Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket
My goodness we're getting close! 1 more to go baby! I better make these kick a$$!
–Thanks for the reviews. I hope you can see the chapters, my computer likes to be weird so sometimes I don't see them, I'm like "Wtf mate?" lol jk, I'm no Australian. I'm good old New Yorkian. Yorkian...is that a word? Well it is now!
Chapter 44
Tohru's ride on the train was full of sleep, lots of sleep. She returned home at about two in the morning. She was already refreshed, so she took a shower, somewhat annoying for the boys, and then started on her homework. By the time she had finished, the sun as rising and the dewdrops were glistening with mirth.
She sat downstairs on her favorite couch by the window, her contract in hand; she'd read it again and again, almost ten times now, and still she didn't know what to do. The contract was fair, it was extremely fair, and her friends all really wanted her to do this, but what did she want? A soft sigh escaped her lips as she rested the contract on the table and turned to look out the window.
I wonder if everyone enjoyed their Valentine's Day gifts...
Tohru smiled thinking about it, at the same time, she knew Akito would be on her back soon enough. She hoped that trouble wouldn't come to the Sohmas, but after what he had done to Kyo enough was enough for her to tolerate. Tohru rolled over on the couch and stared up at the ceiling letting another sigh escape her lips; Tohru didn't have much time to dwindle on her decision, she only had a month as the contract shuffled around and crinkled while she turned.
Tohru decided she better make breakfast and the boys' lunches, as usual. She hopped up from the couch and sauntered over. A few minutes later the kitchen was releasing Tohru's delicious cooking aromas. Shigure wandered through the living room, and found her contract on the table. He picked it up, and quietly tucked it into the sleeve of his kimono for later purposes. The other's arrived a little bit after Shigure had, Kyo slipping in last as usual.
"My Flower, did you get enough sleep?" Shigure asked her as he read the paper and sipped his morning coffee.
"I slept plenty on the train ride home. Don't worry about me Shigure I'm just peachy!" Tohru smiled waving her arms with the pan and spatula in hand.
"So what did the guy have to say?" Momiji asked her eagerly.
"Nothing that important...it was just in informational meeting," She lied.
"Oh is that all?" Momiji sounded disappointed
"Oh yeah, he just wanted us to know how we found him, introduced himself, ya know the basics," More lies. Tohru bit her lip and turned away hating the feeling of her lies. Kyo watched her from the corner of his crimson eyes as he munched on his breakfast. Tohru grabbed her bag and shuffled out the door, calling over her shoulder that she had to talk to Uo and Hana, even though she knew they were at work for the day. Kyo snuck out after her, none of the others seemed to notice, since he was always disappearing.
"Tohru!" He called after her. Tohru was walking slowly a few yards ahead of him. Tohru stopped and turned around, the mixed expression of surprise and worry on her face.
"Is something wrong Kyo?" She asked quietly, gripping onto her bag so her knuckles started to turn white.
Kyo felt around in his pocket for the mirror, he wanted to ask her what the hell it was for, but something in her eyes, there was concern, something he couldn't place, "Tohru...what's wrong?"
Tohru blinked and bit her lip, tears brimming her eyes, "Would you hate me...if I went away?"
"Would you hate me...if I went away?" Kyo couldn't believe what he was hearing, what was Tohru suggesting? Was she going to Hatori before school, was that why she was leaving so early? Kyo couldn't help but gape and gasp, taking in a breath that hurt more than anything in the world. He took her by the shoulders and looked down at her, "You're not going to Hatori are you?"
Tohru shook her head and laughed, "No...no I would never do that to you and the Sohmas. I'd tell everyone first. I mean...would you hate me...if I went away with my band?"
Kyo let out a sigh of relief, she wasn't going to have her memories erased, thank god. He wasn't that surprised by her next sentence, she'd been worried about this since the moment she found out about the offer, "How long would you be gone?"
"I'd leave after White Day...to record the Cd. After that, sometime in the fall, I'd start touring, about a year, unless we hit America afterwards," She explained, her fingers completely white from holding onto her bag too tight.
