Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Sleepless in Sohma House ❯ Tohru Honda Takes a Stand ( Chapter 15 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Yuki_The_Rat 
Anime/Manga: Fruits Basket Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Comedy | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 11.23.2003 | Updated On: 11.24.2003 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.5K | Visits: 842 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Fruits Basket Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Comedy | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 11.23.2003 | Updated On: 11.24.2003 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.5K | Visits: 842 | Status: Completed
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or it's characters. It belongs to Takaya Nasuki. Yuki too. That’s just the way it is. I am learning to accept it.
As promised, chapter fifteen. Two chapters in one weekend… Now my head hurts… I am going to go watch some anime.
Sleepless in Sohma House
PART FIFTEEN - TOHRU HONDA TAKES A STAND
YUKI *
Tuesday morning was brightening into a warm and sparkly afternoon. Everywhere throughout Japan, people were happily enjoying the summer’s good fortune. With clear skies, and sweetly fresh air, it was one of those rare days that make one feel truly blessed. Than there was the Sohma House.
In contrast, Shigure’s little abode had taken on a rather overcast and solemn air. The cheerleaders of the family, Momiji, and Ayame had left with Shigure to pick up lunch. What remained was a, deeply, disheartened silver haired boy, and a, perpetually, pissed off orange kitty cat. To make matters worse, it was obvious that Shigure had gotten, way, to used to having a housekeeper. Although, Miss Honda had been gone, only, less than a week, the place had deteriorated quite a bit. All in all, things were looking pretty dismal.
In the dusty foyer, next to the living room, Yuki was finishing up a telephone call. As he hung up the phone Kyo leaped off of the television sat, where he had been pacing back and forth, and scurried to his side.
“Well, what did you find out?” Kyo pestered, “Is she working tonight? Do they know where she’s staying?”
“They said that she is on vacation, and that she won’t be back for two weeks.” Yuki said somberly, and pushed his hair out of his eyes in annoyance.
“WHAT!!! Can’t you do anything right, you stupid rat? No way is Tohru on vacation.” Kyo jumped up, into Yuki’s arms, and pointed at the phone with his paw. “Come on, call back, and put me on the phone. I’ll get to the bottom of this. Tohru on vacation, yeah right. Like she’d go on a vacation without us.”
“Get off of me you sticking cat,“ Yuki huffed, Grabbing Kyo by his tale and heaving him away,
“I know what I heard.”
“You know that this is your fault, right.” Kyo argued.
Yuki threw Kyo a dirty look, but said nothing.
Shigure, Ayame, and Momiji entered the house, their arms laden with fast food bags.
“We got you two something to eat.” Shigure told them. Sitting down the bags on the dining table and taking a seat.
“I’m not hungry.” Yuki told them, and turned around to head back up to his room.
“Stop right there, young man.” Ayame said, trying to sound forceful, and failing terribly. “You haven’t eaten, since you got home yesterday. You can’t search for your little girlfriend on an empty stomach. Sit down and eat.”
Kyo let out a sharp, sarcastic, chuckle, leapt up on the table and started nosing through one of the bags.
Yuki looked as if he was going to keep walking, but then changed his mind. He turned around grabbed the bag away from Kyo, pulled out a bag of French Fries and plopped down next to Shigure.
“Did you find out where Tohru is?” Momiji asked, his mouth full.
“No, because he’s worthless.” Kyo informed them, taking a bite from the chicken nugget that Shigure held out to him.
“Like you’ve had any better luck, you rotten cat. Exactly, how many days have you been looking for her?” Yuki said bluntly.
“Oh, give me a break, you girly boy. It’s a big forest, and I’m the size of a cat. It’s not like I could cover a lot of ground.
“Did you check out the West Forest?” Shigure asked him.
“West Forest, what the hell is that?” Kyo grumbled.
“The forest on the other side of the Sohma Building.” Momiji said, happy to be of assistance. “I play there sometimes when I’m waiting for my dad to get off of work.”
“Why would I do that? The last time she stayed in a tent it was in the forest right out back, wasn‘t it?” Kyo snarled, and was immediately scorned by the rest of the table.
“Idiot,” Yuki mumbled, “You don’t actually think that she would pick the same place?”
“Yuki’s right, Kyo.” Shigure agreed. “Tohru’s very proud. If Tohru was staying in a tent again, she probably wouldn’t want us to know.”
“So,” Kyo inquired, under his breath and annoyed. “Where exactly is this West Forest?”
TOHRU *
“OHHHH, YES! It looks so cute on you!” Yoshiya exclaimed. The two girls stood in Tohru’s bedroom, admiring the new dress that Tohru was modeling.
On her bed was a number of shopping bags. Akito had, once again, went out of his way trying to please her.
“It is nice, isn’t it.” Tohru commented, obviously embarrassed by the compliment.”
“Yes, you look great, Akito’s going to love you in that! Here, let me do your make-up really quick.”
“No, really, Akito wouldn‘t…” Tohru argued, blushing fiercely, but she had to admit that the dress fit her perfectly. It was a simple, but pretty dress, the color of pink champagne. As Tohru moved it clung to her gently, accenting her body and making Tohru feel… just a little bit… well sort of, sexy. “Did Akito, actually, pick this out himself? I mean… how did he know my size?”
“Oh,” Yoshiya said, grinning proudly, and pulling out a make-up container from her own purse. “That was my doing. I checked the size on your other outfit before I dropped it off in the laundry, and… okay, I admit it, Akito had a little bit of help from me… but I only picked the boutique, Akito chose the dress. The Master has good taste.”
