Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Dancing Rain ❯ Flickering Light ( Chapter 6 )

Dancing Rain

By Hatori's AnGeL

Disclaimer: As much as I really really really want them, >,< They aren't mine! *sniff*

A/N: GOMENASAI!!!! Yes, I know this chapter took too long to post . . . I'm terribly sorry. I was very busy with all the papers that I had to do and submit for my class so I had to put this on hold. >,< Thankfully, it's all done now. Now the only thing I have to worry about are my upcoming exams . . . >,< darn. Anyway, hope you guys enjoy this chap as much as I've enjoyed doing errr I mean writing it!

Chapter 6: Flickering Light

Hatori woke up to the rumbling of the distant thunder from the rainstorm. He blinked and looked around frantically in the room, totally disoriented. All he could see was inky blackness. The rain was really pouring hard this time, its rain clouds totally blocking the sunlight, if there was any . . . he had no idea what time it was so he really couldn't tell. He tried to see through the darkness, but it was useless . . . There was barely enough light to see his surroundings. But then a flash of lightning lighted the room that he was in, revealing him that he was at the moment inside Akito's room.

Horrified, Hatori immediately checked if he was dreaming again or if he was really *really* inside Akito's room. Hatori wracked his brain, trying to remember *why* was he *here*. . . He knew with absolute certainty that he didn't come here to *gulp* er, uhm. . . . Hatori shook his head. No, he was absolutely sure that he would never come here (even unconsciously) with *that* in mind. Hatori quickly thought of the next logical answer. He was here because Akito must have gotten sick. That must be it. Akito was sick. Then everything slowly came back to Hatori. . . how his sleep was disrupted because Akito had a severe attack. . .

"Hatori?"

Hatori nearly yelped out in surprise. He had forgotten that he had moved his chair near Akito's bed, the soft query near him had startled him out of his wits. The fright and the soft voice had his heart furiously pounding. He inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying to relax and control himself.

"Is that you Hatori?"

Hatori wanted to smack his forehead. Idiot! In his frantic confusion of being spoken to by *Akito*, he had forgotten to answer Akito's question.

"Yes it's me. How do you feel? Are you feeling any pain?"

There. He did it. He finally spoke to Akito again. In a normal voice. In a perfect controlled doctor voice. It wasn't so bad, talking to Akito. It was, well, surprisingly normal. The darkness must also have helped as well, covering any embarrassing show of emotion. Hatori relaxed a bit. There seems to be absolutely nothing to worry about.

"Hatori, why are you here? What happened? I don't remember. . .?" Akito sounded as confused and disoriented as he was a while ago. Hatori tried to put Akito at ease.

"You were very ill Akito. The servants woke me up around 3 a.m. Apparently, you were in pain but you still had the good sense of calling out for help to a servant. It was a good thing because they contacted me right away because if they hadn't . . . I don't think you would be waking up in your room but in a hospital."

"Oh. . . I see."

"Uhm . . . well . . . yes." Damn. Stupid idiot! He just *had* to stutter now . . .

Hatori shifted restlessly in the uncomfortable silence that ensued. He sighed and rubbed his temples. This *conversation* was getting to him more than it should. He stole a glance at the clan head's direction. The figure on the bed didn't move. Hatori wondered if Akito fell asleep on him already but didn't dare to go up close and check.

The howling wind and the noisy clatter of the rain smashing itself on the main house caught Hatori's attention. It was the first time he ever saw the rain pour down so heavily. He hoped that it wasn't some typhoon or huge storm. Hatori cursed, wishing he had checked the news before he fell asleep. With Akito's present weak condition, Hatori didn't want the electric lines to go out. They might need certain electric equipment if Akito went real bad. Hatori then remembered that Akito hadn't answered his question concerning Akito's condition. He thought of asking it again but he didn't want to disturb the clan head's thoughts or sleep . . . Well, there was only one way to find out. And besides, checking up on his patient was what a doctor normally does. It was not like he was doing this because he had *feelings* for his patient or something . . . with this last thought, Hatori stood up and inched slowly toward the bed.

Hatori reached out and lighted one candle that was near Akito's bed. Akito never fancied lamps and things like that as he had demonstrated one day when he smashed a newly installed modern lamp in his room. Thankfully, the dim flickering light of the candle was sufficient enough. With the dim light, he could now see that Akito had his back towards him, facing the window.

"Akito?" whispered Hatori.

