Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Broken ❯ May I Have This Dance? ( Chapter 11 )

Kyou: You've made me wait too long.

NK: I'm sorry Kyou... I've been really busy and not really inspired.

Kyou: *pouts*

NK: I'm sorry Kyou... please forgive me

Kyou: Only if they do and only if you say it.

NK: Please everyone forgive me for the long delay in the story and I don't own Fruits Basket.

Chapter 11 May I have this Dance?

Tohru watched as the Juunishi enter the ballroom for their private party. It was a kind of re-enactment of the long ago legend. Each of their costumes betrayed what animal they were, but yet they were beautiful, fantastical. She stood at the door as Akito went through the motions of welcoming all his "guests."

It was her impression that he was supposed to represent Kami Sama himself. She had never considered that, maybe because of the wrongness of the idea. Kami Sama was not supposed to be so cold or harsh or unforgiving. He was supposed to love his creatures not possess them. Kami Sama held a party for his animals not out of spite, but out of love. The mouse had done the trickery and had not invited the cat. He had ridden to the party on the cows back. The mouse in essence caused the pain of the other Juunishi. At least the mouse in the story did. Yuki did not do these things, at least not intentionally. Akito had cause the largest part of the pain between the cat and the mouse by making them fight. By telling Kyou that he could win his freedom if he beat Yuki, he had created hatred and pain.

Kyou stood beside her, watching the others, with a fleeting jealousy that always came to him on this night. It hurt to watch them enter that room, their costumes flowing, their faces smiling and then close the door on him, every year. Well, this year it just wasn't going to happen. He was going in that room. He would watch Tohru dance. He would protect her even if every cousin the room had told him that they would look out for her. He would not let her do this alone. She reached behind her for his hand as she listened at the door, squeezing it tightly once she had grasped it. He watched the emotions flashing across Tohru's face and wandered what she was thinking about.

There was a hushed silence, broken only by the sounds of the soft music wafting through, in the room as Akito spoke. "My Juunishi. Tonight, we have a a very special guest in our midst. She has treated us all with love and kindness and a willingness to accept us despite our natures. It was decided that she had earned a place through her gentle tutelage to join us. As many of you know, Hiro was to be the one dancing tonight, for it is the Year of the Sheep, but he has come down with an illness and unable to even leave his bed. So, his mother and Hatori tell me, so I believe. I have asked our guest to dance in his place tonight, and she has graciously accepted." Akito beckoned to her through the door. "Tohru-kun will you join us now?"

Tohru entered the room moving slowly so as to not trip over her costume. It was a flowing creation of white silk, it's lines giving the impression of a white dove. The seated Juunishi rose from their seats as she entered, registering looks of shock. First, because Tohru absolutely glowed in the costume. She radiated peace, quiet strength and love for all those around her. Second, because she had entered holding the hand of the Cat, who was looking like he was ready to take the head off the first person that questioned his place there.

Akito glared at him, "What are you doing here, Cat?" he spat as he moved hurriedly down the steps of the platform where his table was located.

Kyou returned the glare. "I am here to watch over her and to make sure that she is safe."

Akito spluttered, spittle dripping from his lips as he tried to speak. "You will leave, you have no place at this gathering."

Kyou dropped Tohru's hand, and raised himself to himself up to full height, his hands flexing at his sides. He looked Akito squarely in the eye. "No."

"What did you say?!" Akito screamed at him.

"I said 'no'."

"How dare you disobey me?" Akito had reached the pair now and stood nose to nose with Kyou, his breathing ragged in his anger.

"How dare you do what you did to her?" Kyou said quietly to to the man in front of him so that none of the rest of the Juuinishi could hear his reply. His voice held a menace that could not be mistaken. "I do not require to sit at your table or eat your feast or even to be recognized in this room, but I will not leave her here with you." Kyou's eyes flamed for just an instant, as even with the bracelet he wore firmly attached to his arm he seemed to grow in size as he face Akito, the image of the vengeful cat infusing his visage momentarily.

