*Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket, I only wish I did. The characters I own are Hiroshi who is now dead and Kane who is the tiger in this story. If you don't like don't read any further. *
**I would also like to thank everyone that has read so far, your reviews are what inspire me to go on and I am thankful for you all! Keep on sending your reviews and I'll keep reading them and crying for joy!! Now, I humbly leave you to continue on with the story!! *glomps Yuki* **
Chapter 5: Nani?!
Hatori pulled up to a small brick building and got out of the car.
"Wait here; I'll only be a few minutes." He said his brown eyes searching her green ones for a response.
When he didn't receive one he turned away from her and strode toward the building. He inserted his key into the lock and disappeared from Kane's view.
'But I really want to know what the office looks like; after all I'll be working there won't I?'
She sat there for about 2 minutes idly playing with the hem of her skirt before hastily unbuckling her seat belt and following after the handsome doctor.
'Some discipline I have.' She thought as her hand touched the cool doorknob. She pushed past the door silently and quietly crept down the white corridor. She walked into a small waiting room and paused half way while crossing the room to look at everything. It had seemed empty except for the large leather black couches and glass coffee table. She walked over and straightened the referrals sign on it and looked up the blank television screen. She traced her reflection on the screen before leaving through the opened door by the nurses' window. 'So that is how I look, how long has it been since I actually looked at myself in the mirror?' She walked through the door, passed the nurse/receptionist station and looked into the empty patient rooms before coming up to his office. The door was slightly open so she pushed it gently and stepped into the room. In front of her of her two leather chairs sat in front of a large cherry wood desk, she looked to the left and spied a large leather sofa with one worn pillow on it.
'Probably where our good doctor naps.' she mused 'No pictures or plants…not quite what I imagined his office to be.
She sighed as her eyes caught Hatori's form on her right, his face was covered by a stainless steel cabinet door and a bag lay open on a metal counter top. He tucked a few bottles of pills along with a stethoscope into the bag before closing it.
"Your office is rather Spartan." Kane said smiling from the doorway.
Hatori looked up at first shocked and then almost annoyed before his face returned to its usually stoic not quite a frown but not quite a smile look. He grabbed the bag and closed the distance between them.
"I thought I asked you to stay in the car." He said becoming intimately close as his arm reached around her.
Her cheeks flushed as their noses barely touched, his chest brushed against hers before he pulled slowly away with two white coats, one smaller than the other. He handed the smaller one to her as he slipped his on. She took it and looked down at it feeling very stupid.
'Of course he was reaching for the coat, baka-tora. He barely knows me to try anything and plus why would he if he did know me? Why would I want him to?'
She sighed as she too slipped on her coat and followed the doctor out of the room taking time to look at her reflection once more before leaving the room. Hatori watched her for a moment his mind wandering to a few minutes ago, 'How had she come in without me noticing her? Was I that deep in the room?' He walked off and she followed suit and soon they were outside, he found himself once more holding the passenger car door open for her.
"Time to go see Akito." She said feeling half-happy and half-scared; her hand touched her stomach where a few butterflies fluttered. "I'll do my best not to anger him this time."
Hatori looked over at her unsure if she was talking to him or herself.
"Don't worry it will be fine, just pay attention to what I tell you and all will go well." Hatori said in a comforting tone, he sounded very much like a doctor treating a patient.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Shigure stopped in front of a pastry shop and gazed intently at the display which featured lemon meringue pie, several small chocolate tarts and a few crème pastries adorned by tiny vanilla covered strawberries.
"Ah, strawberries, oh how they remind me of Tohru-kun, Aya will just love these!" Shigure said impishly as he spied a woman at the counter.
He stepped inside the quaint little shop, waltzed past the other pastry cases heading directly for the woman with long black curls whose face was hidden by a book. He couldn't help but smile as he realized the man on the cover case was none other than himself.
'Oh, the luck of it all.'
He leaned over on the glass counter and placed a finger on the book easily pushing it downward revealing black rimmed glasses and lips set into an angry frown.
"Hey excuse me!!! The nerve you have, I mean really I was reading!!" the woman snarled before looking at the man before her and darting to the book's cover slip.
"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to disturb you." Shigure lied, a wolfish grin crossing his lips as he watched the woman blush.
