The Secret Juunishi
Or
How to Mary Sue Yourself and Your Friend into Fruits Basket
by secretjuunishi
-
Fandom: Fruits Basket
Spoilers: for the anime only, although I do mention the name of a Juunishi that is mentioned in the manga
Rating: PG-13 (for now)
Pairing: Mary x Hatori, Sue x Shigure
Genre: Humor/Romance/Angst/Drama
Disclaimer: I don't own them...I'm just borrowing them. Hail to Takaya Natsuki.
Summary: Mary Smith and Sue Jones end up in the Fruits Basket universe and they have *secrets.* *spooky music* Mary/Hatori, Sue/Shigure.
Author's Note: Sap sap sap and more sap...with some mush thrown in for good measure.
-
Chapter 4 of ?
-
Sue set her rice bowl down on her tray and stretched.
"Ahhh, that was a good meal. Thank you very much," she said with a small bow.
"Are you sure you ate enough?" Mary deadpanned, scanning the multiple rice bowls and dishes on Sue's tray.
Hatori said nothing, choosing to re-examine his rice bowl and make sure he'd gotten all the grains.
Mary snickered and sat back, bracing herself on her hands. She scanned the room, her eyes landing on the clock on Hatori's desk. She sat up when she noticed the lack of shadows on the floor.
"Oh, my goodness!" Mary exclaimed. "When did it get so late? Sue, we have to go before it gets too dark."
Sue glanced outside and noticed the purple shadows marking the end of sunset. "That...was a long meal."
Mary turned to Hatori who was studying her with a blank expression. "I'm so sorry to have imposed on you for so long!"
"It's all right, it was nothing," Hatori replied. "And don't worry about the dark. I can drive you home."
"Oh, no," Mary said, feeling embarrassed and mortified. "You've already done so much for us and we don't even know you. We couldn't possibly ask for a ride!"
"Nonsense," Hatori retorted. "Where do you live?"
"A couple blocks from Kaibara High School near the Yura River," Sue answered.
"It's not too far, but it will be dark before you're even halfway home," Hatori mused.
"Please, let Ha'ri-san drive you," Momiji pleaded. "It would be scary to walk home in the dark. And, you're still hurt, aren't you Mary-san?"
Sue gave Momiji a sweet smile. Mary's defenses were completely destroyed by the pure concern reflected on Momiji's face.
"Oh, all right," Mary finally said.
-
Sue carried Momiji on her back while Hatori led the way to the car, Mary leaning on his arm for support.
"You're going to Kaibara High School, too, Sue-san?" Momiji asked.
"Uhn!" Sue replied. "I still can't believe you're in high school!"
Momiji giggled. "Touru-san said the same thing."
"Who's Touru-san?" Sue asked.
"She's one of my friends! She lives in Shi-chan's house, but she's not a Souma."
"So, she knows about the curse?" Sue was amazed.
"Mm hmm! But she likes us anyway," Momiji said happily.
"Who wouldn't?" Sue wondered aloud before spinning in circles, eliciting peals of laughter from Momiji.
"This kid is unnaturally cute," Sue thought to herself. But she didn't care. He was cute and cuddly and loved to huggle as much as she did. Sue was reveling in the novelty of holding a boy close. She just wished he was older.
Momiji hummed a happy, nameless tune and Sue grinned. Her grin widened when she caught sight of the couple in front of her. Sue wondered how mad her cousin would get if she drew a few suggestive pictures and left them lying around the apartment. She grinned at the prospect.
"How is your ankle?" Hatori asked, tilting his head toward Mary.
"A little sore, but much better than before. The...uh...massage you gave it worked wonders," Mary gushed. She was ever so grateful for the quickly darkening sky to hide her rising blush.
"I'm glad," Hatori replied. "You should try to stay off your feet tomorrow if you can."
"Uhn," Mary agreed. "Tomorrow's a lazy Sunday so I should be ok. Thank you for your concern."
