Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Strawberries and Skinny-Dipping: Hatori's Remedy ❯ Of Special Purchases, Contemplation, and Sakura Trees ( Chapter 11 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: bugaboo107
Hatori watched the innocent flower get marred by the nature. Life could be so unfair sometimes. Something that he had witnessed repeatedly throughout his life.


He wasn¡¯t going to let it happen this time.

Anime/Manga: Fruits Basket Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.08.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 8.1K | Visits: 329 | Status: Work In Progress

Standard disclaimer applies.
Hatori's Remedy presents:
Chapter Eleven: Of a Special Purchases, Contemplation, and Sakura Trees,
Tohru and Mit-chan arrived a block away from Fashion District, ten blocks away from the Farmer's Market. The streets were populated with teenagers outside ice cream parlors and cafes, mothers with unwilling kids and strollers, elderly women looking for bargains, couples, and tourists explore the city's cosmopolitan atmosphere. The two young women hopped off the bus as Tohru thanked and waved good-bye to the bus driver, who smiled kindly in return. Tohru had the kind of presence people could help but be pleasant and good-humored. Hatori knew that for a definite fact.
“Where first Mii-chan? Shopping for clothing or getting something to eat?”
Chewing on her bottom lip, Mit-chan replied, “Tohru's snack was delicious and I'm not hungry right now, so how `bout some shopping?”
Tohru smiled and nodded. Grabbing Mii-chan's arm, she dragged her to populated shopping streets. They window shopped for a while, seeing the latest fashions in the window, pointing, “oohing” and “aahing” at the outfits. The stores were expensive, but worth going into and trying on a few outfits; just for fun.
“Mit-chan, try on this skirt, it's really cute. Oh, and this top. They match really well, and they match your eye color.”
After some convincing, Mii-chan went into the changing room and put it on. Tohru had chosen a maroon-colored bubble skirt and gray tuxedo-bibbed tank top. She came out and Tohru eyes widened.
“Mii-chan, you look so cute.”
Mit-chan tried to shove off the complement, but was truly happy. The skirt did look good, but she looked at the price tag, $249.99. She didn't have that kind of money to spend lavishing on clothing. She shrugged off her selfishness. The money she made as an editor allowed her a simple life of all the basic necessities and paying for her mother's medical bill.
Tohru saw the sudden change on Mit-chan's face and said, “This place is so expensive. Who has the money to buy such things? Definitely not me, but while we're here, we should have some fun. My mom always told me to enjoy life to its fullest. I've always seen models on the runway and wondered what it's like to do that catwalk thingy in those high-heeled shoes.”
Mit-chan nodded and said, “Me too. Let's do it.”
They grabbed different pieces off the shelves and counters and brought them into the separate dressing rooms. After putting each outfit with an interesting pair of shoes on they came out and laughed at their appearance—whether it was good or bad.
The dressing area was lit with flood lights and mirrors surrounded all sides. The two girls giggled like twin sisters, commenting and critiquing on their respective outfits—outrageous feathered tops to bell-bottomed black leather pants.
After trying about every outfit in the store, they put everything back (they were getting awkward looks from the store's employees and afternoon customers) and each choose one top that they liked to purchase.
So it was a little over ordinary spending money, who cared? It was summer. Time of shopping. A little indulgence never hurt anyone. Mit-chan bought the gray tuxedo-bibbed tank top that Tohru had chosen and Tohru purchased an indigo-blue empire-waist tunic.
They thanked the cashier and went out into the streets.
“Oh, I have to buy a swimsuit. Is it okay if we go there next?” Tohru asked.
“Totally fine with me. Anywhere you want to go is fine with me.”
The two young women continued along the street, peering eagerly into the shops that lined the sidewalks.
Tohru finally reached the swimsuit store. The store was empty at this time, the latest styles lined neatly, ah, and the one-piece suits.
Tohru wasn't one to flaunt her body. She was self-conscious and only wore one-piece suits. Her previous one was the one that her friends had bought for her, a simple, pretty pink one. A smile twitched at the sides of her lips at the thought of the four of them bickering constantly, especially Kyo.
Today, she was looking for something cute, but also sophisticated. She wanted to look and act mature with Hatori.
Her eyes moved to a one-piece on the wall.
While Mit-chan looked around the store, Tohru walked over to the swim suit. Looking closer at the slim black cloth, she saw that it had a very slim-bodice and deep V, draw deep into the cleavage. Tohru gently took it off the rack and was stunned to find that the sides were cut away to emphasize a slim body, with the designer's small insignia in gold on the side. The back was a
Perfect.