"N-no, pardon me for being rude Souma-kun and not attending to you properly!" the woman said nervously.
'Oh my GOD!!! Tsubame is sooo going to freak when she see him! She's not going to believe this!' the woman thought happily.
"I am humbled to see such a beautiful woman reading something that I have labored so hard to write." Shigure said pointing to the book.
"Sou-"
"Call me Shigure."
"Eh? No I couldn't possibly!!! I'm a big fa-"
"Sure you could."
The woman's face was almost beet red and her hands trembled slightly as she set the book down and smiled uneasily.
"I was wondering if you had any of those nice strawberry pastries in the window, about six of them." He asked eyeing her cleavage before looking into her large brown eyes.
"Hai, f-freshly baked with t-tender l-love and care, as our m-motto says." She stammered before rushing clumsily across the store.
Shigure picked up his book titled Season of Sorrow and smiled as he recalled the failed romance he had based it on. He placed the book on the counter as he heard the voices of two women.
"You are so fu-Oh!!" the tan woman with short black bobbed hair said before placing a hand on her small chest.
The woman with the long black curly hair came into view placing the box on the counter with a triumphant smile. Shigure noted that they were twins one slightly more gifted than the other; he introduced himself to the more athletic woman and reached for his wallet.
The woman reached over and tugged at his arm pulling it away from the pocket.
"Now, now what kind of sister would I be if I let my sister's favorite author pay for his order, it is on the shop, gorgeous." She eyed him and winked before releasing his arm. She pulled the box closer opened it and slipped in some other pastries before tied it up with red string, she took special care into making intricate little bows at each knot.
"Um…I really should pay for the pastries." His eyes never moved from her hands.
"Honey face it your money is no good here." She leaned forward as he did and gave him the box as she whispered in his ear. "Come here anytime and I'll help you with anything you need and I mean anything."
"I just might." Shigure said his lips brushing against hers.
Their little exchange of words was nothing short of a few seconds, the woman with the long hair still held onto her smile not knowing what her sister had just said. Shigure left as they waved the handsome inu off. He stepped onto the sidewalk and welcomed the fresh summer breeze that ruffled his hair and continued on toward the Ayame. After about several blocks he reached the grad store and stepped inside where he was instantly welcomed by Miine, Ayame's equally eccentric assistant.
"Shigure, so glad to see you, I'll go tell Aya-kun that you are here. " She said lightly skipping away before pausing and turning around. "Hmm, tell me if this looks alright, I have been working on it all day and Aya-kun hasn't seen it yet."
Miine undid her pigtails and loosened the braids leaving hair that stopped a little past her shoulder blades. She cast pulled off the cloak with great flourish and cast it unceremoniously to the side revealing a crimson dress. Shigure let out a soft gasp stunned by its beauty, it was an empire styled dress made of satin. Black silky ribbons crisscrossed her breasts, the short sleeves were sewn with intricate smoky black tendrils of thread, and the same black ribbon adorned them. He lowered his eyes and saw that it stopped a little below the knee the trim too was done in black ribbon.
"You look like a man's dream come true, alas; some lucky guy is going to fulfill his manly romance while I Shigure will be all alone with no one to share mine." Shigure said sincerely at first before taking a dramatic tone.
"Oh, it's not for the shop Aya had me make it for someone special." Miine smiled but her eyes seemed to cloud with sadness as she turned.
'I hope it's not another girl…'
She motioned Shigure to follow her as she passed the long aisles of maid, nurse and doctor costumes. He spied a pair of fairy wings and his thoughts turned to Tohru. He smiled ruefully at the memory of their first meeting, she truly is the light to our lives and although she has gotten over Kyou's second transformation I still feel very bad. Maybe I could get that outfit for her-his thoughts were soon interrupted as he caught sight of a very studious Aya. He looked at the man before him, his hair was pulled back into a thick braid and he was wrapped in very extravagant violet robe. It hugged the handsome man and did not seem to hinder him as he reached for his tea as he continued to read from a stack of order forms.
"It has been a while, Aya." Shigure said huskily stepping into the room, the light around him transformed to a glimmering blue.
Ayame looked up shocked his eyes registering the form of Shigure, eyeing his finely pressed navy blue suit as he tossed the stack of papers to the side and releasing the forgotten teacup.
