Disclaimer: Neither Fruits Basket nor the Fruits Basket characters belong to me. They are the property of Natsuki Takaya.
This plot is mine as are all original characters. Please read and review.
Chapter 11 Momiji's Campaign
Tohru sat in silence for a few minutes after he had left her. Oh Mom, I don't know what to do. I care a lot for Momiji, but is it love? Is it the feeling he wants from me? Can I be so brave as to return his feelings? Mom, what should I do?
While Tohru sat on the couch thinking about what he had told her, Momiji went upstairs and picked up his cell phone.
"Moshi, Moshi, Sohma Shigure desu"
"Shigure, Momiji desu"
"Ahh, Momiji-kun and how are you doing?"
"I'm fine. I just wanted to say thank you for that business card and to let you know that I have found our flower and she is well and happy."
"Momiji-kun I am so happy to hear that. " As Shigure spoke Momiji could hear a large measure of relief in his tone. "I was very worried about her. I did all I could do from a distance. I kept tabs on her just to be sure she didn't come to harm. I didn't know how she truly was though."
Not for the first time Momiji wondered what might have happened if Tohruhad been older and not someone Shigure wanted to protect. He sometimes suspected there was a lot more to the older Juunishi's feelings than he was willing to admit.
"She's fine and warm and wonderful. Tohru-kun is still Tohru-kun."
"And you are still in love with her…" Shigure spoke thoughtfully.
"Hai, and that isn't going to change Shigure."
"I know that Momiji-kun. I've always known that."
"But Shigure, I need you and Poppa to help me. This is what I've been thinking."
From thousands of miles away Shigure listened quietly as Momiji relayed his concerns with regard to Tohru and Yuki and their feelings for each other as well as Momiji's feelings for Tohru.
"Shigure, I don't want to love someone, just to lose them like I lost Momma."
"Momiji-kun…" Shigure's gray eyes went dark with thought. "I understand what you are asking. I will talk to Mamoru and see what we can arrange. Meanwhile Momiji, do your best to win our flower's heart."
"Hai, Shigure, I will. Thank you."
Shigure returned the phone to the cradle. So the rabbit has found our flower once again. I always wanted Tohru to be with Yuki or Kyo, but different paths were decided. Momiji has always been too concerned with others' feelings. He needs to consider his own, but already he has convinced himself that he can't really pursue her until he is sure Yuki is no longer in love with her. That means that Mamoru and I have to make his plan happen so that Momiji will have no doubts about where he stands with her.
Momiji turned his cell phone off and went to stand by his window. He was much encouraged by Shigure's strong support. The dog was often annoying and he could be maddeningly obtuse when he so desired, but he had always been there for the younger Sohmas, as had Hatori. Their lot with Akito would have been much harsher without the support of the two older juunishi. He knew that for once in his life, Shigure had kept a secret from Hatori. At least, it was the only time to the best of his knowledge. It only proved how much Shigure had Tohru's best interests at heart. He trusted the dog not to betray them to Akito. A distance had grown between Akito and Shigure since Tohru's departure. Momiji had noted this, but not really thought about it too deeply. The fact that Shigure had felt he must look over his shoulder to be sure he wasn't being watched was a little bit scary. The fact that he actually trusted Shigure was a lot scary but if anyone could get anything past Akito, it would be Shigure. Meanwhile, Momiji had a campaign to wage. He called it, "My Chance to win Tohru's Heart" and it would start the very next morning.
The next morning Momiji called the office and spoke to Hayashi-san. "I think I will spend an extra week here in Phoenix and see if I can develop some more business," he told her.
"Please feel free to do so Momiji-kun, I will keep everything under control here. Please give that lovely girl with the sweet smile and beautiful eyes my best wishes. Do your best Momiji-kun"
Momiji's cheeks turned pink as he hung up the phone. Hayashi-san knew his excuse was just a subterfuge. He supposed he wasn't as clever as he had thought, or else his feelings for Tohru were much more evident to others than he had realized.
