Spring Part 14: Happy Endings
A/N: We are approaching the end of the tale. One more chapter and all ends will be tied up. I hope you have enjoyed the journey.
As always I don't own Fruits Basket.
Aya Wraps up
Everyone enjoyed their time, but were all exhausted by the end.
Fortunately, the cleanup went quickly as the family pitched in to help. I decided we should keep the cherry tree lantern as it had become such a symbol of hope for the family. It was broken down to its essential parts for storage. I was sad for it to go but at least we had a picture to preserve the memory. I had insisted that before our circle broke momentarily into its essential parts that we take a photograph together in front of the glorious glowing cherry tree.
Mine and I posed in the middle so that she wouldn't be hidden by the long legs of the rest of the couples. I knelt down so that our faces were level. The others stood behind us and rested their arms around our shoulders. At the very last minute Mine kissed me on the cheek; Tori kissed Mayu's left hand; Gure made rabbit ears behind Tori's head and Mayu and Chris hid their smiles behind their hands. We all smiled at the image as it captured a moment in time where we were all sublimely happy in a manner that was just so us!
Mayu Likes This Tradition (Lemon)
When we were walking to the car, Tori wrapped an arm around my shoulders and asked,
"Well Mayu. Are you still excited about the prospect of becoming a Sohma?"
"I wouldn't want it any other way."
She then looked at me seriously and asked,
"Is it really gone this time?"
"I think so. I don't feel Him anyway."
"I wonder why He decided to rise?"
"I don't know, but perhaps He thought he was helping and got a bit carried away. If He hadn't scared Father, we likely would have still have been on the same terms."
"You certainly scared me."
"I was scared as well."
"Well at any rate I'm glad we ended up staying to enjoy the festival. It was very sweet. I now believe I have observed every tradition surrounding cherry blossoms that could possibly exist."
He looked at me seriously and said,
"Actually there's one tradition we didn't observe."
"What's that?"
"The tradition when a man takes his fiancée to bed and worships her body in gratitude for her accepting his family's traditions."
"Oooh. I like that tradition. When do we get to celebrate that?"
"Any time you have to deal with my family's traditions."
And the minute we arrived home, Tori walked us into our bedroom. While we were tired, neither of us could pass up our first moments alone after taking our first step towards eternity. He slowly unwrapped my kimono, slipping it off my shoulders. Holding me from behind, He found my exposed neck and nibbled on the sensitive flesh. His hands rested on my breasts and I could feel his warm breath against my ear when he said,
"I've been longing to do this all day."
He was clearly going to take his time, as our first moments as a betrothed couple had been very rushed. His hands then went to my elaborate hairstyle that Mine had managed to achieve with my long but stick straight hair. I was amazed that it had stayed in place during our activities that afternoon. One by one the ornaments were pulled and my hair cascaded down my back. He then took every last layer off leaving me exposed once again. He dropped to his knees, as if once again pledging to stay by my side for the rest of time, but after gently nudging my legs open, I felt his tongue enter me and the ecstasy rose in me. I arched my back and raked my hands through his hair, softly moaning his name. He looked up at me with his green eyes and I saw only love and devotion. There were no hints that someone else was in residence in his mind.
He then rose, lifted me, and gently placed me on the bed. I watched him remove his own kimono, and I was struck how gracefully he moved. Every movement spoke of his training as a dance and martial artist.
She lay before me in the moonlight; her skin glowing like a pearl. I felt my love for her overflow. While we had traveled a long and twisting road to get to that place, I said a final prayer of thanks to my fiery companion. While His help had nearly brought disaster, He had melted the icy barrier that had stood between my Father and I. I then put such thoughts away and joined her on the bed. While she moved to give me pleasure, I stopped her, and said,
"I need to be with you now."
She fully agreed and the two of us shuddered when we joined. Taking it slow as we had no further familial obligations, we felt the passion rise between us. We moved together until we reached climax t and let the waves of love wash over us. I then lay beside her, pulling her close. The moonlight illuminated our bodies and Mayu's attention was drawn to the fading scar on my chest. Her finger traced it and she looked up into my face where a much older scar marked me. The same hand had given me both and had nearly ended my life. I held her close, saying,
"I'm here Mayu. I'm not a ghost. I won't disappear like a half-remembered dream when the sun rises again."
