Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Incomplete ❯ Arigato! ( Chapter 4 )

“Karin-chan, I'm home.” Shouted Kyo after he had took his shoes off. He picked up Tohru and staggered into the living room - only to be greeted by a familiar face, one that he didn't want to see.

 

“Yuki….” He uttered and glanced at his wife, sitting with another young woman.

 

“Hai. Sorry Kyo-kun, I forgot to tell you we were having Yuki-…is that Tohru-chan?” Kyo realised he was still holding Tohru and nodded, walking over to the sofa Yuki was sitting on and placed her down. Kyo sat next to his wife and poured himself a cup of tea.

 

-Why wasn't I informed of this?

 

-Sorry dear, I forgot-

 

-No you didn't! You just wanted to spite me!

 

-*giggle*

 

“Ah, Miss Honda-chan. It's been too long.” Said Yuki with a smile. Tohru smiled back, Yuki had become such a fine looking young man, loosing most of his boyish looks. It had been more than 4 years since she last saw him-he didn't go to Kyo's wedding. She wanted to hug him, but the other young woman might not have known about the curse so she left it. She was surprised when she Yuki's cheek brush against her own as he gave her a small cuddle.

 

“H-Hai, far too long...” she stammered, staring at his happy face as he sat back. He lost the expression as he looked down at her knee.

 

“What happened?” he asked, hovering his hand just above the knee.

 

“She tripped on some stairs and then tripped again.” Said Kyo brashly. “…silly girl.” He added. Tohru had explained what had happened to her in the car on the way over. She smiled at him and then at Karin. Karin was Kyo's wife, she had long blonde hair and always had a smile on her face, and she had blue eyes and tanned skin. They had known each other for a number of years before the two had gotten involved.

 

“Hello Tohru-chan! It's been a long time since we've seen Yuki hasn't it? Oh and also each other!” she said with a grin. Kyo sighed and sipped his tea. Tohru wanted to ask Yuki about the curse - it had been broken for him, but how?

 

“This is my fiancée, Michii.” He said gesturing to the young woman, who smiled in reply. She had short black hair and pale skin, with blue eyes and a gentle, attractive smile.

 

“Hello Honda-san, I'm pleased to meet you. Yuki-kun talks about you a lot.” She said. Her voice was soft and sweet. Tohru felt her cheeks blush and she turned shyly to Yuki.

 

“You do?”

 

“Mm, we share a lot of memories Honda-chan, Michii-chan thinks that they're romantic - so she likes to hear about them.” Kyo coughed and nearly choked on his tea, he recovered quickly though and glared at Yuki subtly.

 

“Ha, that so…”

 

“Hai, Kyo-kun and Tohru-chan's memories are also very romantic! I love it when they talk to me about it too!” Kyo's head fell forward, a clear indication that he couldn't take much more of the conversation. Tohru giggled and turned to Yuki.

 

“Yuki-kun, you never told me you were engaged.”

 

“Hai, I apologise…I know I should have contacted you, but everything's been so busy.” He looked guilty, like he had done something wrong. Tohru fretted and reassured him that it was fine. They talked for a little while longer and then Yuki and Michii left - Yuki giving Tohru their new phone number.

 

“Uwaa….how stressful. Karin-chan! Why didn't you tell me!?”

 

“He-he, I was afraid if I told you, you wouldn't come home!” she exclaimed gleefully. Kyo just shook his head and turned his attention to Tohru.

 

“Oi…are you alright?”

 

“Hai! I'm fine, my knee stings a bit but it's no problem!” she said with a smile. Karin jumped (literally) onto the other sofa and hugged Tohru.

 

-Don't do that…you'll damage the furniture…

 

“Aww! Poor Tohru-chan! You're so clumsy!” she said squeezing her. Karin had always reminded Tohru of Uotani; she supposed this was why they got on so well. Karin then suddenly jumped off of the sofa and ran to Kyo, bending over and poking him in the stomach.

 

“Ya! What was that for!?”

 

“Look Tohru-chan! Kyo-kun's a fatty now!” she burst into hysterical laughter.

