Neither Fruits Basket nor the Fruits Basket characters belong to me. They are the sole property of Natsuki Takaya. I thank her for allowing me to borrow them and use them in my fanfics.
Well, I didn't get a chapter posted last night, for those of you who expected it, I do apologize. I hope you will read and enjoy this chapter. Thanks so much for taking the time to look.
Chapter 5 "I've Been Searching for my Lost Memories"
The next day arrived with the promise of fine weather. Tohru arose early so she could clean her apartment and get her shopping done before meeting up with Morikawa-san's guest. At 9:00 the small one bedroom studio was spotless and the groceries were all put away. She didn't have to leave for half an hour s decided to acquire Reikishi-san's permission to invite Hatori Sohma to her apartment for the evening meal, and of course she would invite Reikishi-san as well.
Tohru had always been a nurturer. She was in her element when she could prepare a dinner and lavish attention upon other people. Keiko Reikishi was never one to turn down a free meal and she readily agreed to Tohru's request. Having settled things satisfactorily, Tohru headed for the hotel.
Hatori sat at ease in the hotel lobby as he waited for Tohru. A book rested in his lap but he wasn't reading it. Instead he reflected upon the past and the benefits it had brought to his family. Tohru had been cute as a high school student and she had matured into a lovely young woman both inside and out. Kyo, Yuki, and Momiji had all been in love with Tohru during the high school years. It seemed odd to realize that Yuki and Momiji both had wives and families now. Kyo had spent a majority of his years after high school imprisoned in the little hut reserved for the "dangerous" cat of the zodiac. After Akito's death, he, Ayame, and Shigure had petitioned for Kyo to be set free. The council had granted their request and Kyo was picking up the pieces of his life where they had lay since he entered confinement. It was in Kyo's life that Tohru's lasting legacy was most evident. Even after all of their memories were erased, the cat had not experienced the loneliness and isolation to the extent of his predecessors. Akito's most strident objections had not kept the younger Sohmas from visiting Kyo on a regular basis during his confinement. To Akito's credit, he hadn't tried really hard to stop the visitations.
There had been times when Kyo's optimism and patience flagged, but his spirit was never broken. There was something sustaining him through all of his trials. Hatori was convinced it was the influence of Tohru during the time she had stayed with the Sohmas. He was thankful that while Tohru's memory had been erased, the good she had done for his younger cousins had continued to live on.
The whoosh of the automatic doors attracted his attention and he saw Tohru crossing the lobby toward him. He stood and tucked his book into the pocket of his coat as he waited.
Tohru saw the tall Sohma gentleman stand as she entered the hotel lobby. She increased her pace. Was she late? Had she kept him waiting? When would she learn to be more responsible?
"Sohma-san, I am so very sorry. Did I keep you waiting? Have you waited a long time? Please excuse my irresponsibility."
"Miss Honda, it's okay. You are not late at all. I was just enjoying the seating in the lobby and doing a little people watching. I also took the opportunity to read some passages from my cousin's latest novel."
"Your cousin is an author? How wonderful! And Sohma-san, your are a doctor! That's amazing! What is your cousin's name…oh is that rude of me to ask?"
"Not rude at all. His name is Shigure Sohma. And Miss Honda…please call me Hatori. After all, I think we will be friends and it saves confusion. There are many Sohmas where I live."
"Okay…Hatori-san it is. I must return the honor. Please call me Tohru."
"As you wish Tohru-san."
"Shigure Sohma…the Shigure Sohma is your cousin? How wonderful! I have read many of his books. He looks so kind in his author's photo and he is very talented."
"Yes he is, but if you ever meet him don't tell him. He already has a huge ego. So tell me Tohru-san, what are we planning today?"
"I thought we would take the bus to Inowashiro Lake and have lunch there. I packed bentos for us this morning. And then we can go to Shirakawa. There are some wonderful historic buildings there. We will come back to Koriyama after that and you are invited for lunch at my place along with my landlady, Reishiki-san. But…Oh I didn't think this through, I should have asked. What if you don't like lakes and historic sites? What if you wanted to eat out instead of having dinner at my place. I'm so sorry Hatori-san! I made plans without consulting you first. Please tell me if you would like to do something different."
"Tohru-san…Tohru-san…" It was Shigure's old ploy except he would have said Tohru-kun. Nevertheless, it worked. Tohru looked at him and immediately stopped panicking that she might have displeased him.
"Your plans are perfect. Thank you very much for taking the time to plan our day. I shall be delighted to join you and your landlady for dinner this evening."
"Oh, good…then shall we go Hatori-san?"
It was still late winter and the bare deciduous trees provided a stark contrast to the blue waters and even bluer sky. As they walked along the shore a hint of green cropped up as an occasional evergreen appeared.
