Hello all. Please remember neither Fruits Basket nor the Fruits Basket characters belong to me. They are the property of Takaya-san. I do hope you will like this next chapter. I realize you all are waiting to find out what Akito's master plan will be, but it will be another couple of chapters yet.
I know many of you have been hoping that Tohru would remember the events of "When the Cat Met Mom".She does finally remember. I hope you will enjoy the presentation. I know this is another long chapter. I do hope it is not too long. I thought about splitting it in two, but decided I shouldn't. Kyo may seem a little OOC, but I don't really think I have gone that far astray. He is older and he does have something wonderful to remember now that he has remembered Kyoko. I really do love Kyoko and Kazuma as you've probably noticed. They are my two favorite characters for advancing the plot thus far. Yes, there is a plot though it may seem obscure at the moment.
Please read and review. Thank you.
Chapter 3 Tohru's Memory Returns
Thursday night arrived and Tohru was still not sure how she should respond to Hatori's offer. She had discussed it with Yuki and Kyo and with Momiji as well when he had happened by that day. All three of them encouraged her to take the position but she still wasn't sure if she was the right person or not.
She climbed into bed and looked at her mom's picture. "Mom, what should I do? I really would like to accept Hatori-san's job off but I 'm not sure what's best."
Her eyes drifted slowly shut and as she slept she could hear her Mom's voice. Tohru be yourself and everything will be fine. Just take it slow and when your heart is at peace, you will know you've made the right decision.
The next morning Tohru was up early and prepared breakfast. She still had not made up her mind so decided to go for a walk and visit the places she and her mom used to go. As she was writing a note to let the Sohmas know where she was going Kyo came downstairs. He was surprised to see Tohru already awake and apparently dressed to go out. Usually he was the first person up in the morning.
"Oh Kyo, good morning. I was just going for a walk. Will you let Shigure-san and Yuki-kun know. Breakfast is on the stove."
"Morning Tohru, you're up earlier than usual. Are you okay?"
"Yes, yes I am fine. I just thought I'd go visit some of the places Mom and I used to go. I'm not sure why, but I think it will help me decide if I should accept Hatori-san's job offer or not."
"Wait a minute and I'll go with you. You're so spacey you might get yourself run over if someone doesn't keep an eye on you. Besides, if you wanna talk, I can listen and if not, I know how to keep quiet."
"Oh Kyo, that's very kind of you but you don't have to interrupt your morning for me."
"I don't mind if you'll wait just a minute. I want to grab my jacket. We can leave a note for the others. "
"Okay, I wouldn't mind some company this morning."
After leaving a note for the other two, Tohru and Kyo left the house. Tohru took Kyo by the apartment where she and her mom had lived. She pointed out the various museums and shrines they used to visit. Finally they ended up at the neighborhood park.
Kyo looked around and realized this was where he had met Kyoko and Tohru almost ten years ago. "You know Tohru…this park looks sort of familiar" he also realized that the various spots Tohru had pointed out were the same as he had either dreamed or read about in the journal Kyoko had left to him.
"Does it really Kyo, can we rest here for a few minutes? Mom and I spent a lot of time here as I was growing up. "Tohru's question brought him back to the present. She was standing by a park bench with a clear view of children on the swings as parents watched from the sidelines.
"Sure, let's sit here."
As the restless night and early morning rising took its toll on Tohru's energy, she fell asleep, her head falling on Kyo's shoulder.
Startled at first, he found himself relaxing after a couple of minutes. He was a little surprised to realize how precious one petite girl had become to him. It was strange though. His feeling wasn't really a romantic one. He had believed he was in love with Tohru, but that wasn't quite right. He did love her but in a way that was more brotherly. He wanted to protect her and keep her safe just as an older sibling or parent wants to keep a younger child safe. He realized there was really no reason to be jealous of Tohru's feelings for Yuki, or Yuki's feelings for her. Tohru loved them both but he suspected her feelings for Yuki were more of the forever kind than were her feelings for him. That was okay though. He had a promise to Kyoko to keep and doing so had just gotten much easier. "Kyoko-san," he thought, "I will watch over her and protect her as if she is my precious younger sister. However, that damn rat can keep thinking I'm his rival for Tohru. It will be that much easier to draw him into fighting me. One day soon, I will defeat him."