It didn't reveal too much skin but also had a hint of sex appeal.
Tohru's fingers moved to the price tag: it didn't come cheap.
Her mind debated—all those long, grueling hours at the building, would it be worth it? Finally Tohru finally came upon the decision to buy the beautiful swim suit. It would be worth it; and it wasn't only to please Hatori, but to give herself a sense of maturity and sophistication.
This would definitely be worth it.
Every penny.
“Wow Tohru, that swim-suit is really beautiful. It would be perfect for you.”
“You think?”
“Yep. The color will accentuate your already perfect body.”
Tohru blushed before saying, “I'm buying it.”
Mii-chan was slightly surprised. This store was very expensive from what she saw, but she made no objections. From what she heard the `others' (Shigure, Kyo, Yuki) say about Tohru, she deserved it.
Afterwards, Tohru and Mit-chan skipped over to the sports goods store were Tohru bought a grey shirt for Hatori. After all, she had worn his and he probably didn't want to where it again.
A little payback present.
Mii-chan didn't ask any questions as to why Tohru was shopping in the men's section, thinking that it was probably for the boys, or Shigure.
Tohru made her purchase and they left.
Hatori got into his car and slumped in the driver's seat. He tossed the package onto the passenger seat and turned on the ignition.
His jaw suddenly dropped.
Was that Tohru at the periphery of his vision?
He saw two girls, one in white and orange and the other in a gray suit.
Nah.
Tohru was probably at home.
He tried to divert his vision, but he couldn't. He really needed to do something about this constant image of her in his head. He couldn't get her out of his mind. So angelic and perfect.
Hatori put his car into gear and pulled out of the parking lot.
His mind was jumbled these days. He didn't know whether this was a good thing or a bad one. Tohru was everything to him, and more.
Now, back to what he planned, the Gardening Store.
Hatori drove along the city streets, the green lights perfectly synchronized for his direct drive to the store on the edge of the city's populous part.
At this time, most shoppers were women and elderly (not to put people into boxes or categories). Hatori's whole life had been structured around the constant fear of `bumping' into anyone, but his mind had been trained to be unaffected by this. And suppressing people's minds. He sometimes felt a pang of guilt and shame, but moments later, it was gone.
He parked the car far away from the entrance, because he didn't want to waste time searching for a close spot, it wasn't worth the effort. Besides, exercise is good, contrary to what Shigure believed. `Ha-san. Why do you run every morning? I don't, and look at me.' As he flexed his muscles.
It was true, Shigure rarely exercised, except for the occasional chase in the park when he transformed, yet he was in good condition. His stomach was flat for what Hatori saw on occasion. It wasn't toned and built to perfection, but better than an ordinary man. Something Hatori always wondered about.
Even as a teen, Shigure ate the most, and stayed in shape. Odd, eh?
Hatori shrugged off the nostalgia and entered the busy store. This was the time of year people were out to buy hoses, shovels, dirt, flowers, wanting to `pretty' up their landscape and gardens. Hatori had never thought of this, but he was here for one purpose.
He was going to buy some tools and things for Tohru and him to garden with. If Shigure and the boys would be returning soon, he needed to plan out the times he and Tohru could meet and do things.
Gardening would be the perfect time to spend with each other. Plus a little swim on the side.
It was odd that a man's man like Hatori would never think of gardening, but things were changing these days. Seriously.
Hatori squinted to see the hanging sign reading `gardening' in the back of the warehouse. He strolled to the back, earning him many glances by teenager girls loitering in the store. They were whispering “OMG, he is so hot,” “He looks like a model”.
Unlike Shigure, he was not turned on or haughty by these comments. He was not into high school girls, except for one.
Tohru.
Hatori approached an older man and asked, “Hello, do you know where I can find gardening gloves?”
“Oh sure, aisle 27A, and by the way… never mind.”
Hatori said `thank you' and walked to aisle 27A. He finally found the gardening gloves. Looking around, he realized that the only kind left (or maybe the only kinds to begin with) were, pink or yellow.
Pink?
Yellow?
Shrugging off any doubt, he grabbed a pair of yellow gloves, with a small blue flower print on it.
Traveling down the aisle, he discovered seeds.
His long finger skimmed the various types, remember what Tohru already planted until he found, heirloom tomatoes.
