Sorry for the long delay. Thanks to those who have kept up with this ^^; Got a little bit nostalgic and inspired by an old 80's song so thank the bangles for this chapter, Enjoy. As always I do not own these characters or fruits basket.

Chapter 6: Morning Treat

The soft light of the morning first rays gently pierced through the curtains to his bedroom marking the end of his most beautiful dream or had it been real. He dare not hope as he consciously rolled over reaching out for something…someone. But his fingers encountered nothing but an empty space. His eyes flew open and he sat up running his fingers through his scattered hair. He looked at the space next too him. It was indeed empty but he could still feel her presence. It couldn't have been just a dream could it?

Dream or not he still could feel her presence, her warmth and her gentle sweet scent lingering in the warm sheets of his bed.

"Tohru..?"

He looked down at himself realizing he was fully nude. Now sleeping in the nude wasn't something he did often. He brushed off the faint smile that appeared on his lips. He got out of the bed and grabbed a yukata from the closet. Where could she have gone he wondered. Had she left already…without bidding him good morning? Somehow the thought saddened him but it didn't seem like something Tohru would do especially not what had transpired between them.

It took a few minutes to register the sweet aroma coming from the adjacent kitchenette to his bedroom. This morning was sure full of surprises he thought. He hardly used the kitchenette although the house staff kept it clean and well stocked with grocery. Was she in there? He walked towards the kitchen allowing himself to be lead by the lingering aroma of Tohru's cooking.

Sure enough she was standing before the small stove gently humming a tune and busying herself with what promised to be a satisfying breakfast. He stood quietly before the entrance watching her move around unaware of his presence. She wore one of his white shirts barely reaching her midthigh. He smiled enjoying the morning view.

Had Shigure woken up to this every morning she had lived in his house he wondered. A faint pang of jealousy hit him. The dog had been lucky to have her in his house for all those years… but now she was his. The thought brought back memories of last night, their first night together. He wasn't quite sure how things had gotten to where they were but he was willing to go wherever this was leading him.

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He had no idea what got into him, it was very unlike him to get carried away by his feelings but tonight he just couldn't contain the urge he had so carefully masked beneath his cold exterior for so long.

"Ha-san you know it's ok to just allow yourself to feel and go with the moment. Que sera sera" Shigure had often teased him in the past.

He had only meant for it to be a kiss and hadn't imagined he could have pushed it beyond anything than that but something tonight had awoken in him. A fire he didn't think could be rekindled but this girl had managed to set his heart at blazed. Could he dare to dream that a wretch like him could have a second chance at happiness…a second chance to experience the spring he thought would never come again.

He held her shoulders firmly as he pressed his soft lips against her own. Her eyes flew wide open. Token by surprised she hadn't the time to protest or say anything as she soon felt her lips slowly parting of its own will. That was all the encouragement he needed as he slipped his tongue to taste her. Her tongue shyly rubbed against his and she placed her hands against his chest preventing direct contact with her own.

It had been an eternity since he had felt this alive, so open and vulnerable to another person. He had carefully built an ice wall around his heart to lock in the memories he had once shared with his special person and prevent anyone from hurting him or stealing them from him. Akito had managed to tear Kana away from him even blinding him in the process but he had held onto those memories and stubbornly refused to let anyone to take them from him. They were the only thing that prevented him from going over the edge of insanity. Now here he was drowning into uncharted yet still waters threatening to make him lose all sense of reason and control. How long had it been since he had wanted Tohru this way? Perhaps it had started years ago when she was still a girl. Now she was a woman …there was no social barrier or guilt that would stop him from wanting her this way. At this moment he didn't care any more all he wanted was her.

Tohru could feel her heart pounding against the walls of her chest threatening to burst at any moment. Things had happened so fast she felt her head spinning and faint as she allowed him to lead her in this passionate tango of tongues and kisses. It was so different from the brutal forceful kiss she had experience with Akito. So this is how a kiss was meant to be she thought as she gasped for air yet not wanting to break away from Hatori.

She couldn't breathe but somehow she didn't care and allowed him to continue his exploration of her mouth. Finally she felt his tongue slipped out of her mouth quickly seeking for her swollen lips. He gently nibbled at the softness of her flesh teasing and licking her bottom lip.

He couldn't remember the last time something this simple and primal had brought him such pleasure. He wanted more of her. He wanted all of her and he had to let her know. But even in his desperation and need for her he didn't want to drag her into something she wasn't ready or willing to do. He finally broke the kiss staring at her as if thinking what to do or say next. She looked up bewildered. Had she done something wrong? His intense enigmatic gaze paralyzed her. She feared she must have done something to upset him but what?

"Tohru…would you mind staying with me tonight?" he asked the question simply and to the point.

Had he said what she thought he did? She didn't need to ask, as the answer was evident in his hazel-green eyes still focused intently on her chocolate colored ones. She slowly reached out for his hand and brought it up to her chest. He felt the swift pounding rhythm of her heart beneath the softness of her breasts. She was as nervous as himself and willing to take the plunge into this unknown territory.

"If Hatori-san will have me…than I'll stay," she said.

"Thank you," he said as he reached down to kiss her briefly and than took her by her hand leading her inside. She followed fully entrusting her heart to him.

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The clattering of the pot awoke him from his daydream as he open his eyes to see a frantic Tohru cleaning up a kettle of spilled tea.

"ah! The tea! I'm so clumsy" she pouted upset at haven ruined the perfectly brewed tea she had planned to serve Hatori.

"Tohru, are you ok?" a concerned voice from behind asked her. She quickly turned around a little surprised from his sudden appearance.

"Hatori-san? Good morning I didn't notice you were here, sorry" she said a little flustered.

"Never mind that. Did you spill some of that tea on you?" he asked taking a quick surveillance of her and after ascertaining that she wasn't hurt he rose offering his hand to her. She looked up at him and took his hand.

He pulled her close for a kiss. She closed her eyes but as soon as it had begun it ended.

"Good morning' he said at the end of the kiss. She blushed and bid him good morning again.

"Hatori-san…I wasn't sure what you usually have for breakfast but I went ahead and started something…hope it's to your liking." She said.

Hatori looked at her and smiled. It was so like her to be concerned about others.

"Anything you make would be fine with me," he said taking her hand.

"Than again Tohru-kun would be just as delicious," he said bringing her hand close to his lips. He planted a soft kiss on the palm of her hand. She felt her cheeks slowly beginning to grow warm. This all felt like a beautiful dream she feared would soon end but before she could dwell on the thought any longer she felt herself being lifted off the ground.

She let out a little cry of protest as he placed her on the kitchen counter. He stood taking his place between her legs and kissed her again. He made his lips towards her neck slowly and tenderly kissing her there. She moaned quietly enjoying the treat. He continued his trail of kisses higher towards her earlobe.

"Umm if you don't mind I'll have a little bit of Tohru on the side with my coffee" he whispered softly into her ears and proceeded to nibble at the soft flesh beneath. She giggled as the stubble from his unshaven face brush against her. It was barely visible but she could feel it against her skin. She made a mental note to help him shave once he had his breakfast. With that she encircled her arms around his neck returning his kiss hoping that this dream would never end.

Bangles

Close your eyes, give me your hand, darling
Do you feel my heart beating
Do you understand
Do you feel the same
Am I only dreaming
Is this burning an eternal flame
I believe it's meant to be, darling
I watch you when you are sleeping
You belong with me
Do you feel the same
Am I only dreaming
Or is this burning an eternal flame
Say my name sun shines through the rain
A whole life so lonely
And then you come and ease the pain
I don't want to lose this feeling