Author's Notes: Well, here I am. It's my next to the last chapter and I have to wonder...This story has been fun to write. At times it has been a challenge. I do hope the last two chapters are received well.
Are they what was expected? I truly don't know, but this is where my story has been heading since the beginning. please read and review. Let me know what you think.
Remember, neither Fruits Basket nor its characters belong to me. They belong to Natsuki Takaya. Any original twists of the plot are my own. I did not write this to follow the anime or the manga exactly. I wrote it because I had questions and these are the answers I came up with.
Thank you to all of those who have read and reviewed from the beginning.
Chapter 20 In the Garden
Leaving the noise and the speculation behind, Tohru and Akito stepped out into the garden. At this time of the afternoon there were only a few people on the paths. This provided them with a measure of privacy they would not otherwise have had.
"Well Honda-san, is there a reason we should be out here or do you just want to waste more of my valuable time?" Akito demanded harshly.
"Uhmmm…. I did want to talk to you Akito-san but…" He noted the red staining her cheeks and wondered why. "But can we just walk for a few minutes first?"
"Do I have a choice in the matter Honda-san? Or is that what we will do no matter what?" The peace of the garden and the magic of Tohru's presence began to work on Akito. He found himself relaxing despite his determination to stay angry. As they walked, his anger drained away. What was it about the girl?
Tohru glanced at Akito. Her eyes were shielded bya screen ofeyelashes so she felt it was safe to do so. There was just the trace of a smile on his lips after his last comment. She released a silent sigh of relief. Soon he would be ready to talk with her.
"Akito-san, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I don't know what I did to make you angry. That's probably because I'm just a silly foolish girl so please forgive me."
"Honda-san…" He looked at her in fond exasperation. "Tohru-san, I accept your apology. Consider yourself forgiven."
"Akito-san, thank you. That makes me very happy. Unfortunately, now I have a favor to ask of you…."
"You want to know what you did to make me angry right?" The tilt of his eyes belied his growing amusement.
"Hai Akito-san."
He grinned. "That will be your punishment then, you will have to keep on wondering why I was angry in the first place. I am not going to tell you because…That is my secret."
"Akito-san!" Tohru almost glared at him…as much as she was capable of a glare at any rate.
"Forget it Tohru-san. Accept your punishment."
"But…"
"I said forget it or I will become angry again."
Tohru skipped up to stand by his side. "Hai Akito-san. I won't ask again." She placed her hand in the crook of his elbow as they continued walking.
"Akito-san, look over there! Those are the first birds of spring. Aren't they beautiful! And look, the flowers are starting to bud on the stems. Spring is almost here! That's my favorite time of the year!" She paused for a moment. "Forgive me, I don't know how many times I have already told you that."
"There is nothing to forgive Tohru-san." He looked down at her hand where it rested on his elbow. It warmed him where all else was chilled. He placed his hand over hers. "Tohru-san…"
"Hai, Akito-san?"
"Never mind. It was nothing important." He looked at her lovely upturned face and the sparkle in her sea-green eyes. How much did she mean to him? What did she mean to him? Even more, what did he mean to her?
"Akito-san, isn't the water beautiful? Whoever designed this garden must have really loved nature, especially the springtime."
He looked around him and appreciated the beauty. There were a few delicate flowers peeking from under the grass. The water trickled over beautiful glossy rocks, and the ornamental goldfish swam under the footbridges and in the middle of the stream. Spring really was coming this year. He smiled at the girl by his side.
"Tohru-san, it really is spring isn't it?"
"Hai, it is!" Tohru's smile was warm and beautiful. Akito felt the chill in his heart beginning to melt before its warmth. "Akito-san, we are attending Hanami and the Matsuri tomorrow. Would you like to join us? It will be a lot of fun."
"Yes, I believe I would like to go with you and your friends. Thank you Tohru-san for inviting me."
The two continued walking through the garden until the path returned them to the arbor door where they had exited. "Shall we rejoin the banquet Tohru-san. I imagine it was terribly rude of the host to abandon the party on the whim of a girl."