“He does, doesn’t he?” Tohru agreed, allowing the older girl to brush some powder across her cheeks, and apply some lipstick to her mouth.
“Tohru,” Akito’s voice, accompanied by a knock, came from outside the bedroom door. “Is Yoshiya in there with you?”
“One moment, Master Akito.” Yoshiya grinned, blotting Tohru’s lips with tissue, before moving to the door and opening it.
“Hatori is looking for you, what are you still doing in here? Did you sober up and change your mind about going?” Akito teased, showing off a very mischievous grin. Entering the room, he sat down a tray, containing Tohru’s breakfast of tea and toast, on the side table. “Now, go have a nice vacation, and let me have some time with To…” Akito’s train of thought was derailed as his eyes fell upon the flawless beauty that was Tohru Honda.
“You look like an angel.” He whispered, causing Tohru to blush and hide her face in her hands.
“Thank you, Akito. This is such a nice dress. I can’t believe that you …” Tohru stopped talking, because Akito Sohma had taken her into his arms and now he was gazing, tenderly, into her eyes.
Yoshiya made a quick, and quiet, exit. A massive smile covering her face.
“You are so perfect.” Akito murmured, gently, “Can I kiss you, Tohru Honda?”
Tohru couldn’t answer, her heart was pounding so hard, and she was sure that he would hear it. She opened her mouth, but found herself without words. Instead, she closed her eyes, and nodded her head.
Tohru’s very first kiss was exquisite. It tasted like sunbeams, and it felt like a dream.
YUKI *
“That Brainless cat, I swear, I am going to break his neck, if he doesn’t stop talking.” Yuki said, under his breath, as he hiked through the forest with Kyo, and Momiji. For the past hour Kyo had went on and on about how Yuki was such a complete imbecile for the way he had treated Miss Honda. Although, Yuki recognized the truth in Kyo’s words, that didn’t make it any easier for him to listen to. On top of everything, Yuki still had not completely recovered, he was feeling a little worn out, and he was starting to wonder if Miss Honda was even staying in the forest.
“Are you sure that she didn’t move back to her grandfather’s house?” Yuki interrogated Kyo for at least the tenth time.
“I told you, I already checked that out.”
“What about her friends, maybe they came back early from their holiday.” This he had only suggested around seven or eight times.
“THEY DIDN’T! I TOLD YOU! CAN’T YOU HEAR RIGHT? YOU MORON!” Kyo shouted. The constant searching was, also, taking it’s toll on the small cat. For, at least, the past fifteen minutes, Kyo had been envisioning himself using his razor sharp claws to quickly, and efficiently, scratch a pair of violet eyes out.
“I’m tired,” Momiji complained.
“WELL, WHY IN THE HELL DID YOU INSIST ON COMING WITH US THEN?” Kyo admonished the boy.
“Don’t yell at him, you lousy asshole.” Yuki exploded, but, since it was Yuki exploding, it was said with his usual quiet air of superiority. “Momiji, if you’re tired, why don’t you go and wait for us at the tea shop across the street from your father’s office.”
“Hooray,” Momiji danced, “that place is the best, and I am hungry, too. Should I order you guys something. I have money.”
“Sure,” Yuki told him, “we’ll meet up with you in a bit.”
Momiji took off in the direction of town, as Kyo turned on Yuki.
“Why did you have to go and do that for?”
“What’s wrong with you, now?”
“We’re out here to look for Tohru, not to sit around a café eating cookies.” Kyo snarled at him.
“We’ve been looking since yesterday, you jerk. It’s not going to hurt us to stop and take a break once in a while.”
“Why did you even come? You probably don’t even want to find Tohru.” Kyo charged.
“Whatever,” Yuki said, shrugging off Kyo’s accusations. “Listen, why don’t we just split up? We can cover more ground that way,” Then he added, in a voice too low for Kyo to hear, “and it will keep me from wringing your silly, orange, neck.”
“That works for me.” Kyo marched off, with his tail held high in the air. “You were bugging the shit out of me anyway.”
WHITE HARU *
Haru was bored, and even a tiny bit hungry. ‘Where is she?’ he wondered, and that thought was followed with, ‘How long have I been here, anyway?’
He was sitting, bare footed and cross-legged, in the middle of the picnic table reading through the pile of magazines he had discovered in Tohru’s tent. Moment’s ago, he had just finished taking a quiz entitled, HOW TO TELL IF HE IS YOUR MISTER RIGHT! Haru had, now, revealed the truth. It was right there in black and white, his favorite colors. Yuki Sohma was, most assuredly, his Mister Right.
“What a joke.” Haru mumbled, tossing the magazine aside, and jumping down from the table. ‘I guess, that I should give up waiting for Tohru, and start trying to find my way home.” he decided.
Walking to the tent, he bent down, and crawled halfway inside. He grabbed his shoes, then noticed a small bottle of perfume laying in a pile of spilt clothing. Picking it up, he popped off the top and tested the scent with a quick whiff. The smell was, something like, sugar cookies and spice. Yep, it was hers all right. Even Haru had enjoyed the way the girl had always smelled. ‘What the heck,’ he thought, and quickly sprayed himself. This finished, he replaced the bottle’s cap, and backed his way out of the tent. Standing up he found himself face to face with a slightly confused Yuki Sohma.
“Haru? What are you doing out here?” Yuki wondered.
Haru didn’t hear what Yuki said to him, he was distracted by a sudden rush of lightheadedness, caused by a few days without eating.
