Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket
Alright folks- I'm getting a lot of flames about how my history of Tohru is off. Let me tell you, I own the entire Fruits Basket Series, watched them with my friends, and analyzed them till kingdom come. If I made my story too similar I would've completely rewritten the Dvd's, and that's just stupid. Your flames are accurate, and I take them very seriously, I did a lot to improve the characters.
The characters, also have bits of myself and my world put into them, so if they don't fit your "Standard" for the character I'm sorry, but this is the way I write. But looking at over 150 reviews for my story, I see I must be doing something right.
I just want to say, expand your thoughts, don't think so literally okay?
As for the quotes of life, death, and living, those were my personal beliefs, the conversation with Hatori and Tohru, those were my opinions...
So I'm sorry if I disappointed some of you flame people out there, but I do hope you continue reading the fanfiction. Yes I know Tohru was at school when mother died, not in the car like I portrayed it, I did it for fun, its my story anyway, here's Chapter 28. I'll try to work on spelling though, cause I'll freely admit to you, I suck.
A lot of fans actually believed that the my previous chapter was the end of this series, whether you find it good or bad, I'm not done yet! Muahahahahah! So stay loyal and I love you fans!
Chapter 28 Winter Picnic
Tohru for a long while, thought about what Hatori had said, but found there wasn't a real reasoning behind the words. What legend did simple Tohru have? She looked up to the clock that hung above the white door, and it read a time past midnight. Why was time so screwy lately? It worked in ways Tohru could never understand.
Kyo was still asleep on the bed, most likely asleep for the rest of the night. Tohru walked up to the door, and opened it gently, the only sound the click of the door's lock sliding open. She shut it behind her, and she wandered down the many never ending hallways of the hospital. It seemed there was something she had to find, and her feet had decided to take her there. When she finally stopped in front of a door, she lowered her head and let out a small laugh "Figures I'd go looking for him,"
Tohru grabbed the doorknob and pushed it down as she walked in. Tohru mostly stood towards the entrance, looking down at the sleeping man. She wondered if he had any visitors, there weren't piles of gifts like she had, she felt bad for him. Tohru took another step into the room, and Akito's eyes opened instantly
"Oh...I'm sorry Mr. Akito sir...I didn't mean...to wake you up" Tohru bowed quickly. What was she doing here, it was the middle of the night, and she just woke up a man who should be resting in the hospital! How foolish....stupid indeed
"Miss Honda...I...." Akito forced himself to sit up
"Oh Akito don't, you shouldn't be wasting your energy!" Tohru quickly ran to his side and helped him up with her own good shoulder. "I should go, so you can rest more..." Tohru told him innocently
"No...its okay...." Akito sat up and let out a sigh as he looked down at his hands, and then looked back to her. Tohru squirmed awkwardly, wondering why he was looking at her. She stroked her arm in the sling out of nerve, like a person bites their nails or twirls their hair.
"I'm sorry Akito, I'm not even sure why I came here, I just was in my room, and then I was here" Tohru bowed again and again apologetically, and much to her surprise, Akito let out a chuckle.
"Should it not be I who's apologizing?" Akito asked her wearily
"Huh?" Tohru lifted up her head confused
"Come here," he asked her, motioning to his side. Tohru timidly walked over to him, wondering what he wanted. When she did, Akito's hand reached out for her face, Tohru closed her eyes, waiting for a slap or strike, but instead, was his soft hand caressing her cheek in a rather timid and cautious way "I really did all this to you?"
Tohru's eyes wandered away not really wanting to answer such a rhetorical statement.
"It's okay..." she told him in a whisper.
"It seems as though I've broken your arm as well" Akito said gesturing to her sling
"In all good time things will heal, wounds will fade, and only the scars will remain"
"Why?" he asked again rubbing his thumb along her cheekbone
"Why what Akito sir?" Tohru asked nervously
Akito chuckled slightly "Never mind, you're probably asked the same question so often, its natural to know the answer already, judging by the words you possess. You are truly a naive and innocent mind aren't you?"
"I'm a truly so foolish to believe there are good things in life?" Tohru asked looking down at him, not his eyes, but in his general voice direction "Am I truly so blind hoping for things?'
"You'll waste your life away wishing for things even the heavens couldn't give you"
"Without the dreams we only wander, endless purposeless wander. I'd rather live in a world where I can't reach the dreams, then live in a world with none of them at all"
"You'd rather disappointment and hurt?"