"Akito-san, I'm sorry, I didn't think about that when…"
"Hush Tohru-san. I didn't mind." His fingers brushed her cheek and her parted lips. He kissed her lightly right before Kureno opened the door.
"Akito-san…" Kureno began.
"As you can see Kureno, Tohru-san took good care of me and I am safely returned."
"Hai Akito-san. We were getting concerned. You two were gone for quite a long time."
"Not all that long Kureno, only about 30 or 40 minutes. By the way, I am going to the Hanami with Tohru-san and her friends tomorrow. Plan my day accordingly."
"Hai, Akito-san." Kureno looked at the Sohma head curiously. Where was the foul tempered man who had gone out the door? He had returned relaxed and in a pleasant mood. How could one girl work such miracles on his temperament?
There was more than one sigh of relief when the two returned to the banquet. Momiji had been fairly sure that Akito would not harm Tohru, but he had had just the tiniest doubt on that score. What was really surprising was that Akito had been restored to a good humor. No one but Tohru could accomplish that. He shook his head, smiled and returned to his father's table to visit with his family. One day maybe they could really be a family.
Haru glanced at Yuki and saw resignation in his eyes and on his features. The rat was giving up, perhaps it was for the best, but then again perhaps not. Only time would tell. Yuki, even with Tohru-san's influence still half-believed that the Sohmas were destined for nothing but misfortune and sorrow. He would never accept that. She had shown them that they could be accepted. He had always thought Yuki quite intelligent, but when it came to the heart, he gave up too easily.
Shigure and Hatori glanced at each other and then at Ayame who was still having a fine time making a fool of himself for the entertainment of all in the room. He was and always would be a drama queen.
Shigure felt his cell phone vibrating against the pocket of his vest and excused himself. He left the room to find a quieter environment in which to take the call.
Hatori watched him leave and wondered what was up. He was sure Shigure would enlighten him when he returned.
Out in the hall Shigure spoke quickly into his phone. "Hai, I understand. Where has she been found? Who is currently standing in for her doctor. Hai, I can contact her doctor here. We will be there as soon as possible." He returned to the banquet room.
"Hatori, Ayame, we need to go." Shigure spoke quietly to his two friends. " Sakura-chan has been found, my number was in her journal so they called me. Let's take our leave without arousing suspicions."
Hatori instantly stood up. "Akito first and then the others."
"Akito-san," Hatori began, "Unfortunately I must excuse myself as a medical emergency has come up. I will take Shigure and Ayame with me so that there is room in the cars for all of our other Sohma folk."
"Certainly Hatori. I know your patients are very important to you. I will see you back at Sohma house tonight."
"Yes, Akito-san, you will. Tohru-san, I may need your assistance later so will you please remain at Shigure's house in case I call. I am certain it will be after 7:00 before I need you so please enjoy yourself until then."
"Hai, Hatori-san. I will be at home this evening. Thank you."
Next stop was at Momiji's father's table where Momiji and Hatsuharu were both visiting. Haru was there to give Momiji moral support if he needed it. He and Tohru were probably the only two people aware of how hard this was for Momiji to be so close and yet so far away from the family he loved. The two boys had become close friends since Tohru had come into the Sohma family's life. They had attended separate Junior Highs but being in the same High School as Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki had created a strong friendship amongst all of them.
"Momiji, Hatsuharu, we wish to congratulate the two of you on your successful completion of high school. We are leaving now, but continue to enjoy yourselves. Don't miss us too much" Shigure said with his usual enthusiasm.
"Come Aya, come Hatori, the night is long and I have many wonders to show you."
"Shigure, don't mix me in with that craziness." Hatori said warningly.
"Gure-chan, I look forward to the evening's wondrous delights" Ayame said in his best dramatic tones.
"You two grow up." Hatori walked away in disgust.
Everyone was grinning as the three friends made their exit.
"Will those two ever grow up" Kyo muttered.
"They think they are," Yuki remarked tiredly. Kagura turned from Kyo to look carefully at Yuki.
"Yun-chan, are you okay?" she asked in concern.
