Author's Notes:Neither Fruits Basket nor its characters belong to me. They are the property of Natsuki Takaya.
Sometimes I think I get a little obsessive over Shigure and Hatori. They alway seem to enter into my story even when it could be handled a little differently. I hope you like them as much as I do. Please read and review.
Chapter 6 Some Things Change
Shigure sat at his desk and watched the rain fall outside the window. He sighed as he admitted to himself it had been six months since Kyo, Yuki, and Tohru's graduation and still he was no closer to finding out what had changed in Kyo. There were days when time slipped by so quickly. It was almost September and he shook his head in amazement as he realized that it had been three years since a storm such as the one now outside had brought Tohru to live together with him, Yuki, and Kyo under his roof. It had been two years since Tohru had discovered Kyo's true form during a storm such as this one and now he could not help but wonder what this storm would bring to his life. He glanced at the newspaper on his desk. A casual observer might be forgiven for believing him to be deeply engrossed in reading it. A more observant viewer would realize that his thoughts were far from the printed pages lying open in front of him.
Hatori, one of those people who could be classified as a more observant viewer, watched Shigure from the open door. The dog did not realize he was standing there as of yet. This was quite odd in and of itself. He wondered what Shigure had on his mind that occupied him to the point that he was not even aware of his surroundings. Today he had closed the clinic and had given Tohru the day off. Since Shigure had been very quiet of late, Hatori had thought to go see his friend and find out what was on his mind these days. Now he wondered if he should just leave Shigure and his thoughts alone. Hatori had almost decided to leave when Shigure came to himself with a start and turned quickly to the open door.
"Ha-san, welcome. What brings you here on this stormy day?" Shigure said with one of his ingenuous smiles.
Hatori returned the smile. He was feeling much more relaxed and less stressed since Tohru had come to work with him at the clinic. "You do, Shigure. I can't help but feel that you have much on your mind and I thought perhaps you would like to discuss it with me."
Shigure's gaze turned back toward the window and the storm raging outside. "Perhaps you are right Ha-san, perhaps you are right."
"Please have a seat. If Tohru-kun knows you are here, I have no doubt but that she will be up shortly with a tray of coffee and refreshments. One could really grow use to having a woman in the house you know, especially when they are as wonderful a home maker as our Tohru-kun."
Hatori rolled his eyes at Shigure's pronouncement. "As usual Shigure, you border on the edge of indecency."
"Why should today be different from any other? So tell me Hatori, how is my little flower working out in that office of yours. Does it make you happy to get to see her every day? Such a cute, innocent young woman, too. I envy you Hatori!"
Hatori determinedly ignored his best friend's comments, but should have realized it was to no avail.
"Ahh, Ha-san, so quiet. You must be thinking of Tohru-kun and how cute she is at this very moment."
"Shigure" The warning note caught his notice and Shigure looked more closely at Hatori. Was it possible the dragon…no, of course not? No more than he himself at any rate. Just then Tohru knocked at the open door.
"Forgive my intrusion, but I brought you some coffee and dessert."
"You are always welcome in my bleak study Tohru-kun. I have only to see your face and the world is suddenly brighter…"
"Shigure-san, you shouldn't say such things." Tohru said with a giggle. "What would you do if I started to believe you?"
Shigure looked at Tohru in surprise. "Tohru-kun?"
"Hai Shigure-san"
"Nothing. I just wanted to make sure you were still the same person I've always known. It seems that you are beginning to grow up under Hatori's guidance."
"What do you mean Shigure-san?"
"It is nothing Tohru-kun, never mind" Shigure replied in the usual sing-song voice that was a definite indicator he was changing the subject.
"I will leave you two to talk then. Ja matta"
The door snicked shut quietly behind Tohru as she left the two men to their conversation.
Hatori turned from watching Tohru leave to see Shigure once more staring out the window as the storm increased its fury.
"Shigure, it seems you have much on your mind. Let's talk as it has been quite a while since there has been time for such a thing."
Even through the closed door of the study, the two men could hear a fight erupting between Yuki and Kyo as they got ready to leave for class. Between their college classes and cram school the two young men were seldom at home. Shigure drifted toward the door and opened it just enough to hear what was going on. Tohru's quiet tones floated up the stairwell as she attempted to get the two boys to quit fighting. He shook his head in amazement. Would she never give up on trying to keep the peace between those two? Gradually the sounds faded as Tohru bade them good bye and handed each of them the bento she had prepared for them that morning. The argument started up again as they strode down the street to the bus stop. The sound of the vacuum being powered up and Tohru's quiet humming as she went about her household chores were the next thing heard. Shigure shut the door and turned to Hatori. "Let's talk," he said.
"Ha-san, have you ever noticed how some things never change and other things never remain the same? Life is very dynamic don't you think? What you believe one day may be totally disproved the next."
"Such deep thoughts so early in the day Shigure. You really aren't yourself are you?"
"What do you mean Ha-san? You just said I was exactly the same as always not ten minutes ago."
"That wasn't quite what I meant, but we'll let that go for now."
Shigure's face took on a serious expression that only Hatori was allowed to see. "Have you noticed the changes in Tohru and Kyo in the last few months? There have been some major changes in Akito as well."
"On the surface things around here seem to be fairly normal but can't you feel it Ha-san? The atmosphere is charged, something is going to happen and soon. Remember three years ago when Tohru-kun came to live here, it was on a rainy day like this. There was a landslide and the tent she was living in was buried in mud. Just two years ago, it was on another day such as this, Tohru discovered Kyo's secret form. It seems that things of importance always happen during our stormy season. I can't help but feel that something else is waiting on the fringe of this storm. What is it going to be Ha-san? There's an air about Akito, as if he's waiting for something to happen in order for him to carry out his plan. I don't like not knowing what it is. What is he planning? I know it has something to do with Tohru, but I haven't figured out what just yet."
