Standard Disclaimer applies.
a/n: 09.15.09 After-School Special!
Hatori's Remedy presents:
Chapter 58: An Ever-Fixed Mark
Hatori woke her up early one Sunday morning seven months later. It was six in the morning, and in March, it was still dark outside. He kissed her warmly as he did every morning, always wishing he could just hold her in the early vestiges of yesterday, but grateful for what he had, someone he loved who loved him back just as fervently. Every other weekend since they had come to Asahi, they had made day trips: to the town to browse the fresh vegetable selection or to the misty mountains for a picnic. It was respite from the week's tiresome manual labor.
He hurried them out of the barn, his callused hand rough against her arm, Tohru still looking like a baby bird – ruffled and docile – an effect of being woken too early. They took bicycles to the nearest bus stop. Tohru did not ask questions. She liked being surprised.
---
This was definitely a surprise. She was in a dizzying dream.
He knelt down before her, in the cold sand, and offered her a future together and his unguarded heart. He had brought out a small red box with a tiny gold latch. Looking deep into her blurry eyes, as turbulent with emotion as the heavy clouds, he spoke honest words that melted her heart. Tears rolled down her blooming-pink cheeks as she nodded and said hoarsely, "Yes" to his proposal. She said it exactly eight times. She pulled him to his feet and threw herself into his arms. He gripped her arms and pushed her away before he transformed with a 'Poof!', preventing her from falling to the ground face down.
This time, it was she who knelt down. With careful fingers, she picked through the grey slacks on the ground, searching for her scaly lover. Holding him in the gulley of her palms, she carried him to the ebbing waves.
She walked into the cold water, up to her knees, still cradling him in the water. The sun had just come out, giving the slightest bit of warmth. She took long draws of breath, the coldness seeping into her pores.
His words echoed in her mind, vividly. "I want to wake up every morning to your warmth next to be. I want you to be my sun. I don't want to be immersed in complete darkness ever again. I need you. I will love you with every fiber of my being. As with our children. They will take after you – so kind, nurturing, charming, clever, beautiful. The curse will be but a distant memory. Will you marry me Tohru Honda?"
The fact that he wanted children pleased her to no ends. He had been so afraid. Terrified even, that he would be like his father, neglectful and indifferent, wrecked with guilt and disapproval. Terrified that they would not live a normal life because of the curse. If they had it, so be it. His love, their love, for them would teach them how to suppress the ability. It would not harm them. Thank you. I promise we will be great parents.
She ran to the sand and dropped him just as she felt him about to change. He was wet and naked in the puff of smoke. "Ahhhhh!" She cried, covering her face and turning from him.
"It's okay." He chucked low. You've seen me before. But not like this. He looked down to see his cold, painfully-erect member.
"Sorry for ruining such a perfect moment." She muttered.
"All the more memorable." He was glad she thought it was perfect. He had been practicing for weeks. He was never one for improvisation, and though he already had, many times since she entered his life, he wanted this moment to be constant, exact; what to say, what to do, where…
After he dressed, he unclasped his hands to reveal the crimson box, open like a clamshell. He slipped the ring onto her finger, where it shimmered and mimicked the movements of the blue waters. Tohru tilted her finger back and forth, smiling. It was a solitary oval diamond set in a simple gold band. Tohru didn't know why, or care, but it seemed a bit… strange. Like it was missing a piece. All she knew was that it was beautiful. Her heart at stopped for a moment. It had been chosen by her beloved Hatori. Her partner for life. So she would treasure it for eternity.
He tucked her under his arm as they walked down the sand. The peach-hued sun rising above the distant mountains.
"Did you read the inside of the band?" Hatori asked her.
"Ah, no."
He stopped and slipped the ring off her finger. Just as it had starting getting comfortable there…
He showed her the words. It simply said: I love you simply, without problems or pride:
I love you in this way
It was not easy to say those three words, but now they would be with her for eternity.
The calm after the storm.
Here.
Now.
"Thank you, Ha'ri."
He responded with a feverish kiss, wrapping his hand around her neck. Close, so close…
What are all these kissings worth? / If thou kiss not me? Hatori had quoted her that one line while they were laying in the small golden-flowered meadows. It was sweet, with a dash of possessiveness, which she liked. It had been so out of character – the quiet doctor spouting romantic lines? It was something out of a Jane Austen novel!
A storybook romance with a handful of angst.
When she looked back at all the difficulties they had crossed – everything seemed so trivial, just an upturned root in the ground, a stumble, because it had culminated in something so glorious. The big, spectacular, vibrant firework at the end of the day.
