Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket.
Grrr the floppy disk I usually use unformatted itself, I lost all the data on it. Thankfully I've already posted all the chapters saved, so I can just copy and paste, save, ya know that long painful process. But I did lose a incomplete wolf's rain chapter and an incomplete Yu Yu Hakusho chapter. Anyway, here's Chapter 22
Chapter 22 A Goodbye Only She Heard
"I leave tomorrow"
"Please be careful"
The rest of the Sohmas showed up, and they all drove home. Tohru had managed a seat by the window, and Momiji beside her, some relief from the ever hungry boys. Tohru still had to pack for the trip; and she had no idea what to expect. The only ones who knew she was leaving was Kyo and Shigure. Yuki knew too, but Tohru was unaware of that. Yuki didn't know she was leaving tomorrow, but would at least be absent soon.
When they arrived home, most of the boys were already tired, and wandered into the house. Kyo turned around one more time to look at Tohru.
"Something wrong Kyo?"
"How long.." he asked her
"Two weeks." Kyo's eyes cast down to the ground, sad.
"You better be super careful Tohru, that Akito is bad news." Tohru brought her hands together in front of her chest, and nodded slowly looking down. "What's wrong Tohru?"
"Nothing really...I'm just....scared...that's all. But mom always told me to be brave, and that's just what I'm going to do!" Tohru said determined. She marched into the house, mumbling to herself to be brave again and again. Kyo, out of character grinned, and followed her inside.
"Tohru?" Shigure's voice called from the office.
"Coming!" Tohru wandered into his office, was again with the usual tea. She knelt down at the table and bowed respectively
"How was the evening flower?"
"Oh Shigure everyone really liked the songs I wrote! I'm so happy!"
Shigure smiled "Oh really? That's wonderful Tohru." Both of them knew this was not the reason Shigure called her in to speak. "Are you prepared for the next two weeks?"
"I guess I am, there isn't anything really to prepare except clothing, the rest is going to be at random. I have no idea what they'll throw at me."
"Tohru, let me also tell you; Hatori may be my best friend, and he really does have a softer side when you're around, but at the Sohma House he's under Akito's rule, don't be surprised if he acts rather hostile towards you.
Tohru gulped and looked to the window "If...if Akito...tells him to erase my memory...will he?"
"I'm afraid so. Akito is head of house, and his rules are law, no matter how much he personally disapproves of it."
"Oh...I...understand" Tohru said nodding. "Shigure?"
"Yes?"
"Will your memories, of me, and living here be erased too?"
"No Tohru, we'll always remember you. The fact of that, is both a blessing and a curse. We won't forget the wonderful times, but then also, we'll forever be missing a part of the family"
"Did you tell others?"
"Not yet. You leave rather early tomorrow, you'll be gone before any of them wake up. Hatori will be here"
"Yes Shigure...I understand"
"Will you be okay?"
"I'm not sure, but I'll be brave. I want to come home, and not forget."
"That's my good flower. I think its best if you go get some rest, you have a long day planned tomorrow."
Tohru rose and walked to the door, and stood in the threshold.
"Please, tell them not to worry about me, and tell Uo and Hana as well. I haven't, been brave enough up until now to tell them. But, I know I have to try to be brave at Sohma house."
"I will Tohru....goodnight dear."
"Goodnight"
But Tohru didn't sleep at all. She only stared at the ceiling with her cd player on, nothing would comfort her, not even her mother's picture. Mom only told her to be herself and be brave, but she truly wondered if that was enough.
A few rooms over, Kyo wasn't sleeping much either. Two weeks, two long weeks with just Akito and Hatori. Even Hatori's presence gave him no reassurance, he was the only one as well, who knew that Tohru was leaving. He figured Hiro, Kisa, and a few other Sohmas might be at the house. Maybe Tohru could avoid Akito, as long as possible. He had forgotten about the little ones, it was more reassuring. Kisa would stick to her like glue, and maybe even draw her away from the Sohma Estate all together. But...it didn't calm him as much as he had liked.