"Tohru, man I dunno, do whatever you want. Your supposed to do the things you want to do, not the things you're supposed to do. You need to like, do something rebellious, experience life, get in trouble, grumble, be selfish, whine stuff like that. You're allowed to be selfish once in a while; if you don't want to go, they'll understand. If you want to go, go," Kyo rubbed the back of his head. He didn't want to tell her what to do, and frankly, he didn't know what she was supposed to do.
"But Kyo...would you hate me?" She asked quietly, "Don't you have that same right to be selfish?" Tohru was staring up at him, her eyes were patiently asking for an answer.
Kyo's eyes darted away, "I wouldn't hate you Tohru, I never could...but I know...I'd be lonely without you here..." He felt a small flush rising up in his cheeks. "I don't have that same right to be selfish, because my selfishness would hold you back from the things you deserve to do."
"...and mine would do the same..." Tohru realized. She felt like her heart was being pulled a thousand ways, "I should get going, Uo and Hana are expecting me."
He lifted up his head gently, "Alright," Kyo didn't say it aloud, but for the rest of the walk Tohru seemed even more lost in thought then she had when he found her. He kept his hands in his pockets, his personality returning to its most natural disposition, her's continuing to stay dreary. The mirror was still in his pocket too, but he knew, that this wasn't the time for it either. When they reached the corner of Uo and Hana's block Kyo waved and turned back towards home, leaving her to be in good company.
Tohru spent most of the morning sauntering around the town. Her mind was so locked on the contract. What was she to do. Around noon, Tohru had wandered to the park. She was sitting on an old bench with ivy that laced through the bars. She contently was watching children play on swings or the slide when a voice called to her, "Tohru?"
Tohru turned around quickly, surprised to see Yuki. How did Yuki always find her? Well, it wasn't like she was avoiding him or anything, all the Sohmas seemed to appear out of no where. It was like, they always knew, where she was. "Yuki? What are you doing here?"
He approached her slowly, his lavender eyes were soft and the Rat smiled, "I could ask you the same thing Tohru. I've been worried about you. You haven't said a word about your tour, I figured you'd be bouncing off the walls with mirth."
Tohru giggled lightly and ran her hand up and down her sleeve on the opposite arm, "Oh sorry Yuki. I've just, I haven't come to a decision I should say. Education was very important to mom, and learning on the road for nearly two years will be hard. At the same time, my band really wants this, who am I to hold them back?"
Yuki looked behind her shoulder, past her really, lost in thought, "Oh well. Take your time deciding, don't let anyone pressure you into anything you don't want to do."
Tohru smiled, watching Yuki's tie billow with the wind, "Would you hate me if I went away Yuki?" She asked him softly. The sky was scattered with clouds, the sun trying to peak out behind them every few moments as they drifted around lazily.
Yuki cuffed the side of her face with his hand and smiled, peering into her eyes, "You know that no one could ever hate you Tohru, but I would miss you everyday. Tohru...I need to tell you something..."
"Yeah Yuki?" Tohru responded innocently, she had already turned away to stare at the clouds again. Yuki took her hand, cradling it gently, he opened his mouth to speak when Tohru's cell phone rang, she pulled it out and blushed and apology, "Hello, Tohru here?" Tohru listened carefully and smiled, "Sure, just give me an hour and I'll be ready. Hai." Tohru hung up the phone and looked at Yuki. "I'm sorry Yuki, Haru and Momiji want to take me out to dinner, they say they owe it to me, just us three. I hope you'll forgive me."
"I don't mind Tohru," Yuki answered gently, "Tohru-chan, can you meet me after dinner tonight, in my secret hideout?" Yuki asked quickly, as Tohru hurried to get home, together walking down the street.
She turned around and smiled. "Sure Yuki, but let's go, I don't want to make them late. They have reservations," Tohru grinned as she pulled open the door.
That was how their meeting had ended, abrupt and unreconciled. Tohru was ready to go in an hour, just like she had said, wearing a black skirt and simple red turtle neck. Haru was in his traditional black turtle neck and khaki colored pants, Momiji looking more like a young adult, wearing a white button down shirt with a red hue strip going down one shoulder to the waist line, black pants to finish it off. They both smiled and took her hands, and she smiled too.
