Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket.
On with the party?
2. Whodunit
"What's this I hear? Akito-san fell down the stairs?" Shigure perked up at the strident voice. Ayame's here. The servants had cleaned up the mess by now. He quickly puts aside Akito's diary before Ayame sees that he's been reading it.
Shigure had related the situation to him over the phone. Ayame was with his assistant. "Need new ceremonial robes? Leave it to the master!" Momiji was waiting. Hatori was still at the hospital with Akito. He should be calling with the news about Akito…
"Best French lace! Japanese silks and Florentine satin!" Momiji's eyes glowed as Ayame showed the boy his wares. "Don't hug." Ayame added softly as an afterthought. His pigtailed assistant smiled and took Momiji's measurements. Shigure left the room and went to the hall where the others were waiting.
It was Kagura who answered the phone when it rang. Hatori was on his way back. Akito was still in surgery. The scans showed a blood clot that needed removal in his brain.
Ayame soon joined them. "Now, who shoved poor Akito down the stairs?" he sat down and looked at them meaningfully. Ayame, don't say such irresponsible things… Hiro glared at the silver-haired Snake.
Kureno thought carefully before he answered. "Haru, Hatori, Momiji and Hiro were upstairs when the accident happened." The Sheep shot daggers at him.
"Haru, did you?" Haru was too preoccupied looking at Rin. "Haru?" Shigure wondered how Haru felt about Akito's part in Rin's accident. They were lucky she wasn't too badly hurt as the bushes below the balcony saved her.
"Definitely not! He may deserve that but I didn't shove him over the banister." Haru glared at Ayame. Ayame decided wisely to back off. Haru was on the verge of becoming Black Haru.
"Hiro?"
The boy snorted in response. "I can't say I'm sorry about what happened, but I certainly didn't do it. Why can't it be Kureno?" The Rooster sat up. Hiro pressed on. "I mean, he could've smashed the vase on Akito's skull and put the slipper and book on the stairs and landing to make it seem he fell…"
Hiro stole a sideways glance at Kisa and hoped she will not think he was making a scapegoat out of Kureno. Did she think he tried to kill Akito?
"I did not! I'll never hurt Akito-san…" Kureno protested. He should have gone to the hospital with Hatori and Akito…
"Whee!" Momiji pranced into the room wearing Ayame's latest design. He twirled about, ribbons and streamers flying. Shigure stifled a laugh. The others gaped at the sight. Kureno went pale. Ayame was too caught up playing detective to care about their reaction to Momiji's new ceremonial robe.
"Momiji, did you push Akito down?" The Rabbit shook his head. The beads of his new headdress twinkled in the light. The Rabbit had a very forgiving nature. It was unlike him to nurse a grudge against anyone. Hatori entered the room. He was just back from the hospital.
"That leaves Hatori!" Ayame spun around and pointed at Hatori dramatically. Hatori stared at Momiji's outfit. "Ayame!" The man's trying his patience.
"Hatori, you say you forgave Akito over Kanna and the loss of your eye… but you didn't! You nursed a grudge all this while!"
"Ayame…" Hatori sweatdropped.
"Today your chance came. You chanced upon him alone and off guard on the landing. He was leaning over the banister and you shoved him over…"
"Ayame!" For once, Hatori's angry. "First, I did not push him. Second, I was with Momiji at the time. He's my alibi. Lastly, I am NOT wearing that monstrosity if it's the new ceremonial robe!" He pointed at Momiji. The Rabbit grinned brightly at the Dragon.
"Hatori, this is the best I can get on short notice…" Shigure ventured. Hatori stormed out of the room in a huff.
"Ack! He hates my masterpiece!" Ayame exclaimed and faked a near swoon into Shigure's arms. "Gure, hold me… I think my heart's broken…" What a drama queen… Hiro looked on with contempt.
"Ayame, I still think the new robe's kawaii," Momiji consoled Ayame. The new robe had lacy sleeves and pink bows at the hem. Ayame had added a bunny motif onto the headdress. A bright red silk flower bloomed on the sash. Shigure burst out into laughter. Maybe they should seriously consider canceling the party…
Or… Shigure met Ayame's eyes. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
"Kureno, leave everything to us!" Shigure sang as he and Ayame left the room. Akito-san, if they mess it up, please, please don't hurt me… The Rooster prayed. He went to look for Hatori. He was the only person capable of controlling the wacky pair of Ayame and Shigure besides Akito.
"Hatori-san, how's Akito…" Kureno found Hatori standing in his office watching the snow fall outside. The Dragon now liked to watch the snow ever since… He used to get real moody whenever it snowed after Kanna left.
"Kureno, are you and Akito…" Kureno looked away. The implication was clear enough. "I'm just worried, that's all…"
Hatori sighed. It was a heavy sound in the quiet room. Akito's karma was not done with him yet. On being carried out of the ambulance, the stretcher inexplicably broke, dumping the clan head onto the asphalt in front of the Emergency. Then there was the freak accident with the operating table. The first thing Akito will probably do upon his discharge will be to sue the hospital for gross negligence. Hatori spoke.
"Akito-san will be hospitalized for a while, maybe for a month or so. You can always visit…" Kureno nodded. Long enough for the household to fall down around our ears and Akito get really mad at us…
They were going to have an unusual New Year party this year. 'God' will not be attending the banquet. He'll be laid up in an A-class hospital ward. Kyo will be spending his New Year eve with Tohru. The cat still wouldn't be invited, will he?
Author's notes:
I like Ayame's designs! Invitation for Kyo? Maybe...Not all the Zodiac members outside the main house have been informed of Akito's accident.
I honestly think it's a bit freaky how Akito's always clinging to the male cursed Sohmas. And Kureno is his constant companion... No wonder Hatori & the others may get a tad suspicious...