A/N: Thank you for the kind words. I really loved how the last chapter turned out. I believe that it has changed my focus for next story in part – we will see. But for now, we're flipping back a few days to revisit Chris and Gure. They are about to go on to their final venues, including a meeting with Hinode's President's daughter. We're reaching Okinawa! Aya and Mine make an appearance too. And they're so cute together.
As always, I don't own Fruits Basket or the characters therein.
Homecoming (Lemon scented)
I was fully expected to hear the bugle's reveille at 0 dark 30 on the morning of my meeting with Hinode's president's daughter, but instead of the usual appearance of Christian, Chris snuggled me deeper under the covers when I attempted to rise. I wasn't going to complain. When his hands began to wander, I let all thoughts of the coming day leave my mind. We soon were thoroughly entwined together. It was definitely a great way to start the day. Collapsing together, I said,
"What if we didn't go out and stayed in bed all day?"
"Sounds like a plan. I'm afraid that can't happen today, but we could go for breakfast."
I looked at him confused, saying,
"Don't we have to be somewhere?"
"Oh, the actual reading doesn't start until ten. We have plenty of time."
"We do? I thought we had to rush out this morning."
"She requested time, she just didn't specify how much. When we have requests like that, we slot them in where things fit. And well, what can we do if there isn't enough time? Our lawyers would agree."
He had a vulpine streak as it turned out and was embodying the phrase,
"Crazy like a fox."
We went to a lovely cafe, enjoyed breakfast, and then he called his personal driver. We made our way leisurely to the venue. He received several calls as we drove. The venue team was nervous, the President's daughter livid, and the President nuclear. Chris answered that we had car issues. And I had a feeling that his driver would corroborate the story should he be asked. When we arrived, we were rushed into the presence of an angry young woman and her father.
Christian said,
"I'm very sorry for unforeseen circumstances. Shigure has some time before his talk. But I'm afraid we're on a tight schedule."
She looked huffily at him, grabbed my hand, and pulled me into the greenroom of the auditorium. Sitting demurely on the couch, I looked at her questioningly. She sat next right to me. She was so close, and her perfume heady. She got closer still, saying,
"If you don't have any ideas for who the Dog Headed Knight falls in love with, I have a few."
She was quite beautiful, and at one point I would have been quite attracted to her and may have taken the chance, but the scenes from that morning and my growing feelings for Chris superseded my id's responses.
So, I blurted out,
"He meets a friendly fox who is an itinerant artist. The couple hires him to do a portrait for their wedding and the Dog Headed Knight falls madly in love with him."
"Him…"
Realizing my mistake I said,
"You know, fiction and fact aren't always the same."
"But I have a feeling that in this case it mirrors the truth. And I can bet I can guess who Mr. Fox is. I don't blame you. I've had a crush on him ever since my father hired him to take pictures of my birthday. And I know you know how I feel because your poetry is all so very sad. Do your readers a favor and write something upbeat for once?"
"I think I can do that."
"Also, would you sign my book? I don't think I want to stand in line to get it signed."
"I can do that too."
We heard a soft knock on the door and Chris poked his head in.
"Five minutes Shigure."
"Thank you Christian."
I flashed him an ok sign, he looked a lot less nervous, and left.
"For what it's worth, you look good together."
"Thank you. Can you please keep this quiet?"
She made the "My lips are sealed" sign and we went out. Chris guided me to the auditorium, bulbs flashed as I stood at the front of the room and read. The event unfolded like every other event. We were feeling quite confident that we could pull off our clandestine love affair. My days were spent with Christian, talking to the press, dodging questions, taking photographs, and otherwise becoming Hinode's darling; My nights were spent with Chris between the sheets, falling deeper in love. We explored every inch of our bodies, found the ticklish spots, and christened every surface of our hotel rooms that we stayed in. We also found how deep our feelings had gotten when one night, Chris whispered in my ear,
"I love you, Gure."
"I love you, Chris."
Our confidence remained throughout the last of the venues before Okinawa, until the morning before we were scheduled to return home to visit Aya and see how he was progressing. His recent missives were happier than usual, full of effusive statements about the beauty of the kimonos that Hatori and Mayuko would wear during the show. He also spoke of how much Mine had helped the process and had served as his muse. I was very happy for him, as I was sure that his words held more than just the excitement a designer has for the successful capture of a concept on cloth. I cheered for Mine who clearly took my words to heart. I had also felt the tell-tale feeling of someone being woven into the fabric of our family. However, I would give him time to tell me on his own schedule as I understand the wish to keep things private for a while.
Our confidence, however, was short lived, as we received a surprise in the form of a tabloid
slammed down onto our breakfast table by Mit-chan.
"How do you explain this?" she said, her stress making her voice thin.