"Yes, love…it has been quite a while since you've come to me this way." Aya said a bright pulsating glimmering light behind him. "How long has it been since I had you moaning my name in the dark of night?"
Miine blushed deeply forgotten in the corner of the room.
"Ages, it has been ages since I have slept peacefully without you in my arms." Shigure said his voice seemingly brimming with desire.
"Gure!"
"Aya!"
"Gure!"
The two gorgeous men ran to each other, time seemed to slow as they ran. Miine looked at them both she had practically died watching the scene. Aya stopped mid run as he caught Miine in the corner of his eyes, Shigure noted this and chibified a large pout plastered on his face as he watched his old friend circle Miine affectionately. Aya passed a delicate hand across Miine's back noting the softness of the fabric. He tugged at the hem satisfied that it was built masterfully; he fell to one knee, the purple robe pooling delicately around him as he pressed his lips to Miine's hand.
"The dress you have created is beyond speech; truly I am unworthy of such a beautiful assistant. His he hung his dramatically away before raising himself off of the floor.
Miine giggled happily and pulled away from Aya, "So you love it then."
"I do, it is perfect."
"Sorry to interrupt, but I have brought you both something." Shigure said presenting the box with great flourish, whiskers were found on his grinning face as he handed Aya the box of pastries.
Miine walked to a nearby cupboard and brought out some plates and three more teacups. She poured the remaining tea into each porcelain cup and hand set up each little plate. Aya pulled at the string noting the intricacy of each knot and eyed Shigure suspiciously.
"Gure, I think whoever did this is trying to steal you away from me." Aya spoke his voice hitting dangerously sweet tones.
"Goshinpainaku (don't worry), I'm not interested in her at all." Shigure said smoothly as he undid the last knot.
"Naruhodo (I see)."
The box was opened and Miine let out a small gasp when she saw the kawaii strawberry cakes.
"How inspiring!" She rose and was halfway out of the room when both Ayame and Shigure caught up to her and dragged her back to her seat.
Ayame sat gracefully on the plush crème sofa, "Now we must partake of this sweet pastry so that we may think of the light that shines so brightly in our hearts like a beautiful beacon, Tohru-kun."
Miine began serving the pastries, Shigure lifted his to her lips and smiled seductively she looked up at Ayame who looked away with a very low intelligible growl. Miine pushed the pastry away not wanting to anger Aya but deep down she was happy that he had gotten a little jealous; she picked up her own and nibbled at it.
"Oh, the texture its re-"
"Oh, how it calls Tohru-kun's very essence into the room. The innocence, the sweet subtlety of her nature how it seemingly seems to scream the need for MANLY ROMANCE!!!! "Ayame cried big pulls of tears cascaded down his pale cheeks as he took another bite.
"Then it is settled we shall name this umai pastry-Tohru-kun!!
"This all really inspiring!!" Miine said enthusiastically as she rushed out of the room.
"Such a hard worker, it tears my heart." Shigure said as he watched her go.
Ayame rearranged the remaining pastries neatly in the box as if counting them.
"Hmm, perhaps you should save the rest for my darling brother Yuki, Kyounichi, and the sweet maiden who inspires all my creations Tohru-kun…oh, but we have left none of Tohru for your new guest, only these chocolate pastries."
Shigure shifted in his seat and watched as Ayame collected the plates, a long silence fell between them before Shigure willed himself to speak aloud the thought he had.
"So you know why I have come them."
"Yes, I've known you would come since the day she got off of the plane."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
"Kureno, please ready my bath I don't want to be filthy when my new nurse arrives." Akito called his voice as soft as velvet.
The man bowed and left silently a sad look etched onto his handsome face as he slid the screen door behind him. He walked down the narrow corridor were his thoughts once more returned the beautiful blonde angel he had met several weeks ago.
"Arisa Uotoni." He whispered to himself as the scent of lilacs wafted in from the nearby window.
He continued walking until he reached a large room with thick wooden double doors; he pulled them open and walked inside the room where he began turning a couple of knobs. The room began to fill with steam and it grew hot, he found himself wondering what Akito would think of her, he imagined introducing her to him and almost cried out because he knew exactly what Akito would do if he ever saw her. He was Akito's and that would never change, not in a million years-yet he always found himself waiting for her at every bend in the house, a thing that always pained him because he knew he would never see her again. He slowly walked out of the room his eyes on the floor as he stepped out.