"Isn't that the reality of the world?"
"Why do you really wish to be in the Sohma home, if we are only cursed and miserable people?"
"Well...they aren't really that miserable...and...they make me feel safe....and....needed....I lived alone in a tent after my mother died....and even when I went back to my grandfather's house...they didn't want me there....at the Sohmas...I don't feel so alone...or insignificant."
"I see..." Akito's eyes wandered, they were different now, instead of being filled with depths of anger, they were now filled with more so a look of confusion, he trying to sort out all that was truthful and everything else.
"Tomorrow we'll go home and I'll make you a really great dish, I'll make whatever you want. That'll cheer you up right?" Tohru said happily looking at him.
"No Miss Honda, you will be returning with the other Sohmas tomorrow, I believe it to be best"
"But Akito...I haven't even stayed the two weeks, if I don't then Shigure can't..."
Akito just shook his head "You neither pass this week nor fail it. I've now...seen things from a different perspective. You can return home without strings attached, go back to them for now. I'm tired, and I just want only to rest. You have until the end of this year, and I'll make my decision then, with the new year. Is that fair to you Miss Honda?"
"If that's what you want Akito. I don't want you to be left all alone at the estate"
"No, Hatori, Hiro, and Kisa are there....besides, I need time to think"
"Then, I guess that's fine Akito Sir, and I hope you make a quick recovery. If you need help around the temple, I'll gladly help out" Tohru bowed and smiled innocently
"Go to bed Tohru, its past midnight," Tohru bowed again and turned, she pulled open the door and quickly wandered out ", and thank you Tohru."
Tohru wandered back to her hospital room with a queer feeling in her stomach. She was overjoyed to be going home, back to Shigure and the others, and yet, something felt so off. She felt sad, to be leaving Akito in his condition alone. The look in his eyes though, had he changed somehow?
Tohru didn't want to think anymore, the fatigue was hitting her, and her whole body ached for rest even if she had slept earlier. She gently placed herself in the bed, far from Kyo, as not to cause any problems. She found his hand outstretched across the bed, and she fell asleep stroking it with her thumb, just as she had his. It felt good to be going home. When Tohru was still, Kyo opened his eyes and looked at her closely, and then closed them again. You're safe...
The following morning was full of confusion and overwhelming joy. The whole family had arrived early that morning after making a trip to the Sohma Mansion to pick up her stuff. The entire family checked her out, and before she left she took one last look at Akito who was asleep.
Everyone was talking, there was this buzz of happiness that filled up the car so much you might worry you'd suffocate on it. When they did finally arrive home Tohru flew from the car and ran inside. She stood in the doorway and took in a deep breath, everything just as she left it, except a mess now.
The Sohmas were following behind her and she turned around with tears in her eyes but her famous smile on her face "It seems as though things are going just well while I was gone"
"Yup, I even learned how to use the microwave" Shigure said proudly and Tohru started to laugh. She started to laugh so hard that more tears fell from her eyes, and eventually she fell to her knees. Somewhere in the mix of it, her laughter turned to tears and sadness, but Shigure dropped to his knees and stroked her hair "It's okay now Tohru, you're home nothing bad will happen to you here, I promise"
"I was scared....I was really scared' She cried softly.
For the first time now, did the entire family truly see the vulnerability of Tohru, and now began to realize things that were obvious, but taken for granite.. Tohru wasn't a super human or angel sent for them, she was still just an average girl, and these events did affect her.
"It's alright Flower, we're home, that's all that matters, it's over now" Shigure told her again with a soft yet angst look in his eyes. Even the boys in the back frowned with concern. But eventually Tohru stood up and wiped her eyes and then remembered something
"Oh I was supposed to call Uo and Hana! They think I've been gone on a trip! It'll be awesome to hear from them." And just like that, Tohru was smiling again and happy. Everyone let out a relieved sigh and went back to their activities.
The Next Day
Yuki was first to wander into the kitchen, covering his mouth in a yawn. As he opened his eyes, there she stood at the stove again, even with one harm useless. She turned to him and waved
"Oh, good morning Yuki, breakfast is almost ready"
"Uh miss Honda, the house, its clean, when did you find time to..." Yuki looked around amazed
"You'd be surprised what I can do" Tohru grinned with a wink
"It never does cease to amaze me" Yuki said scratching the back of his head as he pulled back his chair to sit down. Tohru walked over with his plate, then retrieved the utensils, and eventually his drink too. One by one the Sohmas entered the kitchen, the last Kyo. As they all sat eating, their eyes would wander back to her, and they'd listen to her soft humming.