While Kyo was sorting through his feelings and coming to his realizations, Tohru was asleep and some old memories fluttered right at the edge of her consciousness. "Tohru, darling, this young man is going to be the brother you never had for as long as we can keep him."
"Really Mom, he can be my brother forever and ever? I'm so happy, I've never had a brother."
Kyoko chuckled. "I don't know about forever, he does have a family he has to go home to, but we will keep him close to us for as long as possible."
Dream-like images materialized. Her and a young boy on the swings, building sandcastles…. Laughing with Mom, sharing meals…. Tohru suddenly wakened. "Kyo…kun…"
Realizing she was resting on his shoulder she abruptly straightened. "Oh, Kyo-kun, I'm sorry. I must have made you uncomfortable, for give me."
"It's okay Tohru. I know you haven't slept much. Besides, if you think you will make me uncomfortable, don't fall asleep on my shoulder again."
Tohru turned to Kyo just in time to see the smile that was so dear to her. To see the Sohmas smile was among the treasures in her life. No matter which Sohma it was, she treasured their smile.
Tohru smiled back at Kyo. "Kyo, I just had the strangest dream…you were part of it, but we were children. Why would I remember something like that? I don't remember meeting you before, but is was so real. I wouldn't forget something like that, would I?"
"If your memories were erased, you would." Kyo said quietly.
"What…"
"Tell me about your dream."
"We were both children, about seven or eight years old. You and I were on the swings , those right over there." Tohru pointed toward the swings directly in front of them. "Mom was there and we were building…"
"Sandcastles" Kyo finished her sentence.
"Yes, how did you know?"
"I had the same dream the night of graduation."
Tohru's eyes widened in surprise. "You did!?!"
"Not exactly, but close enough. Tell me, what do you think it means, can you remember anything else?"
"Well…." Tohru sat back and closed her eyes. She felt if a dam was breaking and releasing a flood of memories.
"Oh my…."
"Are you okay Tohru?
"Yes I am. I'm more than okay. Kyo-kun, we were friends when we were younger. I'm certain of it now."
"Tohru, I know you have to go visit Akito today, but do you have time to come with me to Master Kazuma's this morning? It's important."
"Yes, I'm not expected until this afternoon. What is so important?"
"I think he has a story you would like to hear."
"Oh, okay."
"Tohru?"
"Hmmm?"
"Have you decided about Hatori's offer yet?"
"Almost. I think I will accept it."
"Be careful. What Master tells us this morning, I think it would be best if it stays our secret."
"That will be fun, sharing a secret with you. It would make me as happy as going to Yuki-kun's secret base."
The two arrive at Kazuma's shortly after he finished breakfast.
"Kyo, and Tohru as well….What a pleasant surprise."
"Good Morning Kazuma-san. I hope we aren't imposing."
"Be welcome Tohru-san and Kyo. What brings you here at this early hour?"
"Master, Tohru has an interesting story to tell you."
Kazuma noticed Kyo's use of Tohru's name and smiled to himself. His son was finally growing up. "Tohru-san…" Kazuma looked at her, his eyes questioning.
"You see, Kazuma-san, Kyo and I went for a walk this morning. Oh don't worry, we left a note for Yuki-kun and Shigure-san. We visited the apartments where I lived with Mom, walked by all of the places we used to go, and ended up at the park."
Kazuma waited patiently. After having known Tohru for two years, he realized she would eventually get to the point of this visit.
"I was hoping revisiting all of these places would help me decide if I should accept Hatori-san's job offer. When Kyo and I arrived at the park we…" Tohru turned a bright red.
"She fell asleep on my shoulder." Kyo said with a grin as he thumped Tohru on the head.
"I see" Kazuma returned Kyo's grin.
"umm…yes. I haven't been sleeping well and it must have caught up with me. While I slept, I had the strangest dream and then I suddenly awakened."
"Yeah, I never saw her move so fast as when she realize she was leaning on my shoulder."
Tohru covered her face in embarrassment.
"Tohru, I'm sorry. Okay? Please finish telling master what happened."
"You said you h ad a strange dream Tohru-san" Kazuma interjected.
