Fruits Basket Ova Series
Chapter twenty three: Where the heart is
Hatsuharu Sohma stood outside the Sohma Compound staring intently at the Main house. His thoughts turned to Yuki and the first time they had met. He tried not to imagine the pain that he went through. But sometimes at night he'd dream about Yuki being beaten by Akito. He would always wake up crying. Suddenly a familiar childish voice rose Haru from his thoughts. ''Haru, are you all right?'' asked Momiji with a worried look on his innocent face. ''I'm fine, thanks.'' He replied, turning around to face Momiji. ''You're worried about Yuki, aren't you?'' Momiji said. ''I am.'' admitted Haru.
''Haru it's time to go in now!'' called his parents. ''Bye, Momiji.'' Haru said with a wave. ''Goodbye, Haru. I hope you're going to be all right.'' Momiji said as he waved and smiled. Haru gave him a small smile as he walked back into his house.
He opened the door to his house to find his parents sitiing at the kitchen table.
Haru's father had a great resemblance to his son and was almost as handsome as Haru. But he looked worn out and tired. His mother had long brown hair and was very beautiful for a woman in her early forties. She smiled in a kind but sad way as she looked at her son. ''Hi, Mom and Dad.'' Haru said greeting them politely. ''Hello, Haru.'' His father replied. Haru sat down in the empty chair, looking at his parents with a straight face.
''Hatsuharu, we know that you love Yuki and that you want to help him but there is just no way.'' Said his dad. ''We don't like the way Yuki's being treated anymore than you do.'' His mother added reassuringly.
Haru could feel his temper slowly rising. ''I'm not afraid of Akito like you two are!'' Black Haru shouted angrily. His dad grew speechless with fright. But Haru's mother simply looked at him with calm but pleading eyes. ''Please,Haru.'' She whispered. Suddenly his features began to soften once more. He sat back with a tired look on his face. ''I'm sorry.'' He apologized. ''It's all right. I can't really blame you.'' Said his dad. Haru's mom felt awful. She could sense the love that he had for Yuki that was much deeper than she had first thought. ''Hatsuharu, there is a way you can help Yuki. But it may not work.'' She said. ''How?'' Haru asked.
Haru's parents drove him to Shigure's house which was around thirty minutes away. He got out of the car and waved his parents goodbye and walked to the house as they too waved goodbye and sped away. He knocked on the door. ''Come in!'' said Shigure's voice. Haru opened the door and went to Shigure's room. He was sitting in his chair face to face with Haru. ''What brings you here, Hatsuharu?'' Shigure asked cheerfully. ''It's Yuki.'' Haru replied. Shigure's expression turned serious immediately. ''I want you to demand to Akito to take Yuki home with you.'' Haru continued. ''On one condition.'' Shigure said in a sneaky tone of voice. ''What's that?'' Haru asked. ''You call me master.'' Shigure replied smiling. Haru couldn't help but sweatdrop at such a ridiculous demand. ''I will.'' He promised.
Meanwhile at the Main house Yuki was on the ground shaking in fear. ''You have to be punished Yuki. You're only making this harder on yourself.'' said Akito. Yuki didn't answer. He just whimpered softly as he was being beaten again and again. Suddenly he heard the footsteps of someone. ''Akito.'' The voice called out. Akito stopped beating him. It was Shigure. He walked closer to face Akito. ''Hello, Shigure.'' She greeted. ''Hello,Akito may I speak with you in private?'' Shigure asked. He and Akito began to talk. ''I would like Yuki to live with me for a few years. If not permanetly.'' He declared. ''Yuki may stay with you. But if Kyo ever beats him which is more likely than you think Yuki stays with me. Understand?'' Said Akito. ''Completely.'' Replied Shigure as he played with Akito's hair affectionately.
Yuki wished he could hear what they were saying but he couldn't. Miserable, confused and lonely he put his face in his lap and cried. Suddenly he heard Shigure walk up to him. But he did not face him. ''Yuki, would you like to come and live with me?'' He asked. Yuki lifted up his tearstained face and for the first time he felt hope.