Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Dancing Rain ❯ The Raindrops' Dance ( Chapter 1 )

Dancing Rain

By Hatori's AnGeL

Disclaimer: I don't own Hatori or Akito *sigh* or any of the other Fruits Basket characters for that matter. I only claim to be Hatori's Angel… *nyahahaha!!! ^-^*

Chapter 2: The Raindrops' Dance

Akito was half sitting, half lying at his bed. Hatori could only see his profile because Akito was staring out at the window by his bedside… watching those same raindrops dance on his windowpane. Or probably he was only spacing out and just thinking… Hatori wasn't sure. Hatori was also not sure if Akito had heard him enter the room, so he decided not to disturb him and resorted to observe his patient from afar instead… checking for any physical sign of pain or weakness.

Akito was pale… not as pale as this morning but still a bit pale. He was also thinner than usual. There were slight signs of fatigue over his face, indicating that he might have been in pain. There was no sign of sweat so it looks like his temperature went down. His hair was slightly rumpled and needed a little trimming… Otherwise, Akito look generally the same as before, except that he had that strange look on his face again. It wasn't scary or intimidating… it was just strange because one would not expect such emotion or feeling shown in the clan head's face.

"Do you like the rain Hatori? It has been raining for more than three days now." Akito said casually.

Hatori, startled (though he didn't let it show), could only nod in reply. Akito turned his head and faced him.

"You don't look well Hatori." Akito noted with a faint look of surprise.

"It's nothing really…"

"You should take more care of yourself." interrupted Akito.

"Yes. I will. Later. But first I need to check up on you." Hatori countered politely. He was surprised that Akito looked concerned or even mentioned about his well being. Hatori mentally shrugged and took out his stethoscope from his medicine bag and stepped nearer to Akito's bed.

"I have to check your breathing and your pulse." It wasn't a request but a statement.

Akito acquiesced by unbuttoning his nightshirt and exposing his chest for Hatori. Hatori placed the head of the stethoscope at Akito's chest. Akito gasped. It was icy cold and it sent strange pleasing shivers down his spine. He looked wide-eyed at Hatori.

Hatori snatched away the stethoscope, reddened, and mumbled an apology. He wanted to smack his head for his stupidity. The cool weather made metal really cold to the touch… it wouldn't do to have Akito chilled like that. He covered the head of the stethoscope with his palm, keeping it warm. Then, he gave a sidelong glance at Akito, wondering if he was going to shout furiously at him for his inconsiderate action.

Akito silently looked at Hatori. "Well…???"

Hatori moved closer to Akito's left side and placed his left knee on Akito's bed. He then put his left hand on Akito's left shoulder. Then holding the now warm stethoscope with his right hand, he placed it on Akito's chest. After Hatori checked his breathing, he took Akito's wrist and checked his pulse. He breathed a sigh of relief. Everything seemed to be normal. Akito's skin was cool to the touch and he looked slightly better. Akito's wrist was very thin and fragile looking though. He made a mental note to make sure that Akito eat more. He then looked at Akito… and froze.

Akito turned his face to the left so that it was very near his own. He could see his reflection in Akito's dark eyes-hypnotizing him… freezing him like a statue. His eyes were not full of hatred… it was filled with that strange nameless emotion he once glimpsed when Akito was watching the rain fall. He felt rather than saw Akito's hand slowly making its way up to Hatori's face then his hair. His fingers brushed his hair, exposing his sightless green left eye, then he could feel those long tapered fingers run through the rest of his hair. Akito sighed softly… his warm breath caressing Hatori's face. Startling him. That was when Hatori finally recognized the emotion that flickered in Akito's eyes… it was longing. Hunger and longing… but longing for what?

Hatori suddenly came to life and quickly backed away from Akito as far as he dared. He noticed that he was breathing harshly and in short quick gasps. He couldn't understand himself… his reaction. It wasn't that he was frightened of Akito's look because it wasn't scary… it was his reaction that got him stumped. And that look… he didn't want to think about it and the implications of it. He shook his head and took a deep calming breath. Maybe he was acting like this… feeling like this because he was tired and hadn't had a decent sleep for some time. Yes, that must be it. He blamed it all on his lack of sleep. Composed and again back in control, he looked at Akito.

