Yeah Yeah, I know that I haven't updated…So here ya go! .
Disclaimer: I can't draw…just write. SO therefore I could never make a manga that the anime was based from. In other words, I don't own Fruits Basket.
Return of the Cat
Tohru rubbed her somewhat sweaty fingers together and glanced towards her companion. Ever since Shigure and Ayame had arrived, he had seemed more reserved than usual.
'I hope I haven't done anything…' She thought silently, as she glanced at the quiet boy walking beside her. She replayed the events of the day, but couldn't find any source of his…distance. Perhaps he was worried about Rin.
"Let's take the shortcut through the park." Haru said shortly, breaking the uncomfortable silence. Getting no answer, he turned his head slightly to make sure that Tohru was still walking with him and not some complete stranger.
A small, rare, smile threatened to overtake his lips. Tohru was glancing slightly upwards, as if she was recalling something. Anyone who had spent two days with Tohru, knew that she was either worried about something, or just too deep in thought to comprehend anything around her.
Without thinking, Haru slid his fingers in between her own, and veered slightly to the left, so as not to miss the entrance to the park. Tohru looked startled to say the least, and was even more surprised when Haru didn't release her hand.
"We can't have you walking right out in the street Tohru." Haru proclaimed, a mischievous chuckle dancing within his words. Tohru blushed and walked a couple paces faster so she would not be walking behind her friend.
"Kami knows I've already done that." She returned, playfully. Tohru wished she could see this side of the cow more often. She hardly ever saw him actually joke with his cousins, and she hardly ever saw him with more than one or two non-Sohmas at school. There was always this one guy with black hair and red tips who always seemed to be around Haru though. She silently wondered if they were good friends.
'They should be pretty good friends…they both have quite interesting taste in hair.' She thought, and laughed outloud.
Hearing her contagious laugh, Haru once again faced Tohru.
"What's so funny?"
Tohru shook her head, not wishing to let him know that she was thinking about his hair…or perhaps him in particular. Secretly, she really liked Haru's hair…but she wasn't about to let him know that.
Haru stopped walking but Tohru, not realizing his ceased steps, continued walking and was jerked to a stop by their still connected hands.
"Come on Tohru, tell me what's so funny." Haru said lowly, something unrecognizable glinting in his eyes. Tohru swallowed, but wasn't quite scared.
"Umm…I was just thinking…it's stupid really." She muttered, lowering her eyes as they continued to walk at a more leisurely pace, hands still linked.
"Go on."
"Well, I remembered that one of the boys you hang out with at school…he has black hair with red tips. And I was thinking, that it's no surprise that you two are friends, because you both have interesting tastes in hair." She blushed, not meeting his eyes.
"So, you think my hair…is funny?" Haru's voice was quite and Tohru immediately panicked.
"NO! Umm…what I mean is, it was just a funny thought! Well I thought it was funny at the time, I'm so sorry if it hurt your feelings! I really didn't mean too! After all, I like your hair. It was just a funny thought-"
Tohru was interrupted by loud barks of laughter coming from Haru, whom was now bending over his knees clutching his stomach. He continued to laugh as if he had never heard something so funny and Tohru offered a small laugh here and there not fully understanding exactly why he was laughing.
After Haru had regained his ability to breath and function normally (haha), he continued to walk, not offering Tohru an explanation. Tohru, realizing that she had been left, ran to catch up with the black and white haired teen.
"Haru, what was so funny?" asked a confused Tohru. Haru laughed again at her question but offered an explanation.
"You." Was his simple reply. Tohru didn't quite know what to say so she said something she said often.
"Oh…I'm sorry." Haru laughed again at her apology.
"Tohru, I have never laughed so hard in my life. You gotta stop that before you kill me." He stated enjoying her slight blush stained cheeks.
Now they walked in silence, and Tohru flexed the fingers hanging by her side. She missed the warmth of another hand holding hers, but didn't quite know how to get it back. Haru noticed her distant look once again, but also noticed her wiggling fingers. Grabbing her hand once again, he looked away, avoiding her eyes. His heart beat a little faster knowing that she was watching him, and he couldn't decide if he wanted to smile or hide under a rock.
"Haru, are you ok?" Tohru asked randomly. After he looked at her confused, she explained her question.
