Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Sentium ❯ Frame 02 ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: I don't own fruits basket.

Author's Note:

-Dark Phoenix; Thanks so much! I hadn't even thought of it as a gender discovery device in the least to be honest. I just had some issues with cutting off Tohru's long hair, ah, but read on. I did want to thank you though.

And a note to all:

I appreciate advice and corrections; I really do. I don't have any beta readers- my anime friends are great but english and grammar aren't their specialties.

Sentium

Carpetfibers

Frame 02: Midnight

Dedicatum: the lily pad lake

Flying on the high wire,

A bird in a cage,

Wings clipped-

I struggle to soar.

Escape comes but

Then so does the end.

I stretch my wings

And fall.

Again.

_________________

Ishida- better known among the underground as the skin market- had few beauties. Even in the daylight when all the whore houses were closed, the place dripped with a heavy slime. Tohru hated it down there- even though she was hidden in her boy's clothes, she still felt dirty, like eyes were everywhere undressing her. That bastard Sohma- he told her to come here even though he knew she was a girl. And he told her to dress as a girl. She'd be attacked half way there. It was probably some kind of test; either that or the jerk liked prostitutes.

Not that she cared. She had more important business. If he wanted to meet up with her at the Sakura Tea House- tea house her ass- then the Sohma's were affiliated with it, and then it deserved her attention.

But as she stood in front of the pale blue building with its typical large windows thinly veiled (for advertising), she felt a shudder travel down her back. How she hoped her friends weren't stuck in a place like this.

Hana, Uo- I swear, I'll find you. I don't care what it takes.

Swallowing down her fear, Tohru walked up and through the thin paper doors, immediately recoiling from the smell. The place oozed with a thick scent- sweat, cheap perfume, liquor, and the stagnant stench of sex. That asshole couldn't even choose an upper class whore house.

A short woman with dyed hair and a bright red robe walked up to her, a scowl on her painted face.

"Excuse me; but we're closed during the day."

Tohru didn't answer, just looking over the entrance way. It was a large hall with futons placed generously. A bar filled up a corner where another two women in lingerie sat drinking and talking quietly. Tohru took a few more steps in and caught glimpse of a staircase running up stairs. No other doors were on this floor, so the offices must be upstairs.

Storing the layout in the back of her mind, Tohru nodded politely to the woman. She made as if to leave, but then stopped. Since she had a free afternoon, maybe she could go finally get that haircut she needed. But no money…

"Miss?"

"What?" the woman snapped.

"Do you have a pair of scissors?" Tohru asked.

"Listen, young man, we're the Sakura Tea House here, not some fetish club. And we're closed. Leave." The two women back by the bar, looked up from their drinks, curious.

"I'm not interested in that. I just need to cut my hair…" Tohru pulled down her cap, her knotted hair falling loose. The woman's mouth fell open.

"You're a girl…"

Tohru nodded. "I need to cut my hair, so do you have a pair of scissors I could use?"

"But you're a girl!" The woman was still obviously surprised by Tohru's sudden gender change. Tohru sighed heavily. All she wanted was a pair of scissors.

"Kumi, why don't you get a drink? You had a busy night; you must be tired." One of the women from the bar took Kumi by the hand, while the other sat back in one of the blue futons, a large smile pasted on her face.

"You're cute, you know that?" the prostitute teased.

Unwanted, a blush came to Tohru's cheeks. The redness only made the prostitute laugh, a loud brazen thing that came too strongly.

"I thought you were too cute for a boy, but then again, I'm not picky. So sweetie, you need a haircut?" The woman leaned over, her breasts practically falling out from her black lace.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Ma'am? Well, that's a first. Listen, honey, I'll help you out. Just don't come wandering into brothels. Not all of them are as kind hearted as Kumi over there. Some of the women will just pick you up and make you earn your keep, if you get my meaning." The laughter was dropped for a moment as the woman became all seriousness. "Do you have a name, or should I just continue with my endearments?"

"Honami, ma'am."

"You can call me Aiko. Come with me; I have scissors in my room." Aiko gestured towards the stairs and Tohru followed. Now she'd have a chance to see the layout upstairs.

