Hope in Reason
Italics: thoughts and emphasis
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket.
(A/N) Oh, how so very wonderful! I'm glad my first chapter was loved. Uber glompage to those of you who reviewed. And to the others…shame on you! You should review for me, ne! The more reviews I get, the faster the chapters come out. ;o
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;-This chapter written in honor of Anna…who cursed at me. Hahahaha, I love you, Anna. What inspiration you are.-;
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Thanks for the reviews!
Cows-roc-my-world- Yeah…I liked Faith in Reason better too. But that's because it was a lemon! Lemons pwn.
Spirit-Wolf25- Hee hee…yeah. I actually do feel bad when I don't update something for a while. It's like a nagging feeling. But fanfiction comes before homework…so at least I get something done, eh?
pablo the monkey- Egads! Beautiful, you say? Why thank you so much!
inumiko7- Yes, this will eventually have a lemon. But I didn't want to throw one in there right after the one-shot. It's all about pace, baby. But I do promise a lemon in the future. ;D
thechickenlittle- Oh wow! I feel so very honored that you would read my fanfic! Your Chrno Crusade story has to be one of my favorites (faints from the loveliness of it all). I hope you keep on reading. ;)
Reannae1102- Yays! Here's another chapter. Sorry it's late.
seraphicwolf- Yes! I really don't like sequels that much, but since it was a one-shot I figured it would be A-okay. Glad you like it.
counting down the days- Hmm, yeah. Haru is so very smexy. I like your pen name by the way…
SomethingCorporate- Hahaha, that would be great. I'm glad you are willing to give me ideas. Muwahaha, what shall I do…(thinks).
Dragon Master Lytore- Eh? Well…I love you too! So there! lol. I'm really glad you liked it. There aren't enough Haru/Tohru fics to go around, so I hope I can make this one really great. Keep reading!
Konoha-Traitor-Sasuke- Thank you! I love it when other's give feedback. I appreciate the review.
mI.ShOE- Yeah, they are rare. Especially lemons….which makes me sad. And I love doing bittersweet. It's just so…enticing. Ne?
Anna- Heh heh heh. Thanks for the encouragement. This chapter is for you, babe! ;)
Lathayan- Ah! I'm happy you like it. I hope to keep you coming back for more.
Internal Ecstasy- Yup. A pairing easily overlooked. And even though I love Kyo/Tohru…Haru/Tohru is just so great.
WingsoftheDarkWolf- Eek…sorry. I guess I wasn't clear on that. I meant that there would be a future lemon in this story. Sorry, it won' be for a little while yet. But hang in there!
mickey-sin- Hey, first reviewer! You get a cookie. (hands you a cookie). Now eat that, read this, and shut up…bish. Oh, and I love you too! (kisses).
;-Chapter Two-;
Deep in my heart…
I knew what this feeling really was.
Since the moment we first touched,
Your fingers grazing my skin so delicately…
I could sense it.
I could believe in it.
I knew.
And as a constant reminder…
These dreams of you plague my every nightmare.
Until at last I awake…
With you not by my side.
;-
The pitter patter of small feet could be heard early that morning, as one sleepless girl made her way yet again to the kitchen. Tohru was having a hard time sleeping. She told herself it was only the pressure of school and work, but even she could hardly believe that completely. Perhaps it was that she didn't want to sleep. Maybe she feared it.
When you sleep…you often dream.
She sat with her ankles crossed, toes pointed towards the cold floor. Outside the moon was full, casting a glow on her. But even in this haven-like place, she found her heart taught.
"Hatsuharu-san" She smiled, holding a cup of tea between her icy fingers. "I wonder if you were able to find that solace you so desperately wanted."
;-
"School dance!" Momiji squealed. "I want to ask Tohru!"
Kyo planted a firm smack to his blonde head. "She's not going to go with a little kid like you, idiot."
"Waaa! That's not fair. Kyo is so mean!"
Yuki attempted to drown out their voices as he hung the newly finished banner. He could hardly believe it was that time of year, either. Dances already? What was the school board thinking? The slick material suddenly slipped from his grasp. And before he even realized it, a hand had reached out to help.
"Thanks, Haru." He sighed, placing the banner back in place.
"It looked like you could use some help, so I came over."
Yuki shook his head. "It was really sudden. I was surprised they would spring something like this on us."
He shrugged. "So you going to ask someone?"
"Ah…well…"
Thankfully, Tohru's sudden presence caused that conversation to come to an abrupt end. Yuki couldn't deny that he had been thinking of asking someone, but he was still very unsure. After all…what if she said no? That surely would never be a good thing. And what were dances to the zodiac, anyways? He was inclined to believe that Akito might have something to do with it all, and that it was created for the sole purpose of torture.
