Author's Notes: Neither Fruits Basket nor its characters are my property. They belong to Natsuki Takaya.

Just a short chapter to tie up the loose ends in Chapter 4. Originally this was going to be part of Chapter 4 but I felt the chapter would be too long if I included this part. Read and review if you are so inclined. There will be more chapters forthcoming in the near future.

Chapter 5 Tohru Accepts Hatori's Offer

Even as Akito was unveiling his plan to Kureno, Momiji and Tohru were walking quickly toward Hatori's apartments. Fortunately for their peace of mind, neither of them knew what Akito was plotting, although Momiji did know there was something going on.

Hatori was standing on the garden deck as they came into view. He returned their wave and went to open the door for them. "Momiji, Tohru-san, please come in" he invited.

"Momiji, don't you have some preparations to make for the new school term on Monday?"

The younger juunishi sighed. "Yes, Ha'ri-san, I do. Tohru, I'll see you later, okay?"

"Okay"

"Now, Tohru-san, let me get straight to the point. Are you interested in becoming my assistant?"

"Hai, Hatori-san, I have decided to accept your offer. Talking to Akito-san today helped me realize how much I really wanted the position."

"Is that so? I am pleased he persuaded you." Hatori smiled and turned to his desk.

"Now that is settled, let's get the details out of the way. I spoke with Momiji's father about this possibility. Normally a two-week notice would be required. However; I explained the situation and he has agreed to release you so that you may begin here on Monday. Tomorrow will be your last day at his building. You can rest on Sunday and be ready to start on Monday. Is this a satisfactory arrangement?" Hatori wrote on a clean sheet of paper lying atop his desk. "These will be your hours and this is your salary. I trust they meet with your approval." He handed the paper to Tohru and her eyes widened.

"Hatori-san, this is too much!"

"Is it too many hours? I can probably arrange for you to work fewer hours." He hid his smile by turning back to his desk.

"No Hatori-san. That's not what I meant. The salary, it's too much!"

"The salary is barely sufficient for the job you will be doing Tohru-san. You will be in training for the first six weeks. After that, you will probably receive a raise."

"That would be expecting too much. I can't accept a raise!"

Hatori turned and gazed at the young girl. He saw the earnest dismay in her sea-green eyes and smiled gently. "Trust me, Tohru-san, this is a wage you could expect as any physician's assistant. Please accept it so we can move on to the contract."

"H-hai Hatori-san. Contract? What contract? I am so nervous now."

"Pull up a chair and we will go over it."

Tohru pulled a chair to Hatori's desk and listened attentively as he explained the contract and the duties involved. When he was done, Tohru smiled and signed the agreement. "Thank you Hatori-san for the chance to learn a trade and to get to know other Sohmas. I am very much looking forward to the experience. I do hope I will live up to your expectations and not be a disappointment."

"Tohru-san, simply be yourself and there will be no disappointment."

"Hai, Hatori-san. I will do my best."

Momiji returned to Hatori's office just as the conference was finished. "Tohru, are you ready to go home now? I promised Ha'ri I would see you safely to Shigure's if it was late when you finished."

"Yes Momiji-kun, I am ready to go home now. Good night Hatori-san. I will be here bright and early Monday morning."

"Good night Tohru-san. Be sure to get some rest on Sunday because we will be very busy on Monday and each day after that."

Just as Momiji and Tohru exited Hatori's apartments, Kureno was entering them through the opposite door. "Hatori-san, Akito has over-exerted himself and is not well. Please come quickly."

Hatori glanced at Kureno and then turned to watch the two young people exit the compound. When they were out of sight he turned and shrugged into his jacket with a sigh. "Let me get my bag, Kureno. He probably just needs a sedative to help him rest."

Momiji and Tohru walked to Shigure's house as it was too pleasant a night to wait for the bus. Once they arrived she invited Momiji to stay for supper. Afterwards when all the excitement surrounding her new job had died down, Tohru took a cup of tea and went out onto the porch as was her nightly ritual.

She watched the night sky and talked to Kyoko. "Mom, there are so many wonderful things happening in my life. I found out Kyo-kun and I were friends when we were younger. I have a wonderful new job with Hatori-san in his clinic and I think I may finally start to know Akito-san. I am so happy!"