Chapter 13 Christmas Morning with Akito

It was Christmas Day and Tohru sat at her window looking out across the garden. Everyone else in the house was still asleep but she had awakened early. Schools were out for the winter break and everyone would be home for the next several days. She was looking forward to spending time with all of her friends before the final push to study for graduation and the college entrance exams.

She had loved every minute of working at Hatori's clinic, but had really missed spending time with Yuki-kun and Kyo-kun. It was really nice that Hatori-san had closed the clinic for the week. Last night had been wonderful. She had received so many wonderful gifts. It really was too much, but asYuki andKyo bothpointed out, she had given to everyone as well so maybe she wouldn't have too much trouble. She looked over at the beautiful kimono hanging on her closet door. Akito-san really had been too kind to give her such a beautiful kimono.

She opened the closet door and took out the lovely green kimono Sakura Alexander-sensei had given her for New Years. It had only been two years since then but so much had happened. She smiled sadly. She still believed Sakura-san was going to return, but she had been gone for so long. Now she had two kimonos. A wry smile quirked her lips. Well Mom, at least I will have the proper attire for the New Year's festivities.

The white expanse of snow stretched on forever and adorned the trees with silver frosting. The snow was very beautiful and it was a rare occurrence at the holidays to have this much of it. This would be a fun week, she was quite sure.

Even as Tohru was staring out her window at Shigure's garden, Akito stood at his window. In his hands he held the crystal songbird Tohru had given him as his Christmas gift. Strange as it seemed, nothing else would have suited him as well. Why is it that she knows me so well? He looked across the garden and yearned to go explore this beautiful peaceful world of white. But he couldn't. He would only end up getting sick and then he would miss the New Year's celebration. That simply would not do this year. It would be Rin's year to perform the ceremonial dance as the incoming year was that of the Horse, and Ayame would participate too since the outgoing year was that of the snake. It would be quite spectacular he was sure.

Kureno knocked at his door before entering and Akito slid the crystal bird inside his sleeve.

"Yes, Kureno?"

Hatori-san requested that he be allowed to give you a check-up after yesterday's excitement. May I send him in?

Akito sighed, "Yes, go ahead." He turned and set the small bird on a shelf by the window while he awaited Hatori.

Hatori entered the room briskly. "Akito-san you are looking well. This should only take a few minutes of your time."

"Hatori?"

"Yes Akito?"

"What do you think of the idea of me visiting the garden when you are done here? Do you think I might? I have a strong urge to be out of this room and in the fresh air."

Hatori considered Akito's request very carefully. "Why are you asking me Akito-san? You have always done as you liked when you liked and I never have had much say on your activities."

"Because Hatori, while I wish to enjoy the fresh air, I do not wish to become ill with the New Year's coming up. It will be a very special occasion this year, I am sure. As my doctor, you are best qualified to tell me if this crazy idea of mine will be okay."

"It should be okay, Akito, but I would prefer you not go unescorted. Please consider taking someone with you just in case."

Tohru decided that she would go to Sohma house. If it was too early, she could always come back home. She left a note for Shigure and the boys and then put on her coat and muffler. It was chilly today but so beautiful. It was only 20 minutes to Sohma house by foot and she decided walking would be faster than waiting for the bus.

Letting herself into the gate at Sohma house, Tohru bumped into Sonomi-san as she was crossing the garden. "Sonomi-san, good morning. I wanted to tell you that the tea the other day was very delicious. Thank you very much for your hard work in keeping Akito-san comfortable."

"Tohru-san, and good morning to you. The young master is awake and Hatori-san is visiting with him if you'd like to go on up."

"Do you really think it will be okay if I disturb their morning? I really don't want to be a bother."

"I don't think it will be. It surely can't hurt to find out, Tohru-san."

"Okay, then I will. Thank you Sonomi-san"

Tohru traversed the last few yards to Akito's quarters and knocked on the door. Kureno who had been waiting in the outer room while Hatori did Akito's check-up opened it.

"Good morning Tohru-san. If you will wait a minute, I will see if Akito will grant you permission to enter."

"Thank you, Kureno-san. I'll just wait right here." Tohru removed her shoes and knelt on the mat as she waited for Akito to be informed of her visit.

Kureno knocked lightly on Akito's bedroom door.

"Enter"

"Akito-san, Hatori, Miss Honda is in the outer room. She would like permission to join you."

"Tohru Honda san is here? This is a fortunate occurrence don't you agree Hatori? Now I will have someone to accompany me on my walk."

Hatori glance up from his notes in surprise. "Tohru-san is here? I did not expect to see her until the New Year's. You are correct Akito. She would be the perfect person to accompany you this morning."

"Kureno allow her to wait in my tearoom. I will join her shortly. Hatori, why don't you go keep her company while I get dressed."

"Yes Akito-san." Akito's eyes softened just a little when he saw how willingly Hatori left him to go visit with Tohru. "She truly has won over all my juunishi, and somehow, I don't seem to mind as much anymore. Perhaps it is because she has come to mean something to me as well, not just an obstacle to be overcome, but as a friend I can be myself with."

