Hey everyone! The ninth chapter is here! I'm glad everyone wasn't too mad about chapter eight. And I realized that when I posted it, it was really short! This one's a little longer. Also, at the end of this chapter I'll have translations of what the French boy said in chapter seven. I forgot to add them at the end of the last chapter, sorry about that! Thank you so much for reading, and thanks for all of the reviews! I was so happy about all of the ones I got for the last chapter! I'm sorry to say that this chapter doesn't have any fluff in it, but after every dramatic chapter always comes a boring one, right? Please enjoy!
Title: Unexpected
Author: Swaying Cherry Blossoms
Chapter: Thoughts
Summary: Tohru Honda's mother and Kyo Sohma's father have been friends for thirty years and their children have never met. But on one fateful day, the two teens meet and their lives are changed forever.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket or any of the song lyrics I add at the beginning of each chapter.
If chasing our dreams
-
Is just a distraction
-
I want to remember when
-
I know that I can't go back
- New American Classic by Taking Back Sunday
Tohru woke up to find herself in a room she hadn't seen before. It was lined with shelves of books and there was a sliding door that led to a balcony. Tohru sat up, suddenly noticing that she was in a bed, and looked around the room. Her messenger bag and the Valentine's Day presents she had received from Arisa and Saki were on a chair by the bed, and Tohru then realized where she was and why.
Her mother had died.
She was still in her school uniform and slowly climbed out of the bed. She walked out of the bedroom, unaware of her messy hair, and walked downstairs and into the kitchen of Kazuma Sohma's house. Her eyes were red from crying, and she could still feel tears in her eyes as she began to prepare breakfast for Kazuma and Kyo. The least she could do was thank them for letting her spend the night and helping her out in this difficult time. But it was still so hard to believe! How could something like that happen to Kyoko? Of all people, she didn't deserve it. No one deserved that. A lump formed in Tohru's throat and she fiercely fought back the tears that were starting to form in her eyes.
"You're … too beautiful to cry."
Did Kyo really mean that?
Tohru had finished preparing breakfast, but just had to set it on the stove for a little bit. Sighing, she washed her hands and then made her way out of the kitchen. She opened the front door and sat down on the front step, resting her elbows on her knees and laying her chin in her cupped hands. She had woken up very early—five o'clock to be precise—and hadn't even realized that until she had set breakfast on the stove to warm up. The cool morning air pushed back her hair, causing Tohru to shiver under her thin school uniform.
Meanwhile, Kyo and Kazuma were now up and in the kitchen. Kazuma hadn't gotten any sleep all night, but merely tossed and turned in his bed. He did feel rather relieved that he told someone about his feelings towards Kyoko, though ... Kyo was the first person he had ever spoken about it to. Of course, Kazuma was aware of the way Kyo possibly felt about Tohru. But he knew that Kyo wasn't too good with those sorts of things, so he never questioned him about it. He had also thought about where Tohru's living arrangements would be, and knew that he would have to take her in. Despite the situation regarding Kyo, Kazuma knew that the two teenagers were responsible and that everything would be strictly platonic between them while living under the same roof.
"She made breakfast," Kyo said dully as he stared at the stove where a pot with bubbling water sat. Kyo shuffled over to the appliance and picked up a spoon on the counter and began to stir the contents in the pot. Kazuma broke away from his thoughts and nodded, even though Kyo couldn't see him. Kazuma folded his arms over his chest and sighed, feeling a sudden emptiness in him. "Where's she gonna go?" Kyo suddenly inquired. Kazuma saw this discussion with Kyo coming. "Well, Kyo, Tohru-san will be living here with us. It's the least we could do for her after all she's been through yesterday."
"Mmm," Kyo responded. Kazuma then continued, "Today we'll go with her to her home and help her bring all of the things she needs. Also, I don't think Kyoko-chan—" Kazuma felt a knife run through his heart when he said her name "—left a will, so everything belongs to Tohru-san now. I suppose she'll have to see some lawyers. And also …" The next thing Kazuma was going to say could have killed him. "… There's … the ceremony we'll be attending at Kyoko-chan's grave." Kazuma could feel the tears forming in his eyes. "What about her family?" Kyo said. "What if they get involved in all this?"
"Well Kyo, they were her family after all, so I'm sure we'll be hearing from them soon."
"But do they know where she is? What if they make her live with them? I remember she said once that they live somewhere about an hour from here." Kazuma then realized that the 'she' Kyo was referring to was Tohru. Kazuma took a moment to contemplate this and then came to the decision that Tohru should notify her family about what happened. "I think she should call them," he told his son. "It wouldn't be fair if they suddenly found out a few months later that she passed away and they hadn't been told. It's best if Tohru-san gives them a call today."
"And what about everything else? The house, the furniture … She can't leave all of that stuff there if she's gonna be living here."