"What has been taking you so long, I have been waiting for more than 15 minutes." Akito's dangerously soft voice said as it nearly cracked from the anger.
"Sumimasen, Akito-san." Kureno said with a bow.
Akito smiled before backhanding the young man.
"That is for your dawdling, I don't expect another slip-up." Akito said his face twisting in anger before it suddenly relaxed.
'There, there he has learned his lesson…no need on getting all bent after-all he is my most obedient. I'll make it up to him." Akito thought with a grin.
He shed his red and white yuketa and stepped into the steamy bath that had been prepared for him; he reveled as the water jets soothed the aches in his muscles. He slowly sunk back into the water so that only his shoulders and head remained above water; Kureno knelt at the huge tubs side near Akito and began massaging the shampoo into his ebony locks.
"Hmm, that feels great Kureno. You are so good to me not like those other ingrates who are waiting for me to die." Akito said his voice rising slightly.
Kureno continued massaging Akito's head before rinsing his head with the wooden bucket at his side; he took special care not to get any shampoo in the man's eyes remembering previous mistakes as he did so. He then lathered Akito's back, arms and chest rinsing them all in turn before Akito turned and grabbed his arm and pulled him close.
"I'll be doing the rest for today, go get me a fresh set of robes and undergarments." He ordered after placing his lips firmly atop of Kureno's.
Kureno tensed for a second before kissing Akito back, Akito pulled away shortly from Kureno and gently caressed the man's face.
"Forgive me?" Akito asked sweetly.
Kureno blushed and nodded and was soon rewarded with another kiss, this one longer and involving Akito's hands as they masterfully moved down Kureno's back almost pulling him into the grand tub. Akito eventually let go and sank back into the water licking his lips as he looked up at Kureno, he looked as he wanted to go further but decided that their little kissing session was enough as Kureno turned and walked away.
"Before you go, tell me does that girl you saw yesterday look familiar."
Kureno's heart froze when he heard girl but its beating resumed when he realized Akito meant Kane.
"Hai, I thought she might have looked like Yuki but not very noticeably." Kureno answered wondering what had brought that up.
"I thought she did; now you may get my things."
Kureno walked quickly out the door and was about to close it when he saw Akito smiling curiously to himself.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Yuki sneezed half-way during his address to the class and was soon hailed by a chorus by 'bless you, Yuki-kun!!' He smiled and continued on with his speech.
'Ooh, I hope Souma-kun isn't coming down with anything.' Tohru thought as images of a very sick Yuki flashed before her. She turned her head and saw Kyou staring out the window unsure of whether he was bored or deep in thought or both.
"Anything wrong Kyou-kun?" She whispered.
"Eh, nothing-I was just thinking about something stupid. You wouldn't want to know." Kyou said in his usual rough tone but is soon died down after a couple students near by stared at him.
"A-anou, if you want you can tell me, nothing you say is ever stupid it's always interesting to me." Tohru pushed her hands nervously clasped together as she awaited Kyou's response.
Kyou studied her for a moment and couldn't help but smile before he turned his face away from her as he felt it grow hot under her gentle gaze.
'There she goes saying something dumb.' He thought before saying, "It's about Kane, something is a bit funny with her." He paused to look at Yuki and around him to make sure no one was listening in but as usual when the rat-prince spoke everyone had his ear. Kyou was actually relieved with this as he turned his attention back to Tohru. "I was just thinking that she looked pretty close to a certain baka-nezumi and bachiatari-hebi? "He said in a very low voice.
Tohru looked down at her lap, she didn't know what to say, and she then looked up at Yuki and at his amethyst eyes. Her mind went back to Kane's eyes and the contact case that she had found.
"Maybe they are close cousins, ne?" Tohru said helplessly.
"That was what I was thinking but given my current standing in the family from what I remember from when I was young, their parents are not too closely related. Her mother was an outsider and the father was distantly related, I don't even think he was cursed." Kyou continued.
"I don't know, if they were closely related wouldn't have Yuki said something?" Tohru asked her head was beginning to hurt.
"We-"
"Sorry carrot-top, hey, Tohru-chan are you going to be free to hang out with me and Hana-chan after school at her house?" Uotani asked.
