Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ He Said, She Said ❯ Part Two - Hanajima's POV ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

HE SAID, SHE SAID Part Two
A Fruits Basket Fanfic

Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess


AUTHOR'S NOTE:
A follow up to the "I.M." storyline and more specifically "All for Love". A story about Yuki and Hanajima's relationship from the people themselves. This part told from Hanajima's POV. More shots of lemon-lime. Events repeat in this part from the last part, so...yeah. Standard Disclaimer follows the story.




It is...odd...how my current situation came about.

I had started my day like every other. I'd awoken and showered. Being that is was Saturday and I was working a 4 hour shift at the office, I dressed in my usual black skirt and jacket, choosing a red blouse to wear underneath. I'd taken to red since graduating high school. I think it's because it reminds me of Tohru.

Breakfast with my parents seemed busy, but only for them. I sat and listened as they talked about the events of the evening and the upcoming events of the day. My parents are always upbeat and cheerful. It makes others wonder how Megumi and I turned out the way we did. It's certainly not genetic. But father says everyone has quirks. I suppose he's right. Our parents have never admonished or punished us for being different, and we grew to like who we were.

I left as the grandfather clock in the hallway struck 7:30am. Work was no different from a normal day. The phone rang constantly, the copier broke after its second use of the day and the printer ran out of toner. Being an executive assistant was not easy when these tools of the trade were inoperable. Still, I managed to finish the project I had been working on and left in a rather timely manner.

I was walking through town when looking for a place to eat lunch. I rarely ate out so I was unfamiliar with what was available. One of my coworkers had recommended several places to me, but I couldn't remember them at the moment. There was a cafe several blocks from the office building. It looked rather quaint. But even more...quaint...was the store next to it.

A clothing store. A women's clothing store by the look of it. But not just any kind of women's clothing store. Oh no. This store was special. Lingerie, costumes, outrageous outfits...that's what sat in the store window. I looked at the cafe, then back at the store. The vibes around me told me to go into the store.

Is that like saying the devil made me do it?

The bell above the door jingled as I entered. There were maybe two or three others in the store...mostly men. Voices could be heard from both the dressing room and the back of the store. I walked around, looking over various things until someone finally decided I was worth helping.

"Can I help you look for anything particular," said a strangely familiar voice.

'No thank you,' I wanted to say. But the vibes I was receiving caused me to rais my head. As I did, my eyes came into contact with two very beautiful amber ones. I blinked in surprise. Behind those amber eyes was a young man, older than myself, wearing a lavish outfit of some strange design. His white hair cascaded from his head to some point behind him. My breath caught as I a memory placed him, and suddenly I didn't know what to say.

Seems I didn't have to speak anyway.

"Ah! Saki-chan! I haven't seen you in...in years!"

"Konnichiwa, Ayame-san. Daijoubu desu ka?"

"Ah, I'm doing well. Very well indeed." He nodded to emphasize his point. "How are you?"

"I'm doing well," I replied, showing the briefest of smiles. "How is Sohma-kun?"

"Yuki?" He asked curiously. "My little brother is...well. He just moved into a new apartment."

"I haven't spoken to him since..." Since Tohru left for England with Yuki's cousin, Hatsuharu. My best friend had been in love with someone OTHER than the person we thought she'd end up with. The universe works in strange ways. It was a sad time. "Well, it has been a while."

"You should pay him a visit," Ayame said, nodding again. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind seeing an old friend."

"Sou ka?" I didn't know Ayame well, but I could've sworn he was up to something. "I may do that. It would be nice to...reminisce. Where does Sohma-kun reside?"

Ayame shook his finger at me. "Ah-ah. First, I want you to try on something." I raised an eyebrow in speculation, and he was quick to placate. "It's the height of decency I assure. But I don't have enough people to help and I think it will look good on you."

I paused in thought. Normally I wouldn't give something like this a second look, but the proposition he made sounded...interesting. "All right."

He bounced happily. "Great! Mine! Pull that gown I sewed yesterday. Saki-chan is going to model it for us."

"Hai, tensho!"

I thought for sure I'd regret it. But Ayame wasn't lying. The dark blue gown he asked me to try on was not indecent in any way. The lowness of the back made me a bit uneasy, but every other part of me was covered more than adequately. The gown was formal, made of dark blue silk and sequined to perfection. The material floated close to my figure all the way to my ankles.

"How much," I asked Ayame.

He blinked at me in surprise. A smile slowly grew on his lips. He clapped his hands together. "You like my design, Saki-chan?"

