Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Honda constellations ❯ Cancer ( Chapter 5 )

Honda constellations chapter 5

It was during the great hero Hercules' second great task, that Cancer is introduced to us. Hercules' task was to kill the great hydra that lived in the swamps of Lerna, for the king of Argos was sure that this would kill him. With the help of the goddess Athene, Hercules was able to find the monster to kill it. After the great struggle of Hercules cutting off its many heads and then re-growing it, the hydra called for help. The one that came to the hydra's rescue was its humble servant Cancer, the crab. Cancer bit into Hercules' foot, causing him to stand still while the hydra's immortal head went in for the kill. But instead, Hercules killed Cancer and then swung around his sword and killed the hydra's immortal head, killing the entire beast.

For his bravery and loyalty, the gods gave Cancer his own place in the night skies, but since he was unsuccessful in his task, his constellation is very dim. Or so the story goes.

(o)

“Umm… guys, Haru's gone.”

“What do you mean `gone'?” Yoshida asked, looking around for the two-tone.

“Gone. Haru has a really bad sense of direction. I'll go get him!” Momiji volunteered, hopping off the path and into the woods.

The blonde watched the boy go, shaking his head slowly. “Is he always like this?”

The two left over nodded in unison, continuing down the path. “It's hard to believe that he's almost 17 the way he acts.”

“He reminds me of one of the kids at home, with all that hyperactivity and all. Her name's Lindsey, but we call her Lolo sometimes. Does Tohru talk about her family often?”

“No, we didn't know that she had family aside from her grandpa and her aunt's family before today.” Kyo walked ahead slightly, worried that Tohru would get lost in the woods also.

“Surprising, and here she was, telling me all about you Sohma like she was obsessed, kitty-boy.”

“What?” Kyo had snapped around and Yuki froze.

“What are you talking about Honda-san?” Yuki asked, trying to laugh it off and failing.

“First off, I'm not a `Honda' as you assume, I'm a `Hidama'. Also, she didn't spill your precious `secret,' I knew as soon as I saw you. You both may look human, but you're not. A rat and a… a cat? You look more like an overgrown hairless rabbit to me…You're not exactly the run-of-the-mill family, are you? Maybe Tohru was right when she said that you guys would probably be the ones tha—ack!” Kyo pinned up Yoshida to the nearest tree, nearly cutting off his airflow.

“I'm a human, not a cat!” Kyo hissed, his eyes slitting like his feline counterpart.

“And I'm Santa Claus,” Yoshida bit back, “just admit that you're different from everyone else. That's why Taurus likes you!” Kyo pressed harder, “and besides… if you weren't a cat, why do you have cat ears and a tail right now?” he smirked as his windpipe was released. “Good kitty!” and wham! Kyo punched the smirking boy into the bushes.

“Shut up and stay away from Tohru.” Kyo stood up from his crouch and walked down the path, leaving the others

(o)

“Are you making it a habit to run home to me in the afternoons, my little flower?” Shigure grinned.

Tohru smiled back and shook her head, “no, I have a friend of mine visiting for a little while.”

“Oh, is Saki done with the novel I gave her already?” Shigure asked, heading to the bookshelf to get the next book in his series for her.

“No, actually it's my cousin that I talked to on the phone last night.”

“Your boyfriend?”

“He's not my boyfriend…” Tohru shook her head a little and went into the kitchen.

“I thought we were more than that, my wild child!” Yoshida called from just coming into the house. “And after all those things I've done for you!” he stuck out his hand toward Shigure, “I'm Yoshida Hidama, pleased to meet you.” As soon as they shook, he followed Tohru into the kitchen, “I've cooked for you, bandaged your wounds—“

“That you caused.”

“I've been your dance partner, your gymnastics partner—“

“And a rodeo clown, I know.” Tohru smiled and looked out of the corner of her eye, “but you still can't cook.”

“B-b-but… That hurt!” Yoshida whined, sitting down on the floor of the kitchen.

Tohru laughed lightly and kneeled in front of the boy, “and yet, I still love you somehow—” She stroked his cheek before standing up.

“So you do admit it!”

“—like a brother.” He fell back groaning. After all that up and hope, the ultimate put-down!

Tohru got out a footstool to get some crackers out of the cabinet, but Yoshida was quicker on the draw. Tohru was stunned for a moment, but smiled gently and sliced some cheese. “So, why did you come anyway?”

Yoshida was quiet for a moment before letting his arms fall over her shoulders and his chin on her head. “Oh, this and that…” he hoped for a nonchalant tone, “… they're really worried about you, you know.”

“The Sohma are kind to me. I just hope that I can repay them someday for their kindness.” Yoshida nodded and hunted through the cabinets to hide his face. “Just don't threaten them before you get to know them.”

“Oi! That was the kitty-boy not me…!”

“We're here! And I found Haru!” Momiji called from the open shoji door and sat down around the table. Tohru gave her cousin an apologetic smile before taking up the snack platter and heading out to the others.

(o)

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

“And what about the others?” Tohru looked around and sighed. They were bound to find out sooner or later, just later would have been nicer.

