Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Fruits Basket or the idea for what Akito decides. The rest is mine!
I will like to thank Miss Yuki the Rat for helping me write this. Otherwise, this chapter wouldn't be here. Instead I would be complaining about the cold weather and all my medicine from "the bad place". Don't wanna get in trouble; my parents are super strict about cuss words… but I can use them in stories! Hope you enjoy this chapter. If you think it's too short, then sorry!
Chapter 13: Akito's Decision and Arguing with Haru
As he entered the room, Akito noticed the surprised stares that he was now receiving. But, he ignored them. "Hello again, Miss Jade," he said as he saw her.
"Hello, Akito," replied the young woman.
Akito then looked up at Momiji. "You are quite lucky to have someone like her in your life, aren't you?"
"Don't you dare harm her in any way, Akito," the blond man told him. Apparently Momiji still refused to forget that it was because of Akito that Jade had to leave in the first place. (AN: I think I may like the brave Momiji better, but that's just me. ^_^)
"What makes you think that I will?" the Sohma head asked casually.
Momiji answered him with a glare. He was in no mood for Akito's little mind games.
"So, you still don't trust me, do you?"
"How could I trust you after what you've done to Yuki and Kyo? And Hatori's eye, and Kisa, and Tohru?"
Jade couldn't stand it anymore. "Momiji, please stop it," she pleaded. "If he were to change his ways, would you still not forgive him?"
"Jade, I…"
"It would be more peaceful around here if you were to forgive him, but it would be foolish to forget past mistakes. I know that he has done terrible things in the past, but… please forgive him."
"Actually," said Akito, "I've been wanting to speak with you, Jade Sohma. In private, if you don't mind."
"Alright," said Jade. Then the two of them left the room.
Momiji stood up. "If he hurts her…" he growled, clenching his fists.
"He won't be able to," explained Hatori. "He hasn't much time left. I think this has something to do with earlier today, though."
"Ha'ri," questioned Shigure, "what exactly did happen in there today?"
"I wasn't allowed to listen in, so I'm not sure. However, Kairi and Dawn ran out of there right away."
"Really? Why didn't Jade?"
"Because she is a strong person."
******
Jade didn't know what to think as she and Akito walked away from the others into the kitchen. "What did you want, Akito?"
"I have been thinking about what you said before. I was surprised. I guess I didn't know how to answer your question before."
"Oh that."
"I have accepted my fate, Jade. You must understand that there is nothing I can do about it. My death has already been predetermined."
"I… I'm sorry to hear that."
There was a long moment of silence before either one of them spoke up again. "How much longer, Akito?"
"I try not to think about it."
"I feel sorry for you sometimes, Akito," Jade said all of a sudden. "Your life is still young, and yet you must die because you are the head of the Sohma family. If I were you… I would be terrified to die, even though I knew it was going to happen."
"You… would be terrified?" Akito asked in surprise. Was it possible?
"Yes, I would, Akito. I know it sounds somewhat… unbelievable… but that's what the human race is, isn't it? We are unbelievable and unpredictable. Now, what did you want to talk about?"
How was he going to say this? "Well, you see, Jade, I have made my decision on a few things. One: You may name your child after me if you truly wish to. Two: You may marry Momiji only after my death. Three: I would like you to live in the main house with me for the remainder of my cursed life."
"W-what?"
"Must I repeat myself?"
"N-no, sir. I understand." She wondered, though; how was she going to tell Momiji?
"Thank you," Akito said as he exited the room.
Jade followed him, and smiled at Momiji as soon as she saw him. However, he knew that she was upset about something. "What happened?" he asked her.
"Nothing too bad. We just had a much-needed talk, that's all."
"You're sure?"
"Yes, Momiji; don't worry."
Hatori looked up at Akito. "Are we ready to go?"
"Yes," answered Akito. "See you Monday, Jade." And with that, he walked out of the house.
"What did he mean by 'see you Monday'?" asked Momiji.
"Don't worry. I'll be fine."
"In that case I better be going. Haru tends to lock himself out of the house sometimes. See you guys later."
******
The lights in the house were on as Momiji arrived. Looks like Haru got in just fine. "I'm home," the blond called as he entered.
"Yo," said Haru, sitting on the couch, reading some manga. "What took you so long?"
"You don't seem too worried about me. What's on your mind? Yuki maybe? You know it's never gonna happen between you two."
"Actually, I was thinking of something else."
"What is it? I'm listening."
"Momiji, do you love her? Jade?"
"Of course I do. Why would you even ask such a question?"
"Do you truly love her? Enough to start a family?"
"Haru… why are you asking me this?"
The white-and-black haired man sighed as he set down what he was reading before. "I just don't want you to get hurt by her again. I'm worried about you. You're not the same Momiji I used to know all those years ago. You used to be so hyper and cheerful; you never let anything depress you for too long. Then she had to change all that."
Momiji didn't know what was going on in his cousin's head, but he knew that Haru probably didn't like Jade too much. "Haru, please listen to me. It's not her fault that I've changed. People grow up."
"And another thing; are you sure that she's still so loyal to you?! She came from America after eight years; eight years of being away from you! I'll bet she has more than one boyfriend over there!"
"When you're Black Haru, you don't make much sense."
"I am making sense; a lot more sense than you are right now with your fantasies! You really think that after eight years, you're still going to be her one and only love?!"
"Haru?! What's wrong with you?"
"I… I don't know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to go black on you like that." He sighed as he realized how nervous Momiji now was. Why'd he have to go black? "Look, Miji, I'm sorry. I really don't know what happened."
"Right… you had no reason for going black. Haru, I think that you seriously need some help very soon. Your black side can really hurt someone, you know?"
"Yeah…"
The two men just stood there for a minute, neither of them knowing quite what to say. That's when Momiji sneezed, breaking the silence.
"You should go to bed," said Haru, placing his hand on Momiji's forehead. "Oh hell, you're burning up! I'll call Ha'ri in the morning. Tomorrow is Sunday, but I think he'll still be able to come by and check on you."
"Right. I'm going to bed. Night, Haru."
"G'night."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, that seemed like a good place to stop, so… Bya Bye! Until next time!
The others will hopefully be back in the story again soon… I hope… well…^-_-^U
