Disclaimer-Fruits Basket does not belong to me.
Rin was disappointed to see that Hatsuharu had not appeared as he usually did to watch her headline the dance troupe. She had wanted to show him the new costume Ayame had made for her, a fetching red number that made her even more conscious of her body than usual.
She knew that the platinum haired outlaw would have loved to have seen her in it, but perhaps the night would not be a total loss. Ayame had arranged for her to entertain Kyou at the new bouncer's own request, and she found him to be a very sweet temptation.
Kyou and Hatsuharu were both such devastatingly sexy men that she found it hard to resist either of them. The difference was that she had sampled what Hatsuharu had to offer, and hadn't yet to unwrap Kyou from that handsome suit for herself.
Hatsuharu was a dream come true for her with his bold, open sensual nature and dangerous aura, but there was just something about a man like Kyou, a man who was unaware of how much power he held over a woman. She was drawn to him in too many ways to count, and she silently thanked Ayame for the dress she knew he couldn't help but notice her in.
"Did you see the floor show, Kyou?" she asked him.
Kyou jumped slightly, startled by her abrupt greeting as he turned to face her.
"Good evening, Rin. No, I'm sorry. I was too preoccupied watching the door." he said.
She smiled. "That's alright. It's almost closing time anyway. Do you want me to wait for you in your room or will you escort me?" she asked him.
He took the moment that she had given him to answer the question to take in her dress, a gorgeous red satin and black lace creation of Ayame's.
"It wouldn't be polite of me to behave as anything but a gentleman to a lovely lady." he told her.
She smiled. "Thank you. I'm ready to leave whenever you are." she said.
"Here, Tohru. Let Shigure see to cleaning up the saloon. I'm sure he won't mind. You shouldn't have to spend your time cleaning up while you you wait for Hatori to pick you up! Maybe Yuki will see to putting on some music for us so we can share a dance to pass the time?" Momiji asked her.
Tohru smiled as she watched Momiji take the broom out of her hands, smiling up at her as he waited for the music to start. She felt comforted by their presense there with her, Shigure, Yuki, Momiji.
Shigure was always more than happy to do her share of the work and Momiji always seemed present wherever she was. Yuki being at the saloon at such a late hour was normal for her, his way of keeping his eye on the local ruffians. Accepting a dance from Momiji was the perfect distraction from the thoughts that consumed her.
She was not surprised at all to see Kyou leave with Rin, especially after what had happened between them during the floor show. She had completely forgotten about Hatori coming to pick her up, she was so consumed with the memory of being in the orange haired drifter's arms.
He had taken too many liberties when he had tried to do more than kiss her, and she shouldn't have even allowed him to do that. She flushed as she remembered the feeling of his lips against hers, warm and sweetly inviting.
No man had ever, ever kissed her like before and she had been helpless to resist him, wanting to intensify the kiss between them. If she hadn't come to her senses at that moment, somehow she knew that his kisses could only be a prelude to more and her body ached with unanswered fulfillment...she blinked up into Momiji's eyes as he stared lovingly at her.
"Oh Momiji..." she bemoaned the fates.
She flung herself into his welcoming embrace, needing his closeness even more than usual. He returned her embrace warmly, as if he knew without words that she needed that. She rested her head on his shoulder with a sigh as the song ended and Hatori made his entrance known in the saloon.
"I sincerely hope you're ready to leave, Tohru, becuase it's not good for my reputation to be seen here." he told her.
Tohru nodded as she parted from Momiji. "Yes. I'm ready." she replied.
Ayame chose that precise moment to make his appearance from behind the beaded curtains in front of the ladies dressing room.
"Well, if it isn't Hatori, my future son-in-law. This is an unexpected surprise." he said.
"Good evening, Ayame. Tohru and I were just leaving. I hope you will excuse our abrupt departure." he told him.
Ayame smiled. "Certainly, by all means." he told him.
Momiji considered the couple thoughtfully as they left.
"You know, I have a sneaking feeling that maybe her and Hatori's marriage may not be such an inevitability after all." he told the others.
Yuki considered these words as he made his way to the exit of the saloon. "You've always seemed to know Tohru best. Whatever happens, I'm sure it will be for the best," he said, thinking of her association with Kyou, whispered, "I hope..."
Rin wasn't used to being with men like Kyou. Usually the men she was hired to entertain were much more lively, unable to take their hands off her even before they made it to the room.
Hatsuharu was definitely that way, he sometimes even went so far as to suggest that she discreetly straddle him during her dances on the saloon floor. She guessed she could appreciate Kyou for being a gentleman, for walking quietly alongside her as they walked up to his room.
Once inside, he watched her thoughtfully as he took off his dark blue jacket and unbuttoned his tailored white button down shirt to make himself more comfortable. Again he surprised her, she would not have taken him for the bashful type. She was okay with that, she didn't mind being the one to make the first move.
She moved up close to face him, her eyes meeting his as he helped him to unbutton his shirt the rest of the way. Allowing the material to fall against his chest, she admired the view before reaching out to brush her palms across the lean planes of his chest.
