Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Strawberries and Skinny-Dipping: Hatori's Remedy ❯ Not Without You ( Chapter 16 )

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

Standard Disclaimer applies.

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Hatori's Remedy presents:

Chapter 16 Not Without You

The young couple ate without words. Tohru even had the courage to feed Hatori a piece of seaweed, something he absolutely hated. He opened his mouth, and she dropped the bit of seaweed into his mouth.

He didn't even wince, swallowing it whole. Tohru giggled. “You just ate seaweed!”

“I did?” Hatori said, in mock fear, clutching is heart. But his mouth showed otherwise—it twitched into a full-on smile. Tohru had to hold herself back from hugging the usually stoic doctor; a very difficult task.

The two cousins rolled their eyes and tried not to stare at the love-sick duo, one kneeling as though he was about to propose or something.

When they finished the very energizing dinner, they both went downstairs to return the tray and return the plate and silverware.

---

“She's still a slut,” the boy cousin said after they left.

“Oh shut up Masu. You're just jealous. No one's ever loved you, except mom.”

“And you've been reading too many sappy romance novels, Riyo.”

“They're actually kind of cute.”

“You disgust me, sis.”

“Good.”

The two looked at each other, and nodded, before slipping out of the hospital.

---

“Dinner was good, Hatori. Thank you very much.”

“No problem, Tohru, but nothing close to yours.”

She blushed ferociously. On their way back to the Tohru's grandpa's room through the stairwell (a new favorite place, for Hatori), Hatori kissed the top of her head affectionately.

They arrived at the seats outside the room. Hatori said, “They left.”

“I guess.”

Tohru looked up to him and said, “Hatori, you should go home. I think I'm going to stay the night.”

“I'm not going home without you.”

“I mean—“

“I want to stay here with you.”

Tohru responded quietly, “Thank you very much.”

They sat down on the hard chairs, and Tohru's head nodded left and right, up and down, until she finally drifted off. She leaned her head back against the wall behind, her mouth slightly open.

Hatori smiled, how adorable. With Tohru has his loving companion, he was becoming a softie. And it was less than a month!

He noticed that her head was drifting away from him, and he caught it gently in his hand before it hit something hard. He carefully laid her sleepy head on his shoulder, and put a protective arm around her shoulder.

Soon Hatori drifted off too.

---

At close to midnight, a nurse came out of the room and woke Tohru up with a gentle touch to her shoulder. To Hatori's interest, she was a heavy sleeper.

He moved her head off his shoulder, and shook her softly. “Tohru?”

“Haa?” she slowly opened her eyes, adjusting to the light. She noticed the nurse in front of them, and stood up, bowing politely. “I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been sleeping.”

“It's okay honey. Mr. Honda would like to see you.”

“He's okay? He's awake?”

“Yes he is.”

Tohru turned and gave Hatori a half-hug (only shoulder's touching, because the chair arm rests prevented anything more), happy tears leaking out of the sides of her eyes.

Hatori's heart almost melted at the sight of his girlfriend so happy.

“Hatori, I'll be right back.”

“No, take your time, Tohru.”

Tohru nodded before following the nurse into the room. Tohru approached her grandfather resting quietly on the headboard. A sly smile crept onto his face. “Is that my favorite grandchild, Tohru-kun? Still here, eh?”

“Of course.”

“Of course,” he repeated, “I'm sorry I had you come. I was so scatterbrained this morning, I didn't even pay attention the last couple steps. I was so eager for breakfast. Riyo's dinner creation was… interesting.”

“It's okay. All of us make mistakes. Did the surgery go alright?”

“Hai. They fixed up my knee pads. I'll be out in a few days.”

Tohru said firmly, “Grandpa, I'm moving back to the house.”

“Haa?!”

“I want to be by your side. I don't want any more accidents. I will cook and clean. You need a rest. I'm sorry. It's all my fault.”

