Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Save The Best For Last ❯ Re-acquaintances ( Chapter 1 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Kawaii Onigiri 
Tohru finally realizes that something is missing from her life, and her dear friend Amari is set on helping her find it.
Anime/Manga: Fruits Basket Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.30.2003 | Updated On: 08.31.2003 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.6K | Visits: 1.1K | Status: Completed
Tohru finally realizes that something is missing from her life, and her dear friend Amari is set on helping her find it.
Anime/Manga: Fruits Basket Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.30.2003 | Updated On: 08.31.2003 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.6K | Visits: 1.1K | Status: Completed
Disclaimer - I claim no right to anything Fruits Basket. They all belong to Takaya-sensei...*sadness* A girl can dream though.
The inspiration for this story comes from the many fanfics I have read within the confines of the message boards at Furuba Lemon Basket. It takes place after the FB gang all graduate from high school and move on with their lives. Some of the Jyuunishi have lost contact with each other, some have become unexpected "friends." You'll just have to see! This is going to be a Kyoru, and it's my first FB fic EVER, so I hope you like it!
Save The Best For Last
Chapter One
It had been quite a while since she had time to just sit down and think about anything besides work. She was looking forward to it.
She had her secretary, and good friend, Amari take the last of her calls and tell her clients she was going to be out of the office for the rest of the day. Amari nodded her consent and gave her a smile. She knew how hard Tohru had been working, and agreed that she was well overdue for some down time. She waved goodbye as Tohru walked out of the office.
Amari turned back to her desk and shook her head. Ever since they'd first met, Tohru was always going out of her way to help others. Other than her ferocity she had when she came to work, she was as gentle as a kitten. When they had first met in college, Amari was still trying to find herself. They had been roommates during their freshmen year. The love that seemed to radiate from Tohru had touched her as well. They had been friends ever since. Once they had graduated they had gone their separate ways. Though they still kept in touch, Amari missed the care free, late night conversations, the last minutes study sessions, the general feeling she had while living with Tohru. Like nothing bad could ever happen to her. She called Tohru one day to find that her dear friend was up for a promotion at her job and was going to move to Tokyo. One thing led to another and the next thing she knew she had a job working for Tohru. If she was honest with herself, she knew she had never been happier.
Tohru, while content with the path she had taken, needed someone in her life. Not a friend, she had plenty of those. It was part of her allure. She could befriend anyone she met. No, it wasn't that. She needed someone to love, and someone who could love her just as much, if not more. Amari knew that she had lived with the Sohmas during her high school years. She knew that it pained Tohru to no end when she had to leave. However, she did not know about the curse. It was part of Tohru's promise to the family, never to tell the secret.
Amari only wanted her friend to be happy. She wanted her to know the kind of happiness that would devour her very heart and soul.
------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ -----------------------------------------
"I wonder if there was ever a day when there wasn't any traffic!"
Tohru's was in her black Ferrari on her way back to her flat. She was morethan anxious to get home and take a long bath. 'One with lots of strawberry bubbles,' she thought, giggling at her own impish thoughts, Ever since she could remember, she loved everything strawberry. Strawberry ice cream, strawberry print stationary, and especially strawberry bubble baths. It was her strawberry obsession that kept her grounded. It kept her from being swept away in the corporate world, becoming a mindless working machine. She had seen it happen to some of her co-workers, and knew it was no way to live. No fun, no happiness...no life at all.
As she pulled up into the parking garage, she got out of the car singing the ballad that had been playing on the radio. She looked around only to see a sea of expensive sports cars and luxury vehicles. Yes, she was living "the good life," but she missed the simple things. Like waking up to Yuki and Kyou's fights, and Shigure's flirtatious teasing. She missed cooking dinner for the Sohma family, and sitting out on the porch with a cup of hot tea, watching the sunset from Shigure's house. She had always felt needed there. They had depended on her, but thinking that she felt a little more than selfish. But...couldn't she be selfish? even for just a minute?
Stripping away her work suit, she ran the water and added the strawberry bubble bath. Turning on the stereo she had built into the bathroom, she decided on a little classical music. She slowly slid into the tub, feeling the worries of work fade away.
"Ah...this is more like it," she said to no one in particular.
