What Goes On In A Man's Head
By Mayumi Takanashi
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or any of its characters.
Tohru climbed the stairs toward her room. The night's events were quite overwhelming, and she felt awfully worn and tired. As much as she admired the dress she was wearing, she felt the need to change into a pair of loose, comfortable pajamas. Turning on the light to her room, her eyes squinted from the bright light emanating from the ceiling. Her brown eyes had grown accustomed to the soft, gentle candles at the party, that the light above seemed unnatural, so fake.
As she lay in her bed, the darkness seemed much more comfortable. However, thoughts and memories of the past seven days flowed through in her mind in unorganized patterns and shapes. Voices and movements filled her head….
"Can I have a hug?"
"I'm having the best day of my life!"
"Hey, sweetheart, why don't you come a bit closer and give me a kiss?"
"Really, it's no big deal."
"I simply wanted to feel the warm touch of a woman's skin."
"Ever since the moment I met you, I've been in love with you…"
"Nothing will happen to you, I promise."
Tohru fell silently into a world of darkness, full of voices and visions.
"Tohru? Tohru?" A voice was calling her, she must answer…
"Tohru? It's time to wake up!"
"So many voices…" she whispered.
"Tohru? It's a school day, we must get ready!"
Her eyes fluttered open, full of mild surprise and bewilderment. Beside her bed stood Yuki, his hair gleaming in the sunlight streaming in through the open door. The morning breeze felt good.
"Miss Honda, I was wondering if you'd meet me at the Secret Base after you get dressed?" he asked softly.
"Of course," she replied.
"No need to cook breakfast this morning," he stated.
"Oh, okay," she said, lifting herself off the bed.
-What Goes On in a Man's Head-
"Yuki?" called Tohru. Uniform on, hair brushed, Tohru was ready to start her day. All she had to do was find Yuki.
"Wow, the strawberries look about ready to pick," exclaimed Tohru, examining the garden which was their Secret Base. As she stroked the succulent red berries, she heard a rustle in the leaves behind her.
She whipped around, looking for the source of the noise. Out of the bushy foliage stepped Yuki, adjusting his tie and looking straight into Tohru's face.
"Well, I'm here!" she said happily to him.
"Yes, thank you for being here so early," he said kindly.
"Oh, it's really not a problem at all!"
"Well, there's only a few minutes until the curse is lifted," Yuki said, staring wistfully into the forest beside them.
"ONLY A FEW MINUTES!" screamed Tohru, her hands flying to her mouth in shock.
"Yes, and I have something I must tell you now, before it's too late."
"Go ahead!" she said breathlessly, clutching her heart in surprise.
"Miss Honda, I have to express my true feelings," said Yuki quietly, wrapping one arm around her waist and pulling her in toward him.
"You are so incredibly beautiful, and your warm personality touches all those around you."
Tohru was wondering what he was talking about. Yet he continued on.
"You are unaware how happy you make others by simply gracing them with your presence. Being around you makes me so happy, and when I see you face…" He sighed with a soft look in his eyes, yet his stare never left Tohru's.
"I love you, I love you so much, Miss Tohru Honda," he said, bending low and whispering in her ear.
Tohru grew stiff, and Yuki lifted her chin with his fingers and leaned in towards her face. They gazed at one another for one moment, then their lips met with each other's. Instead of struggling, Tohru obediently stayed in place, savoring the sweet touch of his kiss.
Suddenly, the worse happened. Without warning, a loud "POP!" was heard, and a cloud of pink smoke filled the garden. When it cleared, there stood a small, white, violet-eyed mouse, sitting in a large pile of clothing.
It was over. The Zodiac Curse had finally taken effect. The little rat stood frozen in the pile, staring straight ahead, an expression of complete sadness and pain across its face.
Tohru slowly opened her eyes, and with great difficulty forced herself to watch the little rat sit there, taking in the fact that he was no longer immune to the curse.
The mouse had many thoughts running through his head. When would he be able to hold Tohru again? When would he be able to kiss her again? When?
"I'm sorry, Yuki," said Tohru, feeling a lump rise in her throat. Tears started to trickle down her pale cheeks, overcome with grief for the boy who had just had his freedom stolen away from him.
Everywhere, each Zodiac member felt the curse sneak back, it crept down their spine, it took over their minds, it made their hearts ache with sorrow. It was over, their freedom flying away, like a bird flying away from a tree branch, not knowing if it would ever return.
Later that day, Yuki, Kyo, and Tohru sat in their desks at school. Not able to pay attention to the teacher, they each thought about what the future would hold. Would Tohru ever be able to embrace the closest friends she had in the world? Would Kyo and Yuki ever be able to kiss the one that they each loved? None of them new the answers, but each of them stole a glance at the others, a deep understanding connecting all of them together. Tohru finally understood what each Sohma boy had been thinking all this time, what was truly going on in a man's head.
THE END
Author's Notes: I'm sorry if it was really depressing. I didn't know how to bring the curse back and have everyone be happy about it at the same time. But this is the end, and I hope that you at least enjoyed some of it. I'm so happy that all of you sent in such wonderful reviews over the last four chapters! I apologize about Rin the Horse. I had no idea, I've only seen the series, I've never read the manga. Why don't they show the entire Zodiac in the series, huh? Oh well, please review, and no flames please. Also, thank to those who complimented on my grammar. I really strive to make my writing readable, because I can't stand fanfics that are riddled with errors! It drives me insane!