Yuki smiled a little lopsidedly. "I will be Kagura-chan. There is no need to worry about me."
Just then Momiji bounced over to their table. "Yuki, Kyo, let's all go to the matsuri tonight. I heard Hatori tell Tohru that she needed to be at Shigure's by 7:00 but it's only 3:00. Let's go have fun, we graduated!"
He bounded from their table and over to Tohru and Akito. "Tohru, you want to go to the festival don't you? Please say you will come. If you come I know the others will. We can pick up Uo-chan and Hana-chan on the way. Let's go. Say yes, Tohru!"
Even though Momiji had gotten quite tall, the blonde's attitude was still infectious. Tohru smiled and turned to Akito. "Akito-san, would you like to come with us. It sounds like it will be fun."
"No thank you Tohru-san. I think I will go home and get some rest. Please do have a good time." She had invited him and in front of all the others, that was enough for him at the moment. "After all, you've already invited me to come along tomorrow, so I suspect I will get enough of the festival then."
"Okay, Akito-san. Then be safe. I know you will be with Kenobi-kun and Kureno-san."
With Tohru's acquiescence, Momiji pulled her along with him back to the table where the others were sitting. "Tohru says she will come, so how about it Kyo, Yuki, Kagura, Haru? Perhaps Momo-san could come as well." He looked toward his mother and father to see how that would be received.
His mother looked at Momo and smiled. "Momo, would you like to join the other children. I'm sure one of them will see you safely home." Momo looked shyly at the group and nodded her head.
Haru grinned. "Why not? Let's all go. Kisa, Hiro, you come with us too."
"What if I don't choose too? What if I would prefer to go home and watch TV? Why would I want to spend time with her?" He pointed at Tohru on that statement.
"But Hiro, I would like to go. Will you please come with me and Sissy?" Kisa asked with an adorable, hopeful smile on her face.
"For you Kisa, I'll come." Hiro had known all along that Kisa would want to go and that he would go with her. He just didn't want to make it too easy.
"May I come too although I am worthless and will just cause trouble for all of you?" Ritsu looked at the group.
"Of course Ritsu, come with us. Let's all go have a good time. Akito-san, are you sure you won't come along?"
"I am quite sure, Tohru-san."
"Okay, I will see you tomorrow then."
The younger Sohmas took their leave and the party began to break up. Momiji took the opportunity on the way to the festival to get to know his sister just a little bit better. Soon the two of them were laughing together as if they had known each other all their lives. In one sense they had, but not like this. Haru and Tohru shared a smile and even Yuki was able to laugh at their antics. Life was good and today was beautiful! Live, laugh, and love!
After stopping by and getting Uo and Hana to join them the group all headed for the temple grounds. It was a wonderful afternoon of rides, games and delicious snacks. Yuki and Tohru rode the Ferris Wheel. Kyo rode with Kagura and even let her hold his hand. All of the others rode two to a car as well, Momiji and Momo, Hiro and Kisa, Haru and Hana, Ritsu and Uo. The day sparkled! There were the roller coasters and the swings. Yuki and Kyo fiercely competed at the games and Momiji surprised every one with his skill at throwing a basketball. Fun was the byword for the day. Six o'clock approached and the sky was beginning to cloud. It was almost time to be going home anyway as Tohru did promise Hatori she would be there at 7:00. Tohru invited all of the Sohmas to join her at Shigure's for dinner, but Kisa and Hiro had to decline, as they wanted to get home before it rained. Ritsu volunteered to see Momo home because he needed to catch the evening train back to the hot springs. His mother was ill and needed his help there the next day. Uo and Hana sadly stated that they had to go home as they had jobs to go to that night. This left Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, Kagura, Momiji and Hatsuharu to go back to Shigure's.
Tohru worked in the kitchen as the five college bound students had an impromptu study session upstairs in Yuki's room. The air had chilled quite a bit in the time they had left the matsuri and returned home.
The phone began to ring and Tohru turned off the stove to go answer it.
"Sohma res., moshi, moshi…Hai Shigure-san. Where are you…? Tokyo… But why… Hai, we will take care of it after dinner. Good-bye Shigure-san."
