Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Strawberries and Skinny-Dipping: Hatori's Remedy ❯ Of a Pitiful Puppet, a Plummet and a Realization ( Chapter 4 )

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

STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLIES.

TO ALL MY FAITHFUL READERS: Enjoy!

Warning: slight description of nudity in the following two chapters) Spoiler of Chapter 97 and beyond… hem, hem, if you didn't already know…Akito…

Chapter 4:Of a Pitiful Puppet,a Plummet and a Realization

In the summer waft, Tohru began to shudder. Without asking, Hatori unbuttoned his collared shirt and draped it over her small frame. (He was still wearing his undershirt for those who assumed that he was naked.)

“Here. You should take off your wet clothing and put this on. You can do it here on the mountain, in privacy. I'll start down.” The sun had set and soon it would be dark. They needed to get home before the darkness set in.

Trusting the doctor's judgment, Tohru waited for him to leave before stripping off her wet clothing. Hatori's shirt was warm and soft, secreting a sweet, masculine smell—Tohru loved it. Even though her skirt was wet, she kept it on.

“I'm finished,” Tohru exclaimed before heading down the precipice, being careful to step on the right footholds, her wet clothing in the crook of her arm. Waiting at the bottom, Hatori grasped her small waist to help her down at the last wide step between the rock and the ground. His heart throbbed when he held her, even if it was a mere few seconds—his mind blurred and everywhere in his body tingled.

Releasing the feather light Tohru, she said, “Thanks, Hatori.”

Hatori nodded with no further comment as they walked back to the garden. He was thinking about her, and she was thinking about him.

They reached the garden clearing, side by side. Tohru leaped in front of him and grabbed the fruit and veggie basket lying picturesque like it came straight out of gardening catalog. She tied her wet shirt around the basket handle. “Hatori, would you like to eat anything?”

He had been so astounded by the last half hour's events that he didn't realize that his stomach had been grumbled hungrily since he left the house.

”Sure, if you're having any.”

Tohru nodded with a very pleased, impish grin on her face. She decided that they would both eat one of the mature, golden peppers, the same kind she had earlier.

She found two in the basket and handed one to Hatori. Tohru put her basket down and sat on the ground beside it, her legs straight in front of her. Hatori sat across from her cross-legged. Tohru photographed the image in her mind; he was so relaxed and carefree. His face seemed to exude a new radiance, the dark bags under his eyes lessened. Wow, Tohru thought, he seems more relaxed, happy. I love it!

Tohru was the first to taste the giant edible plant, she took a small, sensuous nibble. Hatori took a great bite, the juices oozing from the side slightly, it squirted Tohru on the shirt, forming a yellow streak across her chest, a lightning bolt.

“Oops, sorry,” he said, in a lighthearted remark, grinning slyly. He licked the sides of his lips, wiping away the sweet traces of the pepper. Tohru in turn smiled too. She couldn't help but give into the dragon's fresh, exuberant expressions. She had yearned to see him smile.

Her dream had come true. He had smiled.

Finishing the peppers, they got up and headed back to the house.

“Let me carry those, Tohru,” Hatori said before they left the garden. She obeyed. Boldly, Tohru slipped her hands into his free ones. He squeezed it tenderly, happy that she wasn't afraid of his touch. His hands were warm, contrary to what Shigure had called him, “cold”, “boring”.

They arrived on the porch and Hatori turned to her and said, “Thank you for tonight.”

Tohru, struck by his passionate eyes focused on hers said, “Hai, same here,” reddening slightly to its intensity.

Returning home brought Hatori a sense of dread. Today was Saturday. Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure were gone, but when would they be back? Regardless of their return, he would never forget this.

She went ahead of him into the kitchen, afraid that his eyes would burn through her. The phone rang just as he set the basket down on the counter. He picked it up swiftly. Before he could say “hello” he heard the familiar mischievous voice.

“Tori-san, where have you been for the past hour? I've been calling nonstop. Not deflowering my little Tohru I hope. I am sorry, but I will be here for another week or so,” lowering his voice an octave and rasping, “Watch out for Mit-chan. She's looking for me. I haven't exactly finished my latest novel.”

Concerned and aggravated, Hatori asked, “Where are you exactly, Shigure?”

Hatori heard a female's chuckle in the background before Shigure said, “Thanks, Hatori, I owe you one,” and clicking off.

Hatori pondered Shigure's skill at always avoiding answering the question.

Great! More time with Tohru.

I wasn't prepared for this, but at least I have my small hygiene case—toothbrush, razor, bandages. Should I go back and get clothing? Yes.

