Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket
Chapter 42
Kyo's 'Thanks' had made all the difference for Tohru. The following morning she was chipper and happy. That was a step in the right direction, progress was finally being made. That made it all worth while. In the kitchen as usual, Tohru was packing up their lunches before the boys got downstairs. She was in the middle of wrapping a sandwich when the telephone rang.
Tohru flinched for a minute; remembering how that one phone call in the early morning had changed her so much. She wandered over to the phone, listening to it ring once, and then again. Slowly she picked it up and clicked the button. "...Hello? Sohma Residence."
"Well, aren't we professional?" Kira's voice chuckled.
"Hey Kira!" Her voice brightened and she smiled. "What's up?"
"I thought I'd just remind you we have rehearsal tonight after work. Remember, our shift ends at five today, and I can drive you over for practice. I know you're busy, you'd probably forget"
"That's not true! I have a sticky note right here in front of me!" She protested. She listened to Kira laugh in the background
"Okay I'm sorry. But anyone I thought I'd just let you know,"
"Thanks Kira, that's very thoughtful of you,"
"I wanted to make sure you came, we have something important to announce."
"We?"
"The other guys. It's great news. Oh crap I'm going to be late for my class. Later Tohru."
An important announcement? I wonder what it would be about. At least it's good news.
Tohru went back to packing lunches before Shigure walked into the kitchen. He smiled as he picked up his usual cup of coffee. "What was that Tohru, I heard the phone from down the hallway."
"That was Kira, he wanted to remind me I have work and rehearsal. I'll be up late tonight with homework," Tohru explained as she set up a plate of hash browns and eggs in front of him. The other boys wandered in slowly, still half asleep, it made Tohru smile. She served them their food and drinks and she wandered upstairs with Kyo's tray. She knocked on the door and smiled at the silence, for some reason unbeknownst to her.
"Kyo, your breakfast is here. I'm going to be out all night so I won't be making dinner. But with me gone you might be brave enough to venture downstairs and grab yourself some food. Your lunch is here too. I guess I'll see ya later," Tohru bowed at the door, again another mystery why, and wandered back downstairs.
"Tohru who was on the phone?" Haru asked yawning, "They woke me up."
"That was Kira, I just have rehearsal tonight for the White Day Festival," Tohru turned to the calendar and squeaked "Oh my gosh"
"What?" Haru asked getting up to see what she was staring at.
"Valentine's day is THIS FRIDAY! Oh my gosh I've got to get you all something," Tohru was already looking for paper and pen to write herself a list of the people she had to get gifts for. It was growing with each second that ticked by.
"Wow Tohru don't worry, you still have a tomorrow," Haru told her trying to calm her down, patting her shoulders with his hands.
Tohru sighed and hung her head, "Alright, I guess I can go tomorrow, that's my day off," The timer above the stove went off "Oh my god we're going to be late!" Tohru ran to the counter and threw the lunches to the boys, all who which caught them, ran and grabbed her jacket and wandered back to the table. "Lets go guys!"
Haru, Yuki, and Momiji dumped their dishes into the dish washer and started throwing on their shoes. She pecked Shigure on the cheek and smiled before rushing out the door, the boys not far behind her. Shigure wandered over to the phone and picked it up, dialing for the advice of a friend.
"Hello," an impassive voice called out.
"Hello my friend, you seem bright and dandy!" Shigure exclaimed, he couldn't help grin at his friends emotionless voice.
"Hello Shigure," his voice sounded a tiny bit more relaxed.
"Hatori, my dear friend, I need your help," Shigure suddenly went serious, "It's been well over a month and Kyo nor Tohru have said anything to each other's faces. Kyo takes every precaution to avoid her. He's going to revert to his old self and all we've been through will be for a waste...also..." Shigure's eyes fell to the floor. "I don't think Tohru can heal from it without his approval. Deep down she still is hurting."
"Forcing them into interaction will cause you more harm then good. Your worry is also justified, being her, father. The transformation took a toll on Kyo's body, which explained his first week of isolation. Other than that I conclude that he feels guilt for what happened. Hurting Yuki-san and Tohru-san was more frightful for him then he imagined. He has transformed before, but he had never harmed anyone until this point. For Tohru's sake, she too was wounded from the encounter, her confidence isn't with her anymore, it was the same when she first came here to Sohma Home."
