his fever in the main house—momentarily made him angry. But the anger subsided as quickly as it came on, as if washed away by the falling rain, as his train of memories continued their play—and he remembered that he was not alone that night. No, he could hardly call it alone, although he had given the orders to be left so out of a tempter fit. Smiling ever so gently over the recollection, the young man was still amazed that the girl whom he had forced into attending him that night had not stayed only to watch him suffer on his own like he thought she would have—or what he knew he would've done had their positions been reversed—but to help him…to take care of him…to talk to him…and to stay with him the entire night willingly. Sighing, Akito wondered why he was still thinking about that one night, so long ago, so much…and just why those thoughts—especially the ones of the girl—were so strangely comforting to him.
It's ironic, really, to think that by not getting what he wanted for the first time in his life, the usually aloof family head was actually not in the least bit angered. The idea itself had never crossed his mind before: he was, after all, the most powerful person to the large and well-respected Sohma clan. Having been tended to by the girl he supposedly hated most in the entire world? Having helped and actually comforted…comforted!…by the person whom he had intended on punishing that night because of her interfering ways? The idea itself was absurd—he was supposed to always get whatever he wanted, and thus should have gotten what he wanted, which was to punish her and make her sorry for every entering into their lives.
So why was it that he couldn't help but think of her…and feel himself smiling involuntarily?
Why was it that whenever thoughts of her crossed his mind, he would find himself no longer bitter or angry, no matter when or what the situation was? Why do the memories of her—short memories they are, seeing how he was sick and unable to know what happened when he was drifting in and out of sleep—he'd feel more at peace…and happier than he remember ever being?
Why was it that everytime he heard her name, his heart would seem to beat just a little faster, and the temperature in the room would seem to rise just a little hotter…and he would immediately feel so much better even though she wasn't even there?
Why can he not stop himself from thinking about her…and liking it so?
Honda Tohru-san…Tohru… Why do I want to see you so badly?
Shaking his head as if to clear his thoughts, Sohma Akito turned from the rain and got up from his place on the windowsill, leaving the curtains blowing freely in the gentle breeze of rain and wind.
"Would you like some help finishing up?" the manager asked her as she got ready to depart after her evening shift hours of hard work. Pausing in her work, Tohru smiled brightly at the aging lady, who looked quite worn out and ready to rest.
"No, I'll be fine Jinya-san, thank you! Don't worry about me!" the girl answered as she straightened her posture, wanting to look as sure as she sounded. When the elderly lady still hesitated, Tohru's expression softened, touched by her manager's concern for her. "I'll be finished soon, honest! Please go and get some rest now…after all, tomorrow is Sunday and there's no school, so I'll be able to sleep in."
Looking assured at the energetic-looking girl's last words, Tohru's cleaning manager smiled and headed towards a waiting elevator. "See you next week then!"
"Sayonara, Jinya-san!"
Smiling still as the old lady's head disappeared into the elevator, Tohru returned to finishing the last of the sweeping before heading home herself, physically worn out from a long day's work. As she swept the large tiled floor, she returned to her previous train of thought…of him. It was with surprise that Tohru realized that thinking of him somehow made her momentarily forget her weariness and made her…feel so happy, somehow. The feelings she felt for him…it was as if she was walking on air just thinking about him, broomstick and all. With no one around to question or worry about her, Tohru couldn't help but let the gentle smile she was feeling inside when she thought make its way to her face, gracing her features with it.
Her smile subsiding a bit as she thought of what others who had interacted with him in the past had told her—warned her, to be precise—of him, and of what he did to them. The troubled girl reflected that it would probably not be possible for her to ever see the family head again by herself, if she was to see him ever again at all.
I can't ask to see him, because then everyone will be worried, especially Kyou-kun and Yuki-kun—and I don't want them to worry about me needlessly, especially since they have so much to think about already. And isn't it not right for me to…to feel so much for Akito-san and to think about him so much, after all he's done to everyone?
A little saddened, Tohru realized that she was back at the start of her debating points which she had been pondering over for a month now…again. Finished with the sweeping, she went to get ready to leave for home.
I wish I could see you, Akito-san…if only because I'm thinking selfishly…if only so I could clear up my mind and see why I feel such…strange emotions…about you.
Exiting from the side door of the building she worked at, Tohru peeked out from underneath the tiny balcony roof to see that the rain was still falling quite steadily. Shivering from the night cold and the rain, she leaned against the door to wait for the rain to pass…hopefully soon, since most of her was still getting rained on.
I should have remembered an umbrella, at least.