He turned to Tohru, who had been quietly organizing the pantry. Her back was to him as she hummed a gentle melody. Hatori drank in her sight—long legs, petite torso, and fair hair, with two cute eyes peeking out from the fan of tresses. He smiled at the thought that she was wearing his shirt.

She turned toward him and blushed again, seeing him gazing at her intently.

“Sorry,” he murmured, scratching his head, pretending that he as thinking otherwise.

Tohru picked up the trash piled on the floor neatly beside her-- snack wrappers, stale bits of crackers and candy, empty containers--- and plopped them into the kitchen trash. Hatori was really jealous of Shigure, who had someone to take care of him, to spoil him. It had always been envious of him, with Shigure's free, playful personality attracting everyone. He, Hatori, was a curmudgeon—strict, gloomy, and… cold. He had to admire Tohru for putting up with him and… loving him.

“Hatori? I'm going up to take a quick shower,” she said before prancing up the stairs, then shouting merrily at the top of the stairs, “G' night, Hatori!”

Hatori murmured to himself, “Good night to you to, Tohru.”

Hatori went outside and got into his black BMW. He sat silently at the wheel, thinking what had transpired in the past few hours. Did Tohru really like him? After the quiet contemplation, he drove the short distance to the Sohma main house. He parked at the side of his house. It looked dark, foreboding… ominous. He unlocked his front door and entered. His house was small-- two bedrooms, but cozy enough for him. He knew every inch of the house, simple and neat. Just the way he liked it.

Today, the air was stiff and musty. Turning on the lights nearest the door, he saw her. It took a while for his eyes to adjust to the light, but he knew it was not a figment of his imagination. It was her.

Shrouded in her usual drab, shadowy clothing, the color of her clothing melded with into the couch, sat Akito. Her pale, ghostly head looked like it was floating above the furniture. The color drained and her pale skin membranous.

Sinister. Evil.

Akito spoke first, “Ha-san, when did you plan to greet me with your presence? Why are you wearing that stupid T-shirt with nothing over it? Where have you been? Did you forget about your duties? I've been sitting on this god dam couch for hours waiting for you,” careful not to raise her tone above the conniving whisper that made it more unreadable. This way he appeared more cunning and scheming, when other couldn't tell what his devilish mind was up to.

Akito's face was jaundice, sickly. Hatori could only obey. He was Akito's puppet.

“I-I'm sorry Akito. I was at Shigure's house. Shigure is out and he wanted me to take care of the others.” Hatori lied, looking at his feet so that Akito wouldn't see through his half-lie.

“Are you enjoying your stay? Shigure's little Tohru, that stupid, foolish girl. She deserves nothing. She should be thankful that I let her stay. I have my reasons. Don't let that innocent attitude get to you,” Akito smirked.

A small flame began to burn in Hatori's chest. Hatori wanted to yell back something in defense, but didn't have the courage. He was going to let Akito step all over his little blossom. He was his puppet.

Instead of listening further to Akito's drone, he went into his bedroom and gathered a week's worth of clothing—slacks, vests, shirts, undergarments in a ragged duffel bag. Then he when into the adjacent bathroom to retrieve more items. When he came out, he told Akito, “I have to get back to Shigure's house. I'll be back on Monday for your check-up and other business.”

He left before Akito could say otherwise, closing the door behind himself softly. He had been dismayed at the prospect of returning to the miserable house. It held terrible memories. It tore away his heart. His soul. His life. And he was finally getting a chance to revive it. With Tohru.

The air outside was cool and refreshing. Hatori returned to Shigure's house. The previous meeting was nerve-wracking, it drained his calm composure. The hairs on his neck prickled eagerly, Goosebumps covered his arms.

Outside of Shigure's house, he noticed Tohru's lights on in her room. The windows were open, and he saw her reading in her bed. She was so adorable and peaceful, her hair was wet and sexy; it flicker against her beautiful face. He wished he could sit side-by-side with her and talk. About anything. He just wanted to be near her.

He walked into the house and into Shigure's room. Turning on the lights, he saw that the room had been organized to some extent from the previous night. Tohru. She was a marvel.

He went into the connecting bathroom and undressed. He finally had a change of clothing. He got into the shower and turned on the water. He allowed the scorching liquid to sink into his skin, wash him of Akito's hold and influence. After the quick rinse he turned the shower off and stepped outside onto a soft, fluffy rug. His toes automatically curled against its velvety material. He could get use to Shigure's carefree life.

Hatori got dressed in a white undershirt and plaid boxers.

He got into bed and closed his eyes, dreaming about Tohru before falling asleep.

