Disclaimer: I don't own any characters of Fruits Basket!! Enough said, you've already read the previous disclaimers so you already know that they are just volunteers for this little drama I have going on!! =p So read on and enjoy!!
Chapter 4: Ready and Waiting
Tohru awoke to the low sounds of her alarm clock. She stretched and looked at the sleeping Kane, her hair silvery white hair lay around her head and across her pale cheeks. Her eyes were slightly open and for a moment Tohru thought she had seen an amethyst eye before Kane had sleepily turned away. She shook her head dismissing the thought entirely as she quietly tiptoed to the window and turned to see if the sleeping Kane had turned again. The woman hadn't so she decided to open the curtains just to enough to let some of the light in so she can see what she was doing. I hope I can see with this, oh I don't want to wake her yet, Tohru thought a worried expression crossing her face as her mind began weaving negative outcomes of the woman waking. She tiptoed to her closet and pulled the door open the door, a loud creak followed and Tohru froze and slowly turned to see Kane slowly rising into a sitting position her head turning with half-lidded eyes to Tohru, tears fell from her eyes and onto her cheeks.
"A-ano…" Tohru said stepping forward feeling her neck hairs rising as she realized that Kane wasn't looking at her but through her.
"No don't…I promise to be good! Please, don't make me do it, I don't want to…" Kane whimpered as she fell back onto the pillow with a small cry.
Tohru face was a mask of worry and shock; she was confused, what had just happened. Tohru after some making up her mind walked up Kane's bedside and sat next to her before gently shaking Kane awake. Kane's eyes had fluttered open after a few minutes of shaking; she blinked back the tears and looked up into Tohru's warm blue eyes which seemed full of worry.
"Gomen, I woke you because I thought you were having a bad dream." Tohru said quickly her hands had begun playing with the hem of her light pink pajama dress.
"Eh, thank you…I'm sorry if I was loud." Kane's eyes clouded as she tried to remember the dream.
Tohru smiled and patted her hand, "No you weren't loud at all."
She left Kane who had sunk back into the soft pillows.
"What time is it?" she called to Tohru.
"It's 5:30 in the morning." Tohru answered as she finished tying the long blue ribbons in her hair.
"Why are you up so early?" Kane asked as she rose fluidly from the big pink bed.
"I always get up early to make everyone breakfast and get ready for school." She said turning to Kane and adjusting her skirt.
"Would it be alright if I helped, I mean I'll be staying here so I have to help out some how. So would it be okay if I helped?" Kane asked her eyes lit with hope.
Tohru contemplated the idea for a moment before cheerfully answering yes. Smiled and walked silently toward her suitcase and opened it. A small gasp had escaped her lips as a terrifying oni's face leered up at her. Its evil smile seemed to emit laughter as her shaking hands moved to pick it up. A small black silk trail followed it. Kane gazed into the intricately painted face her face growing impossibly paler with every moment that it took her eyes to move up and down the familiar red, gold and blue lines. Its smooth shiny glass surface reflected the little light there was in the room; Kane turned it over and saw a note pinned to the silk cloth that was joined to the mask. It was from Momiji's father. She ripped the envelope open and read the letter within:
Dear Kane,
I have had your clothes and whatever belongings that
were deemed necessary packed for you as you father wished.
He has also requested that this mask be packed along with a
letter from him which can be found inside the mask. It has been
great meeting you again and I hope you enjoy your new home.
Kane laid the mask gently next to her and saw the other note lying atop of her neatly folded clothes. She crumbled the first letter into a paper ball and placed it next to the mask before taking out a long lavender skirt, and light gray shirt. These clothes were not hers, as she continued sifting through them she noticed a few still had the price tags on them. They had more of an oriental look than anything, her father's doing no doubt, she thought as she returned them back to the suitcase, leaving only the skirt and shirt she had selected before out. She reached in and pulled out a pair of knee high dark grey socks, she pulled them on and found they actually went above her knee and over the lover half of her thigh, she rose and stepped into her skirt pulling it over legs and hips and buttoning up the side before bending down to retrieve her shirt and the letter from her father Hiroshi and the crumpled one from Momiji's father. She pulled off the oversized shirt (the only article of clothing that was hers besides the outfit she came in) that read: No really, I'm not interested!! Kane removed a dark green band from her wrist and tied her hair up into a messy bun tucking any stray strands behind her ear. She finished changing and waited for Tohru who had just finished making the bed. Tohru walked near Kane's suitcase and saw the mask and let out a little yelp. Kane rushed to the suitcase and shut it muttering an apology before leaving the room. Tohru glanced at the suitcase and saw a white contact case and walked over and picked it up. Her mind flashed to tiny sliver of an amethyst eye. No she seems to have been through a lot of trouble before she arrived her; I don't want to bother her over her eye color. It's really none of my business, ne…after all I could be imagining the whole thing it is early in the morning, she thought as she placed the contact case on top of the suitcase.