“Yuki?” Haru closed his eyes, and waited for the world to stop spinning.
“Haru, are you okay? Why are you here? Is this Miss Honda’s tent?” Yuki bent down, so that he could get a look inside of the tent.
“I was waiting for Tohru, but she hasn’t come back.” Haru explained, and staggered his way to the picnic bench, so that he could sit down.
“What do you mean, she hasn’t come back? How long have you been waiting for her?”
Haru thought about this question for a moment, he really had no clue. He had been so depressed that most of his time had been spent within a haze of despair.
“I don’t know, Yuki… Since I left you, I guess… When was that?”
Yuki’s mouth dropped open, and he noticed for the first time how, absolutely, terrible Haru looked. He rushed to Haru’s side, and stood looking down at him with concern.
“Haru, do you mean to tell me that you’ve been waiting here for three days?”
“That sounds about right.” Haru decided, and gave Yuki a tiny smile. “I wasn’t sure how to get home.”
“Have you had anything to eat?” Yuki asked.
“Sure, I ate Tohru’s box of Pocky, do you think that she’ll mind?”
“Oh, Haru, you poor fool.” Yuki said sadly. “I really need to buy you a map.”
This made Haru laugh, and Yuki couldn’t hold back his own tiny giggle.
“Well, let’s get you out of here, then.” Yuki said, reaching out his hand to help Haru stand. Haru grabbed hold and pulled himself up. He then stood solid, continuing to hold Yuki’s hand tightly, but refusing to move.
“Haru?” Yuki asked, worried about his friends physical state. “are you okay? You can walk, can’t you?”
“Yuki.” Haru said slowly, and his eyes glazed over as he fought off tears. “I really have missed you.”
“Haru,” Yuki said, overcome with guilt over the pain that he knew he was causing. “I’m sorry.”
Haru pulled Yuki closer to him, and before Yuki had time to think, Haru had him wrapped in a tight hug.
‘He smells like Tohru.’ Yuki noticed, and allowed Haru to hold him this way.
“Yuki.” Haru yearned, and rested his head on Yuki’s thin shoulder.
“I’m here.” Yuki said, and softly rubbed Haru’s strong back.
“I’m so in love with you, Yuki. I can‘t stand being apart from you.” Haru admitted, and placed his lips upon Yuki’s mouth.
“Haru,” Yuki whispered, trying to pull away. Haru tightened his hold, and tightened the kiss, running his hands through Yuki’s baby soft hair. After a moment, he felt Yuki relax in his arms, and then, to Haru’s great delight and amazement, Yuki was actually kissing him back.
Yuki moaned softly, and Haru felt soft hands at the back of his neck, pulling him in. Haru opened his eyes. He needed to be sure he wasn’t just dreaming. Yuki’s eyes were closed tightly, his face softly flushed. Haru drew back, for just a second. He needed to see him this way. Then before the magic could break, he returned to the kiss, working his tongue gently into Yuki’s parted lips, causing Yuki to inhale nervously, but he didn’t stop. Yuki didn’t stop.
Haru felt himself smiling inside, his moment had finally come, and then out of the corner of his eye, he saw her. She stood at the edge of the campsite, her hand to her mouth as if to cover her shock. She was watching them. Her eyes met with Haru’s, and Haru recognized the look, jealousy mixed with anger and agony. Haru narrowed his eyes, a silent warning to her.
Tohru Honda turned quickly, and hurried out of the forest, just as Yuki came to his senses and pushed Haru away.
“Haru,” Yuki said, his mind digesting what had just occurred.
“Yuki,” Haru breathed, and tried to pull Yuki back in, “what’s wrong?”
“This is, Haru.” Yuki said, moving himself out of Haru’s reach, but keeping the eye contact, “I’m sorry, Haru. I care about you, so much. Honestly, I do. In my own way I love you, and I will always love you, until the day that I die. But Haru, I’m not in love with you. Not the way that you need me to love you. Haru, I’m in love with Tohru.”
Haru searched Yuki’s eyes, and knew what he spoke was the truth. Tears running down his cheeks, Haru took a deep breath and nodded…
BLACK HARU *
…but then he got mad…
“WHAT IN THE HELL??? YOU HAD TO USE A STICKIN’ CLICHÉ’ ON ME, YUKI? I LOVE YOU, BUT I’M NOT IN LOVE WITH YOU!!! YOU SON OF A BITCH, CAN’T YOU AT LEAST BE MORE CREATIVE THAN THAT?????” (a.n.: oh oh…swallowing hard, sweat drop!)
“I’m sorry, Haru.” Yuki placed a reassuring hand on Haru’s back.
“Don’t be,” Haru said, brushing off Yuki’s touch. “Just don’t touch me, okay, and get me the hell out of this fucking forest.”
“Okay,” Yuki agreed, holding back his own tears. Black Haru’s appearance was not a surprise. Yuki was almost happy to see him. He much preferred Black Haru’s anger, over the pain that he had just witnessed in White Haru’s face.
TOHRU *
As Tohru ran through the forest, she tripped and she fell, face first, into the dirt. Finding her feet again, she looked down at her new dress. She shouldn‘t have worn it to pick up her tent, because now it was dirty, and she was mad.
“Damn.” yelled the girl who normally never cussed. “What the hell was that, Yuki?” The sight of Yuki and Haru kissing was haunting her, breaking her heart, and making her feel out of control.
Rubbing at her eyes, she tried to push the image out of her mind. “How could you let me think that you loved me?”