"That's for Tohru-san to decide, Kyo. It all belongs to her now." Kyo laid down the spoon on the counter and walked briskly out of the kitchen and back upstairs. Kazuma then heard the front door open and a few seconds later Tohru walked into the kitchen, startled to see Kazuma standing there, looking at the floor. "Oh, Shishou-san" Tohru exclaimed. "I didn't see you there! You're up early today!" Kazuma lifted up his head and managed to smile but it soon faded when he saw that her eyes were red and puffy. "I-I started breakfast!" Tohru continued. She tried to sound cheerful and optimistic, only to hide the fact that while she was outside sitting on the front stoop, she was crying. Kazuma nodded in response. "Yes, Kyo was just in here before and he stirred it a little bit for you."
"Oh, that was nice of him!" Tohru said as she hurried over to the pot and turned off the boiler. "I'll have to thank him when I see him! Did he go back upstairs?"
"Yes, I think he's in the bath."
"Okay then! I think breakfast is finally done, so I'll have it on the table in a few minutes!" Kazuma smiled and watched as Tohru took out some bowls from the cabinet and set them on the counter. She took out an oven mitt from a drawer and slipping it onto her hand so she could pick up the pot and with a spoon, pour breakfast into the three bowls set on the counter. She's very strong, just like her mother, Kazuma thought to himself. Kyo's a very lucky person.
Kyo eventually came back downstairs from his bath and the three sat down for breakfast. The only time Tohru had ever eaten breakfast there was the morning of New Year's Day after she and Kyoko had spent the night. It was rather strange without Kyoko there and Tohru felt her heart stiffen, but Kazuma and Kyo were like her second family, so she knew she would eventually get used to it. Since she didn't have another school uniform to change into, all Tohru had to do was bathe and do her hair in order to get ready for school.
Fortunately, no one at school had heard about what happened to Kyoko. Arisa and Saki were waiting outside of the school building for Tohru, and they both swept her into comforting hugs. They questioned her about where her new living arrangements would be, and both offered her places to stay, but Tohru had overheard Kazuma and Kyo's conversation in the kitchen that morning. Of course, she wasn't eavesdropping! She was walking back to the kitchen and had heard them both talking when she was about to walk in, and she didn't want to interrupt anything, so she stood by the door and waited. Once Kyo walked out of the kitchen, Tohru quickly went back outside so he couldn't see her. She felt terrible about it, but she didn't want to intrude on their conversation.
"Oh, thank you so much," Tohru said after Arisa and Saki offered her places to stay. "That's very kind of you both, but I think I might be staying with Shishou-san and Kyo-kun."
"That Kazuma's a nice guy," Arisa said, pushing back her hair. "Yes, he's very kind," Saki agreed. "Such pleasant … waves."
School went by quickly, and there were only a few moments where Tohru had to ask the teacher if she could go to the bathroom so she wouldn't cry in front of the class. On her walk home from school, Arisa and Saki joined her, even though walking to Kazuma's house was out of the way for them. They both offered to spend the afternoon with Tohru, but Tohru explained to them that she, Kazuma, and Kyo were going to her house to clean up a few things, but they were more than welcome to join them. "Sounds like a plan," Arisa said. "It should be pretty fun to go through all of your old things, you know … Memories."
"Yes, that would be fun!" Tohru agreed. She then hugged her two friends as a goodbye, and said that she would call them to let them know when she would be going over to her house.
Tohru knocked on the door of Kazuma's home and Kyo answered. "You know, you don't have to knock on the door," he said. "You could just open it and come in. It's not like you're a stranger or anything."
"Oh, um, thank you Kyo-kun! But wouldn't I be intruding? I—"
"Geez, just come inside!" Kyo opened the door wider so Tohru could enter the house. She stepped in and smiled at him, and Kyo could have sworn he smiled back. It was almost like he could feel his mouth turn, but from Tohru's expression he didn't think that it was likely that happened. Kazuma was in the kitchen waiting for Tohru, and smiled gently at her when she came in, Kyo walking behind her. "Ah, Tohru-san," Kazuma said. "How was school?"
"Oh, it was very good, thank you! How did you and Kyo-kun enjoy your day? Would you like me to make lunch?"
"No, that's alright, but thank you. And we both had a fairly good day. But there's something I'd like to talk to you about. Here, sit down." Kazuma pointed on the floor by the table. Tohru nodded and obediently sat before the table, Kazuma sitting across from her. "Tohru-san," he started. "The ceremony … It's going to be held tomorrow afternoon. And would you like to go by your house soon to take all of the things you need? Kyo and I are welcoming you to live here. We're more than happy to have you." Tohru simply nodded. Kazuma saw tears trickle down her face, and a smile began to form. "Thank you very much," she whispered. "It's very nice to know that you and Kyo-kun are here for me. You're both like … my second family." Kazuma smiled at Tohru's words, but Kyo seemed emotionless.
