Okay, I couldn't resist posting both chapters so sue me. But please remember, Fruits Basket and the Fruits Baskey characters are not mine. They are the property of Natsuki Takaya. The story concept is my own and may or may not be in line with the manga as it is released stateside. Please enjoy and review.
Chapter 18 Valentine's Day Part 2
Akito and Tohru finished the rest of their tea in quiet companionship. They talked about various events and the conversation eventually came to the upcoming graduation of Momiji and Hatsuharu. "Akito-san, will you be attending Momiji and Hatsuharu's graduation?"
"Yes, I will. And you?"
"I wouldn't miss it for all the tea in China. Hatsuharu-san and Momiji-kun are as dear as brothers to me. I am very happy they are graduating. Did you know that both of them are taking the entrance exams for Tokyo University?"
"Yes, I did know that. I gave them permission to take the exams."
"Of course. I should have known that. Isn't it wonderful Akito-san? I will miss them very much and Yuki-kun and Kyo-kun as well. It is going to be very quiet with them away at school."
"There is no guarantee that Momiji and Hatsuharu will pass the admittance exams the first time around. For that matter, Yuki and Kyo have not completed the exams yet. There is a possibility that they may not succeed. I do hope that they do. I really don't want to follow through on my threat, not anymore but I would have to in order to stay in control. Even if they do, I am sure you will stay busy keeping house for Shigure and helping Hatori at the clinic. I don't think you will have that much time to miss them."
"And you will still be here to talk to, right Akito-san?"
"Perhaps I will Tohru-san. Perhaps I will."
Tohru looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean, perhaps Akito-san? Are you planning on going away too?"
"No, Tohru-san, I'm not." He glanced at his watch. "We are finished here, let's take a walk, the car will be here in half an hour."
The two of them walked back toward her grandfather's house where they were to be picked up. Tohru steered Akito toward the Cherry Tree orchard that dominated the temple grounds at the far end of the street. "Isn't this beautiful Akito-san. I used to like to come here to think," she said as she led him to a bench beneath an ancient cherry tree. The atmosphere here is so peaceful. This is one of the things I do miss about grandfather's house. The woods between Shigure's and Sohma house are beautiful, but this is a very special place to me."
Akito sat beside her and listened to her happy chatter. He had learned a few things about Tohru today and some of them had surprised him.
Eventually they found there way back to where Kenobi-kun was waiting with the car.
"Kenobi-kun, I am sorry we have kept you waiting," Tohru said contritely.
"It is fine, Honda-san. It wasn't a very long wait."
"Tohru-san, shall we drop you off at Shigure's?"
"Akito-san, if it isn't too much trouble, may we stop by my friends', Uo-chan and Hana-chan, houses on the way home. I would like to give them their Valentine gifts and then I would very much appreciate being dropped off at Shigure-san's."
"Of course, Tohru-san. Just tell Kenobi their addresses."
After giving her friends their Valentine's chocolates, Tohru said she was ready to go home. "Akito-san, would you and Kenobi-san like to join us for supper tonight. I was planning on a special meal for everyone."
"No thank you Tohru-san. It has been an eventful day and I think it is time I went home."
"Okay Akito-san. Today was wonderful. I am really happy you insisted on coming with me."
"I am too, Tohru-san."
They arrived at Shigure's and Tohru reached over to open the door. Akito stopped her with a gentle grip on her wrist. "Thank you Tohru-san for the Valentine's chocolate and for spending the day with me." He leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. "Good bye Tohru-san, Be Safe."
Before Tohru realized what was happening, she was out of the car and Akito was on his way home. Oh my, mom! Why did he do that? It was only Valentine's chocolate.
"Tohru-kun, is that you? Welcome home."
"Hai, Shigure-san." And she scampered into the house.
"Welcome back Tohru-san"
"Hi, Tohru. What's for supper?" Kyo said with a grin. He had been watching Yuki's reaction as Akito's chauffeur dropped off Tohru. "Did you spend the day with Akito instead of going to your grandfather's?"
"Oh, you saw me get dropped off."
"No, but Yuki did. If only you could have…." Kyo found himself out in the garden. Ouch, guess that wasn't a good time to tease Yuki. He swiped at his bloody lip where Yuki's punch had landed. It was a really bad time. That hurt!
"Kyo-kun are you okay?"
"Hai, Tohru. But you haven't answered my question."
"Oh, I did go see grandfather but Akito-san ended up going with me."
"He what!" Shigure said in surprise. "How did that happen?"
"It's a long story."
"I've got time."
Tohru told them about her early morning visit to Akito and his insistence on going with her. The three listened intently.
Just what the hell is going on between Tohru and Akito…is this okay Kyoko-san?
Have I really let things go too far to tell her how I feel now?
I can't wait to talk to Hatori about today's events.
Just as Tohru was putting supper on the table there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it Tohru-kun."
"Hai Shigure-san."
"Happy Valentine's Day Shi-chan. I bet you are surprised to see us tonight."
Into the room stepped Hatori, Kagura, Momiji, and Hatsuharu.
"Tohru-kun, better put some extra plates on the table, we have company."
Tohru walked into the hallway to find out who had arrived. "Momiji-kun, Kagura-chan, Hatori-san, Hatsuharu-san, it's so nice to see each of you. I was hoping you'd drop by. Come eat, I fixed extra as I was hoping you would all be able to come."