Haru’s words, from the first time that she met him, appeared in Tohru’s mind, loud and clear. ‘Yuki was my first love.’
“Have you two been a couple all of this time? Why didn’t you tell me, damn you?”
“Tohru.” The familiar voice was back, “Tohru, you’re not playing fair.”
“Mom?” Tohru whispered. “Mom, you’re back?”
“Tohru, you can’t have all of them. You’re not playing fair.”
“But mom, I love them, I love all of them.”
“You have to choose, Tohru. You can only have one, which one do you choose?”
MOMIJI *
“Akito!” Momiji yelled, when he saw Akito enter the tea shop.
“Momiji, what are you doing here?” Akito asked him, as he walked over and sat down with the blond boy.
“I’m waiting for Yuki and Kyo. They’re looking for Tohru.” Momiji bubbled, and popped a cookie into his happy little mouth.
“Excuse me? What did you just say, Momiji?” Akito’s asked, his eyes wide.
“I said, Yuki and Kyo are looking for Tohru. They’re looking for Tohru in the forest. I was helping them, but I got tired. They should be here soon.”
Without a word, Akito jumped up and took off out the door.
AKITO *
Akito tore out of the tea garden, and ran towards the forest. ‘You’re going to lose her.’ He thought to himself, and felt a familiar desperation growing inside of him. ‘They’re going to find her, and take her away from you.’
KYO *
Walking out of the forest, Kyo spotted Akito running towards him in a panic. Moving quickly, Kyo stepped out of his path, and watched with his mouth wide open as Akito flew by. “Should he be running like that?” Was Kyo’s first thought.
“What the hell is he up to?” Was his second. He had rarely seen the head of the Sohma clan outside of the main house, unless he was causing some type of trouble. So obviously, Akito was up to something. Kyo took off after him.
TOHRU *
As Tohru came to the edge of the forest, she saw Akito running towards her. She felt her spirits, slightly, brighten just by seeing his face.
Akito stopped in front of her, and looked at her with tears in his eyes. Tohru threw herself into his arms and hid her face in his chest.
She didn’t see the cat, but even if she had, she probably couldn’t have stopped him.
“AKITO, GET YOUR DIRTY HANDS OFF OF HER!” Kyo shouted. Putting every ounce of power he had into it, he lunged at Akito’s back, digging his claws in, and following up with his teeth.
“Get off of me, you stupid cat.” Akito screamed, letting go of Tohru and trying to reach behind himself to pull Kyo off.
“KYO! STOP IT! LEAVE HIM ALONE!” Tohru yelled, and without thinking grabbed Kyo from Akito’s back and tossed him harshly to the ground.
Kyo landed on his feet, and readied himself for another strike.
“I said stop it, Kyo.” Tohru repeated, and stepped, protectively, in front of Akito.
“Tohru?” Kyo asked. “Are you okay? What did he do to you, Tohru?”
“He didn’t do anything, Kyo. He’s been helping me, that’s all.” Tohru explained, and turned around to check on Akito. “Are you okay, Akito?” Noticing blood on the back of his shirt, she moved quickly behind Akito to assess the damage that Kyo had caused.
“Don’t fuss, Tohru. It’s nothing.” Akito assured her, and then turned to the cat standing in front of him.
“I see you still have quite the temper.”
“Don’t talk to me, you bastard.” Kyo spat at Akito, “Come on, Tohru, lets go.”
“She’s not going anywhere with you, cat.” Akito said smoothly, and slipped his arm around Tohru’s waist.
“DIDN’T I TELL YOU TO GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF OF HER?” Kyo growled, baring his teeth.
“Kyo, listen to me,” Tohru stated calmly, stepping away from Akito and bending down so that she was sure Kyo could hear her. “I’m living at the main house now. With Akito.”
“What are you saying, Tohru? You can‘t live at the main house.” Kyo argued. “You live at Shigure’s house. You live with me, and that damn rat, and that stupid dog. NOW LET‘S GO HOME!”
“Not anymore, Kyo. That wasn’t working out for me. I can’t live there anymore.” In the distance, Tohru saw Yuki and Haru. Spotted her, Yuki took off running towards them. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath, and turned to Akito.
“Akito, let’s go.”
“Tohru,” Yuki called to her, as he hurried toward them.
“Tohru, please.” Kyo pleaded, “I love you, don’t you know that? You can’t go with Akito.”
“I’m so, so, sorry, Kyo, but I can’t be there for you, that way. I needed to make a choice.” Akito stood behind her, laying his hands softly on her shoulders.
“Get away from her, Akito.” Yuki huffed, finally arriving on the scene, but too out of breath, and frightened of Akito, to act.
“Tohru,” Kyo pleaded, “I understand if you don’t love me, if you don’t want to be with me. You think that you need to make a choice? Fine, choose Yuki, I don’t care. Just come home.”
“I can’t be with Yuki,” Tohru told Kyo, calmly. “Yuki’s with Haru.”
“What?” Kyo and Yuki said at the same time.
“I saw you.” Tohru told Yuki, and the look in her eyes made her feelings perfectly clear. “In the forest, by my tent, I saw you kissing Haru.”
“I…” Yuki started, wanting to explain, but there were no words that could change the truth.
“Akito, get me out of here.” Tohru said, wrapping an arm around Akito’s small waist, and allowing him to lead her away.
As they exited the forest, Akito turned his head, to look back upon Yuki and Kyo. Once again, Akito found himself experiencing an unfamiliar emotion. Compassion.