Aiko led Tohru up the wooden staircase, each stair creaking loudly. The stairs trailed into a thickly carpeted hallway, lined with door after door. At least 18 rooms filled the hall, each door numbered differently. Only one door stood out- a glass plated one at the very end, on the left. Tohru would lay money that that's where the offices, and records were kept. If anything, maybe there'd be a list of the whore houses the Sohmas' were affiliated with. Or maybe there'd be a list of customers.

Aiko finally stopped by the door numbered 15, a faint smile on her lips as she opened it. Inside, the room was furnished sparingly: a curtain divided the room into two sections- one side with a large double bed whose worn mattress sunk deeply; on the other side was a circular table with fresh flowers in a vase. An opened book lay next to it, and tucked behind the table were a dresser and a book shelf. Aiko knelt beside the book shelf, picking up a pair of reading glasses.

After slipping them on, she let out a light chuckle.

"Can't believe I didn't figure you out earlier. If I'd been wearing these, I'd have seen you for a girl for sure." Aiko watched Tohru take in the entire room, and another chuckled escaped her lips.

"Honami, why don't you take a seat. I'll dig out my scissors."

The nervous knot in Tohru's stomach increased as she read over Aiko's books. What kind of prostitute read Basho and Saikaku or even western literature like Hemingway and Dickens? The knot continued to twist. How did a woman like Aiko end up as part of Ishida's skin market?

"Found it!" Aiko's exclamation returned Tohru to reality. Whatever Aiko's story was…it probably wasn't anything new. Slowly the knot released, and Tohru was able to calm her heart. She hated these attacks. They came out of no where- these sudden attacks of nervousness, of not being able to breath. They hit her on the streets, at night when she was searching, and now in Ishida, in a whorehouse.

"You alright, sweetie?" Aiko's worried voice called her back yet again.

"Yes, I'm fine. I was just thinking," she replied.

"Well, here are the scissors. I'd offer to cut your hair myself but unfortunately-" Aiko lifted her right hand that held the scissors loosely. She tried making a fist but the fingers only curled slightly. "My right hand has some nerve damage."

Tohru felt a rise of bile from the back of her throat. Her pulse pounded and behind her eyes she felt the steady rhythm of blood rush. She swallowed deliberately, taking the scissors from Aiko's hand, the steel blades cold in her own.

"Thank you," she whispered, not trusting her voice.

"Are you sure you're alright?" After Tohru nodded, Aiko continued. "You know, you make me curious. What's your story?"

Tohru just shook her head, taking a chunk of hair in her fist and cutting away at it. Hacking away it would be a better word for the uneven strands of brown hair left behind.

"You know, they say that prostitutes make the best psychiatrists because not only do we give comfort to the body, but to the soul. You can say whatever you want, and a prostitute never judges. How can we? After all, a prostitute sells her body for money. Nothing too honorable there."

Tohru just kept her eyes on the ground, chopping at another chunk of hair. Six inch strands lay strewn across the floor, the pile growing steadily. She felt as if she was cutting away at her identity, stripping away a part of herself. Finally, she closed the blades over the last hunk of her hair. The last few pieces fell slowly, as if gravity itself decided to lighten up its constant pressure.

As they hit the floor, so did Tohru's feet. She needed to leave this place soon, or she'd end up telling Aiko something. She didn't want to get caught in a moment of weakness. She didn't need anyone's help; she was fine on her own.

"Thank you again, Aiko." She dropped the scissors on the table, not looking back as she left behind the little room and the prostitute with books and glasses. She didn't want to. Some things were just too…too hard.

Sorry, Aiko. I might have liked talking to you. But you reminded me of her too much.

________________

Interlude .04: Islands

Silent nights,

Blank expanses,

No stars, its just like those black holes.

Sounds seeks solace,

Seeks company,

Seeks reason

And then there's family.

A constant nothingness,

Its all pulled in.

Gravity pulling,

Killing,

Crushing

And even the stars scream.

___________________

As it was with all the Sohma assets, the family's main building was the most unlikely of places. The old high school building had been converted into a strip mall over a decade ago, and Akito had made sure to buy the entire second floor. This not only served as a reminder of his wealth, but also as a warning to shop keepers that he would always be near, watching and listening.