Akito dressed hurriedly. He was looking forward to the walk around the garden this morning while the snow was still unbroken on so many paths. The snow reminded him of Hatori in many ways and of himself as well. He supposed that it shouldn't be surprising that he and Hatori were alike in some ways, both had been raised by the same man They could both be very cold men, and it seemed Tohru had become the spring that melted the ice around their hearts. He laughed mockingly at himself. The thought came. It was an unwelcome thought. Who is truly being broken Akito? Can you really cast her off after coming to know her so well?

Hatori joined Tohru in the tearoom. "Tohru-san, Akito asked me to keep you company while he got dressed. I gave him a checkup this morning because I was afraid his long day and all the excitement may not have been good for him."

"He is okay isn't he Hatori-san?"

"Yes, better than I have seen him in many months. You are good medicine for him, Tohru-san."

"Oh no, I can't be that. But he does seem happier lately, don't you think so Hatori-san. He seems to be living a little more and not thinking so much about dying."

"Yes, that does seem to be the case." Just then Akito walked into the room.

Tohru stood up and bowed courteously. "Akito-san, Good Morning. Please pardon the intrusion."

"Be welcome Tohru-san. Join us for breakfast this morning."

Akito motioned for both Hatori and Kureno to be seated at the table. He gestured toward the remaining cushion, "Tohru-san, please be seated. We will have breakfast soon." As if on cue, Sonomi entered and began serving breakfast.

Tohru watched her with a smile and Sonomi nodded her head. After all was ready, she bowed out of the room.

"Tohru-san, pour the tea for each of us."

"Hai, Akito-san."

Oh dear Mom, I forgot about Shigure-san, Kyo-kun, and Yuki-kun. I wonder if they will be all right for breakfast. There are many leftovers from the party yesterday. They should be okay, shouldn't they?

Kureno watched the interaction between Tohru and the other two men. He had very little chance himself to come to know her, but they seemed to know her very well. He watch Akito for signs that he was only acting, but they were not to be found. Perhaps for once in his life, Akito would not follow through on an action that would cause more harm to the juunishi than had already been inflicted. Hatori had changed quite a bit. He was much the same as he had been before being forced to erase Kana's memories and watch her walk out of his life.

"Tohru-san, I have a favor to ask." Akito had finished his breakfast and was looking at her. "This morning I thought it would be nice to visit my gardens and Hatori has given the idea his approval. He did say he would feel better if I didn't go alone. He thought you might be willing to come with me."

"Hai, Akito-san. I would love too. Are you sure you don't mind?"

"I am quite sure. Just give me a minute to get my coat and boots."

"Okay, I'll wait outside the door for you."

She turned to Hatori, concern in her sea-green eyes. "Hatori-san, are you sure it will be okay?"

"I believe it will be Tohru-san. It isn't often Akito wishes to leave his rooms, I feel he should be encouraged to do so."

"Okay, then. We'll have fun."

Tohru went to get her own coat and boots on and Hatori turned to Kureno. "Kureno, is this for real, this change I am seeing in him?"

"Hatori-san, I only know what I have seen and it does seem to be permanent."

"Thank you. Then I will say good-bye for now. "

"See you later Tohru-san ," and Hatori left after putting on his jacket to go back to his quarters.

"I am ready Tohru-san." Akito's voice coming from directly behind her startled her.

"You startled me Akito-san, I did not hear you approach."

"I apologize. Shall we go." He offered Tohru his hand, which she took willingly.

The skies were a beautiful clear blue and snow stretched to the horizon and beyond. Tohru sighed in pleasure. "This is so peaceful Akito-san."

"Hai it is."

Akito didn't remember a day so bright or a snow so fine in his previous years.

His days really had taken on a new sparkle since he had allowed her to be his friend. He had never really allowed anyone to be his friend before, he had always stood alone.

He watched Tohru has she knelt and gathered up a handful of snow shaping it into a ball. "Akito-san, watch this," and she threw it at a branch. She missed horribly and Akito found himself laughing at her antics. "Tohru-san, I don't think that is what you wanted me to see," he said with a smile.

She blushed a bright red. "I always have had a terrible aim. Why don't you try it Akito-san? I bet you can hit the branch right there."

Akito decided to give it a try. He mounded the snow into a ball and threw it at the branch she had missed.

"Amazing Akito-san, you hit it on the first try!" Tohru cried in delight. She was startled when a second snow ball hit her on the shoulder.

"Akito-san, that's not fair!" The two young people began a snowball fight in earnest. It only lasted about five minutes and then Akito collapsed on the garden bench near their location. "That was so much fun, Tohru-san. I've always dreamed of having a snowball fight." And he found it was true. When he had been a young boy, he had always wanted to join the other children in the winter snow, but he had always been told no because he would get sick or no because the other children were of a lower station than he was. Even with the juunishi the man who had raised him had never allowed him to participate.

Tohru felt a great deal of sympathy for Akito. Had he always been this alone, this lonely. The chances seemed good that he had never had a close friend. Thinking of her friends Hana and Uo, as well as all the other Sohmas who had become her friends, she felt very sad for him. Shigure-san and Hatori-san were probably the closest and there was still a lot of distance there.

