Arigato, minna, for the reviews, and I hope that the next chapter is to your liking. I accept comments, constructive criticism, but no flames, since I have previously mentioned that this fic was written during a very stressful exam period, and hence I did not have much time to think the plot through thoroughly, and when I tried to make corrections/improvements later on, it didn't sound much better, so please bear with me.
Thank you again.
Disclaimer: None of the characters of "Fruits Basket" are mine. They are property of Natsuki Takaya.
Chapter 2Yuki thought he had misheard what Shigure had said. Akito…dead ?! It seemed impossible ! The cruel, malevolent clan head, who was like god to the Sohma family, dead ?
Akito had been a frail man, but his domineering attitude and iron control over the Sohma family, had made him seem indestructible in Yuki's eyes – but now he was dead. The mouse didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
* * *
Kyo stared in frozen shock at Shigure, his mind unable to register the explosive news. However, he and the other Junnishi suddenly became aware of a sudden movement at the kitchen door, and the sound of dishes breaking on the floor.
* * *
Tohru's face had become ghostly pale when she heard Shigure utter that the Sohma clan head was dead. Her hands began to tremble violently, and she gave a low moan of denial. She did not want to think it true; she didn't even want to consider it ever possible, so when unconsciousness claimed her, she welcomed it.
* * *
The three men simultaneously saw Tohru faint, but it was Kyo's lightning-fast reflexes that prevented her from hitting the hard floor.
"Tohru-kun ?"He murmured in surprise, as he checked her temperature and then laid her on the sofa.
"Is she okay ?" Yuki asked as he kneeled beside his cousin. Kyo frowned.
"Yeah, but that sure was a strong reaction to the news." The cat mused out loud. Yuki nodded, and gently smoothed some of Tohru's bangs away from her pale, agonized face. Kyo's frown deepend, 'Kuzo nezumi...'
* * *
When Tohru awoke again, it took her a moment to familiarize herself with her surroundings. She finally realized that she was in her own room, but as soon as she knew, another thought invaded her mind. Tear started to well up in her eyes as she remembered what had happened. Grief overwhelmed her, and she let out an agonized sob as her body convulsed, and she curled up into a fetal position, crying brokenly.
* * *
"How long has she been like this ?" Hatori asked, a faint note of concern touching his usually emotionless voice.
"A week." Shigure answered back gravely, as they regarded the pale, crying figure inside Tohru's room.
"Since Akito's death ?"
"Hai. As soon as she woke up. Nothing will make her leave her bed. She won't eat; Kyo and Yuki are at their wit's end. So am I ! We've tried talking to her, goading her, even reminding her of her responsibilities. She doesn't seem to hear us !" Shigure's voice cracked under the tremendous worry that he'd been harboring, "I know psychology isn't your forte, Ha-san, but please, for Tohru-chan…"
Hatori regarded the author sympathetically and nodded. He entered the room and kneeled beside Tohru's bedside.
"Tohru-chan ?" he said gently, "it's me, Hatori. Can you hear me ?"
The sickly-looking girl did not give any response if she had heard him or not, but just continued staring out the window, at the blooming sakura trees. Suddenly a bird landed on one of the tree's branches. A tear leaked out of the corner of Tohru's eye, and stained her pillow, but her voice remained impassive as she said raspily:
"Aki-kun loved birds."
Hatori stared at Tohru in shock. It wasn't the sudden words that had surprised him, but what she had said. She had addressed the deceased clan head so personally, like as if he'd been her friend. But that was impossible !
Disturbed, the doctor tried to elicit further conversation from the onigiri, but al his efforts remained futile. It seemed like as if Tohru had sunk into a world of her own, and the dragon, frustrated and doubly worried, returned back to the Honke a few hours later.
* * *
Later in the evening, Kyo and Yuki entered Tohru's room, Yuki carrying a steaming bowl of miso soup, Kyo with a warm towel. He settled down in the right side of the bed and gently wiped her face clean of the tears.
"Tohru-kun…" The cat murmured sadly. His free hand balled up as he stared despairingly at the motionless young woman. Yuki looked across at Kyo and their eyes met, and for the first time, cat and mouse understood each other. Their eyes mirrored the other's pain; they both loved this woman, they had fought over her, they had kept their love hidden from her. But it had taken this tragic event for Yuki and Kyo to realize how similar they were.
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Please R&R and I hope you've enjoyed the chapter. Please give me any ideas you may have for the story and I will promise to take it into consideration.
~*~//chibichibi-neko\\~*~