"Damn yankee, I was talking to her first!" Kyou said angrily as he stood up.
"What are you going to do about it carrot-top?" Uotani said haughtily her hands firmly pressed on her waist as she eyed the bristling boy before her.
"Don't call me that!"
"What, carrot-top?" Uotani said sweetly.
Tohru eyes had widened fearfully it was clear she didn't want her friends fighting. She stood between them and turned to Uotani,
"Anou, I'm sorry I can't hang out with you today, I have to work late tonight and do my homework as soon as get home. I'm so sorry Uo-chan." Tohru said hurriedly keeping an eye on Kyou.
"Again, Tohru you are really driving yourself! You must work in a sweat shop with the hours you work. Well, I'll go tell Hana-chan that you are busy tonight."
Uotani left and Tohru sat down with a sigh, her head really hurt now but she looked forward to tonight's work Momiji would be there to help her. Yuki by now had finished his speech and answering questions and walked wearily to his desk. He stopped next to Tohru and asked if she was okay. He had seen the whole little event from the podium and noticed that she and Kyou were talking. He felt a twinge of pain as he remembered how close they were becoming. He smiled when he heard her answer, ignored Kyou and sat in his seat. He put a hand to his head and wished he had had the courage to ask Tohru out before she saw Kyou's transformation. Those two were growing closer and closer it seemed and he was left out on the sidelines. 'Honda-san would you like to go out with me?' Those words were always in his head repeated in a thousand different ways. 'Does she really like Kyou? Yes, baka she made that clear in the clearing that day when he transformed. You held him down and she said she wanted to be with him-him. Why him?! Tohru, I would do anything for you-wait but they haven't gone out so they are not really together.' Yuki's head hit his desk and he remained there ignoring the burning stares and questions that erupted around him. 'I'm all messed up inside, there is so much I want to actually do but I can't. Tohru, I love you but you can't see it.' He sighed this wasn't the place to lose his mind, he had a secret base for that. He pulled himself up and was thankful when he heard the bell to go home, he packed his bag and brushed past Kyou and Tohru. As he passed Tohru he noticed something in her eyes, worry. 'Ne, don't worry about me I'm fine-as fine as I'll ever be I promise one day I'll ask.' He thought as he continued walking out the door and out of school completely.
"L-O-V-E WE LOVE YUKI! YUKI! YUKI. LALALALALALALA-LOOOOOOVE YUKI!" The Yuki club cheered as he passed them up with his famous smile.
He walked alone on those familiar streets alone. He had walked with her a little after the whole Kyou incident but lately he found himself avoiding her, he wondered if he offended Tohru by doing this or if she even cared that he did. He looked down at his hand, 'At least this morning she held my hand.' He turned a corner and continued walking down the side walk, he wished Tohru was next to him, hell even if it meant that stupid cat would tag along he wouldn't care as long as he was with Tohru but he had separated from their walks for almost a week now and she hadn't approached him yet. The streets were empty and he soon heard, "Yu-ki!" He continued walking. 'Great, I'm hearing her now!' His pace never slowed and soon he heard her again, closer and the sounds of shoes on the side walk. He turned and sure enough she was there dragging Kyou along. He sighed, he did wish it even though it meant the cat, she ran faster in an effort to catch-up to him, she soon let go of Kyou and tried to slow down her running speed. She was panting as she slowed she tripped over a small stone and into Yuki's arms, there was a small poof and a purple-gray cloud flew up. Kyou checked the area to be sure that no one had seen inwardly cursing the girl for her clumsiness.
"Y-Yuki, I'm so so sorry!! Oh, my I didn't mean for this to happen I just wanted to talk to you and see if you were doing alright since you were walking home by yourself and you sneezed and hit your head in class and then fel-"
"It's alright Honda-san, are you alright?" Yuki said gently scampering away so that he may get a good look at her.
"H-hai! I'm alright." Tohru said.
"I think we should get the hell out of here there are some people walking down the street they'll be here any second." Kyou said irritated.
Tohru scooped up Yuki and his clothes and held him to her chest as they ran; the last thing she wanted was someone to see Yuki like this. Yuki was blushing furiously, if any one had looked at the small rat that had been tucked so close to Tohru they would have thought his head painted a bright pink. He tried pulling away from her but she held him closer thinking he was falling. They ran until they were in front of Shigure's house.