I looked my reflection over in the mirror before me. "It is...decent."

He pouted at my comment. "Is that all?"

"I'm not sure what else to say," I replied honestly.

"For you...a special price," Ayame said with a wink.

"I do not wish special treatment," I countered.

"Consider it a first time purchase special," he says, ushering me inside the dressing room to change back.

And when he handed me my receipt, Yuki's address was neatly printed on the back. Along with his home phone number, cell phone number and e-mail address. I almost laughed as I left the shop.

Honestly, I'm not sure what possessed me to take Ayame's advice to see his brother. In truth, I was curious. I had not talked to Yuki since the night his engagement to Tohru was broken. He put on a well-meaning face, but his sadness was evident in his vibes. Those strange vibes I'd always picked up in school now seemed very...tragic.

I felt a small need to reach out to him. In some ways, I had been had too. Tohru had never told Arisa or myself about her relationship with Haru. We even bet on which Sohma she'd end up with - Yuki or Kyo. We were as surprised as everyone that night at the engagement party. It was the first time I had seen Arisa cry since Kyoko's death.

It was the first time since then I'd cried as well.

That had been months ago. And it still felt like only yesterday.

So lost in my thoughts was I, that I had missed the rain lightly tapping on my head and shoulders. I had also magically arrived at my third destination of the day. The apartment building was large, at least twenty floors. The receipt in my purse said 690. So I walked up to the sixth floor.

And knocked on the door that said 690.

Yuki was as surprised to see me as I was to be there. I was glad when he invited me in and relaxed as we began to talk like old times. Funny that I should say that, because we rarely talked in the old days. Still it was nice. I had not talked to anyone in our class in a long time, and I was glad to see him doing well despite his losses.

That's when it began.

Our relationship, I mean.

We saw each other regularly. Sometimes we'd meet in town for lunch. Or we'd plan a dinner after work hours or on the weekend. Our favorite spot was the small cafe next to Ayame's shop. We never went in the shop, but then, it was usually closed at that time of night.

Other nights we would relax at his place or walk in the park or the shopping district to work off the day's frustrations. My job was becoming more and more stressful. It was a stepping-stone really. I'd gone back to school to earn a business degree. It was taking longer with evening classes, but I was only a year away from achieving my goal. I was determined to get out of the office and open my own business. The only thing I didn't know was what type of business.

"I always wondered what it would be like to start my own firm," Yuki said one night while walking through the park. "I like my job, but sometimes working for a firm is difficult. People don't always see things the same way you do."

"No, they usually don't."

We stopped at a small ramen stand for dinner that night and our conversation somehow turned to Tohru. I had not heard from Tohru in some time - nearly a month -- but I told him what I did know. Haru was fine. Their son was very healthy. Tohru had even sent me a picture. I dug it out of my purse for him to see. He smiled - really smiled - as he gazed at the picture. I think he saw Tohru there. I know I did.

And as time passed, his vibes became a bit less uncertain. The tragic tone that was there the night Tohru left had vanished. Slowly, but surely. I think that's the proper phrase.

And then he asked me out...on a REAL date.

Hadn't we been dating for the past two months?

There was no sense in arguing. I happily agreed. We had gotten closer in a very short time. There was a silent understanding between us that I rather enjoyed. I think he felt the same way. I saw him smile more, relax more and open up more. He seemed so...different...from the way he was in high school. He had matured. Grown up.

Healed.

I enjoyed spending time with him and was...hurt...when the holidays appeared/ Work became increasingly difficult to handle and I kept it bottled up inside. I had no one to vent to. Yuki was busy. Arisa no longer lived in the city and Tohru...Tohru was too far away.

Tohru? How would she feel if she knew I was seeing Yuki? Happy, I'd wager. And I'm pretty good with bets. Still, it felt odd being with him knowing that he was engaged to my best friend. It truly only mattered when I thought about it. And after nearly several weeks apart, it didn't matter at all. I had to see him. Talking over the phone was not enough, and the New Year was approaching. I was going through what my brother called...withdrawals.

I was in love.

I AM in love.

The knock on his door surprised him again, as much as myself. I knew he was preparing to visit his family for the holiday. He greeted me at the door with a huge smile, despite the tiredness I saw in his eyes. Was he not sleeping well? No, I later found out. His work had become just as unbearable as mine in this season.

We spent the afternoon together with his cousin Momiji. It was my decree that we would all enjoy a nice lunch. Momiji happily agreed, while Yuki simply looked...shocked. When I walked into his kitchen and opened the refrigerator, I understood why. There was so little there. Still we ate and enjoyed each other's company.