Yuki came down the stairs followed closely by Hatsuharu. "Honda-san, who was that on the phone? We were in the middle of a math problem and I did not make it to the phone in time." The other four were close behind and heard Tohru's happy reply.
"It was Shigure-san. All of you come eat. I'll tell you over the meal. It's wonderful news!"
The boys and Kagura looked at Tohru's smiling face and followed her into the dining room.
"Tohru, don't keep us in suspense, what's going on?" Momiji demanded impatiently.
"Sakura-san is alive! She's in a hospital in Tokyo. That's where Shigure-san and the other two are and why they left the banquet so unexpectedly. Hatori-san has decided Sakura-san should be brought back here and the doctor in Tokyo agreed that it would be okay since she was in his care. I didn't know Hatori-san was Sakura-san's doctor. That's amazing. I thought he only treated Sohmas."
"And you Tohru", Momiji added. Tohru blushed. "Yes and me too."
"Now please eat, I have favors to ask of all of you after we are done. Momiji and Kagura, will you go with me to Sohma house to get a room ready. Hatori wants one of the rooms in his clinic set up for her until she can get her house opened back up. Why his clinic though, why not in Sohma house?"
The boys looked solemnly at each other. Obviously Tohru had no idea that Akito hated Sakura Alexander and would not allow her in Sohma house. Hatori was taking a risk by allowing her in his clinic.
"Tohru-san, Alexander-san is not one of the juunishi and she certainly isn't a Sohma. It would be against Akito's rules to allow that."
"Oh, that's right. I understand" Tohru said sadly. "Momiji-kun, Kagura-chan, will you help me?"
"Hai Tohru! We'll help you decide which room is best and be there if you need us to do anything."
"Thank you Momiji-kun, Kagura-chan. "
"Tohru-san, is there anything the rest of us can do to help?" Yuki asked.
"Yes Yuki, will you please contact Sakura-san's cousin, Megumi-san in America and let her know that she is safe. I just knew she was alive and would come home again. This is so wonderful!"
"Hai Tohru-san, I'll do that. Shigure has the number in his office."
"Haru-san, please contact Alexander-san's lawyers and find out where her belongings have been stored." Tohru continued.
"What can I do?" Kyo asked.
"Kyo-kun, will you please help Haru-san collect her clothing and bring it to Hatori-san's clinic. I know she will want something to wear when she wakes. Shigure-san said she didn't have any luggage with her. I packed up her house carefully so all the boxes are labeled."
"Sure," the boys replied simultaneously.
Tohru glanced around the table and noticed that they still hadn't eaten. "Please eat, the food will get cold, or maybe it isn't spicy enough?" she fretted.
"Tohru, it's all delicious. We just wanted to hear the news before eating."
"Oh, hai. Now please eat."
As soon as the meal was finished the boys went to work on the various tasks assigned by Tohru. Momiji and Kagura helped her do the dishes so they could get over to the Sohma compound more quickly. Within two hours of Shigure's call Momiji, Kagura and Tohru were at the clinic setting up Sakura Alexander's room.
Tohru hummed as she worked and Momiji sat by the windowsill watching her efficient movements. He also noted that Kagura was very efficient as she did the dusting. If either girl needed help with a task he was there immediately. Half an hour after their arrival the room was ready for it's unexpected guest.
Yuki came in with a basket of leeks he had harvested from his garden. Tohru-san, I thought these might be useful in preparing something for Alexander-san, Hatori and the others to eat."
"Thank you Yuki. This is so kind of you. Please put them in the kitchen."
"Hai, Tohru-san"
Kyo and Haru came in with two trunks of clothing.
"Where do you want these?" Kyo asked.
"Please put them over there in the corner. Hatori-san and the others should be here with Sakura-san any minute."
"Hai, Tohru."
All was in readiness as Hatori carried a sleeping Sakura Alexander into the room and placed her on the bed.
"Oh, Hatori-san, she's so pale. Will she be okay?"
"Hai, she will be fine after a few weeks of rest and recuperation." Hatori assured Tohru.