Tohru was drying off a dish in her hands when she turned to the boys at the table. They all didn't have school and she smiled "Can we do something together today? Just for the fun of it?"
The boys all looked at each other, first wondering if they could tolerate each other for that long, but Tohru had just gotten back. They all still stared at each other, and Kyo, of all people, was the first to nod his head and look back to Tohru "Yeah, that sounds alright"
Tohru beamed as she put a few more dishes away. Haru worried about the strain she was putting on herself. He got up from the table and took the last few dishes from her and began to wash them. "Haru you don't have to..." She whined innocently. He turned back around, his hands sudsy and poked her nose leaving suds on her
"You Tohru just got back from the hospital and if I recall the doctor said take it easy. This isn't like when you were at the hospital a few weeks ago, you really hurt yourself this time. I don't want anything to happen to you, none of us do" He said gently as he turned back around to wash more dishes "Sometimes you need to take the help people offer even if you are capable of doing it yourself. Let someone else hold up the world okay?"
Tohru nodded her head lightly and laughed "That doesn't mean I can't make lunch for everyone," she said poking him in the side, he flinching as a reaction.
"Hey!" He laughed lightly and flicked more water at her.
"EEEEP! The wetness ahhhh" She laughed again. Even with her eyes shut as she laughed, Haru was relieved to see that laughter and smile back again. Momiji volunteered to help Tohru. Together they cleared the table and began making rice balls.
"What kind of rice ball do you want Tohru?" Momiji asked Tohru as he made a very lob-sided rice ball. Tohru was flipping on in her hands shaping it gently
"Ummm I think I'd like a plume one," Tohru said gently thinking about it for a while.
"I'm going to make you one of each just because I missed you so much" Momiji said proudly as he worked on a second lob-sided and disformative rice ball. Tohru could only laugh to herself and ruffle his hair. Momiji looked up to her and laughed ", You're happy again Tohru, now I'm happy"
Kyo and Yuki sort of lounged around the house, there wasn't much for them to do. Yuki went to his garden for a while, and looked at the spot for the strawberry seeds, he knew Tohru hadn't forgotten, and they'd get it done soon enough. Kyo was rather grumpy today, and snoozed most of the day.
Around two o'clock Tohru came into the living room with a picnic basket all ready. She was wearing a long gray over coat, one arm sleeve limp because of her sling, and a white ski hat on her head. She looked rather adorable, innocent Tohru. Momiji was at her side holding the other arm to the basket, in all his snow gear, and Haru was behind them, a distant look on his face but always close by Tohru. Yuki and Kyo went and got on some sort of winter stuff and trudged after them. Tohru walked in the front with her happiest face on, Momiji at her side, the other three more towards the back.
"Where are you taking us Tohru?" Momiji asked curiously
"Well, when my mom was alive, she used to take me ice skating right after the first snow. It only happened to snow while I was at the hospital. But because I broke my arm, I didn't think Shigure would want me skating, but that doesn't mean I can't watch use guys. There's a hill and a natural pond we go to, everyone likes to sit there, its just a very nice place...brings back wonderful memories" Tohru said looking ahead with the basket.
Momiji continued to ask questions about Tohru's mom, and she answered them rather happily. Yuki found it troubling, how easily and freely she could talk about her mom without feeling that pain of mourn, but before he could even finish pondering they arrived at the pond.
"Well, here we are," Tohru said quietly.
Tohru was right, it was a rather quaint but lovely place. The pond had a few other skaters, and there was a small booth with an old man who gave out free skates to use. Tohru and Momiji threw open a blanket at the top of the hill underneath a bare cherry-blossom tree.
Everyone sat down beside her, Yuki and Kyo managing to get the seats closest to her. With her right arm she opened the slid and spread the rice balls, hot ramen, and other food onto the blanket along with a very large thermos of hot chocolate. The boys quickly dashed for the rice balls, and Tohru sipped at the hot chocolate
"Wow, these are really good Miss Honda," Yuki said chewing on his
"Yeah Tohru, you did a great job, you too Momiji" Haru said gently patting Momiji on the head, Momiji stuck out his tongue and the two laughed. Kyo was rather quiet today, but Tohru didn't mind, she leaned her back against the tree and looked up at the sky.
