Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Strawberries and Skinny-Dipping: Hatori's Remedy ❯ Of a Secret Garden, Skinny-Dipping, and a Kiss ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Third Installment! I hope I haven't bored anyone with my drone. Disclaimer: I don't own squat! Please comment, don't be afraid!

HATORI'S REMEDY presents:

Chapter 3: Of a Secret Garden, Skinny-Dipping, and a Kiss

The rest of the shopping trip was quiet, Hatori and Tohru each thinking about their previous “close” encounter. Did it mean anything?

The cart piled up with a week's worth of goodies. Tohru didn't buy any junk food, she knew Shigure always went on a binge while writing a novel, hiding chocolate, chips in every nook of his unorganized room. In his writer's mood, he hadn't allowed Tohru into his room. However, while he was taking a shower, she had enough time to fix the bed and pick up a few candy wrappers. Oh, Hatori must think that I am not doing my job at Shi-chan's house. Ai-yah!

Tohru slipped out the wad of money from her jacket, that Shigure had gave her just before leaving. Shigure knew that his little flower won't spend otherwise.

Hatori watched as the young girl counted the money methodically, for the groceries and thanked the grocery bagger graciously—bowing several times. Even the bagger blushed. How sweet, he thought. No wonder the three boys loved her so much. And so did he.

Hatori pulled out of the parking lot and onto the jammed city streets. People bustled to and fro, by foot and bicycle—a race to the finish-line. The city life was alive and fast-paced. Something Hatori couldn't get use to any time soon. He had his own slow, painful everyday torture. Caring for the incurable Akito and answering to his every whim. He could never say “no”. He had gotten use to it, in his own sadistic way.

Tohru looked out the window like a child at the carnival, her eyes twinkling as bright as the moon the previous night. She beamed, seeing a mother giving her child a piggy back ride on the sidewalk heading towards them. The sidewalks were overcrowded.

Hatori knew little about Tohru's parents, but knew her mom died in a car accident a year before she moved in with Shigure. He didn't want to address any open wounds now by bringing up the subject. He only smiled internally at Tohru's happiness.

Hatori stopped at the red light, before Tohru suddenly shouted, “Oh no!” before quickly jumping out of the stopped car across two lanes onto the sidewalk and running to the cross walk that lit the `walking man', indicating that pedestrians could cross. She bellowed to the other side, “Don't cross yet!” to the mom and child at the intersecting cross walk. They stopped dead in their tracks before a reckless car roared past the red light. The stopped cars honked angrily at the careless driver. Hatori seeing the events flash before his eyes jolted out of his still-running car to Tohru on the sidewalk who was heaving heavily, her hands on her knees.

He said hoarsely, “Are you okay?” bending down to see her face.

She gave a small nod before saying shakily, “They-they- almost- got- got hit,” point at the mother and child who were still at the cross walk, as stunned as Tohru. Hatori said, “I know. You just saved them,” before putting Tohru's limp arm around his shoulder and bringing her to the safety of his car. The on-looking pedestrians and cars applauded at the heroine as she was situated into the passenger seat. Hatori closed her door and ran in front of his car into the driver's seat. The light changed immediately and the car rocketed off.

Tohru gained her composure and looked to Hatori who stared back at her with his fathomless, penetrative eyes. His heart was pounding unsteadily. Because he loved Tohru. She had risked her own life to help others. A tiny smile crept to the sides of his lips, barely discernable as one though. However, the potent emotion controlled by his will was veiled by his furrowed brows as he focused on the road ahead. Tohru weakly smiled back before turning away to look out onto the highway. I'm glad I got their in time, mom.

Halfway home, Hatori asked, “Would you like some lunch? We can stop at a fast food place if you'd like.”

“No thanks, I'm not hungry, but if you'd like, you can get something.” Tohru's stomach lurched at the thought of food. She wasn't hungry after the `incident' with Hatori and then the crosswalk. She also didn't want to be more of a nuisance to the unruffled doctor. Her and her impulses.

Hatori, on the other hand, was never really hungry. The cigarettes dissolved his appetite.

Parking in Shigure's dirt-paved driveway, Hatori ran over to the passenger side door to help Tohru out.