***********************
Well, this chapter was really long, wasn’t it? We are, now, closer to an ending, but we are not quite there yet. I think, I still have a chapter, or a few, in me… Let me know what you think, so far… You don’t hate me, do you? I really did a number on Yuki and Kyo, didn’t I? Once again, I plead innocence and I blame Akito.
See you in chapter 16...
As promised, chapter fifteen. Two chapters in one weekend… Now my head hurts… I am going to go watch some anime.
Sleepless in Sohma House
PART FIFTEEN - TOHRU HONDA TAKES A STAND
YUKI *
Tuesday morning was brightening into a warm and sparkly afternoon. Everywhere throughout Japan, people were happily enjoying the summer’s good fortune. With clear skies, and sweetly fresh air, it was one of those rare days that make one feel truly blessed. Than there was the Sohma House.
In contrast, Shigure’s little abode had taken on a rather overcast and solemn air. The cheerleaders of the family, Momiji, and Ayame had left with Shigure to pick up lunch. What remained was a, deeply, disheartened silver haired boy, and a, perpetually, pissed off orange kitty cat. To make matters worse, it was obvious that Shigure had gotten, way, to used to having a housekeeper. Although, Miss Honda had been gone, only, less than a week, the place had deteriorated quite a bit. All in all, things were looking pretty dismal.
In the dusty foyer, next to the living room, Yuki was finishing up a telephone call. As he hung up the phone Kyo leaped off of the television sat, where he had been pacing back and forth, and scurried to his side.
“Well, what did you find out?” Kyo pestered, “Is she working tonight? Do they know where she’s staying?”
“They said that she is on vacation, and that she won’t be back for two weeks.” Yuki said somberly, and pushed his hair out of his eyes in annoyance.
“WHAT!!! Can’t you do anything right, you stupid rat? No way is Tohru on vacation.” Kyo jumped up, into Yuki’s arms, and pointed at the phone with his paw. “Come on, call back, and put me on the phone. I’ll get to the bottom of this. Tohru on vacation, yeah right. Like she’d go on a vacation without us.”
“Get off of me you sticking cat,“ Yuki huffed, Grabbing Kyo by his tale and heaving him away,
“I know what I heard.”
“You know that this is your fault, right.” Kyo argued.
Yuki threw Kyo a dirty look, but said nothing.
Shigure, Ayame, and Momiji entered the house, their arms laden with fast food bags.
“We got you two something to eat.” Shigure told them. Sitting down the bags on the dining table and taking a seat.
“I’m not hungry.” Yuki told them, and turned around to head back up to his room.
“Stop right there, young man.” Ayame said, trying to sound forceful, and failing terribly. “You haven’t eaten, since you got home yesterday. You can’t search for your little girlfriend on an empty stomach. Sit down and eat.”
Kyo let out a sharp, sarcastic, chuckle, leapt up on the table and started nosing through one of the bags.
Yuki looked as if he was going to keep walking, but then changed his mind. He turned around grabbed the bag away from Kyo, pulled out a bag of French Fries and plopped down next to Shigure.
“Did you find out where Tohru is?” Momiji asked, his mouth full.
“No, because he’s worthless.” Kyo informed them, taking a bite from the chicken nugget that Shigure held out to him.
“Like you’ve had any better luck, you rotten cat. Exactly, how many days have you been looking for her?” Yuki said bluntly.
“Oh, give me a break, you girly boy. It’s a big forest, and I’m the size of a cat. It’s not like I could cover a lot of ground.
“Did you check out the West Forest?” Shigure asked him.
“West Forest, what the hell is that?” Kyo grumbled.
“The forest on the other side of the Sohma Building.” Momiji said, happy to be of assistance. “I play there sometimes when I’m waiting for my dad to get off of work.”
“Why would I do that? The last time she stayed in a tent it was in the forest right out back, wasn‘t it?” Kyo snarled, and was immediately scorned by the rest of the table.
“Idiot,” Yuki mumbled, “You don’t actually think that she would pick the same place?”
“Yuki’s right, Kyo.” Shigure agreed. “Tohru’s very proud. If Tohru was staying in a tent again, she probably wouldn’t want us to know.”
“So,” Kyo inquired, under his breath and annoyed. “Where exactly is this West Forest?”
TOHRU *
“OHHHH, YES! It looks so cute on you!” Yoshiya exclaimed. The two girls stood in Tohru’s bedroom, admiring the new dress that Tohru was modeling.
On her bed was a number of shopping bags. Akito had, once again, went out of his way trying to please her.
“It is nice, isn’t it.” Tohru commented, obviously embarrassed by the compliment.”
“Yes, you look great, Akito’s going to love you in that! Here, let me do your make-up really quick.”
“No, really, Akito wouldn‘t…” Tohru argued, blushing fiercely, but she had to admit that the dress fit her perfectly. It was a simple, but pretty dress, the color of pink champagne. As Tohru moved it clung to her gently, accenting her body and making Tohru feel… just a little bit… well sort of, sexy. “Did Akito, actually, pick this out himself? I mean… how did he know my size?”
“Oh,” Yoshiya said, grinning proudly, and pulling out a make-up container from her own purse. “That was my doing. I checked the size on your other outfit before I dropped it off in the laundry, and… okay, I admit it, Akito had a little bit of help from me… but I only picked the boutique, Akito chose the dress. The Master has good taste.”
“He does, doesn’t he?” Tohru agreed, allowing the older girl to brush some powder across her cheeks, and apply some lipstick to her mouth.
“Tohru,” Akito’s voice, accompanied by a knock, came from outside the bedroom door. “Is Yoshiya in there with you?”