As much as she was enjoying her bath, she felt guilty for leaving Amari to deal with the clients alone. She decided to give her a call, just to check up, and maybe keep her a little company.
ring...ring....ring.....ring..."Hello, Takayaki and associates. How may I help you?"
"Ha ha, Amari, you sound so...official! What's going on. Has it been busy since I left?"
"Tohru? What are you doing? You should be relaxing right now! Don't worry about me, everything's fine."
"I know, I know! You've got everything under control. I don't know why I called. I guess I'm a little lonely, so I thought you might keep me a little company!"
"Aw, how sweet of you! Don't worry, tonight when I get off work I'll pick you up and we'll have to go shopping and out to dinner ,okay?"
"Perfect. That's sounds perfect! I was looking at these new shoes and-," she by the strangled sound of Amari trying to politely interrupt.
"Sorry Tohru, gotta check the other line." *click*
While waiting for Amari to switch lines again, Tohru tried to think of the perfect outfit for her. When they were in college, Amari was more of the wild child, but when they started working, she had lost most of her courageous style and settled in to a rather conservative shell. It was time to get her back in to her old ways, and the first step was a new wardrobe. With the right knit top, denim skirt, and shoes, she would be a new woman.
"Tohru? I'm back, but I gotta go. Look, I'll see you tonight, okay?"
"Alright. Ta ta darling," she said in her best English accent.
A mischievous grin spread across her normally delicate features. 'This is going to be so much fun!'
----------------------------------------------------------------- ------- ----------------------------------------------
As promised, Amari went straight to Tohru's apartment after work. When Tohru saw that she was still wearing her burgundy cardigan over a chunky white turtle neck and her khaki slacks, she couldn't help but make a face. Amari sighed. She knew what that face meant. She was quick to jump to defense.
"Hey, I know it looks bad, but I haven't had time to go shopping lately, Miss Slave driver! You are a workaholic and your attitude is contagious, okay? Ugh, I don't know why I'm
so jumpy, let's just go! My credit card is in need of serious lovin'," she laughed at her last statement, which sounded a little more than corny.
"Sure, just let me put my hair up and we'll go."
Sitting in front of the vanity she put her hair in a tousled bun, leaving some tendrils hanging down. A touch of lip gloss and they were out the door.
As they were driving down the streets of the lively city, Amari couldn't help but notice how beautiful Tohru was. It was the beauty that was...just natural.
"How do you do it Tohru?"
"Do what, Amari?"
"I mean, you look great! And I don't just mean tonight. I mean everyday. How do you do it?"
"Heh heh...you know, no one has ever come to me for beauty tips. Amari, don't even act like you don't know how beautiful you are! Do you remember back in college when you
used to have those guys calling out to you from outside our window? All I would hear was, 'Amari's so hot,' and 'I would kill to have a girl like her.' I used to be so jealous. No one had
ever said anything like that to me. Well, except for Shigure, but I know he was just teasing me. In fact, he said things like that to many of my high school class mates...the females anyway."
Amari looked at her dear friend with eyes full of unshed tears. "Oh Tohru. I don't know how I could have made it through all this time without you."
Giving her a brilliant smile, Tohru reached out for her hand, squeezing it slightly in reassurrance, "I feel the same way. After leaving the Sohma's, I didn't think I could really live again. I fulfilled my promise to my mom and graduated high school and college! I stayed with Uo and Hana for a while, but after some time, they had started moving on with their lives. Hana was engaged and Uo was in a serious relationship as well. I felt like I was holding them back. So one day, I just left. And well...as they say, the rest is history."
She looked to her left to see Amari dabbing her eyes with a tissue. Hey! This is supposed to be their fun night!
"Ugh...enough of this sappy stuff. I see a pair of shoes that are just calling out my name."
Tohru grabbed Amari by the wrist and pulling her in tow.
Amari couldn't stifle her gasp. She had never been in a store like this before. The ceilings were so high! The pillars and floors were carved out of marble and...everything was
just so shiny!
Tohru couldn't help but laugh at her friend's reaction. "Alright girl. If you quite done, please pick your jaw up off the floor and help me find something...suitable for you to wear."
