Disclaimer: Neither Fruits Basket nor the Fruits Basket characters belong to me. They are the property of Natsuki Takaya.
A/N: Posting the last chapter seemed to require that I post this one as well. After all, I am sure everyone wants to know how Tohru and the Sohmas reacted upon meeting with each other again. You know, I just realized that Yuki and Kyo aremen now, they aren't boys any longer. Wow,I wrote it that way, but it just sankinto my brain
I can hardly wait to post all 16 chapters. That's right there are only two to go after this one. Please continue to read and enjoy. Reviews are welcome as always.
Chapter 14 A Dozen Sohmas
Hatsuharu and Shigure were the first to approach Momiji's door as it was suddenly flung open. Momiji came out with a girl in tow. Haru had to smile. Shigure was a little confused.
This must be Kristi, what has the rabbit got up his sleeve. Momiji had e-mailed Haru a copy of the picture he had been given by Kristi when he first arrived in San Diego so he was well aware that this girl was not Tohru-kun. He had made sure that no one else saw the picture, partly out of mischief and partly to keep Tohru's new life protected. Haru looked slyly at Shigure. This is going to be fun.
Shigure looked at the girl beside Momiji and then looked back at Hatori. Hatori shrugged his shoulders. Since when has Tohru-kun had blonde hair, but it must be her, the eyes are the same. She certainly was taller than he remembered.
Momiji gave Haru a wink and a thumbs up signal. Haru returned the gesture. He had fooled the dog, this was worth writing down in his journal Momiji thought with glee.
Momiji released Kristi's hand and ran up and hugged Haru. "It's been a long time Haru, it's great to see you again."
He turned to Shigure and pulled the older man into his arms as well. "Shigure, it's been so long and I have so much to discuss with you." Momiji stepped back and Shigure cleared his throat just a little. He had not expected such a warm welcome from the young rabbit.
"Ahh, and this must be Tori Tanaka who I've heard so much about," he said with a smile. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Momiji's cousin, Shigure Sohma."
Momiji giggled and Kristi joined him, mirth lighting their features. "I'm sorry Shigure-san, but Momiji asked me to go along with this little charade, but actually, I'm not Tori. I am Kristi Taylor."
"Kristi, is it? Well Kristi I am very happy to meet you. Momiji told me about this very cute stewardess he met on his way here; you must be her. I have to say, I do agree with his opinion."
Kristi smiled at the attractive older Sohma. "I am very pleased to meet you Shigure-san. And this must be Hatsuharu-san" she said turning to Haru. "She then watched the rest of the cavalcade that had caught up with Shigure and Haru by this time. Let me see if I can guess whom the rest of you are. Momiji has described you so many times to me."
"Momiji," Hatori spoke quietly, "perhaps you need to explain things here just a little."
"Of course Ha'ri. Everyone, this is Kristi Taylor, she is one of Tori's roommates and since Tori was feeling a little overwhelmed to meet so much of my family at once, Kristi agreed to be the first one to meet each of you. She's a stewardess so she's used to dealing with new faces."
Haru grinned again. Given the chance, Momiji could have been another Shigure. It's good Ha'ri and Mamoru raised him better than that.
Shigure looked at Momiji, an appreciative glint in his eyes. He grinned and said, "You had me going there for a moment Momiji, I must admit."
"That's what I was hoping for Shigure, just a little bit of payback. Now let me allow Kristi to have her fun and guess who each of you are and then we will go in and meet Tori and her other roommates. Your turn again Kristi."
"Oh good, I love guessing games and I am very good at them. First off, this distinguished gentleman here must be Hatori-san. Very pleased to meet you sir, Momiji has nothing but good things to say about you."
Hatori smiled in greeting. "I am very happy to meet you as well Taylor-san. Your Japanese is very good. Thank you very much for being a friend to Momiji."
She then looked at the young woman standing by Hatori. "You must be Kisa-san. You are every bit as cute as Momiji said you were!"
Kisa smiled shyly. "I'm happy to meet you Kristi-san."
Tori and her two friends stood behind the door with big smiles on their faces.
"Momitchi-chan is certainly having fun. I can't believe he actually fooled that novelist guy!"
"I am really nervous to meet up with them again. Will they still be my friends?" Tori asked nervously.
"Tori-chan, of course they will." Hana said reassuringly. "They will not have forgotten."
Kristi looked beyond Kisa to see a gorgeous man with violet eyes and silvery-grey hair. "Hello you must be Yuki-san and next to you must be your fiancée Karin-san." The girl by his side was equally lovely with beautiful black hair and striking golden brown eyes.