"Well Akito, it seems like you're getting better. You don't have any fever and your pulse and breathing is just fine. You are getting too thin though so I suggest that you eat more. I'll have the servants bring you food and you must promise to eat it so that we can get some flesh back to your bones. Oh and I'm also going to leave you some sleeping pills. Please remember to take one before you go to sleep… you really need to rest…"

Hatori's narration gradually dwindled as he found himself being stared at by Akito with that *look* again. He gave a delicate cough and put the sleeping pills at a table near Akito's bed. Hatori placed his stethoscope inside his medicine bag and shut it with a snap. Then, he picked it up and walked to the door.

"Hatori…" Akito whispered huskily.

Hatori froze. He then turned questioningly and faced Akito.

"Hai?.."

Akito tilted his head to one side. His nightshirt still lay open and unbuttoned… exposing his pale chest. His lips were parted slightly… those soft pink sensual lips. His eyes, which seemed large on his now thin face looked very appealing. Akito licked those soft pink lips then gave a small smile. Hatori stared at him… shocked at the innocent and sensual appearance he presented. Kami, what was he thinking… Akito… sensual!!!! His mind snapped in attention upon hearing Akito speak again.

"I like watching the rain. Do you know why I like watching the rain very much Hatori?"

"No I don't." he countered sharply… rudely. What in the world was he talking about…

"I love watching the rain fall on the windowpane because it looks like as if the rain was dancing… the rain dancing gracefully… beautifully just for me. Do you know why they dance so beautifully for me Hatori?"

"No…" he whispered.

"Because they are like me. You see, each raindrop dance harshly, beautifully, and gracefully until the last moment of their lives before they all turn like everything else… lost and forgotten. It is their tribute to me…" Akito whispered sadly.

Hatori was silent. He did not know what to say or how to handle this somewhat cryptic revelation that Akito opened up to him. He didn't even know how to react to this new Akito. His mind was too tired… too shocked to analyze it. So he just stood there… trying to decide if he should stay or leave while Akito's attention was focused on those dancing raindrops on the window by the bed.

Akito faced Hatori. His face blank and expressionless once again.

"Why don't you go and get some sleep Hatori. Please inform the servants to bring me some food as you leave."

"Hai." Hatori bowed and left the room.

Akito sighed and looked at the door… the *look* back on his face.

"Arigato…" he whispered softly to the direction of the door.

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AnGeL: yey!!!! *dances around the room and in a sing-song voice* I finished another chappie… I finished another chappie…

Akito: *glares at AnGeL* oh so your happy now are you now that you've completely ruined me? And my reputation?? And made me look girly??? Attractive???? And Sensual for that matter????? TO HATORI of all people!!!!! *glares accusingly at Hatori*

Hatori: I had nothing to do with this.

AnGeL: Well I'm not completely happy but yes I'm happy!!! ^_^ I surprised myself by finishing this chapter right away. So I decided to post this at the same time with the prologue… my muse really really loves me!!!

Hatori: …..

AnGeL: O,O what? You don't believe that somebody else either than you loves me too? Hey that rhymes… *giggles*

Akito: Are you on drugs?

AnGeL: *O,o* huh? *confused*

Hatori: No I think she's not on drugs…

AnGeL: *sparkles in her eyes* gasp… Ha-san!!!

Hatori: … I think she forgot to take her medication.

Akito: *nods* The medication given to her by the mental institution.

AnGeL: ….

Hatori & Akito: *step back from AnGeL with shocked look on their face* You don't deny it?

AnGeL: ^.^;; ehehehe… *grins evilly at the two * Whatcha think?

*smiles normally to readers* Don't those two just look so cute together?

Hatori: *runs hand through hair and looks harassed* You know what, I'm starting to hate the rain.

AnGeL: *giggles* anyway, please don't forget to review eh? Ciao!