Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Baskets and its contents. I also do not own any songs used in my stories unless they're indicated that they are my by products. Don't I sound so professional? Lol. Okay here's Chapter 8 and I'm grateful to all those reviewers. KEEP THEM COMING!
Chapter 8 Words and Worries
Tohru returned home with Haru that night/morning very quietly. As the bike pulled up in the driveway, they could already see the movement of flashlights and footsteps. Tohru was already teary and totally swamped, and when the lights fell upon her, everyone just froze.
Tohru looked like she had been through a lot that night, and without anyone saying anything, she vacantly walked into the house, went to her room, shut the door, and cried all night. Eventually, she did fall asleep near 5 in the morning, and Sunday had arrived. No one bothered Tohru, she was given this whole day alone. She did not even change out of her muddy clothes, and just let the dirt and blood sink into the sheets and comforter.
Haru put his bike in the garage after that, and no one wanted to question him either. He was cold and tired too, and everyone only was grateful they were both alright. Shigure ended up phoning Hana and Ou a few moments later letting them know they had found Tohru.
The rest of the family retreated to their bedrooms, trying to get some sleep. Kyo felt lonely that morning, not smelling Tohru's cooking that usually awoke him. He lied in bed for a long time, listening to Momiji's light breathing, and nothing else. Even though it was nearly morning slowly creeping to midday, everyone was sleeping, and he just couldn't seem to find that comfort.
Tohru tossed and turned in her bed, sleeping, but having horrible nightmares. Her dreams would drift from the events tonight with Dark Haru back to the car crash and everything mixed between it. Haru, and his hands, his ice hands, and his cold words, and his face coming ever closer to hers. His voice...so purely darkened. She immediately bolted upright in her bed and let out a scream. Tohru held herself tight crying silently, she did not hear the shuffling of feet and slippers until someone slid her door open a crack.
"Tohru, are you okay Sweety?" Asked a sleepy voice. It was Shigure's voice, and she let out a small sigh between her whimpers, fearing it would be Haru again.
"I'm fine Shigure...I'm sorry" She replied weeping, and wiped her eyes quickly.
Shigure quietly closed the door, the two never actually seeing the other's faces. She remained sitting up, until she watched Shigure's shadow slowly retreat back to his room, and listened to the click of his door.
Tohru sat there a long time, and released, she wouldn't be sleeping anymore today. She found some clean close, and headed off the bath chambers. She let the water run for a while until steam filled the room, she slipped into the bath and sighed. She slowly rubbed away the dirt from herself and the dried blood. Her wounds weren't that big, just childish scrapes. She washed her hair, and relaxed in the lukewarm water for a long time. She tried to forget about what happened, and forget the fight with Kyo.
Time soon ticked by, and Tohru exited the bath chambers feeling somewhat refreshed. Tohru had only gotten about 4 hours of sleep, but it was enough for her. The clock read 7, she did not want to wake the men with her cooking, so she retreated to her room, pulling out an old photo album and placed it on the table in the living room. She quietly boiled herself a cup of tea and sat down slowly opening the front cover.
The photo album itself, was very simple, with embroidered lotus flowers. She smiled as she ran her hand across the cover and slowly opened the book. Tohru sipped at her tea as she looked at the first page, of just her and her mom. Her mom always smiled so proudly with Tohru, and she missed that smile greatly. Kyoko wore the prettiest blue kimonos, and her dark purple hair was always down in a low pony tail past her shoulder blades.
There was one shot, of Tohru and Kyoko at the Tokyo Tower for a trip. It was her favorite time with mom, they had bonded so well. Tohru looked up upon hearing someone exhale her eyes startled.
"Hey its okay. It's just me" Shigure replied quietly holding his hands up gesturing for her to ease.
"Oh, Shigure I'm sorry, did I awaken you?" She asked standing and bowing humbly.
"Not at all Tohru-San. What are you doing?" he asked curiously, as she returned handing him a cup of warm tea. He walked over to the couch and sat beside her, staring down at the photo album.
"I guess I just wanted to see her face again. Today being..." Tohru cut herself off looking back at the photos.
Shigure quietly rapped his arm around Tohru's shoulder and brought her close hugging her.
