Disclaimer: Furuba and all related characters do not belong to me.
You guys are awesome! I'm so glad you enjoyed this and I really appreciate all reviews! I had a great trip in Beijing BTW...
"Tohru!"
Momiji flapped his hand in front of Tohru's face, peering forward when she started back in surprise.
"Tohru, what are you thinking about? You've been in a daze all day!"
She shook her head, flashing him a quick smile. "Nothing. Momiji, Kisa...would you like some more cake?"
Hatori had brought the younger Jyuunishi over and was currently next door giving Akito his weekly checkup. Tohru sighed softly.
Akito-san...
After spending the first few weeks traveling back and forth between their rooms, Akito had suggested that she spend the nights in his room.
--
"It irritates me when you get up and leave every night."
"You...you'd like me to stay with you?"
He snorted. "Did I say that? I just don't like it when someone is sneaking in and out of my room."
He turned away. Tohru took the chance to slip out of bed and pull on the yukata Akito had stripped off of her last night.
"You can sleep here from now on." He didn't look at her. "We don't have to do anything."
--
And they didn't.
Most nights he wanted her but others, he simply wrapped his arms around her and fell asleep. Tohru didn't know which was more disturbing. She still couldn't reconcile the Akito who held her so gently with the Akito who seemed to enjoy watching her squirm at his snide remarks. If she was honest with herself, she did enjoy the passion that they shared. It was the in between times, particularly right after they both collapsed, that was so awkward. She was never sure what to say or do. Idle chitchat didn't seem to suit Akito, yet the flowery phrases of love so abundantly showered upon other girls were glaringly absent. In fact, Tohru would have been shocked if she ever did hear them from him. Sometimes he could make some gruff remark Tohru recognized as more out of habit than spite and so she would simply press a light kiss on his neck. Sometimes she would attempt a joke and he would respond with a quiet chuckle. But mostly, they would just lie there, looking at and touching each other until they nodded off. She sighed again.
"Nee-san."
Kisa tugged at her sleeve. "Nee-san, did Akito-san hurt you?"
Hatori had just entered and sat at the table, also waiting for her answer.
"No, it's nothing like that!"
She shook her head vigorously but Kisa remained concerned. "Don't worry, Kisa-chan. Akito-san didn't hurt me."
And it was true. After that first day, Akito had never physically harmed her again. Although Tohru was aware that he was still the same person who had ruthlessly blinded Hatori's left eye, she wanted to believe that he was changing.
Everyone has some good in them. Maybe underneath that cold surface, Akito-san is really just lonely.
She suggested this to the group.
Momiji looked disbelieving while Kisa was adorably puzzled; Hatori on the other hand, was quietly contemplating Tohru. After a few minutes of this, Tohru began to fidget. Did Hatori-san know? Surely Akito-san wouldn't have told him about what they did!
"If that's true," Hatori's eyes twinkled though his voice remained serious. "Then it's a good thing that you're here then, Tohru-kun."
"Ummm...yes."
The girl flushed. Actually, it was a good thing Akito-san never joined them when the Jyuunishi came to visit her.
"I heard that Yuki and that cat came to see you this morning."
Tohru nodded, sipping at a cup of tea. "Hatori-san, Momiji and Kisa also came in the afternoon."
Akito sniffed; he wasn't interested in the other Jyuunishi.
"How is Yuki? He hasn't been to see me since the New Year's."
Tohru willingly detailed what she knew, pleased that they were having a decent conversation.
"Why don't you invite him over...," suddenly recalling Yuki's fear of Akito, she quickly added, "...for tea with the both of us next time?"
Akito noted her correction with a smirk but let it slide.
"That would defeat the purpose."
He frowned at her puzzled expression.
"If I did that, it would be an order. I want him to ...want to come."
Tohru gave a soft smile.
"Okasan always said that building relationship is like building a bridge. If no one is willing to take the first step, both will end up stranded on their own side, unable to understand or communicate with each other. But if both start gathering material and work together to build a bridge, then not only do they benefit from it, but also all the others around them who can now use it."
"What's the point of building a bridge when I can just get the other person to swim across?"
"Then that would defeat the purpose."
Akito's eyes gleamed. He hadn't expected her to catch on so fast.
"What purpose?"
"The purpose of having a relationship in the first place. It might be easier if you did that...if it became about control...but in the end, it would be meaningless."
Tohru gulped down her tea absentmindedly.
"If you don't know whether they're doing it because they want to or because they have to, then anything they do will only leave you feeling...empty."
His eyes narrowed. The girl had made some sense, he would admit, but that didn't mean it applied to him. It didn't mean that she understood him.
"And what happens when you feel empty?"
She leaned on the table, cradling her head in her hands as if in concentration.
"Then you start looking...looking for confirmation."
Akito's sharp retort was cut off when Tohru suddenly slumped to the table. Crossing over to her side, he shook her shoulder roughly.
"What's wrong with you?"
There was no reply.
Her head lolled back and her face was flushed. Placing a cool hand against her forehead, Akito grimaced at the heat radiating off it. He shouted for a servant to fetch Hatori and carefully eased Tohru back until her head was in his lap. Frowning down at her, he brushed the hair back from her face, his brusque expression at odds with his touch. The door slid open.
"You called, Akito-san?"
Hatori stood in the doorway. If the sight before him surprised him, he didn't show it.
"Obviously. Something's wrong with her; she fainted."
Hatori knelt and checked Tohru's temperature and pulse.
"She's running a fever but otherwise appears fine. Most likely she's caught a cold and just needs some bed rest."
He bent to pick her up and carry her to her room. A pale hand shot out and slapped his hands away.
"Don't touch her!"
Cold black eyes bore into his.
"You're finished here. Leave."
Akito's hold on Tohru tightened imperceptibly when the dragon hesitated.
"I will take care of her. Now get out."
Hatori looked like he was about to argue when he noted something akin to fierce possessiveness beneath the veil of hostility. Bowing, he left the room. Akito waited until the footsteps receded before scooping Tohru in his arms and striding over to deposit her in his bed. Loosening the belt of her gown, he covered her with the sheet and sat back to look at her.
She was frowning, her breathing shallow as she tossed in the bed. Apparently it was a nightmare. Akito reached out and rested a hand on her cheek, lightly stroking the soft skin. Tohru's fevered movements stilled, sighing as she turned unconsciously into that source of comfort.
"Akito-san..."
The murmur was more like a whisper but Akito heard it. After scrutinizing her for a while, he stood to switch off the lights before slipping into bed next to her. Adopting the now familiar position around and behind her, Akito drew her securely against him and tucked his nose in the warm crook of her neck.
"Only idiots get summer colds. Don't you dare transfer it to me."
A/N: LEMON warning for next chapter so hang in there...