Hatori smiled, but his expression was hidden in the shadows of the trees they passed under.
They finally reached the car: a large, black sedan. Hatori helped Mary into the passenger side seat as Sue and Momiji climbed into the back seat.
Mary gazed out the window as Hatori made his way around the car. She rubbed her arm unconsciously.
"Missing his warmth already?" Sue's laughter tinged voice whispered in her ear. Mary vowed to torment the girl appropriately later.
The car shifted as Hatori sat in the driver's seat. He pulled a pair of glasses from the armrest and a few moments later, he started the car and they were off.
"Ooh, glasses," Mary and Sue were both thinking.
The drive to Mary's apartment passed in comfortable silence. Mary spoke softly every once in a while to direct Hatori to the right place. She glanced to the back seat and smiled. Sue was curled up on the back seat with Momiji in her lap, both dozing lightly.
"They sure do sleep a lot," Mary murmured.
"Ahh," Hatori remarked. "Momiji has always been able to sleep quickly or wake up quickly, ever since he was a baby."
"You've taken care of him the whole time?" Mary was intrigued by Hatori's relationship with Momiji and the other Juunishi.
"The family has taken care of each other, really," Hatori explained. "But since I've become a doctor, I take care of all the Souma, especially the Juunishi."
Mary nodded.
"We Juunishi have a special connection with each other, due to our unique circumstances," Hatori continued. "Living in the same complex added to our feelings of closeness. This was especially true since not all of us could grow up with the love of those we want to be loved by the most."
"Parents," Mary supplied.
Hatori stole a glance at Mary. "You?" he prompted. She shook her head and somehow he felt relieved.
"Sue," she said. Hatori sighed heavily.
"Her mother and brother are fabulous," Mary said quietly, fiddling with her hands. "But..."
"I understand," Hatori said and left it at that. Mary was perfectly content to leave the subject alone.
Momiji's head suddenly popped up between the front seats.
"Where are we?" he said, eyes wide. A yawn was the only indication he'd been sleeping a short while before.
"Looks like we're almost there," Sue's voice answered.
Mary peered over the seat at Sue. "Comfortable?"
"Very." Sue was completely sprawled on the vast expanse that was the back seat of the Souma car.
Mary leered at Sue and wiggled her eyebrows. Sue bit her finger and tried not to laugh too loud.
"What's so funny?" Momiji asked, curious at the sudden laughter.
"It's not important," Mary said. She pointed out the window and addressed Hatori. "If you turn right at the next corner, my apartment complex is the last one on the right."
"Um, Sue-san, Mary-san..."Momiji began.
"Hmm?" Sue prompted.
"May I please use your bathroom?" the boy asked, his forehead furrowing. Momiji started to fidget.
Mary dangled the keys in the air and as the car rolled to a stop, Sue burst forth from the car, grabbing the keys with one hand and Momiji with the other.
"Too much tea," Hatori said.
Mary almost burst out laughing. She threw Hatori an incredulous look but he was completely straight-faced. She eyed him carefully, grinning at his remark. But just as she was turning away, she could've sworn he winked at her.
Having seen Sue run up a flight of stairs, Hatori surmised they lived on at least the second floor. He got out of the car and made his way to Mary's door.
"I think you'll need some help getting up those stairs," he offered.
Mary blushed. "I'm so sorry to burden you with all this. You must think me inept."
"Not at all," Hatori said, pulling Mary out of the car. "Things happen, and it's really no bother, I assure you."
"This guy is unreal," Mary thought to herself. "And why is it that I feel I can talk to him so easily? It doesn't hurt that he's completely hot, too..."
They made their way to the foot of the stairs, Mary trying out her ankle with each step. It was true that it no longer sent shooting pains up her leg, but it was still very sore. She looked up the flight of stairs with trepidation.
"What floor?" Hatori asked.
"Just the second, thankfully," Mary responded.