"You're allowed to show emotion Tohru, no one's forcing you to smile."
"Then why do you?" She replied quietly. Both were quiet for a very long time after that. But Tohru still remained rested up against Shigure as she turned to the next page in the book. Those were pictures of Tohru only a few years ago, when she was turning about thirteen.
"You were real cute then, love your hair" Her hair was really short in those pictures and she laughed blushing
"That was my tomboy faze, I was still hanging out with Kira then." She laughed again "You could get me to eat worms without hesitation if you dared me enough"
Shigure made a mental note to ask her later who Kira was but he turned the next page, and found it was Tohru dancing arm in arm very closely with some boy.
"Special occasion?" He asked quietly, looking at Tohru and the boy. She was wearing a baby blue dress with some glitter, and the boy was in suit and tie. The boy had brown hair, cut in spikes that fell forward. His eyes were a blue purple, and he smiled sweetly.
"That was the 8th grade formal night. It was at the end of the year, yeah a special occasion for us since we were finally graduating the elementary levels of education."
"Nice looking boy, who is he?"
"Just a friend of mine from way back"
"Does he go to highschool with the family?"
"No." she said quietly, and then turned the page, she didn't seem to want to talk about that boy either. They both didn't say much after that, but Tohru's eyes still remained following each picture, and remembering each memory that went along with it. ((remember this boy))
Early morning soon drifted on to mid day, and Tohru got up and made brunch for everyone. Shigure sat at the head of the table watching her as usual, but this time more seriously then his playful morning routine. Tohru couldn't sausages, bacon, eggs, and pancakes for them, knowing they'd be hungry.
She did not call them for breakfast, but they all showed up on their own, taking their seats, eating silently. Most meals after that day continued on like that. Tohru returned to normal days at school, lunch with Ou and Hana, and nights doing homework and busying herself with the house cleaning. For the first week after that, the Sohmas were on high alert, watching for any signs that she was feeling ill or upset.
That first week, Tohru was a little more withdrawn then usual, but eventually she opened back up, and her smile brightened anyone's day. It was now two weeks after the incident, and exactly a month and a week since she had moved in with them.
Tohru and company had just arrived home from school.
"God what a boring day" Momiji whined holding his book bag behind his head.
"I know, those girls get rougher everyday" Yuki replied, coming in through the door, his shirt ripped it some places.
Tohru only laughed and walked with the two, Haru and Kyo just walked past the three. They had both been avoiding Tohru for a long time now. Tohru frowned worried, but only returned back to hear Momiji burp out loud and she laughed again. As they entered the house the phone rang, and all the boys ran for it, Kyo being the fastest answered it first
"Sohmas residence. Umm yeah, uh huh, sure, hold on" He then turned to the group of guys on the floor, stepped over them and tossed the phone at Tohru. "Here, its for you," he replied scowling.
Tohru carefully held the phone to her ear, he usually would say if it was Ou or Hana. "Hello? Yes this is she....hey been a while right? Tonight? You serious! Well of course, I'd be delighted to! Seven o'clock, alright, goodbye" Tohru quickly hung up the phone and took off her shoes.
"Who was that Tohru?" Yuki asked
"Oh just Ou and Hana, they want me to go to this new club tonight"
"Aren't we all underage?"
"It isn't that sort of a club silly" she replied rubbing his head like a puppy. Yuki only remained emotionless, trying not to blush. But Tohru only ran off upstairs, and within a few moments you heard the shower running again.
"Where do you think she's going?" Momiji asked slumping down on the couch and turning on the Tv.
"Exactly where she said she was going" Yuki replied sitting down on the other couch
"You actually believe her? You know Kyo would have told Tohru if it was Ou or Hana"
"Its not our place to interfere in Tohru's personal affairs" Yuki replied staring at the tv
"But with everything that's happened to her, don't you think we should be looking out for her?"
Yuki remained silent, staring at the tv once more, trying not to think about what Momiji was lecturing him on.
"Seriously Yuki, even if you don't go, I am" He said standing up shouting
"We shouldn't interfere! She's going through a lot, this might be her only chance to be alone without hell breaking out! Think about what happened to her...at the cemetery"
"WE don't even know what happened, we only saw her come home, torn and beaten, but nothing we can say for sure!"