I then held her close and felt her relax in my arms. Her head rested on my chest, as if needing to be convinced of the truth of my words by the beating of my heart.
By that time, we were completely depleted, so, drawing the blankets around us, we fell asleep in each other's arms.
Chris Calms Gure
Eichi was kind enough to drive us home as we knew the betrothed couple would need their space. The minute we arrived at my apartment Gure started beaning me, comments and confessions of his love for me. He waltzed me around the room in his excitement and as we circled around and around I felt dizzy.
"This went so well!"
"When did you learn the shamisen!"
"How did Aya know to ask you to sing?"
"Oh your voice is so sexy I love it."
"Did you know that you're an idol now?"
"I think they really liked you."
"Screw my parents I don't care."
"Do you think anyone saw us kiss?"
"Are you excited to meet my family?"
"Oh god you're so sexy I love you! I love you!"
And on and on and on…. Gure's nerves, which he had been keeping bound up so that he could get through the day suddenly were given release in my quiet space. Taking a page from Aya's book I took hold of his hands, looked into to his eyes and calmly said,
"Everything is fine Gure. I love you so much and everything can wait for tomorrow. I'll get you a nice cup of tea, and the. let's go to bed."
Between his quiet words, his bright blue eyes and his soft hands I felt my nerves dissipate. It was strange. The tone of his voice, his steady eyes and the even pressure of his hands all reminded me of Aya somehow. He often used such tactics when i experienced test anxiety while I was in school. But no matter where Chris had learned his tricks, I finally felt calm enough to organize my thoughts. He was right. Nothing really needed to be solved at that time. Seeing that my mind had slowed to a normal rate, he squeezed my hands again and got me the tea. He sat beside me until I relaxed enough to go bed. Unfortunately the hyperactivity had completely sapped me of all my energy so I fell asleep the minute my head hit the pillow. However, I felt Chris' strong arms around me and heard him whisper,
"I love you Gure."
I mumbled back, "I love you Chris."
Aya Knows its Time
Our small family started trickling away until it was just Mine and I. Each told me how greatfull they were for me and mine and how much they enjoyed the festival. I couldn't help but beaming. As it was late and I didn't want to bother anyone about taking us downtown, I led Mine down the paths to my house.
I said apologetically,
I'm not sure what it will be like in there. It's probably really dusty as it's been closed up for a while.
She hugged me and said. I'm fine with that.
I felt a bit apprehensive entering my house as it felt like an eternity since I had lived there. So many things had changed. But as I was exhausted I pulled Mine on to my futon and the two of us slept the deep sleep of the busy.
In the morning I was just taken with the feeling that it was time. Searching around for my own stand in ring, my hands closed on one of my bejeweled hair ornaments. It had a tiny crystal cherry blossom on it and it was meant to accommodate a small braid so I was reasonably sure it would fit her tiny finger. I immediately knew what the real ring would look like and I made a promise to myself to slip away to a jeweler to make my vision come to life. I slipped it into a pocket and walked back to my beloved who still slept. Kissing her on the forehead, she woke and looked into my eyes. Clearly she had the same feeling as I did as she bounded out of bed.
The mist was rising as it was one of those early spring mornings when the dew drops gather on the leaves like tiny diamonds. They sparkled in the street lamps that were still lighting the path. I took her hand and we ran down the road to our perfect place. While it was still quite dark, the first light of morning was beginning to break up the inky black and the early birds welcomed us with the first notes of their song. I easily found my way back to our bower by following the burbling sound of the fountain. Kneeling down without a care for the hem of the kimono I still wore from the night before, I took Mine's left hand and slipped the hair ornament on her finger. It was a perfect fit.
"Mine," I asked, "Would you spend eternity by my side?"
She threw her arms around me and said,
"I will!"
She then kissed me and I felt the happiness flow through me like the water that that played in the fountain be me.
We then walked back to my house, ready to start the day.
On our way we met Koreno who said,
"I'm surprised to see you up this early Aya. I don't think I've ever seen you on my morning walk."
"Well I had something to do that couldn't wait for the sun to rise."
He smiled as he noted the sparkling flower on Mine's left hand.
"Congratulations you two. How fortunate for our family to welcome a new member. I know you'd like to spend some time together but I was hoping you might join me on my walk. It's almost time for the sun to rise and I'd love to share that with you. I know a spot above the cherry grove that gives a perfect vantage point."