"If that's the case..."
Mary gasped in surprised as Hatori suddenly bent down and picked her up in his arms. The breath whooshed out of her lungs as he settled her weight against him, ruffling the long hairs by his face. Hatori tossed his head to get the hairs away from his eyes. Mary's arm encircled his neck for support, her other hand clutched at his shirt front. She flattened out her palm when she realized she wasn't going to fall. For a moment, they stared at each other.
"I apologize if I startled you," Hatori said before beginning the climb up the stairs.
To tell the truth, not even Hatori knew what in the world he was doing. What had possessed him to make such a bold move toward a woman he hardly knew? He knew it would have been a struggle to get up the stairs otherwise, but part of him knew that lessening her pain was not the sole purpose of picking her up and holding her close. Hatori would think on it later. Right now, he had a task to do.
Mary finally relaxed and rested her head on Hatori's shoulder. She stayed quiet, not wanting to break his concentration. She liked this feeling, of his arms holding her safely and snugly against his chest. Mary almost felt like crying. She'd never had closeness like this with a man before, had never had a chance because of her situation. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, willing herself not to cry.
"I'm not hurting you, am I?"
"I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry." Mary repeated those words like a mantra in her head.
"Not at all," she managed.
"Which apartment?" Hatori asked.
"4B," Mary replied, nodding her head toward the back of the landing.
The door to her apartment was slightly ajar. Mary wasn't surprised, knowing that Sue knew she was just behind her and the urgency of the bathroom situation. Hatori nudged the door open with his foot and entered her apartment. Mary chose to stare at her hand on Hatori's chest rather than on Sue, whom she could see in her peripheral vision.
Hatori surveyed the living room. It was a moderately sized room with a low table, some cushions, and a couch in the corner. He carefully maneuvered toward the couch and set Mary down. Sue sauntered over with a few pillows and propped them up around Mary, joining her on the couch.
"Thank you, Souma-sensei," Mary said softly.
Hatori's eyes widened slightly at the formality in Mary's voice.
"You're welcome, Smith-san," he replied in kind.
Mary bit her lip.
"Where's Momiji?" Hatori asked, having not seen him in the room.
"He's looking at the view from our balcony," Sue responded, pointing down the hallway.
Without a word, Hatori went after the boy.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Sue turned a particularly mischievous look at Mary.
"What?" Mary said defiantly.
Sue hummed the first few bars of the Wedding March...and suddenly found herself with a face full of pillow.
"He carried you over the threshold, Nee-chan," Sue taunted. Another pillow landed square in Sue's face.
At that moment, Hatori returned, carrying a sleeping Momiji in his arms.
"It appears he fell asleep on your balcony," Hatori said by way of apology.
"He's so darn cute!" Sue breathed. Hatori gave her a small smile.
"Oh, here," Hatori said, fishing something out of his pocket. He strode over to the couch and handed a card to Mary. "Call me if your ankle doesn't get better or if you need anything else."
Mary stared at the card stupidly. Sue went into action, grabbing Mary's business card case which had been lying on the table.
"You're in luck," Sue exclaimed. "She got new cards today."
She took out a new card and handed it to Hatori. He wore a puzzled expression.
"Please let us know if there's anything we can do for you," Sue said with a sweet smile. "Or Momiji. You must let us thank you somehow. You've done so much for us today."
"Ahh," Hatori said slowly. "Like I said to Smith-san...it was nothing. But, thank you."
Sue did a mental leap of joy as Hatori placed the card into his shirt pocket.
"I must get back to the main house and put this one to bed," Hatori said, shifting Momiji to a more comfortable position.
Mary and Sue suppressed sighs and squees of "kawaii" at the picture of Momiji sleeping in Hatori's arms.
"Thank you again, so much," Mary said. She bowed from her seat and gave him a warm smile. Hatori stared back at her and for a moment he saw nothing else.