He seemed to warm to her a little then, not reaching out to her himself, but allowing her to touch him. She parted from him for a moment to rid herself of the heavy dress, his eyes taking in the matching costume underneath. She had wanted Hatsuharu to see her in it first, but the look in Kyou's eyes made it worth it her while to wear it for him instead.
Moving her arm around his narrow waist, she leaned in to capture his mouth with hers, surprised by the moist warmth she found there. Yet even as he parted his lips to allow her to partake of the taste of him, it seemed as though his heart wasn't really into it. Despite her profession, she liked for her partners to be willing, even if she was sure they were able.
"Kyou, do you want me to stop? It seems like you're off somewhere else." she said.
"I'm sorry. It has nothing to do with you. You're gorgeous, stunning...any man would be fortunate to be with you. It's just that my mind is on someone else." he told her.
Rin's eyes widened. "You have feelings for someone? You haven't even been in this town long enough to have met anyone, unless you've been here before, but I'm sure I would have remembered you if you had." she said.
Kyou shuddered as the memory of that day ten years before flashed through his mind.
"I don't believe you have any place to talk, considering that from the way you seem to hold back that there's someone else you would have rather been with tonight." he said.
She sighed in defeat. "Yes. It's true. I find you very attractive, but there is a man I've become taken with. He almost reminds me of you, only with a sharper edge. I didn't expect you to be so understanding." she told him.
She smiled at her. "Believe me, I've seen my share of unhappiness, and I don't ever want to be the source of that ever again." he told her with a voice filled with regret...
Although it was not the first time that Hatori had picked her up from work, Tohru was surprised when he didn't immediately drop her off as was his custom.
"Would you allow me to escort you for a moonlit walk tonight, Tohru?" he asked her softly.
She smiled at him. "Of course." she replied.
It had been nearly a year since he had proposed, and it seemed like it had been just as long since they'd spent quality time together. His gentle demeanor reminded her of when they had first been dating, how respectful and courteous he had been then.
Until the time they had met, townspeople had spectulated about the quiet girl with mant admirers, wondering whom she would choose to marry. Because he was a doctor and she the orphaned victim of the Crimson Haired Bandit, the town had celebrated their engagement.
Tohru knew she would not change anything about her and Hatori's relationship. Even though it was true that he was conservative in his affection for her and that he disliked her choice of occupation, these minor points were trivial compared to the feelings they shared.
She did not need grand romantic gestures to feel loved, and she would be more than happy to sacrifice being a barmaid for their happiness. That wouldn't change her friendships with Yuki, Momiji or Shigure, and their marriage would definitely make Ayame happy. He had been most pleased when Hatori had come to him to ask for Tohru's hand and had given the marriage his blessing.
Somehow, as she and Hatori walked hand in hand in the moonlight, all her concerns about her conflicted emotions melted away. What had happened between her and Kyou had been a mistake, a momentary lapse of reason that she would not allow to happen again.
She would admit that he was a very attracive man and that the kiss they had shared had been incredible, but she did not love him. He was a stranger to her, a nice man that she had allowed to cross her boundaries. The man she loved and was destined to marry was the one that stopped to smile at her beneath the dimmed lights of the front of where she lived.
"Tohru...you know I love you, right?" Hatori asked her.
She smiled at him. "Of course I do. Why would you ask such a thing?" she asked.
He took her hands in his. "I feel guilty for not having been there fpr you lately because of my dedication to my mediacal practice. I hope you understand that I do not wish to be apart from you so much, that I just want to be able to provide for the two of us once we are married. You deserve nothing less." he told her.
Tohru shook her head. "You don't have to explain. I love you, Hatori, and I'll wait as long as it takes as long as you and I are together. There are no doubts in my heart about my feelings for you." she told him.
She gasped softly as he took her into his arms for a warm embrace, the pair holding each other beneath the stars. She had nearly forgotten what it felt like to be close to him, to feel his slender chest and arms around her, his heartbeat steady and sure. His tender embrace was a welcome comfort, and she returned his smile as they parted.
"Thank you for a wonderful evening, Tohru." he said.
She barely had time to respond in turn as he took her chin in his hands and kissed her lips tenderly, stroking the side of her cheek with his fingers as he parted from her for the night.
"Thank you, Hatori. Good night." she whispered back with a smile.
So, the rumors were true after all, Hatsuharu thought. His former rival had decided to show his face in town. In a way, he guessed it was understandable, considering that the three of them had grown up there. It wasn't like anybody recognized the two of them.
It had been ten years since that fateful day and he himself was considered to be the town playboy whose playmate was his favorite dancer Rin at the Rose Saloon.
Since their leader Kyou was considered to be a redhead according to the local legend, Kyou's orange hair lent no creditability to anyone's suspicions except those that knew him best. The townsfoll were aware of their sheriff Yuki's criminal past, but had accepted him because he had paid his debt to society.
Despite all this, it was just his own habit to stay low profile, only revealing himself as the dangerous lover of his dancer girlfriend. He had known it would be only a matter of time before Kyou returned to the scene of the crime and his mistake had been becoming interested in the saloon owner's daughter.
