Disclaimer: Furuba and its characters do not belong to me...but I wish Hatori did!
So sad...I lost all my old replies to previous reviewers! But super pleased to receive new ones so many many thanks...
It had been nearly a week since she arrived at the main house.
Tohru sighed as she watched the snow fall outside the open shoji doors. She was sitting in her room, legs tucked comfortably under the kotatsu. Wriggling her toes against the warmth of the heater, she laid her head in her arms on top of the table. After that horrible incident, she had been terrified to find out that her rooms were right next Akito's. Eager to escape his cold presence, she had sought out Hatori-san and Momiji, both of whom were residing within the domain of the main house.
After seeing their anxious faces, she had been determined not to worry them further and answered their inquiries reassuringly. The look Hatori-san had given her insinuated that he suspected things weren't nearly as cheerful as she made out but she was grateful that he didn't press further, merely giving her a gentle pat on the back and reaffirming Shigure-san's promise that she could always come to them.
Tohru sniffed quietly as a particularly cold blast of air entered the room through the open doors. Ever since all her clothes had been replaced with traditional Japanese dress, she had been having trouble figuring out what and how to wear the many items in her clothing chest. Unfamiliar with the intricacies of different gowns and unwilling to offend anyone's sensibilities about such things, Tohru had opted to regularly wear a simplest, a basic yukata.
"Honda-san! You're going to catch a cold!"
It was Matsui-san, the elderly lady serving as Tohru's personal maid. She hurried across the room to slid the screens shut and knelt to open the chest. Drawing out a long jacket, she draped it over Tohru's shoulders and, urging her to sit up, tied it efficiently in the back. Tohru smiled at the older woman as she poured a cup of tea for her.
"Arigato-gozaimasu, Matsui-san. I forgot which jacket I'm allowed to wear with this gown again."
The woman clucked her tongue. "If it is cold, then you should wear whatever is warm enough. Souma-sama would be more displeased if you became ill."
Tohru paled when she heard Akito-san's name. Over the past few days, she had managed to get the reticent maid to warm up to her. Since Hatori-san and Momiji were situated in separate houses, Matusi-san was her only friend within the Main House. However, like all the servants, the woman treated Akito-san with the utmost respect, bordering on reverence.
It must get lonely sometimes to always be treated like glass. Like someone who was set apart.
"Honda-san?"
Tohru looked up to see the woman standing in the hallway.
"Sumimasen, I was too busy with my own thoughts that I didn't hear what you said."
"Souma-sama requests that you take lunch with him today. He is in his room."
Tohru scrambled to her feet, nearly tripping on the hem of her gown in her confusion. "Akito-san? Now?" She didn't really want to go.
The maid nodded and started walking, indicating that Tohru should follow her. Tohru trailed slowly after her and before she knew it, she was inside a large room with a single table spread with food. Raising her eyes to meet his dark ones, she flushed in memory and dropped her gaze to the floor.
"Sit down."
Tohru obeyed, aware that he was watching her. Assessing her.
"I see you've finally gotten rid of those awful clothes of yours. Don't you own a hairbrush?" He appeared to ignore her nod. "I don't suppose it matters since you're so ugly anyways."
The words were spoken emotionlessly, almost as if he was discussing something mundane like the weather. The room was quiet as he waited for her response, anticipating tears or anger. However, she merely blinked and continued staring at the bowl of rice in front of her. A tiny frown creased Akito's forehead.
Picking up his chopsticks, he began eating. After a moment, she did the same, taking comfort in the repetitive process of chewing and swallowing. Surprised at the number of new dishes before her, Tohru became engrossed in trying out all the different foods, trying to figure out the ingredients and methods of cooking. In fact, she was so deep in concentration that she almost forgot the cold, silent figure across the table from her.
The frown in Akito's forehead deepened. Did this stupid girl forget where she was? Did she already forget what he had done to her the last time he had been alone with her? He watched as she gave a little murmur of appreciation at a particular dish.
"You like to eat."
Tohru was startled by his voice. Flustered, she put down her chopsticks and began babbling.
"Yes, Okasan always said that food is nourishment for the body. When it tastes good, you become happier and more at peace in the world. So people who cook should always try to make delicious, healthy dishes because it shows those around them that they care about their health and happiness."
Floundering in his silence, she continued.
"Like this chawan mushi, for example. It looks like a simple custard but your cook has chosen ingredients that protect Akito-san's health in this cold weather. There's leeks to ward off colds, salmon for protein and lots of other healthy seafood."
She was about to launch into praise for a bowl of miso soup when she was interrupted.
"I want to try that thing you just described."
Tohru blinked and willingly pushed the bowl towards him. She had noticed that Akito-san hardly touched his meal.
"Feed it to me."
Surprised, she hesitatingly obeyed. Rounding the table to kneel next to him, she scooped up a spoonful of the custard and placed it in Akito's mouth.
"Ano...is it good?"
He shrugged, his eyes focused on her. "What else is there?"
Tohru surveyed the table. Picking up a little brown square, she gave an involuntary squeal of delight.
"Chofu! I've only ever tried this once at Hana-chan's house." Taking a bite of the sweet cake, she closed her eyes in ecstasy. "Akito-san should try this..."
She nearly choked when she felt a warm, foreign object slide into her mouth. Snapping her eyes open, all she could see was a vaguely unfocused view of Akito-san's face. His lips moved over hers again and his tongue swept across the inside of her bottom lip before he straightened and took a sip of tea. Tohru touched her lips. It was her first kiss and had felt strange. All she could recall was a sense of warmth and wetness as a belated blush rushed into her cheeks.
"Ak...Akito-san?"
He merely glanced at her dispassionately.
"I don't like sweets."