After several silent seconds, Hatori felt it was safe to place his hand on Akito's forehead without offending or waking the now sleeping clan head. Thank Kami, it was now only slightly warm. Hatori sighed and looked down at the sleeping figure softly. Rest was the only possible thing that could help Akito now. He slowly covered Akito with another quilt since the air was becoming very cold due to the rainstorm. Akito must stay warm. A cold could be fatal if he acquired one. Hatori shuddered . . . partly by the thought and partly by the cold that he could now feel seeping through his clothes. Hatori ran his fingers through his hair . . . a dilemma now plagued him He felt impelled to stay and watch over Akito but he also needed to change to warmer clothes and get some proper rest. What should he do? Hatori looked thoughtfully at the figure underneath the pile of blankets and quilt. He decided to go change to warmer clothes but come back and rest here. It just didn't feel right to leave him all by himself with this kind of weather . . . and sick at that. He gave a wry smile. He never thought he'd see the day where he'd be worried sick (REALLY worried sick!) for the welfare of the clan head. But here he was, doing-thinking of the impossible. Que sera sera. Ack, he couldn't believe he just used Shigure's expression . . . he must really be tired or probably insane!

Shaking his head from the silly thoughts that were trickling in his brain, Hatori quietly walked over near his chair and closed his medicine bag shut. Hatori froze then winced when all the hell and fury of the thunder made itself heard in the room. Damn! He looked worriedly at the direction of the bed-checking if the thunder had woken up his patient. Akito hadn't moved . . . so He's still asleep. Hatori gave a sigh of relief. He then picked up his medicine bag and made a step towards the door . . .

"Hatori . . . "

Hatori slowly turned towards the figure on the bed. The clan head still hadn't moved . . . that was strange he thought Akito had called his name . . . Hatori groaned. Great, just great. Now, he was hearing things! His hand trembled as he ran his fingers through his hair in obvious frustration. This HAS to stop! Still, he waited for a few moments and strained his ears just in case . . . only the sound of the rain whipping itself to pieces greeted him. Shrugging, Hatori turned towards the direction of the door . . .

"Ha . . . to . . . ri . . ."

Hatori shuddered at the sound of his name being murmured by a husky erotic evidently male voice. He didn't turn but stood rooted on the spot, facing the door. He didn't want to turn around . . . he had turned around a while ago and he had saw with his own eyes that Akito was STILL asleep. His mind was playing tricks on him. He ground his teeth in frustration. He knew he wasn't going insane. If he were going insane, he wouldn't be arguing logically with himself now wouldn't he? He could hear himself groan in reply.

"Hatori-san . . ."

Hatori started to pinch himself awake. This was starting to sound like his damned perverted dream. `Well wouldn't you just like *that* to happen now hmmm?' a small voice whispered naughtily at him. Hatori groaned silently, his small voice just *had* to sound like Shigure . . . and as if on cue, several images of his dream immediately replayed in his mind . . . he felt his body stiffen in reply. Damn that pervert inu. Damn damn damn.

"Hatori-san, onegai . . ."

Hatori finally turned and faced Akito. He wasn't hearing or seeing things because yes, it was indeed Akito who was calling him. Akito . . . tired and pale, yet still incredibly handsome, had turned towards Hatori, twisting the quilt in such a way that it showed Akito's gaping yukata-exposing partly his chest. But it was Akito's compelling eyes that captivated Hatori . . . you know, those dark seductive eyes, half-lidded with . . .

". . . stay."

Hatori blinked and slightly shook his head. Akito was saying something to him but he hadn't heard a single thing because he was too busy `mentally drooling over Akito.' *small voice snickers* ARGHHHHHHHHHH! He was very nearly at the brink of strangling anything . . . anything to shut up that baka hentai voice in his head. Damn it!

"I'm sorry Akito, I didn't quite get what you just said?" he asked politely. Focus Hatori. FOCUS!

"Please stay," repeated Akito patiently.

"You want me to stay?" Hatori asked in surprise. Akito was ASKING him to STAY!?!?

"Hai. I . . . I . . . I want you to stay! Is that too much to ask?" snapped Akito, half sitting in exasperation of being questioned again. Hatori rushed forward.

"You can't sit up right now Akito, you'll just get dizzy," scolded Hatori slightly as he covered Akito again properly with the quilt. "I was just surprised that you asked."

Akito sighed and let Hatori tuck him in. Akito looked at him gravely as he let his hand creep out of the blankets and quilt. "I want you to stay Hatori," he repeated again as his hand tugged on Hatori's shirt for emphasis.

Hatori stared at Akito nonplussed. He didn't know how to react to this request/demand. The only thing he could do was to answer him with the first thing that came to his mind.

"Yes, of course."

Akito relaxed. He looked up to Hatori and gave a weak smile.

"Arigato."

If Hatori wasn't Hatori, he would have been down on the floor-fainted by the shock of seeing Akito smile and hearing Akito thanking him. Two very rare actions/gestures by the clan head. Hatori became slightly worried . . . he wondered if the special life-saving drug that he had administered to Akito could have affected Akito's thinking or personality. Not that he was complaining or anything. A good-tempered Akito would make the world a happy place. Then a loud crash of thunder reminded him of the weather conditions.

"Akito, I have to go change into something warmer and make several phone calls. It will only take a while."

Akito looked at Hatori under his lashes as he replied, "Make it quick." Then he shut his eyes immediately, as if keeping them open was too much for him.