“Hey, you're okay, right?”

Tohru nodded promptly.

“Tell me if you have any doubt, Tohru.”

The two of them brought the groceries from the trunk into the house. Hatori could get use to this “taming”; going grocery shopping with the one he loved. After putting the groceries in their designated places, Tohru said to Hatori, “I'm going out now. I'll be back to make dinner.”

Hatori wanted to ask where she was going, but didn't want to sound like a nagging father. Tohru had her own life, and it wasn't his place to intrude. With nothing to busy himself, he went to the kitchen to gather the morning's newspaper and a steaming cup of tea to calm his nerves. Being so close to Tohru made his heart stagger, he wanted to hold her tighter, close to him.

He wanted to be inside his muse. To make her feel his passion.

She made him feel whole. And he wanted to make her feel the same way, not that she would ever want him to, but it was a fantasy that plagued his mind. WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!—Flashing red lights reminded him.

The door closed silently, and she was gone.

Hatori strolled onto the porch and began to read the front page of the newspaper. The face of the serial killer was plastered on the front cover, a crudely drawn picture of a uni-browed, smallpox-scarred man with a large scar piercing his cheek—the epitome of a cartoon villain.

Before he could dwell any longer on the article, his eyelids drooped and he fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Tohru had gone to the shed out back to get her gardening gloves, some seed packages, a small trowel, a small shovel, and a wicker basket to set her belongings in.

She ambled through the wonderful forest, the rays of sunlight peeking in through the canopy overhead. She relaxed in the peaceful afternoon ambience. The forest was her home-- when she had lived in the tent, and now, with the Sohmas.

Humming a catchy melody, she found herself noticing the wild flora around her. Every now and then, she stopped to pick up an interesting specimen before laying it back where she had found it.

She was especially awed by the beautiful ginkgo leaves that drizzled the trail. She looked up to find the edible seeds. She reminded herself that on the way back, she would pick some up.

She wondered about the trees being the last of a primitive order—it was like herself, alone. Then again, they both found a wonderful home—her with the Sohmas and the ginkgos in a beautiful forest.

Then, she found the clearing, her secret garden. She giggled at the thought that it was a private place that few knew about. The secrets she told stayed in the garden. Settling down in a soft grassy spot near the edge of the garden that had been framed by rocks, she crossed her legs, wriggling to find the perfect position.

“Hello veggies. Did you miss me?” Tohru chuckled.

She began to pick the ripe fruits and vegetables while relaying her week's events quietly. Hours passed by, 3 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 5 o'clock. (Tohru even took a quick nap for half an hour in the dependable shade) The sun was still high in the sky, making it hard to discern the time.

“This morning I made Yuki-kun and Ha-san a western style breakfast. I don't think Ha-san liked it very much, but he was too kind to say anything. Yuki went to go visit Kyo, a surprise visit, I think; those two at always at each other. Ha-san took me to the city supermarket. It is really big. We bought tons of stuff. He must've though I was really pathetic when I started crying,” hesitating, Tohru continued, “I…I…really like Hatori. He is so nice to me. He didn't even say anything, he held me. I mean it wasn't a hug, but I felt close to him. I felt his heart beat, it was really fast… does that mean anything? Probably he was nervous that I would attract attention or something. Boy, am I sounding pretty babyish.”

Finishing pulling out the reckless weeds, and planting the summer seeds, Tohru leaned against a mossy tree trunk munching on a crunchy yellow bell pepper. It's sweet, tangy flavor melted in her dry mouth, reminding her that she was very thirsty. Leaving her stuff behind, she hiked out of the clearing to her water hole. The waterfall would be fresh and cleansing, just right for a sip to quench her thirst.

Hatori woke up with a start for two reasons. First, his stomach was growling uncontrollably.

Second, What if the serial killer was in the forest? What if he found Tohru?

He chastised himself inaudibly for not being more inquisitive about her whereabouts. She could be dead because of his stupidity! Argh! He checked his watch, it was almost seven! Where was she? Oh goodness, he was going to start hyperventilating. (He never did that before!)

He began pacing back and forth across the porch, trying to remember if she had said anything before leaving. He dug deep into his mind.