“One moment, Master Akito.” Yoshiya grinned, blotting Tohru’s lips with tissue, before moving to the door and opening it.
“Hatori is looking for you, what are you still doing in here? Did you sober up and change your mind about going?” Akito teased, showing off a very mischievous grin. Entering the room, he sat down a tray, containing Tohru’s breakfast of tea and toast, on the side table. “Now, go have a nice vacation, and let me have some time with To…” Akito’s train of thought was derailed as his eyes fell upon the flawless beauty that was Tohru Honda.
“You look like an angel.” He whispered, causing Tohru to blush and hide her face in her hands.
“Thank you, Akito. This is such a nice dress. I can’t believe that you …” Tohru stopped talking, because Akito Sohma had taken her into his arms and now he was gazing, tenderly, into her eyes.
Yoshiya made a quick, and quiet, exit. A massive smile covering her face.
“You are so perfect.” Akito murmured, gently, “Can I kiss you, Tohru Honda?”
Tohru couldn’t answer, her heart was pounding so hard, and she was sure that he would hear it. She opened her mouth, but found herself without words. Instead, she closed her eyes, and nodded her head.
Tohru’s very first kiss was exquisite. It tasted like sunbeams, and it felt like a dream.
YUKI *
“That Brainless cat, I swear, I am going to break his neck, if he doesn’t stop talking.” Yuki said, under his breath, as he hiked through the forest with Kyo, and Momiji. For the past hour Kyo had went on and on about how Yuki was such a complete imbecile for the way he had treated Miss Honda. Although, Yuki recognized the truth in Kyo’s words, that didn’t make it any easier for him to listen to. On top of everything, Yuki still had not completely recovered, he was feeling a little worn out, and he was starting to wonder if Miss Honda was even staying in the forest.
“Are you sure that she didn’t move back to her grandfather’s house?” Yuki interrogated Kyo for at least the tenth time.
“I told you, I already checked that out.”
“What about her friends, maybe they came back early from their holiday.” This he had only suggested around seven or eight times.
“THEY DIDN’T! I TOLD YOU! CAN’T YOU HEAR RIGHT? YOU MORON!” Kyo shouted. The constant searching was, also, taking it’s toll on the small cat. For, at least, the past fifteen minutes, Kyo had been envisioning himself using his razor sharp claws to quickly, and efficiently, scratch a pair of violet eyes out.
“I’m tired,” Momiji complained.
“WELL, WHY IN THE HELL DID YOU INSIST ON COMING WITH US THEN?” Kyo admonished the boy.
“Don’t yell at him, you lousy asshole.” Yuki exploded, but, since it was Yuki exploding, it was said with his usual quiet air of superiority. “Momiji, if you’re tired, why don’t you go and wait for us at the tea shop across the street from your father’s office.”
“Hooray,” Momiji danced, “that place is the best, and I am hungry, too. Should I order you guys something. I have money.”
“Sure,” Yuki told him, “we’ll meet up with you in a bit.”
Momiji took off in the direction of town, as Kyo turned on Yuki.
“Why did you have to go and do that for?”
“What’s wrong with you, now?”
“We’re out here to look for Tohru, not to sit around a café eating cookies.” Kyo snarled at him.
“We’ve been looking since yesterday, you jerk. It’s not going to hurt us to stop and take a break once in a while.”
“Why did you even come? You probably don’t even want to find Tohru.” Kyo charged.
“Whatever,” Yuki said, shrugging off Kyo’s accusations. “Listen, why don’t we just split up? We can cover more ground that way,” Then he added, in a voice too low for Kyo to hear, “and it will keep me from wringing your silly, orange, neck.”
“That works for me.” Kyo marched off, with his tail held high in the air. “You were bugging the shit out of me anyway.”
WHITE HARU *
Haru was bored, and even a tiny bit hungry. ‘Where is she?’ he wondered, and that thought was followed with, ‘How long have I been here, anyway?’
He was sitting, bare footed and cross-legged, in the middle of the picnic table reading through the pile of magazines he had discovered in Tohru’s tent. Moment’s ago, he had just finished taking a quiz entitled, HOW TO TELL IF HE IS YOUR MISTER RIGHT! Haru had, now, revealed the truth. It was right there in black and white, his favorite colors. Yuki Sohma was, most assuredly, his Mister Right.
“What a joke.” Haru mumbled, tossing the magazine aside, and jumping down from the table. ‘I guess, that I should give up waiting for Tohru, and start trying to find my way home.” he decided.
Walking to the tent, he bent down, and crawled halfway inside. He grabbed his shoes, then noticed a small bottle of perfume laying in a pile of spilt clothing. Picking it up, he popped off the top and tested the scent with a quick whiff. The smell was, something like, sugar cookies and spice. Yep, it was hers all right. Even Haru had enjoyed the way the girl had always smelled. ‘What the heck,’ he thought, and quickly sprayed himself. This finished, he replaced the bottle’s cap, and backed his way out of the tent. Standing up he found himself face to face with a slightly confused Yuki Sohma.
“Haru? What are you doing out here?” Yuki wondered.
Haru didn’t hear what Yuki said to him, he was distracted by a sudden rush of lightheadedness, caused by a few days without eating.
“Yuki?” Haru closed his eyes, and waited for the world to stop spinning.
“Haru, are you okay? Why are you here? Is this Miss Honda’s tent?” Yuki bent down, so that he could get a look inside of the tent.