Heirloom tomatoes were a unique pure kind of tomatoes, those that were not `perfected' by chemicals for the perfect roundness and shade of red. Heirloom tomatoes were the “outcasts”—orange, pink, red, green. They did not follow the norm, their shapes and sizes were unique, and they were delicious. Kana had told him so when they went shopping at the supermarket one time. She had pointed out that they were as special and dear as her `own' Ha'ri. Hatori reminisced that day at the supermarket. Kana had told him the secrets to picking out vegetables and fruits. It had helped him take care of himself at the Main House. He cooked his own meals when he wasn't busy with work.
Hatori took three packages off the shelf and strode to the check-out area. The cashier smiled at him graciously, and Hatori smiled back. He felt great, contrary to what Akito had told him that all `ordinary' people would never accept the juunishi and would punish them; Hatori felt like he `fit in'. Tohru had made him think otherwise. Juunishi were human too.
Hatori looked at his watch. He decided to return home to give Akito the pills (the early the better), and see what other work he had to do at the office before heading to Shigure's house.
A few cars filed onto the streets and diverge to the highway. Hatori's mind was preoccupied with Tohru. He smiled at every memory of her idiosyncrasies, at every though of her soft caress on his skin, and his hands on her creamy body.
After a long drive, he arrived at the gates of the Sohma estates. It was a vast estate, taking over many acres of land, most of which were not used. Few Juunishi used the beautiful landscape. There were benches and water fountains everywhere, but no one used it, except for the occasional Momiji, Kisa, Momo, or Hiro. Most of the Juunishi were older, and soon, the estates were becoming colder, and darker as Akito aged.
Now, Akito had pulled in the reins, doing anything she was capable of to keep the Juunishi from the outside world, with exception to school. If she found out that any Juunishi members were dating a “normal” person, she would punish anyone who knew anything.
He had witnessed her doings.
He had suffered under her wrath.
And so had his former love.
Now, he wasn't going to let anything happen to Tohru.
---
Hatori had always wondered why Akito had allowed Tohru to stay with Shigure and the boys. He had his doubts about the intentions, and had asked Shigure if he knew anything, but Shigure aways shook his finger and said, “Ha-san, it is not nice to think that I would ever hide anything from you,” and would then, teasingly pout.
Hatori parked his car in front of his office turned the ignition off. Taking a deep breath in the air-conditioned car, he opened the door into the sweltering afternoon heat. Flicking his collar up to prevent any sun-burning (the Mabudachi trio are very sensitive to the sun).
In a few quick strides, he arrived on Akito's porch and entered the double doors. Walking down the hallways as he had done in the morning, he reached her door and knocked softly.
“Akito? It's Hatori, I will just leave the birth control pills outside your room.”
Hatori left quickly, he didn't want another tension-filled talk with his least favorite person in the world.
Hatori unlocked his office door and entered the dark cavern. It stank of thick air. He opened the window and left in the sunlight.
He went to his cabinet and took out the files and began checking the dates of when his patients had their last check-up. It was summer, and everyone would have a mandatory check-up. Oh great.
“Mii-chan, would you like to stay over for dinner?”
“Ah, thank you for your gracious offer, but I have already planned dinner with my mom.”
Tohru smiled. Mii-chan was really just a girl. She shared the same likes as Tohru, but just wasn't able to express herself in the work she did. She was put to the limit.
Tohru was going to have a big talk with Shigure.
“It's really hot, would you like to get some ice cream?”
“Sure.”
“I know the perfect place, the New York Ice Cream Parlor. Hat--, uh, it's near Farmer's Market.”
“Sounds great.”
The store was cool, as their looked at the variety of flavors. The boy behind the counter offered them a sample of their newest flavor: pumpkin pie, for the holidays.
Mit-chan said, “I'll have a pumpkin pie cone please.”
Tohru said, “Can I have a scoop of strawberry in the small cup please,” pointing to the poster on the all behind the boy.”
“Sure thing.”
He scooped up a perfect ball of ice cream for the girls and brought it over to the cashier. Before Tohru could take out the cash, Mii-chan took out her credit card and handed it over to the cashier.
Before Tohru could object, Mii-chan said, “You've done so much for me. This is the least I can do.”
Tohru thanked her five times before letting up.
“Let's go to the park and eat.”
Swishing their bags on their arms, they walked along the cobble-stoned path, filled with people. They crossed the street to the grassy commons.
