Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket.
A/N: My vacation was five weeks long and during that time my computer time was completely taken up by correspondence. (That word is such a grown-up word. It still strikes me as strange when little kids refer to me as a "big kid." I always think to myself, "whoa, it's true! I really am a big kid now! Do you guys do that too, or is that totally me?) so I'm really sorry it took me so long to update! Especially since it's always this story that takes me the longest. I don't know why, I'm completely in love with it, but here I am rambling when I should be writing. Here goes!
Shigure was out walking the next day. He had completely forgotten to ask Mii to Rika's party, and felt half-relieved and half-even-more-nervous-than-he-was-before. He looked up at the blue sky, his hazel eyes finally serious, a slight frown on his face. What did she think of him? He knew she loved him, but still he worried. Would she love him if she knew the truth? He doubted even Tohru could love any member of the Zodiac should she come to know the full truth. She knew that happy fairy tale, good ending bunny rabbits in a field; watered down for children version of the vengeful spirits that possessed them. She had no idea of the darkness that lay within. And here Mii had just declared she loved him and he would never be able to explain to her.
He sat down on a log; head propped on his chin wondering what he should do. There was nothing he could do. There was nothing to say. Would it be better to be happy with her a little while, and use her for his own selfishness and end up bitter and mean like Hatori? Or was it better to mope around all the time and never know any kind of happiness? Hatori always said he regretted having ever met Kana, but Ayame and Shigure knew the truth. Hatori could have found a way to get rid of his memories, but he didn't. He kept them. He kept them because he wanted them. Shigure thoght about that, and then decided on his answer. Maybe it would work out. Maybe it wouldn't. Que sera sera!
Even as the thought of Kana and Hatori crossed Shigure's mind, the same pair crossed Rika's. Even though she never had doubted Hatori's love for her, she always worried what would happen if he were to see her again. She knew he had seen her before, but not when she was around. Little did Rika know she would find out what would happen. (Dun dun dunnnnn……)
While she prepared breakfast, she heard someone come in behind her. Of course it was none other than Hatori. She smiled a bright smile and kissed his cheek. He smiled back at her and Rika felt a little relief. Even if he did see Kana again, it showed in his eyes that he was happy just to be with her. She felt much calmer and decided not to worry or be jealous of any exes. They were part of the past and should remain there.
After a sweet breakfast, Rika decided she needed a walk. Hatori told her not to go too far and she told him she definitely wouldn't. He also told her a million other things and bossed her around for a bit, but Rika had long ago learned to tune that out. She smiled, waved, nodded, and then left. The day was a sunny one and she was happy to be here. That was, until she saw a certain woman with long blonde hair…
The girl turned around. It wasn't Kana but some other girl visiting from the outside. Rika gave her a polite smile and kept walking, her mind somewhere far far away. That was when she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up and her spine tingle. Someone was watching her. Her mind came back to earth with a worried crash and she looked around. Just in time she saw a hand paler than death withdraw into an open window. The window closed quickly and Rika had some very serious suspicions on who it might be. She felt her stomach give a little twist.
She had never met Akito, and had no desire to. She had seen and heard about what he had done to Yuki and about his cruelty hatred disdain and bitterness he had for others. She didn't want to meet a person like that, not really. Who did? While he held a curious fascination for her, she never felt the need to satiate her curiosity. A feeling very foreign to Rika. She kept walking hoping he hadn't seen her and hoping she would just forget about it and not mention it to Hatori.
There had been a time when she had come close to meeting Akito. It had been before she had found Kyoko, and she was walking around with Kazuma and they were talking about something or other. Akito came out of his house and looked at the two of them. His dark eyes were the scariest thing and even though he was younger than Rika, she still hid behind Kazuma as they passed by. His dark eyes and hair and then his pale, pale skin made him be something any eight year old would be afraid of. Now Rika wondered what would happen. Then she thought of the blessing she now carried. She knew what would happen. She would die. She should even be here with Hatori. What if they were seen together? Did Akito know they were living together? She knew Shigure told everything about the Jyuunishi to Akito, but would he really betray her like that? Would he really tell Akito the whole truth about her and still pretend to be her friend? She decided even Shigure wasn't that good of a liar. Akito didn't know. He must think she was just visiting or she would be dead where she stood.
Shigure opened the door and there stood Mii. He invited her in and she did come in, though she looked extremely stressed. He led her to the living room and the pair sat down. Shigure took Mii's hand, looked her straight in the eye, and apologized. Mii was stunned. Shigure was completely serious. Shigure was completely mature. And suddenly, Mii found the emotions that had been ruling her life for quite some time now, could grow even bigger than she could possibly imagine. She kissed Shigure on the mouth and then the two drew back.
They sort of giggled, and then started talking. It was a good thing one of the Zodiac members was happy. Because of what was to happen soon, not very many would be happy for very much longer.
Two more months before Hatori and Rika knew the sex of the baby. Two more months before Rika and Hatori would start holding hands outside of Hatori's house while still being on the inside. Two more months. Two more months…
Meanwhile, Rika walked back to Hatori's house and opened the door. There, on the floor on a mat across from Hatori's, was Kana. The blonde girl turned around and this time there was no mistaking her. It was definitely her. It was definitely Kana. Rika didn't know what to say. Obviously, she was starting to feel the burning feeling of jealousy in the pit of her stomach, but this certainly was not a normal "you're my boyfriend's ex-girlfriend so get out" kind of situation. This was a "we're not supposed to know each other and you really don't know me even though I'm pregnant with the man you almost married even though you have no idea" kind of situation.
"Hello," said Rika. "I'm Rika."
"Hi! My name is Kana!" They shook hands and then Rika caught Hatori's glance. He smiled up at her and all the jealousy evaporated. Hatori wasn't regretting his decision. He was as happy about it as he always had been. He was happy to see her. He loved her. Not Kana. Not anymore.
The three had a very stilted and awkward conversation but it was a very happy day. A happy day that would have to last them all a while before what would be set in motion after two months would end. If it ended at all.