The halls and rooms were modestly decorated in greens and browns and blues- all earth tones, and if one hadn't known that he was about to step into one of Chiyo's more powerful leader's office, he might think he was walking through a doctor's office. But Yuki knew that all the decorations, the carefully chosen wall prints, and even the watercolors that adorned the walls- all of it had secondary, and even tertiary reasons for being there. What those reasons were exactly he didn't know, but Akito always had a reason. Nothing he did was without thought.

Just like calling the meeting in this building- Akito had more than one reason for it. He had said on the phone that morning that Shigure had news. News- whatever news that old lecher had was bound to be connected to women, most probably young women. And if it had to do with women, then Shigure's news had to do with the runaways. Already, over a hundred girls had been kidnapped- well, kidnap wasn't exactly the right word, but it'd have to do- and straight out from one of Akito's many tenements. He kept his street gang of workers properly housed and fed, or so he boasted to the mayor.

Not that the mayor cared how the teenagers slept or lived. As long as they weren't causing problems on the streets, and he was making money, then what did it matter?

But if Shigure had something new about the disappearing runaways then it concerned him. Because if he found out who was taking them, then he'd be free. Those were the new terms of his 'contract' with Akito.

The lunch meeting had gone over surprisingly well. The restaurant Akito had chosen was in the upper north side, almost outside the city lines. La Gourmandaise- it was typical of Akito's preferences: relatively small, extremely expensive, and exclusive to a select few. Besides, Akito knew the cook and the cook's entire family. There was always that promise of an especially good meal.

Yuki had arrived early, but Akito was there even earlier, seated at a corner table, three wine glasses already filled and waiting its drinkers. He had walked over, careful to make his presence known. Not that he would be able to surprise the 'all-knowing' Akito, but it wouldn't do to appear as if sneaking around.

"Who's the third glass for?" he asked while seating himself across from Akito.

The black haired clan leader only smiled coldly, lifting a glass of red wine to his lips in silent toast.

"Did you have a good morning, Yuki?" Akito asked as he cradled the glass between his manicured fingers.

"It was fine," he replied carefully.

"Good, good. Kyou will be joining us later. Once Hatori's finished with changing his bandages, that is."

Akito's smile grew as he noticed Yuki's obvious discomfort. Those two boys had never liked each other, and Akito knew it. It was rather enjoyable to pit the two against each other. The hours of enjoyment that could be bought from skillfully playing his two favorite characters in his storylines never failed to amuse him.

"Why is he coming?" the bitterness in Yuki's voice wasn't easily hidden.

"My proposition includes him."

"I see." It was just as he suspected. Akito wouldn't just give him a chance out of his contract without there being a catch. Whatever Akito had planned for him and Kyou- whatever it was, Yuki was determined to come out on top.

Akito took another slow sip from his wine glass. While Yuki was his special favorite- he was just so clever- Kyou was his hired muscle. The young man was surprisingly obedient, and reliable at that. For all those dirty jobs, Akito could call upon Kyou's hands to carry them out. Although, last night's job was poorly done. Well, at least, Kyou would have a chance to redeem himself.

Yuki's eyes darted up as a familiar head of red hair made its way towards them. So the bastard had finally made it. Figures he'd be late. Yuki couldn't stand the guy, even though he was his cousin. Ever since childhood, the red head had always got under his skin. Even now, as an adult, Kyou had the uncanny ability of being the only one to make Yuki loose his cool. Although, it was admittedly a rare thing.

"Sorry I'm late." Kyou took his seat next to Yuki, not bothering to recognize him.

"I had expected you'd be." Akito gestured towards the glass of wine, but Kyou shook his head. He never drank alcohol and Akito knew it. He just liked to press Kyou's buttons. A few moments of silence passed, the air between Yuki and Kyou growing increasingly hostile. Even in silence, the two hated each other.

Akito sighed pleasantly; his proposition promised to be so enjoyable.

"Both of you are under contract. Family obligations and all that. However, I'm willing to cut your contracts short by almost a year."

He waited to take another sip of his wine before continuing. He had their full attention.

