The Clam and the Onigiri

By: Kisu

A/N: I'm finally updating! gets tomatoes thrown at her Sorry for the wait! I'm back on track! ^^

Disclaimer: Fruits Basket does not belong to me! ^_^

Chapter 13: History Unfolds

Tohru walked around the corner of the Main House to Akito's quarters.  Indeed, the clan head was sitting before his sliding doors, staring out into his private garden.  "Akito-san!" Tohru greeted the man cheerfully.  "I brought you something."  She sat her package down and removed the cloth that was covering the two boxes.  She took the top one and placed it in front of Akito.  He watched in mild interest as she opened it.  "I hope you like onigiri, Akito-san."  Akito smiled slightly.

"Your devotion to me is amazing, Tohru."  He murmured as he cupped her cheek and slid his hand through her long brown hair.  "You make me so happy."

"I only wish I could make you happy."  Tohru smiled.  She picked up an onigiri.  "Try this!" Akito nodded as he silently accepted the rice ball. 

"I want to find out more about Okaasan's story about our family."  Tohru told him.

"Do you need any help?" Akito asked, busy eating his second onigiri.  Hm, This one had an Ume in it.

Tohru shook her head wildly.  "Iie.  I don't want to be a bother to Akito-san."  She said, putting up her hands in anxiety.

"I don't mind at all."  Akito replied, leaning closer to her.  His robes slipped from one of his shoulders and he placed a hand on top of Tohru's.  "I plan to make you my consort, one day."  He said.  "You are after all, the first girl I fell in love with.  Perhaps the only one that I ever fell in love with."  Tohru blinked and blushed.  "You were my precious memory."  Akito whispered, breathing softly into her ear.  "The only link to my sanity.  Maybe that's why I started to remember those times.  Even if in my consciousness, I didn't think about you.  In my unconsciousness, I would call out for you and my dreams told me to find you."

"Akito-san."  Tohru panicked as he hovered over her.  She pushed him away and stood up quickly.  "Gomen Akito-san.  I just remembered I promised to visit my Grandfather! Thank you for your time! I'll make it up for you, I promise!" She waved cheerfully before picking up her box and ran out of the garden.  Akito stared at her figure as it disappeared around the corner and glanced at the onigiri in his hand.  Glaring at it, he squashed it in his hand and let the rice ooze out from between his fingers.  He sucked air in through his clenched teeth.  She must never know.  Tohru must never know that he had killed his mother.

The Red Butterfly.

If she found out, she would definitely hate him.  She would look upon him in the way that all the family members had ever looked upon him, with fear in their eyes.  He had learned to love that fear.  But fear in Tohru's eyes.  He never wanted to see fear in Tohru's eyes ever again, especially if he was the cause of it.

"Grandfather!"

Tohru's grandfather looked up with a bright smile as his favorite granddaughter bounded into the room.  She unwrapped the box she had brought with her and opened the lid.  "I brought you something."

"Just like how Kyoko-san used to make them."  He smiled, warmly as he reached for one.  Tohru sat down in front of him and clasped her hands in her lap.  "Are you happy, Tohru?"

"Hai!" Tohru beamed.  "But…" Her smiled faltered slightly. 

"What is it?" Her grandfather asked.  "I know you didn't call me for nothing.  Especially since I took the time to make sure those lousy good for nothings are away."

"Grandfather, did you know anything about Okaasan's family?" Tohru asked, quietly. 

"I didn't know much about Kyoko-san.  She never really bothered us after your father died."  Her grandfather said, slowly.  "Kyoko-san didn't want my help and lost contact with me.  It was a good six years before I saw you too again, but unfortunately Kyoko-san passed away."  He sat back and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.  "Your father loved your mother very much.  He was secretive about the issue too.  Especially after you were born, he took great care to look after you and your mother.  But unfortunately, he also passed away." 

"Oh."  Tohru murmured.

"Why did you suddenly bring this up? Did you meet someone on your mother's side of the family?" Her grandfather questioned.

"Actually I have been living with Okaasan's extended family."  Tohru smiled, brightly.  "I learned that Okaasan was orphaned when she was young and she was adopted into the Souma clan."

"Souma?" Her grandfather's eyes widened.  The Souma clan was one of the most powerful clans in Japan.  Rumors said that it was held together with a curse and darkness resides in that family.