"Honda-san I think you should put me down now." Yuki said gently.
Tohru gingerly placed him on the ground and quickly turned before she could see his transformation back.
"Excuse me, Honda-san but I need my clothes." Yuki said from behind her.
Tohru closed her eyes and covered them with one hand as she turned apologizing as she handed him his clothes. She followed after Kyou who had already gone inside their house, she quickly ran upstairs and changed into her work clothes and ran down to the kitchen for a glass of water. In the kitchen she ran into Yuki who sat down drinking a glass of juice.
"Honda-san you said you wanted to talk to me about something." Yuki asked quietly.
"Anou, I'm going to have to tell you after work. I'm really late now, gomen Yuki." She ran off then and out the door.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Kane was happy that she had been able to follow Hatori's directions to the last t despite Akito's glares. She had stuck him with a needle and he had slapped her but she continued to draw his blood without as much as a sound. Hatori recorded his temperature and blood temperature and that was how the check-up went. They had put him through so much testing today that she felt genuinely bad for him as he lay there napping. She watched the sun set and looked down at the family head. She remembered him from her childhood; he had been kind to her and once played with her when she stumbled into his room. Odd, how everyone had changed, 'I wonder if Aya has changed or is he still noisy. Ha-san over there is the walking dead far different from when he was a kid, Shigure is still Shigure just more free. Kane sighed and was about to pull the covers over Akito when Hatori called her over.
"You did really well today, I'll pick you up in a few days for his next check-up soon you'll get the hang of the routine."
Akito opened his eyes and listened to Hatori until the doctor left for a moment; from his bed he was able to see part of a white envelope and the name Hiroshi, instantly he knew he wanted the letter. It was something he wanted to read to this oblivious girl in front of him. He licked his lips as he waited for her to draw near so he may pull it out. Akito sat up and Kane turned and smiled at him.
"Do you need anything Akito-san?" Kane said quickly as she walked up to him.
"Yes, a glass of water." Akito said with a smile.
As she turned Akito slipped his deft fingers into her skirt and began slipping the letter from her pocket. Kane felt a slight tingle on her skirt and brushed at it trying to ignore it, she walked to the pitcher and began pouring when she heard Akito speak.
"My dearest Kane, I hope you are enjoying your time in Japan with the rest of your family."
The pitcher slipped from her grasp as she heard him continue on. She recovered quickly and tried to catch the falling pitcher but only managed to pop it back up into the air. She stood and desperately juggled it between her hands; water sloshed everywhere and onto her as Akito laughed hysterically at her. It was the funniest thing he had ever seen in the boring house. Kane finally regained the pitcher and clutched it close to her damp chest, her hair had fallen from its bun and clung damply t other cheeks and back. She had never been so embarrassed in her life.
"What has happened here?" A cool voice called from behind her, it sounded none to happy.
Kane who had forgotten about Hatori lost grip of the pitcher once more sending it flying into the air. She jumped to get it but it slipped between her fingers she quickly dove to the floor for it and it landed in her right hand. She had let out a long sigh of relief when a long crack began traveling from the bottom of the pitcher and finally to the top, splitting it half. Hatori had watched the little spectacle with out even a smirk; Akito calmed down and continued to read the letter aloud a smug grin on his face. The pitcher had fallen apart and glass rushed down around her hand but she stared even as Hatori pulled her up. He looked her over and saw that she was listening to the words of the letter with her whole being at that moment he had just ceased to exist.
"Despite having said this I am saddened to tell you that I'm not your father." Akito read stressing the word father before he continued.
Kane's body tensed when she heard Akito say Hiroshi was not her father, Hatori's hold on her tightened as Akito kept reading.
"I'm so sorry to tell you this like this instead of face to face, ha!" Akito said grinning. "He doesn't mean that, any way on ward with the letter after all we must see who your real father is since you are too stupid to figure it out. Ahem. I am writing to tell you who your real family is and to tell you about your siblings. I want to tell you everything the reasons why we stopped coming to the Souma house how because of your mother's treachery you we were cast from the New Year's Celebration and why another tiger had to be born to replace you. I'm sorry for everything both your mother and I have done to you. I'm so sorry and I don't even understand why you forgave me in the hospital, you know what I miss most is seeing your sweet smile, ah I'm rambling now. I…your father is…let us pause for a dramatic drum roll now." Akito said looking at Kane's haunted form.