"Yes, thank you," Sue said, rising to her feet. Hatori blinked quickly and, realizing he'd been staring, nonchalantly turned the other way.
Sue smirked at Mary before moving to walk Hatori and Momiji to the door.
"It was a pleasure meeting you both," Sue said formally with a bow.
"And you two, as well," Hatori responded. "I hope we meet again."
"We do, too," Sue said, grinning.
"Have a safe trip home and a good night," Mary called from the sofa.
Hatori nodded his head in acknowledgement and made his departure.
Sue slowly shut the door and locked it, turning to face her cousin.
"Shut up."
"I didn't say anything!" Sue exclaimed.
"No, but I know you're going to. So shut up." Mary was smirking, now.
"He's cute."
"Shut up."
"I mean, Momiji's cute, too, but in that little boy way."
"Sue..."
"But Hatori's a grown man." Sue was practically stalking her way back to Mary. "I think he has the hots for you."
"Sue-kichi-chan!" Mary exclaimed, blushing furiously.
"I mean, he took care of you, he gave you a foot massage," Sue recounted, ticking items off on her fingers. "You know, in some cultures, that's practically a marriage proposal."
"Suuuue."
"He's quiet, but he's kind."
"I know..." Mary moaned, flopping back on the couch and covering her eyes with her hand.
"And you know what the best part is?" Sue was bouncing on her toes.
Mary didn't answer, knowing she'd get one soon enough.
"You can touch him!"
Mary burst into tears.
"Er..." Sue was completely flabbergasted. That wasn't quite the response she was expecting.
Quickly, she sat on the couch and Mary grabbed her, pulling her into a hug. And then Sue knew. She'd been feeling the same way, on another level with Momiji, but she understood. To finally be able to have something you'd never been able to have before, yet wanted for practically all of your life, was pretty overwhelming.
Sue realized she was crying, too, but she didn't care and neither did Mary. They comforted each other and cried together, each fervently hoping this wasn't the only time they'd see the Soumas.
-
End Chapter 4
Or
How to Mary Sue Yourself and Your Friend into Fruits Basket
by secretjuunishi
-
Fandom: Fruits Basket
Spoilers: for the anime only, although I do mention the name of a Juunishi that is mentioned in the manga
Rating: PG-13 (for now)
Pairing: Mary x Hatori, Sue x Shigure
Genre: Humor/Romance/Angst/Drama
Disclaimer: I don't own them...I'm just borrowing them. Hail to Takaya Natsuki.
Summary: Mary Smith and Sue Jones end up in the Fruits Basket universe and they have *secrets.* *spooky music* Mary/Hatori, Sue/Shigure.
Author's Note: Sap sap sap and more sap...with some mush thrown in for good measure.
-
Chapter 4 of ?
-
Sue set her rice bowl down on her tray and stretched.
"Ahhh, that was a good meal. Thank you very much," she said with a small bow.
"Are you sure you ate enough?" Mary deadpanned, scanning the multiple rice bowls and dishes on Sue's tray.
Hatori said nothing, choosing to re-examine his rice bowl and make sure he'd gotten all the grains.
Mary snickered and sat back, bracing herself on her hands. She scanned the room, her eyes landing on the clock on Hatori's desk. She sat up when she noticed the lack of shadows on the floor.
"Oh, my goodness!" Mary exclaimed. "When did it get so late? Sue, we have to go before it gets too dark."
Sue glanced outside and noticed the purple shadows marking the end of sunset. "That...was a long meal."
Mary turned to Hatori who was studying her with a blank expression. "I'm so sorry to have imposed on you for so long!"
"It's all right, it was nothing," Hatori replied. "And don't worry about the dark. I can drive you home."
"Oh, no," Mary said, feeling embarrassed and mortified. "You've already done so much for us and we don't even know you. We couldn't possibly ask for a ride!"
"Nonsense," Hatori retorted. "Where do you live?"
"A couple blocks from Kaibara High School near the Yura River," Sue answered.