XxXxXxX
Hatori lay awake on his bed for hours thinking about Kane. He had been four when he first met the two year old. She had always been silent and was constantly kept at her mother's side; no body had ever really paid any attention to her except when she was with the three of them (Hatori, Shigure, and Ayame). It was only then that she actually laughed and played, that was until she was ten and her parents stopped bringing her altogether to the New Year's celebration, in fact the mother had stopped attending when the girl had turned six.
"What had happened all those times when you weren't here?" Hatori said aloud.
He rolled to his side his eyes focusing on the sliver of light the poured through parted curtains. He sat up as the alarm clock rang.
"So much for sleep." He muttered before his eyes fell to the portrait of Kana. "My little breath of spring."
He rose and took the picture down from its resting place.
"How long has it been since we last talked? Kissed? Even laugh together? I know, almost a lifetime, ne. For so long, this heart has been cold, waiting for the winter's snow to melt and give birth to the love of spring. How long has it been since I abandoned the gentle warmth of spring, can you tell me Kana? Are you finally happy now?" Hatori said his voice laden with sadness.
His mind flashed to the meeting with Ayame and Shigure. They were all sitting around the table and Ayame had said he received the pictures of Kana's wedding. He had tried giving them to Hatori but he had pushed them away saying he was past that now, but was he. After Kana he had not gone near another woman, he had faithfully followed Akito's orders even when the man wasn't in his right mind, except when he had ordered him to erase Tohru's memories. That was just something he couldn't do, how could he do it to a girl who so reminded him of his Kana? He couldn't erase the memory of one he held so close to his heart again.
"I have changed some since that day. I feel it…" Hatori said as he placed her picture in his drawer. "We are past now." But are we really? Can I ever get over you? Hatori's mind intervened.
He sighed and gathered his things for a shower, giving his room one last glance before shutting the door.
XxXxXxX
Kyou awoke to the smell of eggs; he went to roll out of his futon when he collided into something soft. He turned his head to see the sleeping form of Momiji, he felt his anger rise quickly but he took a deep breath before shaking the boy awake.
"Wake-up you, why the hell are you in my room, damn rabbit." Kyou said his red eyes flashing when Momiji refused to wake up instead going for his arm in an attempt to cuddle.
"Get the hell away from me, wake-up already I have to get ready for school and so do you. Arrg, damn it you spoiled rabbit!!!" Kyou yelled furiously shaking Momiji.
Momiji eyes opened wide fast and he scrambled out of Kyou's grasp. He sat perched at the edge of the futon rubbing his eyes.
"Kyou, I'm going to go tell Tohru your being mean to me!!!" Momiji said as he rubbed his shoulders and ran out of the room.
"See if I care you damn brat! Who the hell said you can come in here and sleep." Kyou yelled furiously after the retreating form.
He scratched his head, he straitened out his futon and went to the small chest of drawers and pulled out his clothes and hurriedly put them on. I better hurry or that bachiatari nezumi will beat me down there, Kyou stormed out of the room a pair of socks held in his teeth while he buttoned up his shirt. He ran down the stairs and saw Tohru and Kane cooking breakfast. The scent of fried sausage hit his nose and his stomach growled. No sign of the damu nezumi, Kyou muttered as he ducked into the bathroom.
XxXxXxX
Yuki rose from his bed the light of the sun shining in his face. He lazily rose from his bed scratching at his side as he strode to the window. He gazed sleepily at his "secret base" which seemed so far away. I'll go by my base today, I have to see how the strawberries are doing, Yuki thought as he retreated to his closet.
