Chapter 2
Disclaimer: Fruits Basket and its characters are the property of Natsuki Takaya
Tomorrow was Valentine's Day. Yuki wasn't looking forward to being hounded by chocolate-carrying fan girls. And Kyo dreaded Kagura's arrival.
They didn't expect any chocolates from Tohru however. When the Sohmas realized that she spent her hard-earned money on chocolates for them two years ago, they forbid her from doing such a thing again. Still Tohru was Tohru. This year, she planned on making a special dinner for her roomates and the odd guest or two. She expected Kagura to drop by tomorrow for Valentine's Day.
She went shopping for groceries. At the store, she made a beeline for the candy section. She was trying to decide what to get her friends, Saki Hanajima and Arisa Uotani, when her eye fell on a box of Belgian chocolates shaped like sea creatures. The sea horse reminded her of Hatori. She quickly put the Belgian chocolates in her shopping cart along with two boxes of chocolate-covered cherries for her best friends. Humming, she went in search of the ingredients for tonight and tomorrow's dinners.
The dreaded day arrived. As expected, the Prince Yuki Fan Club followed their idol around campus clutching bags or boxes.Yuki sighed. His shoe locker was already crammed with chocolates. For once, his admirers didn't try to toss out each other's gifts in favor of their own.
Girls smitten with Kyo's charms cornered him at his desk and presented him with chocolates. He ignored them all. He just wanted to get home as soon as possible. When the bell rang, Kyo was the first to run out the door.
When he spotted no Kagura waiting by the school gate, he breathed a sigh of relief. But his face fell when he got home and saw who was in the kitchen.
"Kyo-kun my love!,'' Kagura squealed and gave him a bone-crushing hug.
"Hey! Let go! I can't breathe,'' he gasped out.
"But Kyo-kun, aren't you glad to see me on Valentine's Day?"
"No! Let go I said!,'' he struggled in her embrace.
Kagura's eyes flashed and her voice deepened. "Never!" she intoned.
Shigure entered the kitchen and spotted the struggling couple.
"Kagura, ease up a little on Kyo-kun. He's turning purple already."
As soon as Kagura loosened her embrace, Kyo broke free and ran. She chased him. Shigure was still chuckling when Tohru and Yuki arrived home. They were so used to Kagura's antics that Yuki merely greeted his cousin with a nod before going to his room to change. Tohru put away her school bag and prepared dinner. She had everything ready in an hour and a half. The smells coming from the kitchen drew everyone to the table.
"Oh Tohru-kun. I hope you don't mind but I invited Haa-san to join us for dinner,'' Shigure said as he took his place at the table.
"No of course not. There's plenty of food. I'm glad you invited him."
"Really? Why?,'' the dog slyly asked.
"Umm...well I think Hatori-san is lonely and needs ..."
She was cut off by the phone ringing.
"Moshi moshi. Aya! Mon amour! To what do I owe this pleasure? What about Haa-san? I see."
The sudden change in Shigure's tone caught everyone's attention. Tohru started imagining the worst possible scenarios. She could feel her chest tighten.
"I'll be there soon."
Shigure returned to the table where he was met by curious looks.
"Aya found Haa-san sick in bed. They think it's a bad cold. After dinner, I'm going to the main house to help tend to him."
"Poor Hatori-san! I'll come with you to help,'' Tohru offered. "But shouldn't we leave now?"
"I'll just get a bite to eat first, Tohru-kun."
"Who is going to take care of Akito with Hatori sick?," Yuki asked. He really didn't give a hoot if their "God" keeled over and died within the hour. But curiousity drove him to ask the question.
"I suppose Akito-san will just have to make do with the servants and the rest of the family until Haa-san gets well. If Akito-san gets worse, maybe Haa-san can recommend another doctor? But let's not think about such things. It'll be fine."
Shigure got skeptical looks in return. The dog decided to change the subject.
"My my Tohru-kun. You certainly outdid yourself. Everything looks delicious. Let's eat everyone. The sooner we eat, the sooner I can leave."
They quickly gave thanks for the food and dug in.
Since Kagura insisted on clearing the table and washing the dishes, Tohru made leek porridge instead. She also packed a bag with her toothbrush, some clothes and the Belgian chocolates. She and Shigure then set off and arrived at the doctor's house within an hour. A distraught Ayame met them at the door.
"Gure-san! I thought you'd never come!" the snake said.
Shigure stopped smiling immediately.
"Is Haa-san that sick?," he asked quietly.
"Oh he's sleeping right now. But my poor nerves are shot from all the worrying,'' Ayame said and leaned against the door frame, the very picture of exhaustion.
Shigure rolled his eyes.
"Ayame-san, are you sick too? Would you like some leek porridge? I made it for Hatori-san but there's plenty if you want some,'' Tohru said.
"What a considerate soul you are. Don't mind if I do,'' Ayame gaily said and dragged Tohru off to the kitchen.
Shigure sought out the invalid. The sea horse lay almost hidden among the beddings. He pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down.