"You are correct Taylor-san. I am Yuki Sohma and this is Karin Takeda-san. I am very happy to meet you. I must admit, I even thought maybe you were Tori Tanaka-san who we've heard so much about."
"Yeah, Momiji-chan said you would think so. He also said it would be a lot of fun. I guess I agree with that." She grinned impishly and then gazed at the red head with the beautiful red brown eyes. Oh my gosh! And this is Kyo-kun. I know Tori was almost in love with this guy and I can see why. I can understand her feelings about Yuki-kun as well, but I think I would have fallen for the redhead.
"Hello, you must be Kyo and Kagura Sohma-san and these are your two girls Kyoko and Tohru-san. And this little guy must be Katsuya-san."
"Hello. I'm very pleased to meet you. You know, you remind me of a very dear friend of mine from many years ago." The young woman with the brown hair and gray eyes took Kristi's hand and gave her a brief hug. "This is Kyo-kun, Tohru-chan, Kyoko-chan, and Katsuya-chan."
"Hey" the red head said with a pleasant smile. "It's very nice to meet you. Now Momiji, you little brat, don't you think it's time you introduced us to the real Tori Tanaka." Kyo had moved swiftly and was grinding his fist into Momiji's blonde curls.
"Ha-ri, Kyo is picking on me," Momiji yelled but the sparkle in his eyes told Kristi that this was expected when he and Kyo got together. It's so sad that Tori had to leave all these people behind, how did she stay so cheerful all these years?
Hatori shook his head and ignored the young man's protests.
"Momiji, come here a moment," Kristi said. She had suddenly had an inspirational thought.
"Hai, Kristi"
Kristi whispered in Momiji's ear, "I think we should bring out Risa and Hana first just to build the suspense. What do you think?"
"Sounds like a good idea to me. Why don't you go warn Tori about what we are doing, I know she is dying from the suspense of meeting everyone again."
"Okay, I will do that." Kristi went into the house and quickly explained the additional plan to the other three.
"Okay, I'll wait." Tori smiled nervously. "I'm not quite sure I'm ready to see everyone again at this very moment anyhow. I'm just a little bit nervous."
Kristi grabbed Uo and Hana by their hands and the three girls stepped out the door.
"Yo" Risa greeted everyone.
"Yankee, what the hell are you doing here…" Kyo's voice trailed off as he suddenly realized just who Tori Tanaka might be.
"Hanajima-san, long time no see," Yuki said politely.
Momiji grinned, "I don't think introductions are necessary this time. You all know each other quite well I am sure."
"Momiji-kun," Yuki said, a slight strain in his voice, "Will you please bring Tanaka-san out now." Tori Tanaka has to be Honda-san. With these two here, it can't be anyone else.
Momiji waited a moment longer as the suspense built to an even higher level. "Tori," he called, "I think it's time for you to come say hello now."
Tohru stepped outside of the door and the day was silent for about 3 seconds and then
"Sissy!"
"Tohru-chan!"
Kisa and Kagura were suddenly by Tohru's side, hugs warring with tears as they greeted the girl who had meant so much to them seven years ago and still had a place in their hearts.
"Kisa-chan, Kagura-chan" Tohru hugged them both back. "I am so happy to see you again, I thought this day would never come."
Shigure, Kyo and Yuki started toward Tohru and then stopped just a pace away.
"Tohru, I can't believe it's really you," Kyo smiled at the young woman, joy written large on his features. "It's been so long Tohru."
"Honda-san, it's been such a long time, I am very happy to finally see you again." Yuki looked at the young woman who had meant so much to him and then looked back at his fiancée. "Karin-san, come here and meet Honda-san."
Karin approached Yuki's side and held out her hand. "Miss Honda, I am very pleased to meet you. Yuki-kun has told me much about you and about how much he misses you."
Yuki looked at Tohru as if he couldn't look enough. Karin glance over at Momiji and saw a sad smile cross his face. Was it possible that…? Just then Yuki turned to Karin and held out his hand. "Honda-san, this is Karin Takeda. She is my fiancée and we are to be married in April."
"Pleased to meet you Takeda-san. Congratulations to both of you."
Karin watched the girl's sweet smile and checked her features to see what she was thinking about meeting Yuki again. She was very happy, but the look in her eyes didn't soften until she looked at Momiji. Karin sighed in relief. This was going to be okay.
Hatsuharu and Hatori approached with Kyo and Kagura's family in their arms.
"Tohru-kun, our flower, it has been so long. I am very happy to see you looking so cute and happy."
Kyo swung at Shigure, but Shigure stopped his fist with no problem, he was less fortunate with Yuki's kick though. He grinned. "Oh my, it's been a long time since you did that to me, Yuki-kun, Kyo-kun"
Tori giggled, "And here I thought everything would be so different but you are all still the same, you are all my friends."