---------------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------------------------------------------------
'Too sheer...too neon...too trashy...too frumpy...too...too perfect!'
She screamed as she clutched the dress to her chest. It would go perfectly with those shoes she had in mind. Suddenly she saw a man in a hat approach her.
"Excuse me miss. Can I help you with something," he took off his hat a bowed to her.
Looking at his hair, something clicked in her mind. 'White and black hair...this wasn't an old man. In fact, he looked to be her-,' her thoughts came to a halt when she a wave of deja vú.
"Hatsuharu?"
He looked at her with confusion clearly written on his face. He recovered, putting that suave smile back in place.
"Yes? Have we met before?"
"Haru! It's me, Tohru!"
--------------------------------------------------------------- --------- ---------------------------------------------
I could feel my face go slack with shock. This is Tohru? Shigure's little flower? The Tohru I knew was an innocent girl, without any impure thoughts or unkind words. The Tohru I knew had loved so openly, loved so wholeheartedly. The person standing before me was not the Tohru I knew. That Tohru had ledt us still a girl. This Tohru, she was a full blooded woman. Sexy, beautiful, and...staring at me with the most beautiful look I have ever seen.
"T-Tohru? Oh, Kami...is it really you?"
"Oh, Haru, I've missed you so much! How have you been? What about the others?"
I stepped forward and pulled her into a loose embrace, but as close as the curse would allow. She leaned on my shoulder and let forth the flood of tears she had been holding in check. After she seemingly ran out of tears, she looked up at me, and I could see the loneliness deep within her soul. Literally, in the blink of an eye, she put on her best face and flashed me a brilliant smile.
"Everyone's fine. Things have changed though. Shigure is now dating Mit-chan. Ayame is dating Mine, and his 'talents' are more in demand than ever before. Wait a minute, why don't you come see for yourself? You must know, now that I know you're still here, I'm not about to let you just walk out of lives again. You do know that, don't you?"
"Oh, Hatsuharu, I can't go back. I can't bear to face them again. After leaving, I'm sure there's no need for me anymore. From what you tell me, everyone has moved on and is doing just fine. I would only be imposing. I'm sorry. Here, let me give you my phone numbers. Here's the one to my office, the one to my cell, and my home phone. If you're ever in the area again, call me. We'll have lunch or coffee, or something. Okay? I was nice to see you again...Haru," and she made to turn away, but a large, strong hand caught her elbow before she had the chance.
"Tohru, are you crazy! I'm not letting you go until you see everyone else. We've all missed you so much. Nobody knew what happened to you. When you left, you left no note, no address, no phone number, nothing that could tell anyone where you were. After a while, everyone figured you would want us to move on. So we did, but we never forgot. Shigure would talk about 'his little flower this,' and 'his little flower that.' And you left that damn strawberry towel again. Oh, he had some fun with that one. Drove Yuki and Kyou crazy, he did. No, little lady, you are coming with me."
He then proceeded to throw her over his shoulder, carrying her out of the store kicking and screaming. He couldn't help but to grin. When had she gotten so fiesty?
--------------------------------------------------------------- --------- ----------------------------------------
Amari heard some muffled screaming and turned to find her friend being hoisted out onto the streets over the shoulder of a very large, handsome man. Ignoring the last of her thought she ran to the door, forgetting that she was trying on one of the dresses from the store.
"Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing? Put her down before I call the cops!"
She was surprised to find that he was laughing. More than surprised, she was pissed! She was even more surprised when Tohru's struggling ceased. Instead, the petite figure was bouncing slightly with laughter. She leaned over and whispered something into the man's ear. He nodded and her set her back on her feet.
"Amari, I'd like to introduce you to an old friend of mine. This is Hatsuharu Sohma. Haru, this is my dear friend Amari."
Eyeing the girl in front of him, he bowed deeply before her. "Well, Miss Amari, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. If you'll excuse us, we must be going now."
Seeing that Amari was still dumbfounded, Tohru smiled and thrust her credit card into her hand.
"Well, it seems like I haven't much choice in the matter. Buy something hot, and tomorrow night we'll go dancing, okay? Ta ta darling," she said, adding a theatrical toss of the leg.