"Momiji-kun, did you get too much sun yesterday? Your cheeks are all pink." He looked towards the foot of the stairs and saw Tohru standing there looking up at him. His cheeks got even pinker. "No, I don't think so Tohru."
"Do you have a fever then?" She glided up the stairs to check his forehead.
"No, Tohru-kun, I am just fine. Please don't worry." Her soft, innocent touch sent his senses reeling. He had a feeling she had no idea what just being near her did to him. He inhaled the soft herbal fragrance of her hair, and placed his hand beneath her chin. "Tohru, do you realize that…"
Tohru looked at Momiji, a startled expression in her eyes. His touch felt so right somehow. "Do I realize what Momiji?"
"That I am going to stay in Phoenix the rest of the week. May I impose upon your hospitality for that long?"
"The whole week… Momiji that would be wonderful! Please feel welcome to stay here. I'm sure Risa, Hana and Kristi won't mind."
"Won't mind what?" Risa asked as she came down the stairs yawning.
"…If Momiji spends the week with us."
"Not at all…feel welcome Momitchi-chan"
"What is this Momitchi-chan all the sudden, first Kristi and now you Risa? I thought I escaped that when I left Shigure in Japan."
"Guess you thought wrong," Risa replied with a huge grin.
Momiji grinned back and turned to Tohru. "Tohru, Risa, thank you very much for you kind regards."
"It is no problem. Excuse me please; I have to get back to cooking breakfast. Hana and Kristi will be up soon as well." Tohru returned to the kitchen.
"Say, Momitchi-chan, when are you gonna make a move on our little Tori? Hmmm?"
"Risa, who says I haven't already begun that…" He winked at her and sauntered into the kitchen. "Tori, it's Sunday. What would you like to do today?"
"Oh, Momiji, why I don't know. Usually on Sunday we clean house and get ready for the new workweek. Sometimes we rent movies to watch and sometimes we go to the theater. Sometimes we go shopping and sometimes we stay home. Do you have something in mind?"
"As a matter of fact, I do. Why don't you and I go on a date…you know a movie and dinner."
"Date?"
"Yep, a date. Please say you'll come Tori. I would really like to take you out today. How about it?"
"Well, okay. I'll just let the others know I won't be here to cook tonight."
Just then the telephone rang and Tohru picked it up. "Hello… just a minute Jackson-san, let me see if Kristi is awake yet. Yes we were up for a while longer after you left. Just a moment please."
She went upstairs and knocked on Kristi's door. "Kristi, it's Jackson-san on the phone for you."
"Joe? For me? I'll take it in here. Thank you Tori."
A few minutes later they were all seated at the kitchen table and Kristi came in with a big smile on her face. "That was Joe; he invited me to go to the lake with him today. I won't be home until late this evening, okay?"
"Really Kristi? I'm so happy for both of you. Jackson-san is wonderful, I'm sure you two will get along fine. As for me, Momiji and I will be out for the day. Risa, Hana, I hope you don't mind if I leave you to your own devices."
"It's about time you considered yourself, Tori. We'll be just fine."
"Thank you Risa. I'll help with the chores first before we go."
"Tohru, don't be concerned about the chores today. Risa and I will take care of them. Go and have a good time." Hana looked over at Uo to make sure she was okay with this plan.
"Yes, we will. You and Momitchi-chan have a good time, Tori."
Momiji sighed. "I suspect this new nickname isn't going to go away anytime soon, is it Risa?"
"Not a chance!"
Shortly afterwards Tohru and Momiji left the house and Risa turned to Hana.
"Hana, are you really okay with this new development? I admit Momiji certainly has grown into a fine man since we left Japan. However; Do you think he is the right person for our Tori?"
"I like him. His aura isn't dark like the one that always surrounded the prince and Kyo-kun.He actually reminds me a bit of SohmaShigure-san."Hana smiled for a minute as she recalled the eccentric novelist that had given Tohru a home. "I thinkMomiji could make our Tori very happy if given the chance. And just think how lovely their children will be Arisa.Can you imagine...six children with beautiful blonde hair and teal eyes...We can be Aunt Risa and Aunt Hana. That will be wonderful."
