Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Haru ❯ Of Use ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Furuba.

Author's crap: This has been co-written with my dear Ali (BizarreLoveTriangle{s}). This chapter's a bit weird…We get a better look at what Haru's actually capable of in it. Enjoy.

 

Haru

Chapter Three

Of Use

 

And…really the time didn't come for quite a while. It didn't come until Haru decided to go and get himself kidnapped. Well...it wasn't really his fault. Akito had been planning it for a while, and finally just sent some people to go ambush the ox on his way home from school one day. Except, it was a BIT more complicated than that. But, either way, that was how Haru ended up cranky and in Akito's chambers several weeks later, idly watching a vase wobbling ominously on it's little table, waiting for Akito to actually...acknowledge him, and explain why he'd been forcefully dragged there to begin with.

 

Akito saw no need to explain himself though, so that probably wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Though, he did keep a close eye on any moving objects in the room, perchance the ox decide to toss them at him. How ironic that would be if he got hit with a vase...

 

Well...that really wasn't Haru's fault either. He was really annoyed, and the vase happened to be a convenient outlet, or so his innermost brain had decided. Either way, it didn't fly across the room, thought it did explode into some nasty and dangerous shards, by the time a good ten minutes of this had passed. This was supposed to be his not so subtle hint to Kureno to let the FUCK go of him.

 

“Oh, do stop that.” Akito finally spoke up, mildly annoyed by that.

 

“I can't help it.” Haru shrugged, glancing away from the shards he'd absently been holding air born, and he heard them fall to the floor in a soft tinkle. “It just happens. I don't know how to turn it off.”

 

“Hmm, we'll just have to help you learn how to control that then.” Akii smiled nastily, and probably made Haru regret informing him of that,

 

Haru just offered him a dry look.

 

“Why would you want to do that?”

 

“So I can actually use you.”

 

The ox just shook his head, and decided he didn't want to know just what kind of use Akito was referring to.

 

“You want to quit touching me?” Haru asked Kureno, glancing over his shoulder.

 

The rooster didn't answer, just looked to Akito.

 

“Go ahead.” The head waved it off.

 

And Haru was released.

 

He seemed quite pleased about being let go, and just sat there, watching Akito, seeming quite a bit more patient...even if he really wasn't. He wanted his damn elaborative explanation NOW!

 

“You have a very nice power.” Akito mused. “And seeing as I'm the head in this family... It is my right to have that in my possession.” He smiled in amusement. “I'm sure Hatori could tell you what it means to be in my arsenal... But I'll give you the basics, you're going to get used to doing as I say, when I say it. No questions.”

 

“I can't.” Haru stated immediately. “Literally. I don't know how. I haven't practiced. I don't have any control over it.”

 

“That's alright.” Akii smiled. “We'll help you with that.” Unless of course Haru wanted to do it on his own, which would probably be the wiser option.

 

“That might not be a good idea, Akito-san.” Haru warned warily. “It can get a little out of hand...You saw what happened at Rin's wedding, it would be a real shame if something went wrong, and you were hurt, wouldn't it?”

 

“Oh, I won't be doing it.” Akito snorted. “I'll get Hatori to do it.”

 

Well...he didn't want to set Hatori on fire either, but he didn't say anything about it, just sighed, and nodded.

 

“Right...” He murmured in a resigned sort of way. He'd wanted to learn how to use them anyway...just not for Akito. But, hell, it wasn't like he had much of a choice...he may as well just go with it, for now.

 

“Good.” The head seemed pleased for now. And that was how Haru ended up being stuck in the main house, having lessons with Hatori.

† † †

It wasn't too very long until Akito directed Hatori to the room he'd put Haru in, until he was at least satisfied that the kid knew what he was doing. Maybe longer, if he liked it. The room was fairly empty, just the necessities. Akito had thought it cheaper, if Haru was just going to be breaking stuff all the time. The ox really hadn't been expecting Hatori to show up that afternoon, but he was pleased, when he did.

 

“Hello, Hatsuharu.” Hatori sighed dryly. Akito was obviously being a jerk again... He felt for the poor ox.

 

“Hi, Tori-nii.” Haru glanced over at him, stretching a bit. Akito hadn't even let him leave to go to school, for fear that he wouldn't come back to the main building. Nope, the only places he was allowed to go were the kitchens, the bathhouse, the bathroom, this room, and Akito's room. And, only there when he was summoned by Akito himself. So...it was fairly needless to say he hadn't seen much of anyone lately. This included Kyo. That irritated him quite a bit...but, again, there wasn't anything he could do about it. So, he just sat up straighter, and watched Hatori, to see what the dragon had in mind for these `lessons'.

 

“Akito says I have to help you learn ow to control these powers.” He emphasized HAVE to. “So, I'll try to make this as quick and painless as possible.” Unlike his doctor check-ups.

 

“How do you plan to do that, Tori-nii?” Haru wondered interestedly.

 

“I'm the only other one in the family who has a power...” The dragon murmured. “So, I know the how to access things in your mind, that you don't think you can control. I'll offer you what I can, then it's just a matter of concentration until you have it on your whim.” He had a few things he his doctor bag for him the practice on too.

 

“Right...” Haru nodded, sighing lightly. “What kind of crap am I learning how to do?” He had this alarmingly distinct feeling that Akito wanted him to do more than break heirlooms, and risk house fires.

 

“Whatever Akito tells you to.” The dragon shrugged. “But, once you know how to tap into it, then you can do just about anything he asks.”