"Yes and then I awakened and I started remembering so many things."
"Such as..."
"You were there, and Kyo-kun and Mom. I don't know how I could have forgotten, but I knew Kyo-kun. We were very young, about seven or eight. He would visit at our apartment and we played together. Mom used to tell us both stories."
"That is correct Tohru-san. I knew both of your parents when I was younger. Kyoko-san and Katsuya-kun were my best friends. Shall I tell you my story?"
"Yes, please Kazuma-san. I would like to know more about my father. I was very small when he died."
"You are very like him Tohru-san. In my elementary years I transferred to a new grade school..."
Kazuma related his story much as he had told Kyo. He added more anecdotes about Katsuya making him live again for his daughter.
Tohru listened quietly, a happy smile on her face and occasional tears. Kyo watched the emotions play across her features and was glad he'd brought her to see his master.
Kazuma brought his narrative to an end.
"Thank you so much Kazuma-san. I feel like I have learned a lot about my father and my mother. It is wonderful to be able to add new memories to those I've already been given."
"You are welcome Tohru-san. I am happy to finally be able to tell you of your parents. Come with me please. I have a gift for you that was entrusted to me by your mother."
"For me, Kazuma-san?"
"Yes Tohru-san. Kyo please wait here. We will return shortly."
Kyo had gotten up to accompany them but at Kazuma's command sat back down. "Why must I wait here master?"
"I have something to relay to Tohru-san that is meant for her only."
"Okay, I'll wait."
Tohru followed Kazuma to the place where he had stored the locked trunk. He unlocked the trunk and removed the two remaining black journals as well as an old photograph taken many years ago. The photo was one of Katsuya and Kyoko on their wedding day. The photographer had also captured Kazuma standing off to the side happily smiling with his two best friends.
"Tohru-san, this photo is one of my treasures. I set it aside to give to you if ever I was given the chance"
"You loved her too, didn't you Kazuma-san? Mom I mean."
"That may well be true, but I never allowed myself to think that way. Katsuya-kun was my best friend and Kyoko-san was the only girl he ever loved."
"Thank you for the photo. May I ask what these two black notebooks might be?"
"These are journals written by Kyoko-san. One is for you Tohru. The other one is the one I wanted to talk to you about in private. As you know, I do not spend much time at Sohma house nor do I have any desire to do so. I prefer to distance myself from all that happens there. However; I was entrusted by Kyoko-san with this journal she wrote for Akito. I would like to pass the trust on to you now that you have recovered your memories. Kyoko-san told me that she would like Akito to have this so that he will know she harbored no ill will for his ordering her memory erased. As a matter of fact, she was thankful because it helped her realize how precious each of her memories could be. Kyoko-san had much faith in my ability to determine the right time to give this to him. I don't have that kind of faith in myself. However; I think you may be the right person to make such a decision when the proper time comes. No one seems to know us better than you do without even trying. I have a feeling that if anyone can change Akito's heart, it will be you or someone very like you.. For so many of our Juunishii you've had the right words at the right time. I think you will know when the time comes, if it does come, to give this to Akito."
"Kazuma-san, you have too much faith in me. I'm not so sure that I am the right person for this. Most of the time I feel he doesn't like me very much."
Kazuma smiled. "That means there are times, no matter how rare, that he does seem to like you. I think this is enough reason for you to be entrusted with this."
"I will do my best Kazuma-san."
"Thank you, Tohru-san."
Tohru glanced around the room and noted a clock on the wall. "Oh, I had best be going or I will be late for my appointment with Akito-san. Forgive me for hurrying off so suddenly."
Tohru and Kazuma re-entered the room where Kyo had been left to wait.
"Kyo, I have to hurry or I will be late meeting Akito-san."
"I'll go with you to Sohma house and then head home to Shigure's."
"Thank you, I'd like that."
"Kyo, Tohru-san" Kazuma's voice halted their exit.
"Yes, Master?"
"The two of you must be very careful whom you talk to of your history together. I feel it would not be good for Akito to learn you have remembered your past."
"We'll be careful Master."
"Come for dinner one day this week Kazuma-san. Bye"
"I will Tohru-san. Thank you."