"We're so glad we get to take you out TorTor, it feels like we haven't had a lot of time with you," Momiji chirped squeezing her hand.
Tohru squeezed his back and she smiled, "I know and I'm sorry for it."
Haru rubbed his thumb over her hand and smiled, his eyes closing with a real joyous smile, "The last month has been hard. Even if we saw you everyday, we knew you had things that needed sorting. That's why we've been so patient. Once we knew you were okay, the day Momiji found you at the beach, we wanted to celebrate."
Tohru giggled, "You two are so absolutely sweet! You guys wanna tell me where we're going?" she asked grinning, her shoes making a clicking sound against the sidewalk.
"We're taking you to the best restaurant in town, its right near Tokyo Tower! It's called Rabendaairo," Momiji explained holding up his finger like he was a professor.
"Well that's sure a pretty name," Tohru added, she looked up at the sky and smiled, "I'm glad that we're able to hangout, it takes away from all the drama you know?"
The walk to the restaurant took no more then twenty minutes. Momiji and Haru had gone out of the way to reserve the table, wanting nothing to mess up their 'sibling bonding' with Tohru. They're table was by the window, something Tohru really liked. The restaurant was top notch, but quaint enough you didn't have to wear a tux. The waiter handed them their menus and Tohru began to skim it, she was interrupted when she felt someone's foot kick hers, and she looked over at Momiji who was grinning.
Tohru smirked and returned the footsey like kicking beneath the table, Haru got caught in the crossfire and soon they were laughing like the kids they were supposed to be.After they calmed themselves everyone decided to actually read the menus. Tohru ordered a lovely calamari seafood dish with a salad on the side, Haru ordered a vegan style burger, since he wouldn't want to eat any of his cow brethren, and Momiji settled with spaghetti and meatballs. Tohru loved the sparkling water that came in the wine cups, taking one as the waiter handed them out.
Haru took a sip at his and looked at Tohru through the glass, examining her, "So Tohru, are you going to tell us about the tour."
Tohru took a sip of hers and smiled, "Of course, I couldn't not tell you about it."
"Are you going to be really famous TorTor?" Momiji asked eagerly.
Tohru chuckled, "I'm not sure Momiji. Honestly, I haven't signed any of the forms yet. I'm worried mom would be mad at me for missing two years worth of tuition. I would have a tutor, but that isn't the same as a school environment."
Haru smiled, "You're always thinking about her, Tohru I'm sure Kyoko would want you to take this chance if it was given to you."
Tohru smiled, "Mr. Folds said that I would be home by my senior year, but that's a long time. I'd be away from everyone for two years. I'm not sure I could stand it. Everything would change between us. I'd also be afraid the paparazzi would want interviews. I'd be putting you all at danger."
Momiji took her and smiled, "TorTor, we can work around things like that. Everything can be worked out. I want my big sister to be happy above everything else. You're always so happy when you sing."
I'm always happy when I'm with the Sohmas. That is the truth Tohru thought quietly, squeezing his hand gently. "I still have a month to figure it out."
Haru grinned, "Well now that we've got that all squared away, what are you going to do about Yuki?" Haru waved his fork as he ate his salad.
Tohru blushed, "What are you talking about Haru?"
Momiji laughed, "TorTor has a secret admirer! He loves you!" He continued to giggle as he slurped up some spaghetti noodles.
Tohru's blush intensified, "Even if he did, what does that have anything to do with anything?"
Haru laughed softly. She was so completely naive sometimes, something he would always like about her. She kept glancing from Haru back to Momiji with confusion, her azure eyes shimmering from the light even in all her innocence. "Tohru, he loves you, don't you realize that by now?"
Tohru bit her lip and closed her eyes, she remembered something he had told her, it seemed like ages ago. The day Akito had attacked her, nearly half a year ago. At the time, she thought it was his disparate attempt to keep her safe, but Haru and Momiji's persistence made it seem like something much more than that.
But...I can't stand to see you hurt Tohru...I don't want you to get hurt...you might die...and I don't want that. No one wants to see you dead."