"I wonder what Honda-san is making for breakfast today." He said to himself as he pulled out his uniform, he shed his pajamas and put his uniform on, pausing to look in the mirror to adjust his tie he caught a glimpse of the time. "Six o' clock, I'm late to help Honda-san, why didn't the alarm clock wake me up sooner. Well, it's for the better I guess being as I can't cook." Yuki mused as he opened the door and left.
As he walked down the stairs he realized that there was something wrong, not with him but with the new guest residing in the house hold. Another tiger, I thought that wasn't possible. Only one member could be born Juunishi at a time, so how could there be two tigers…his mind trailed off as soon as Tohru happily greeted him.
"Good morning Sohma-kun," Tohru happily said as emerged from the kitchen and lead Yuki to the brand new table. "Kane and I made breakfast together so I hope you like it.
She left Yuki as Kyou emerged from the bathroom Yuki rose and darted for it a little embarrassed that Tohru had seen him with out his perfect morning face. Kyou trough himself on the floor at the same moment a car horn was heard. He reluctantly began to stand after several more beeps but Momiji had already rushed past him yelling "Hatori, can't we wait until after Tohru serves breakfast?" Kyou couldn't hear Hatori but knew the response as Momiji called a pitiful good-bye to Tohru. She walked out into the hall and waved at Momiji who rushed and hugged her instantly transforming into the yellow rabbit.
"See you later Tohru." Momiji said after picking up his clothes and hopping happily away.
Tohru giggled and walked toward the kitchen, Kane came out with several plates each containing a small omelet and toast. Kyou sat back down and stared suspiciously at the green flecks in his omelet.
"Tohru these aren't leeks are they?" He picked up the fork for and cut a piece and lifted it up for closer examination.
Kane rushed and snatched the plate away from Kyou, "Gomen I accidentally gave you, uh…mine." She lied smoothly before sitting down. Tohru had just told her a few seconds ago the dislikes of the boy and already she had forgotten. She set the plate down before her after gracefully sitting down, she knew she didn't like leeks either but they didn't so who was to be the wiser. The least thing she wanted to do was start a little fight early in the morning. She switched forks with Kyou and placed it on her plate in favor of helping Tohru carry out the morning tea. She placed the two glasses down as Shigure cheerfully wafted into the room after Yuki.
"Ah, such a beautiful sight to see in the morning, my beautiful bride and our fresh blossom from America creating such a delicious breakfast for us lowly men. It really brings te-"
"Just shut up and eat will ya!" Kyou interrupted and then looked away as Tohru served him his dish.
"It tastes really good Honda and Kane-san." Yuki said with a bishi smile.
"Arigatou gozaimasu." Kane said returning the smile as after sipping her tea.
Shigure sat reading the newspaper as Kane tried pulling the leeks from her food to no avail. She finally gave up and ate a bite of it. Cat ears popped over head as the leek touched her tongue, she let it sit on her tongue before chewing it. It was actually delicious, whatever Tohru did to them they tasted awesome and she began eating her food at a regular pace. Shigure peeked up at her from the newspaper and smiled she tried to best to ignore him and shifted uncomfortably away from him. He leaned over to her and whispered in her ear.
"In a few minutes you'll be meeting a friend of mine. She's real nice and incredibly stressed out all the time. I tell her all the time really to just relax but alas no one ever listens to this inu. No, no-"
The door bell rang and soon pounding was heard.
"Well, I got to go, do let her in after I disappear."
"But you ju-"
"No no, don't think just do. It's a fun game I play with her, like hide and go seek." He said pressing a finger to her lips.
"You still not a shy boy." She said in low voice.
Shigure smiled and rose, adjusting the sleeves of his yuketa with a wink before ducking into the hallway.
"I really feel sorry for Mit-chan." Tohru said as she walked to the front door to let the crazed woman.
"SENSEI!! I REALLY NEED THE MANUSCRIPT TODAY!!! NOT A FEW DAYS LATER BUT TODAY!! NOT A FEW MINUTES LATER BUT NOW!!!!" Mit-chan screamed after running down the hallway.
"She really is sad." Kyou said walking out the door with Tohru.