And nothing could mar this magnificent day.
---
The wedding came in the following spring, on a day not too hot or not too cold. It was a very unfussy all-day affair for forty guests – the Sohmas, Tohru's grandfather, Arisa and Hanajima, some coworkers, and Sakiko and the boys. Everyone had been surprised by the invitation, but knew that both parties were meticulous. They would not have made the decision were it not for love, a special spark. Yuki had smiled in secret. Shigure had cheered on the porch, glad that his closest friend was finally giving love a place in his misanthropic self (because Hatori had always been an opponent in his own happiness). Kisa had danced in joy for her friend. Mit-chan had immediately replied 'Yes' and went to the shopping mall for a gift. Takashi wrote plainly, "I want to meet this lucky man."
It was garden party-themed at the Sohma's large summer house where flowers and trees were just starting to blossom. Pale-green buds and spears. The beginning of life. The main house was not as big as the Sohma estates, but the land extended far into the distance. This place, a palace in her eyes, was a labyrinth of twisted staircases, themed rooms with intricate chandeliers, niches. Modern melded with traditional furnishings, photos, and colorful canvas. She noted to find out who had painted them. Outside were rare fruit trees, carved marble statues, and topiary. Every possible herb, a dilapidated two-story tree house, and water fountains. Hell, it was Versailles! She could spend hours exploring the land.
Tohru's bridesmaid wore fun, floral-printed dresses, while she wore a snow-white, spaghetti-strapped, empire-waist dress. It showed off her delicate features, fit her like a glove. Hatori had immediately approved it with an ardent nod and gulp. A reverie in white. Also, she had made it a top priority that it did not have a train. Preventive measures, she had told Hatori. The large bow at the center of her back tied everything together. It moved in the slight breeze, painting her like a sprightly nymph from the sea. Her hair long and windswept, framing her face. Hatori was dressed in a form-fitting two-button black tuxedo. Tohru had laughed when he first tried it on, calling him the Japanese James Bond. The little bow tie proved to be her weakness. She adjusted it until it was perfect, admiring the elegant silk knot. The flower girl's dress was an embodiment of the things in her little basket. The top half of their dress was covered in meticulous pink rosettes. The bottom billowed out like the perfect buttercup, formed from silk taffeta.
Tohru discovered that the wedding ring and engagement ring interlocked to form a seamless band. The wedding ring said: because I don't know any other way of loving. Sonnet XVII. It was a completion of the first phrase, resulting in I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I don't know any other way of loving. Sonnet XVII.
So utterly, devastatingly beautiful! She thought. This revelation had been accompanied by a loud hitch in her breath noticed by all guests, who clapped and cheered for the newlyweds. Her complete ring was flawless. When she put Hatori's ring on his finger, her own shook even though she had practiced the action so many times.
She would have made all the food if she could. But that was impossible.
There were no caterers in this remote town, so she found one on in the closest big city. The food was light and delectable. The wedding cake, an elegant version of strawberry shortcake had tasted airy with a hint of sweetness.
The night settled down. The kids munched on colorful cupcakes embellished with edible candy insects and drank strawberry lemonade, tired from running through the pristine garden maze. The grownups danced under the mellow lights of paper lanterns. Shigure even asked his editor, Mii-chan for a dance, which she hesitantly obliged. Kyo was dressed in a dark suit, and he politely asked her to dance with him. Hatori nodded, but she could see in his eyes, he didn't want to leave her side.
Her grandfather came up to Hatori as he was pouring himself a drink.
"Hatori-san, can I talk to you?"
"Of course, sir."
"Jiisama, remember," the older man chided.
When they were alone in the overhang of the guest house, Jiisama spoke. "Tohru is a gentle soul. She takes everything to heart. When she has an opinion, she often doesn't express it in ways others understand. Because when Kyoko died, she had no one to talk to. The thoughts, the pain just lingered. Just…"
"Love her unconditionally." Hatori finished.
"Yes."
"I promise, jiisama, that I will take care of her with all my ability. I will listen and understand her. Do not worry."
"Thank you Hatori. You know that she loves you very much. I see the way her face illuminates when she sees you." You should see the way I react. Lovesick. I really am in love with Tohru. I hope to be by her side until our death.
---
After a pleasant dance (Kyo was very smooth on his feet!), she allowed herself to be swept into the loving arms of her husband. Blood surged to her head.
Husband. The word was honey coming from her mouth. Soft, endearing, so potent. One call, and he would be there. Always.