 

“Great.” He snorted sardonically. “Does it suck as much as I think it will to be stuck as one of his dolls?” It really was the only way he could think to phrase it. Wasn't that how Akito thought of his family, anyway? As toys, to use or abuse as he wished?

 

“Only... if you don't listen to him.”

 

“Doesn't listening suck too?” Haru raised an eyebrow. “He can't ask for all that many positive things.” After all, Akito was the biggest sadist he'd ever met.

 

“I don't think about it anymore.” The doctor murmured.

 

“Great.” He repeated darkly. “Fucking perfect. Something you have to build up a tolerance to. Sounds like a blast.”

 

“That's on way of putting it.” Hatori sighed dryly. Then he set about attempting to explain the inner workings of Haru's brain to him so he could work his power. That wasn't a fun task... considering Haru could barely find his way down the hall...

 

But...after many hours, and many things repeated, Haru had the basic gist of it.

“So...basically, I have to find it, and focus it on what I want it to do?” He translated into laymen's terms slowly.

 

“Basically.” It was far more complicated than that... But that should do it.

 

“Great, let's get started.” Haru clapped his hands together once. He missed Kyo, and wanted to go home. He was hoping Akito would actually let him, if he learned what he needed to.

 

Hatori drew a ball out of his bag, a little rubber bouncy ball.

“Start with this, if you don't mind.” It would be difficult for the ox to catch that particular item on fire, or blow it up. It could be done... But... the rubber bouncy ball seemed a good thing to start with. “And just start with raising it up and down a little ways.”

 

Haru blinked at him a bit. He'd never tried levitation before...especially not on command, but he did nod, and looked at the ball for a few minutes, before he started. By the time about forty-five minutes had passed, the ball was rising and falling between three and six inches off the floor. Haru was rather proud of himself, as he watched it and tried to keep it afloat at the same time.

 

Hatori made the tricks more difficult until it was rather late at night and the dragon was told by Akito to leave. It had been a good day though. It was obvious Haru wanted this over with, and the dragon was going to try and be quick about it.

 

“I want to go home!” Haru informed Akito, before the head could close his door, but...either way...Hatori would be back the next day...a few hours wouldn't make that much difference, would it?

 

Of course... the head just completely ignored him and the lessons continued. Meanwhile, Kyo was really... well upset. But he was doing a passable job of pretending not to be.

 

Well, Haru was getting impatient too, by the time a week had ended. He missed his fucking boyfriend, and his damn bed! Yes, Akito had provided him with one, but it wasn't HIS!

“Tori-nii,” He sighed glumly, when it had been past a week. “How much longer is this going to take?”

 

“As long as it takes.” Was all the dragon could tell him. He wasn't exactly enjoying it either. “Since Akito's orders are Akito's orders.”

 

“I want to go home...” He stated softly. “And school...I'm surprised if they haven't already called...and...” He trailed off. He thought about telling Hatori about how much he wanted to see Kyo again, and pondered it for several minutes, too. “And, I miss Kyo...” Well, there it was. It wasn't like he was going to get in trouble with Hatori about it, he already knew!

 

“You'll be allowed to soon. I'll make sure of it.” The doctor promised. “It'll be even easier if you keep working, then I'll have some progress to show Akito.”

 

“Right.” Haru agreed after another moment of sulking, before nodding, and looking up at Hatori. “What've you got planned for today?”

 

Today Hatori had papers with which to light fire, and some larger objects to be floated around. It was going to be OH so exciting.

 

Seeing as he'd done both of these things before, Haru had a bit more confidence then. And, really, the fire wasn't all that hard, once he'd figured it out. The levitations were a bit harder, but only required more concentration. He could actually make them move, by the end of the day, instead of just hover.

 

Tori seemed pleased. “I'll see about talking to him soon.” But then he frowned a little. “But, even if he does say you can go back to your normal life... I wouldn't suggest seeing Kyo.”

 

Haru glanced up sharply at him, and the item he'd been working with fell back to the floor with a thunk.

 

“Why not?”

 

“You... know how Akito is. “

 

“He doesn't have to know.”

 

“He will, Hatsuharu.” The dragon sighed. “You've got a nice talent and he wants it. If you're unruly in any way, which includes being happy to Akito, then he'll have you watched. Trust me.”

 

“Tori-nii...” Haru frowned at him. “This isn't a matter of being happy, right now.”

 

“He will know.” The older man repeated stiffly. “He might already know and is just waiting for you to go to Kyo as an excuse to punish you both.”

 

“Tori-nii...” Haru started, but then stopped and shook his head, glaring away. “Nevermind. You wouldn't' get it.”

 

Hatori sighed sympathetically. “Just be careful so you don't do anything stupid.” He murmured before going to see about getting an audience with Akito.

 

“The stupidest thing I can do right now is give up.” Haru informed him flatly, still not looking at him, as he left.

 

A little later Hatori returned for Haru and they went to show him what Haru had learned. The head was very pleased.

 

“Can I go home, now?” Haru wondered hopefully, upon seeing Akito actually smile a bit.

 

“But of course.” Akii murmured amiably. “Just be sure to keep practicing.” He conditioned. This was going nicely. He could give the silly cow a little reward and let him go home.

 

“Thank you!” Haru nodded, smiling a bit himself, and bowing politely, just to make sure Akito knew how very grateful he was.

 

Hatori was asked to stay while Akito dismissed the other off handedly.