Tohru smiled and waved Kane good bye after grabbing Yuki and Kyou's hand. A sudden movement caught her eye and there Mit-chan stood sobbing.
"I'm in hell! I'm stuck with the worst ja-ku ever; this must be the sixth no seventh circle of hell!" she sobbed as she slid against the wall. "Please, please tell me where sensei is so I can publish that book he owes."
Kane looked at the woman and tried her best to hide the smile that tugged at her lips. She helped the woman up and told her to be absolutely quite. She looked about the hall and found a room where they both ducked in and waited for Shigure to appear.
"I don't understand why we can't just search the house. I mean it's a small house!!" Mit-chan whispered hysterically.
"From what I gather so far each attempt to find "sensei" has never turned him up. Most likely one of the kids here told you where he was and that is how you probably found him. You need to calm yourself because it seems he gets off on your hysterics, if you approached him calmly and tried not to push him or give into these games of his he probably get bored of you by now and just give you the script. Unless…"she paused intimately close to Mit-chan.
"Unless, unless what?" Mit-chan asked tearfully.
"Unless you secretly enjoy this game, maybe it gives you a sense of excitement?" Kane pressed on.
"No…that's not true. I hate it." Mit-chan said moving away from Kane.
A tiny creak from the floor boards let Kane know that Shigure was there and had probably heard everything. She heard his light footsteps trailing away, her eyes searched the room for something to trip him or knock him over. Kane's sight fell on a long slender piece of wood. It looked like a bokken, with a devilish smile she grabbed it and chased Shigure down the hall; Mit-chan was close on her heels. Kane caught up to him easily and jabbed the back of his ribs with the bokken, he let out an 'oomph' but kept on running. She pumped her arms and began to run faster easily dodging the obstacles he lay before them. Shigure tried to jump over a small side table in the living room but his yuketa did not permit him. He fell face forward in a heap laughing like a maniac, Kane jumped over the table easily landing softly beside him but Mit-chan was not so successful, she landed beside Shigure bawling. Kane rolled her eyes at the woman and placed the point of her wooden sword at Shigure's exposed throat.
"Now you fiend you shall hand over the manuscript!" Kane said with a light laugh.
"Hai, I will o great samurai." Shigure said his eyes dancing with mirth.
He slowly reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small but thick script which Mit-chan greedily snatched after shouting various oaths of joy and running out the house.
"Just like old times, eh?" Shigure said as he straightened the room.
"Not really." Kane said leaving the room.
"Say you really are good with that bokken, did you perhaps receive any training in that art my delicate little rose?" Shigure asked following her.
Kane grunted a reply and returned the bokken to its room. Shigure leaned on the door frame a genki smile on his face as he purposely blocked her path.
"Tell me, where you come from. I haven't been exactly told but I hear it is from America." Shigure asked.
Wha-where in the hell did that come from?
"I come from everywhere and nowhere in particular, my last residence happened to be in America but I wasn't born there." Kane said roughly pushing past Shigure.
"Then where were you really born?" Shigure prodded.
By the kami the man was nosy.
"If you don't mind I prefer to tell the lovely story of my life my biographer." Kane said coolly.
"Right, being the only writer here that would be me." Shigure pressed.
"Why the hell do you want to know any way?!" Kane said through clenched teeth, "My life has no importance it is nothing special."
"Wouldn't that be best reserved for me to say? I want to know because you are family in fact a childhood friend that I haven't had the pleasure of knowing." Shigure said in a dramatic voice followed by overly exaggerated bishi pose.
Kane grabbed the teapot thankful it was still had some tea and poured herself a glass and then after some time Shigure a glass. She carried both glasses setting one on the table before him and silently turning to walk outside. She stood on the back porch for a few moments staring intently on the beautiful trees and wild flowers underneath the hot summer sun. Her feet then guided her off the porch and under the welcoming shade of a large thick sakura tree. Shigure followed and sat himself across from her, choosing to recline on the trees side than sitting cross-legged as she did.