I said my good-byes just after six and we parted ways on the street. The kiss we shared was our first in public...and very passionate.

But the kisses we shared in my parent's house - up in my room - on New Year's Day were...sweeter. More passionate. And led my blood to boil.

Just like that night....

Our first time.

Six months had passed since he'd officially asked me out. We hadn't done al ot as far as making out and sex were concerned. It had never really mattered. We enjoyed just being close, and I think we were closer spiritually more so than physically. Still, the physical part had been nice. Holding hands, standing side by side. Sex wouldn't solidify our relationship.

And learning his biggest secret wouldn't terrify me.

It didn't actually.

We were making out on his couch. Kissing had become a rather enjoyable pastime with us. But this time our hands got involved, as if of their own free will. Things were getting heated when I started removing his shirt, his hands sliding up the back of my untucked blouse. He called my name between kisses, bringing my hazy mind out of its perverted thoughts and back into the present.

"Saki...chan, before this goes any further *kiss* I think there's something *smootch* you should *kiss* know."

"Your secret?" The words flowed from my mouth. Whenever he'd back away from a hug, he's say that it was impossible. That there was a secret he'd tell me one day. I allowed that to escape, but not now. "I must admit I have always curious."

He looked at me curiously, pulling out of my grasp. "Curious? About what?"

For a moment I was transported to the very first day we met in high school. To the first time I felt his...unusual...vibes. "Your vibes. I was always curious why the Sohma family has such strange vibes."

He tried to smile but he looked even more nervous. I leaned forward, careful to keep that precious distance between us and placed light kisses to his cheek and neck. I was hoping to calm him, and perhaps stir other feelings as well. He tensed momentarily then relaxed in my care. I let out my own tiny sigh of relief. But then I tensed as I felt his arms around me, that precious distance getting smaller and smaller.

>>POOF<<

"Yuki-kun?"

Somewhere in a cloud of dissipating smoke I heard his voice. "Down here, Saki-chan."

I called his name as I looked for him again, then they widened as a small white rat came into view. It seemed impossible, but he had the exact same aura as Yuki. My suspicion was confirmed when the tiny rodent sighed and nodded.

"Hai."

Out of curiosity I picked him up with my hands. He felt so light, so soft. I probably should've been afraid, but I knew he wasn't going to hurt me. And it's not like he turned into some ferocious beast. How was this possible? "Is this your secret?"

"Hai."

A smile passed my lips just before I started giggling. Yes, giggling. It's not something I do often, even in front of Yuki. He must've been surprised for a moment, but then his own chuckles mixed with mine to echo in the room. Through the laughter I admitted my own surprise and he told me a little more about his curse. Above all, he seemed surprised that I wasn't running away.

I never liked running.

Besides, obstacles were meant to be worked through. This was no exception. It would take time, yes, and a bit of getting used to. But he was so cute in his rat form.

>>POOF<<

He was even more beautiful, naked on the leather couch. I felt my heart race, my blood boiling as it had during our first passionate kiss. Knowing his curse I felt reassured. And a bit more...frisky. I don't think the living room floor would've been my first choice, but I was tired of waiting.

And he needed little encouragement.

I will admit to being nervous the very first time I touched him as a lover. I'd never pleasured anyone but myself. But instinct took over the moment my fingers curled around his hardened erection, sliding them tightly up and down over the pulsing of his flesh. His hands were doing fine on their own as well, my hardened nipples buried in his palm as his fingers massaged and squeezed at my breasts.

One particular tweek of my nipple with his finger cause me to moan, my body to jump. His jumped as well and I felt something liquidy against my finger. I tasted it, quickly wanting to return to my previous action. I added a bit of my denpa to the mix and when Yuki didn't object I continued ministering to him in that manner. I could tell he enjoyed by the ministration he made to my own body.

I use a high jolt of my denpa as a distraction, rolling us over so that I'm on top. My lips travel a path from his mouth to his stomach, then dive lower to where my hand had once been. Instinct is again my instructor. My lips cover the head of his penis and slowly sink as far as I can go. I move my head over him as I did my hand, varying my pace to see his reactions.

One particularly hard pull had him panting and sweating. His voice, calling my name, forced me to release him. I looked at him, curious as to why he's ask me to stop. Was he not feeling pleasure? I knew I was. Amazing my body's reaction to this physicality. His face looks strained and I ask him if he's in pain.

He's holding back.