“I was waiting for Tohru, but she hasn’t come back.” Haru explained, and staggered his way to the picnic bench, so that he could sit down.
“What do you mean, she hasn’t come back? How long have you been waiting for her?”
Haru thought about this question for a moment, he really had no clue. He had been so depressed that most of his time had been spent within a haze of despair.
“I don’t know, Yuki… Since I left you, I guess… When was that?”
Yuki’s mouth dropped open, and he noticed for the first time how, absolutely, terrible Haru looked. He rushed to Haru’s side, and stood looking down at him with concern.
“Haru, do you mean to tell me that you’ve been waiting here for three days?”
“That sounds about right.” Haru decided, and gave Yuki a tiny smile. “I wasn’t sure how to get home.”
“Have you had anything to eat?” Yuki asked.
“Sure, I ate Tohru’s box of Pocky, do you think that she’ll mind?”
“Oh, Haru, you poor fool.” Yuki said sadly. “I really need to buy you a map.”
This made Haru laugh, and Yuki couldn’t hold back his own tiny giggle.
“Well, let’s get you out of here, then.” Yuki said, reaching out his hand to help Haru stand. Haru grabbed hold and pulled himself up. He then stood solid, continuing to hold Yuki’s hand tightly, but refusing to move.
“Haru?” Yuki asked, worried about his friends physical state. “are you okay? You can walk, can’t you?”
“Yuki.” Haru said slowly, and his eyes glazed over as he fought off tears. “I really have missed you.”
“Haru,” Yuki said, overcome with guilt over the pain that he knew he was causing. “I’m sorry.”
Haru pulled Yuki closer to him, and before Yuki had time to think, Haru had him wrapped in a tight hug.
‘He smells like Tohru.’ Yuki noticed, and allowed Haru to hold him this way.
“Yuki.” Haru yearned, and rested his head on Yuki’s thin shoulder.
“I’m here.” Yuki said, and softly rubbed Haru’s strong back.
“I’m so in love with you, Yuki. I can‘t stand being apart from you.” Haru admitted, and placed his lips upon Yuki’s mouth.
“Haru,” Yuki whispered, trying to pull away. Haru tightened his hold, and tightened the kiss, running his hands through Yuki’s baby soft hair. After a moment, he felt Yuki relax in his arms, and then, to Haru’s great delight and amazement, Yuki was actually kissing him back.
Yuki moaned softly, and Haru felt soft hands at the back of his neck, pulling him in. Haru opened his eyes. He needed to be sure he wasn’t just dreaming. Yuki’s eyes were closed tightly, his face softly flushed. Haru drew back, for just a second. He needed to see him this way. Then before the magic could break, he returned to the kiss, working his tongue gently into Yuki’s parted lips, causing Yuki to inhale nervously, but he didn’t stop. Yuki didn’t stop.
Haru felt himself smiling inside, his moment had finally come, and then out of the corner of his eye, he saw her. She stood at the edge of the campsite, her hand to her mouth as if to cover her shock. She was watching them. Her eyes met with Haru’s, and Haru recognized the look, jealousy mixed with anger and agony. Haru narrowed his eyes, a silent warning to her.
Tohru Honda turned quickly, and hurried out of the forest, just as Yuki came to his senses and pushed Haru away.
“Haru,” Yuki said, his mind digesting what had just occurred.
“Yuki,” Haru breathed, and tried to pull Yuki back in, “what’s wrong?”
“This is, Haru.” Yuki said, moving himself out of Haru’s reach, but keeping the eye contact, “I’m sorry, Haru. I care about you, so much. Honestly, I do. In my own way I love you, and I will always love you, until the day that I die. But Haru, I’m not in love with you. Not the way that you need me to love you. Haru, I’m in love with Tohru.”
Haru searched Yuki’s eyes, and knew what he spoke was the truth. Tears running down his cheeks, Haru took a deep breath and nodded…
BLACK HARU *
…but then he got mad…
“WHAT IN THE HELL??? YOU HAD TO USE A STICKIN’ CLICHÉ’ ON ME, YUKI? I LOVE YOU, BUT I’M NOT IN LOVE WITH YOU!!! YOU SON OF A BITCH, CAN’T YOU AT LEAST BE MORE CREATIVE THAN THAT?????” (a.n.: oh oh…swallowing hard, sweat drop!)
“I’m sorry, Haru.” Yuki placed a reassuring hand on Haru’s back.
“Don’t be,” Haru said, brushing off Yuki’s touch. “Just don’t touch me, okay, and get me the hell out of this fucking forest.”
“Okay,” Yuki agreed, holding back his own tears. Black Haru’s appearance was not a surprise. Yuki was almost happy to see him. He much preferred Black Haru’s anger, over the pain that he had just witnessed in White Haru’s face.
TOHRU *
As Tohru ran through the forest, she tripped and she fell, face first, into the dirt. Finding her feet again, she looked down at her new dress. She shouldn‘t have worn it to pick up her tent, because now it was dirty, and she was mad.
“Damn.” yelled the girl who normally never cussed. “What the hell was that, Yuki?” The sight of Yuki and Haru kissing was haunting her, breaking her heart, and making her feel out of control.
Rubbing at her eyes, she tried to push the image out of her mind. “How could you let me think that you loved me?”
Haru’s words, from the first time that she met him, appeared in Tohru’s mind, loud and clear. ‘Yuki was my first love.’
“Have you two been a couple all of this time? Why didn’t you tell me, damn you?”
“Tohru.” The familiar voice was back, “Tohru, you’re not playing fair.”