"I am so glad she is home again. Do you think she will wake anytime soon? Perhaps she will be hungry? Yuki kindly harvested some leeks from his garden. I can prepare some leek stew for you, Sakura-san, Shigure-san, and Ayame-san."
"Thank you Tohru-san. That will be most welcome. Sakura-chan should be waking soon. The medication I gave her should be wearing off in a short while."
"Okay, I'll just get it started. I know my way around this kitchen and where everything is kept. Hatori-san, will Sakura-san really be okay?"
"Yes, Tohru she will. If you would like to reassure yourself, please come and see her anytime. I know she would like that."
"Hai, Hatori-san, I'll come visit her after my visit with Akito-san tomorrow. That is if tomorrow is okay."
Hatori paused for a moment. In his concern for Sakura he had almost forgotten his worries about all the time Tohru was spending with Akito.
"Hatori-san, is that inconvenient?"
"No, that will be fine. How do you find your visits with Akito. Is he treating you well?" Hatori was somewhat concerned because Akito had reinforced his order that he not be disturbed during Tohru's visits. He would be more concerned, but Momiji still managed to keep and eye and and ear on what was going on although he didn't really feel it was necessary. It was obvious the rabbit complied with Hatori's wishes simply because he enjoyed the challenge of not being seen. Hatori smiled to himself. Momiji had been listening at doors since he was very small. He was very skilled at it, almost as skilled as Shigure.
"Hai, Hatori-san. Akito-san is usually quite nice to me. Sometimes though he is so sad, and sometimes he is so angry. He shouts at me when he's angry but I don't mind. It means he is learning to talk about his complaints to me. I know that he and I have finally become friends. This has made me very happy."
Hatori snorted in disbelief. Only Tohru would see Akito's tirades in just that fashion.
"Please let us know if there are any problems with Akito," Hatori requested. He kept visualizing the happiness on Tohru's face when Akito was present and the look in Akito's eyes when she was in the room. "Although there doesn't seem to have been any problems in quite a while." He added with a wistful smile.
"Hai, I will. But so far there has been nothing that Tohru Honda cannot handle!" she replied with an answering smile. "Thank you for worrying about me so kindly Hatori-san."
Tohru went to the kitchen and Hatori seated himself at Sakura's bedside.
"Tohru Honda-san, what brings you here so late in the evening?" a silky voice from just outside the kitchen door spoke. Startled, Tohru turned toward the familiar voice.
"Akito-san, konbanwa. You surprised me! I don't think I've ever seen you so far from your apartments before...uh I mean, of course you are welcome here but..."
Akito chuckled at Tohru's discomfiture. "I am sorry Tohru-san, I didn't mean to frighten you."
"Oh no, I wasn't frightened, just startled is all. I am very happy to see you tonight."
"Are you really, I wonder" Akito spoke in an amused tone of voice.
"Of course I am happy to see you, why wouldn't I be?"
"Please continue with your preparations," Akito said.
"Oh, hai." Tohru turned toward the cabinets and began preparing the leek stew.
"Akito-san?"
"Hai?"
"Do you like leek stew? I am preparing some for Hatori-san, Sakura-san, Ayame-san, and Shigure-san. It would be no trouble to make extra for you as well."
"Sakura-san?" Akito questioned with a bite in his tone.
"Why yes, Hatori and the others just brought her here. She was in the hospital in Tokyo but Hatori placed her under his care. Do you know Sakura Alexander-sensei?"
"We have met on occasion," Akito said in his harshest manner. Why would Hatori bring her here. He knows she is forbidden from entering Sohma property. He stalked toward the door having discovered the reason for all the activity he had seen from his room. He could have sent Kureno to find out, but had decided to do this for himself.
"Akito-san..." He halted his angry stride and turned back toward Tohru, a coiled snake waiting for his chance to strike. "What is it," he demanded.
"Well, you didn't say if you wanted to join the others for leek stew..."
"I think I shall, Honda-san. Thank you for asking." Tohru missed the mocking smile that quirked his lips as he turned to leave the kitchen. Won't they be surprised to see me?