"What are you thinking about Miss Honda?" Yuki asked puzzled trying to see what she was looking at up in the sky, but found nothing but the clear blue.
"I'm just thinking about my mother, she always loved this place." Tohru whispered closing her eyes "I can still hear her laughing,"
((Wow this is Aki here, computers are not meant to crash and then go onto a backup drive that then deletes two pages of your work, stupid machine! Damn electronics))
Yuki looked at Tohru, and frowned slightly, he wasn't sure if he should say anything in a way to comfort her, or if the memories were enough and bringing them up would further upset her. Tohru kept her eyes closed for a little while, it was almost as if her mother was right there beside her. Momiji grabbed onto her right shoulder and gave her jacket a little tug. She opened her eyes slowly and looked at him.
"TorTor, do you think you could teach me to skate? I want to skate just like those kids!" Momiji pointed to the kids down skating on the pond.
Tohru rose from her spot and brushed herself off. "Sure Momiji, I'll teach you" Tohru took his hand and walked him down the hill.
"Miss Honda, uh do you think it's wise to skate with that broken arm?" Yuki scampered after her, however was stopped as Haru's hand fell on his shoulder. Yuki turned his head to look at Haru.
"Let her do this. Let her re-find that confidence in herself," Haru said gently
"What confidence, I don't get it"
"You really don't see it? Tohru has always worried about protecting us, she always wanted the best for us. She feels as though she failed, because we were hurt"
"How were we hurt, she was the one in the hospital?"
"Think Rat think. Emotions can be more severe than flesh scars. She didn't want us to face that pain, we were all so scared when she was sent away. She blames herself, yet she did all this to help us"
Haru's eyes watched Tohru as she skated around, trying to help Momiji. Momiji took one step onto the ice, and his feet flew out from under him and we fell, he began to anime style cry. Tohru flailing her arm skated up to him and ruffled his hair. Momiji got back up and Tohru took his hand skating on the ice.
"Now remember Momiji, just like I told you," Tohru skated backwards holding his hands "Left, right, left, right, there you go!"
"Look TorTor I'm doing it!" Tohru slowly skated away and let go of his hands and he laughed with joy as he skated off on his own. Tohru skated too, slowly with the gentle winter breeze. Kyo watched from a far on the hill and ate another rice ball. Tohru had made so many, he couldn't help himself that they were his absolute favorite food.
Haru eventually came onto the ice too, a good skate sounded like fun. He skidded out onto the ice, Tohru and Momiji skating up to him.
"Haru I didn't know you could skate!"
"Yay Haru's gonna skate with us Tohru!" Momiji chirped
"Yeah well, I've skated once or twice, I'll see if I can keep up" Haru said meekly. Momiji started off, quick as could be, and even when he fell, now that he had confidence he laughed and only got back up.
Haru took Tohru's hand and together they skated for hours and hours, Momiji jumping about at their side until soon the sun began to go down. Around five o'clock, they returned their skates and all sat down with Yuki and Kyo.
"Did you have fun Tohru?" Haru asked with a tired sigh as he sat down
"I really, did, thank you" Tohru smiled as she handed a cup of hot chocolate to Haru and then one to Momiji. Tohru sat on her knees with her jacket draped over her shoulder, and she looked up at the sky and the beautiful pink colored sky. Tohru took a sip of her hot chocolate and smiled.
"You think we outa get back soon, Shigure's probably wondering where we are" Kyo mentioned.
"I guess so," Tohru said stretching as she stood up. The boys cleaned up the rest of their mess, and Yuki carried the picnic basket home.
When they arrived home, Shigure was actually rather pleased when he heard Tohru had been out doing something fun all day. She quickly defrosted dinner for him and he simply pecked her cheek "I'm glad you're back Flower,"
"It's good to be home," Tohru whispered as she served him dinner.
She wandered into their living room and popped in a movie that she Momiji started watching. A little while later Kyo came in to find Tohru asleep on Momiji's lap. She seemed rather content there sleeping, no real traces of emotion on her face. There was a blanket draped across Tohru too. Kyo looked over at Momiji who's eyes were on the television, but he looked up when he heard Kyo.
"I guess Tohru isn't completely back to her old self again," Momiji said deplorably as he looked down at her.
Kyo stretched on the couch that Momiji was leaning his back against. "So, what are we watching runt?" He asked Momiji staring at the screen.
Momiji's eyes were still down on Tohru as he stroked her hair gently, feeling worry for her, like a brother and sister "I haven't the slightest clue"