"Hatori-san, Haru-san, it's been a long time, won't all of you please come in, it's a little cool out here and Momiji's home is quite comfortable."
"You are looking quite well Tohru-san," Hatori said, his smile genuine in its warmth. "By the way, perhaps I should introduce you to this little fellow, this is Katsuya-chan. Kagura and Kyo named him after your father."
"Kyo, Kagura, thank you. This is so wonderful. I know father is happy."
"And these two, Tohru-kun, are Kyoko and Tohru Sohma, named for you and your mom. We thought we had lost you forever, but Momiji found you." Haru smiled gently and Tohru took Kyoko from his arms.
"Kyo-kun, she's so cute. Come on in so that these two can get down and run, I'm sure they are eager too. Kyoko-san, would you like to go out on the beach later and build a sand castle?"
The little girl nodded her head and her sister spoke up. "Tohru wants to go too, what is your name big sister."
Tori smiled. "My name is Tori Tanaka and I am very pleased to make your acquaintance Tohru-san."
"Tohru-chan" Kagura spoke chidingly.
"It's okay Kagura, I don't mind at all." Tohru led the way through the house and out onto the porch where all the chairs and several tables had been set up with drinks and refreshments. She looked at Momiji and saw a trace of sadness in his eyes. Moving to his side, she took his hand. "Momiji, come join us. It's been so long since we were all together like this."
Momiji smiled tenderly at her. I wonder what our next step is?
Yuki sat with Karin but watched Tohru carefully, a half smile quirking his lips. Tohru laughed and chatted with everyone. She easily charmed Kyo's two girls and she was happily holding Katsuya. She hasn't changed a lot; Tohru-kun is still Tohru-kun. She will make a wonderful mother someday.
Karin watched the direction of Yuki's gaze and nearly revised her opinion. She stepped away from him and walked out to the edge of the beach. Momiji watched her leave and when Tori walked over to talk to Yuki and Kyo he followed her.
"Karin-san…" he began and she turned to him, a touch of moisture in her eyes. "I am so sorry Karin-san. I really don't know what is going to happen now."
"Momiji-kun, it's okay, really. This is something that was necessary. I know now why Shigure-san wanted all of us to come. Yuki-kun and Tohru-san were in love at one time, weren't they? That part of their lives needs to be closed out before anything else can happen. If not, there is always going to be a "what if" at the back of their minds. You love Tori a lot; I can see that. And I …I love Yuki a lot. We'll just have to trust them to make the right decisions for all four of us."
"You're right Karin-san. We'll have to trust Tori and Yuki."
Kyo noticed Kagura struggling with their three children and turned to help her. "Excuse me Tohru, I have to go help Kagura with our monsters," he spoke with great affection. "I will have a chance to talk with you later." He waved and left Yuki and Tori to their own devices.
He joined Kagura and his little ones. "Kagura, what do you think will happen now? I don't want to see Momiji or Karin hurt…not Yuki either I guess."
"I don't know my love. It's all up to them. This is their story now. You know, I was a little worried about you meeting Tohru-chan again when I suddenly realized who Tori Tanaka was."
"You silly goof, there was nothing for you to worry about. I loved you long before I loved Tohru, it just took me a while to remember that."
"I know that now Kyo-kun, but you can't blame a girl for worrying now, can you?"
"I guess not." He grabbed Tohru just before she scampered off of the porch. "Tori will probably join us soon, but why don't we take Tohru and Kyoko out on the beach to build sand castles."
"Okay, let's do that. It's funny isn't it Kyo? We have a Tohru of our own now and the original Tohru is now Tori. I hope she's been happy."
Kisa and Haru joined Kyo's family as they went to play in the sand. "I think I'll let Sissy and big brother Yuki have sometime together," Kisa said with a smile. Haru grunted in agreement.
"Say you don't mind if the three of us come with you, do you Haru?" Kristi asked. "It looks like Yuki-san and Tori have some important talking to do."
Risa and Hana agreed with Kristi and they all went down to the beach and happily helped Kyo and his family build sandcastles.
Momiji and Karin watched Yuki and Tohru chat animatedly on the porch. "Tori will be here all week. I think before it is done, we will know what the fates have in store for us Karin-san. I am truly sorry, but this was the only way."
"Momiji-kun, we already discussed this. I do understand." Yuki offered Tohru his hand and the two of them wandered off down the beach in the opposite direction from everyone else.
"Damn Rat! He better not hurt Momiji or Tohru or Karin for that matter." Kyo muttered under his breath.
Kagura patted her husband's hand. "It'll be alright Kyo-kun, you'll see."