Kane fell against Hatori's warm body as her knees buckled. She rest her head on his shoulder trying to absorb everything she had just heard.
It's not true…it's the medicine, my father is dead.
Hatori looked down at the girl and wrapped an arm around her to steady her as he adjusted himself to support her; he looked over at Akito who was counting his fingers looking at them with renewed interest before bringing the letter up and smiled at him.
"Now that the moment has been set let us continue. Your father is Kinpaku, father of Ayame and Yuki who are your half-brothers. Please know that I did love you even when I was gone I carried your memory in my heart, your laughter, your tears, and your smile. The memories of us together training has kept me going for so long that I saved up enough money for you from all the jobs I've done. I know it's not much but please use it however you wish, I've had your money put into Tokyo National bank along with a gift for you. I hope you can move on and lead a happy life knowing the truth now. I know it is hard to ask and I have no right to ask it of you but can you please forgive your mother for all the things she has done. If you can't I'll understand I still can't forgive her for some of the things but I can't hold them deep inside. I love you Kane and I always will…goodbye for now until we meet again in the after-life. Love always, Hiroshi; that wasn't so bad a bit on the rambling side but then again he was probably in my condition unnecessarily medicated. I am really sorry for your loss Kane, but perhaps now that you know you have family you will be moving on?" Akito said gently as he rose from the bed and caressed her damp cheek.
Kane pulled away from him with a cry pushing Hatori away as she headed for the doorway.
"You are a liar! I know the medicine must have you out there but it is unacceptable for you to do this to me!" Kane cried as she glared at Akito.
Akito calmly smiled and retrieved the letter from his bed and handed it to her. Kane snatched it from his hand and scanned it quickly before falling to the floor.
"No, no…" Kane
"Now don't take this the wrong way but you have to be punished for calling me a liar."
Kane couldn't hear him and she barely felt the kick to her abdomen, nor did she hear Hatori's cry of shock as Akito continued to beat her. She pulled herself to her knees realizing for the first time that she had a brother two to be exact. Akito turned and punched Hatori hard in the chest and pushed him to the floor before turning to Kane. Images of the young man with grey hair and violet eyes came to her, brother she breathed as she tasted blood on her lips. Akito had backhanded her and she hit her head on the door frame of the room, she saw young Ayame standing next to Akito before her eyes clouded with tears. He had kicked her again this time harder and she doubled over from the pain that lanced through her body. Hatori regained his breath and scrambled to his feet to pry Akito off of Kane. Kane tried untangling Akito's hand from her hair to no avail. Finally, she pulled herself to her knees as Akito viciously elbowed Hatori off. Taking the moment as her chance Kane tore her self from his remaining grip ignoring the pain as she felt some of her hair fall away. She bowed before Akito, his breath became ragged and he felt extremely good pulling and hitting her. He had always felt this rush of adrenaline whenever he hit Yuki and realized how much he missed the nezumi that used to cower before him, then she spoke.
"Gomen, Akito-san. I am sorry to have offended you but if you place yourself in my position would you have not done the same? Would you have not questioned one who you barely knew word? Please forgive me and rest, the day has put you through enough trials and I think your strength is now spent." Kane said slowly standing.
She wiped the blood off her lip with the cuff of her shirt and stepped tentatively toward Akito. Akito looked at her a mixture of disbelief and hate as he felt his legs go out from under him; Kane rushed forward and caught him painfully against her chest. She fell backward her body protesting against the weight atop of her and the pain that had now coursed steadily throughout her body. She opened her eyes and felt Akito's feeble attempts to raise himself off of her he had only managed to move himself so that his head rest on her chest. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came. Hatori moved in and lifted Akito off of Kane his eyes meeting hers for a second before he turned making a mental note to check her. She stumbled to her feet once again and walked past Hatori pulling back the sheets with a bloody hand as Hatori set Akito down. She apologized to Akito once more before pulling the covers over his chest, she placed his arms at his sides and tucked behind a stray lock of hair behind his ear. Hatori watched her silently until Akito fell asleep, he didn't really understand her actions. He led her away from him and into the adjoining room where he proceeded to check her. What he found was a couple of broken ribs and the signs of concussion, he was thankful that Akito had not done his worse to her. A small shiver crept down his spine as he remembered Akito's sadistic smile. He showed her to a small shower room and began to hunt for clothes or something close to it. All he found was an old spare shirt he had left and a small hospital gown, he walked up to the door and listened to the running water.