The planning and execution of the wedding had not been as bleak as he had imagined. It was even fun. Because there had been no nagging parents, no limited budget, no haste. They had decided everything together. Except the honeymoon. He had wanted to plan the whole thing – from the seats on the airplane to the bottle of wine they sipped on the hotel balcony. He blindfolded her at the airport and guided her to the boarding gates. On the red-eye airplane they played a guessing game. It wasn't until they were there, on land, that she guessed where they were.
California. Surprise!
---
That next night, after a day of snorkeling and eating, she lay awake in their bed, too excited to sleep. Mom, I finally found him. My knight. Just like you found dad. It wasn't until I lost him that I felt truly alone. He had found the spot in my heart reserved for him. And when he wasn't there, I was incomplete. Our love now is stronger than ever before. The link between us is unbreakable. I know.
You would love him. I can see you teasing him about his calmness. He still needs to loosen up in front of others, but we will definitely work on that together. One step at a time, right?
I haven't forgotten your words, mom.
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A/N:
I loved the movie Australia, with Hugh Jackman.
I lied. There is ONE more chapter left. (._.) (But I really don't want to end it. I can't seriously. It's like my little baby. There is still lots of stuff to write...I am so messed up. Indecisive.)
Credits:
Title from Shakespeare's Sonnet 116.
Poem from which the ring's inscription comes from. Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda. The beginning of the poem was used in a prior chapter. It's so beautiful.
I don't love you as if you were the salt-rose, topaz
or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:
I love you as certain dark things are loved,
secretly, between the shadow and the soul.
I love you as the plant that doesn't bloom and carries
hidden within itself the light of those flowers,
and thanks to your love, darkly in my body
lives the dense fragrance that rises from the earth.
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,
I love you simply, without problems or pride:
I love you in this way because I don't know any other way of loving
but this, in which there is no I or you,
so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand,
so intimate that when I fall asleep it is your eyes that close.
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What are all these kissings worth? If thou kiss not me? Percy Bysshe Shelley's Love's Philsophy.
And the spouting-of-romantic-poem is an idea snatched from Sense and Sensibility. How utterly romantic! I actually wasn't going to go into details about the proposal and just jump into the future, but after reading some of your comments, I decided too. My love for you all is as strong as Hatori's for Tohru! I'm a glutton for fluffy stuff! (cough, and angst)
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Here is a link to the dress. Hope it works! Put this jcrew (dot) com/AST/Browse/WeddingParties/Wedding_
Then find the 'Camille cotton-silk gown'
If you have time, check 'em all out. Which one is your favorite? Do you like simple elegance or something mind-blowing and over-the-top?
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OH, AND MY THANKS to the reviewers of the last chapter:
Botan and Kurama lover: You have stayed with me for a long time. Love you! Sorry, but there will most likely not be a sequel. Waaaa.
Devilgrl1: Thank you supporter! You are fantastic!
XOiHeartMiloOX: Glad you went to check out the capsule hotel. So cool, right? I loved your "Or could they?" comment
Marisol Akyri: Muw, muw! I absolutely love your review! It was so heartfelt. The dramatic line in all caps: priceless.
Unlove You: Ah, my new reader. Glad to have met you. Was the proposal cute? I admit, it was on the boring side, but I wanted something to show Hatori's true nature - simple and meaningful. My (crazy) dream idea: bakes her this fabulous personal cake with a little card inside with 'Will you marry me?' on it. she has to eat it to find it! squee!
Kouga's Older Woman: I agree, YAY!
Perfect Goddess: Thank you. -.-
Jaffa-Cake-Queen: lol at your comment. Hatori, that slowpoke! JCQ: you stuck with me! Thanks!
Naaaaw.... Arty is so lazy...: nice to hear from ya! The review is so welcoming! I feel your joy! Muw!
loneshinobi: Yes you have, thank you.
Kaoru Sayuri Kamiya: hugs! I agree, I agree. Akito the evil.
hattie cortezz: arigato! cute song.
Running to My Heart: Thanks! I like your icon. It's bella and edward? When I first I looked at it, I thought it was Hermione and a certain "greasy git". I love SSHG (So obsessed recently), I know, so weird, but they are so right for each other (age doesn't matter, honestly!) - brilliant, misunderstood, stubborn. I love your observation skills (they are a projection of my ideal romance - all from movies, romance novels, ff) and thank you for the compliments. -twinkles like a little star-
Miss anyone? Hope not!
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And randomness: I was rereading the story today. So many little clichés that I love, all rolled into one fluffy-bunny story!
I thank all who have added SSHR (omg, new revelation, SSHR so close to SSHG) to their favorite's list or alerts. Please review (see, your reviews made me want to write this chapter!).