Disclaimer - I do not own them.

A/N - In this particular chapter and the next, the characters are a little out of character due to the circumstances of this story. Also, this chapter have some adult issues - so you have been warned.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, please do so again - it's fun reading your comments.

Healing – Part 1


Hatori held Tohru's hand for a little longer than it was needed. He was full of questions. He looked around the room and found what he was looking for on top of her dresser. He looked at the package and the log Tohru had written for herself. The girl has a lot of explaining to do, to him at least. He had given her specific instructions to come back to him if she encountered any more problems.

Now, he'll have to go look for the baka who did this to her. He went into the living room where Shigure and Yuki waited. They looked up as he walked in.

'So, who should I congratulate?'

The blank faces that stared back at him told him what he needed. The fool was not in this house. Hatori lighted a cigarette. He took a drag and continued.

'Tohru is very weak. On top of her condition, she has lost a lot of weight and is not resting well.'

'On top of her condition, what are you talking about?' Yuki asked.

Shigure looked at Ha'ri. Then, he stood up and went to the phone. Ha'ri sat next to Yuki.

'She is pregnant. For how long, I can't be sure. The bleeding you saw is due to the fact the Tohru is not physically strong at this time and she is somewhat punishing her body by not eating and resting well. If this go on, it is very bad. There can be complications. We might need to talk about an abortion. But I'll need more tests to be done.'

After the word 'pregnant', Ha'ri lost Yuki. The younger man was in a daze. Pregnant? But how? Then he thought back on the day he saw Tohru and Ayame in the store. He blushed.

'Was it you, Yuki?'

'I…' Yuki looked down, tears threatened to fall. 'I wish I was the one.' Then, without a word, he ran into the forest.

Hatori stood up wanting to go after him, seeking answers to the growing number of questions in his head.

'Ha'ri.' A hand on his shoulder stopped him. He turned to find Shigure behind him. 'Leave him. He has enough to deal with at this moment.'

'Could you kindly fill me in on what on earth is going on?'

Shigure sighed. He pulled Hatori down next to him and lighted a cigarette. He talked while the dragon listened intently. He talked while they both waited for the snake to arrive.

000---000---000---000

Ayame slammed down the receiver and ran out the door, yelling for Kimura-san to lock up behind her. He caught a cab and sat back. What did Shigure say? Tohru fainted and Hatori said something about some serious condition. What did she do to herself in two months? Guilt started to build up in him, he was sure he was part of the cause.

He paid the driver and ran into the house. Shigure answered the door. Ayame pushed past him and started to go up the stairs, when Shigure pulled him back.

'Where are you going?'

'To Tohru, let go.'

'No, Ha'ri wants to talk to you.' Shigure was annoyed. For once, he wanted to hit Ayame. 'You were careless, Aya.'

'What are you talking about?' Ayame frowned. He took Shigure's hand off him, and started up the stairs again. Shigure jerked him back once more. Ayame turned to his cousin and was about to snap, when Shigure said in a firm voice,

'Ha'ri wants to talk to you before you see Tohru. There are some things you need to be aware of.'

'But…'

'Aya!' Ha'ri stopped him. 'We need to talk.'

They sat down at the table and Shigure brought tea and sake. 'You might want something strong after Ha'ri is done with you.'

'So what is going on?'

'Did you know that Tohru stopped taking her pills?'

'Huh?'

Ha'ri glared at him. Ayame shifted a little, but he held his ground. 'Look, we all need to be a little less cryptic and a little more straight-forward. I don't know what is going on. I have not seen Tohru for 2 months. It is tearing me apart but I needed to do it. Then I get a phone call form Shigure to get my butt here but there were no explanations. I come here and you start sprouting about pills – what pills and what is wrong with Tohru?'

Hatori looked at Ayame. He did look terrible. His eyes were red, his hair was a mess and he looked like he needed sleep. Hatori started again.

'Ayame, Tohru is pregnant.' Ha'ri stopped and took a drag. He flicked the ashes into an ashtray and continued.

'For how long I do not know, but I am guessing at least two months from what Shigure and you have told me. But she has not been taking care of herself. She has lost a lot of weight and she is very tired. She fainted this afternoon and she also bleeding. Now, the bleeding may not be an indication of anything serious, some women bleed in their first trimester.' Ha'ri stopped. 'That's to say the first 3 months of their pregnancy.'

'I know that,' Ayame protested.

'However, it could also mean something else. I would not know until more tests are done.'

Ayame was stumped.

'Now about the pills. Tohru came to me about six months ago about contraceptive pills. The first brand she tried did not agree with her, so I prescribed another one. I gave her specific instructions to come to me if there were problems. Now I am guessing here, I found her box of pills. It looks like she stopped taking them after 2 weeks, which meant that there was a problem. But she did not see me. Do you know anything about it?'

Ayame just stared at Hatori open-mouthed. Shigure poured a cup of sake and placed it in front of Ayame. Ayame stared at the both of them, not knowing what to say. Hatori lighted another cigarette. At least, Shigure was right about the hebi being in love. The king of chatter was rendered speechless. He continued, 'Tohru not taking the pills would explain her pregnancy, regardless of whether it's wanted. However, the main thing now is Tohru herself. I really need to talk to her and know more about what is happening before making any decision. But know this, Ayame the bleeding could be caused by some defects in the pregnancy and if the pregnancy does not spontaneously miscarry, then we'll need to schedule an abortion.'

Ayame took the cup of sake and drank it all. He set it down and stood up. 'I am going to her.'

'That's good. Don't upset her and keep what I just told you to yourself.'

Ayame barely nodded and ran up the stairs. He walked quietly to Tohru's room. He knocked softly on the door and walked in. Tohru was sitting up looking out of the window. She was so lost in her thoughts that she did not hear the knock. Ayame took in the sight before him. She was so thin and she looked so sad. He walked towards her, 'Tohru!' She startled and turned. Her eyes widened when she saw him. Her eyes were shining with newly formed tears. She clutched her blanket and looked down. She took a deep breathe and looked up again, smiling her goofy smile.

'I see that Yuk-kun and Shigure-san called you. How silly of them. I am perfectly fine.' She started, rambling on. She lifted her arms up and down a couple of times. 'Nothing to it. I probably skipped one too many meals. And there was tons of work from classes.' A couple of tears escaped and trailed down her face. She felt them and lifted her hands to her face. 'I…am..' She choked a little. She wiped her face and plastered her goofy smile again. 'Fine!'

Ayame walked to her and gathered her in his arms. 'Heh?' The little onigiri muttered in shock. He held her as tightly as he dared, not wanting to transform at this point. 'Don't ever say that you are fine when you are not. It's okay to be selfish, just a little. I don't mind it if it comes from you.'

'Kyo said the exact same words to me.' Tohru said. She pushed herself away and looked at Ayame. 'I am really fine. I don't want to keep you here, wasting your precious time. I will be sure to tell Yuki-kun and Shigure-san not to call you the next time I am ill. Gomen nasai.' She bowed.

'I love you.' Ayame told her, holding her face so her eyes were looking at his. Hatori knocked on the door softly and walked in. Ayame looked at him, it was clear in his expression that now was not the time for interruptions. Ha'ri shrugged. 'I need to further examine her now. You can wait outside or with Shigure.' Ayame squeezed Tohru's hand, 'We need to talk. I'll be back when Ha'ri is done.' He promised. Ha'ri patted him on the shoulder as he walked out.

Ayame walked down the stairs and just then Yuki walked in the front door. The brothers looked at each other. Then, Yuki struck him.