Smiling a little apologetically to herself, she remember how hectic she had been going out the door, on the verge of being late for work. Luckily, Hatori had come to pick up Hatsuharu in the car, and had driven her to work. In her haste, however, Tohru had forgotten to bring just about everything she needed aside from her work nametag.
Closing her eyes tiredly, Tohru was surprised to hear footsteps near her, late as it was and being in pretty much a back ally. She was even more surprised when she heard the footsteps stop close to where she stood…alone…and felt that somehow it had stopped raining on her even though the unmistakable sound of rain was still heavy in the background. A little worried and scared, Tohru opened her eyes slowly to see who her visitor could possibly be…
And almost fell over when she saw Sohma Akito standing there, holding an umbrella over her to shield her from the rain.
"A…Akito-san…?" she ventured surprised and a little timidly, not knowing what to make of the sudden situation.
Holding an unreadable expression on his face, he stood rock-still, staring back at her. The only sound in the background of the staring pair was the rain, coming down even harder now by the minute.
"Akito-san, is everything all right?" she asked him, looking up at him at his higher height with concern in her innocent eyes.
Her question itself caught him so off guard that he couldn't even hide the surprise from showing on his face. She's…she's worried about me? After everything she must have undoubtedly been told about me…after only spending only so little time with me…
Giving in to what he was feeling for her right then—what he had been feeling for the past month—Akito found himself smiling ever so gently down at the concerned girl before him. Seeing his reaction to her question, Tohru almost didn't know what to make of it. He didn't answer her; he didn't yell, or slap her for speaking "out of place" for someone whom he, in the past, would have taken for a servant. He just…smiled—a smile neither fear invoking nor held any hidden agendas, but rather a smile which reflected happiness and gladness from his soul.
"Everything's fine, Tohru-san." He said to her gently, kindly.
All I know was that I wanted to see you…and that thought alone had gotten me this far.
Relieved that he was well, Tohru smiled back at him under the rather tight quarters of their single shared umbrella, blushing a little. Keeping her eyes on him, the two of them didn't seem to mind as silence once again settled between the two comfortably. Akito-san…you're really here, standing before me… Suddenly seeming to realize, for the first time, that they were still standing in the cold of the rain, the girl gave a little gasp.
A single thought of you has gotten me further than I had ever been, from physically walking here…to this strong emotional attachment I have for you… This attachment which constantly draws me towards you.
"Oh no…Akito-san…your health! You…you shouldn't be standing…coldhealthrainfevercoldcoughcoldraincold!!"
Blinking at her animatedly as the girl before him began to wave her arms frantically in the air with her hair sticking straight out, while repeating the…words she said…over and over again…Akito couldn't help himself anymore. Taking care to make sure he still held a firm grip on his umbrella so they wouldn't be drenched, the usually stern and unsmiling young man laughed—a clear, ringing, and happy sound that surprised the girl out of her shock mode to stare at him with an unbelieving look in her eyes. Taking a few deep breaths in attempt to stop himself from laughing, Akito found that he could barely constrain himself from continuing to laugh. It was as if all the laughter that he had restricted himself from—all the happiness that he was forbidden to touch and had forbidden himself from touching—came rushing to him at once. Just standing there, watching her shock-filled expression of disbelief and astonishment, somehow seemed to fuel his thought to be non-existent spring of happiness.
I wonder if you know…if I will ever have the courage to tell you…just how important you are to me…
Finally getting himself under control, Akito smiled happily at the girl before him while still trying to suppress his threatening laughter. "I'm sorry Tohru-san, I didn't mean to laugh so much…but it's just that…"
Allowing his sentence to train, she smiled at him, amused and happy. "It's all right, really! Akito-san doesn't have to explain himself to me—I'm just really glad to see that you're feeling better now…and to see that you're so happy…it makes me happy too." Blushing at her own last words, Tohru quickly looked away in attempt to hide her blush in the dim alleyway light. But it did not go unnoticed by the watchful young man.
Or just how much I'd wondered…
His smile softening at her blush, the young man noticed her shivering in the cold. Giving a surprised Tohru the umbrella to hold, he took off his own heavy coat and draped it over her shoulders, stopping her shivering. She looked up at him with wonderment and worry in her eyes. Shaking her head, she tried to give his jacket back to him.
"But Akito-san, it's cold outside and you should take better care of yourself—you just got better from last month's illness. I wouldn't want you to get sick so soon again." And especially if it's because of me that you get sick, she thought to herself as she felt the heat rise in her cheeks once again.