The next day was hard for Tohru. The day before she went to her house with Kazuma and Kyo and cleaned up a little bit. Arisa and Saki were there too, and the girls managed to laugh over a few things they found. Arisa and Saki were also at the ceremony at Kyoko's newly made tombstone. It was made of grey marble and the name 'Honda' was written neatly down the stone. Candles were lit and prayers were said. Very few people attended, including Tohru's grandfather. Her other family hadn't come, but since her grandfather had a big liking for Kyoko, he made sure he went. Kazuma spoke with him about Tohru's living arrangements, and he was happy to hear that someone was kind enough to welcome Tohru into their home. After the ceremony everyone went out to eat, but it wasn't an enjoyable dinner. Everyone was quiet, except for Arisa, who occasionally tried to make up a conversation to brighten everyone up a bit.
Later on, when Tohru's grandfather was picked up and Kazuma, Kyo, Tohru, Arisa, and Saki went back to Kazuma's house, Tohru sat with her friends in her new bedroom. They helped her rearrange everything and unpack, and now they were all sitting on Tohru's new bed. They talked about random things, but kept a box of tissues with them because every now and then Tohru would get teary-eyed.
"So, about that kid," Arisa said. "He's pretty strange … Really aloof and everything, you know? He acts like he doesn't want anything to do with anyone."
"Kyo-kun?" Tohru questioned. Arisa nodded in response. "Oh, Kyo-kun is very wonderful," Tohru said admiringly. "He's very fun to be with! We had a lot of fun in Paris, and he keeps me company all of the time! He's a great friend!"
"You sound as if you really like this guy," Arisa said. "Anything Hanajima and I should be worried about?"
"His waves are rather shaky, Tohru-kun … So many mixed thoughts coming from him. He seems rather … complicated."
"Oh, um," Tohru stammered. "I-I … Well, that is …"
"Tohru," Arisa said, placing a hand on Tohru's shoulder. "You know you can tell us anything. If you like that guy, you can tell us. It's not like we're gonna hunt him down and kill him."
"Yes, you can tell us anything," Saki repeated. Tohru sighed and held her pillow tightly to her chest.
"You know, you really suck. At martial arts, I mean."
"I-If you get scared, just squeeze my hand."
"Just so you know, I am enjoying this trip … I just don't show it."
"You're … too beautiful to cry."
Kyo-kun … How do I really feel about you?
"I-I … I really like Kyo-kun," she admitted. "He makes me very happy. Sometimes he makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world, and he can be very sweet. I think I—"
Before Tohru could finish, Arisa swept her into a warm embrace. "I'm happy for you Tohru," she said. "Oh gosh, just don't let him take advantage of you! Guys can be real jerks sometimes! If he does do anything, you better tell Hana and I and we'll beat the shit outta him!" Tohru laughed and returned her friend's embrace. "Don't worry, Kyo-kun isn't like that … But I don't think he even feels the same way about me." Arisa let go of Tohru and stared at her. "What? Why wouldn't he?"
"Well, I-I just don't think he'd like me that way. Sometimes I feel as if he doesn't even like me as a—" Tohru thought back to last night and shook her head "—I don't really know."
"That jerk!" Arisa spat. "Why the hell wouldn't he like you? You're … You're perfect girlfriend material!" She got up and stomped over to the door. "I'm going to 'talk' some sense into him."
"U-Uo-chan!"
"That won't be necessary," Saki finally said. "Please, sit, Arisa." Arisa closed the door after a few seconds and then sat on the floor next to Saki, crossing her arms. "Tohru-kun," Saki continued. "This boy has strange waves, but they're good ones. They seem shaky and mixed up, but when he's around you they seem perfectly calm, but a little nervous. I would give it a try. It could be a possibility that he does feel the same way about you. Why wouldn't he? You're very kind, and you're very beautiful." She smiled softly at her friend, who was now tearing up. Arisa and Saki were such kind, wonderful friends. "I love you both so much," she said to them. "You both make me feel wonderful!" The three girls then hugged each other tightly. "No obstacle can come in the way of our friendship," Arisa whispered.
I've always admired Tohru, Arisa, and Saki's friendship! Anyway, here's what the French boy (Jacque) was saying in chapter seven (the translations are in the order her said them): "Oh la la, she is pretty!", "I call myself Jacque … and you?", "Would you like to go to the movies with me?", "Let's go!", and "Who are you?". And I start school high school this Wednesday … I'm so excited! I've had the best summer of my life though (I honestly don't know how I fit in writing fan fiction! I've been so busy!), so I don't really want it to end. I think I'll update on Tuesday, but if I don't, don't worry! School won't stop me from writing fan fiction, partially because I do all of my homework and studying and everything right after school and I save the computer for nighttime. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer vacations if you didn't start school already, and if you did, I hope you had a great summer! See you all soon!
xoxo Swaying Cherry Blossoms
