Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Everything ❯ Snake's Out of The Bag ( Chapter 9 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

AN: LOOK! Look at what fanfiction.net has done to the rating system. Is it just me, or does anyone else find it to be absolutely ridiculous.. T? WTF is T and who the hell uses that rating system?



Anyway, another day, another chapter... Thank you for all your wonderful reviews!



For now, I'll just quickly answer some questions and comments that were directed towards me...



PeaceSeeker; I was just joking in regard to my husband deserving to be humiliated lol, I have a twisted sense of humor at times, so please ignore my ramblings. Have I seen Millennium Actress? The answer is no, but is it good? What's is about–I want details lol give me the details...(please). Oh and, why am I called Heartless... I call myself that because in many ways, that was exactly how I was a few years ago–before I met my husband, before I had my son. My youth was riddled with certain problems that caused me to be that way. Before Nathan and my husband, I was heading for disaster with the way I lived my life. But now that I have them, my writing, and people like you to support me, I was saved from doing some things that would have been incredibly stupid and hurtful, not only to myself but to others as well. I'm getting all teary, so I will stop and thank you for your kind reviews!



Yukako; Ah hello, fearless wise child! You have such a beautiful meaning and name. I think you will like this chapter immensely, my fellow Ayame/Mine fan! Thanks for reviewing.



Kaiba's slave; I'm so touched! Thank you so much for reviewing. I'm glad you like the scenes between Tohru and her husband, although I wouldn't get too used to them... You're going to do a picture? I'm honored and would love to see the finished picture!



To the other reviewers who were so kind, Kaoru4, sweet-girl8270, randi, FurryCat, Pebbled Sky (love your stories!), loyanini, catgirlversion3.0otakufan, sayuri, Ariyana, xnewtx, animefreak54, Suki, seina, cynthia, pruningshears, Enzeru, fyregypsy, scarletdaisy, mixer040 and Uzuki Maxwell, thank you all so very much. I'm sorry I couldn't reply to your reviews personally, time is of the essence but hopefully I'll be able to answer to your reviews in future chapters. Once again, thank you.




Previously...
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His anger resurfaced as he thought about his soaking wet condition, as he stood in the rain and glared into their room through the window. What they were about to do next made his stomach clench in disgust. But she had caught him again, this time by the window and so... He simply walked away. Akito could not help but smirk, perhaps she thought herself insane at witnessing imaginary shadows? Feeling imaginary kisses upon her smooth skin...



No, he would not have her break that way.



Akito wanted her to know.



He wanted her to know that life was not always as happy as they world she resided in.



For now, he would allow her some measure of peace. And then, she would know the true extent of the Sohma curse.



He would make her see... Everything.




The rain was still falling in copious amounts as they walked silently, side by side down the empty, darkened street. A nervous tension could be felt between the pair as continued the strained journey towards her house. For once, she was glad it was nearby.



"So," Ayame started slowly, "I spoke to the fabric distributor earlier, and guess what?"



She blinked, looking up at him from underneath her glasses and smiled at his excited tone, "What?"



"Guess!" He insisted.



Mine shook her head with amusement, "Um, they have new fabrics for us?"



"No!" He cried with delight, "They have new fabrics for us and they want to give us FREE samples, so that we may make fabulous new dresses to our heart's content!"



"Really? That's wonderful!" She laughed as he bounced along beside her. The tension had melted and the warm comfortable aura that surrounded them, was back once more. This was what she loved–to see that uninhibited smile upon his face.



Whatever made him happy, made her happy. But still, there was something there... An underlying sadness that was beneath the surface of his smile, and she knew exactly what the cause was.



"Have you tried to speak to Yuki-kun recently?" She asked suddenly, watching the features of his face dip slightly at the mention of his brother's name.



He smiled tightly, "No."



"I'm sorry," she said softly, "I didn't mean to bring it up."



"It's all right Mine. I know you mean well..."



"Do you want to talk about it?"



He nodded slightly, looking down at the pavement as he spoke, "He refuses to speak to me," Ayame sighed sadly, "I don't know what to do, I've tried everything. It is as I feared... He won't acknowledge me. When we're in the same room, which is hardly never, it's as if–as if I don't exist. And that hurts me more than I can bear; but what can I do? I'm to blame, it's all my fault but–" He stopped, frowning.



Mine was left heart-broken from his confession. She surprised her friend and employer by taking his free hand in hers as they continued their way down the dimly lit street, "But, what?" She encouraged gently.



"I feel–I feel so lonely," he uttered softly, looking away from her concerned brown eyes.



She stopped walking, pulling him to a halt with her.