After dinner Tohru presented each of them with their Valentine's gift. Kyo accepted Tohru's chocolate, but he also accepted the huge chocolate heart that Kagura had once again chosen for him.
"It needed to be really big to hold all my love for you Kyo-kun!" Kagura said with a grin.
"That figures." Kyo said with a resigned sigh. "Let me have it."
"Kyo-kun accepted my love, hooray, hooray!" Kagura bounced with excitement.
"I only accepted the chocolate."
"Kyo-kun, don't be mean." Shigure admonished.
"Stupid dog! You stay out of this!"
"Yuki-kun, you are very quiet tonight. Are you feeling okay?" Tohru stepped over and felt his forehead with her hand.
Yuki took her hand and put it down by his side. "I am fine Tohru-san. I was just thinking about something. I am sorry if I worried you."
"Oh, okay. If you want to talk about it, you know where to find me."
"Yes Tohru-san I do." Yuki replied with a gentle smile. "But truly, I am okay."
Hatsuharu looked at Yuki with knowing eyes. "Uh-huh, sure you are Yuki."
"Tohru, thank you for the chocolates." Before Kyo could stop him, Momiji had hugged Tohru and she found herself holding a fuzzy bunny with bright brown eyes.
"Momiji-kun, you are impossible," she said with a grin.
"Of course I am Tohru." He lay in her arms with a satisfied smile on his bunny face.
Yuki watched the play between the two and wished he had Momiji's courage to do the same thing. It would be very nice to be held by Tohru, even in his zodiac form.
The night passed quickly and soon Tohru was saying good night. "Good night all, I have to be up early to be at the clinic in the morning. Good night Hatori-san, I will see you then."
"Good night Tohru-kun." Hatori watched the brown haired girl as she went up the stairs and then looked over at Shigure. "Shigure, we need to talk. Momiji, Haru, Kagura, it will be just a little while before I am ready to take every one home."
"Hai, Hatori-san. We'll visit with Yuki and Kyo for a while yet." Haru replied.
Hatori and Shigure took the usual path to the novelist's study. Kagura came up a few minutes later with a coffee tray.
"Tohru-chan is very tired tonight so I thought I would bring you this tray. I know she usually does but…"
"Thank you Kagura-chan. We do appreciate your kindness." Hatori said with a smile. "Now you may go back and visit with the boys."
"In other words, this is a private conversation and you don't want to be disturbed." Kagura gave them a quick wave of her hand and left the room shutting the door behind her.
"What is on your mind Ha-san? When you initiate a conversation, I know something is nagging at you."
"It has to do with Akito and Tohru-san as you may have guessed."
"I did suspect as much."
"It seems that those two have developed quite an attachment to each other and I am not quite sure what to think about it. I am afraid that Tohru-san is headed for a lot of heartache because Akito is not as well as he acts. He has complained very little of late, but I can tell when I go to visit him that he is really pushing himself. The reason for this is Tohru-san. It is not a bad thing, but I can't help but feel that he should be more careful of his own weakness.
I saw him today as we were preparing to come over here and he almost fell as he approached his quarters. He would have fallen if Kureno had not been there to catch him."
"Ha-san, I think the real issue here is this. Is Akito happier living as he was before, or is he happier now even if he is pushing himself too far at times? Which would you prefer Ha-san, to live a short life in happiness, or a longer life in fear of living? Myself, I know I would choose the first option. As for Akito, that has always been the problem. We have always been overprotective of him, giving in to his every whim, cautioning him not to do things because it could worsen his health. I must admit, I didn't realize that until recently. Perhaps in our concern for Akito we have been his worst enemy."
"That may be true, Shigure, but my question is this. Is Tohru better off loving Akito for a short time and losing him? Or is she better off never loving him?"
"Ha-san you should be able to answer that question better than any one. Is your life happier for loving and losing Kana? Or would it have been better never having loved at all? As for Tohru-kun and Akito, there are two things to consider here. The first is that Tohrukun has suffered loss in her life and she has thrived. She isn't one to let sad things keep her from enjoying the happiness life has to offer. I don't believe she would want to not love if given the chance. The second thing is this, I watched Akito at the banquet on New Year's. He was smiling Hatori and it was a real genuine smile. I'm sure you noticed this as well. I'd a hundred, a thousand times prefer he experience happiness for a short while than live a long time knowing nothing but misery and how to make others miserable as well. Even if Tohru-kun should experience sadness, if she should provide a reason for Akito to be happy, I could live with it. Akito has always been first with me." After all, he is the answer to our freedom if things should develop in the right direction. In the end Hatori, my motives are very selfish.
Hatori considered Shigure's words carefully. "You are quite scary when you are serious Shigure. Especially when you are right, as you are now."
"I know, serious doesn't really suit me. But it's okay once in a while…isn't that so Ha-san?"
"Yes Shigure, you should try it more often."
"What! And damage my tarnished reputation. No thank you Ha-san. It wouldn't do for people to realize I can be serious."
"Your reputation could do with a little polishing."
Hatori rose in preparation of leaving, "Good night Shigure. I am still concerned about Tohru, but I will not interfere. I get that message loud and clear."
"Ha-san! You make it sound like I have given you a directive. I would never do that, if anyone were to give a directive it would be you."
"If you say so Shigure. Good Night." Shigure you will never realize the influence you do have, not if I can keep it a secret. You would be insufferable. Shigure noticed the slight smile quirking Hatori's lips as he turned to go.
What was that about?