At midnight, Tohru crept out of her room downstairs, bringing along her photograph of her mom. Hatori's door was slightly ajar. Glancing in she saw his massive body turned on its side, facing the door. He seemed caught off guard. His bangs swept across his tranquil, handsome face. He was relaxed.

Today, she saw a new side of him. It inspired her. This weekend was amazing.

She went into the laundry room and found a towel in the drying machine, I'll fold them later, and then she put on her sandals before slipping out of the house quietly.

She followed the moonlit path to the water basin. She undressed on the small dock, only leaving on swimsuit bottoms, and sat at the edge, dipping her feet in. It was cool against her heated skin. She eased herself into its depths. She got use to the chill and swam a few short laps between the dock and opposite side, under the waterfall. She dove into the water to avoid the waterfall's piercing force and arose under the cliff. This was her sanctuary. She laughed playfully; she swam around like a sea otter, trying different strokes, doing flips, and jumping off the plank. She felt free and unhindered, naked (literally and figuratively) to the world. This was her sanctuary.

“Mom, today was breathtaking,” she said softly. Tohru closed her eyes and listened to the crickets chirp around her. It was paradise.

Hatori woke to a cold sweat, breathing unevenly. He checked the digital clock on the nightstand beside him, 12: 34. He just had a nightmare-- that he didn't find Tohru at the waterfall this afternoon. Instead, he found a scribble ransom note tacked on a tree with a lock of Tohru's fair hair.

What was going on with his mind these days? Too many late night horror movies.

He went upstairs to check on Tohru to calm his nerves. He opened the door a crack.

She was gone.

“Tohru?” he asked doubtfully. He knocked on the bathroom door. No answer.

He opened it. It was empty.

His heart began pounding harder. He ran downstairs to see if there was any sign of an intrusion. It looked normal.

“Tohru?” he said questioningly again, louder this time.

Maybe he was overreacting like this afternoon. Maybe she went out for a walk.

The garden.

Worried, Hatori got on a pair of pajama bottoms from his suitcase, put on his loafers and went outside. He called out her name, but then realized that it might be dangerous if the killer heard him. Was he going paranoid?

He didn't care. He didn't want to lose Tohru.

“Tohru?”

He followed the path to the garden.

He went into the clearing lit by the moon. She wasn't there.

“TOHRU! Where are you?”

He decided to try his luck at the waterfall.

He heard giggling before stepping out of the forest into the clearing around the basin.

His heart dropped back into place, pumping back into rhythm.

He watched her quietly, leaning forward against a tree trunk. She sat on a ledge in the water, peacefully strumming through her damp hair. A nymph, he thought. It shone incandescent in the moonlight. Her shoulders above the water were pastel and… very kissable.

“Mom, Hatori is super nice and sweet. After breakfast, he brought me to the supermarket, even though he didn't have to. Doctors are really busy. We bought tons of food, because I don't know when Shigure and the others are coming back home. Yuki went to surprise Kyo at the dojo, those two are like bickering twins. Anyways, I don't think Hatori really likes me that much, even though he almost said he did. Actually, I told him. He isn't as scary as the others say he his. I remember the first time I met him at his house. He told me that they were cursed and that I should leave. Pretty blunt. I was really scared that he would erase all my memories; then Momiji told me. About Kana, his lover. I'm really sorry for Hatori. He didn't deserve to carry the guilt, it wasn't his fault. He is too kind a person to be burdened with loss. He is too kind.”

Hatori felt his heart heal. It seemed to mend itself back together. For an instant, he felt free. Pure ecstasy at the thought that Tohru understood him. Saw his underlying pain.

A deep moan quivered from his throat.

“Huh? Hello? Is there anyone there?” Tohru stood up in the water, her long hair falling across her breasts; she looked like a mermaid out of a fantasy, his fantasy.

She began treading backwards in the water toward the waterfall. The only fortress without exposing herself. She was scared, frightened, and afraid that someone was watching her. Ready to pounce.

Stepping cautiously on the uneven rocky bottom of the basin, her legs got tangled in some sort of rope, seaweed, net. Tohru lost her footing and began flailed her arms helplessly in the infinite water. It pulled her in. Her head went under. Ripples and splashes were the only sign of her existence.

A split second passed. Tohru's helpless thrashing in the water spurred the dragon. Hatori instinctively ran to the basin. He dived into the dark abyss, toward the waterfall, toward the last ripple that Tohru made. His arms went into the water and he felt for skin, anything. It felt like hours before he felt flesh.