Was the wanted outlaw not aware that she was the same girl whose parents they had ended the lives of that day? True, he had been the one to pull the trigger, but lucky for him, the Crimson Haired Bandit had soiled his already ruined peputation by being accused of the horrible crime.
Even though it had been ten years, he and Kyou still had a score to settle, a bitter fire between them than not even time had managed to put out. Protecting Tohru was the least of his worries, he would even sacrifice her if she got in the way. It was only a matter of time before he would put an end to his rival's life with no one in town being the wiser...
Nearly screaming in pain as he sat bolt upright in bed from the searing pain in his leg, Kyou winced as he tried not to double over in pain. It wa only every once in a while that the gunshot wound that had disabled him acted uo so severely, a constant reminder of his wretched youth.
He had gone to sleep that night dreaming of Tohru, of her beautiful eyes and soft hair, of how she had felt in his arms. When he would lick his slightly chapped lips to moisten them, he could still taste her mouth on his, his body heat rising as he remembered the feeling of her skin beneath his hands, and how he had wanted to pleasure her at that moment.
It wasn't as though he was a stranger to such encounters. He had been with many women on and off over the years, but he had only desired one thing from all of them and they had not asked for more.
Tohru was different. He would admit that he found her very attractive and would do anything to share her bed, but he wanted more than just that. He wanted to share her heart, to be the man she loved and came home to every night.
He knew somehow that his life would be complete if she loved him, and that he would spend every waking moment letting her know that she was loved and appreciated.
Despite the fact that she had pushed him away when they had kissed, he knew that she could not deny the chemistry between them, the unspoken bond that had existed even before they had been introduced.
There was just something about her that seemed so familiar that he could not put his finger on, but he knew he would figure it out when the time came. He envied the cool, serious doctor that claimed to be her fiancee and fell back into a restless sleep, wondering if the pair even shared the same sort of feelings he felt just from a mere touch of his and Tohru's hands...
It was rare for Tohru to have a day off from work, and even more unusual for Ayame to close the saloon for the day to prepare for the dance in Tohru's honor.
It was his over the top way of putting the limelight on the success of his business and especially to showcase the young woman he had lovingly raised as if she were his own.
He was thrilled by the number of citzens that offered their services to help them get the ball rolling, including Shigure, Yuki and of course Momiji. Even though he was aware of the young man's unrequited crush on Tohru, he appreciated that the two of them were such close friends and that she had someone she could always talk to and confide in.
"This was a great idea that Ayame had, Tohru, although I have to admit if you and I were togehter, I'd want to throw a party for you every day just because we were together." Momiji gushed.
She embraced him affectionately.
"You would be the perfect host, I'm sure of it. I just know that your parties would rival the most fabulous celebrations ever held." she gushed back.
"You are truly a woman of vision, Tohru. Hatori is lucky to have you." Momiji said.
Tohru blushed. "Thank you." she said.
"By the way, you never told us if you had a chance to speak to Hatori about escorting you to the dance, because there's plenty of us that would be happy to do so if he won't." Shigure told her from behind the bar.
Tohru smiled. "Oh yes, we talked about it last night even though I knew he would before I even asked. I think it's wonderful how all of you look after me. I'll be sure to show my appreciation by sharing a dance with all of you." she told them.
"Of course the first man to dance with you will be me, considering that I am the one that raised you with such care and was the first to recognize your true beauty." Ayame boasted.
She walked over to her guardian and embraced him warmly, the weight of his silken mane of silver white hair registering against her shoulder.
"You don't know how much I appreciate this. You really are like a father to me." she told him.
"Thank you, Tohru. You don't know how much that means to me." he told her.
"I'm surprised that Kyou isn't here today." Tohru commented out loud.
Yuki nodded. "We asked him if he wanted to help out, but he told Ayame that his leg had been troubling him lately and he was going to spend the day at the doctor's." he told her.
"Is he going to see Hatori or someone esle?" she asked.
Yuki shrugged. "I'm not sure to tell you the truth. He's always seemed to go his way." he blurted out without thinking.
Tohru stared at him then. "Then it's true what they say about you having known him before?" she asked.
Yuki nodded. "Yes. Unfortunately, we ended our friendship on a sour note and went our seperate ways." he told her.
'Was it because of your association with the Crimson Haired Bandit?" Momiji asked him.
Tohru turned on her best friend then as she saw Yuki bow his head in regret.
"Momiji, you shouldn't ask such things! Yuki joined the right of the law years ago and has never been anything but kind to me since that day." Tohru scolded him.
Yuki shook his head. "No. I deserve to be condemned for my past. I was there that day that her parents' lives were ended and I can never take that back even if I wanted to. A lifetime of saying I'm sorry could never bring them back to you." he said.
"No, Yuki. I don't blame you. I don't know who pulled the trigger that day, but there's nothing I can do now except make peace with my past like my parents would want me to." she said.
"You are the strongest woman I know, Tohru, and I admire you for that. Don't ever doubt that that, among many other reasons, is why the people of this town care so deeply for you." Momiji told her.
Tohru smiled. "Thank you, Momiji, Yuki, Shigure, Ayame, all of you...now let's put all this gloominess behind us to concentrate on the party ahead." she said.