Momiji was already asleep above him, murmuring Tohru's name calling her to play with him. That kid drove him crazy sometimes, he never understood why they shared the room. But then yet again, would he really want to share a room with Haru, especially when he became dark? Plus there was no way in hell he'd share a room with the damn rat.
Kyo sat up in his bed and looked at the wall that separated the rooms. He wanted to talk to her, but then, he just laid back down, turned over, and tried miserably to find some sleep.
So the alarm went off. 4:30 AM. Tohru wandered into the shower, washed and came back out. By then, Shigure was already downstairs with his coffee. Tohru lugged her bag to the front door, and looked out the window at the rain. It was coming down hard. It wasn't the best feeling.
"You'll be fine Tohru." Shigure told her placing her hands on his shoulders.
"If it means you can be my father, it won't matter what I go through" She told him gently
"You know, you can come visit us anytime you like. You'll just, will be under his rule for a little while"
"Yes Shigure. I know that"
"It'll also give you some time to be with Kisa and Hiro! That will be a treat for them"
"Oh you're right! It'll be wonderful to see them again" Tohru smiled joyously
Shigure rested his head on her shoulder, and she let out a small gasp startled. "Just...be careful Tohru....I couldn't bear the idea of something bad happening"
With that Hatori's car pulled into the driveway. And, even knowing the curse, Tohru hugged Shigure, and gripped to his soft fur tight. Shigure whimpered and licked at her face, but pushed her towards the door. Tohru picked up her bag, and turned around with a wave "Just you wait, two weeks will go by fast"
Shigure sat there, his tail stopping its wagging, now that she was finally gone. He eventually changed back, but only secluded himself in his work. Not wanting to admit to his worries.
Few Hours Later
Yuki draped aside the curtain walking into the kitchen "Mmm Tohru what's for breakfast?" But as Yuki opened his eyes, he saw nothing, no food, no meals prepared, no Tohru. No Tohru, at first he ran into the den, but she was gone there too. He ran up the stairs to her room, and when he opened the door, he saw that her belongings were gone too. Oh no...
Yuki ran back down the stairs and ripped off the door to Shigure's office. Shigure sat there with his tea and his eyes shut
"I guess you've discovered the news. You're taking it quite well"
"Did she really go to Akito?"
"Indeed she did. This was on her own decision"
"Is you really being her father worth us losing her?"
"I have faith in Tohru, I see now that you do not. My being her father is not all that her leaving represents. You are too angry at this moment, to see what she is showing us. She, knowing of our families curse, and knowing of Akito's cold heart, still wants to be with us enough, that she's going out of the way to put herself in that danger."
"Shi...gure.."
"This is her representation of her whole heart. She really wants to be with us, and you of all people should be flattered. But now, as for my door, I do believe you shall be fixing it this morning" Shigure rose leaving the room.
Yuki hung his head staring at the now blurry floor and watched as a few tear droplets hit the padded floor. He fell to his knees and tried hard to control the twister of emotions he was feeling. Tohru was really going to Akito's?
Yuki sat down in the kitchen at the table miserably staring into the wood's abyss of nothing.
"So she really did leave eh rat?" Kyo said standing in the doorway
"I cannot believe Miss Honda would do such a foolish thing"
"Eh, it was her own decision"
"How can you be so calm about this, Miss Tohru has left for Sohma estate! FOR TWO WEEKS!"
"Look ya damn rat, people need to make their own decisions, and this happens to be hers"
"But she's in danger!" Yuki screamed slamming his fists into the table
"Tohru ain't so dumb you damn rat. You don't give her enough credit, besides Hatori, Kisa, and Hiro are there. Its only two weeks on the estate, no one says she even has to see him. Now would you cut this crap god, you're worse than pathetic"
Kyo turned and exited the kitchen bumping into Haru.