"Momiji just leave her alone!"
Momiji scowled and frowned, very odd for this happy child, and he turned running off to his room. Yuki remained on the couch trying to forget about what he had said, in a way, Momiji was right.
Kyo remained on the roof, staring once more at the arriving stars, the days ended earlier now, and he could enjoy the sight of the beautiful harvest moon. Haru sat down beneath him on the porch, and they had both heard Momiji fighting with Yuki.
"We should stay out of it" Haru replied quietly,
"For once, Rat's right" Kyo replied on the roof, after that, they both were silent.
Tohru dressed quickly and prepared dinner for the boys. She left the food on heaters, so they could when they were hungry. She grabbed her purse and waited until she heard the familiar toot of a car. Without even saying goodbye to anyone she ran out the door waving back to them.
"I'll be home at eleven!"
Kyo had been the only one to catch a glimpse of her as she ran out the door and boy she was a sight to see. She wore a short black leather skirt, a strapless black tang top and a tan blazer over it. Her hair was glowing and Kyo could of swore he saw red lipstick on her as she ran by.
He quickly hopped off the roof and ran inside. He showered and changed and came downstairs, Yuki and Momiji in front of the TV yet again.
"Where you going Kyo-kun?" Momiji asked, Kyo grimaced
"I'm following Tohru"
"Alright!" Momiji jumped up and grabbed his coat.
"I thought we were agreeing on not following her" Yuki snapped
"She's all dolled up, there's something big going on. Come on, it's a bar, a free public place."
Yuki only sneered and rolled his eyes again and rested back on the tv show. He was going to keep his promise. Haru walked through the kitchen and just kept going, he had avoided any possible contact with Tohru. He still had not yet forgiven himself for what he had done. As the two turned to walk out the door, Shigure walked in.
"Where are you two off to?"
"They're off to spy on Tohru at some club" Yuki shouted blandly, and the two shot him death glares and threw a pillow at him.
"Spying doesn't sound too good, but a club sounds like fun"
"I know, come on with us you old man, loosen up tonight" Momiji laughed
"Well just for that now I'm DEFINITELY going!"
So the three walked out the door, and jumped into the red convertible and sped off.
At the Bar
Tohru, Ou, and Hana walked into the bar named Saezuru.
The bar itself had a stage straight ahead when you enter the building. To the left was the bar, which had many brightly painted stools and cushions to sit on. The rest of the bar was filled up with many small tables that could comfortably seat four. There were many teenagers their age, and on stage was a band setting up, the lead mike left open.
The bar was bumping with a lot of energy, and you could hear the songs boom out from the giant speakers. There were a lot of kids dancing on the floor, and a few still sat in their stools talking with their dates. The lights above flashed and blinked, creating a very cool mood.
"So what are we doing here again Tohru?" Hana asked
"You can leave if you want, I just needed a ride."
"Well, we don't have work, so hey, I say LET"S PARTY!" Ou said running over to the bar for a virgin strawberry daiquiri. Hana found a table for the two of them, and Tohru took off to the back stage. It had been a while since she had been here, she'd admit, but everyone still recognized her as she waved. As she walked up the stairs, she was greeted by a group of familiar faces.
"Hey guys, I'm here" Tohru replied grinning. The boys all put down their guitars and drumsticks to come and scoop her up into their arms, each hugging and spinning her around.
"Tohru girl this place has been too quiet without your voice here"
"Yeah, Ginta is complaining his customers have disappeared"
"I've only been gone for a month! I've had stuff to do"
"We know girl" They replied. "Your prince will be on his way!"
"Really, I haven't seen him in ages!" Tohru replied clapping her hands
"Let's get ready, we're on in ten"replied Yue.
Tohru stood backstage with the guys, the curtain drawn to a close so they could have a few moments to prepare.
"Are you ready for this Princess?" Sora asked.
"I dunno" She replied, suddenly feeling very nervous. She flexed her hands slowly and ran her hand through her hair.
"You'll do fine. You look great, and I'm sure you'll be okay."