Amari stood there, watching her best friend walk away hand-in-hand with the most gorgeous guy she'd ever seen.
----------------------------------------------------------------- ------- -------------------------------------
Well, there we go. The first chapter in now out. I hope you all like it. And suggestions would be more than welcome. Gotta go and plan out my next chapter! Ja ne!
Miss Kawaii
---------------------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------------------------------------
The inspiration for this story comes from the many fanfics I have read within the confines of the message boards at Furuba Lemon Basket. It takes place after the FB gang all graduate from high school and move on with their lives. Some of the Jyuunishi have lost contact with each other, some have become unexpected "friends." You'll just have to see! This is going to be a Kyoru, and it's my first FB fic EVER, so I hope you like it!
Save The Best For Last
Chapter One
It had been quite a while since she had time to just sit down and think about anything besides work. She was looking forward to it.
She had her secretary, and good friend, Amari take the last of her calls and tell her clients she was going to be out of the office for the rest of the day. Amari nodded her consent and gave her a smile. She knew how hard Tohru had been working, and agreed that she was well overdue for some down time. She waved goodbye as Tohru walked out of the office.
Amari turned back to her desk and shook her head. Ever since they'd first met, Tohru was always going out of her way to help others. Other than her ferocity she had when she came to work, she was as gentle as a kitten. When they had first met in college, Amari was still trying to find herself. They had been roommates during their freshmen year. The love that seemed to radiate from Tohru had touched her as well. They had been friends ever since. Once they had graduated they had gone their separate ways. Though they still kept in touch, Amari missed the care free, late night conversations, the last minutes study sessions, the general feeling she had while living with Tohru. Like nothing bad could ever happen to her. She called Tohru one day to find that her dear friend was up for a promotion at her job and was going to move to Tokyo. One thing led to another and the next thing she knew she had a job working for Tohru. If she was honest with herself, she knew she had never been happier.
Tohru, while content with the path she had taken, needed someone in her life. Not a friend, she had plenty of those. It was part of her allure. She could befriend anyone she met. No, it wasn't that. She needed someone to love, and someone who could love her just as much, if not more. Amari knew that she had lived with the Sohmas during her high school years. She knew that it pained Tohru to no end when she had to leave. However, she did not know about the curse. It was part of Tohru's promise to the family, never to tell the secret.
Amari only wanted her friend to be happy. She wanted her to know the kind of happiness that would devour her very heart and soul.
------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ -----------------------------------------
"I wonder if there was ever a day when there wasn't any traffic!"
Tohru's was in her black Ferrari on her way back to her flat. She was morethan anxious to get home and take a long bath. 'One with lots of strawberry bubbles,' she thought, giggling at her own impish thoughts, Ever since she could remember, she loved everything strawberry. Strawberry ice cream, strawberry print stationary, and especially strawberry bubble baths. It was her strawberry obsession that kept her grounded. It kept her from being swept away in the corporate world, becoming a mindless working machine. She had seen it happen to some of her co-workers, and knew it was no way to live. No fun, no happiness...no life at all.
As she pulled up into the parking garage, she got out of the car singing the ballad that had been playing on the radio. She looked around only to see a sea of expensive sports cars and luxury vehicles. Yes, she was living "the good life," but she missed the simple things. Like waking up to Yuki and Kyou's fights, and Shigure's flirtatious teasing. She missed cooking dinner for the Sohma family, and sitting out on the porch with a cup of hot tea, watching the sunset from Shigure's house. She had always felt needed there. They had depended on her, but thinking that she felt a little more than selfish. But...couldn't she be selfish? even for just a minute?
Stripping away her work suit, she ran the water and added the strawberry bubble bath. Turning on the stereo she had built into the bathroom, she decided on a little classical music. She slowly slid into the tub, feeling the worries of work fade away.
"Ah...this is more like it," she said to no one in particular.
As much as she was enjoying her bath, she felt guilty for leaving Amari to deal with the clients alone. She decided to give her a call, just to check up, and maybe keep her a little company.
ring...ring....ring.....ring..."Hello, Takayaki and associates. How may I help you?"
"Ha ha, Amari, you sound so...official! What's going on. Has it been busy since I left?"