"Hatori-san, look! Spring is on the way." As proof Tohru offered Hatori the branch of a tree with slight bulges hinting of leaves ready to burst open as soon as the days warmed. Eventually they arrived at a picnic area populated by many stone table and benches and very few people.
"Let's eat lunch here." Tohru indicated a table overlooking the lake and Hatori nodded in approval. "Thank you very much for carrying the bento Hatori-san."
"It was no trouble. I'm glad I could help."
The two sat and watched the birds as the darted about the skies. Sometimes they would dive for the water and catch up their meal in their beaks and other times they performed air acrobatics that would delight the gloomiest audience. Neither Tohru nor Hatori felt all that gloom so the birds were wonderful to watch. The lake was deserted except for a few hardy souls who wanted to enjoy the tranquil air of the shore while it lasted. In a few weeks as the weather warmed it would be an area teeming with life and noise once more. For now though, all was serene.
After a few minutes of quiet Tohru spoke. "This is nice. I love to come here on my days off. Sometimes I bring a book and sometimes I bring my journal. It's very peaceful this time of year but very exciting once spring begins. I like to come and watch the families play in the sand and in the water when it gets warm enough. Spring is the beginning of so much that is wonderful, it's my favorite season."
Hatori nodded his head in agreement but didn't have much to say.
"Is the bento okay Hatori-san? It's not too bland is it?"
Hatori smiled at Tohru. "It's excellent Tohru-san." He wondered how often she had used those very same words when she had lived in Shigure's house and he had joined them for a meal. At this moment he was glad he still had those memories.
As they returned to the bus stop he caught himself smiling more than he had in years. Tohru was still Tohru…her enthusiasm for life had never waned and the joy she found in every moment of every day still existed.
As the bus took them to Shirakawa he found himself talking about the extended Sohma family to a sympathetic listener. He talked a little about Akito and Tohru's sympathies were immediately engaged.
"How sad for you. I can tell you loved Akito very much…and to die as such a young age…I wonder why things like that happen. You know, my mom died in a car accident when she was about Akito's age. I was very sad, but I had learned a lot from her. She always insisted we look for the good things in life and to always move forward no matter what. She told me every memory is precious. She was right…I suppose that's why I keep moving…"
"Oh?'
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that last part aloud. I was just thinking."
"Perhaps you would like to talk about that last part?" Hatori suggested.
"No thank you. I wouldn't want to burden you with my problems. Oh look! Here we are Hatori-san!"
Hatori allowed himself to be distracted but resolved he would return to the subject later. They strolled through the streets of Shirakawa admiring the ancient architecture and visiting the museums and temple grounds. They bought nikuman from a market stall and later had tea at one of the quaint old-fashioned teahouses. Gradually Tohru began to talk about her life.
"It is quite strange really. Mom died when I was in my first year of high school. I was 15 at the time. Up until then I can remember everything so clearly, but I cannot remember much of my high school years beyond Mom's death. My memory of that time is fuzzy. I know I graduated but beyond that…" Tohru shrugged her shoulders. "I wish I could remember more. I am certain there are a lot of good memories I've forgotten of that time."
Hatori felt guilt plunge into his heart like the blade of a knife. He had robbed her of those memories. The Sohmas had been too intertwined with that part of her life and his curse did not allow him to pick and choose which memories to take and which ones to leave. He wondered how she would feel to know he was a part of her forgotten past.
"I know I graduated because my teachers told me so. They never said from where, though. I don't know if they didn't know or weren't allowed to tell me for some reason. I just woke up one morning in Asahikawa with a bankbook and a full scholarship to that school. It seems quite a mystery to me that I should wake up in a dorm room with no idea of where I came from or what I had done with the last three years of my life." Hatori remembered the trip. He had kept her sedated the whole way so she wouldn't waken and see him. It was determined that he accompany her on that trip because he could block the last vestiges of her memory once they arrived.
"I don't know how I got there, but whoever left me there was very kind. I had everything I needed and I enjoyed school very much. I learned a lot about cooking that I either didn't know, or had forgotten. I also learned a lot of new recipes and techniques that I'm certain I wouldn't have know otherwise. It was really fun!"
"I am glad you liked it? How did you end up in Koriyama?"
"oh that…I suppose you could say I've been searching for my lost memories." Tohru glanced at her watch. "Hatori-san we better hurry or we'll miss the bus back to Koriyama!"
"Okay. Perhaps we can continue our conversation later…"
"Perhaps."
They raced for the bus stop making it a game between them. They had about 30 seconds to spare when they arrived. Tohru's face was alight with laughter and Hatori was surprised to find he was laughing as well. How long since he'd had this much fun.