"I know...but how much longer will it take them to heal Hatori?" Shigure sighed desperately. "I know this curse comes with its problems, but I want us to feel like a family, not a war zone."
"You know the young master hasn't even signed the documents for her adoption?"
"Akito...that bastard...why are we still loyal to him?" Shigure hissed, "I've had enough of him. He has no power over us. If he exposed us it would be his demise as well! He isn't my father! Heck I'm older than him, I could be his father!" Shigure sighed and sat down in a chair at the table. "I've wasted enough of my life away living by his rules, its time for me to live for myself."
"I understand that my friend, but don't you think Tohru wanted his approval? There's some twisted reason she was acceptance. She was a foreigner in an already strange world."
"He's to tenacious! I know she wants approval but why did it have to be him?" Shigure growled running his hand over his face.
"I blame the curse. Either that or we were all born under ladders and broke mirrors."
Shigure managed to laugh, "Oh my dear friend Hatori, where would I be without you?"
"Probably in the psycho warren"
"Probably," Shigure smiled. Shigure lifted up his head seeing Kyo wander into the kitchen and out through the door. Through the window Shigure wanted him sprint to school.
"Something the matter?"
"Kyo just left for school."
"And?"
"And I can't stand this anymore!" Shigure yelled half-heartedly. "I will make them talk to each other! Otherwise, I'll never be able to finish my book!"
"What was that last part? You're not writing about the curse are you?" Hatori's voice sounded almost diabolical.
"Nope. It's just another trashy romance novel," Shigure laughed into the phone and hung up.
School was like any other day for Tohru. Everyone was growing more and more excited about the White Day festival, with it only be a little more than a month away. Tohru just wanted to go get the Valentine chocolates, but she kept reminding herself she had work and the band meeting. At her desk Tohru tapped a pencil to her desk until Namura cleared his throat.
"I know you're not used to work you slackers, because of the fair, but I want to read a poem. This poem was part of the creative writing homework I assigned you a couple of days ago. I just finished grading them, I wanted to read you my personal favorite," He smiled gently clearing his throat
"The stars stop
The clouds gasp in the moment
Willow-trees pay witness
A sonnet of quiet love fills the page
Pristine tears slide down the slopes of her face
Moonlight floods the mahogany desk where the pen is dancing solo
Her tears sully the paper
Crisp fades to damp as the pen dances faster
All is silent past her forlorn
No one will visit to prevent her drowning
He's lying on the yellow couch
Sleeping only to dream of reality
No relief as folk blues play
He's still living in yesterday
She loves him
But he's so blind
He can see no future as she stands only three feet away
He longs for the love he can't leave behind
Even though she left years ago
But he doesn't know because she doesn't speak
She hasn't uttered a word of her truest feelings
Her disguise paper then, being his support as he copes with death
Her heart is breaking shard by shard
He calls for his lover, and she only forces a smile past the tears
His words flow freely, hers as restrained as forbidden text, the very text she's writing
Her feelings are finally making it to the page
The stars are still and watching, but they're not the only ones
His eyes are watching
She thinks he's sleeping
But he's standing in the door, guilt as he listens to her whimpers
He never knew, Was never aware
Now it was right in front of his eyes as she continued to write
He could see no words, and hear no voice, but he knew
His heart twisted and turned
Wasn't aware as his feet moved
He was only feeling her pain
He wrapped his arms around her and cried,
It wasn't love, it wasn't hate, it wasn't regret, it wasn't guilt anymore.
It was just
Them"
Namura grinned, the boys were bored, and the girls were grabbing tissues and wiping their eyes.
"So class, what do you think?"
"Who wrote that?" Uo asked "That person's got skills."
"That will remain anonymous," Namura answered gently "I wouldn't want to embarrass the poor writer. Besides, you can tell this came from her heart right?"
Uo rolled her eyes and looked over to Tohru, "I swear, that man never gives a straight answer right Tohru?"
Tohru looked up from her paper and smiled, "Yeah, he's such a mysterious guy," Tohru laughed lightly. There was a hint of red on her cheeks, but no one commented on it.
Kyo remained looking out the window, he was so bored with school. Ever since Tohru had mentioned his easiness being in class it had only made him the exact opposite. When Namura had cleared his throat, Kyo had managed to pick up on the poem. He longs for the love he can't leave behind Kyo shook his head and dismissed the thought, thankful when the bell rang. He got up from his desk and wandered towards the door, Yuki bumping into Kyo on their way out.