“It was inevitable. Besides, I think some of them were SPYING on me yesterday anyway.” Tohru sighed and stepped off the porch, knowing that she had caught the others attention and would follow sooner or later.

About half way there, Tohru did an immediate about-face and caught a bush rustle dangerously, as if someone had just jumped into it. They both grinned, Tohru trying to cover with her hand, “Momiji, one bush over and you would have been in poison ivy.” She giggled, “And I know everyone else is there also…” Momiji's blonde head peeked out, giving a sheepish grin with the others following.

“Good thing you moved that bush then…”

“They have a doctor that's really good.” Tohru smiled and continued on like she was by herself.

They reached `her' clearing soon enough and Tohru ran her fingers along the cliff base, as if trying to find something. Her fingernails snagged and with an `aha!' she stepped back. Taking out the fist-sized stone that she found earlier, Tohru held it up to catch the sun's rays.

“Ready when you are.” Tohru nodded and tossed the rock so that it hit the cliff wall. Almost immediately, the rocks began to shake, like in an earthquake, and split apart. It revealed the cave like a pair of shoji screens being pushed apart to reveal the room beyond.

The rumbling ceased.

“Well… you always had a flare for the dramatic, didn't ya?” Yoshida commented, shaking his head.

“Would it have been better if I would have just said `open sesame'?” Tohru asked dryly, waving her hands like jazz hands. She walked forward, stumbling slightly at the expended energy.

“Ah, Honda-kun…” Yuki held up his hand as Tohru disappeared into the cave's entrance.

“AAAH!” Tohru's scream came from the cave entrance, followed by her running and jumping into Yoshida's arms. “R-r-ra-“

“Want me to take care of that?” Yuki asked, walking into the mouth of the cave, but not going into the dark. A second later, a whole family of large mice came out and surrounded Yuki's feet. “I think you can go in now.”

Tohru nodded, blushing, “I-I wasn't scared, just… startled.” Tohru mumbled, prodding Yoshida to let her down. She could easily see that the others didn't believe her as she skirted around Yuki and the mice to get into the cave. The Sohma stepped closer, curiosity getting the best of them.

“Aha!” there was a flash of a match before a low glowing filled the cave. “I knew that there was a lamp in here somewhere!” with the cave being lit up, the others could see that it went inside and curved slightly to the left.

There were a few crashes that sounded large and heavy. “H-hey Tohru, you need any help?” Kyo asked, stepping inside the cave slightly.

“No. Some things fell during the last landslide, that's all.” Tohru explained, coming out dragging out a motorcycle beside her. “I just hope that this thing still works though.”

To say that they were startled was an understatement. “I got this from my mom if you're wondering. And yes, I can drive it.”

“Like a madwoman…”

“At least I haven't crashed it yet, unlike you who…” Tohru trailed off, lettings the Sohma come up with their own story about Yoshida. The younger ones had a clue, seeing the driving of the other twin in that jeep, but Shigure was only as lost as he would admit.

“That's Kyoko-san's bike?” Momiji asked in awe, admiring the red candy finish with the blue decal painted onto the front and gas tank. Tohru smiled and lifted up the seat compartment, taking out the key with a red butterfly key chain attached.

Tohru turned the bike on, as well as the taillights. “Who else has custom taillights?” she asked, dropping the seat and striking a slight pose with the bike. It was true; the lights were behind black cutouts of butterflies.

“Honda-kun, you might not want to turn on the engine.” Yuki commented, eying the muffler. “There's a nest in the muffler that you need to get out.”

“I needed to make sure this still works anyway, but you can help me with the muffler if you want, okay?” Yuki agreed and took hold of the handle bars. The twin cringed as Tohru put her hand over Yuki's. “It's sweet that you want to help move my bike, but I think I can handle it, okay?” Tohru gave the largest smile she could, but it did not reach her eyes.

Yuki nodded and let go, not quite knowing how to react to Tohru's… request? Threat? Sensing that the show was over, the Sohma boys started heading back to the house, Tohru in the midst, pushing her bike. “Wow, your Mutti really rode that?”

“And I can also. I didn't get much of mom's stuff when she died, but otherwise The Wing would have been scrapped or sold.”

“What model is it?” Haru asked, trying to guess in his mind.

“Honda customized 1972…I think. It could be 73.” Tohru saw Shigure's look. “From before mom and Katsuya got married. They were the slightest bit of obsessed with each other.” Tohru held up her thumb and index finger in a pinching motion.

“Yeah! That's a story!” Yoshida called from the back. Tohru rolled her eyes and crossed the small stream using a particularly wide fallen tree that Tohru could barely cross with the bike.

Yoshida slapped an arm across Yuki's chest before he could cross the log, “Tohru'll never say this, but if you ever touch her bike again Mickey Mouse, you'll be in a world of hurt. She doesn't like anyone touching her bike unless you get a specific invitation. You were lucky to get away with a warning this time.” Yuki said nothing but narrowed his eyes before ducking under Yoshida's arm.

“Honda-san isn't like that.”

Yoshida rolled his eyes and jumped the stream to catch up with Tohru. “Heya! Ya forgot to shut the door!”