"Hai."  Tohru nodded.  "The two boys you've met before are Souma Kyou and Souma Yuki."

"That name."  Her grandfather whispered.  He clenched his eyes shut.  "Your father was killed by a member of the Souma clan."

"Nani?" Tohru shot up.  "My father?"

"It was a rumor, but it was probably true.  The Soumas are very discreet and very good at hiding their secrets."

Like the Jyunnishi Curse.  She thought. 

Her grandfather shook his head sadly.  "There was no proof so we couldn't convict the Soumas.  If Kyoko-san was part of the Souma Clan, most likely someone who didn't think your father was worthy enough killed him."  He clasped his hands together.  "Your mother's last words to me were very strange, but I can understand them now."

"Thanks for everything, father."  Kyoko bowed.  "But as of today, I am leaving the house and moving out.  Tohru will come with me."

"There is plenty of room for you here, Kyoko-san."  He exclaimed. 

"I don't want anything to happen to you all.  Especially after they took him away from us."  She looked down.  Her hair fell to shadow her eyes.  "Don't worry, we'll be okay.  I'm sorry, father.  His death was all my fault."

"Kyoko-san!" He stared.  She smiled sadly and bowed again.

"Take care of yourself."  With that, she walked down the hall with the clicks of her boots echoing in the silence.  He watched as she opened the door and it closed behind her.  He only stood there, staring at the closed door and was loss for words.

"Father was killed by a clan member?" Tohru whispered.

"I also believe that Kyoko-san was killed by the clan."  Her grandfather said, solemnly.  "Because the Souma clan is one that likes to control their family.  If you didn't abide by the rules, you were taken care of."

"But the Soumas, they are a very nice family!" Tohru protested.  "I'm sure you're mistaken!"

"They are a very dark clan, Tohru."  Her grandfather sighed.  "They don't like strangers and not much are known about them.  Some say that they are cursed."

"Arigatou, Grandfather."  Tohru stood up, abruptly.  "I—I have to go."  Her grandfather stood up.

"Tohru-chan."  He reached out and she crushed him to her in a hug. 

"Thank you, grandfather.  I'll come visit you again."  She whispered.

"Tohru, let me walk you to the door."  He protested.

"It's okay."  She said, raising her finger and wagging it.  "Enjoy the onigiri.  Take care of yourself, Grandfather!" With that, she bounded down the hallway and out the door.

***

When the door closed behind her, Tohru took a deep shaky breath.  The smile was still on her face but her eyes brimmed with tears.  Then, she took off.  Running for all it was worth.

I won't believe it.  The Soumas are wonderful. 

She ran, her vision blurring with unshed tears.  Not noticing all the people she bumped into and having no destination in mind.

Did…Akito-san know?

Her eyes widened as she recounted the day at the park.

"I'm sorry."  Akito had turned to her and crushed her to him as if she was his lifeline.  Kyou had appeared and roughly separated them. 

"So you remember now?" Kyou had asked, mockingly.  One hand had stayed on her wrist, protectively. 

What else had Akito remember?

Her footsteps came to a stop and her breathing was ragged.  If Akito had ordered her mother's death, then that meant…

She would never be able to love him.

She could never be able to love someone who had taken the one person she loved most in the world.

Her mother.

And she would never be able to become part of the family.  After her mother had sacrificed so much to separate her from the Souma's darkness, she had turned right back and undone it all.  Undone all the work and effort that her mother had put in.

She sank to her knees and placed her hands over her face.  The tears came and slid down her cheeks as she sobbed.  Her heart wrenched with guilt. 

Okaasan, what have I done?

"Honda-san."  A hand was placed on her shoulder and someone knelt down next to her.  "Honda-san, are you hurt?"

Yes.  She was.  Her heart was bleeding.

***

Akito stared down at the man, much older than he was.  His eyebrow arched and he watched the man, thinking how delightfully his stare unnerved him.  "Do you understand what you are asking for?" He asked, silkily.

"Hai, Akito-sama."  The man said with his head still touching the floor.

This man belonged in a branch family of the head family.  He remembered this man when he was younger.  He had brown eyes and black hair.  His expression was always cold and subdued but Kyoko had tolerated him.  He looked like he knew everything yet knew nothing.  Akito's eyes narrowed.  He didn't like him at all.

So this was Tohru's father.

Souma Jin, was it?

TBC! More to be revealed next chapter and explanations of course!