Tohru gathered one last snowball and splashed it on Akito's hair. He gave a start and turned toward her in surprise.

"Tohru-san, now that wasn't fair. Just because your aim is poor and you never hit me before, you had to sneak up on me…" He gathered together a hand full of snow off the bench and threw it directly into her face.

She collapsed on the bench next to him, laughing joyfully. "I did deserve that Akito-san. This has been so much fun!"

He smiled in agreement. Suddenly though, with the cessation of activity, he felt himself chilled. "Tohru-san I think it is time to return to my rooms. Perhaps you will have a cup of hot chocolate with me before you go back home?"

"Of course Akito. That's what friends are for, to have snowball fights with, and to drink hot chocolate with…right?" She noticed he was beginning to shiver. "Akito-san, are you warm enough. Would you like my coat? I do hope you will be okay. This will be all my fault if you get a cold Akito-san"

"I will be fine Tohru-san. I just need to go back indoors and warm up. I won't get sick, you'll see."

The two of them took the most direct route back to Akito's rooms. By the time they returned, he was shivering uncontrollably. "Akito-san, are you okay? Should I go get Hatori? Oh if only I hadn't smashed that snowball on your head, this would not have happened."

Akito placed a hand over Tohru's. "It will be fine Tohru-san."

He left here in the outer room and changed into a dry kimono and warm slippers. The shivering slowed down as the warmth of the indoors started to soak in to him.

He came out to the anteroom and picked up the intercom to the kitchens to order some hot chocolate.

"Come with me Tohru-san. There is a fire laid in the sitting room and it will warm me up quickly"

"Are you sure Hatori-san should not be called?"

"Yes, he will be over here to check on me tonight again. He worries too much when I go out. There is no need to call for him right now."

The warm fire and the hot chocolate seemed to have the desired effect as Akito warmed up and stopped shivering. "See, Tohru-san, I told you all would be well."

"Hai, Akito-san. You were right."

"I usually am right," he said firmly.

Tohru looked into Akito's blue eyes and realized she was finally able to see to the inner person. "Akito-san, remember when we talked about how I knew of you, but did not really know you?" Tohru asked out of the blue.

"Hai, what of it?"

"I think I may finally be coming to know you Akito-san. I can see into your eyes today, beyond the walls that were there when you asked the question."

"Is that so Tohru-san?"

"Hai, that's true." Tohru glanced at the clock. "Please excuse me, it is almost noon and Shigure-san, Kyo-kun, and Yuki-kun will be needing lunch. Thank you for the company and the hot chocolate. I will see you later, Akito-san."

Tohru left and Kureno reentered Akito's quarters. "Akito-san, Miss Honda seemed to really appreciate the kimono you gifted her with yesterday. I wonder how she would feel if she knew you bought all of the other gifts just so you could give her that?"

"She is not to know that Kureno," Akito said in his dangerous tone of voice. "That is not something she needs to be told Kureno and you will swear not to do so."

Kureno nodded. "Hai, Akito-san. I do understand, but still, it was a very thoughtful gift. Is your plan still the same as it was six months ago, or a year ago?"

"I don't know Kureno, I really don't know."

Kureno bowed and left the room.

When Tohru returned to the house on Christmas Day, she found two very worried young men had missed her.

"Tohru-san, welcome home. Is everything okay?"

"Tohru, where have you been? We wondered when lunch would be cooked, or are you expecting me to cook again. I got nothing but complaints from Shigure and this damn rat this morning when I put breakfast on the table." Kyo complained.

"Ahh, Tohru-kun, our beautiful flower, you have returned. You were certainly missed this morning." Shigure greeted her and nodded toward Kyo and Yuki.

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I will start lunch right away." Tohru walked into the kitchen and fastened her apron. Lunch was ready and on the table in half an hour. The four of them sat down to eat.

"So, Tohru-kun, what did you do this morning?" Shigure asked, an amused glint in his eyes. He had already received a call from Hatori outlining the events of the morning.

"Oh, well…" Tohru blushed. "I spent the morning with Akito-san. We went for a walk in the garden at Sohma House and had a snowball fight, and went back to his rooms and had hot chocolate. Then, I came home so I could fix lunch and be together with all of you."

Purple eyes and red-brown eyes turned her direction. "Miss Honda, do you…do you really enjoy spending time with Akito?" Yuki asked.

"Why the hell can't you be more careful around him, Tohru…"

"Oh my, I really don't mean to cause you to worry. Akito-san is my friend, just like Yuki-kun and Kyo-kun. I love spending time with my friends."

"Then, Tohru-san, why don't you spend the afternoon with Kyo and I. We have a whole week away from classes and cram school and you don't have to work."

"Yeah, Tohru, why don't you spend the day with us."

"I would love to!" Tohru took the two boys hands and pulled them into the living room. "What shall we do today. Play cards, go for a walk, go shopping…"

Shigure watched his three charges. Life is so much fun since you came to live together with us Tohru-kun. He left the three making plans and went upstairs to his study. He opened the file with the story he had begun on the day of their graduation. Perhaps there would be a happy ending after all.

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