Tohru turned and shook her head, smiling. She snapped her fingers and a large crash came from the clearing. “For whatever are you talking about milord?” she asked sweetly with a small curtsey.

“I'm going to throttle you one of these days for that…” Yoshida sighed, laying his hand on Tohru's head heavily, open-palmed. “Why won't you just let my sanity be for once?” he ended in a whine similar to Shigure's.

“Because that's the second scariest thing on earth.”

“Hey, I've been promoted!” Yoshida hung heavily on Tohru for a few seconds before slowing down as realization dawned on him. “That's not good, what happened?” his voice turned hushed as he peeked around at the others.

Tohru smiled sweetly and crossed her hand over to her left neck junction. “I found out that the boogeyman wants friends just as much as the rest of us.”

“Has it come back?”

“Premonitions don't come back once you understand them.” Tohru looked off through the trees, “so, are you going to need a ride?”

Yoshida blushed slightly, “yeah, unless you can somehow convince Yohiko to come back.” Tohru shrugged and put down the kickstand. She turned toward him, drew back her leg… “No!” Yoshida squeaked, covering himself, “do you want to scar both of us?” sighing, Tohru pushed on with her bike, leaving the quaking boy behind.

“Do you have a phone?” sighing in relief, he pulled the flip phone out of his jean picket and handed it to her.

“Just push the contacts button…”

“Yeah, yeah. I've stolen your phone before. Take my bike and park it by the driveway.” Tohru turned and walked off the trail. “And stop gloating! I need to get something that I forgot…”

(o)

“No! I don't want to talk about it!” Tohru rubbed a portion of her bike furiously, attempting to buff away a spec of dirt that only she could detect.

“About what? About the fact that you had a premonition about this family. That you might be engaged to one. That you are more like them than you care to admit. That you haven't told them one iota about your past.” Yoshida's voice was lowering with each accusation. “Or is it the fact that you're dying and don't want to be alone at the end?”

SLAP

Tohru sat back and took a few deep breaths before trusting herself to speak. “We're all dying. It all comes down to how fast in the end. One is born dead, and the next could live to be well over a hundred and three! Thirty, fifty, twenty-five, it doesn't matter at what age in the end, does it?”

Yoshida nodded and took his time before speaking again. “So… what's my ride?”

“You're lucky. Apparently, I have a package he wants to give me and he's grudgingly agreed to give you a ride…for 500 yen.”

Yoshida swore softly and dug out his wallet. “Hey T-Chan, can you spot me some…”

“Toh-ru Ku-un! Phone!” Shigure called out his office door.

“Be right back!” And with that, she wiped the beginning of tears off her face and ran to the door.

“My, my, aren't you the popular one lately? If that one isn't your boyfriend, this one definitely is!”

Tohru snagged the phone and stuck her tongue out playfully. “Moshi, moshi, Tohru Honda speaking.”

“It's been a long time, hasn't it Toh-chan? I was thinking, since tomorrow in the monthly meeting for the family, you could come and talk a bit.” Tohru stiffened, hearing the command in the gentle request. “And wear that cute blue number. If not, we have something you can wear here that's appropriate. How's that sound? Okay? Bye.”

Tohru had no time to respond as the line went dead. Shigure heard the dial tone and gently took the phone out of Tohru's grip. Her hands dropped to her side and she stared at the wall for a moment before snapping back to her happy mask.

“I'm going to visit some of my family after school tomorrow, is that okay?”

Shigure nodded, despite the worry that shone in his eyes. “Have fun and be safe. The boys'll want to make sure you get there safely, so let them walk you, okay?” Tohru nodded. “Hey,” Shigure gave a smile and a half-hug so that the curse wasn't activated, “you're always welcome here, and this is your home.”

It was just something that she needed to hear, to know that she was loved. They heard the gravel crunch in the driveway and Tohru turned out of Shigure's embrace. “And that would be the other half of the terrible twosome waiting for me.” Tohru blushed sheepishly and bowed her way out. Outside, the twins were speaking in hushed tones, one holding a relatively large boy under one arm.

“T-cha-an! Pweese can I have some money?” Yoshida asked, acting as cute as he could. The effect was ruined by the face that he was at least a foot taller than Tohru. Tohru rolled her eyes and went to hug the other twin.

“How have you been? And what about a package for me?” she asked, spying the box that he held.

“It's just stuff, this and that and some videos—“

“no-o-o” Tohru groaned, covering her grin with her mouth. Taking the box, she half-skipped back to the house to set it in the living room.

“Money?!” Yoshida called after her in a pleading voice.

Tohru peeked out the door and waved, “put it on his tab, he'll pay it back eventually!” Yoshida groaned and Yohiko laughed in what some would say an evil way, rubbing his hands together. Tohru shook her head, “no, he will not pay it back in blood!”

Both twins groaned, “But Toh-chan!” they whined in unison. Tohru smiled and waved at them as they both got into the jeep and drove off.

(o)

Took me long enough, ne? Next time (hopefully sooner than a year…) you'll find out what's in the box. Dark