"Watch it you Rat!" Kyo spat angrily.
"Well it seems someone is rather grumpy," Yuki huffed calmly.
"Hey shut up!" Kyo turned around to glare at Yuki.
"I suggest you shut up, before you cause a scene again with your loud mouth," Yuki shot back.
"Why you..." Kyo growled and raised a hand up in the air.
"Careful now, you wouldn't want to upset Tohru would you?" Yuki asked evilly.
Kyo looked up, and low and behold Tohru was in the background just beyond Yuki's shoulder. Kyo looked down at Yuki and growled, pulling him by the color of his shirt. "You bastard, you know that was an accident, and you know that I didn't mean it!"
"I'm so sure, the cat was merely attacking the rat, you finally had your chance and you took it," Yuki shot back cooly.
Kyo threw Yuki back and growled. "You are the lowest of bastards I have ever met!" Kyo turned and stormed out of the classroom.
Tohru watched with terror in her eyes. She watched Kyo raise his hand, and she thought back to what had happened. She remembered Yuki's fear and she remembered the hurt. She closed her eyes and wanted to scream. Instead she simply heard Kyo's words. "You are the lowest of bastards I have ever met. She opened her eyes back up, and Kyo was gone.
She walked up to Yuki and stared at him, he turning around rather surprised to see her. "What happened to Kyo?" She asked worried.
Yuki was discouraged, she wouldn't worry about herself, and she was always worrying about Kyo. Why did Tohru do that? Yuki simply shrugged, "He's just mad that he didn't do that well on his creative writing project."
"Oh, okay," Tohru knew he was lying but she didn't say anything. Kyo didn't come back after that, he must've skipped and went home. Tohru stared out the window the same way Kyo did, just waiting for the day to be over.
"Honda-chan?" A voice called to her. Tohru shook herself of her daydreams and looked up to see Sensei Namura staring down at her with a soft smile
"Gomen, yes sensei?" she asked uneasily.
"The last bell rang, you can go home now," He chuckled.
Tohru looked around to find the desks deserted, "Oh no! I'm going to be late for work," She started to gather her things and Sensei laughed.
"Honda-chan you are priceless, though I must ask, are you alright? You haven't been yourself in the past month. Something going on at home?" His voice was gentle now, he seemed concerned.
Tohru shook her head and smiled, "No Sensei, I'm just a little tired. With work and extra practices before White Day it doesn't leave much time to relax after you add in homework and making dinner for everyone everyday."
"Why don't you just have someone else make dinner?" Namura asked gently.
"No one else can cook or believe me I would have had them on it in a flash. I'll be fine Sensei, but thank you for your concern," She rose from her desk, "But please excuse me because I have seven minutes to get to work," She ran to the door and gave a wave, "Thank you Sensei for caring!"
Tohru was sprinting out the doors and down the steps of the school when she stopped seeing a familiar boy standing outside waiting for her. "Kira? Kira what are you doing here?"
"Hey there Tohru, aren't we a good little girl running to work?" Kira grinned lightly walking up to her, "I thought I'd pick you up from school and drive you over, since you always seem to come in out of breath. I swear you must sprint the mile into town everyday, did you ever consider running a marathon?"
Tohru laughed as Kira opened the door to his convertible for her. She nodded a thanks and sat down, letting out a sigh. "At least I don't have to run."
Kira started up the car and turned onto the main road, stuck at a red light, "So, how was your day, you're not usually that late getting out."
"I was daydreaming again, seems as though I do it a lot. Sensei finds it funny really. Today was fine, quiet, but it was fine," Tohru was resting her elbow on the window, her hand tucked through a tuft of her hair.
"Well that's good," Kira finally answered, his eyes still on the road as they pulled into the back parking-lot behind the ice cream parlor. Tohru hopped out and they wandered into the back, throwing on their aprons and hats. Tohru was in the middle of moving some storage materials, and Kira was tying his shoe, "Are you ever going to tell me what happened last month, that night you left work and both Kyo and Yuki came looking for you?"
Tohru was walking, her back to him, and she dropped the canister as he mentioned that date. The canister which was apparently filled with sprinkles scattered all over the place. Tohru did not turn around, nor bend down to start cleaning. That day...everything changed... "I know you care about me and stuff, but I don't see the relevance in something that happened such a long time ago," she finally answered. After that she grabbed a broom and started sweeping.