 

“I'm NOT fat!!” Kyo shouted angrily, pushing Karin down on the sofa and sitting next to Tohru, muttering. Tohru smiled, but her mind was elsewhere - she couldn't stop thinking about Koutsu, about the expression on his face, his tone of voice. He had been so kind to her, almost loving before that. She wondered if he had seen her and Kyo and thought they were together, and then wondered why it bothered her so. She was startled to find Karin nose to nose with her.

 

“Tohru-chan? You look so deep in thought….are you alright?”

 

“Hai! Sorry, I was just thinking about someone…” she bowed her head.

 

“Uwaa? That guy? He seemed like a stiff.” Kyo proclaimed, tilting his head slightly. Tohru shook her head and tried to picture his face, but it was hard to get a definite fix on the one she wanted, the soft gentle one in the field. She only saw the face of ambivalence when she left.

 

“No…he was very kind to me. He carried me quite a distance you know!” she said smiling. Kyo sighed exasperatedly and stood up, looking down at Tohru with a tired face.

 

“Are you staying with us tonight?”

 

“Kyo-kun! Of course she is!” yelled Karin, hugging Tohru close to her. Tohru giggled at Kyo's expression. Karin and she had met quite suddenly; in a park in the winter. Tohru had slipped on an icy patch and skidded right into her. Instead of being angry, Karin had laughed and helped her. They had always been friends since then, but Karin only met Kyo 4 years ago. They…really hadn't gotten on at first, he thought she was too hyper and she thought he was too boring; and yet they make the perfect couple! Tohru thought as she watched Karin poking Kyo's stomach repeatedly.

 

“I swear to god if you do that again-*poke*-Okay that's IT!!” Kyo shouted as he lifted Karin over his shoulder and ran through the house - with her screaming like she was being murdered - and then threw her somewhere. She heard Karin half laughing, half whining. She giggled; they had always been like that, so happy and energetic. Her mirth suddenly left her though, and she felt alone, felt that she had no one like that in her life anymore. Her love interests had found new love, and she was still left on her own, like the rice-ball in a fruits basket. She held the side of her face, feeling awkward, trying not to show her feelings. I want to go back there, she thought as she wiped a tear as it cascaded down her warm cheek.

 

“Tohru-chan?!” Tohru didn't even have time to look up when she heard the voice, she was engulfed in Karin. It felt nice to be hugged, to be cared for. She hadn't been hugged in a long time. She smiled and hugged Karin back.

 

“I'm alright Karin-chan, really. Sorry…I don't mean to worry you.”

 

“But you look so upset, what's on your mind?” Tohru stared into Karin's deep blue eyes and over at the door where Kyo was leaning against the frame with a similar expression. She shook her head and rested it on Karin's, feeling like she was going to cry - but this time, it was because she was happy.

 

“Arigato…Karin-chan….Kyo-kun.”

 

 

 

 

“Already? It's only been 3 days, aren't you going to give you're leg a rest?”

 

“I…want to go back Kyo-kun.” Kyo looked at her with empathy and sighed.

 

“Hai, hai. I understand that, but you really should rest.”

 

“Aw kawaii! Kyo-kun's being all sweet!” squealed Karin as she bounced at Kyo's side. Another distinguishing feature of Karin was that she was about a foot shorter than Kyo. Tohru smiled at them and nodded.

 

“I know…but-” Kyo grabbed her arm and pulled her to the car, opening the door and giving her an `I can't take anymore of your whining so get in and shut up' look. She giggled and thanked him, waving goodbye to Karin.

 

“Bai Tohru-chan!” shouted Karin waving. The car drive was fairly pleasant, with music playing softly in the background and odd periods of Kyo humming to the tune, other than that they were silent. Tohru looked at the back of the neko's head and smiled, thinking of him and Karin.

 

“Oi, what's that goofy face for?” asked Kyo. He was looked at her from his mirror.

 

“…it's goofy?”

 

“That's….uh-why are you smiling I mean.” He said hastily.

 

“I was just thinking…Kyo-kun…will you and Karin have children?” Kyo fell silent for a very long period of time, she thought that maybe it was too uncomfortable for him to answer and he was now ignoring her.