"It's not too far, but it will be dark before you're even halfway home," Hatori mused.
"Please, let Ha'ri-san drive you," Momiji pleaded. "It would be scary to walk home in the dark. And, you're still hurt, aren't you Mary-san?"
Sue gave Momiji a sweet smile. Mary's defenses were completely destroyed by the pure concern reflected on Momiji's face.
"Oh, all right," Mary finally said.
-
Sue carried Momiji on her back while Hatori led the way to the car, Mary leaning on his arm for support.
"You're going to Kaibara High School, too, Sue-san?" Momiji asked.
"Uhn!" Sue replied. "I still can't believe you're in high school!"
Momiji giggled. "Touru-san said the same thing."
"Who's Touru-san?" Sue asked.
"She's one of my friends! She lives in Shi-chan's house, but she's not a Souma."
"So, she knows about the curse?" Sue was amazed.
"Mm hmm! But she likes us anyway," Momiji said happily.
"Who wouldn't?" Sue wondered aloud before spinning in circles, eliciting peals of laughter from Momiji.
"This kid is unnaturally cute," Sue thought to herself. But she didn't care. He was cute and cuddly and loved to huggle as much as she did. Sue was reveling in the novelty of holding a boy close. She just wished he was older.
Momiji hummed a happy, nameless tune and Sue grinned. Her grin widened when she caught sight of the couple in front of her. Sue wondered how mad her cousin would get if she drew a few suggestive pictures and left them lying around the apartment. She grinned at the prospect.
"How is your ankle?" Hatori asked, tilting his head toward Mary.
"A little sore, but much better than before. The...uh...massage you gave it worked wonders," Mary gushed. She was ever so grateful for the quickly darkening sky to hide her rising blush.
"I'm glad," Hatori replied. "You should try to stay off your feet tomorrow if you can."
"Uhn," Mary agreed. "Tomorrow's a lazy Sunday so I should be ok. Thank you for your concern."
Hatori smiled, but his expression was hidden in the shadows of the trees they passed under.
They finally reached the car: a large, black sedan. Hatori helped Mary into the passenger side seat as Sue and Momiji climbed into the back seat.
Mary gazed out the window as Hatori made his way around the car. She rubbed her arm unconsciously.
"Missing his warmth already?" Sue's laughter tinged voice whispered in her ear. Mary vowed to torment the girl appropriately later.
The car shifted as Hatori sat in the driver's seat. He pulled a pair of glasses from the armrest and a few moments later, he started the car and they were off.
"Ooh, glasses," Mary and Sue were both thinking.
The drive to Mary's apartment passed in comfortable silence. Mary spoke softly every once in a while to direct Hatori to the right place. She glanced to the back seat and smiled. Sue was curled up on the back seat with Momiji in her lap, both dozing lightly.
"They sure do sleep a lot," Mary murmured.
"Ahh," Hatori remarked. "Momiji has always been able to sleep quickly or wake up quickly, ever since he was a baby."
"You've taken care of him the whole time?" Mary was intrigued by Hatori's relationship with Momiji and the other Juunishi.
"The family has taken care of each other, really," Hatori explained. "But since I've become a doctor, I take care of all the Souma, especially the Juunishi."
Mary nodded.
"We Juunishi have a special connection with each other, due to our unique circumstances," Hatori continued. "Living in the same complex added to our feelings of closeness. This was especially true since not all of us could grow up with the love of those we want to be loved by the most."
"Parents," Mary supplied.
Hatori stole a glance at Mary. "You?" he prompted. She shook her head and somehow he felt relieved.
"Sue," she said. Hatori sighed heavily.
"Her mother and brother are fabulous," Mary said quietly, fiddling with her hands. "But..."
"I understand," Hatori said and left it at that. Mary was perfectly content to leave the subject alone.
Momiji's head suddenly popped up between the front seats.