Ayame looked at her in shock, "Mine–?"



"–Shh," she interrupted, shaking her head as they stood facing one another in the downpour of rain, "It hurts me that you didn't tell me sooner how you felt."



He blinked, his eyebrow furrowing in thought.



"Ayame-san," she continued, squeezing his hand, "I don't want you to feel lonely, and I don't want you to keep secrets from me because–because I trust you and I hope that you trust me. So please, if you ever feel like this again, I beg of you to tell me. Because I hope, in some way, that you don't feel so lonely, around me..." She trailed off, forcing herself to look into his shining, golden eyes. She was in awe to see such affection in their depths.



"I could never feel lonely around you, Mine," he smiled softly, desperately wanting to hug her but knowing that to do so, may lead to the end of their friendship.



She made her decision there and then, as he gazed at her with such admiration and friendship. "I–I have something to tell you."



"Oh?"



"About the way I've been behaving these past few weeks," she looked down fearfully.



Ayame smiled, tucking his finger beneath her chin to raise her head. He frowned at the fear written across her face, "What is it?"



When she didn't speak, he trailed his thumb lightly across her jaw-line to encourage her, "Mine? What do you want to tell me?"



A single tear rolled down her curved cheek, "I know," she whispered.



He froze, "Know what?"



Mine took his hand from her cheek, "I know about you... I know what happens when you suddenly disappear from the shop on a cold day; why we have the heating on constantly in the winter."



"What are you saying?" He took a step back, uncovering her from the shelter of the umbrella in his hand, so that she stood alone in the rain.



She smiled sadly as he pulled away, "I always wondered how you could have such beautiful, snow-white hair... Is it because you're–you're not human?"



The pain in his eyes made her regret what she had asked, "I mean," she stuttered pathetically, "I didn't mean that, I just–well, you... You can change into an animal, can't you? I saw you a few weeks ago in the back room. You changed into a snake. I've never seen anything like it..."



His eyes seemed to pierce right through her, "I was afraid of this," he paused, "Mine–" Ayame stopped speaking as he felt the familiar tingle at the base of his spine. He groaned with frustration; how could he transform now? Of all the times and places! But she had shocked him with her knowledge of his curse.



Mine cried out at the loud boom and coughed, waving away the white smoke that had suddenly appeared. She looked around wildly, soaked to the bone, to find her vanished employer.



Her eyes wandered down to the slick pavement.



What she found there, almost caused her to faint. A white snake was curled up between Ayame's clothing, with the umbrella he had held, tossed a few feet away from the cold-blooded animal. She fell to her knees in front of the silent snake.



"What do I do?" Mine panicked, looking around the empty street.



"Oh my, this is bad–this is very bad. Ayame-san, what should I do?" She cried, blindly reaching out to the slumbering snake. She lifted the unconscious snake, along with his clothing, into her arms and cradled it with such a fervent delicacy. Reaching for the discarded umbrella, she ran with her precious cargo, all the way to her home.




The passing storm brought about a new light, a new purpose to the darkened estate of the Sohma family.



He sat reflectively upon the wooden deck, that offered a personal view of the tranquil, Japanese garden. The water of the nearby streams, laced through the delicate wooden bridges, rippling with delight as the sun reflected it's golden rays upon the mirrored surface in reverence. The jade and emerald leaves of the trees in the far distance rustled in the gentle breeze, whistling a light tune that offered such peace and serenity to his usually chaotic life.



He closed his eyes from the picturesque garden, sitting in meditation in the cool shade offered by the canopy above him. This was a vacation; not the running around he had been doing for the past few days. He was glad that the rain had ceased.



A small smile wove it's way to his lips, as though invisible strands were tugging at the corners.



"It's beautiful, isn't it?" His wife whispered into his ear, as she came to sit beside him.



Hitoshi opened his eyes slowly, blinking as his pupils dilated and contracted to the bright sunny day, "It is," he smiled, taking her hand in his as they both looked out at the garden. She had seemed troubled the previous night, but there was no trace of anxiety upon her face at that moment. Relief flooded through his veins.



"I hope you don't mind, but I called Ayame-san and left a message at his home, to ask if he could look after Toshi, so that we might be able to spend the day together... Alone," she said lowly, unwilling to break the silent stillness that was presented to them.



He grinned, "An excellent idea. It seems as if Ayame-san holds our son in high regard, and vice versa. I'm sure he won't mind looking after Toshi."



Tohru chuckled as she remembered the dinner they had attended a few nights prior. Ayame and her son had got on swimmingly, both eager and energetic to the very last hour before Toshi fell asleep. She could still recall the disappointment the older man had felt at having to part with the young boy.