"I propose a little competition. As you both know, we've had over a hundred of our 'street patrons' taken from our houses. Just last week, another ten were taken. There are never any witnesses, and so far, none of the usual contacts have worked. The mayor's upset about it," an annoyed frown passed over Akito's calm face; that damn mayor hadn't stopped calling to complain for the past two weeks. The fool always called him when something went wrong. "And so it is that you two enter in. The first to find out where the runaways have been taken, and who is taking them, gets cut loose."

Akito waited for his words to register in their minds. They really were so predictable. Yuki's face stayed impassive, however his eyes darted back an forth across the table cloth, the redeeming values of his proposition being weighted against the cons. Kyou was just the opposite. Every little thought showed in his expression: the doubt, the calculation, even the relief. How very typical.

"What's the catch?" Kyou was the one to finally break the silence.

"Catch?" Akito repeated innocently, gesturing for the waiter to refill his glass.

"Yes, the catch." It was Yuki this time.

"Ah, well, there is just one thing. Before either of you leaves, you must do me one last favor. I have it outlined in a document, witnessed and dated by my attorney, in my safe back at the offices. The catch is that you can't know the favor until the time arises. However, its nothing like promising to never leave my side, although I have to admit, I was tempted."

Akito's cold chuckle contrasted sharply with the small booth's atmosphere.

"So, yes or no. Either you answer now, or the entire opportunity is lost."

The waiter appeared from the shadows diligently refilling Akito's glass. He breathed in the wine's light fumes, swirling the liquid lazily.

"I agree."

"Fine."

Both men agreed, and Akito gestured yet again, this time to a tall man seated at the booth beside them. The auburn haired man leaned forward, bowing shallowly.

"Kureno?" Yuki asked, surprised. He hadn't seen his older cousin in easily years.

"I have the papers. Please sign here," Kureno placed one of his lightly tanned fingers on the paper, "And here."

Akito leaned back into the leather padded chair, a smile on his face as he watched Yuki and Kyou sign the papers. The race was on….finally he'd have something interesting to do. Who cared about a bunch of stolen runaways? He was just thankful for the opportunity they had given him.

Yuki had felt a wave of doubt pass through him as he signed the papers. He was taking a gamble; not in competing against Kyou, but rather this 'last favor' Akito was saving for him. Nevertheless, he signed. Might as well give it a shot. Anything that got him out of Chiyo and away from his family was worth trying.

And now, just hours later, Yuki felt that same wave of doubt rush over him as he stood outside the meeting room. Everyone should already be there: Akito and that tramp he carried around everywhere, Rin, Shigure, Hatori, Kyou, Momiji, and one empty seat left for him.

He pushed back the doubt, and stepped in, bowing respectfully to Akito and taking his seat beside Momiji. He had been surprised when he had met Momiji again after three years of separation. The blond haired kid had shot up into a handsome young man, and a powerful one at that. Akito used all of Momiji's European connections to the max. As such Momiji had, despite just barely being 18, become Akito's right hand. The left was reserved for Shigure.

Yuki glanced over at the older man, who had dropped his normally casual yukata for a suit. Shigure was simply too crafty; always planning plans within plans. He missed nothing and knew everything. How Shigure hadn't found out who was behind the kidnappings was a mystery, because the sly dog had eyes and ears everywhere.

"I'll keep it short. I have some beautiful women waiting my return." Shigure winked, a large smile on his face. But the smile faded into a serious frown as he continued. "The girls are being sold. One of our contacts recognized one of the girls in a brothel down by the port. After furthering questioning of the brothel's owner, the woman admitted to having bought her. Unfortunately, the woman died before we could get any names. As for the girl herself, she has no memory of who she was, or who took her."

Shigure waved for Hatori to take over. The doctor cleared his throat then stood.

"I found traces of a drug in the girl's system. Its rare and very unusual. It basically operates as a memory blocker, and over time, with continued use, eats away at the brain. Not only does this drug leave take away a person's memory, but also leaves the person highly susceptible to hypnotism."

Hatori sat down, and Shigure took his place. "That's the basics of it. Our best bets are to look for an underground skin market. Ishida's a good place to start. Keep in touch, and Yuki-"

Yuki glanced up sharply. "Yes?"

"Pass on whatever information your runaway has for you."