They found an empty bench near the playground and slumped, exhausted from all the window shopping and walking.
They enjoyed their refreshing ice cream and shared childhood stories on the playground.
“My first memory is of my mom and dad pushing me on the swings. It was my first time, and I held on as tight as possible. I was afraid that I would fly off the swings and go into space. It was a silly dream, but I loved closing my eyes and dreaming,” Tohru laughed animatedly, reminiscing of her wonderful childhood. It was one of the last, before, her father passed away.
Then Tohru whispered, “I always wished I could fly.”
Mit-chan recollected her childhood too. Before her mom got sick.
The silence seemed to bring them closer together, simultaneously, both put an arm around each other and shed happy tears of the wonderful memories they held. Tohru was mostly of imagining Hatori's past. She wondered what it was like.
She hoped that someday, he would be able to shed his past, to tell some else his pain and be freed of the miserable chains that bound him.
Tohru had already unbound his heart, but what about his mind? The memories of the physical and emotional pain that he had endured.
After they finished the ice cream, they laid their belongings on the bench and went to the swings.
Before they knew it, minutes had passed.
“Tohru, do you think we should get going?”
“Hai, I didn't know that time had passed by so fast.”
They got off the swings, picked up their belongings, and walked to the nearest bus stop at the corner of the park.
Skimming the schedule, Tohru noticed that on Mondays, the bus shift ended by five and it was already 5: 30.
“Mii-chan, we missed the last bus to the countryside.”
“Oh, don't worry, we'll get a cab.”
They both opened up their wallets and realized that even combined, they didn't have enough money.
Mii-chan took control and said, “Not to worry, we'll take the Shinkansen.”
The train station was at the edge of the city and they ran many blocks to reach the station.
By the time they bought tickets, they were both out of breath.
“Two tickets pl-uh-lease.”
They each paid and went to the busy platform to await their train.
They heard the low rumble of the tracks before seeing the white head of the train pull to a halt. They were the last ones to get on the train before the doors shut. The space was crammed; Tohru's head was jammed under a man's arm as he held onto the bar above. After a few stops, the train loosened, and both found a seat.
Tohru noticed a pregnant mother at the corner breathing heavily, holding her stomach. Tohru rose and walked over and said, “Excuse me, you can have my seat.”
The fatigued woman gave a compassionate, weak smile and walked over to the open seat. Mit-chan asked Tohru, “You are more tired, you can have my seat.”
“Iie, it's okay. I'm not that tired.”
The sky outside was an alloy of colors—golden yellow, purples, blues, and pinks. It was as beautiful as the sunset she had shared with Hatori at the waterfall.
The Sakura cherry trees outside were in full bloom. It was past their ripe period in early spring, but they were just as beautiful as the afternoon sun shone on the rich pink-tinted petals. The ground below the trees was scattered with the beautiful petals. They were Tohru's favorite flowers.
Hatori looked at the clock on his wall and realized that it was time to go home. Home. That word was on his mind a lot these days. Did he have one? He sure as hell wanted to start one with Tohru. He had been having thoughts about starting a family these days. Before, the idea had never really formulated in his mind because he was ashamed of a child suffering as a Juunishi, the way he had.
He didn't want Akito having control over an innocent child, to ruin the child's dreams of the future. But he wanted to father a child. He wanted Tohru and him to have something precious, as precious as his love for her.
He wanted their love to produce something permanent.
When the time was right, he would talk to Tohru.
Hatori took off his lab coat, gave his office a once-over, and shut off the lights. The weather outside had cooled substantially and Hatori walked across the estates to the Sakura tree that Kana had once sat below when he found her waiting for him to get off work. He remembered seeing the fallen blossoms scattered around her, as though she was sitting on a bed of clouds.
Heaven.
How good that word had sounded to him after he lost Kana. He was so ashamed and pained. He had wished that Akito had killed him physically as well. He couldn't suffer alone. His whole life he had been alone, and now, he could do it.
Now, those memories were erased.
Tohru was his heaven.
She made Hatori feel whole.
Hatori picked up a petal and felt the smooth texture under his fingers. Then, he let the petal slip through his fingers. The slight breeze blew the petal into the snags of chain-link fence that surrounded the property. The sharp metal cut the petal, and the free pieces flew into the forest.
Hatori watched the innocent flower get marred by the nature. Life could be so unfair sometimes. Something that he had witnessed repeatedly throughout his life.