"I get the astute sense that Toshi will listen to every word Ayame-san has to say," her husband continued.



She squeezed his hand, looking at the garden once more before smiling as brightly as the glorious, warm day, "I agree."



"Are you ok? You seemed distracted last night; did something frighten you?" He asked suddenly, gazing at her with such a loving concern that it almost melt her heart.



Tohru shook her head forcefully, "No, I was just being silly."



He raised one eyebrow, "Humor me."



"I thought I saw something, but it was just a shadow," she shook her head at her ridiculous antics.



Hitoshi smiled; a sense of relief filled him. He had been concerned by his wife's distracted demeanor the previous night when she had awoken suddenly. He was glad to see that there was nothing wrong, "We are pretty safe here," he reassured soothingly, "But do tell me if you feel frightened, I might be able to do something about it," he teased, winking at her suggestively.



She laughed brightly, blushing beautifully at his suggestion, "Hitoshi," she reprimanded softly, "You can be extremely naughty at times."



"Only at times?" He smirked gleefully, "And here I was thinking that I was naughty all of the time."



Tohru giggled softly and playfully smacked his arm as she snuggled into his side, "Honestly, sometimes I wonder if you're older than me or younger than me from the way you behave."



The corners of his mouth twitched with amusement.



He placed his cheek upon the top of her head, pulling her closer into his side so that he could hug her, "I will always be young around you, my dear wife," he chuckled softly as her joyful laughter bubbled forth into the bright sunny day, illuminating the world around them with it's melodious tune.



He enjoyed making her laugh... In his personal view, it was the best gift he could ever hope to receive from her. That, and his son.




Ayame woke to the blinding rays of the sun, shining into his eyes. He blinked sleepily, rubbing his clouded eyes as he sat up... Naked, and in a room that was not his own.



A great sense of fear filled him as he looked at the unfamiliar room–the unfamiliar sheet around his naked body.



The previous evening came flooding back to him...



Mine–she knew. She saw him transform in front of her very eyes! Now there was no way he could deny what had happened. He cursed his stupidity at having revealed himself. He cursed the cold rain and the stress his body had been placed under. There was no escape... He had to tell her of his curse; and there was no turning back.



His worst nightmare had just come true in the span of one evening... He was certain that he would lose her–lose her friendship. And now, now he would truly be left all alone. His brow dipped with the heavy sadness his heart seemed to ache from.



"You're up," he closed his eyes as her soft voice spoke from the doorway.



Clutching the sheet around his waist, he stood hastily, looking every where else around the room except at her. "I'll–I'll leave, I'm sorry–" he stammered clumsily as he searched for his clothes frantically.



As he was unable to face her, he did not see the expression of pain that flitted across her tear-stained face, nor did he see his freshly washed and dried clothing, clutched to her chest in her shaking hands.



Ayame froze, flinching as her hand came to rest upon his shoulder.



How could she even bear to touch him, knowing what he was? He shrugged her hand away, walking out of the room to continue with his search.



Once again, her hand found it's way to his shoulder. "Stop," she whispered as he was about to pull away for the second time. This time, he stilled stiffly, refusing to turn and look at her.



"Please look at me," she pleaded.



"I can't," he choked.



He was scared–scared of what he would find in her coffee colored eyes.



"Please, Ayame-san, please look at me!"



Ayame turned slowly, raising his eyes forcefully to look at her face. He expected to see hatred, fear and disgust written across her beautiful features.



But what he found, was the complete opposite.



Love and acceptance shone brightly upon the delicate features of her face; and it was all for him. He staggered back slightly from the weight of her emotions as they clouded her tear-streaked face. The hollow sensation in his gut seemed to fill slowly as she continued to look at him with such a deep affection, that he was left breathless.



"Mine–?" His astounded voice shattered the deeply embedded silence that had enveloped the room.



She shook her head, "I don't care, Ayame-san."



He frowned, "But, what you saw?"



"I don't care," she repeated softly yet sternly, "You are Ayame-san, you are my friend and nothing will change that." Her eyes shone with unshed tears. "Besides," she added lightly, "I always knew there was something extremely silly about you, I guess I just found out what that was."



Ayame chuckled awkwardly at her attempted humor. "You really don't mind?" He asked with uncertainty.



"No," she assured, "Not at all."



He breathed a sigh of relief, "I made you cry," he said with astonishment, looking at her red-streaked cheek.