"Yes, sir."

"You can all go."

Yuki bowed again as he left behind the room, and its occupants. Shigure's news was helpful if anything. So the girls were being sold, and drugs were mixed into it. But who stood to gain from selling teenage girls and erasing their memories? It just didn't make sense. The skin market in Chiyo was thriving, true, but it wasn't what anyone would describe as a fortune maker.

Yuki sat down in one of the lower floor's outdoor cafés. Immediately the waiter brought him a cup of hot tea. As the fragrant taste of lemon and honey coursed down his throat, his thoughts wandered to his meeting at midnight. Honami being a girl could have its advantages, especially when it was only girls being taken.

___________________

Interlude .05: Some like the night

Wait a while

And then there'll come the all familiar.

A pain like love,

And coarse mother's hands.

Scrubbing out the dirt,

The filth that fills,

That drowns,

That feeds-

Its a repast of innocence,

Flesh ripped and torn.

And then she cries,

The tears of blood.

Mother dearest- where's your rag?

Wipe it all away.

And then there'll be nothing.

Nothing but the memory.

______________________

The mirror had shown an even poorer haircut than she had guessed. Not a single piece was even, and, as she had slipped into her 'boy's clothes,' she had suddenly felt self conscious.

Now, as Tohru stood just outside the delectable Sakura Tea House, she laughed off the idea. Self conscious? In a place like this? Yeah, right. She could walk in with only a slip on and no one would take a second glance. Nevertheless, she brushed back her hair from her face, again grimacing as her fingers caught in her uneven locks. The only thing left to do was go in. That Sohma asshole was probably already seated with a couple of the finer ladies draped over him. It'd be only typical of a Sohma.

Tohru opened the blue double doors, and took in a sharp breath. The place had been transformed from the trash heap from earlier that afternoon. There were the normal amounts of barely clothed women, but candles had been lit around the main room, and the futons had been rearranged to present a cozy, and very non-scandalous atmosphere. A smiling young man stood behind the bar, serving drinks, while Kumi sat, fully dressed, on one of the futons talking to an older man in a business suit.

Everything looked clean and orderly, as if the whole room was just one giant social gathering. A hand took her elbow and spun her around.

Yuki Sohma stood, gazing down at her, wearing a loose white shirt, the first few buttons undone. In his hand were two glasses, one obviously for himself and the other, since he handed it to her, having been prepared for her. From across the room, she caught Aiko's eyes, who winked teasingly. Unwillingly, a blush came to her cheeks. This was unbearable.

"I thought I told you to come dressed as a girl."

Tohru scowled. "These are the only clothes I have. Just be happy I wore my hair down."

Yuki picked up one of the misshapen strands with a wry grin. "I just have to meet your hair dresser. I've been needing a trim."

She pulled back, her brown eyes angry. "Listen, I have your information. Its late, so if all you want to do is talk and drink, go do it with Kumi over there."

Yuki's grin faded, the cold look returning to his eyes. "I see you've met Kumi."

"I wouldn't just come here without having an idea of where I was going."

"I see."

Tohru put her glass of- well whatever it was- on the floor and proceeded to head upstairs, calling behind her back.

"Aiko, is it alright if I use your room for a moment, please?"

Aiko looked up from the fifteen year old boy who had his head in her lap, and nodded, her eyes curious.

"Thank you."

At the top of the stairs, Tohru waited for Yuki to get follow, which, he finally did. Having memorized the layout from earlier, she led him into Aiko's room, closing the door firmly behind her.

"Alright, I have your information. In the boys' tenement, just in the last week, we've had two undercover cops added to the group, and three others who I haven't placed. All five have the right look, and ask too many questions. Here are their names, and descriptions. I catalogued their schedules, as well as who they've been running for."

Tohru pulled a folded paper from her black jacket's pocket, handing it to Yuki. He stared at it for a moment, still silent since the exchange from downstairs. Finally, he tucked the paper into his own pocket, and nodded for her to continue.

"The girls' section hasn't received anyone new in the past week. Kids are scared; and even some of the boys have offered to stand guard over them. Still though, just this morning another girl was missing. Haruka something- she hadn't been here too long. One thing though; it was rumored that she came from a rich family, that she had connections."