While I very much wanted to celebrate with Mine, I knew that that could wait. I sensed that he wanted to share something more than just a sunrise and as we were not early risers generally this was likely the only moment for it.
We followed him to a hill that overlooked the cherry trees. From our viewpoint, the grove was still shrouded in mystery and the ground fog danced around the trees like ghostly maidens enjoying a spring day.
Kureno turned to Mine and said,
"I love this time as the world is just filled with such mystery. You can just make out familiar forms, but there seems to be something unexpected hidden within that you can't quite make out. But if you look closely you can start to see something emerge from the shadows. Our family is like that in a way. On the surface, we seem like a normal albeit traditional family. However, some of us are a little more like the cherry trees in that grove. Something is hidden behind the surface of our day to day lives. Something very old and very mysterious."
She asked,
"Is it something powerful that can cause people to act like puppets on strings? Or to feel different emotions?"
"It is powerful. But it manifests itself in different ways. Some of us have that ability yes. But some of us can tell what's going to happen before it does, or make others forget. And some have a knack for inspiring people."
The sun was starting to rise and the trees began emerging from the darkness and the mist began burning off. Kureno continued.
"That was what our family has been like for thousands of years. There were always a few mysterious branches on our family tree. But over the years the mystery started to dissipate. The sun started to bring those branches into the light and the power became less stable, less strong. Until one day, when those branches started to twine with the branches of other families, it began to melt away like mist."
The trees were now in full light. It was a beautiful sight as a field of pink blossoms spanned out in front of us. We sat looking at the beauty. Kureno finally said,
"I'll leave it to Aya to tell you the full story. I just wanted to pave the path and shed a little bit of light on things. I know you must have been confused. We were never meant to show our mysterious side to others. But in the long run I think it will be better for us all."
He hugged us both and left us to enjoy the view. When Kureno had left I took Mine's hand and told her the tale of a New Years feast from long, long ago.
Mine's Perfect Gift (Lemon)
As I listened to Aya's tale I got the feeling I was being let in on a most powerful secret. The way he spoke the words made me realize that this was no mere child's tale. The facade of childhood tales shrouded the truth in a more easily understood form.
When he finished, I asked,
"So you really weren't yourself that night?"
"Well, I was myself, I just had a houseguest who couldn't help chiming in on things."
"Is your houseguest gone?"
"Yes, I believe my old friend has moved on. I hope he finds a home of his own one day. He's been moving from house to house for a very long time."
And I did wish the Snake farewell. We had known each other since I was born and it was bitter sweet not to feel him moving within me. And while we hadn't always been the best of friends, I had to say that I was finally at peace with Him for he had helped my loving brothers find peace. After the sun had fully risen I took Mine's hand, led her to my house. While the bed was a bit dusty, Mine didn't seem to mind as we lowered to the bed. She smiled up as me and said,
"I'm glad to have you completely to myself again."
"Yes, the playful Snake always had a wandering eye."
As I looked at him, once again dressed in his formal kimono, I felt once again like I had been gifted a beautiful package. But Aya took the lead this time. Our kimonos were thrown just as far and fast as the first time and were were suddenly in a tangle. Bright silver hair flowed with black. Caging my body with his, he softly said,
"I've been waiting for this moment to arrive for so long. But I'm completely yours if you'll have me."
I felt transfixed as he entered me. I felt as if something had shifted around us as we moved together. He seemed more present, more fully my own. As I felt myself crest I said,
"Oh yes!"
The waves of passion crashed over me and he fell to my side. Holding me close, he twined his hands in mine. Smiling at the ornament that flared in the moonlight he said,
"It's just a stand-in, but an aesthetic one."
I smiled back saying,
"I would have worn a twist-tie if you gave me one!"
He chuckled and said,
"I'm a bit more artistically inclined than our Tori so I have a bit more to work with. But I agree, it isn't the ring that counts for us. It's just a promise of things to come. Fortunately the ties that bind me weren't ever so strangling. That said, we should probably make this official soon."
"I'm glad we have a few minutes to ourselves before we need to do that."
We then curled beside each other and slept, dreaming of our future.
A/N: So this is the penultimate chapter before the closing act. Everyone has come a long way and while that path was difficult, they have found their way home. Please R and R and as always I remain, Acta!