Ayame raised his hand to touch her cheek but stopped as she continued to speak, "It's ok, They're tears of relief... I thought you would stay a snake forever. Silly me. You don't have to explain anything but–I do have a few questions," she whispered uncomfortably, "That is, if–if you're ok with telling me?" Mine smiled shyly from beneath her glasses.



Her hair was loose from it's usual style, so that it framed her oval face softly, and her eyes–her eyes were like two creamy brown jewels that sparkled with fascination in the bright day, and seemed to remind him of the curiosity a child would harbor.



It was at that moment that Ayame realized how incredibly beautiful she really was. Beneath the guise of costumes and glasses, was an incredibly attractive young woman... A woman with whom, he had fallen in love with, but had been too afraid to admit his feelings to. The thought was so unexpected that he had to take another moment to look over her once more so that he could be certain that she really was his Mine.



"I'll tell you everything and answer all your questions, Mine," he said softly, taking her hand from his shoulder so that he could hold it tightly to his cheek. "But first–I have something to ask you." A serious look graced his face, one that seemed to be so alien upon his features, that she had to blink to see if it was real.



"What is it?" She looked up, smiling at his odd behavior.



"Could you ever see yourself loving me?" He murmured desperately, "Ever?"



Mine licked her lips as he drew nearer to her, uncomfortably aware that he was naked beneath the sheet around his waist. She realized that it was now or never, to tell him the truth. For so many years she had been hiding from her feelings, hiding from him. She didn't want to do that anymore and so–she spoke, spoke the truth.



"I already do," she whispered, allowing her fingers to gently stroke the contour of his jaw.



"And what about your lover?" He asked, with a speck of amusement and hidden jealousy.



In truth, she didn't really have a lover. She had been courted by men, on an off but it had never been anything serious. She held back–held back in the hope and anticipation that he would come to love her.



"What lover?" She countered smartly, enjoying the look of shock that flashed within his eyes.



Ayame pulled her close, just close enough to feel her heart pounding, but far enough so that there was no danger of transforming. "Good answer," he mumbled quietly, lowering his lips to her own, pouted mouth. "One more question?"



"Hm?" She closed her eyes as she felt his warm breath caress her parted lips.



"May I kiss you?"



The quiet question he had uttered so softly and quietly, left her feeling stunned and speechless.



She barely managed to nod before his lips pressed softly against hers, causing her thoughts to be scattered from her mind as his warm tongue slipped teasingly into her mouth.



Joy unlike any other engulfed the couple as their tongues danced to a silent rhythm, their hearts pounding from a maddening delight with each subtle stroke and caress. The kiss seemed to escalate further than expected, and before she could even think to protest, she was lowered gently to the floor of her home.



The consequences of what would happen to them after that moment, seemed insignificant to her. All she could focus on were the warm, wet lips that trailed down her neck, and the wandering hands that slowly pulled away her clothing, which she allowed with no regret.



As though they were in a trance, the newly bound couple blindly followed their hearts and the screaming desires of their bodies.




Akito sighed as he looked out at the cheerful morning from his oval window.



He hated sunshine, preferring the dark rain clouds over the shining, spectacular daylight. He always felt so lethargic during the summer days, that he refused to leave the main house unless it was absolutely necessary.



Today was one of those days.



The game of God and Onigiri was about to begin.



He could smell it in the sickening, fresh air–see it in the early morning, dew-dropped trees that sparkled from the secret rainbows that formed within their globular crystals. A lazy smile spread across his face.



Soon... It would happen soon. The time to test the power he had over the Jyuunishi was afoot and Honda Tohru was simply the means to a glorious, wonderful end.



Akito chuckled softly to himself, speaking out to the empty room, "Hitoshi, you are such a fool..." He cast his gaze towards the inside of his darkened room, "Do you really think that she belongs to you, because you married her? Do you actually think that you have the power to stand up to me–a God among men?! Poor, poor Takagawa Hitoshi, you have so much to learn..." His whispered voice trailed off as he absently petted the white bird upon his shoulder.



"Go," he said to the listening creature, "Be my eyes and ears, little one, it's only a matter of time."



The fragile white bird chirped in once acknowledgement, before flying from his shoulder and leaving the room from the open window.




Hitoshi grimaced as the morning slumber that had descended upon his wife, was broken by the loud ringing of his cell phone.



He smiled to himself as he remembered how beautiful and peaceful she had looked after their conversation, that she had managed to fall asleep against his shoulder in the warm early morning sunshine of their private garden.



Damn, he cursed inwardly, wincing at the jarring sound that had awoken his wife. She pulled away from his side, watching him with expectancy.