The tabloid was filled with the images drawn from my sketchbook. The images of our growing love had been reprinted in newsprint. All the pieces were there, save one: Who was Mr. Fox? There on the front page was the picture of Chris dozing in the car, identified as Mr. Fox by his ears. The picture was printed underneath a big headline that read "Fox Hunt," and the article offered money to confirm that Chris was indeed Mr. Fox.
I went white. I had left my sketchbook at the hotel. The hounds would be on our tail soon.
Chris looked at me for a minute, sighed and then said,
"I'm almost tempted to send proof in myself."
I looked at him in disbelief, and he added,
"Gure, listen to me. There's only Okinawa left before the tour is done and our professional relationship ends. Then, we're free and clear to date."
"Mostly," I said.
"Mostly," he said.
Then he put his hand on my cheek and said,
"I love you, Gure. And even if they figure out who Mr. Fox is, I will still love you."
Looking into his sincere eyes, I said,
"I love you too."
After a reassuring kiss I said,
"So, let me get this straight, you're ok with this being in the papers? Because this might hit the mainstream press."
He looked at me and said,
"Quite honestly I'd prefer to be in the news for falling in love than losing a love."
I held him close, saying,
"That's certainly true." I then added,
"I wish I hadn't lost those pictures though. They were cute. Especially the one of us sitting watching the sun rise."
"You'll have more opportunities to sketch me."
He whispered,
"Clothing optional."
Mit-chan, who had been pretending not to hear us coughed and said,
"So, you're going to go public?"
Chris said, "I was mostly joking on that point. Mostly. It would serve them right though. But I think we'll just ignore it. They only have proof that Gure has a crush on me. There's no physical evidence that he's my boyfriend beyond that blurry photo. It would never stand up in court. Plus, if they tried to blackmail us, we could just go public."
Chris' use of the word "boyfriend" made me so very happy. If I had my sketchbook at that moment, I would have drawn myself with hearts cascading around me. But therein was the problem. I decided in that moment that if he were willing, then I would be brave and face my family. What were my parents going to do, ignore me even more?
We finally finished my program at the final venue before Okinawa and returned home. It was wonderful to think I would soon be able to stay in one place for more than a few nights. Upon hearing we were back in town Aya immediately contacted us and told us we must see what he had created. Walking into his shop was like walking into one of my paintings. He and Mine had outdone themselves. The floor of his showroom was set like the royal court scene from the end of my book. At center stage stood the beautiful wedding couple's ensembles, complete with papier mache animal heads. Aya had also fashioned outfits for the Dog and Snake as well, which was to be expected. But what really surprised and touched me was that he had included the rest of the zodiac in the court. Each wore kimonos designed during their reigning years. It was like looking through a window onto a wedding we all knew would happen soon. I felt blissful melancholy rise within me as I took in this vision of the near future.
My melancholy was short lived, however. For when Mine came in with our tea, Aya broke into a smile that challenged the radiance of all the gilded robes. She returned her own blinding smile. They were hesitant to give any physical indication of their newly formed relationship, but it was impossible to ignore the way they shone together. I had my suspicion that they would be wearing their own wedding ensembles soon enough. And I was all for it, even though I knew I would likely remain in the supporting role of wedding scenes. Chris saw the complicated emotions flash across my face and squeezed my hand. I was sure he was feeling similarly.
I came to when Aya asked,
"So," said Aya, do you think this will do?"
"I'm simply astounded Aya. You took my watercolors and made them into reality. The show will truly bring my book to life."
He turned to Mine and beamed. I could barely see through the bright halo that surrounded them. My remaining sadness melted. Aya had found his bliss. He interrupted my reverie by saying,
"Oh, I have one more thing to show you. Here is something for our Magical Mr. Fox. Welcome to our little family."
He handed Chris one of his extravagant boxes which held the beautiful kimono he had promised. Putting it on, Chris became instantly transformed into the itinerant artist I had begun envisioning. I was immediately inspired to begin my next book. Chris was extremely touched, and he hugged Aya, saying,
"You don't know how much this means."
Aya and I quietly said,
"Yes, we do."
"Incidentally," Aya continued,
"If the fox hunt is successful, know that Hatori and I will always give you shelter."
We were both moved to tears knowing that what he said was true. We would always be at home wherever my brothers were.
Aya interlude
Inviting Chris into our home both physically and symbolically was a special moment indeed. The knowledge that we were all feeling much more at home with each other made us burst out into a raucous rendition of "Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home!" Fortunately, Tori-san wasn't there at that moment to complain that we were terribly off key. But I couldn't wait until we all arrived in Okinawa so our family would be complete. Over dinner, I introduced Mine as my girlfriend, and Shigure smiled at me, knowing how far I had come. I knew for a fact that the homecoming would be powerful for the six of us as we had never felt quite at home.
A/N: There's only a chapter and an epilogue to go. We will rejoin Mayu and Ha-san next chapter, and the circle will be complete. The Mabudachi trio cubed will be reunited and their bonds will be stronger for the additions. As always r and r and I remain- Acta!