"I was born in a plane crossing the Mediterranean Sea." Kane said softly breaking the silence. "I wasn't expected to come so soon…she had me two months before it was time, we were flying from Greece and heading toward the African horn, so what do write on the place of birth on the birth certificate? Nowhere, that's what my mom said to leave that blank, in fact most of the certificate was blank for a while except for the parents' names. They hadn't decided on my name until almost eight months until after I was born but by then I had already learned how to crawl and walk. My father actually gave me my name because my mother really refused on giving me one. She cared for me but it was like she only did it to keep me alive there was no affection." Kane stopped and sipped her tea.
"So she didn't want you?" Shigure asked.
"Oh, she wanted me…at least she used to. We were in African village when it happened. You see I had always wished it was in a normal hospital with your average people and that my dad had the ability to erase memories…but of course it wasn't. I was always thought of in my mother's eyes as a "normal" girl, pretty and a perfect little lady. It was arduous as a child to live up to her every expectation. Damn hypocrite that she was, a poor simple potter who married a rich handsome doctor." Her eyes clouded with anger.
"What happened in Africa?"
"We were in a war ravaged village. The people were dying of famine and the rival tribe kept attacking almost every other night that we were there. My father had taken us with him on the Red Cross trip; it was one of the perks of a doctor of his caliber, to be able to travel around the world and help people. Well, it was morning when my I had followed my dad into one of the small remaining huts. My mom was already there and she had been bandaging the father of a very sick boy, the mother was half starved and she sat in a far corner as my dad went and helped the little boy. The boy's father left and I had walked up to my father's side and was watching him when the boy went berserk, my dad wanted to give him a shot and he became terrified! He had moved so fast and his arms went around me and poof, I was a tiger. The boy screamed and created such a loud ruckus that had the other that was stationed on the other side at the time been near he would have heard. My father pried him off me and his mother who had seen everything passed out, it was right at the same moment the other tribe surprised attacked the remnants of village. My father scooped me up and my Tsuchi, my mother left the African woman behind. I remember as we left watching her inject the boy with something and ever since that day she was distant. I was around nine years old. "Kane said her voice even as she sipped once more from her tea.
"Interesting, almost good enough for the movies, like most of the other Sohma tragedies but then again they make better books." Shigure said wistfully. "Tell me how you know how to do kendo."
"You really are nosy, did anyone ever tell you that? How would you like it if I asked you about your damned life?! I still don't understand the real truth behind this twenty questions bit? Are you going to write this down and publish it, I don't think so. My existence is nothing, don't you see I have no parents, I have no siblings! I'm a cursed bitch with no other person who I can be with at least if I had a brother or sister I could have someone to relate to but all I have is a bunch of strangers who share the same name as me. Oh, and a crazy family head that I have to help one who likes to do this!!!" She yelled as she ripped the sleeve on her arm revealing the small cuts which had now reopened.
"I am family." Shigure stood his face softening. "I'm also a curious friend, that is all."
Kane glared at him not wanting to stop being angry at him. She stood and walked a few paces away from him; some of hair had fallen free from her bun and her eyes had narrowed to dangerous slits. A lone tear trailed down her cheek. Shigure stared at the woman before him, never knowing until now how bitter she was and how much pain she had. It was true she had been alone for all this time with parents who barely treated her like she was there but then again why was she taking it out on him.
"No, I'm sorry I never really had the pleasure of really knowing you. The only person who had ever remained in contact with me after I couldn't come anymore to the New Year's celebration, GOD, even my own year I couldn't come here…the only person who had ever kept in contact with me was Ayame but even he became too busy for me!!" She seethed. "Do you know…can you even begin to fathom what I have gone through?! You'd be damned to know this unworthy ones life."
Blood poured steadily from her wound as her fist clenched, she seemed to struggle inside before a shocked Shigure began moving. He walked up to her and pulled her into an embrace.
"I don't know what you have been through but I'm sorry I never wrote you or called. I just grew up differently; I was just living my life here. I had always expected you to come back but when you didn't…I'm sorry I was a kid." He caressed her shoulders and rested his chin on top of her head.
Kane cried softly on his chest as one hand beat his arm, a part of her wanted to hate them all. She wanted to die to leave this horrible world and every thought brought up the image of the horrid mask that was now lying in her suitcase. It wasn't his fault and she had selfishly blown up on him over something so simple, what right had she in doing so? As she cried he noted she made hardly any sound, such a silent wonder. Her cries subsided and he felt herself pull away from him, he let her go and watched her turn away from him before she spoke.
