Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket.
Chapter Seven : Departure
Haru shook his head and staggered to his feet, pain etched onto his brow. Hana pushed him to the floor again, telling him to relax. Yuki sat by Tohru, holding her hand as she regained her breath. Tohru, her eyes still clouded, looked around.
"Where's Hatori?" Yuki kissed Tohru's hand, and brushed the hair from her face.
"He… he broke an umbrella over Akito's head then ran away. Hatori saved your life, but he knows that Akito will punish him," said Yuki solemnly. Tohru tried to sit up, but was gently held down. "Don't try to get up. We'll find Hatori in the morning, when it's light and you recover." Tohru shook her head and sat up.
"No, we've got to find him tonight. He's probably very sad…" Yuki smiled sadly, and helped Tohru to her feet. Ayame rushed to help Yuki hold up Tohru, not saying a word. Deep concern for his friend could be seen plainly in the snake's eyes. Yuki smiled grimly to his older brother and adjusted Tohru's arm on his shoulder and began walking.
The two brothers made slow progress through the woods while trying to carry Tohru. They were soon out of breath because every one they took was dedicated to calling for Hatori. They walked for what seemed like hours before they heard sobbing. Tohru shook off Yuki and Ayame and stumbled over to the stricken doctor's side. She put her hand onto Hatori's and pulled them away from his face. Tears were streaming from his eyes when he looked up at Tohru. His shoulders shuddering, he leaned his head onto Tohru's chest, crying into her shirt. She rocked back and forth slowly, whispering kind words to him and smoothing his hair. Everyone was silent for a while, all eyes on Hatori.
"I-I hit Akito…" Tohru wiped the tears from his eyes with a finger.
"And I thank you. You saved my life, Hatori-san. Thank you."
"But… But he will punish me… There's no telling what Akito will do…" Tohru pushed Hatori up and looked him in the eye.
"It's alright Hatori-san. It'll be okay." Hatori, instantly relieved, threw his arms around Tohru.
Poof.
Tohru picked up the little seahorse and smiled, stroking its back with her thumb until there was another 'poof'' and Hatori was sitting, completely naked, in front of a blushing Tohru. Yuki and Ayame helped Tohru to her feet and the four of them walked back to the house together.
-
Back at the house, Hana and Haru were struggling upstairs, helping each other and enquiring about the other's injury. Everyone else had set about cleaning up the now wrecked downstairs, and Kyo and Uo were still sleeping hard. Hana had much difficulty trying to convince Haru to lie down. Finally, she threatened to zap the cow if he didn't rest. Giving in, Haru settled onto a spare futon in Yuki's room. Hana sat beside him, gazing at nothing in particular.
"You have quite the family, Hatsuharu," said Hana, rubbing her fingers on her forehead. She was now wearing one of Tohru's tank-tops. Kagura had cleaned up and bandaged her shoulder, which now had white gauze wrapped around it.
Haru half-grinned. "I know."
-
When Yuki, Ayame, Hatori, and Tohru returned to the house the downstairs was spotless and everyone but Haru, Kyo, and Uo were waiting eagerly for their return. Kisa and Hana rushed to give Tohru a big hug, relieved. Hatori sat down with a glass of water and sighed heavily. Tohru soon realized that Shigure was gone.
"Where's Shigure-san?" Silence fell upon everyone in the room. Ayame was the first to speak.
"He… he took Akito home. He was the one who Akito to come in the first place. If it wasn't for Shigure, Yuki would've never locked himself up in his room. He was just a pawn of Akito's. I would suggest to you, Tohru-kun, that you and Yuki and Ha'ri stay away from the both of them for a while. The three of you are more than welcome to stay with me for the time being." Yuki blew a strand of hair from his face and turned to his brother.
"That's a good idea, nii-san. What do you think, Hatori? Tohru?" Hatori nodded his head silently. A concerned look clouded Tohru's face.
"But, what about taking care of the house? What'll Kyo-kun do?"
"Kyo lived alone for almost a month. He'll be okay for a few days, Tohru." Tohru nodded.
"I'll stay with you Ayame-san. Thank you so much for your hospitality." Tohru bowed, and went upstairs to pack a few things. Yuki followed her upstairs to do the same, and Hatori went outside to start the car.
-
It had been three days since the party. Not a word had been heard out of Akito or Shigure, and Hatori, Yuki, and Tohru were still staying with Ayame. Everyone had relayed the night's events to Uo and Kyo the next day, and now Uo, Hana, Yuki, and Kyo wouldn't let Tohru out of their sight.
Everyone was holding together well, but Yuki was slipping again. Akito's words crept into his mind again, reminding him for the first time since he came out of the room that Akito would be visiting him soon. 'I'll give you until the end of the month to think upon my offer. Don't try to run away. I can always find you.' If Akito's threat held true, he would be on Ayame's doorstep in two days. He would have to go. Akito couldn't find him if he wasn't in Japan. If Akito came again, he might succeed in trying to kill Tohru. He would leave tonight.
-
Yuki took all the money out of his bank account and bought a plane ticket. The only flight to the US that was leaving soon and that he could afford was the 9:30pm flight to Richmond, Virginia. Packing everything he owned into a duffle bag, the rat caught a taxi to the airport as soon as school let out, and at 9:35 Yuki Sohma was flying away from everything he knew.
The only thing he regretted was not being able to tell Tohru. He didn't want to risk Akito torturing it out of her or her coming after him. The only thing he left behind was a note on her pillow.
I love you, Tohru.