"Where are we?" he said, eyes wide. A yawn was the only indication he'd been sleeping a short while before.
"Looks like we're almost there," Sue's voice answered.
Mary peered over the seat at Sue. "Comfortable?"
"Very." Sue was completely sprawled on the vast expanse that was the back seat of the Souma car.
Mary leered at Sue and wiggled her eyebrows. Sue bit her finger and tried not to laugh too loud.
"What's so funny?" Momiji asked, curious at the sudden laughter.
"It's not important," Mary said. She pointed out the window and addressed Hatori. "If you turn right at the next corner, my apartment complex is the last one on the right."
"Um, Sue-san, Mary-san..."Momiji began.
"Hmm?" Sue prompted.
"May I please use your bathroom?" the boy asked, his forehead furrowing. Momiji started to fidget.
Mary dangled the keys in the air and as the car rolled to a stop, Sue burst forth from the car, grabbing the keys with one hand and Momiji with the other.
"Too much tea," Hatori said.
Mary almost burst out laughing. She threw Hatori an incredulous look but he was completely straight-faced. She eyed him carefully, grinning at his remark. But just as she was turning away, she could've sworn he winked at her.
Having seen Sue run up a flight of stairs, Hatori surmised they lived on at least the second floor. He got out of the car and made his way to Mary's door.
"I think you'll need some help getting up those stairs," he offered.
Mary blushed. "I'm so sorry to burden you with all this. You must think me inept."
"Not at all," Hatori said, pulling Mary out of the car. "Things happen, and it's really no bother, I assure you."
"This guy is unreal," Mary thought to herself. "And why is it that I feel I can talk to him so easily? It doesn't hurt that he's completely hot, too..."
They made their way to the foot of the stairs, Mary trying out her ankle with each step. It was true that it no longer sent shooting pains up her leg, but it was still very sore. She looked up the flight of stairs with trepidation.
"What floor?" Hatori asked.
"Just the second, thankfully," Mary responded.
"If that's the case..."
Mary gasped in surprised as Hatori suddenly bent down and picked her up in his arms. The breath whooshed out of her lungs as he settled her weight against him, ruffling the long hairs by his face. Hatori tossed his head to get the hairs away from his eyes. Mary's arm encircled his neck for support, her other hand clutched at his shirt front. She flattened out her palm when she realized she wasn't going to fall. For a moment, they stared at each other.
"I apologize if I startled you," Hatori said before beginning the climb up the stairs.
To tell the truth, not even Hatori knew what in the world he was doing. What had possessed him to make such a bold move toward a woman he hardly knew? He knew it would have been a struggle to get up the stairs otherwise, but part of him knew that lessening her pain was not the sole purpose of picking her up and holding her close. Hatori would think on it later. Right now, he had a task to do.
Mary finally relaxed and rested her head on Hatori's shoulder. She stayed quiet, not wanting to break his concentration. She liked this feeling, of his arms holding her safely and snugly against his chest. Mary almost felt like crying. She'd never had closeness like this with a man before, had never had a chance because of her situation. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, willing herself not to cry.
"I'm not hurting you, am I?"
"I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry." Mary repeated those words like a mantra in her head.
"Not at all," she managed.
"Which apartment?" Hatori asked.
"4B," Mary replied, nodding her head toward the back of the landing.
The door to her apartment was slightly ajar. Mary wasn't surprised, knowing that Sue knew she was just behind her and the urgency of the bathroom situation. Hatori nudged the door open with his foot and entered her apartment. Mary chose to stare at her hand on Hatori's chest rather than on Sue, whom she could see in her peripheral vision.
Hatori surveyed the living room. It was a moderately sized room with a low table, some cushions, and a couch in the corner. He carefully maneuvered toward the couch and set Mary down. Sue sauntered over with a few pillows and propped them up around Mary, joining her on the couch.
"Thank you, Souma-sensei," Mary said softly.