Ah-ha. The garden. Last night, Tohru had shown him the garden. She said she hadn't been there for a while, and she had seeds to plant. Great, now he had to retrace his steps to the garden. He had been so love-struck last night (the full moon and all) that he hadn't really paid any attention. He only followed Tohru's flirty short skirt, catching a glimpse of her virgin thighs every now and then. What? Lusty thoughts again?

He needed to find her… NOW! His mind was going amok at the thought of her chained up (unless it was his kinky doing….. ahhhhhhhhhh--- Shigure's stupid smutty novels strike again!) with a criminal and touched by a foreign hand.

Hatori's heart throbbed. He slipped on his loafer and ran into the forest.

---

Tohru arrived at the lucid watering hole, but decided to hike up to the summit of the trickling waterfall. Grasping onto the granite rocks, she made her way up to the top. From the lofty height, she saw the silhouette of the remote mountains meet the luminescent red of the sun. It was a beautiful sight that she wished she could spend with someone. Mom, the sky is so lovely. Tohru knelt down beside the stream, her legs cozy on a soft dirt terrain between two rocks. She cupped her hands into the water and brought the chill liquid to her parched lips. Her eyes closed as she drew her neck back, emitting a small sound of pleasure from her throat. Mmm.

After fulfilling herself of her share, Tohru sat on a large smooth rock in the middle of the gentle currents. She slipped off her sandals, throwing them onto land, and dipped her feet into the water. The sun's radiating heat brought the water to lukewarm perfection. She peered into the reflection and saw herself; self-consciously she fixed her hair and blouse. She didn't want to return home looking flustered and disarrayed, a wild child in the woods. However, as she adjusted her weight on the rock, her skirt skimmed the surface of the water and the water molecules bounded together, spreading up a large rivulet to the skirt's waistline.

“Ugh, this doesn't look too good.” With no one looking she stood up in the currents and wrung out the excess water before sitting back down again; this time being more careful.

“I'll be back tonight for a swim,” she said under her breath.

Hatori, after treading a few circles around the forest, finally came upon the small clearing, noticing the spear dug into the earth to mark the territory. Seeing Tohru's gardening supplies, he sighed in relief.

“Oh, I finally found you, Tohru.” Coming closer, he noticed she was nowhere in sight.

Maybe she took a break, he thought to himself hopefully, not wanting to envision the dread of her… her…

Corpse.

Hatori stood for a few minutes dazed before grunting sternly, “Argh, where is she!” His chest began to heave unmethodically. While contemplating hard-- his visage furrowed, a sound interrupted his thoughts.

The distant reverberation of water.

He stepped out of the clearing and toward the sound, praying that she was there. Hatori stumbled upon overgrown tree roots, racing to the finish line: Tohru.

Reaching the edge of the watering hole, he heard playful laughter overhead.

“Tohru?” he said hesitantly.

“Eh? She said instantly, blinking twice to see if it was reality, “Is that you Ha-san?”

Was Hatoriat the pond?

Hatori scrambled swiftly up the rocks to the top and met the eyes of his unrequited love. She stood in the running stream barefoot, a brazen forest nymph. Her face was sanguine and exuberant, the breeze teasing her long, unruly hair. She looked fresh, verdant, like a flower bud ready to blossom.

His blossom (or so he wished).

Before he could lecture her or be angry, he strode over to her and lent out a hand to support her onto dry land. She stepped onto an unbalanced rock and staggered a bit, crumpling into the water.

“Ahhhh,” she shrieked sitting knee deep in the water. Immediately, Hatori stepped into the water and pulled her up and out of the water. This heart thumped loudly, seeing her skirt and bottom of her shirt plastered against her toned body. Hatori saw all the contours and planes of her body.

“Are you `kay?” Trying to avoid staring at her.

“Hai.”

Then, with any thought, lowered his lips to hers. He entangled his desperate arms around her neck, holding her still.

His thirsty lips met her moist, succulent ones. He nibbled on her lower lip before pressing his mouth into hers deeper. His mind could no longer hold back his love. His emotions were overwhelming to hold back.

Tohru didn't hold back or pull away. She allowed Hatori's tongue to go past her teeth into her hollow, virgin mouth, to explore her. Daringly, her tongue touched his tenderly. It felt good, to have Hatori so close to her. She was lost in his kiss; it besieged any judgment.