"Whoa there, Saki, you are getting just a little bit ahead here. How do we know that the two of them will ever get together in that way?"
"Just a hunch" Hana replied with one of her mystery smiles.
Kristi came running down the stairs. "I'll do twice as much cleaning later this week. Thanks a million. See you later."
"Have fun Kristi."
"Thanks, I think I just might."
Having talked Tohru into going on a date with him, Momiji set out to be as charming as possible. Tori allowed him to drive her silver Accord and directed him to the nearest mall with movie theaters. They discussed which movie to see, she requested a romantic comedy and Momiji instantly agreed with her. He happily bought the tickets, popcorn, drinks, and a box of M&Ms. As it turned out the movie was excellent with moments of laughter and moments of tears. Tori and he held hands throughout the movie and she even developed enough courage to lay her head on Momiji's shoulder. Momiji was surprised anew at how right it felt to have her there so close to him. After the movie they went for a stroll in one of the many parks that populated the Phoenix area. He laughed at her childlike joy in the swings and challenged her to a race down the twin slides. When they got hungry, Tori directed him to her favorite Chinese restaurant and then they ended their night sitting out in the backyard with the stars and a hot cup of tea to keep them company. This day was the beginning of a short but wonderful week for Momiji.
He spent the days visiting potential and existing clients while Tori went to work. Because he was using Tori's car, he picked her up each evening from work and they went home together. The more time he spent in Phoenix, the more Momiji thought he would like to open a Zodiac Imports office in that area. There was a teeming population with a variety of tastes and many companies that were in the business of buying what he was selling. His blonde looks, engaging grin and sharp intelligence won him a lot of contracts in a short period of time. Each evening he would spend with Tori, and with her friends on the nights they were all home. He found himself falling deeper and deeper in love with Tori. He could only hope that she was falling as well. Risa, Hana, and Kristi looked on with approval as Tori blossomed in her happiness. He wished that the week might last forever, but soon it was Sunday again and time for him to take his flight back to San Diego.
At the air terminal, Tori bid him farewell. "Momiji, thank you for visiting. Please come again soon, it has really been a lot of fun."
"You can count on that Tori." He kissed her soundly on the lips just before he joined the long queues passing through the security checkpoint. Tohru watched him as he disappeared down the corridor. She was just a little sad to see him go, but she knew they would be seeing each other again and soon.
After that, Momiji was a frequent visitor in Phoenix. Truckers on regular weekend routes would smile to see the same yellow Miata each week making the journey to Phoenix and back. They concocted romances in their heads to liven their trips on the boring interstateand had no idea how close they really were to the truth. Tori and he spent a lot of time together. They went on dates alone and on double dates with Kristi and Joseph. Usually on at least one night of the weekends, Steve and Kazu would join their group and there would be a lot of laughter and chatter. Some days Tori would come home not expecting him to be there and he would pop out from behind the door with a bouquet of flowers or a box of candy. Sometimes when they were alone Momiji would give her a hug and she would find herself holding the furry bunny. She giggled a lot when Momiji was around and found she looked forward to his visits. Of course there were weekends when Tori and her friends would visit Momiji in San Diego. They would then visit some of the sites in San Diego such as Sea World, the Zoo, and the Queen Elizabeth. Life continued for the next several months in this manner.
One morning Tori woke up and came to a realization. Oh Mom, I think I am in love with Momiji! He's always there for me. He doesn't hesitate to call just to say hello, he really listens to me, and I believe he loves me too. This is just so wonderful! He is so wonderful! But what do I do now Mom? How do I tell him how I feel? 'Tohru, be yourself and everything will be fine.'
A/N: Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed my last chapter.
Slow Motion Runner: I'm so glad you are still reading. My schedule isn't that of a student so you can probably continue to expect fairly rapid updates.
Na-chan: Thank you for your high opinion of my writing. It makes me very happy.
Livi, Black Winged Angel Sami, Dark Inu, Steph, Steff7, and KT Anime, thanks so much for your continued support.
I hope each of you and any other readers following my story enjoyed this chapter. See you for the next update in a few days.