"Tohru it so is relevant! You know it is! You haven't been the same since that day, and it was nearly a month and a half ago. Don't lie and say something else changed you, I remember that day, they were so worried about you, and you barely spoke to me the next day!" Kira grabbed the broom to stop her, looking in her eyes, "What happened to you that day?"
Tohru looked into his hazel eyes and she frowned, "I'm trying to leave that day behind me, but I can't if you keep bringing it up. Let me get over it first, then I'll tell you," Tohru removed his hand and finished sweeping. She walked to the door and looked back. "Now lets go, there are customers waiting for us," She smiled sweetly.
Following Kyo
"Careful now, you wouldn't want to upset Tohru would you?" Yuki asked evilly.
Kyo slammed his hand against the wall of his bedroom, "Damn that Rat!" Kyo growled irritated. He looked around his room, trying to find something to distract him. Valentine's day was two days away, which worried him that Kagura might come and visit. He hadn't seen Kagura in a while, thankfully. Maybe she had finally found herself a good boyfriend.
Kyo remembered Tohru mentioning she'd be out all day, so he slid open his door and walked downstairs. Haru was on the couch and looked up from his book, "Well well, you actually don't melt when you leave your room." Kyo still looked around, he didn't want Tohru to magically pop up like she usually does. "Don't worry, Tohru isn't here. She actually called to say she'd be out kind of late tonight."
Kyo slumped onto the couch and sighed "Where's that damn Rat, I have a bone to pick with him."
"He went out a little while ago with Momiji, I think they're getting Tohru white day gifts early."
"Yeah a freaking MONTH early," Kyo scowled.
"Kyo why haven't you talked with her? You both were affected by what happened, you should talk about it. It would help her, and especially help you," Haru inquired.
Kyo scowled again, "Shut up."
"No," Haru answered sternly. "I can't sit by forever and watch you two drift farther away!" He closed his book and sat fiddling with his hands in his lap. "Do you know how worried we are about her? You wouldn't know because you're always in your room. She isn't the same Kyo, no matter how much she acts it. She always wore a mask, but this mask is paper-thin. She's on the verge of burning out. She's made so many sacrifices, the one thing she wants she can't have."
Only a fool would love someone they could not have. "What do you mean?" Kyo asked looking at the floor.
"She wants your forgiveness Kyo! Kyo, you can't even look the poor girl in the eyes anymore and it makes her want to cry every time, but you know what, she doesn't, she doesn't cry Kyo. Do you know why?"
"No..." Kyo answered quietly.
"Because that's weakness in your eyes!" Haru replied almost at a shout.
Kyo jerked his head up, "What?"
"Kyo to her, you're the toughest guy she knows. You lock yourself away from the world everyday, now more than ever. She's part of the family now, we don't even measure how long she's lived with us, and still on one hand can she count the number of times she's seen you cry. You hardly ever show your real emotions!"
"It only got me hurt..." Kyo whispered. "Every time I opened up to someone, or reached out, that bastard took it away from me. He took my mom and dad away, he took sensei away, now he's taken her."
"But you're wrong! She's still here!" Haru was on his feet now, angst boiled through him. "Everyday she brings you food and everyday she stares at that door hoping you'll open it back up for her! Akito hasn't taken her away, if he had she wouldn't still be here! She's waiting for you Kyo, she's going to wait her whole life if she has to! She won't be happen until she knows you're truly alright! You're making her miserable. I didn't give stop loving her just to have you hurt her, I gave her up because I knew..." Haru clenched his fists and looked away "I gave her up so you could have her..."
Kyo rose from his spot on the couch and headed towards the kitchen. "Well that's a damn waste, because I'm not interested."
Following Tohru
The shift went by in silence, but thankfully the silence didn't last because the shift was short. Tohru and Kira hopped into the car and sped along the highway towards Yue's house where they'd be having the meeting. Kira's eyes were on the road, but he couldn't help but catch glances at her.
"Tohru...I'm sorry if I unsettled you."
Tohru turned to him and smiled, "Don't worry Kira. The only way to move past a bad memory is to face it head on. Denial only prolonge the pain." Just like Kyo...