Akito backed away, instinctively. He looked at the Cat and then at the rest of his family. "Very well, but you will stand out of the way. Your presence is not recognized here." He backed away from the Cat and took up Tohru's recently vacated hand into his own. "You will sit with me, Tohru-kun." Tohru simply inclined her head. As they moved away, Kyou moved himself to a far corner of the room, where he could see Tohru and she could see him and he sank to the ground to sit, with his elbows draping across his knees.

Hatori watched this exchange with a odd fascination. Akito had screamed and spluttered but the anger he was showing never reached his face. His eyes did not dilate, his skin did not flush. It was if he was an actor on a stage playing out an expected role. Was this just another part of the game he was orchestrating?

Once Tohru and Akito reached the platform he clapped his hands together. "Let the feast begin."

Servers poured through doors on either side of the platform where Akito and Tohru sat. They were served first and then the rest of the Juunishi. Talk erupted around the table as the food was served. Delicious aroma's wafted through the room, reminding Kyou that he had not eaten since breakfast. He had known this would happen. He pulled out a beef jerky and a can of soda from his pockets. As he chewed, he watched Tohru pick at her food, nodding as Akito talked. He couldn't help but wonder what they were discussing. Actually, what Akito was discussing, Tohru never responded, only nodding or shaking her head. She lifted her eyes meeting his, and spared a soft smile to him before going back to eating. Akito had been so caught up in whatever it was he was talking about that he had not even noticed. Kyou smiled back.

As the meal progressed, it became quieter. Akito seemed to talk himself out, or else had just gotten tired of carrying on a one person conversation. The conversations between the Juunishi grew quieter. There was a subtle air of suspense in the room. The mood changed, the music became more pronounced. Long absolute silences fell. Akito rose from his seat as one of these fell just as desert was being served. He stretched his hand out to Tohru and walked her to the bottom of the platform leading her to the center of the floor. "By tradition those of the cursed celebrate by dance the coming of the New Year. It gives us hope that in this year, the curse may be lifted and we may all be able to live normal lives. Tohru-chan bring us the hope that we need. Give us some light in our lives. Dance for our dreams."

Akito turned from her and back to the platform, not noticing that she was walking the other direction. She walked straight to Kyou, her eyes holding his as he was once again made breathless by her smile. So beautiful. She reached out a hand to him, like an angel to a child. He took it and let himself be led onto the dance floor. Akito turned back to face the dance floor just in time to see the lovers take their stage. He started to say something, but the music started. The dance was underway and he would not interrupt, it would bring them all misfortune. He took his seat angrily. Tohru would pay for this embarrassment.

The pair on the floor was oblivious to his anger. They reached the center of the dance floor and stood still for a long moment listening to the music, feeling its rhythm and then the dance began.

Kyou pulled her close to him, feeling her move with him, they flowed across the floor with ease, moving as one, as if they had practiced this dance for hours and hours. They waltzed their eyes locked, soon there was no room, there were no watchers, there was only them. He picked her up with ease lifting her high over head and settling her back to the ground gracefully. She was for all intents a dove in flight as they danced, he was just her needed mobility to make it all the more real.

The Juunishi watched in fascination as the pair glided across the dance floor, full of grace and balance. They moved together as if they had always been together, a piece of one another locked together for the dance. There was beauty and wonder, the love of the two in the center of the room seemed to permeate every crevice, every corner. Even Akito, on his platform, was wide eyed and lost in their movements, lost in the sensation that he was a part of something not quite from this realm but from another. It was clear to all who watched as Kyou and Tohru danced, that the couple was lost in it, they were completely unaware of the eyes that followed every lift and every dip, every graceful turn around the dance floor.

By the end, there was not a dry eye in the room.