Hatori's eyes widened slightly at the formality in Mary's voice.
"You're welcome, Smith-san," he replied in kind.
Mary bit her lip.
"Where's Momiji?" Hatori asked, having not seen him in the room.
"He's looking at the view from our balcony," Sue responded, pointing down the hallway.
Without a word, Hatori went after the boy.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Sue turned a particularly mischievous look at Mary.
"What?" Mary said defiantly.
Sue hummed the first few bars of the Wedding March...and suddenly found herself with a face full of pillow.
"He carried you over the threshold, Nee-chan," Sue taunted. Another pillow landed square in Sue's face.
At that moment, Hatori returned, carrying a sleeping Momiji in his arms.
"It appears he fell asleep on your balcony," Hatori said by way of apology.
"He's so darn cute!" Sue breathed. Hatori gave her a small smile.
"Oh, here," Hatori said, fishing something out of his pocket. He strode over to the couch and handed a card to Mary. "Call me if your ankle doesn't get better or if you need anything else."
Mary stared at the card stupidly. Sue went into action, grabbing Mary's business card case which had been lying on the table.
"You're in luck," Sue exclaimed. "She got new cards today."
She took out a new card and handed it to Hatori. He wore a puzzled expression.
"Please let us know if there's anything we can do for you," Sue said with a sweet smile. "Or Momiji. You must let us thank you somehow. You've done so much for us today."
"Ahh," Hatori said slowly. "Like I said to Smith-san...it was nothing. But, thank you."
Sue did a mental leap of joy as Hatori placed the card into his shirt pocket.
"I must get back to the main house and put this one to bed," Hatori said, shifting Momiji to a more comfortable position.
Mary and Sue suppressed sighs and squees of "kawaii" at the picture of Momiji sleeping in Hatori's arms.
"Thank you again, so much," Mary said. She bowed from her seat and gave him a warm smile. Hatori stared back at her and for a moment he saw nothing else.
"Yes, thank you," Sue said, rising to her feet. Hatori blinked quickly and, realizing he'd been staring, nonchalantly turned the other way.
Sue smirked at Mary before moving to walk Hatori and Momiji to the door.
"It was a pleasure meeting you both," Sue said formally with a bow.
"And you two, as well," Hatori responded. "I hope we meet again."
"We do, too," Sue said, grinning.
"Have a safe trip home and a good night," Mary called from the sofa.
Hatori nodded his head in acknowledgement and made his departure.
Sue slowly shut the door and locked it, turning to face her cousin.
"Shut up."
"I didn't say anything!" Sue exclaimed.
"No, but I know you're going to. So shut up." Mary was smirking, now.
"He's cute."
"Shut up."
"I mean, Momiji's cute, too, but in that little boy way."
"Sue..."
"But Hatori's a grown man." Sue was practically stalking her way back to Mary. "I think he has the hots for you."
"Sue-kichi-chan!" Mary exclaimed, blushing furiously.
"I mean, he took care of you, he gave you a foot massage," Sue recounted, ticking items off on her fingers. "You know, in some cultures, that's practically a marriage proposal."
"Suuuue."
"He's quiet, but he's kind."
"I know..." Mary moaned, flopping back on the couch and covering her eyes with her hand.
"And you know what the best part is?" Sue was bouncing on her toes.
Mary didn't answer, knowing she'd get one soon enough.
"You can touch him!"
Mary burst into tears.
"Er..." Sue was completely flabbergasted. That wasn't quite the response she was expecting.
Quickly, she sat on the couch and Mary grabbed her, pulling her into a hug. And then Sue knew. She'd been feeling the same way, on another level with Momiji, but she understood. To finally be able to have something you'd never been able to have before, yet wanted for practically all of your life, was pretty overwhelming.
Sue realized she was crying, too, but she didn't care and neither did Mary. They comforted each other and cried together, each fervently hoping this wasn't the only time they'd see the Soumas.
-
End Chapter 4