Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket.
Chapter 18 Blind Faces
The chopper ride had not taken more than an hour, and if Tohru had been awake or not strapped down, Kyo knew she would've enjoyed the view from such a place. Tohru was miserable. The doctors told her to try and sleep, but she couldn't enjoy a few moments rest before her coughing spells would reemerge.
Kyo was debated on if should contact Shigure or not. He was indeed now, her, father. Kyo shook his head at the thought and feeling of calling Shigure her father. But still, he should know, but then he'd have to come all the way out here, and it could be nothing.
Tohru, from the side of the medical bed, took Kyo's hand gently and held it. Everything seemed so backwards, Tohru was smiling reassuringly, and it was Kyo who felt like he was in a world of torment. But there she was so frail and ill, still always smiling.
"Now you have to get better" Kyo said assertively as he held her hand.
"I will silly Kyo. I just feel bad that I'm making everyone worry when they should be enjoying themselves on the camping trip"
Kyo only let out an exasperated sigh and hung his head. The chopper had an abrupt shake, Kyo nearly falling out of his, rather uncomfortable, seat. It was a indication they were landing.
"Should I call Shigure for you?" he asked quickly as the back hatch opened up
"Oh please don't trouble him with my concern, I'll be fine I promise"
Seeing the hospital was weird. They were so used to the seclusion and loneliness of the forest, to see civilization, it was indeed such a queer feeling. The doctors wheeled Tohru away rather quickly, but one lone doctor stayed with Kyo, insisting that he should at least have a look to check for internal injury.
Kyo sat down on and threw off his shirt, which thankfully could be washed here. The doctor first had him stretch, in basic forms, to hint on any tensions, had him run, the usual. He checked out just fine, maybe one or two black and blue bruises, but they were already tinging yellow as a sign of healing.
"You're in the clear" the doctor finished triumphantly with a smile
"What about Tohru?" He asked worried.
"Well," the doctor rubbed at the back of his neck "She's a little fickle." The doctor motioned for Kyo to follow him into another room. There was a huge glass window, and Kyo pressed himself up against it, seeing Tohru asleep on a table with a few lifelines and monitors attached to her. "This girl, Tohru Honda, was lucky, there are no broken bones, sprains, or pulls. She has a lot of, internal bruising though, a lot against her head and lungs. The head, mostly gives her the likeliness to faint, something that easily can go away with sleep. Honda did however, severe and bruise at her lungs, which is more troubling."
"Oh..." Kyo wasn't so sure what to say. He desperately looked at Tohru, the glass seeming like it were miles thick.
"The bruising to her lungs, cannot medically be treated here at the clinic, she'll just only have to take it easy."
"Why did she cough up blood then?" He asked almost irritated
"Like I said, she bruised and severed her lung. Which means she pierced, just, a small hole, unknown on how that came to be. But, it's already been patched up"
"Then why is she hooked up to all those monitors"
"To keep in line her stability and IV fluids. We contacted her guardian Mr. Sohma, he's on his way here as we speak."
"How long does Tohru have to stay here?"
"Only overnight, I'm afraid there isn't much we can do. But patching up the hole, no matter how small, is the greatest improvement and help we can give her. All the bruises will fade, she won't be coughing up anymore blood."
"Alright"
"You can go visit her if you want, but she's sleeping, it be best not to wake her". The doctor then turned away, walking down the empty hallway. Kyo left the window, leaving marks on it, and opened the door gently. He slid it shut behind him, and first only leaned back against it. Tohru was so still, he could barely see the rise and fall of her chest with the comforting breathing. His shoes made a small clicking sound as he walked across the tiled floor.
Kyo stood beside her bed, watching. He knew that the doctor had told him not to awaken her, but he couldn't help but caress her cheek "Tohru?" Tohru flinched slightly, and as her eyes opened she squinted looking at him "Tohru?" he asked again.
"Hey Kyo...are you feeling alright?"
"Hm, stupid girl, why you always worried about everybody but yourself" he grinned gently
"Kyoko...."
"Kyoko? Your mom?"
"She....talked to me, for a little while. She said, she was happy, and, glad to see me, but wanted me to...keep growing"
Kyo face softened more, as he caressed her cheek again "I'm glad you could see her"
"OH MY TOHRU! MY POOR FLOWER!" Their moment destroyed as Shigure threw open the door and ran to her beside wearing all black "SO YOUNG, SO BEAUTIFUL, SHE HAD SUCH A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD OF HER" sobbing with a handkerchief. "OH WHY DID SHE LEAVE?"
