Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Golden Dreams ❯ Midnight Fever ( Chapter 3 )

Hatori quietly crept into the sleeping girl's bedroom. He could see her chest rising and falling beneath the covers. He longed to slip between them, and sleep with her crumpled against his chest.

When he knelt next to her bed, he knew something was wrong. Her face was drained of all its color, and her breath was fast, too fast. He held his hand to her cheek, and was surprised at its warmth. He gasped. 'How could it have gotten this bad so fast?'

Hatori ran to the bathroom, drawing tepid water into the tub. He streaked back into Tohru's room. He pulled off his coat and his tie and laid them on her dresser before carefully taking her into his arms. Tohru stirred, and her glazed eyes opened. She mumbled something incoherent before closing them and letting her head rest against the doctor's arm.

He gently laid her on the bathroom floor. 'This is going to be awkward.' He thought as he prepared to undressed her. He quickly unbuttoned the top of her flannel pajamas. His hands brushing against her milky skin caused his frustrations to soar. 'I'm about to lose it, and she's barely conscious.' He could see the swell of her breasts beneath the unbuttoned garment. Just enough fabric remained to cover the peaks. 'This could be disastrous.' he thought. He pulled a towel down from the rack and covered her as he continued to pull of her clothing. The towel may have restricted his vision, but the tactile sparks between his hands and her skin caused the too familiar rush of heat to build from within. After undressing her, he wrapped the towel around her body, careful not to glimpse anything that would make his pulse race any faster.

Hatori rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt, and placed Tohru, towel and all, into the mild water. He wet two washcloths. He placed one on her forehead, and one behind her neck. The worried physician sat on the floor with his hands on her shoulders until her breathing slowed and her temperature dropped.

Tohru opened her eyes. Her vision was much clearer than before. The first thing she saw was Hatori leaning over her, looking concerned. She had never seen him lit with so much emotion. Her eyes met his and she saw relief flood his eyes. He smiled and removed his hands from her bare shoulders. Tohru had little recollection of the prior events, and blushed when she realized her condition.

Hatori, worried at her sudden change of color, asked, "Are you feeling alright?"

Tohru nodded.

"You really had me worried." He said softly. He let his deep feelings ease into his voice. His eyes were gentler than she had ever seen.

She sighed and groaned, and let her head fall toward the water.

Hatori gingerly lifted her chin, and supported her head. She loved the way his hand felt on her face. Its warmth and course texture caused her heart to beat faster. She didn't want to move, afraid if she did he would retract his hand. Finally, she turned to meet his gaze. He kept his hand under her chin, and began gently caressing her cheek with his thumb. She smiled, and stared into his eyes. Their warm depth mystified Tohru. She felt her stomach spark with each breath, her pulse once again quickened.

Hatori let his breath go heavily. He couldn't pull away from her gaze. He wanted to draw her in and kiss her. His stomach was heavy. He felt electricity stinging the air as he leaned over the edge of the bathtub. Her face was within inches of his.

Tohru felt his warm breath on her lips. The smell of Menthol cigarettes, mixed with his cologne almost overpowered her senses. She saw mirrored in his eyes the longing that grew from inside her. He paused, closed his eyes, and sighed. He tilted his head upward, kissed her forehead, and sat back on his heels. Tohru was disappointed and confused. 'What is he trying to say to me?' She wondered. His actions proved he cared for her, but they could show his genuine concern as a mentor, perhaps paternally. 'I know he's too old for me but. . ." There was no mistaking the look in his eyes.

Hatori could scarcely believe what he had almost done. 'You're losing it.' He thought. 'She's still a kid.' Hatori looked down. Tohru's cleavage was peaking out from underneath the wet towel. 'Well maybe she isn't a kid per say, but I can't."

Neither had much time to dwell on the moment, because Tohru's stomach lurched. Her eyes filled with panic as she tried unsuccessfully to get out of the tub. Hatori scooped her out of the bath and pulled her to the toilet. He held her hair out of her face while she vomited. After her stomach quieted down, she leaned her head against the wall. She still sat in Hatori's lap.

She choked. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He replied soothingly. "You ought to be feeling better now."

She nodded and looked away. Not only had she thrown up in front of him, but her modest little towel had drenched Hatori's clothing. Her eyes glistened with tears. She felt so pathetic. Her body started trembling. Hatori gently lifted her chin.

"Tohru, don't cry."

She closed her eyes, and tears streamed down her cheeks. He pulled her in as close as he could without risking transformation. He put his chin on her forehead, gently rocking her, and stroking her hair. She buried her face in his neck. He felt her hot tears on his skin. He wanted nothing more than to be holding her closer. He cursed his fate as a Sohma.

Her sobs subsided, and once again she apologized.

"Really, Tohru, it's ok. I don't mind."

"But your clothes." She stammered.

"Oh, right." He looked down and smiled. "I actually hadn't noticed that one yet."

He chuckled. "I'm sure I can wear something of Shigure's while I let these dry."

She smiled back weakly.

"Speaking of dry," he added, "why don't you get dried off and back to bed?"

Tohru nodded.

"Do you need help?" Hatori asked.

"No, I think I'll be ok."

Hatori shut the door, and slid into Shigure's room. He found a robe, quickly changed, and knocked on the bathroom door.

"Everything ok in there?" He asked.

Tohru opened the door. She was clothed haphazardly and sitting on the floor. Hatori helped her stand, and guided her into her bedroom. He helped her settle in, then knelt beside her bed. She peered into his deep eyes. His eyes got deeper, more emotional every time she looked at him. The air was charged the same way it had been earlier in the bathroom. Tension mounted in the pit of his stomach. Tohru placed her hand on the back of his neck, and pulled him in closer. Closer, closer than before, but their lips weren't quite brushing. The dragon's breath was like fire. Tohru began to swoon. As her head tipped backward, her lips bumped Hatori's. He drew his breath in quickly. His chest tightened. They stayed, lips touching, for what seemed like an eternity. Hatori closed his eyes. Tohru bit her lip at the broken gaze, but was cut off by Hatori's kiss. She returned his gentle, open mouth kiss with her own. Hatori wanted to climb into bed beside her, and further his modest kiss, but he knew he could not. He pulled back. Tohru searched his eyes, but only found a flurry of mixed emotions. He smiled, tousled her hair, and stood to leave.

"P-please don't go." Tohru said longingly.

Hatori smiled. "I will be back shortly," he replied.

He quietly shut her door, and went outside to smoke. He drug deeply on his cigarette. Upstairs, Tohru could smell the Menthol leaking in through her window. She smiled and closed her eyes. Hatori also couldn't help smiling. It felt so right to kiss her, but he was torn. She was so young, and Akito would probably throw a fit. Not to mention what it would do to Yuki and Kyo. They would probably never trust him again. He sighed heavily, as he finished his cigarette. He crept upstairs into Tohru's room. She was fast asleep. He smiled and pulled her desk chair into the corner of the room. He watched her peaceful sleep as his emotions continued to torment him. He sat for a long time before finally drifting to sleep.