Just how much I had hoped…
Shaking his head firmly, amused and touched, Akito took hold of the umbrella once again and began to steer them away from the building and to begin walking in the direction of Shigure's house. "I'm fine," he said to her tenderly—a tone that if any other member of the Sohma clan had been there to hear it would not recognize as his. Hell, he could barely recognize it as his himself! But when it comes to talking with her…it just seems so…natural…so right. "But you look cold…so you should wear the jacket. After all, if we're going to walk you home, then it's best that you're kept warm. I was told that it's quite the walk in the woods at night."
…that you might…somehow…
The rain had begun to subside. Bit by bit, the heavy sound of falling rain splattering on the streets was reduced to a slow, calm drizzle, and the thick rain clouds began to clear up, revealing the shinning full moon, its gentle rays causing the few remaining raindrops to sparkle as they fell.
Honda Tohru stopped short to look up at her companion in surprise once again as he, too, stopped to look down at her, wondering why she had chosen not to hasten to get home, tired as he knew she must be.
…for some strange unexplainable reason that I myself can't even begin to comprehend…
For the first time in her life, Tohru took the opportunity to look at the head of the Sohma family…really look at him. What she saw in his eyes filled her completely with surprise even as it filled her with warmth from the inside, making her heart race and making it suddenly hard to breathe.
…feel the same way about me.
"Aki…Akito…san…" she stammered, not quite sure what was happening…side from the fact that she knew…she knew then, and understood, what her okaa-san was trying to tell her about when she was younger…that "something important" that she would find and understand when she grew up some more…
Wondering if you could ever love me…the way I love you.
That strong feeling…
The way I've loved you since that one night you had spend with me, seemingly so long ago…
Suddenly, his face was merely inches from hers; his fragrance dangerously strong and attractive to her smelling; his every breath quickened as hers did. Closing her eyes, Tohru leaned forward as Akito lost his grip on the umbrella he was holding, catching her in a gentle but firm embrace as their lips met for the first time. The soft, quiet drizzle of rain illuminated the sidewalk they stood on, the tiny raindrops sparkling in the pale moonlight. Nothing seemed to matter to the two as the soft rain fell upon them, soaking into their clothes, and the cars passed by them. Lost in the feelings they undoubtedly felt for one another; lost in their kiss…everything felt perfectly right as the two of them seemed to separate from the rest of the world and enter into their own. Their heads separated, only inches apart, as if neither wanting to leave one another, as Akito spoke softly on her lips.
…the night when you unknowingly captured my heart and claimed me yours forever…
"Can I tell you something?" he whispered the words only meant for her.
"Hmm?" she answered just as softly, moving back ever so little so to see him better.
"I'm in love with you." he smiled, head bend so their at least foreheads were still touching.
Smiling the happiest smile he had ever seen her with, her eyes filled with joy and love which she held only for him, Tohru pulled him in so that their lips touched again, ever so gently.
"Me too."
For all of eternity.
........................ Owari ........................
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::phew:: That…took…soooooo much longer to write than I thought it would…and ended up soooo much longer than I'd ever imagined it to, too!! ::shaking head and throwing chemistry homework out the window:: So much for trying to be all studious and homeworky tonite!! ::grins:: But I've finished it!! It was actually a lil rough to start out with, since I never planned a sequel…but it went more smoothly towards the end…duntcha think?? :D
Anyhow…man oh man…what was with me and all the super-deformed and shock modes at the beginning?! ::shrugs:: Gomen ne, minna-san, if they bug ya…but I swear…this fic does something to me when I write it…honest!! They just want to shrink and be all SD-like 'stead of the mush that I was planning to write!! XD
As for the overly-detailed rain description…it's snowing like a monkey outside…in MAY…uu LoL…it's a good thing I like snow…but how the hell is this spring?! (Demo…on second thought…keep snowing! I like the cold much more than I enjoy being melted in the heat anyway!!) So yeah…that's where it came from XP
Akito—before I get in trouble here, I know Akito was wayyyOCCed here, especially toward the end…I really didn't mean for that to happen, not to the extend it did, anyhow! It just did…gomen!! But…what's done is done, rite?? Go easy on the flames?? :P
Well…::looks up to see too much AN ;;:: that was the end of One Stormy Night (as in the title…was kinda intended to take place over the course of a day…but got stretched to a month…::grins:: oh well, title still fits, so it's all good!!). What did you think?? For those of you that didn't wanna see a sequel done…I hope I haven't ruined the ficcy for you! . And for those that did…I hope ya'll liked it!!
Crits, comments, n' well…anything you could think of sending me over e-mail/reviews are welcomed!! Send away XD
Aqua Sunshine n.n