"Gomen, Shigure…to answer your question I was taught by my father who shared the same fascination of samurai with me. When he left I was sent a trainer. " She said over her shoulder as she collected the forgotten cups and walked away.
Shigure stood outside a moment longer, he watched a as a pair of birds took flight.
"Definitely doesn't like to talk about her past? Or is it just remembering that pains her most?
He walked in to the house and grabbed his newspaper. He looked at the clock and decided it was a good time to visit Ayame and walked to his room. Kane felt extremely guilty for yelling at Shigure and knew that she should think of a way of making it up to him. She studied the kitchen making a mental note as to where everything could be found. As she left to the living room she saw Shigure leaving in a business suit out the door.
Damn, now I have driven him away and all he asked was a simple question about this unworthy ones life. I promise not to do that to anyone who asks. But then again why should I be mad? No, I'll probably hurt some one's feelings after all, I am a stranger so it is only normal that they ask questions. How can I be such a bakayarou? I'll definitely keep myself in check this time.
She noticed her bleeding arm and went to clean and change the bandages. With a grimace she notice that her blood had stained her new shirt.
XxXxXxX
Hatori having since gotten rid of the childish Momiji at the high school was now driving up to Shigure's house to pick up Kane. He wasn't in the least bit perturbed that she would be filling the position as his aid but he had wished Akito had consulted him first. Hatori sighed but then again when had Akito ever gave a damn about what he did, he was never consulted he was told and after some thought he realized that didn't really bother him…much. His thoughts turned to last nights events and he began to wonder what had she been through. She was such a curiosity to him, he couldn't shaker her from his thoughts. One thing memorable about her was her hair, it was very much like Aya but they were such different children. He remembered overhearing a conversation between the adults, a scandal in the Sohma house.
"She looks remarkably like Aya! Do you think her Hiroshi knows?" a female voice giggled.
"Stop your laughing you cow, of course not and he doesn't notice because he is never there. I don't even think our head knows." a harsh voice whispered.
"Don't talk to me that way, darling. I wonder…do you think the child knows at all? Or if Aya's mother has any idea? You really should see the way the woman looks at Kane. When the children are together you can tell most of all, I suppose that is why that Tsuchi woman keeps that little child away from the other children."
"Yes, but we all better keep this quiet." The harsh voice said.
Hatori remembered that at the moment Aya's mother revealed herself and told them all to go to hell before in a foolish fit of anger telling their youthful head of her husband's infidelity. That was what resulted in an uproar of denials and soon punishment. The fighting had taken place far away from the other children and had eventually died down enough so that everyone soon forgot. But he wondered had they all really.
He pulled in front of Shigure's house and got out. He straightened himself out and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He stared at them before returning them back to his pocket unopened, and strolled up to the door and knocked on it, a few minutes past before he knocked again.
"Who is it?" came Kane's voice from behind the door.
"Hatori." Was his blunt reply.
He listened to the small click of the lock being undone and watched as the doorknob slowly turned opening the door.
Kane looked at the man who stood before her, she felt her cheeks burn as she raised her head to look at his golden eyes. He wore a long white button up shirt, light blue tie, grey vest and, and dark brown slacks. Sharp dresser.
"Are you ready?" Hatori asked coolly eyeing her.
She looked down at her fresh crème colored Chinese sleeveless shirt, the delicate flower pattern flattering the merlot colored skirt she wore.
"Hai, ready and waiting." She said with a smile as he stepped aside and let her lock the door behind her.
They walked over to the car where he held open the passenger door, she looked up with a curious expression before smiling and getting in. He shut it after her and got into his seat, starting up the car and leaving for the main house. Summer sure is murder, he thought as his hand adjusted his tie. But was it really the heat?
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Well here is my fourth chapter! I really hope you all liked it! I wanted to write more but I figured that was the best spot to end it before I hit Chapter 5. I really don't know what else to say but I'm really trying to make this as dramatic as possible with a lot of elements of pain and love, friendship and family while holding true to the character personalities. Did that make any sense? *shrugs* Erm..just enjoy!! Make sure to send me your reviews!