Tohru stared at her hands, the smallness of the room and the sagging bed behind her dwelling heavily on her mind.

"This'll be helpful." Yuki leaned back lazily in the worn chair, the seams protesting loudly. He pulled a silver case from his jacket, and lit a cigarette. The smoke crawled into Tohru's nostrils and she turned away. She had always hated smoking. Yuki just ignored her, leaving his gray eyes to study her face. Now that she had her hair down, mess that it was, she actually looked pretty good. Not beautiful for anything, but better than most. She had him curious, one moment all cool and collected, the next angry.

"Why are you dressing as a boy?" he said suddenly, surprising himself by even asking.

"What business is it of yours?" she snapped. Even though this was a good break for her information wise, she really didn't like being around this guy. His eyes worried her- they looked so dead, so cold.

"I'm curious. Here's an attractive girl dressing as a boy in the slums of Chiyo, cavorting with a member of the Sohma family in the stomach of the Ishida skin market, and it has me very curious. Why are you in Chiyo, Honami? If that's even your name…" He inhaled slowly, the smoke crawling down his windpipe, the whole process relaxing him deeply.

"Like I said; its not business of yours. I've given you your information. Now, if you will, sir, I'd like to leave."

Tohru rose abruptly, tucking her jacket around her thin body tightly. His pale hand grabbed at her arm as she passed by him.

"You will go when I say you can." Tohru stared straight ahead, steeling her face to not show her fear, or the pounding of her heart. She hated it in this place. She hated him, she hated all of them. Yuki stared at the back of her neck, thinking. Finally, he released her arm, bringing his cigarette up for another draw. "Day after tomorrow, this room, midnight."

Tohru nodded and then left, shutting the door heavily behind her.

Yuki exhaled slowly, the smoke covering his vision in a thin haze. That girl puzzled him. She was rude, but- a small smile came to his lips- she had great eyes. Absently, he tried to picture her in a dress with a normal haircut, and laughed out loud. Here he was fantasizing about some girl off the streets in the middle of a whorehouse.

Still, though, he couldn't help but feel curious.

I wonder what her real name is. Maybe she'll tell me.

He snuffed out his cigarette on the wooden table, his eyes taking in the small library. A whore with intelligence; who knew? His gray eyes fell to the window, a thin form in black's body outlined in the shadows of the street. His eyes followed her up until he could see no farther.

Maybe she'd tell him.

Or maybe not.

Either way, he had some new information. Information that he'd keep to himself for now. He had some contacts in the police department; he could pull a few strings. Find out who else was concerned with the missing runaways. And about this Haruka girl- if her father was someone important…well, it might mean problems.

Yuki rose slowly from the chair, the seams again groaning their displeasure. Another day gone, another day done. Too many left to count.

____________________

Interlude .06: Picture perfect

Quickly now the night comes,

Its dawn a slow breathing dragon,

Its smoke choking,

Striking,

Burning.

This small house of mine-

Its many pictures on the wall.

I took them down.

Why bother anymore?

Nothing's safe,

Nothing's pure.

It'll all be burned.

Whether it be night or day,

Hated or love.

It'll be lost.

As I am.

______________

__________________________

Note to Readers:

I'm officially out of high school. My last day was the 16th, so I can now dedicate my time (outside of my job) to writing. I'm kind of having writer's block with Beginnings, but I'm going to try to get out the next chapter by Friday. Keep your fingers crossed.

Hey, and if you like my writing, I have several stories in the running on Fictionpress, so feel free to read those sometime.

Mae: You're always such a positive reviewer! I appreciate the encouragement so much. Thanks!

Merie-chan: Wow, I was your first furuba fic. I feel so special. However, there are such amazing authors out here, so do continue reading their works. I love them all!

Grrl N: Yeah, I've never really written an AU, but I've really wanted to for a long time. I got really bored in my gov't class, so I started writing and out came the prologue for this story. I decided to continue it and I already have up chapter 6 outlined.

Mellerz: See? I followed your advice, and continued.

Lovely Heart: Artfully descriptive and captivating? Sheesh, you made me blush! But thanks so much. Please continued Reviewing!!!!!!!!!!!