"I hope so" Tohru replied
"Giving up so soon Princess?" Tohru turned hearing a familiar voice, his arms outstretched with roses in his left hand. "The Prince has arrived"
Sohmas View
Kyo parked the car quickly, and they all entered the bar, not knowing what to expect. The minute they stepped through the threshold, it was leaving the dusty parking lot outside behind. Momiji was already slowly picking up the vibes and beat of the music. Shigure looked around, but had already drifted towards the bar.
"Where's Tohru?" Kyo asked irritated craning his neck to try to find a glimpse of her.
"I dunno Kyo, but lets get some seats, the entertainment is about to start" Momiji screamed as there was a loud group of applauding and whooping as the music slowly dimmed out. The two walked over to a table in the back, and Momiji returned with drinks for them. They looked to center stage where a man came out.
"Hello dudes and chicks. Thanks for coming to Saezuru. I personally am excited with this special treat we have for ya tonight"
"What do you got for us Ginta?" Someone shouted out from the audience.
"We got the usual open mike, but does anyone remember way back one the fairy tale of the sensational Princess and Clarity?"
"HELL YES" Screamed the audience, as if by cue, and a lot of the crowd was already stomping and hooting.
"Princess and Clarity? Ever heard of them?" Momiji asked
"I'm getting too old" Shigure replied sadly taking a sip of his drink.
Kyo just kept his eyes locked on Ginta on stage as he laughed calming the audience.
"Well guess what everyone? OUR PRINCESS HAS RETURNED" He screamed gesturing to the curtain as it slowly draped away as he scampered off the stage.
You could see the outlines of the band, but the whole stage was darkened. You could make out five people in total, and one who stood dead center with the microphone. The audience hushed itself, and then there was the loud sound of a screeching guitar solo. The band picked up and a huge blast of music was played, and the whole audience was really getting into it. The Sohmas sort of just sat in the back, but then the lights fell upon the drummer.
"Hello all you lads and lassies. We're Clarity! You got me yare good old drummer Yue!" He then played a quick drum solo and a few girls screamed. "This is mi bloat, he'll play the keyboard like there be no tomorrow. Meet SORA!" A light then lit up on the keyboard player and he quickly played his own little tune. Sora took over speaking. "Greetings and welcome, I'd be Sora your keyboard player for Clarity, let me introduce to you our bass player from far away Hiroshima Mr. Magic himself, Li!" The lights then fell on Li as he played a slow bass solo which made more girls scream and the men holler. "Hello everyone, I'm the foreigner and let me introduce to you Prince Charming himself. I know all you ladies out there would kill to be near him, that's why you all up in the front seats there" he replied and laughed "Well here he is, our main guitarist, PRINCE KIRA!" The lights fell on Kira and he played a quick song.
Shigure immediately tensed and put down his drink.
"I know him" Shigure replied, Kyo and Momiji looked to him.
'Have you been here before or something?" Kyo asked
"No, he was the guy in Tohru's photo album" The one she didn't want to talk about.
Kira put up his hands and let his guitar hand on his strap as he took the mike and walked around. The final member, still shrouded in the darkness.
"Alright, you've now met the members of Clarity. For newcomers out there, we were founded four years ago thanks to a friendship we all had in middle school. Since we all went off to different high schools, this was our way of staying together. Every so often, when we can twist Ginta into letting us play we come here" There was laughter for everyone knew they were the main attraction. "But, about a month ago, we lost our founder, cause there was a dramatic loss for us all. A dear friend of ours passed on, and it left our friend really shaken. After morning, relocation, and time to heal, I'm here to announce that Clarity can proudly say the Princess has returned. Now ladies and gentlemen put your hands together for TOHRU HONDA!"
The lights fell on Tohru, and she looked even more dazzling under the lights. She spun around and gave a flirty wave. It was like, a whole other Tohru that all the Sohmas never knew. Of course, they were all shocked and amazed, and Sohma even spilled over his drink, but just let it drip off the table.
"Tohru?" The three asked at the same time staring at each other confused.
