Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket in any way at all.
CHAPTER 8
The memories will come back within a few weeks. Some may be missing, but many will be gained. You won't have to worry about it.
The doctor had acted purely professional. But that was all it was, an act. Although Tohru didn't know that. She didn't remember the first snow fall of the season, sitting with Hatori while he reminisced about happier days. He did. Once again, it was Hatori that was left with all the pain; all the memories.
The doctor was wrong, Tohru thought to herself. It's been a month, maybe I should go back to him.
And that was that. The next day, she was back at the Sohma estate, reminiscing on memories that once again, didn't seem to belong to her. There had been a lot of those lately. Memories that she felt so clearly, but didn't know who that red head was, or why was I hugging that dog?
She knocked on the door, quietly but firmly. "Come in," said a lazily clipped voice from behind. She eased the door open and looked into the eyes of the now lonely doctor. He drank in her profile, every image, every angle. Surprised he said, "Ms. Honda. May I ask what you're doing here?"
She bowed low and said, "I'm sorry for not calling but I must have misplaced your number. You see, this past month has been hectic..."
"Ah. Would you like to have a seat?" She nodded and sat down across from him. "Explain what's been going on."
"I-I can't remember new things, Mr. Sohma." He shook his head.
"Please, just call me Hatori." Tohru nodded and blushed, as another sensation of déjà vu swept over her.
"Uhm, right. As I was saying. I can't remember new things anymore. I'll write down the assignment for homework in class, but by the time I get to my locker, I forgot where I wrote it down." She paused, looking up at him. "And then, I'll be right in the middle of looking for something, and then realize that I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for."
Hatori nodded and jotted something down on an open notebook on his desk. He was about to say something when Tohru cut him off, "And then there's those dreams."
This peeked his interest. He looked up at her as she continued, "Most of them scare me. I cry a lot in my sleep, calling out names that I can't place with faces. Momiji, Kisa, Hatsuharu... I have déjà vu all the time, and I can't figure it out. And, there's always... him." Tohru shuddered, not wanting to say anymore.
"Who's him?" Hatori asked, looking at her sympathetically. This has to be so hard for her.
"I don't know! That's what I came here to find out Hatori. I don't remember anything! I have friends that I don't remember, and they tell me stories that I don't remember. They show me pictures that I don't remember anybody taking. I don't remember them. I don't remember me! And then my grandfather calls me "Kyoko-san". He said that she's my mother, but I don't remember anything. Why can't I remember anything about her when I spent sixteen years with her? WHY CAN'T I REMEMBER ANYTHING!" She was crying, and she couldn't take it anymore.
Before Hatori could say anything, an angry boy with red hair came stalking in the room.
"That damn rat! Couldn't he just wait five more seconds? Kagura pummeled me. Pummeled me. Look at that cut Hatori! I'm going to need stitches!" then he grumbled more words about that "rat boy". Hatori cleared his throat and nodded towards Tohru. Kyo blushed crimson and muttered "hello" while walking towards the door.
"Oh no!" Tohru squealed. "I'm sorry. There must be a family incident; I don't want to keep you waiting. I'm sorry Hatori-san. I didn't mean to drop by here so unexpectedly. But, thank you for listening to me. That helped more than you can imagine!" Then she smiled her genuine "Tohru smile" and walked over to the desk, placing papers in Hatori's hand. "I hope that's enough for the session."
Hatori sifted through the bills and handed them back, "More than enough. But take it back; you've had a rough month."
Tohru backed towards the door and said, "No. Take it, I came by unexpectedly. I can't accept money back when I owe you." She smiled again and opened the door. Kyo kept glancing from Hatori back to Tohru, not quite understanding what was going on.
"Bye Hatori. Thanks again." Tohru said and turned towards Kyo. "Bye Kyo. I hope you feel better." She said, nodding towards the cut above his eyebrow.
"How'd you know that my name was Kyo?" he asked.
Tohru turned red and said, "Oh no! Isn't it Kyo? I'm sorry. I didn't even realize that I said it. You just... feel like a Kyo. I remember it from somewhere. I'm sorry."
He shook his head and said, "No, no. It's fine."
Tohru walked out the doctor's office and Kyo turned towards Hatori. "How deep did you bury her memories?" Hatori was quiet and Kyo roared, "How deep Hatori!"
"Deep, Kyo. Very deep." But he was smiling. So he knew. The Sohma's flower was remembering. Not everything, but just enough to break through.