"Tohru? What are you doing? You should be relaxing right now! Don't worry about me, everything's fine."
"I know, I know! You've got everything under control. I don't know why I called. I guess I'm a little lonely, so I thought you might keep me a little company!"
"Aw, how sweet of you! Don't worry, tonight when I get off work I'll pick you up and we'll have to go shopping and out to dinner ,okay?"
"Perfect. That's sounds perfect! I was looking at these new shoes and-," she by the strangled sound of Amari trying to politely interrupt.
"Sorry Tohru, gotta check the other line." *click*
While waiting for Amari to switch lines again, Tohru tried to think of the perfect outfit for her. When they were in college, Amari was more of the wild child, but when they started working, she had lost most of her courageous style and settled in to a rather conservative shell. It was time to get her back in to her old ways, and the first step was a new wardrobe. With the right knit top, denim skirt, and shoes, she would be a new woman.
"Tohru? I'm back, but I gotta go. Look, I'll see you tonight, okay?"
"Alright. Ta ta darling," she said in her best English accent.
A mischievous grin spread across her normally delicate features. 'This is going to be so much fun!'
----------------------------------------------------------------- ------- ----------------------------------------------
As promised, Amari went straight to Tohru's apartment after work. When Tohru saw that she was still wearing her burgundy cardigan over a chunky white turtle neck and her khaki slacks, she couldn't help but make a face. Amari sighed. She knew what that face meant. She was quick to jump to defense.
"Hey, I know it looks bad, but I haven't had time to go shopping lately, Miss Slave driver! You are a workaholic and your attitude is contagious, okay? Ugh, I don't know why I'm
so jumpy, let's just go! My credit card is in need of serious lovin'," she laughed at her last statement, which sounded a little more than corny.
"Sure, just let me put my hair up and we'll go."
Sitting in front of the vanity she put her hair in a tousled bun, leaving some tendrils hanging down. A touch of lip gloss and they were out the door.
As they were driving down the streets of the lively city, Amari couldn't help but notice how beautiful Tohru was. It was the beauty that was...just natural.
"How do you do it Tohru?"
"Do what, Amari?"
"I mean, you look great! And I don't just mean tonight. I mean everyday. How do you do it?"
"Heh heh...you know, no one has ever come to me for beauty tips. Amari, don't even act like you don't know how beautiful you are! Do you remember back in college when you
used to have those guys calling out to you from outside our window? All I would hear was, 'Amari's so hot,' and 'I would kill to have a girl like her.' I used to be so jealous. No one had
ever said anything like that to me. Well, except for Shigure, but I know he was just teasing me. In fact, he said things like that to many of my high school class mates...the females anyway."
Amari looked at her dear friend with eyes full of unshed tears. "Oh Tohru. I don't know how I could have made it through all this time without you."
Giving her a brilliant smile, Tohru reached out for her hand, squeezing it slightly in reassurrance, "I feel the same way. After leaving the Sohma's, I didn't think I could really live again. I fulfilled my promise to my mom and graduated high school and college! I stayed with Uo and Hana for a while, but after some time, they had started moving on with their lives. Hana was engaged and Uo was in a serious relationship as well. I felt like I was holding them back. So one day, I just left. And well...as they say, the rest is history."
She looked to her left to see Amari dabbing her eyes with a tissue. Hey! This is supposed to be their fun night!
"Ugh...enough of this sappy stuff. I see a pair of shoes that are just calling out my name."
Tohru grabbed Amari by the wrist and pulling her in tow.
Amari couldn't stifle her gasp. She had never been in a store like this before. The ceilings were so high! The pillars and floors were carved out of marble and...everything was
just so shiny!
Tohru couldn't help but laugh at her friend's reaction. "Alright girl. If you quite done, please pick your jaw up off the floor and help me find something...suitable for you to wear."
---------------------------------------------------------------- -------- -------------------------------------------------
'Too sheer...too neon...too trashy...too frumpy...too...too perfect!'
She screamed as she clutched the dress to her chest. It would go perfectly with those shoes she had in mind. Suddenly she saw a man in a hat approach her.
"Excuse me miss. Can I help you with something," he took off his hat a bowed to her.