 

“I…I suppose…one day.” Tohru smiled.

 

“I hope you do…you would have the most…beautiful children.”

 

“Tohru-chan…are you feeling alright?” Tohru looked up to find Kyo leaning on his seat to face her. She blinked.

 

“WATCH THE ROAD!!”

 

“We've stopped.”

 

“Oh…” Kyo laughed and shook his head. He took off his seatbelt and got out of the car, walking to Tohru's door and opening it for her. Tohru took the hand that was offered to her and eased herself out of the car, staring at the white stairwell, at the cherry blossom petals she could see falling beyond. Kyo took her hand and looked down at her.

 

“Do you need help to get up the stairs?”

 

“Ah no! It's okay…I'm fine! Now, you have to concentrate on going home and making babies with Karin-chan!” Kyo blinked and sighed at Tohru's overly joyous face, gently patting her head and moving slowly to his car door.

 

“If that had been anyone but you, I would have fainted from embarrassment…” he mumbled as he opened it. Tohru walked to his door and bent down to the open window, meeting his face as he turned round from fastening his seatbelt.

 

“Take care of Karin-chan.” She said, leaning in to give him a small kiss on the cheek. He smiled and said he'd call her, and then he drove away, leaving Tohru to her own devices. She stood at the bottom of her mountain and sighed, wishing now that she had accepted Kyo's offer of assistance. She walked up the stairs slowly, having to lean on the banister for support and balance. When she reached the top, she scanned the area for the path that Kurokin had taken her. When she found it, she walked slowly through the cherry blossom grove, taking in the peacefulness of the area. Streaks of sunshine slashed the ground ahead, where strong gusts of wind had left the trees a little bare.

 

“Tohru-san?” Tohru turned to the familiar voice. It was Mikaku, he was wearing a pair of swimming trunks and was…fairly wet.

 

“Mikaku-kun! So nice to see you again!” Mikaku nodded and walked with Tohru to the main house.

 

“Not much has been happening here…how's your leg? Koutsu-san said it had gotten worse, but he didn't say much else.” He said thoughtfully. Tohru frowned nervously.

 

“Is…Koutsu-san alright?”

 

“Hai, he's fine. Just been a little more moody since you left.”

 

“Ah! Sorry!!” said Tohru breaking out in a sweat.

 

“Uwaa? It's alright; he always gets moody around this time. It's a…sensitive time for him.” He said lightly, quickening his pace slightly. Tohru had to hop a little to keep up with him. When they reached the house, they were greeted by Koutsu lying curled up on the floor. Tohru squealed and kneeled down beside him.

 

“Don't worry Tohru-san; I told you, it's a sensitive time for him.”

 

“But…why?” Mikaku took a deep breath and spun around to face her.

 

“Well! The hay fever has kicked in now, the asthma isn't so hot either, he breaks out in heat rashes around this time too, his fever count is very high and his body generally feels like an itchy, flaming mass of pain.” Tohru just sat staring at him with her mouth hanging open, but she was snapped back to reality when Koutsu raised himself to a kneeling position. His eyes had red rings, his cheeks where ablaze, his breathing was erratic and wheezy and every now and then a stream of sweat would trickle from his forehead. Tohru held his face gently, and then he leaned into her, so his head was resting on her shoulder. His loose shirt slipped down his shoulder slightly and exposed a rash.

 

“This also means that he has to stay inside, which equals: hotter and no chance of relief. Also that he has to be in our company.” Mikaku added with a smile. Tohru stroked Koutsu's wet hair and listened to his rapid, wheezy breaths. She turned to look at Mikaku.

 

“Why don't you call the doctor!?” she squeaked. Mikaku's face sagged slightly and he turned away.

 

“Ah…Koutsu doesn't get on very well with our family doctor. We're not allowed to have outside doctors in here I'm afraid.”

 

“Oh…well…I think I may have the solution!” she said and shifted Koutsu slightly, so she could find her cell phone. When she found it and remembered the number, she dialled quickly and waited for a reply.

 

-Hai? How can I help?

 

“Hatori-san! I need your help!”