"I know that...I know that...but I don't want them to"
"It can't be helped. Can't you see how much everyone loves you, can't you see how much I love you?"
Tohru lifted her head and looked at Yuki surprised "Yuki..."
Tohru opened her eyes back up and looked down at the dinner table, "Still, what does that have anything to do with anything?"
Momiji softened, "Tohru he won't want you to go. He's going to tell you not to go away."
Tohru shook her head, "He won't tell me that. He'd tell me to go, even if it hurt him."
Haru nodded, "That's how Yuki is. It'll break his heart to let you go, he's afraid you'll fall in love with Kira."
Tohru was quiet as she swallowed some of her food and sighed, "I am not in love with Kira. Kira is not in love with me. He's been with me before and after Kyoko's death, so has the rest of Clarity, to me, they are the equivalent of Uo and Hana's importance to me. Everyone knows that."
Haru finished his burger and watched Tohru through his glass again, "I know it, Momiji knows it, Shigure knows it, but I think Yuki still has his doubts about the matter. Especially after all the time you've been spending with them. He's thinking about White Day."
"White Day?" Tohru turned to Haru again confused.
"Well, that is the day guys give the girls they love stuff. He's afraid that you'll have a lot of suitors, and that you might reject him."
Tohru stared down at her glass and Momiji smiled, "Tohru I'm going to get you a White Day gift too! It's going to be really cool!"
Tohru giggled and laughed, "Aww I'm sure I'll love it. It'll sit up on my dresser with the glass angel you two gave me."
Momiji's eyes crest fell, "I remember that day. The day you were in the hospital. It scared me TorTor."
"I'm sorry that it did Momiji, I never meant for you all to be scared. I wanted to make you all happy," Tohru smiled, "I know it doesn't seem like it did, but I just wanted Akito to sign the papers."
Momiji smiled as he finished off his spaghetti, "But I was happy, to see Kyo with you. He's such a hesitant guy, he really trusts you."
"I agree with Momiji, he has a soft spot for you," Haru added nodding his head.
Tohru smiled and nodded, "I want him to be able to trust me, I want everyone to know I'll be there for them. I love the Sohmas."
"What do you think's going to happen to Kyo, when you go away?" Momiji asked quietly.
"I'm not sure what's going to happen to any of us, if we go separate ways," Tohru answered. Together they joint-payed for the bill and walked home.
Even though nothing much had been accomplished talking with Tohru, it still gave her the satisfaction that Haru and Momiji would love her no matter what she did. It was getting late, the stars glistened in the moonlight as they stood together under the lamppost. Their shadows etched across the sidewalk, the three bound to each other by their hands. Haru and Momiji would miss her terribly, but they knew that she'd never forget them.
Walking home together Tohru hummed a sweet song and the boys listened to her voice and her shoes that still clicked against the cobble stone. When they arrived back at Sohma Estate, Tohru realized that Yuki wasn't inside. She grabbed her coat and wandered to the Secret Base, right where he'd be waiting.
Tohru wasn't sure what was going to happen when she got there but she knew it was important if he wanted to console her in the privacy of his garden. Little streams of moonlight managed to light the pathway through the woods until she finally reached the garden. There was Yuki, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back. He seemed nervous, Tohru frowned with concern.
"Yuki?"
Yuki lifted up his head and smiled, "I've been waiting for you Tohru."
"Oh I'm sorry! I should've been more considerate! You probably had no idea when I'd get back oh I'm really sorry Yuki," Tohru apologized frantically bowing her head.
Yuki laughed and sauntered up to her and took her hands, "Tohru its alright. I'd wait as long as I needed, as long as I knew you'd come to me. I need to ask you something."
"Of course Yuki, you can ask me anything."
"How long would you be away, for real, if you went on tour?"
"I'm figuring until our senior year of high school. But that's only at the end of the first Cd, afterwards, if we're successful, they'd expect more from us," Tohru looked into his violet eyes.
"That means, you would never be able to return to the lifestyle we have now? I wouldn't be able to smile and see you everyday?" Yuki asked miserably.