Tohru just stamped her foot on the stage and snapped her fingers "One, Two, Three, Four, take me places Yue cause I'm feeling it tonight" She screamed, and the boys were already clapping and whistling for Tohru. "Its great to be back" She started still tapping to the beat "its been a month but I'm back strong! No matter how far I was away from these guys, I knew I still had them close. So this songs for them!"
Yue started slamming the drums and soon after Kira started with his guitar, and then the banned got the song going really well. Tohru took the mike from its stand and brought it to her cherry lips and let her voice sing. ((songs by Yellowcard)) Tohru was really into this, and she danced across the stage shaking her ass and ran her hands through her hair. The band was all exchanging their smiling glances, you could see, how much they enjoyed having the song dedicated to them.
"If
I could I would do all of this again
Travel back in time with you
to where this all began
We could hide inside ourselves and leave
the world behind
And make believe there's something left to
find
We'll be miles apart
I'll keep you deep inside
You're
always in my heart
A new life to start
I may be leaving but
you're always in my heart
Now we've all grown up, gone on and
moved away
Nothing I can do about it, nothing I can say
To
bring us back to where we were when life was not this hard (life was
not this hard)
Looking back it all just seems so far, so far
away
We'll be miles apart
I'll keep you deep inside
You're
always in my heart
A new life to start
I may be leaving but
you're always in my heart
I'd give it up for just one more day
with you
Give it up for just one more day
I'd give it up for
just one more day with you
I'd give it up for just one more
day with you
Give it up for just one more day
I'd give it up
for just one more day with you
I'd give it up for just one
more day with you
Give it up, give it all away
I'd give it up
for just one more day with you
We'll be miles apart
I'll
keep you deep inside
You're always in my heart
A new life to
start
I may be leaving but you're always in my heart
I need
you now, we're miles apart
I'll keep you deep inside
You're
always in my heart
I need you now, we're miles apart
I may be
leaving but you're always in my heart"
And with one final slam of the drums and a flip of Tohru's hair, the lights snapped off once again, and came back on as the band gave their bows. Tohru looked back to the band, and they all gave their approval and she smiled another innocent smile.
Princess and Clarity played one set, and then played their second. After a fifteen minute break, Tohru reappeared taking the mike once more.
"How you all doing tonight?" She screamed into the mike. The crowd roared "I can't hear you! Let me hear you SCREAM!" And of course the whole audience did. "That's good that's good, nice to know I've been missed." She added laughing. "Okay, first night back, I"m going to finish off with a personal song of mine 'Til I Get Over You."
The lights dimmed once more, falling only on Tohru. The song started with the simple melodies of the slow bass and guitar. You could hear Tohru take in one last breath, as she looked up, her eyes now filled with a passion, and some of a saddness. ((Song by Michelle Branch))
"Every
time I feel alone
I can blame it on you
And I do
Oh you
got me like a loaded gun
Golden sun And the sky's so blue
Oh
we both know
That we want it
But we both know
You left me
no choice
Chaque fois que tu t'en vas
You just bring me
down
Je pretends que tout va bien
So I count my tears
Till
I get over you
Sometimes I watch the world go by
I wonder
what it is like
Oh...To wake up every single day
Smile on
your face
You never try
We both know
We can't change
it
But we both now
We'll just have to face it
Chaque
fois que tu t'en vas
You just bring me down
Je pretends que
tout va bien
So I'm counting my tears
Till I get over you
If only I
Could give you up
Would I want to let you
out?
From this soul buzz baby
We both know
That we
want it
But we both know
You left me no choice
Chaque
fois que tu t'en vas
You just bring me down
Je pretends que
tout va bien
Oh so I'm counting my tears
Till I get over
you.... oh
Chaque fois que tu t'en vas
Je pretends que tout
va bien Oh we both know
That I'm not over you
La de la de aye
ay
I'm not over you"
The song itself was a very slow and sad love song, and Tohru sang it with such a passion as she gripped the mike and its stand, you could almost see the tears that fell from her eyes. She closed her eyes and rocked slightly. She whispered the final lines, and put the mike back on its stand backing away quietly.
The whole audience was up in a roar applauding. Everyone was applauding and clapping, and some of the guys towards the front threw roses and other flowers upon the stage. Tohru could only blush slightly and giggle as she waved her goodbyes as the band played the farewell beat.