He wasn't going to let it happen this time.
Hatori got into his car and left the Sohma property. When he arrived at Shigure's house, everything was dark. Was Tohru taking a nap? Panic-stricken, Hatori ran to the door and knocked. No answer.
After a few more tries, he went to the back door. Under the big rock next the deck, he found the spare key. This was for the times that the boys forgot to bring their keys.
Hatori unlocked the back-door and called out in the dark, “Tohru?”
He walked over the kitchen and turned on the light. He set down his purchased goods from the Gardening Store and saw a note. He sighed in relief when he saw the beautiful scrawl reading: Hatori, Mii-chan (Shigure's editor) came over and we decided to go shopping in the city. We're taking the bus, so no need to worry. I'll be back to make dinner. Don't start anything! (Or else!).
Hatori felt the rush of panic leave him.
Hatori went into Shigure's room and decided to take a quick shower before Tohru returned.
He went into the bathroom and stripped. He stepped into the marble shower and turned the water on. Hatori kept the water and cold. Cold shower always relieved his strains and the tensions.
He lathered himself with soap and stood under the stream of water. He had gotten used to the coldness, even if he still got goose-bumps.
He turned off the water and stepped out to get a towel out of the towel closet. He dried himself briskly before putting on a navy tee and green plaid boxers under dark grey slacks.
He ran his fingers though his hair and walked into the living room. Where was she? It was closing in on “dinner time” and she should be home by now. He knew that Tohru had her own life, but he could help but feel anxious. After all, the killer was still out!
Hatori made up his mind, put on his Adidas running shoes, took the spare key, locked the door, and ran out of the house. He was going to the bus stop to wait for her.
Hatori saw the dark sky though the canopy of the forest.
He arrived at the bus stop and stood in anticipation. He finally saw the bus turn the corner of the street and stop in front of him.
Many people got off the bus, but not Tohru.
He felt his heart pound heavily in his chest. He sat down and waited, in the next thirty minutes, if she didn't arrive, he was driving to the city and searching. He chastised himself for leaving Tohru. Tomorrow, Tuesday, they were going to do something special.
Tohru and Mit-chan got off the train and said their good-byes. Hugging each other, Mit-chan, “Thanks for today. I feel so much better. I love the tank also!”
“It was really fun, maybe we can do it again some time?”
“Definitely, Tohru.”
Tohru headed out the west entrance and realized she had a long way to walk before getting to Shigure's house.
She didn't have enough money for a bus or taxi, so she walked. Tohru passed her workplace and walked under the lit streets. She passed a few couples out for a summer evening walk and smiled at the thought that she too, had someone to love and love her back.
Her cheeks were flushed by today's excitement and the thought of Hatori. He brought warm thoughts to her mind. His touch made her feel as though she was on fire. Lit by the flames of passion.
She didn't know that time it was, but judging by the sky, it was getting late. She hoped that Hatori wasn't mad.
After crossing a few blocks she arrived at the bus stop that she and Mit-chan had started off at. There was a man in the booth. His head was down, his hair covering his face, and his hands in his lap.
Taking a closer look, she realized… “Hatori, is that you?”
Hatori lifted up to see Tohru's angelic face.
Hatori stood up and embraced her tightly, groaning, “Tohru.”
Tohru was stunned, what had she done to deserve his hug?”
Hatori pressed Tohru into him and Tohru put her occupied hands behind his back, trying to return the intimate touch. Hatori lifted his head off her shoulder and kissed her fully on the lips.
“I thought you were returning by bus? I was so… scared.”
“The last bus out of the city was at five, and we missed it. I'm sorry I worried you, Hatori.”
Tohru felt the nod against her cheek and she planted a firm kiss on his clean-shaven cheek.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Everything, Ha'ri.”
Tohru looked up to his face and saw his eyes brim slightly, and smile forming on his lips, before she whispered, “You are so wonderful to me.”
“You are so wonderful to me too, Tohru.”
A single tear rolled down Tohru's cheek as she closed her eyes.
The swim suit is a `real' one that they are selling at Nordstrom right now, it is a very cute, pretty one-piece by Michael Kors (a fashion designer, one of the judges on one of my favorite shows: Project Runway!) If you want to see it, go to their website and type in MICHAEL Michael Kors Cutaway Swimsuit. Voila, there it is!
(Did you guys catch a little metaphorical foreshadowing???)
Hope you enjoyed this segment of Hatori's Remedy, review and be happy.