The morning of the banquet, all of the former Zodiac members, minus Kyo and Hatori, came to visit Tohru before their presence was demanded at the complex. All were dressed in their clothing for that evening.
Ayame sported an outfit of his own creation: a long, deep red silk robe barely visible beneath a black overcoat of equal length, held closed by gold clasps, that was alive with leafed vines of gold, red, and occasionally blue and white thread. As well, he wore black pants. His hair hung free, contrasting starkly against the black material. The other males wore suits. Hiro, a navy blue; Momiji, pale yellow; Hatusharu, a combination of a black coat with white pants; Ritsu, ivory; Shigure in a dark grey; and Yuki, powder blue. Only Shigure, Yuki, and Hiro wore ties. Necklaces were noticeable above Hatsuharu's not-fully-buttoned shirt and jacket.
Kisa was attired in a short-sleeved, pleated dress of aquamarine. One bow of a shade lighter decorated each sleeve at the shoulder. A spring green ribbon wrapped around the waist and tied in a bow at the back. A matching ribbon was tied in her hair. Kagura's dress was an intense pink, ending at her knees. The long sleeves, falling from the thin shoulder straps that crossed at the back, were comprised of rose-colored gauze. Violet berets kept Kagura's brown hair from her face. Kagura's magenta open-toe shoes had a low heel, whereas Kisa's black shoes were a shiny black with no high heel.
The eyes of Kisa and Kagura were bright, but they refrained from crying. Tohru had not been without the companionship of at least one of the Sohmas for much more than an hour since she had entered the hospital. When one could not visit, another could. Hatori was there most nights, researching, and Shigure and Ayame often kept him and Tohru company.
They began to file out of the room with promises to come as soon as they were able, though that was likely not to be for at least two days.
Yuki stayed behind. He placed his hand in Tohru's motionless, but still warm, one. "Get well, Tohru." A lone tear fell to land on her hand, sliding down the back of her hand to stain the blanket, but she showed no sign of feeling it. His eyes remained worriedly on her face for several moments. Finally, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and pulled himself away. Turning his head just before leaving, he said softly, "I'll be back as soon as I can." Then he quickly left.
Because of his hasty retreat, no one saw, a moment later, when Tohru's tearstained hand squeezed back at nothing but air. The monitors spiked once before returning their gentler movements.
Kyo, his black suit blending into the shadowed corner he stood in, watched as the former rat, the last visitor to Tohru's room that morning, exited. Kyo then made his way to see Tohru for the last time for more hours than he liked to think about. He entered her room, and she lay in the same position she was always laying in when he saw her now. His fist clenched. He, like the others, hated the idea of leaving Tohru alone, defenseless, for so long.
He approached Tohru and leaned over, affectionately brushing his knuckles lightly over her smooth cheek. "Damnit, Tohru. Hold on." A tear landed on Tohru's cheek, and ran down the slope of her cheek. Kyo caught it before it could drop from her jaw line, as he had once seen Yuki do. She had not flinched when the warm drop suddenly splashed on her pale skin.
Bangs veiling his eyes, Kyo left without a backwards glance, not caring that he might be late to aid in the final preparations and arrangements.
A silent instant passed in Tohru's hospital room. Then a single tear fell from under one closed eyelid.
At the Sohma residence, Yuki suddenly stopped in his trek from one house to another. His eyes had caught on Akito's grave. Approaching, he saw Tohru's rose. The three adults had told the story of the flower when he and a few of the other young adults had pressed for more answers about the breaking of the curse. The rose was as fresh as the day it had been placed there. Shaking his head at yet another mystery, he looked to the engraved name. "She's helped us all," he spoke slowly to the silent stone. "Help her. It's the least you can do. Please, help her—help us." Yuki turned abruptly and departed to continue with the final preparations for his stay.
In Tohru's room, a nurse moved to the window to close it as a sudden breeze blew into the room, lightly stirring Tohru's hair, carrying a few red petals on the invisible current.
Her back to the bed, the nurse heard, rather than saw, the monitors signal activity and the chest rise and fall in a sudden deep breath. Turning, the nurse saw eyelids flutter, then open to reveal somewhat weary, but very much alive, cerulean eyes.
With an only partially stifled groan, Tohru attempted to sit up. Gasping, the nurse rushed over to the patient.
"Lie still," she ordered softly. She checked Tohru's pulse with her fingers, comparing it to the monitors. When she found that all was well, she said, "I'll alert the doctor." She started to leave.
Tohru's eyes suddenly widened, and she reached out weakly to grasp at the woman's arm. The nurse returned to her side. "Yes?"
"Kisa, Kagura." Her voice was faint from disuse. She swallowed and licked her lips. "Are they okay?" There was no mistaking the worry in her voice.
Knowing some of the reason why Tohru was in the hospital, the nurse was able to answer confidently, "They are fine, dear. I'm afraid you were the one who was hit by that car."
Tohru sighed in relief. "And the others?"
"All fine. You were the only one injured."
Tohru closed her eyes, appearing content for the moment, knowing her friends were safe. The woman smiled, and helped Tohru get into a more comfortable sitting position. "I'll go get the doctor now."
"Please, wait." Again the woman returned to Tohru's side, showing no signs of impatience. "Yes?"
Tohru looked at her. Probably nearing forty, she had a kind face, with blue eyes and short, dirty blonde hair knotted behind her head. Tohru did her best to smile. "I'm Tohru Honda. Thank you for taking care of me."
The nurse smiled in return. "I'm Nori."
"Please, before you go and get the doctor, I would really like some questions answered."
Nori paused, uncertain, before relenting to the kind, dazed young woman. "All right. I'll do my best. But then I am going to get the doctor."
A/N: I hope I did not miss any spelling/grammar errors. I've been working on this story for eight hours with one short break. (Not only this chapter.) So if I missed any, please let me know. Thank you! By the way, 'Nori' is Japanese for 'doctrine'.
Dooley: Thank you so much! I must say, I've noticed the same problem with other curse-curing fictions, which is why I am trying very hard to keep mine from becoming like those others. I am pleased that you enjoy my writing. I hope it continues to meet your approval.
Dark Inu Fan: Trust me when I say I already have something in mind for the flowers, which your suggestion actually comes close to. You got what you hoped for, with no amnesia, as well. I hope things turn out okay with your uncle. Thank you very much for reviewing!
i love athrun: As you requested. I hope the chapters are still meeting your expectations. Thanks for reviewing!
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devilsnare: Thanks! I hate to disappoint you, but there will be no official pairing in this fiction. I am no romance writer, I'm afraid.
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elena: I hope this chapter is more what you had in mind. Thank you for the review!
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Beloved Rose: Now she is! Thank you for reviewing!
kyo's little koneko: Lol. Thanks for the review!
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Defafaeth: I guess this chapter answered your question. Thanks for reviewing!
lhuntathraeil: No, I was far from insulted. I completely agree with your remark. I have no problem with constructive criticism. I am shocked that someone sent you a virus for an interpreted insult. Well, I suppose I should not be too shocked. Anyway, thank you for reviewing!
dreamcaster555: Well, she did! So you can get up off of your knees now. That position can't be too comfortable. Thanks for the review!
Hotaru Tomoe: Thank you very much! I am glad you think so! I am working very hard to finish this story, so you've no need to worry. Who says your stories are bad?