Raising the cell phone to his ear, he spoke, "Hello?... Yes... I will be... Thank you... The international export of our goods is tied with the company in Tokyo... I see... No, I am busy for the entire day," he sighed, "Yes, tomorrow is fine... I understand it's important. Thank you." He lowered the phone, glancing sheepishly at his wife.



Tohru blinked, "Don't tell me, work–again?"



He sighed, "Only for tomorrow, but today is our day," he said hopefully, almost frowning at the stricken look upon her face.



"On the day of our wedding," she said softly, looking out at the lavish garden, "You said that we should be honest with one another, always, right?"



"Right," he agreed immediately.



She looked back at him with concern, "Then I'm saying this, because I love you, so very much," he nodded for her to continue. "Hitoshi, this is getting ridiculous. We're on a vacation, we're having a break that we deserve, you said so yourself. I understand that work can't be put aside but... Isn't that why we came here? To get away from our work?"



He sighed, "I can't help it Tohru, you know that."



"I do–but I barely get to see you and speak with you and–and I miss you. I feel like, I see you less now than when we were in Tokyo. I know that our work is important, but look at me, I feel so awful at not having lifted a single finger to help you. I feel bad knowing, that I could be checking the daily accounts from your laptop, but I'm not. Wouldn't it be easier if we both worked together? That way we could spend more time together!" She suggested hopefully.



"No," he said sharply, startling her with the intensity in his emerald orbs.



Hitoshi exhaled loudly, rubbing the side of his face wearily, "I'm sorry Tohru," he continued softly, "I brought you here to get you away from work, I know how hard you work... In that respect, we are both guilty of it. That's why I brought you here–this time was for you to relax and me to worry about work."



She kneeled in front of him and smiled at his thoughtful concerns, "Whose company is it?"



"Ours."



"Then it isn't fair that you work and I don't."



He took her hand and held it to his heart, casting a worried glance at her, "Promise me that you won't work while we're here? You do enough in Tokyo, Tohru, please promise me?"



She hesitated, seeing the desperation and concern for her well-being in his eyes. In some ways, he was right. She knew that she over-worked and was prone to falling sick from worry and stress; she could understand his fears–and so, she agreed, "Fine, I won't work," she paused, "But you have to promise to get some rest while we're here, ok?"



"Done," he said, smiling as he kissed her hand.



"'Kasaan! 'Tousan!" The tearful voice of her son called out to them from inside the villa. They grinned at one another before standing from the raised platform, to return back into the house. They did not seem to notice the silent, white bird that had been perched upon the swaying branch of a nearby tree.




Kyo frowned as he looked at his sleeping rival, sprawled out across the lowered oak table. He nudged the sleeping rat with his toe, frowning as he did so.



"Hey," he said loudly, "Get up Yuki! You need to leave before I throw you out!" He threatened, to no avail.



Yuki continued to sleep through his persistent nudging. If he had been awake, he would have punched the cat for touching him with his foot. But he was not, and so, Kyo continued to push him with his foot, in disgust.



"Aw, hell!" He cursed loudly to the quiet room, "Fine! Just stay that way you–you damn rat..." A look of compassion flickered across his face before he left the room, shaking his head at the man's audacity to sleep through the early morning.




Tohru frowned. Ayame-san still hadn't called back with his answer. She sighed, wondering if everything was all right.



"So, what do you want to do?" She heard her husband say as he sat at the end of their bed, with their son in his lap.



"Play!" Toshi crowed in response.



She laughed, turning to face her beautiful family.



A thought came to her, "Well, yesterday, Toshi and I were in the nearby woods and we came across a house. I thought it was abandoned at first, but there was someone living there. He was kind enough to let Toshi use the bathroom and I thought–I thought, maybe we could pay him a visit again after I make breakfast, and take it to him? He seemed so lonely, living by himself, it might be nice if he has some company with my home-cooked breakfast. What do you say?"



Hitoshi grinned. His wife never ceased to amaze him–always so caring of complete strangers. He didn't think there could be any harm in paying a visit, after all, the man must be a Sohma to be living within the confines of the estate, so he should be respectable. "I think it's a great idea," he replied jovially.



She beamed from his agreement and rushed over to her husband and son so that she could kiss him on the cheek.



"What about me, 'Kasaan?" Toshi pouted sweetly. Tohru laughed, ruffling his hair before placing a sloppy kiss upon his cheek as well. He giggled with delight, making a face of triumph at his father.



Hitoshi shook his head, standing with his son in his arms so that he could pull his wife into a large embrace, "I think our smelly son needs a bath," he declared lightly.



They both laughed as Toshi grimaced with dread.