As the music came to its final strains, Kyou lifted Tohru final time, and brought her down slowly, inch by inch dragging out her final descent by dragging her down his own body. They ended the dance with a kiss, and then suddenly became aware of their surroundings again. They broke apart.

There was an awed silence. And then one by one the Juunishi stood, each bright eyed and touched by what they had felt and what they had witnessed. Akito too stood, and began to clap and at his clapping the others did as well. "An excellent dance Tohru-chan. If the year is dependant upon the dance, then we shall have a wonderful year. This ends the festivities for another year my Juunishi, please feel free to join your families now."

The room emptied quickly, each of the Juunishi stopping on the way out the door to hug the pair on their way out. Momiji, was the most vocal. He jumped into her arms. "Tohru, you were so perfect and beautiful!"

"Thank you, Momiji,"

Tohru and Kyou followed the rest out not realizing that they had left Akito simmering upon the platform.

~~~~~

The dance had been beautiful. Akito acceded that without much inside him clamoring against him. But she had disobeyed him by bringing the Cat into the dance at all. He wasn't supposed to be there. He wasn't supposed to be acknowledged. Not only did the wench acknowledge the Cat, she brought him into the dance. She was going to have to be taught obedience. It wasn't that he was really angry, their shared dance had been one of the best that had ever been performed in all the years that he could remember. But, the defiance she was displaying might effect the younger ones Kisa, Hiro. He could not have them believing that he was growing soft. For all intents things were proceeding as they should, he simply had to maintain a degree of control over the situation

Kyou had defied him. Outright defied him. Perhaps through Tohru's pain he would gain understanding that you do not openly defy your clan head. He would have to make Tohru hurt all the more for Kyou's defiance. Just as a reminder of who was in charge.

~~~~~~

After the feast Kyou and Tohru followed the rest of the Juunishi to the rooms where they had readied themselves.

"I need to go change, Kyou." She looked up at him as he walked her to the door. He was holding her back from the rest.

"I know, I just wanted to tell you, you were beautiful tonight."

Tohru smiled up at Kyou happily.

"While your changing, I'm going to go clean up as well. Do not leave here without me. Wait for me if I'm not here." Kyou looked down into her blue eyes and dropped a quick kiss on her lips. "Go on now, don't keep me waiting."

Tohru nodded, and entered the room. She went to the cubicle that contained her clothing and started to change. The costume she wore was complex, with lacings and straps, she hadn't been able to put it on by herself and it was slow going getting it off. Across the room she heard Rin, Kagura and Kisa talking in low voices. Obviously they were trying to get Kisa out of her costume.

Tohru was still fumbling with knots when the room grew silent. She heard the door open and close. "They must have finished already." Of course, their costuming hadn't been quite as elaborate as hers. She turned back to the stubborn lacing finally pulling it free, the costume fell to the floor. Tohru hurriedly put her own clothes back on, knowing that Kyou was probably waiting, she reached down to pick up the costume from the floor when she suddenly got the feeling she was not alone.

Kyou stood waiting patiently outside the door wondering what could be taking so long. Of course the other girls were still in the changing room too. Once they left he'd go in and help Tohru out of her costume. It had taken Ayame forever to get all the lacing tied, she'd never get it off.

Another fifteen minutes passed. The door opened. The three girls of the Juunishi left, smiling at him as they passed. Rin even seemed to indicate to him with a slight motion of her head that the room was empty. He'd wait a couple more minutes just to be on the safe side.

Tohru turned swiftly as she felt eyes on her back. She hadn't heard the door of the changing room open. She backed away as Akito moved forward. "H..hhow did you get in here?"

Akito sneered at her as he grabbed her hair and pushed her up against the wall of the changing room. It groaned and shook beneath her weight. "The room has a back entrance for ceremonial occasions, not that it's any of your business." His voice was low, but tense, his words were clipped. "How dare you and that Cat defy me! Didn't you learn the first time around, little girl that I can be a very bad man when I have to be? You've put me into a position where I have to punish you now, or else be seen as weak by the rest of them. They'll all think they can do what ever they want to. You will pay for your sins and his." He bent his head down and kissed her roughly, bringing his hand to bear on her throat in an ever tightening grip.

