Disclaimer-I do not own Fruits Basket. Simple no?
Decisions
Six months. It had been six months since Mayuko Shiraki had started sort of going out with Hatori Sohma. Really, she wanted the 'sort of' to disapear. Truth was though Hatori had stated a few times that he was glad to have a friend like her. For Mayu it was a sad thing to hear. Sad not only because she truly did lov Hatori but also because she knew deep down he was still afrid. Afraid of getting close to anyone again.
Then things had changed. It had changed after a lunch whent he both of them were walking towards the park. And...
It was in about five minutes that the both of them were walking towards a park. Usually after a lunch Hatori would have to head home to catch up on his work. Today though he had just mentioned something about his time free because someone else was there for him. By no means did Mayu undertand what he meant and she was sure he meant it to be so. He was just so mysterious.
Through the small talk of having fun and doing it again sometime, probably in a week or two, the two of them reached the park and sat on a bench shaded under a willow tree. By the tree was a fountain put there for kids and young couples to make wishes in. Usually said groups would throw in a penny or perhaps a nickle and through the years the spare change had certainly built up enough to feed a small country for some time.
Talking quaintly with each other Mayu sighed to herself as Hatori mentioned again, though for the first time today, that he was glad they were friends. That and he hoped he wasn't taking her away from anything. That conversation grew into how her students were doing. That of course grew into how Yuki, Kyo and Tohru were.
This was the first time Hatori had brought up such a conversation. As it was the first time Mayu couldn't help but again wonder what was up with the Sohma's and Tohru. As far as she could tell things had been happening recently. Kyou and Tohru had become close though she was sure neither of them noticed. Yuki seemed to be smiling and even speaking more. Something strange was up with Arisa. Mayu couldn't say what exactly but it seemed as if she had just been dumped by her true love. Then there had been that play where Arisa had seeme to go insane almost pleading to someone who might just be that true love of hers.
Thinknig all this Mayu had drifted off again before jumping up in surprise when from the depth of her thoughts she felt something soft hit her head.
Putting her hand to her head Mayu thought she heard Hatori chuckle, and was sure he had when she jumped again upon almost killing the baby robin that had fell on her.
"The poor thing." she muttered taking it softly in her hands seeing it was alive but oddly silent.
"Its in shock I believe." Hatori said professionally. "Not everyday a it falls on someone so big."
Mayu smiled at this though she wasn't sure if Hatori was joking or not. "I'll be right back." she said as she took of her shoes and started to climb the willow tree's low hanging branches up to the nest she could see.
"Don't hurt yourself now I didn't bring a first aid kit." Hatori called again puzzling Mayu as to if the doctor was joking or not.
within seconds the baby robin was back in its nest seeming a bit less shocked. Sighing with relief and some exhaustuion Mayu lifted her hands off the branch to wipe her head of sweat. Unfortunately at that moment a squirrel ran past her up the tree. Surpried by this Mayu jumped, lost her balance and fell out of the tree smacking into an unsuspecting Hatori.
Mayu was all a flutter trying to apologize when she noticed there was smoke around her and what seemed to be a pile of clothing Hatori had just been wearing. Startled more then she had been all day Mayu jumped up almost hyperventilating in embaressment. As Mayu looked around flustered her bottom quite sore she noticed something very strange. It was what seemed like a seahorse, a tiny one really, alive and flapping its fins and making some minute squeaking noises.
As in shock as Mayu was it took roughly five seconds to make the connection between Hatori's seeming disapearance and clothing pile and the appearance of this tiny fish. At this point everything became amazingly clear. Though, like a dream that feeling of understanding disapeared when shock set in.
"W-w-what type of water?" she asked outloud stunned eyes wild. Teacher or not she was no good in tight situations. "Salt or fresh, fresh or salt." Still wild with shock Mayu saw the fountain and half ran then half threw the seahorse that was Hatori in the fountain.
However the problems weren't over. Soon another poof was heard and right in front of Mayu's eyes came Hatori soaked, handsome and naked as a jaybird, or baby robin as fitted the situation.