"Well its 10:30 and I still got my curfew. Thank you all for coming out tonight, and thanks for inviting me back!" She screamed
The whole audience clapped again chanting her name "Princess! Princess! Princess!"
She laughed again, and exited the stage to the left with the rest of Clarity.
Shigure, Kyo, and Momiji still sat in their seats, completely astonished by what they had seen. They had no idea that Tohru could sing the way she did, and they had never seen her take such a passion in something she did.
Shigure stood up quickly, leaving the tab on the table and put on his jacket
"Shouldn't we go backstage and congratulate her?" Momiji asked
"No, remember, we followed Tohru here, she didn't invite us, what would she think of us knowing we followed her?" Kyo snapped
"Lets go" Shigure said, they slowly walked out the front door and looked back to the stage where Kira had been standing. Tohru, what is Kira to you? He thought quietly, but then just got into the car and drove home. They had to beat her home.
Backstage
The moment the entire band had walked off the stage and curtains had closed Tohru jumped into Kira's arms embracing him tightly. Kira simply laughed and held her close
"Its so great to see you Kira"
"Nice to see you too Princess" Kira replied softly stroking her hair. Tohru looked up and stuck out her tongue.
"You know that's only my performance name, I'm just Tohru now remember?"
"Sure Tohru" Kira replied gently putting her down. They walked over and sat down on a few of the instrument cases as Tohru took the roses from the dressing table she had gotten earlier. The rest of the band came over and hugged her tightly to.
"Tohru you rocked! Princess and Clarity are back again"
"This time for good" Tohru replied hugging them all. She missed this hugging, she could never hug Kyo or Haru this way.
"Did you hear them out there? They loved us, that's the biggest buzz we've had in a long time" Yue replied rubbing his hands together in satisfaction.
Their excitement of the performance finally died down, and they all sat back down on the stage after the bar had closed up. It was already eleven, but Tohru didn't realize that, too deep in conversation with them.
"So tell us Princess, what happened to you after Kyoko left?"
"Well for a while, I just bummed around, for a while, I was fine though"
"Always was independent and strong" Sora pipped.
"One day, I came across the Sohma family I told you about in the letters, I've been living with them for a month now"
"Five guys? How do you live you poor delicate flower?" Yue asked cutely
"Well lets see, I grew up living with four thugs and band members, why wouldn't I survive?"
"She makes a valid point" Kira said as he pulled Tohru on to his lap. "But you're still our Princess right Tohru"
"Always and forever" She replied laughing. Tohru had been nicknamed Princess because she was the youngest of the group. Kira and Tohru were in the same grade, juniors, but Yue, Sora, and Li were all seniors.
Kira and Tohru went way back, ever since Kindergarten and their parents had met. Kira was like her brother and he too had been deeply hurt when Kyoko passed away. But he also understood better then anyone, why Tohru took a league of absence from the band, it didn't matter though, she was back, and everyone loved her returning.
"When Love, its about midnight now, don't you got to be getting home?" Asked Li
"What its midnight?! Oh no! Shigure's going to kill me" Tohru gasped standing up and grabbing her stuff. Ou and Hana must have left a long time ago, she moaned in worry.
"Let us give you a lift" the group chorused. "Just don't let stupid Yue drive, he'll crash us all for sure" Kira joked, and was then punched casually by Yue.
Clarity quickly gathered their gear and then hopped into their SUV. Tohru sat between Kira and Sora. While Yue and Li were in the front. Kira had his arm around her shoulder, and her head rested against his shoulder, peacefully sleeping, and his head on hers, slumbering quietly.
"You'd never think those two were just friends with the way they act" Yue said quietly, gazing through the rear-view mirror.
"Well, you know Kira had a real heat for her. Remember how bummed out he was when she left?" Sora added.
"But Tohru doesn't have a clue as usual, she's so innocent, those two, it'd be a real shame if they lost their friendship because of Kira's heart." Li replied shaking his head. Yue turned his eyes back to the road, and continued driving.
Author's Note
Well that took me a long time to write, I'm sorry that it did. This band will be in the story again, this isn't the only time. And Kira, oh wait until you see what I have in store! PLEASE R&R