Yes, it was pure evil.
A sudden burst of wailing from Momiji's general direction caused him to break away from his childish thoughts of conspiracy.
Kyo spat. "I didn't hit you that hard."
"Eh…Kyo-kun…"
Haru said nothing as Yuki finally decided on joining in as well, trying his best to placate things. And so the scene continued as such, with his eyes on Tohru and her vision focused only on…
He ignored the bitter voice taking control of his mind. But it was too late. The girl had long since been seared into his memories. Her laugh, her smile, the sadness in her eyes...he knew everything. But he didn't want to know. Before that rainy day had caught him alone, at the home of that little onigiri, Haru had been content. He had been content…
And yet, when had it ever been enough to simply be content?
Yes…he knew everything. But he really didn't want to know.
And that was that.
"Tch…" Haru's jewelry clanged lightly together as he turned to leave.
The swift absence did not go unnoticed.
;-
School came and school went. The day was falling to dusk, and no one had either seen or heard of the aloof cow. Kyo and Yuki were quick to quell Tohru's more absurd thoughts of kidnappings and the like, but she was still very worried. He wasn't at school for the rest of day. Where could he have gone? What if- Or Maybe- Or he just might have-
Besides all that, Tohru still could not erase the image of Haru walking so solemnly away from the group only hours earlier. Maybe I said something wrong! Or…or maybe he is sick and couldn't bear to stand up any longer! Oh…
She sat now, with hands pressed firmly into her thighs, awaiting the finish of Yuki's meeting. It was to be a brief gathering, of this he had assured her. So she had promised to wait. But as the seconds ticked away, so did her will power. She just had to go look for Haru. And besides that fact, how could anyone expect her not to go after someone when they ran off? It was what she did. Didn't they know that?
Her eyes strayed to the clock.
Nope. She wasn't tempted in the least bit. Not at all.
;-
"Sorry about that, Honda-san." Yuki wiped his brow as he exited the conference room. "It took me a little longer than expe-"
He paused, attempting to process the equation before him. One empty seat plus a missing bag equaled…
No Tohru.
Man was he smart.
Frowning, he peered around the corner. "Honda-san…?"
Where had she gone?
;-
The sky was orange now, and the birds sang. It was that time of day, right before things grew quiet for the night. Before the swell of dinner and homework hit home. And before prayers were sent upward in high hopes of a bright tomorrow.
Tohru felt the cold bite of wind nipping at her nose. But it didn't bother her. Then a leaf hit her head gently and a sneeze erupted.
She had found him.
He was sleeping all too soundly under the protection of a friendly tree. Petals of fallen flowers danced gaily about his fingertips, laced as they were in the grass beneath him. Tohru wondered idly if he was one to prefer the solitude of a lazing willow to the soft words of a dear friend. Then as suddenly, it really didn't seem to matter.
"Hatsuharu-san?" She had knelt beside him. The hands that had at one point held his body so carefully now itched for similar contact. She wanted to brush away his bangs. She wanted to let him know that she was there without really letting him know.
"Hatsuharu-san?"
He stirred then, opening his eyes to the world once more. The boy looked slightly disoriented, and Tohru wondered if his dream had been a pleasant one.
"Tohru?" Haru's gaze caught her own. He didn't move.
She hadn't even realized what was wrong, or even why it was that he persisted in staring at her so intently. But her heart did slow to a patter at long last. She had been worried…oh so worried. And it did seem silly. When was it that she had begun to worry so much? When was it? She couldn't remember. And then when his eyes would not turn away, Tohru had to urge herself to concentrate on the world around her.
She felt it then.
She felt a sensation slip down her face, and onto hands that she hadn't even realized were cold. That's when Tohru knew. And yet, she didn't truly know why.
Tears came, and there really was no reason to justify them with.
Oh but she had been so worried.
To this, the stoic ox remained silent. He was content to lay in the grass and simply be there. The girl was going through a lot. And in the midst of it all, a mask of perpetual strength and happiness is what she always kept. Just like his own rouse. But they had seen the worst in each other once upon a time. And at this, she felt her tears fall faster. He was content and so was she. Content to just be.
That evening, the two of them sat together under the growing twilight. Tohru Honda ceased to exist for one brief instant…
And Haru's heart cried with her.
;-CONTINUED-;
(A/N) Upah! So you guys have been so kind to me, and this chapter didn't come out nearly as fast as I wanted it too. But my muse has been buried under piles of books and…kyah! Anyhow, I will try my best to get the next installment down in a timely manner. Oh, and don't forget to send me lots of ideas! I could use the help!
Upah! ;D
foxmagic