Disclaimer: Guess what. I still don't own it and unless I find out I have an extremely rich relative that gives me all of their money I probably won't. And even then it'd be debatable. I like Fruits Basket, but I don't think I want to own it.
A/N: Okay, this is still Rika, just to let you know. I like being in her head. It's rather interesting. Hee hee. Now, Shigure would be really interesting so I might try that soon too. Lalalala.
When Rika got to the gate, Momiji ran out to greet her. "Rika!" he cried, throwing his arms around her. Poof. Momiji was a rabbit. Thankfully Rika was used to this happening - especially with Momiji - so she picked him up and carried him into the gates with her, asking how he was and what had he been up to lately. He sang her ten new songs he had made up (seven of them on the spur of the moment which was quite obvious) and talked a lot about Tohru.
Then they got to Hatori's house and Rika said she had to talk to him alone. Momiji looked a little disappointed, but hopped off happily enough. Thinking what difference this Tohru had made in the Sohma family, Rika smiled and then just stood, staring at his house. She was terrified.
A cold sweat trickled down her back and her hands were clammy. She was so nervous! The last time she had been this keyed up was when her and another girl were jacking a car for the first time. They hadn't ended up in jail, but it was a close enough call that they weren't sent out again for a while and they had had to wear sunglasses in their neighborhood along with the masks. But that was nothing compared to this.
She walked up the steps and knocked on the door. She thought about Kana and everything that happened. Rika had been forced to watch along with the rest of the Sohmas as a part of him died inside. She could see his soul withering inside of itself so it wouldn't have to hurt anymore and she had seemed like some strange channel taking his pain and receiving it too well. Now that too was a part of her along with this unshakable nervousness.
Hatori slid open the door and looked at her in surprise. The obvious shock on his face made her feel - if possible - more nervous. But just seeing him again made her feel a little happiness behind her fear and when he too looked pleased to see her after the initial shock, she felt more happy than she had in a long time.
"Come in Rika," he said. She took off her shoes and went in. They sat on the mats and then Rika opened her mouth, then closed it.
Hatori watched this, then kindly said, " How have you been Rika?"
"Good," she said, smiling at him. "My jobs are keeping me busy and I'm more tired than I have been in a long time, but other than that I'm fine." She was babbling. This always happened when she was nervous. She felt herself beginning to blush and felt even more embarrassed. She just couldn't stop the blood from heating her face.
Hari knew her to well. "Rika, just tell me what's on your mind."
"Well…okay. But be prepared. This is pretty much a shocker."
Hatori nodded and then took her hand. At his touch Rika felt her heart skip a beat and her fingers were tingling. He smiled so warmly at her that she thought Akito knew nothing of what he was talking about. Hatori was still the springtime warmth that he had always been. He was just the kind of person that thought people might see that as a weakness. And after Kana, Rika thought he might not even realize he was smiling like that.
"Do you remember, a couple of months ago?"
It was Hatori's turn to blush. "I thought we agreed that we would let that night alone. I mean, after all, we were both really drunk."
"Yes, and I - don't take this the wrong way - didn't want to think about it. I thought it might really affect our friendship in a bad way."
He nodded and Rika knew that he felt a little angry that she had brought it up. But he didn't withdraw his hand and for that Rika was thankful. She needed the strength to say this.
"I'm pregnant."