Faster then seemed humanely possible Mayu was behind the willow tree trying not to blush a deeper purple color having surpassed red sometime ago. However she failed miserably when, after being instructed to close her eyes, Hatori grabbed his clothes and got dressed.
At this point Mayu came from behind the tree still as red as an apple. However she paled considerably, her heart seeming to stop, when she noticed that Hatori was seated on the bench in tears.
"H-H-Hatori-san?" she stammered bewlidered and in shock at Hatori's tears. She hadn't even known he could cry. "I-I'm sorry. I...I didn't mean to...h-hurt you." stammering worse because she felt like crying now Mayu sat beside Hatori not sure what to do.
However as Hatori began to speak seeming not to hear her Mayu felt herself carefully wrap an arm around the doctor letting him literally have a shoulder to cry on. It was from this position that she heard his sobbing words and the clarity and understanding she felt before came back tenfold.
"I hate this thing." he said his sobs making his words almost incomprehendible. "I hate this curse."this was almost yelled though sobs made the statement heartwrenching. "I'm so damn selfish too. All I can think about is how this effects me. ME! Not Yuki, or Momiji or you. All I care about is myself." All these words shocked Mayu. Before she could say anything to help the situation as Hatori had become overcome by tears she saw him ready to speak again.
"I guess you figured it out." he stated seeming more in control. "What I am, what I did."
After a moment Mayu nodded. "You made her forget." Mayu said knowing the her wouldn't have to be explained especially since Mayu didn't think she could say Kana's name at the moment.
Hatori nodded. "It was my fault. I was being selfish. Thinking I could be happy. Thinknig I deserved to be happy when I'm so cold. Like winter. That's what I am. Winter. Frozen, cold, unforgiving."
Mayu couldn't take anymore. "Stop it please." she pleaded tears coming from her eyes. "I can't stand you to say that. It's painful. I hate it."
Hatori shook his head. "You don't understand." he said. "I've ruined so many lives. This...curse...it's ruined so much. That and me being selfish."
As memories, knowledge and pieces of the puzzle fell into place Mayu found herself crying harder. "I'm not forgetting you." she almost yelled. "I don't CARE about this. I don't care if I'm not supposed to know about this. I care for you Hatori. I want you to be happy. I was happy for you when you were with her. I don't think I was ever so happy for you. Then she just disapeared. Now I know why. And I'm not having that happen to me. I'm sure now, it makes sense. Yuki, Kyo, Momiji, Haru. I wouldn't be surprised if something similar happened with them. Maybe to every Sohma in the world. Maybe only to a few. Whatever the case this is some great secret. Right?" Not waiting for an answer Mayu went on. "And that Tohru knows doean't she? She knows about you and however many others there may be?"
Now turning to Hatori she saw him nod. At this point Mayu found herself unable to go on as her throat seemed to choke up with tears. "For so long. I bet you all had to live with this for so long. Whatever triggers this...curse as you called it. Never being able to get close to people, everything you have to live with. So much pain. I know it." Mayu shook her head at this stunned and in tears because she could see how much pain Hatori was in and had been in.
At the same time she knew something similar had happened between Kana and himself two years ago. She was also sure Kana had accepted Hatori and all of this. So, whatever had seperated them had to be painful because the two of them were just those type of people. The type that never forgot unless forced as Kana had been for whatever reason.
"I'm not forgetting." Mayu said again. "I swear no matter what I won't forget you. No matter what." Standing up at this point Mayu managed to get some control. "I'll break this curse. I'll work with Honda if that is what it takes. I will not let our friendship end."
"Why?" Hatori asked really not understanding why someone would put themselves in danger. "My world, my family, it holds so much darkness. Darkness you should never see. We're cursed. Why would you care?"
"It's because I love you. As selfish as that is I want us to be together. I want us to be more then friends. I know that is selfish but it is the truth."
Really, that was enough. Just someone caring a little was enough for Hatori. "Thank you." he said a smile coming on his face seeming to melt the tear stains off his face and making him even more handsome. Mayu smiled as well for his smile, his happiness, was more then enough for her curse or not.
THE END
Jokess-Why does this chapter seem so long? Perhaps because it is early morning? Who knows. Anyway please read and review.