Why? Was I not performing well? Were we going to stop?

His hand caressed my cheek before burying itself in my hair. "I just wanted to be...somewhere else."

"Somewhere else?" My body throbbed at the thought. It knew, long before I did. "Ah. I see."

We kissed - a kiss like none we've shared before - and he tried to flip us over. I stopped him by sitting on his thighs, my hands on his shoulders for support. The throbbing low n my stomach seemed to pulse harder as the inside of my thigh came into contact with his jutting erection. Instinct once again taking over, I grasped his erection and guided him to my center.

Our tongues dueled as I sat back, taking him inside of me. The kiss broke when I sat up, fully impaling myself. The pain was indescribable, but the doors it opened in my mind, the feelings it unleashed, were even better. I moved over him in unfamiliar rhythms until both of us were keening as one. Our eyes remained locked. I couldn't look away, despite the amazing feelings rushing through my body.

And in an instant I realized that I'd been wrong. I thought that sex would not solidify our relationship. But it did. That, and so much more.

As soon as he closes his eyes, the connection is gone. But the feelings are not. They build, getting stronger, more intense. His hands grasped my hips, helping me move, forcing me to move faster. I felt his release, felt his seed wash against my inner walls. My own followed, washing through me like the tide on a beach. I was adrift, floating. And then his voice, that wonderful melodious voice, brought me back down to earth again.

"Will you marry me, Saki?"

"Hai."

The answer took no thought at all. It came from my heart, my very soul. Should we have waited? I believe Arisa would say 'hell no.' And I must agree. But there was still one thing Yuki failed to mention to me.

"Ohayo, Saki."

"Yuki, ohayo."

It was the first time we'd slept together. The first time we'd awoken next to each other. It was a very...uplifting...experience. We smiled at each other, but his smile faded before mine.

"What is it?"

"There's *sigh* one more thing I have to do before our engagement can be finalized.," he replied, crawling out of bed.

I watched him walk naked to his closet and pull out a robe. He pulled it over his arms and shoulders, tying the tie tightly around his waist. Shame. He really has cute butt. Then he pulled a shorter robe out of his closet. He walked it over to me. I sat up in bed and accepted it with a waning smile.

"What is it you have to do?"

"It...a family matter." When I followed him out of the bedroom and down the hall into the kitchen, he continued, "I have to speak to Akito, our head of house-hold."

"That doesn't sound all that bad."

"It's worse than you think."

Even now, I'm uncertain if he was right.

I insisted on joining him when he spoke to Akito. This may be the only time we meet, even though Yuki preferred we not meet at all. Still, he allowed my presence - I found out later that Akito INSISTED on it - and we set up and time and day to see him.

That day came much sooner than I was prepared for.

I was nervous when we arrived at the main house. Nervous still when we were shown to the meeting place. Usually I would lose myself in my surroundings, but the vibes around me were very distracting.

Yuki had told me that Akito was...unpredictable. "He may throw a fit, or he may do nothing. But if anything happens, it won't be good. He's inflicted pain before...in the past...I don't...I don't want anything to happen to you."

"You told me before he was ill," I said curiously. He had never told me much. Akito seemed to be a very...difficult...subject for Yuki.

"He is," Yuki tried to better explain, but words failed him. He sat on the couch with his head in his hands. "But...it's difficult to explain. Even more difficult than my curse."

I sat beside him and placed a hand on his thigh - a gesture of comfort. "He is cursed as well?"

"Hai."

I had to admit I was intrigued. Akito was cursed, yet he didn't transform into an animal of the zodiac, or so I was told. What was his curse then? To wither away? According to Yuki he was a sacrifice for the jyuunishi.

Well, if were told from childhood that I would die for no other reason but for my family to move on...I'd be a bit unstable as well.

But my sympathy seemed wasted when we entered Akito's rooms and were seated before him. The young man looked in good health, although he was pale...and perhaps a bit frail. He even spoke like an ill man. But his smile...the darkness in his aura and the hidden evil in his soul. They were created by him and only him.

"Yuki, it is so good to see you." Akito welcomed my fiancé with a tight embrace. Yuki returned it only half-heartedly. I received only the briefest of glances. A knowing smile. "So what is it you've come to discuss with me today."

Did he need to ask if he already knew the answer?

"I wish to ask permission to marry," Yuki stated simply.

"Sou ka?" Akito spared me another glance. I met his eyes, trying to hold in my pity - yes I believe that it the correct word - and my fear. His gaze remained on me as he continued, "To this...thing?"