"Kane, I placed some clothes on the chair in front of the room, you have a choice between my shirt of the hospital gown." He said after knocking on the door.
He walked away and sat on a chain next to the examining table and rest his head on his hand, he really didn't want to see Akito beat another Souma. Yet, he had helped her; usually he'd help after the damage had been done. He shrugged the thought off and soon he found himself laughing to himself as he remembered Kane's frantic struggle to catch the glass vase. He heard the water stop running and looked at his watch and saw that it was now 10:30 at night. The door clicked softly opened and he heard Kane step out he turned away from that part of the room not wanting to whether she was naked or not.
"Now that you are out, do you mind answering why you tended to Akito?" Hatori said his back to her.
Kane held the hospital slip up to her frame and realized it was way too small for her and set it down to inspect Hatori's shirt. It was definitely big but it was all she had. She slipped it on and caught the doctor's scent and buttoned it wishing that she had another set of underwear instead of the one she had put back on. She caught a glimpse of herself in a nearby window and smiled, she felt like a shrunken girl she walked to Hatori and spoke. Akito stirred in the room and sat up he had been watching them through the narrow opening of the door and was curious to hear her response. Hatori pulled some thick gauze strips and motioned her to lift her shirt so he could wrap her ribs. She turned and did so, he gently moved the gauze around her frame waiting for her answer, she felt his cool hands along her back and stiffened as another wave of pain coursed through her.
"Hatori-san I did it because I wanted him to forgive me. I shouldn't have called him a liar, I mean what reason could he have possibly have had to lie?" Kane said wearily her body still ached and all she wanted to do was sleep.
'I can actually think of a few.' Hatori thought as he finished wrapping her ribs.
Hatori nodded not sure whether she was serious, he led her down the hall where she fell he helped her up and lead her out the front door. He wrapped an arm around her waist as he led her to the car and helped her inside; he got in his seat and started the car. Once inside he turned to her and asked her the same question his brown eyes searching her green ones before she looked away.
"I was always taught that if I met him never to anger him and I did so I pretty much deserved that…I also think he didn't mean to hurt me that much…he was under the medication." Kane said quietly as her eyes brimmed slightly with tears. "I want to see my brother Aya…can I see him now? Please I haven't seen him and now that I know he's really my brother I really want to see him." Kane said turning to Hatori, her eyes pleading.
"First, you should know that no one really deserves that no matter what. Second, you are really not in any condition to see anyone but if you want I can call him at his house and you can talk to him on my cell. Third, Akito just so you know always knows and enjoys what he is doing…he is unpredictable at times so you have to be a bit more careful when you are near him." Hatori said his eyes never leaving the road.
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the small black cell phone and dialed the number to the Ayame and waited for it to answer, after the seventh ring Miine answered the phone.
"Hello, this is the Ayame how may I help you?" Miine said cheerily from her end of the line.
"Miine, is Ayame there?" Hatori asked calmly.
"Eh, no he just left about an hour ago with Gure-kun." Miine said happily. "I hoped I helped now are you interested in any-"
Hatori hung up the phone before Miine could finish the sentence he was a bit tired of them, whenever he called they always try to pawn off some new creation on him in an effort to help him seek manly romance. He looked at Kane who had waited quietly the whole time.
"They are at Shigure's house so I'll take you there." Hatori said in a gentle tone.
Kane smiled and murmured a thank you before relaxing into her seat, a few minutes later Hatori had pulled up to Shigure's house. Kane got out the car and spied Tohru a few feet away she wore her cleaning uniform, Kane waved to her and then headed into the house where she was greeted by a wide-eyed Yuki.
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Hey everyone! I'm really sorry this chapter took so long but I was on vacation please don't kill me!! Lol. I really worked hard on this chapter so I hope you enjoy it! Please send me your comments, I look forward to them!!