Hatori tasted the sweetness of her-- something tangy and sweet, from the garden, perhaps?

The kiss lasted for minutes before Hatori pulled away at the realization. He had just kissed a high school student. Was he a… cradle robber?

Hatori dipped his head in shame and mumbled,“Tohru, I… I… am sorry. I didn't mean to. Please don't be mad. I'll leave tonight, just please… don't hate me.”

There. He finally bombarded her with his long aching desire. What was going to happen now?

Tohru, shocked by the stolid doctor's kiss shook her head in disbelief. Had her dream over the past few nights come true? She brought his head down to her shoulder tentatively and whispered in his ear, “Don't be, Ha'ri.”

Cradling Hatori, she felt the warmth of his body radiate onto her shivering one. Tohru also noticed that her damp clothing had soaked Hatori's. She said exasperatedly, “I got you wet. I'm sorry, Ha'ri.” Hearing her call his name aroused a deep desire for her touch. He didn't care about his pants, he didn't care about life if it didn't involve her. This past weekend he had fell in love with Tohru.

“It doesn't matter,” he muttered into her shoulders.

Disliking the frozen embrace, Tohru ran her fingers delicately through his hair, brushing his long bangs away from his face to reveal: his scarred left eye. The skin around the eye was pale; it would never tan. The eyeball seemed sunken in. He had a scar pierce his eyebrow too, it looked as though he had been scratched with an eagle's talon, only it was a glass shard. She gave out a small gasp, remembering the tortuous story that came with it. Oh the pain she felt in her chest! How could someone do that to him? He never did anyone any harm. Hatori pulled away from her seeing her wince at the disfigurement. He didn't want anyone to pity him or see him. It wasn't worth it. He wasn't worth it, this foolish, stoic automaton.

Tohru began to cry. (The third time since he arrived.)

She was in love with this man, who had been through so much.

She vowed to herself that she would do anything to make him forget. His past.

Trying to end the emotion-filled atmosphere Hatori initiated, “Let's go home, Tohru.” He wanted to hold her, but knew the kiss had been enough. It ruined his relationship with Tohru. She would never want to see or hear of him again.

Stifling the tears into her sleeves, Tohru said, “Can we stay for the sunset?” pointing across the distant mountains. Facing her, he saw the pleading eyes, too irresistible to deny.

He acquiesced.

Tohru patted a grassy patch beside her, signaling for Hatori to sit down next to her. They sat side-by-side, inches apart, but Tohru moved in closer until her outstretched legs matched his (only shorter in length :), one crossed over the other. Hatori watched her imitation of himself as she put on an exaggerated expression of his stance, her arms folded in front of her chest. So cute. In response, he put them down, relaxed.

He watched her as she put her arms behind her back in a relaxed pose seeping of independence, sexiness, innocence, audacity, and perfection. He loved that about her. When she swiped the fluttering loose strands of hair behind her ears, he lost it.

“Tohru, I have something to tell you. Hear me out. Please.

I……..”

He didn't have to say anymore, finishing his statement, Tohru said softly, “I like you too, Hatori, and I always have and will.”

Hearing those words Hatori lost all of his stone logic and reasoning. He gave Tohru a full-on smile, teeth and all. He couldn't resist it. She made him feel: whole. He felt as giddy as a high school student going to the prom. Tohru gave her brightest smile. No words could have described the connection between the two lovers. Simultaneously, they both turned to the sunset. The sky was an alloy of citrus colors—red, orange, yellow, pink. It was like puffs of cotton candy. The ambiance was idyllic. Hatori put his arm around Tohru's shoulders tentatively. Tohru snuggled close against him. She wanted more of his touch. And he gave it to her. His hands gently squeezed her shoulders.

“Are you okay with this Tohru?”

Her only response was, “Hmmm.” This was savoring this moment.

Their eyes lit with intensity, reflecting the descending sun and…

Their new found love, sealed with a kiss. Was this a kiss of hope, or a kiss of doom?

This memory would be forever.

Nothing would break them apart. Hopefully.

---

A/N: And the story beats on… comments are welcome!