“Mom?” Tohru whispered. “Mom, you’re back?”
“Tohru, you can’t have all of them. You’re not playing fair.”
“But mom, I love them, I love all of them.”
“You have to choose, Tohru. You can only have one, which one do you choose?”
MOMIJI *
“Akito!” Momiji yelled, when he saw Akito enter the tea shop.
“Momiji, what are you doing here?” Akito asked him, as he walked over and sat down with the blond boy.
“I’m waiting for Yuki and Kyo. They’re looking for Tohru.” Momiji bubbled, and popped a cookie into his happy little mouth.
“Excuse me? What did you just say, Momiji?” Akito’s asked, his eyes wide.
“I said, Yuki and Kyo are looking for Tohru. They’re looking for Tohru in the forest. I was helping them, but I got tired. They should be here soon.”
Without a word, Akito jumped up and took off out the door.
AKITO *
Akito tore out of the tea garden, and ran towards the forest. ‘You’re going to lose her.’ He thought to himself, and felt a familiar desperation growing inside of him. ‘They’re going to find her, and take her away from you.’
KYO *
Walking out of the forest, Kyo spotted Akito running towards him in a panic. Moving quickly, Kyo stepped out of his path, and watched with his mouth wide open as Akito flew by. “Should he be running like that?” Was Kyo’s first thought.
“What the hell is he up to?” Was his second. He had rarely seen the head of the Sohma clan outside of the main house, unless he was causing some type of trouble. So obviously, Akito was up to something. Kyo took off after him.
TOHRU *
As Tohru came to the edge of the forest, she saw Akito running towards her. She felt her spirits, slightly, brighten just by seeing his face.
Akito stopped in front of her, and looked at her with tears in his eyes. Tohru threw herself into his arms and hid her face in his chest.
She didn’t see the cat, but even if she had, she probably couldn’t have stopped him.
“AKITO, GET YOUR DIRTY HANDS OFF OF HER!” Kyo shouted. Putting every ounce of power he had into it, he lunged at Akito’s back, digging his claws in, and following up with his teeth.
“Get off of me, you stupid cat.” Akito screamed, letting go of Tohru and trying to reach behind himself to pull Kyo off.
“KYO! STOP IT! LEAVE HIM ALONE!” Tohru yelled, and without thinking grabbed Kyo from Akito’s back and tossed him harshly to the ground.
Kyo landed on his feet, and readied himself for another strike.
“I said stop it, Kyo.” Tohru repeated, and stepped, protectively, in front of Akito.
“Tohru?” Kyo asked. “Are you okay? What did he do to you, Tohru?”
“He didn’t do anything, Kyo. He’s been helping me, that’s all.” Tohru explained, and turned around to check on Akito. “Are you okay, Akito?” Noticing blood on the back of his shirt, she moved quickly behind Akito to assess the damage that Kyo had caused.
“Don’t fuss, Tohru. It’s nothing.” Akito assured her, and then turned to the cat standing in front of him.
“I see you still have quite the temper.”
“Don’t talk to me, you bastard.” Kyo spat at Akito, “Come on, Tohru, lets go.”
“She’s not going anywhere with you, cat.” Akito said smoothly, and slipped his arm around Tohru’s waist.
“DIDN’T I TELL YOU TO GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF OF HER?” Kyo growled, baring his teeth.
“Kyo, listen to me,” Tohru stated calmly, stepping away from Akito and bending down so that she was sure Kyo could hear her. “I’m living at the main house now. With Akito.”
“What are you saying, Tohru? You can‘t live at the main house.” Kyo argued. “You live at Shigure’s house. You live with me, and that damn rat, and that stupid dog. NOW LET‘S GO HOME!”
“Not anymore, Kyo. That wasn’t working out for me. I can’t live there anymore.” In the distance, Tohru saw Yuki and Haru. Spotted her, Yuki took off running towards them. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath, and turned to Akito.
“Akito, let’s go.”
“Tohru,” Yuki called to her, as he hurried toward them.
“Tohru, please.” Kyo pleaded, “I love you, don’t you know that? You can’t go with Akito.”
“I’m so, so, sorry, Kyo, but I can’t be there for you, that way. I needed to make a choice.” Akito stood behind her, laying his hands softly on her shoulders.
“Get away from her, Akito.” Yuki huffed, finally arriving on the scene, but too out of breath, and frightened of Akito, to act.
“Tohru,” Kyo pleaded, “I understand if you don’t love me, if you don’t want to be with me. You think that you need to make a choice? Fine, choose Yuki, I don’t care. Just come home.”
“I can’t be with Yuki,” Tohru told Kyo, calmly. “Yuki’s with Haru.”
“What?” Kyo and Yuki said at the same time.
“I saw you.” Tohru told Yuki, and the look in her eyes made her feelings perfectly clear. “In the forest, by my tent, I saw you kissing Haru.”
“I…” Yuki started, wanting to explain, but there were no words that could change the truth.
“Akito, get me out of here.” Tohru said, wrapping an arm around Akito’s small waist, and allowing him to lead her away.
As they exited the forest, Akito turned his head, to look back upon Yuki and Kyo. Once again, Akito found himself experiencing an unfamiliar emotion. Compassion.
***********************
Well, this chapter was really long, wasn’t it? We are, now, closer to an ending, but we are not quite there yet. I think, I still have a chapter, or a few, in me… Let me know what you think, so far… You don’t hate me, do you? I really did a number on Yuki and Kyo, didn’t I? Once again, I plead innocence and I blame Akito.
See you in chapter 16...