"Well, at the hospital you seemed…kinda angry. But not really angry…just distant." She rushed on, and Haru became mellow once again.
Haru sighed and thought out a way to explain that he really didn't want Kyo to come back. Though he was having a great time with Tohru, if Kyo and Yuki returned home, there would be no need for him to still be there, and Haru wasn't quite sure that Kyo and Tohru didn't have anything going on.
Sure Tohru had been somewhat flirting with him and he had tried things he wouldn't even approach with the angry cat around, but with Tohru…you had to be very direct in what you wanted. Infact, she probably thought that Haru was just trying to be friends…and that's what he started to want, but things hadn't gone as planned.
But with Kyo around, Haru had no chance. Haru lost fights to the cat, why should this be different? Besides…they had already gotten so far, and Kyo was sure to be pissed as hell when he saw Haru hanging out with Tohru. Jealousy ran deep in the Sohmas' veins.
Haru realized that Tohru was waiting for an answer and his pause probably was making her even more worried.
"Nothing's really bothering me…Just thinking." He said mysteriously, deciding to leave her guessing…he liked it better that way. Tohru slightly squeezed his hand to comfort him and a small smile crossed his lips.
"Hey Tohru, do you want-" Haru began, deciding to make the best of their time left but he was interrupted by a loud call.
"Hey Tohru! What are you doing here?" Kyo called and Haru realized that they were near the main house, having long left the park.
"Oh Kyo! You're home! How was your trip?" Tohru said, not releasing Haru's hand but Haru began to fidget, not wanting to get mauled tonight. But Tohru scooted closer to Haru, hiding their linked hands behind their backs and Haru's heart jumped in his throat.
'OOH wow.'
"Didn't that damn dog tell you that me and the rat boy were coming back?"
"Oh,…oh yes! I remember now!" She stated in triumph, and Kyo knocked her playfully on the head muttering "Idiot." Kyo acknowledged Haru with a grunt and nod of his head in his general direction, but didn't say anything other wise. After a few moments of silence as they continued to walk home, now with the cat as added company, Kyo spoke to his cousin.
"So you been staying at Shigure's?" He asked, no tone presently in his voice.
"Yeah, but I'm just gonna grab Kisa's and my stuff and then I'll go back to the main estate."
"Why?" Tohru asked a little loudly, not trying to cover her surprise and slight disappointment. Haru shrugged, his fingers slipping from her's to stuff them in his jacket's pockets.
"Well, you don't need me and Kisa there now that Kyo and Yuki are home." Haru said, avoiding both pairs of eyes on him. But he was sure that Kyo was staring at them both, not understanding their sudden friendship.
'Why the hell should I have thought we could have been more?' His depressing thoughts were only deepened by their return to Shigure's house and Tohru and Kyo now talking in their usual manner.
He felt displaced and gathered his things quickly, muttering a quick goodbye to Yuki, whom had already been home, Kyo, and Tohru.
XxX Saki's notes XxX
Awww…I find that quite sad. It's funny how I can start a chapter, knowing exactly what I want to do with it but it decides to take a turn of its own…First draft had something COMPLETELY different happening, and I wasn't planning of kicking Haru out yet, but maybe something will come of it.
Sorry for not updating…we've been moving and we didn't get internet until today. So while not having internet, I have done quite a bit of writing. I finished one story (Forgotten), wrote this chapter, wrote a chapter for Wish Gone Wrong, and started on a whole new story! And since you caring reviewers are reading this…I shall give you the info for the new story now. But I am not going to post my new story until I have finished, so I can avoid stress caused by the urge but lack of words of an update call. Whew, that sounds like some kind of medical disease…I think I'll call it updateitus.
PAIRING: Tohru/Hatori…cute, neh? I've always liked this couple along with Haru/Tohru, and Shigure/Tohru. It's the people she shouldn't be with that turn me on. LMAO!
Rating: M…yes and M for Mature. Haha, it will be QUITE fun. Oooh I can't wait!
Title: An Apple a Day. Look out for it! It might be up and running soon or in a couple months.
Ooh and by the way, some of you didn't understand the little notes between things. I didn't get BAD reviews but I do want to explain that in my stories, when I have a scene change, that is what I do. It just helps you know that the point of view or scene has changed and if they confuse you or you just don't like them, ignore them.
---Saki---