"Where's Tohru?" He asked quietly
"She's at the Sohma Estate for two weeks. Has to do with the adoption."
Haru looked down at the ground "Momiji ain't gonna like this"
"None of us are. But this is something Tohru has to do. She wants to be with him, that's all there is to it"
At that moment, it seemed everyone cast their eyes to the floor, wishing, that she was still here.
With Tohru
The car ride had been rather quiet, it was a little discomforting, but Tohru fell back asleep almost instantly, and at one point Hatori even stroked the top of her head, even if she had not been aware of it. He smiled, much unlike him, but Tohru was special to her. She was like the daughter he could of had. It was nice to see, a smiling face around so often.
The car pulled to a stop and Tohru's eyes jerked open
"We're here" Hatori said opening the door for her.
"Oh alright." Tohru looked at Hatori, and there was a strange glisten to his eyes. It looked like, he was afraid. What was he so afraid of? She jumped out of the car "Thank you Hatori" She smiled and grabbed her bag.
Immediately at the front door stood Kisa and Hiro.
"Sissy!" Kisa said gently. Tohru put down her bag and hugged Kisa fiercely
"Oh Kisa its so nice to see you" Tohru giggled in return to Kisa's and then she lifted her head "And its nice to see you too Hiro"
"Oh great, the stupid indecisive girl is here"
Tohru laughed "Yup, I'm here for two whole weeks"
"Joyous." Hiro said rolling his eyes. But he instantly perked up as Hatori seemed to loom over Tohru. A sweat droplet fell from his face and he laughed nervously.
"Tohru, I do believe its time to get your things inside, so you may get acquainted with the environment" Hatori said in his formal tone again picking up her one suitcase.
"Oh Hatori let me carry it it's my stuff!" Tohru pleaded
"Nonsense Miss Honda. I'm sure this will be the least of our troubles" Hatori continued as he made a turn down a hallway.
Hatori took her to a room down toward the core of the estate. He slid the door open. The room was simple enough; a bed, a dresser, and a desk Tohru could write at.
"Oh its so adorable" Tohru squealed smiling. Hatori left her to unpack her things. The clothes were easily stored, and on her night stand there stood her mother's photograph. Tohru looked at the photo sternly for a moment but then rose. She walked down the hallway until she came to Hatori's office, he looked up from his newspaper
"Something wrong Tohru?"
"Oh no Hatori. I was just wondering when I could see Akito" she said bravely. Hatori's eyes widened and he looked back at the paper, mostly adverting her gaze
"Are you sure that's what you want Miss Honda?"
"That was the entire point of this visit. I may have two weeks, but I think it'd be better to ask him now, then later"
"Understood Miss Honda" Hatori rose from his place and walked down the hallway. "This way" Tohru followed after him like a lost puppy. Deep down, Hatori was wondering if he was doing the right thing. From a far Kisa and Hatori watched with small worried children's eyes. No one liked the fact she was going to Akito. Upon entering the room, Hatori got down on his knees and bowed, and Tohru mimicked him. "Akito sir, Miss Tohru Honda has arrived and is here to speak with you"
"Indeed I see this to be true" Akito said after muffling a cough. But he did not face them "Why are you here Miss Honda?"
"To ask for your approval in letting Shigure adopt me"
"Oh that, I thought we had discussed this last time"
"We did Akito sir, but you gave me no answer"
"Eh? I didn't now. Well of course not, you aren't worthy of such an honor"
"Well then let me prove myself worthy. I'll do whatever you want" Tohru pleaded
"You are a rather stupid and stubborn girl what use could you be?"
"I can cook, clean, whatever you want Mr. Akito sir."
"Cook."
"Cook?"
"Go cook something Tohru."
"Umm is there any preference"
"This discussion is over. Goodbye Miss Honda" Akito said sternly.
Tohru rose quietly and shuffled out of the room looking for the kitchen. Here began the first test, although, it wasn't really a test in Akito's mind. The true tests would be the more painful ones to come, much more painful...