"Hai," Yuki replied, a glint of anger tingeing his voice.

And all he did was laugh.

If his dark vibes didn't frighten me, then this surely would have. It was the sound of the devil himself. Something so sick and twisted. Even after his gaze left mine, I couldn't look away. Is that what they call terrified?

Well, not as terrified as I was when Yuki restated his case, assuring Akito of his resolve. The deranged man stopped laughing, picked up a bowl from his lunch tray and hurled it. I do not think he was aiming, but it shattered on the floor at my left side. My breath caught, but I did my best not to show my surprise in my expression. My denpa rose, but I calmed it quickly. Fighting back would only cause more problems.

Akito then proceeded to rant about how I'd bewitched Yuki. I suppose that is possible. But if I do have that kind of power, so does Yuki. He is simply enchanted. Gifted. I could be with anyone else, but I would not feel as complete as I did with Yuki. It is strange that I never had this tendency towards him before. Perhaps it was because of Tohru.

But in the end, I was glad that I had found this. Even if Akito did not share my sentiment. He continued to curse and argue, but Yuki clearly wasn't going to sit and take it. I moved only when he offered me his hand. Were we leaving already?

"You can't leave me Yuki! Please...please, you can't leave."

When we turned around in the doorway, Akito was much as Yuki had described to me before that day. A sick man. His frown, the tears streaming down his face, the pleading in his voice. Even the darkness in his aura had disappeared. How strange.

Yuki suddenly cut loose. And although my fiance's face turned red with anger - perhaps hatred - it was evident in his posture that he was happy to get his feelings into the open. I think he may have even scared Akito. For the other man, still paling, was quick to placate.

"Please Yuki, not you too. Not you."

"Give me a reason," Yuki insisted. "Give me a reason to stay."

"You...you can...get married," Akito replied.

Then he collapsed.

I moved to help him. It was not as if this was a game any more. The strategical battle was over. But Yuki stopped me. I should not have been surprised, but I was. I looked at him curiously.

"He's barely breathing."

"Let him be."

And I did, although I was not happy about it. Time seemed to pass in slow motion now, and Akito's condition got worse and worse. When pleading with Yuki did no good, I did the only thing I could. I opened the door behind me and called for Hatori.

But before the doctor could get to the room, Akito issued his only demand.

"You...you're child...first born *gasp* will be...the next *cough* *weeze* the chosen one."

I had heard, but I had not understood. It was later, when Yuki and I were finally alone in his apartment that he explained it to me in detail. Who the chosen one was and what his or her duties were to be. It sounds...steep. But in the bigger picture, I believe it is a small price to pay.

Have I told you how much my father spent on my wedding kimono?

With Akito's permission, we started planning the wedding right away. My parents through the biggest engagement party I've ever seen. Granted I'd only been to several my entire life. From that day forward, life has become a whirlwind.

So when Yuki told me we were having lunch with his brother, I was not surprised.

I wonder if I should tell him that Ayame is designing my kimono....The grumpy look on Yuki's face shows enough displeasure. Perhaps...another time.

"I can't believe they're late."

"They'll be here."

Yuki sighed, shaking his head. "Remind me again why I agreed to this?"

"WE agreed to this," I said. "And he's your brother. You've both been through a lot recently." I pause, adding one last sentence. "It'll be good to talk."

Yuki is surprised to hear me say this. But his smile is knowing. "Did he ask you to say that?"

I nod seriously. "Only after I modeled something for him."

Oh if only I had a camera to capture the shocked expression on my fiance's face. Definite Kodak moment. He practically stutters in response.

"Please tell me you're joking."

It takes everything I have not to burst out laughing. I had not known I had that ability before I met him again. I nod and he sighs in relief. "Hai."

It is then that I see a young couple walk through the door of the cafe. Ayame is easily recognizable by his white hair and outrageous clothing. The woman with him is his assistant. I had not known they were dating. Perhaps this was a perfect match on their parts as well. I wave them over.

"Yuki?"

"Nani?"

I take a sip of my drink and nod to the oncoming pair. "They're here."

"Finally," he mutters before turning around.

I only smile.

It is a beautiful day.

And we have much to discuss.



~FIN~


DISCLAIMER:
Fruits Basket is owned by Natsuki Takaya/HAKUSENSHA - TV TOKYO - NAS - Fruba Project and licensed by FUNimation Productions, Ltd (for distribution in the USA). All copyrights go to them and not me. All characters are used here without permission. Please do not sue. I have no money, although I would be happy to give away my bills. ^_^