Hatori put his arms under her armpits and brought her up to the surface, draping her limp arms across his shoulders. She sputtered, her welcoming lungs filling with oxygen. He held her close, one hand under her derriere, one at the back of her head, cradling his lover, only the thin fabric of his shirt as a barrier between pounding chests. Her breasts jostled against his chest, he felt her nipples erect against his chest. He realized that she was naked—bare and smooth against him. Had she been skinny-dipping? Close, but no, she was wearing bottoms, he felt the fabric against his palms. Her legs entwined at the back of his torso, her head leaning against Hatori's shoulders, her breath against his neck. She was vulnerable. She had almost drowned. She wanted to be held. Needed to be held.

She coughed a couple times, clearing her airway. Hatori patted her back gently, allowing her to relax against him. Her arms were tightly wrapped around his neck, she wasn't about to lose her only means of support.

Hatori felt his length begin to throb. He hadn't been this close to a female for a while. Naked! If he didn't change the position, it would do something that he didn't want. It had a mind of its own, for God's sake!

He said quietly, “Tohru, I'm going to bring you to the dock. Can you stand?”

He felt her nod against him.

He carried her swiftly over to the dock, setting her down in the water. “I'm going to take off my wet shirt and give it to you. Put it on; I won't look.”

Hatori stripped, handing the shirt to Tohru over his shoulders. He heard a splash, Tohru was sitting at the edge of the dock.

“I'm done.”

Hatori turned around. Seeing Tohru glistening in the glow of the moon, his mind shut off completely. He saw through the flimsy night tee, it couldn't hide the outline of her chest, peaked and abundant.

Luckily, the shirt was gray.

Hatori was half-naked. He was still wearing the pajama pants he had put on before running out of the house. He pulled himself out of the water and sat beside Tohru. He shook his wet hair back, running his fingers through his tousled hair, a bad attempt to straighten up.

Tohru was shivering, she felt goosebumps proliferate across her body. After almost drowning, her body temperature had dropped ten degrees. She remembered she had a towel. Before she could turn to get it, Hatori thrust the towel in front of her. He turned away, allowing her to change.

Tohru wrapped the towel around her thin frame. She was still cold. Ice cold.

Hatori saw her blue, livid-colored lips and Tohru trembling slightly. Tohru gave back his wet shirt. “I'm sorry you don't have anything to warm you up.”

Hatori shrugged, taking the shirt and putting it beside him on the deck. It was too wet.

Tohru saw his torso and upper arms flex in the dim light. To her eyes, he was perfect. The contours of his body were perfect, the muscles barely moving when he breathed softly. He was stunning. Well-built, lean, all planes and angles, but not too much brawn.

“I really sorry, Tohru. I scared you. I made you stumble.”

A pregnant pause filled the air, making Hatori felt shameful and culpable.

“It's okay. I thought you were a stranger or something.”

“I'm sorry. I went up to your room and noticed you weren't there,” Hatori blushed. “I thought you had been kidnapped or something. You know, there's an escaped serial killer out right now. I was afraid that he might have gotten you.

I… I really care about you, Tohru.”

“Thank you, Hatori. I care about you too. I'm sorry for worrying you. Thank you.”

Taking initiative, Hatori turned his chest to face her. He put his arms around her shoulders and pulled her as close as possible. “Is this okay, Tohru?”

Tohru put her arms around his upper body, “I feel warmer already.” His body radiated a soft warmness. Tohru loved his affectionate touch. Hatori tilted his head slightly and gave her rosy cheek a gentle kiss. Tohru moaned softly. Without thinking, she uttered, “Don't stop.”

Not wanting to take advantage of her, Hatori said, “I think we should take it slow.”

(However, if not in this situation, Hatori would have been quick to react to the comment.) He loved Tohru and he didn't want her to think he was some pervert without no morals or conscience. Cough, cough, Shigure, he thought.

Tohru felt tears sting her eyes. Did he think she wasn't ready for this? Did he think she was some immature, naïve, innocent child? Her throat burned as she expressed, “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound so brash, I really didn't, it just came out my mouth. I think we should go now, it's getting pretty dark out…”

Hatori silenced her with a kiss on the lips. “Don't be. I don't want to hurt anyone again.”

His hands held her head as he leaned forward, into her. He lost all his morals, the vow that he would never get involved with Tohru, the promise of never… loving another.

Tohru understood. He heart had been shattered not so long ago. He was afraid.

The gentle breeze seems to brush away all his inhibitions, all his doubts and fears.

He was lost in this utter trance.

He was in love.

A/N: Once again, the latest installment is finished! Did you like this chappy? Please comment! (Thanks to those who did!) The story must go on!