Hatori then slipped out of Akito's room and went straight to his house to go change clothes. It was raining so hard that Hatori still got soaked even though he used an umbrella. He decided that a shower should also be in order, so he took one real quick hot shower and changed into warmer clothes. He still wore one of his immaculate collared shirts but wore a dark green thick sweater over it. He decided to wear denim jeans instead of his usual pants since it was too thin thus too cold to wear. He didn't particularly cared what he looked like as long as he was warm. He hesitated for a moment before he took out an extra set of clothing and stuffed it into one of his spare medicine bags. If the rain would still keep up its horrendous downpour, he really didn't want to have to come back here and get wet in the process just in case.

Now all that Hatori needed to do was make several phone calls. He called up the pharmaceutical and ordered another batch of Akito's special medicine to be delivered to the honke. He then made some inquiries concerning the weather about how long would the rain pound furiously at their roof and found out that the bad weather would continue until the next day. Hopefully, the storm would clear tomorrow morning and there will only be drizzles after that. After putting down the phone, Hatori looked at it hesitantly.

During all this time, Hatori has been acting professionally. But a huge part of him felt bewildered by this roller coaster ride his emotions has been going through ever since he realized how much he truly cared for the clan head. He had already accepted the fact that he *liked* Akito a lot . . . but what really has him stumped is what to do now with his new emotions. Should he act on it and show Akito how much he really "cares" or just play it safe and act like before? He really didn't know what to do since he never had thought that such a thing would happen to him. There was only one person who could really help him . . . but asking that person's help was going to be pure hell . . . he gave a mental shrug, what the hell! He picked up the phone and punched in a very familiar number.

"Hello?" snapped a groggy irritated male. It took about 9 rings before it was picked up.

"Shigure! You're awake!" Hatori sighed in relief. It was 7 in the morning and Shigure awake this early was really a big surprise.

"I am now! Tori-san why are you calling here so early? I fell asleep at my study and was having this awesome dream about my little flower and I doing it on the . . ." Shigure's naughty sing-song voice was cut off as Hatori slammed the phone down. He cursed at himself. Baka! He should have known better than to call that pervert dog so early in the morning. He took a deep breath and started to count from one to ten. He was on number eight when his phone rang. He picked it up after the 2nd ring.

"Tori-san you're so mean!!!! That hurt!!!! I was only telling you that you ruined a very good dream and . . ." Hatori interrupted Shigure's whining again.

"If you mention your dream again I *am* going to slam the phone down and hope to hell that your ears will bleed in pain. I cannot believe you're having wet dreams about Tohru!" he hissed furiously. He had never reacted to Shigure's teasing like this before. But he just couldn't take it-Shigure's vivid descriptions of his dreams-any longer. Shigure would describe it so vividly that he'd actually *see* it. Right now, he really didn't want to *see* Shigure doing something hentai with Tohru!

"Well you know us Sohmas, we live for our (wet) dreams! *snickers* How's your wet *coughs* I mean dreams so far Tori-san?"

Hatori could *hear* Shigure's smirk with that jibe of his. He let it pass, besides it was his fault, bringing up the inu's dream.

"I haven't been dreaming at all Shigure because Akito fell ill again. I had to give him some of the special medicine that I set aside for extreme cases." he sighed as he remembered the harrowing experience he went through last night.

Surprised at hearing Hatori sigh over the line, Shigure's voice betrayed his worry. "Was it that bad? Gomen Ha-san, I didn't know. Is Akito all right now?"

"Yes. Thank Kami the medicine worked."

"Well that's good to hear. Is that why you called me up?"

Hatori sat down at a nearby chair. This was a lot more difficult than he imagined. He contemplated on whether he should really tell Shigure or not. He could just imagine the inu's reaction to his request.

"Actually no. Is Tohru or any of the boys awake?" Hatori didn't want any of the others overhearing.

"Well, you know our little flower, she's been awake a long time ago. I think she's at the kitchen cooking. I expect Kyou to be awake by now but I'm not sure about Yuki. You do know that school has been canceled today because of the storm? So all three of them are here. Why did you ask Ha-san?"

Hatori did some quick thinking. "Go to your study Shigure and bring the phone with you. I want to talk to you without you being interrupted or overheard."

"Why? Do you know how hard it is to move the phone over to the study?" complained Shigure.

"Just do it NOW Shigure! I don't have much time."

"Maa, maa! You don't have to shout! Ok, I'm going to the study now. Really, what's with all the cloak and dagger?"

"Are you in your study now?" Hatori was becoming very agitated. Shigure was being very difficult and getting on his nerves.

"Yes! I'm here now and alone. Now Ha-san, tell me whatever is the matter with you?"

"Shigure, its about Akito." Hatori sighed. Here we go.

"What?" exclaimed the surprised inu. Hatori coughed then cleared his throat. "It's about Akito and me."

"Ohhhhhhhhh!" Shigure's oh was loaded with understanding now. Then Hatori said those 5 magic words that would just make Shigure's day perfect.

"Shigure, I need your help."

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