"Oh Shigure, I'm right here" Tohru giggled softly. Shigure opened his eyes with a pleasant grin and kissed the top of her forehead.
"Tohru dear I must say you did give me quite a scare"
"Oh I'm sorry Shigure, I never meant to worry anyone" Tohru whispered softly
"Dear, just rest flower. I brought Hatori with me as well. He will give you a quick exam,"
"Exam? For what? I didn't study for any of my tests I don't remember teacher talking about one" Tohru sat up shaking her head looking for a number two pencil
"Easy Tohru, I just meant he wants to have a closer look, I only trust Hatori's analysis, nothing too good for the Sohmas."
Hatori then entered the room quietly with his medical bag. On the side opposite of Shigure he knelt down on one knee looking at Tohru "Hello Tohru, how are you feeling?"
"Oh hello Hatori, I'm feeling okay, a bit tired, but I'm fine"
He smiled gently "Hm that's good, now just lie back Tohru, I promise this won't take long"
Hatori took out his stethoscope and began to listen to her heartbeat. He went through the usual procedure, and then looked back to Shigure, who was anxiously waiting, although his face did not portray it "She will be just find Shigure. Tohru was extremely lucky to have survived and saved." his eyes wandering to Kyo "But in the meantime, I think it is best that you take Tohru home, there will be no more camping trips for her"
"Why yes of course! My flower shall be pampered and waited on hand and foot until she has recovered" Shigure raised a fist determinedly.
"And Shigure, about Akito and your request. He says that he must meet with her first, before he makes a decision"
Shigure's face grew stern as Hatori added she must come alone "I don't trust him Hatori"
"I know you don't, but there is no choice in the matter, he is head of house"
"What are they talking about?" Kyo asked leaning over whispering to Tohru.
"They're talking about, the adoption. I must see Akito, before he allows me permission to be Shigure's daughter, I must go alone"
"What? There's no way in hell I'm going to let you go alone"
"Kyo you must. This is what he has requested. Please, I want so much to be Shigure's daughter"
"The girl is right Cat. Akito will be most displeased to see that someone has intervened" Hatori added closing up his medical bad. "Tohru here, take these pills every few hours, you should be fine though"
"Thank you Hatori" Tohru said graciously as she wrapped her hand around the bottle. Hatori, surprisingly, smiled, and he bent down and pecked her cheek smiling.
"Take care of yourself Tohru, you might be the one to free us all"
Hatori disappeared down the hallway, and Tohru rested her head back against her pillow. Shigure sat down on the edge of the bed with Tohru, and Kyo leaned up against the wall. Shigure took her hand gently, cuddling her hand, just feeling her silky skin.
"Tell me flower, how was your trip thus far?"
"Mmm Shigure...Uo and I had a fight..."
"A fight? Oh dear."
"Don't worry...I know that Uo means well...she is not....truly angry with me,"
"Oh Tohru," he squeezed her hand gently "How do you always see the good?"
"Hmm...journeying through the mountains with everyone was fun, the clues were neat too. I loved the statue...of the fox"
"A journey through the mountains, it sounds so pleasant Tohru"
"It was, the air was so fresh and clean, even Uo couldn't fully destroy my happiness"
"That is good Tohru, I'm so happy."
"Falling...it was scary Shigure...horrifying...but, when I woke up on the beach....I heard them calling for me...that's when I knew...everything would be okay" Tohru's eyes were shutting slowly, still fatigued from the past few days. But Shigure only sat with her, holding her hand so gently, his eyes were peaceful too, he was not even the joking and normal Shigure.
In his heart, Shigure was overjoyed with relief. When he had gotten word of Tohru's injury, he had left the Sohma's house without a moments hesitation, leaving his unfinished novel and the pen falling to the floor.
So this is really what it's like, to be a father...
Shigure's smile was so soft, and Tohru reached out to touch his face wiping away, a tear that Shigure did not know was falling. "Don't cry Shigure...please don't cry...Dad..." she whispered softly "No more tears..."
Upon hearing the word dad, he let in a quick gasp.
"I want to hold my little flower so close and dear...." He moaned sadly
"And one day you will, one day you will without changing...I promise you that. But no matter of it, I still will always love you Shigure. I love every single one of the Sohmas. I don't care about the curse, it is nothing, that can destroy. Love can confine past any boundaries...."