It's our turn to take care of you Haa-san, he thought and looked at his sleeping friend. He wondered how the dragon caught a bad cold.
After sleeping in damp clothing, Hatori woke up Wednesday with a slight fever. But he ignored it and went about his routine. On Valentine's Day, he couldn't get out of bed and transformed into his zodiac form. Ayame, who decided on a whim to drop by, found Hatori soon after.
His hysterics alerted everyone in the main house. An annoyed Akito told the snake to shut up and call Shigure. He ordered them to get the dragon back on his feet as soon as possible.
After making sure Ayame got a bowl of the porridge, Tohru looked for Hatori's room. She walked in carrying porridge, cold medicine and tea. She realized there was a problem when she looked at the sea horse.
"Shigure-san, how are we supposed to feed him the leek porridge? His snout's too small."
"How about using an eyedropper or a syringe sans needle?"
"That might work with the medicine and the tea but the porridge could be a problem. I know, I'll make him a clear broth instead. If it's not too much trouble, can you look for an eyedropper or syringe while I make the soup?"
He nodded and went searching for the doctor's bag.
When Hatori woke up, he saw Shigure holding an eyedropper as Tohru entered with a bowl of chicken soup.
"Good. You're awake. Let's get some food into you Haa-san."
Hatori felt gentle hands lift him. Tohru's worried face came into view.
"Hatori-san,'' she whispered and carefully ran a finger along his back several times. A blush appeared on the sea horse's face.
"Oh no! Shigure-san! I think he's burning up with a fever!"
He scrutinized the sea horse in her hands and nearly burst out laughing.
"Tohru-kun. I suggest you stop petting Haa-san and feed him instead."
The teen looked embarassed. She filled the eyedropper and carefully fed the sea horse. She followed that with the cold medicine then the tea. Tohru gently placed Hatori back on the bed and tucked him in.
"Does he need to be in water?"
"Not really. Haa-san isn't a real sea horse you know. When you first saw him transform, did he need water then?"
"I thought he did. But I just moved him to a room and covered him with my jacket. Still, what if he gets dehydrated because of his illness?"
"If it makes you feel better, why don't you give him a sponge bath," Shigure said with a twinkle in his eye.
The sea horse glared at the now snickering dog. Oblivious to the joke, Tohru ran to the bathroom and was soon back with a wet face towel.
"I was just kidding. Haa-san would kill me if you bathed him."
"Oh."
They gave Hatori another dose of the medicine after four hours. Later that night, Ayame claimed the living room couch while Shigure and Tohru slept on the bedroom floor.
Disclaimer: Fruits Basket and its characters are the property of Natsuki Takaya
Tomorrow was Valentine's Day. Yuki wasn't looking forward to being hounded by chocolate-carrying fan girls. And Kyo dreaded Kagura's arrival.
They didn't expect any chocolates from Tohru however. When the Sohmas realized that she spent her hard-earned money on chocolates for them two years ago, they forbid her from doing such a thing again. Still Tohru was Tohru. This year, she planned on making a special dinner for her roomates and the odd guest or two. She expected Kagura to drop by tomorrow for Valentine's Day.
She went shopping for groceries. At the store, she made a beeline for the candy section. She was trying to decide what to get her friends, Saki Hanajima and Arisa Uotani, when her eye fell on a box of Belgian chocolates shaped like sea creatures. The sea horse reminded her of Hatori. She quickly put the Belgian chocolates in her shopping cart along with two boxes of chocolate-covered cherries for her best friends. Humming, she went in search of the ingredients for tonight and tomorrow's dinners.
The dreaded day arrived. As expected, the Prince Yuki Fan Club followed their idol around campus clutching bags or boxes.Yuki sighed. His shoe locker was already crammed with chocolates. For once, his admirers didn't try to toss out each other's gifts in favor of their own.
Girls smitten with Kyo's charms cornered him at his desk and presented him with chocolates. He ignored them all. He just wanted to get home as soon as possible. When the bell rang, Kyo was the first to run out the door.
When he spotted no Kagura waiting by the school gate, he breathed a sigh of relief. But his face fell when he got home and saw who was in the kitchen.
"Kyo-kun my love!,'' Kagura squealed and gave him a bone-crushing hug.
"Hey! Let go! I can't breathe,'' he gasped out.
"But Kyo-kun, aren't you glad to see me on Valentine's Day?"
"No! Let go I said!,'' he struggled in her embrace.
Kagura's eyes flashed and her voice deepened. "Never!" she intoned.
Shigure entered the kitchen and spotted the struggling couple.
"Kagura, ease up a little on Kyo-kun. He's turning purple already."
As soon as Kagura loosened her embrace, Kyo broke free and ran. She chased him. Shigure was still chuckling when Tohru and Yuki arrived home. They were so used to Kagura's antics that Yuki merely greeted his cousin with a nod before going to his room to change. Tohru put away her school bag and prepared dinner. She had everything ready in an hour and a half. The smells coming from the kitchen drew everyone to the table.