Looking at his hair, something clicked in her mind. 'White and black hair...this wasn't an old man. In fact, he looked to be her-,' her thoughts came to a halt when she a wave of deja vú.
"Hatsuharu?"
He looked at her with confusion clearly written on his face. He recovered, putting that suave smile back in place.
"Yes? Have we met before?"
"Haru! It's me, Tohru!"
--------------------------------------------------------------- --------- ---------------------------------------------
I could feel my face go slack with shock. This is Tohru? Shigure's little flower? The Tohru I knew was an innocent girl, without any impure thoughts or unkind words. The Tohru I knew had loved so openly, loved so wholeheartedly. The person standing before me was not the Tohru I knew. That Tohru had ledt us still a girl. This Tohru, she was a full blooded woman. Sexy, beautiful, and...staring at me with the most beautiful look I have ever seen.
"T-Tohru? Oh, Kami...is it really you?"
"Oh, Haru, I've missed you so much! How have you been? What about the others?"
I stepped forward and pulled her into a loose embrace, but as close as the curse would allow. She leaned on my shoulder and let forth the flood of tears she had been holding in check. After she seemingly ran out of tears, she looked up at me, and I could see the loneliness deep within her soul. Literally, in the blink of an eye, she put on her best face and flashed me a brilliant smile.
"Everyone's fine. Things have changed though. Shigure is now dating Mit-chan. Ayame is dating Mine, and his 'talents' are more in demand than ever before. Wait a minute, why don't you come see for yourself? You must know, now that I know you're still here, I'm not about to let you just walk out of lives again. You do know that, don't you?"
"Oh, Hatsuharu, I can't go back. I can't bear to face them again. After leaving, I'm sure there's no need for me anymore. From what you tell me, everyone has moved on and is doing just fine. I would only be imposing. I'm sorry. Here, let me give you my phone numbers. Here's the one to my office, the one to my cell, and my home phone. If you're ever in the area again, call me. We'll have lunch or coffee, or something. Okay? I was nice to see you again...Haru," and she made to turn away, but a large, strong hand caught her elbow before she had the chance.
"Tohru, are you crazy! I'm not letting you go until you see everyone else. We've all missed you so much. Nobody knew what happened to you. When you left, you left no note, no address, no phone number, nothing that could tell anyone where you were. After a while, everyone figured you would want us to move on. So we did, but we never forgot. Shigure would talk about 'his little flower this,' and 'his little flower that.' And you left that damn strawberry towel again. Oh, he had some fun with that one. Drove Yuki and Kyou crazy, he did. No, little lady, you are coming with me."
He then proceeded to throw her over his shoulder, carrying her out of the store kicking and screaming. He couldn't help but to grin. When had she gotten so fiesty?
--------------------------------------------------------------- --------- ----------------------------------------
Amari heard some muffled screaming and turned to find her friend being hoisted out onto the streets over the shoulder of a very large, handsome man. Ignoring the last of her thought she ran to the door, forgetting that she was trying on one of the dresses from the store.
"Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing? Put her down before I call the cops!"
She was surprised to find that he was laughing. More than surprised, she was pissed! She was even more surprised when Tohru's struggling ceased. Instead, the petite figure was bouncing slightly with laughter. She leaned over and whispered something into the man's ear. He nodded and her set her back on her feet.
"Amari, I'd like to introduce you to an old friend of mine. This is Hatsuharu Sohma. Haru, this is my dear friend Amari."
Eyeing the girl in front of him, he bowed deeply before her. "Well, Miss Amari, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. If you'll excuse us, we must be going now."
Seeing that Amari was still dumbfounded, Tohru smiled and thrust her credit card into her hand.
"Well, it seems like I haven't much choice in the matter. Buy something hot, and tomorrow night we'll go dancing, okay? Ta ta darling," she said, adding a theatrical toss of the leg.
Amari stood there, watching her best friend walk away hand-in-hand with the most gorgeous guy she'd ever seen.
----------------------------------------------------------------- ------- -------------------------------------
Well, there we go. The first chapter in now out. I hope you all like it. And suggestions would be more than welcome. Gotta go and plan out my next chapter! Ja ne!
Miss Kawaii
---------------------------------------------------------------- -------- ---------------------------------------