Hatori sat and listened as Shigure rambled on. The dog was making some valid points and Hatori had a couple of guesses, but it wasn't time to share them just yet. He had watched Akito when Tohru was around. There had been a familiar expression in his eyes, but that was changing. At first it had been a hard glitter, a secret amusement that Hatori had learned to recognize as Akito's joy in planning hurt for someone. That was anexpression he was all too familiar with. But now, that expression had begun to change, sometimes it was a little softer and Hatori wondered at it; wondered at the possibilities.
"But Akito aside, I've been watching Kyo and Yuki. They've both matured and become more resolute in their goals. I fully expected this change in Yuki, but Kyo has become a puzzle to me. I don't like puzzles if they arenot of my own making, you know. For as long as I've known him, defeating Yuki has been Kyo's only goal in life. To defeat Yuki and take his place among the zodiac members. Now though, while it is still one of his goals, it is not his only goal. Both boys are studying hard. It's not just the desire to protect Tohru-kun though; it is also a matter of pride. Neither is willing to be outdone by the other. I really didn't know the cat would learn to be so smart. I always knew the potential was there but I never expected him to realize it. I had hoped he might someday, but it was only a very dim hope. But there is more to Kyo than just this pride and this new goal of matching Yuki in his studies."
"You have me curious now, Shigure. What is there about Kyo that could possibly puzzle you? He's always been the most straightforward of the cursed ones. Most of the time you know where you stand with him at any given moment."
"That's just it Ha-san. He has learned a little of caution and a lot about self-assurance and acceptance. He's still hot- tempered and always ready for a fight but the hard edgeto his anger is no longer there. Something has happened to cause a fundamental change in his personality. There is a new assurance about him, an acceptance of who and what the cat of the zodiac is in his manner. Sometimes I almost think his fighting with Yuki is habit and not something he really cares about anymore."
"Why does this disturb you Shigure? I would think that you would be very pleased with this and give yourself all the credit. You would have done that before, why not now?"
"Because I know when the change began, but I don't know the reason for the change. I do know it had nothing to do with my influence though I might wish otherwise. I suspected it was due to Tohru at first, but I don't really think so. She has helped I'm sure, but there is something more. It began with Kyo's visit to Kazuma on the day following graduation. The two of them talked about something, but I am not sure what it was. You remember that morning, the one where Kyo cheerfully fixed breakfast and headed out the door."
"I do recall that morning," Hatori said thoughtfully.
"Since that day, this new aspect of Kyo's personality has been developing. I even went so far as to talk to Kazuma to find out what had happened that day."
"And…"
"And he told me that if Kyo wanted me to know, then Kyo would tell me. He said it wasn't his secret to reveal. Can you imagine Kazuma telling me that, Ha-san."
"If anyone in our family were to tell you something like that Shigure, it would be Kazuma. If anyone were better at keeping secrets than you, it would be him. He has always maintained a certain distance from the family while remaining a central part of it."
"But why would he not tell me? "
"I can only come up with one reason, it is something he does not want Akito to know. Forgive me Shigure, but telling you or I something is much the same thing as telling Akito, if we are honest about it. We each have a certain loyalty to him for our own reasons."
"I kind of thought that way as well. But I do know, If Kazuma refuses to talk then there is not much use in attempting to change his mind. "
"Have you tried asking Kyo about it?"
"Yes, I tried asking, and I even tried to trick him into revealing this secret. I couldn't believe it when it didn't work" Shigure's crestfallen expression brought a chuckle to Hatori's lips.
Shigure's expression immediately brightened. "I will find out though, because I am very good at deciphering puzzles. This is just taking me longer than expected, but I will succeed."
"You always did like a challenge Shigure."
"That is so very true, Ha-san. I'm so glad I talked to you because I just had a glimmer of an idea. I do believe it has to do with Tohru, but in an indirect fashion. I think I will have to stoop to doing some snooping to confirm it though."
The glint in Shigure's eyes was enough to make Hatori shudder. When he got set on an idea, there was no dissuading him from pursuing it.
A quiet knock came at the door.
"Come in Tohru-kun" Shigure invited.
Tohru entered with a smile. I am going to prepare lunch shortly, Hatori-san will you be joining us?
"Yes, Tohru-san I will."
"Okay, then I will call when it is ready."
Tohru left the room and Shigure turned back to Hatori. "I do have a question though, Hatori. With the new school term I have had very little chance to speak with Momiji alone. Can you tell me how Akito has been treating Tohru-kun?"
"He is being quite civil from what I have been able to determine. Momiji is consistently surprised at the respect with which Akito has been treating Tohru. There are times when he gets angry and speaks spitefully but this is happening less and less. She simply kneels, listens to Akito vent, and lets the storm blow over. I don't believe there has ever been another young woman as compassionate as our Tohru-san. Sometimes I even believe Akito has begun to like her, at least a little. It may be foolishness; it may be wishful thinking but there are times when I can't help but think in such a manner."
"I find this a very interesting development, Ha-san."
Just then Tohru called up the stairs to let them know lunch was ready. The two men turned to go downstairs.
"Ha-san, thank you for coming over today. I think I really needed a sounding board to get closer to solving the puzzle of Kyo. You are a very good listener. I can be too, as well."
"Yes, Shigure, you can be a good listener, but most of the time, you prefer to hear yourself talk." Hatori said with a slight grin.
"Ha-san, you injure me," cried Shigure in mock pain.
5