"I'm glad you've forgiven me," Kira smiled as they pulled into the driveway.
"Oye Tohru, Kira, good to see ya!" Yue greeted them, patting Kira's shoulder and squeezing Tohru to death.
"Heh, it's nice to see you too Yue. But it's also nice to breathe" Tohru squirmed in his arms. Yue sat down on the couch placing her in his lap. "So what's going on?" She asked.
"Well we have a surprise," Sora began.
"A very wonderful surprise," Li added with a grin.
"Well don't leave me in suspense tell me!" Tohru protested tugging on Yue's sleeve.
"Well, we've been performing at the bar for a while now right? A couple years?" Li asked Tohru grinning.
"Well yeah, it's been at least a year, it seems like forever. Why? We're not leaving are we?" Tohru asked confused.
"No no no," Sora waved his hands. "It's just, our fame from the bar is finally paying off."
"Fame?" Tohru still didn't understand.
"Yeah. At the Christmas gig there was a talent scout. He watched us perform and absolutely loved us. It took him a while to talk with his manager and yadda yadda but he contacted Yue last week. He has a record deal for us!" Sora finally finished.
"Oh my god are you serious?" Tohru's eyes widened with surprise.
"Yeah! He loved the Princess of Clarity image and he said we had amazing sound and vibes!" Li added. "He wants us to meet his manager. His with Aniplex and Tokyo Pop Music!"
"Oh wow..." Tohru was amazed. She never thought playing at a cute bar would lead to such excitement. "When should we meet him?"
"He wants us take the train to Hiroshima on Friday so we can meet with his staff," Yue continued.
"Friday? That's Valentine's day..." Tohru's eyes fell to the floor. "I wanted to give the Sohmas something nice."
"Tohru...I'm sure you can give them their gifts before you leave in the morning. I know they'll understand," Kira insisted gently, "I mean, they'll be amazed. Their little Tohru is going to be famous!"
"Wait wait, we don't even have the deal in writing. We shouldn't jump the gun," Yue warned. "There might be a conflict or something."
"Tohru...you are coming with us...aren't you?" Kira asked her gently.
"Of course! I can't let this opportunity slip by, you've all worked too hard! There's always next year's Valentine's day!" Tohru grinned, "I'll buy their gifts tomorrow and give them out early just like Kira said!"
"YES!" Li and Sora gave each other high-fives and got up to dance. "Record deal here we come!"
Tohru laughed and hugged Yue, "If it makes you all happy, then I'll do it," she whispered under her breath. Tohru walked into the door a quarter to ten and yawned. She shouldn't be going out so late on a Wednesday night, especially with her homework waiting to be done.
Tohru was heading towards the kitchen when someone tapped her on the shoulder. Tohru turned around quickly, a little startled, and even more surprised by who she saw. "Kyo..."
"Hey."
"What are you doing up, did someone forget to feed you?" She asked.
"I'm not a pet Tohru...I can feed myself."
"Oh...sorry..." Tohru bit her lip and looked down at the floor. "Well I'm about to make myself some tea, do you want some?"
"Sure."
Kyo waited quietly on the couch until Tohru came in with two cups. She handed one to him gently and smiled softly. She sat down beside him on the couch and took a sip of her tea.
"Tohru?"
"Yeah?" She smiled again.
Kyo stared down at his cup and sighed, "Umm. What was that big thing your band had to tell you?"
"Oh that?" Tohru smile broadened. "We've been asked to come to Hiroshima on Friday about a possible record deal."
"Wow," Kyo tried to sound enthusiastic.
"Yeah, the band's really happy, I'm glad," She stared down at her own cup before taking another sip.
"Are you happy?" He asked quietly.
"I'm not sure. I'm glad that we've been successful, but I never thought we'd get this far," Tohru stared up at the ceiling, "It's scary in a way. What happens if we do become famous, and do get this deal? That means recording cds, going on tour, things I was never even prepared to think about. Going on tour means I'll be away, and going on tour means they'll want to know about my personal life, which puts you all..."
" at risk..." Kyo finished her sentence. "What are you going to do?" Kyo almost gasped when he saw a tear drop down the side of her face. "Tohru?"
"I don't know..." Tohru whispered, her voice shaking, "I really don't know."
Kyo stared at her, torn at what to do. He brought her close to him, and rested her head against his neck without hugging her. "You'll work something out...you always do."