"My dear, my writing talents are rubbing off on you" Shigure cried proudly
Tohru laughed quietly, but then closed her eyes falling off into a slumber. Shigure patted her hand again, and eased himself off the bed slowly. He brought up the thick blanket to keep her warm, and he couldn't help but give a final chuckle.
"She looks so at ease doesn't she?" Shigure asked Kyo gently.
"Yeah. She does"
"You'd never think a girl who last her mother only a year ago, and girl who lost her father many years ago, would be as well off, and selfless as she is." Kyo looked at Shigure, with a saddened face, they both knew deep down she was hurting, but she'd never let anyone else worry about her. Shigure smiled then, asking a question. "Someone calling to her, that wasn't you was it?"
Kyo flustered instantly. "I wasn't going to just sit there like the stupid rat did and let her get washed away"
"Indeed. But it seems as though you were the one to bring her back." Shigure grinned
"Aww shut up you mongrel."
"What I did not say anything offensive" Shigure raised his hands with an innocent voice
"She really scared me...you know" Kyo said quietly watching her
"I'm sure that this incident scared everyone Kyo. I believe its time we leave for the hotel, she needs to sleep, and night is setting in" Shigure turned towards the door "Aren't you coming?"
"Can't I just stay with her?" He asked quietly. Shigure smiled
"I think she deserves some privacy to enjoy a slumber."
Kyo slumped but followed Shigure out the door.
Back at the Campground
Near ten o'clock at night, Sensei's cell phone began to ring; the Sohma kids, Kei, Uo, and Hana all dropped their playing cards and ran over to Sensei as he answered the phone
"Hello. Kyo? Is that you boy...okay. Alright. Good. Very well. I see...I see...very good. I'll call again in the morning"
"Well what was that all supposed to mean?" Haru barked nervously.
Sensei put the cell phone back in his pocket and sat down on one of the logs used for benches by the fire. He gathered the class and they all sat listening.
"I just got off the phone with Mr. Shigure Sohma" Sensei looked into the fire, and then at the many worried faces. "Tohru is doing just fine" There was then a huge sigh of relief.
"Tohru has a few cuts, bruises, the usual. By worst was her severed lung, but it has already been treated. She will be spending the night in the hospital, and tomorrow she will be going back home with Mr. Sohma and Kyo. Kyo himself has a few cuts and bruises, and it has been recommended that both of them do not return to this campsite."
Haru, Momiji, and Yuki shot looks at each other. Momiji was more so worried about Tohru, but Yuki and Haru were more concerned leaving Kyo alone with Tohru in the house. Uo and Hana sat next to each other, Uo still silent staring down at her hands. Kei was silent. But he stood up, and walked off back towards his bunk.
Kei sat in his bed, his sketchbook at his side from the earlier days of the trip, one of Tohru smiling by the fire. He rested his head on his pillow miserably, staring at the ceiling of the two person tent. "Tohru..." he whispered quietly. He fell back into memories, shaking the bridge, she had been begging them to stop all along. There was such a nervous look on her face, strands of her brown hair flying across her face, her hands tightened and gripping the ropes, her jacket blowing with the wind.
The Sohmas had remained, listening to Sensei, and the class scattered away back to their tents. But those three sat out by the fire together. Haru was staring at the stars, cursing to himself under his breath, but Momiji smiled patting Haru's shoulder
"Tohru is fine, that's all that matters. She said it wasn't your fault. If you keep blaming yourself, Tohru will be sad, you don't want Tohru to be sad"
"No, I don't want her to be sad" Haru whispered
Yuki stared down at his hands and listened to the crackling of the fire. Being apart from Tohru made everything seem so quiet and dull. He couldn't hear her happy voice, her smiles, nor her laughter. Everyone felt the same as Yuki, but none would say it aloud.
Sensei clapped his hands and told the students to head off to their chambers, and reluctantly they all did. Sensei looked to the sky running his hand over his face. "What a trip"
Back at the Hospital
Tohru had just only shut her eyes again to sleep when there was a knock at the door. A nurse slid the door open and walked in and whispered quietly "Miss Honda are you awake?"
"Hmm..oh yes, I'm awake, is something the matter?"
"Oh not at all Miss Honda. You seem to have a guest, he's been standing outside waiting for you to wake up"
"A guest?" Tohru sat up slowly
"Shall I send him in?"
"Of course, I wouldn't want his trip here to be a waste"
The nurse bowed and wandered out into the hallway. Tohru sat with the blanket wrapped around her, and she let out a small gasp seeing him step through the door. Akito....