"You know that I'd always be there for you, I'd come home and visit."
"Tohru, how could you be there for me when you're on the other side of the world?"
"Yuki, I'll always be in your heart, just like all the Sohmas are in mine," Tohru smiled sweetly.
"I know I'm not supposed to hold you back, I don't want you to go, but I'm going to make you go anyway."
"Why Yuki? Why don't you want me to go?" Tohru asked with more concern.
"Because I'd miss you so much Tohru. I don't think I could bare two years away from you," his hand slipped up to the side of her face, "I said it once before, at the worst time, during all the chaos and grief Akito was giving you, but Tohru, I love you. I really love you."
Tohru's eyes widened and her face turned a cherry color, three words that she'd heard her whole life, but now seemed to mean more than ever. "Yuki...I don't know... I don't know what to say..."
"Then don't say anything," He whispered quietly as his lips took hers. Yuki's last thoughts were how quiet it was, but silence is loud when all you hear is your heart.
Kyo had been waiting for Tohru to come home all day. What he had said earlier that day, hadn't come out right at all. He wanted Tohru to do what she wanted, what she needed or felt she had to do. Being rebellious had nothing to do with what he wanted to get across to her. She'd done so much to help him, he wanted to help her. He overheard Shigure murmuring Yuki being in his forest, he had found that secret base a while ago, not knowing it was Yuki's until Yuki had thrown a frying pan at him for stealing food to help Tohru.
He tried asking Shigure what to do, but all Shigure would do was chirp about romances and then get chased around by his producer. Haru and Momiji had gone out, so he was left to console with himself on the roof. Being on the roof, he remembered New Years, thinking about
When he heard voices he followed them, remaining concealed within the thickets and trees. Tohru had told him to make a wish, he didn't have much time to think, and on impulse he only wished that she'd be happy. Was this his opportunity to grant her wish, by telling her to go and see the world, instead of being tied down by a cursed family?
"I know I'm not supposed to hold you back, I don't want you to go, but I'm going to make you go anyway."
"Why Yuki? Why don't you want me to go?" Tohru asked with more concern.
"Because I'd miss you so much Tohru. I don't think I could bare two years away from you," his hand slipped up to the side of her face, "I said it once before, at the worst time, during all the chaos and grief Akito was giving you, but Tohru, I love you. I really love you."
"Yuki...I don't know... I don't know what to say..."
"Then don't say anything," He whispered quietly as his lips took hers. Yuki's last thoughts were how quiet it was, but silence is loud when all you hear is your heart.
Kyo's eyes dilated as he tried to swallow what he was seeing. His hand at the side of her face, his lips against hers, her fear and his passion. His hand squeezed his mirror, the gift from her with the hidden purpose. He stumbled back, he couldn't handle it, you bear seeing it. Slowly he made his exit, until he turned and ran all the way back home.
Tohru pulled away from Yuki in panic, looking up at him, "What was that?"
"Tohru...I love you...I just want to be with you..." Yuki told her gently.
Tohru and Yuki were interrupted by the rustling of bushes. Tohru turned around but, there wasn't anything to be seen. "Are you doing this because of Kira? Do you want me to stay because you're afraid I'll love Kira?"
Yuki stumbled, rubbing the back of his head, blushing, "Well, I do love you. I'm just mad that he...I'm afraid he'll steal you away from me..."
Tohru shook her head and stared into the forest, "Yuki I already love him. I love him, I love the band, I love Uo-chan and Hana-chan, I love my family, and I even love the others at Sohma Home. Why can't you ever just believe that? You won't trust him, you won't trust me. You told me you love me, but you told me for the wrong reasons."
With that Tohru walked back home, leaving Yuki again confused.
She climbed the steps to her bedroom, walking by Kyo's empty room and picked up the phone.
"Hello. Yeah it's me. I think I have the answer to your question...Yeah. I'll announce it at the end of the festival."
Kyo sat up on the roof, cringing as tears swelled in his eyes, looking at his blurry reflection in the mirror. He didn't see a cat or the curse, he just saw a tears. "What the hell is wrong with me?"