Tohru pushed at his hand on her throat, clawing at it to try to break free. She couldn't breath, she couldn't scream. He broke their kiss and dragged his tongue across her cheek. "Was the Cat good to you Tohru? I can smell his scent upon you. Did he make you feel like I did? Maybe I should remind you of what your night with me was like so that you can make a fair comparison. I am sure you've forgotten our night together by now." He leaned in for another taste of her lips, grinding his hips into hers.

Kyou heard a crashing noise coming from the changing room area. Had Tohru tripped? He pushed the door open moving to the changing room, suddenly stopping when he saw two sets of feet beneath the floor. And then he was moving again. He got to the changing room just in time to see Akito lean forward to kiss Tohru. He saw red, and then black, and then a frosty coldness came over him. He reached into the changing room and dragged Akito backwards, forcing him to break his grip on Tohru's throat. The scream she couldn't get out came crashing to the surface. Kyou's voice was cold and metallic, "What the fuck do you think your doing, you bastard?" Kyou threw the clan head backwards and then seemed to pounce following Akito's flying body. He grabbed a handful of hair and started pounding the clan head's face into the tile floor, talking to the clan head as he pounded his face over and over. As he spoke an odd tone grew in his voice that was only heard when the vengeful cat was loosed. "Don't you ever, ever touch her again. She is not yours. She is ours."

Tohru's scream reached outside the walls of the changing rooms. Hatori, Shigure, and Ayame had been talking quietly about the Cat and Tohru when Tohru's broke into their conversation. Shigure was the first to react. "She's in the ladies room." The three of them came flying across the hall. At the same time Yuki and Haru, came running up the hall. The older three looked around the room to see Tohru standing in the doorway of a changing room, crying and rubbing her neck and Kyou slamming Akito's head into the tile floor. Hatori stopped to check Tohru. There were fresh bruises forming on her neck. Ayame and Shigure got on either side of Kyou trying to pry him off of their clan head. It was at that moment that Yuki and Haru burst in. They surveyed the scene. Seeing Hatori with Tohru, they made a quick decision that she was probably ok and bolted over to help Shigure and Ayame pull Kyou off of Akito. It took all four of them to do it. They dragged the still fighting Cat across the hall to the men's dressing area. Kyou hissed at the dazed clan head "This isn't over yet, you bastard!".

"Tohru, are you ok?" Hatori said gently, as he watched the others drag Kyou out.

"Akito attacked me again, and Kyou walked in and...and...?" She was crying too hard to to finish her statement.

Hatori finished her statement. "And went berserk." Tohru nodded.

"If you're ok, I need to see to Akito?" He made it a question. As far as he was concerned the son of a bitch could wait, maybe he'd bleed to death while he was attending to Tohru. But Tohru nodded her head trying to wipe the tears from her eyes. "I am fine, Hatori, see to Akito. I have to find Kyou."

Hatori simply nodded as he walked to Akito. "They probably took him across the hall."

Kyou was still fighting when Tohru slipped into the men's changing room. The four that had dragged him in here now had him surrounded. "Get out of my way you bastards, you left her alone in there with him."

It was at that moment, that Tohru slipped in between Haru and Yuki.

"Kyou..." She spoke his name softly. He wheeled to the sound of her voice.

She walked over to him and wrapped him in a tight embrace, tears rising again as she leaned heavily into him.

Kyou's anger cooled as soon as he heard her voice, felt her tears soaking into his shirt. He stopped yelling and wrapped his arms around her slender form. It was time to leave. He lifted her up off of her feet to carry her bridal style.

"Come on love, lets go home."

The four men surrounding them parted for the Cat as he carried Tohru from the room and out a side door into the night.