"Oh Tohru-kun. I hope you don't mind but I invited Haa-san to join us for dinner,'' Shigure said as he took his place at the table.
"No of course not. There's plenty of food. I'm glad you invited him."
"Really? Why?,'' the dog slyly asked.
"Umm...well I think Hatori-san is lonely and needs ..."
She was cut off by the phone ringing.
"Moshi moshi. Aya! Mon amour! To what do I owe this pleasure? What about Haa-san? I see."
The sudden change in Shigure's tone caught everyone's attention. Tohru started imagining the worst possible scenarios. She could feel her chest tighten.
"I'll be there soon."
Shigure returned to the table where he was met by curious looks.
"Aya found Haa-san sick in bed. They think it's a bad cold. After dinner, I'm going to the main house to help tend to him."
"Poor Hatori-san! I'll come with you to help,'' Tohru offered. "But shouldn't we leave now?"
"I'll just get a bite to eat first, Tohru-kun."
"Who is going to take care of Akito with Hatori sick?," Yuki asked. He really didn't give a hoot if their "God" keeled over and died within the hour. But curiousity drove him to ask the question.
"I suppose Akito-san will just have to make do with the servants and the rest of the family until Haa-san gets well. If Akito-san gets worse, maybe Haa-san can recommend another doctor? But let's not think about such things. It'll be fine."
Shigure got skeptical looks in return. The dog decided to change the subject.
"My my Tohru-kun. You certainly outdid yourself. Everything looks delicious. Let's eat everyone. The sooner we eat, the sooner I can leave."
They quickly gave thanks for the food and dug in.
Since Kagura insisted on clearing the table and washing the dishes, Tohru made leek porridge instead. She also packed a bag with her toothbrush, some clothes and the Belgian chocolates. She and Shigure then set off and arrived at the doctor's house within an hour. A distraught Ayame met them at the door.
"Gure-san! I thought you'd never come!" the snake said.
Shigure stopped smiling immediately.
"Is Haa-san that sick?," he asked quietly.
"Oh he's sleeping right now. But my poor nerves are shot from all the worrying,'' Ayame said and leaned against the door frame, the very picture of exhaustion.
Shigure rolled his eyes.
"Ayame-san, are you sick too? Would you like some leek porridge? I made it for Hatori-san but there's plenty if you want some,'' Tohru said.
"What a considerate soul you are. Don't mind if I do,'' Ayame gaily said and dragged Tohru off to the kitchen.
Shigure sought out the invalid. The sea horse lay almost hidden among the beddings. He pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down.
It's our turn to take care of you Haa-san, he thought and looked at his sleeping friend. He wondered how the dragon caught a bad cold.
After sleeping in damp clothing, Hatori woke up Wednesday with a slight fever. But he ignored it and went about his routine. On Valentine's Day, he couldn't get out of bed and transformed into his zodiac form. Ayame, who decided on a whim to drop by, found Hatori soon after.
His hysterics alerted everyone in the main house. An annoyed Akito told the snake to shut up and call Shigure. He ordered them to get the dragon back on his feet as soon as possible.
After making sure Ayame got a bowl of the porridge, Tohru looked for Hatori's room. She walked in carrying porridge, cold medicine and tea. She realized there was a problem when she looked at the sea horse.
"Shigure-san, how are we supposed to feed him the leek porridge? His snout's too small."
"How about using an eyedropper or a syringe sans needle?"
"That might work with the medicine and the tea but the porridge could be a problem. I know, I'll make him a clear broth instead. If it's not too much trouble, can you look for an eyedropper or syringe while I make the soup?"
He nodded and went searching for the doctor's bag.
When Hatori woke up, he saw Shigure holding an eyedropper as Tohru entered with a bowl of chicken soup.
"Good. You're awake. Let's get some food into you Haa-san."
Hatori felt gentle hands lift him. Tohru's worried face came into view.
"Hatori-san,'' she whispered and carefully ran a finger along his back several times. A blush appeared on the sea horse's face.
"Oh no! Shigure-san! I think he's burning up with a fever!"
He scrutinized the sea horse in her hands and nearly burst out laughing.
"Tohru-kun. I suggest you stop petting Haa-san and feed him instead."
The teen looked embarassed. She filled the eyedropper and carefully fed the sea horse. She followed that with the cold medicine then the tea. Tohru gently placed Hatori back on the bed and tucked him in.
"Does he need to be in water?"
"Not really. Haa-san isn't a real sea horse you know. When you first saw him transform, did he need water then?"
"I thought he did. But I just moved him to a room and covered him with my jacket. Still, what if he gets dehydrated because of his illness?"
"If it makes you feel better, why don't you give him a sponge bath," Shigure said with a twinkle in his eye.
The sea horse glared at the now snickering dog. Oblivious to the joke, Tohru ran to the bathroom and was soon back with a wet face towel.
"I was just kidding. Haa-san would kill me if you bathed him."
"Oh."
They gave Hatori another dose of the medicine after four hours. Later that night, Ayame claimed the living room couch while Shigure and Tohru slept on the bedroom floor.