“Tohru-kun, don't ever say that. I'm getting old. What did you expect; that I would always be able to chase you around the park and play tag?”

“—yes.”

“C'mere.”

Tohru moved to his bedside into his open arms. He squeezed her tightly, “My Tohru-kun. I love you. Never think that anything is your fault. Okay?”

Tohru nodded against his neck. This was the first real hug in a long while. “I love you too, grandpa.”

They finally let go of each other, and Tohru brought a chair to his bedside. She put her head in her hands, and watched him as he peeled an orange.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he said jokingly.

“Nothing really.”

“Tohru, you really don't have to move back in. I can to fine by myself. I have Riyo and Masu, and your aunt. They are not too bad when you get to know them. They've had a hard time. We've all had.”

“I'm coming.”

“It's really no problem. I will do just fine.”

The two stubborn mules continued their game until finally Tohru's grandfather said, “Fine. But under one condition, tell me: is everything alright at the Sohmas?”

Tohru's heart fluttered, Oh yes! Especially with one of them.

“Absolutely. Actually, one of them, the super, super nice doctor I told you about, is outside right now. He's been waiting for me. Would you like to meet him?”

“Definitely. Let's meet this wonderful gentleman.”

Tohru squeezed his hand before running outside excitedly to get Hatori.

Hatori was sitting on the chair, staring into nothingness (dreaming lustful thoughts, actually). “Tohru, is everything alright?”

“Yes. My grandfather would like to meet you.”

Hatori's initial reaction was huh, but snapped back to reality. Tohru's grandfather.

“Of course. I'd be happy to meet him.”

Hatori straightened himself up, and followed his little brown-eyed nymph.

His eyes fell upon a thin frail man lying in bed, but the older man's eyes told otherwise. They were bright with an almost child-like twinkle.

Hatori strode close and reached out a hand. “Hello Mr. Honda. I'm Hatori Sohma. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you dear boy. You have a great handshake.”

“Thank you.”

Tohru's grandfather said, “Tohru, bring Mr. Sohma a chair.”

She obliged, and Hatori said thank you before sitting down.

“So, you are the doctor Tohru talks so fondly about?”

Tohru talked about him? Really? The juvenile side of Hatori seemed to do a little dance in the back of his mind.

“I'm sure I not the one she described,” Hatori said modestly, but the cynical part of him thought, he wouldn't be so jovial if he found out you were `robbing the cradle'.

Tohru smacked his back good-naturedly, “Of course you are, Ha'ri,” letting the pet name slip before she could stop herself. Her grandfather raised a brow inquisitively. He then let out a chuckle.

“I'm glad Tohru is enjoying herself with the Sohmas. I hope she isn't much of a burden—“

“No way. She's been a pleasure,” Hatori interjected, looking at Tohru through lust-filled eyes. He only hoped Mr. Honda couldn't see.

“Good,” Tohru's grandfather smiled. Tohru had finally found a family. He continued, “Tell me a little about you.”

“Well, there isn't much. I'm a doctor.”

Tohru shook her head and gushed, “Grandpa, don't listen too him. He's too humble. He's super smart (he graduated at the top of his class in college), caring, polite, funny, devoted, loving, even if he is really shy. Once you get to know him, he is the best friend anyone could have. All his patients absolutely adore him—he's patient, careful, reliable; you really have to see him in action. The first time I met him, I admit, I was afraid, he seemed like this divine presence, but now I'm getting to know him, and he's everything you can imagine, and more. I love him so much.”

Hatori turned a slight pink. She thought he was a divine presence the first time she met him at school? A best friend? Caring? Funny? Loving? He wanted to scream at the top of his lungs, I'm in love with your granddaughter. I love you, Tohru!

Her grandfather said, “I'll bet. Hatori, if I may call you that, you are a respectable gentleman, and my granddaughter is very fond of you. I hope that you can take that to heart. Her love is exceptional. It will never falter.”

If only he knew.

Tohru was exceptional.

And nothing would ever stop him from loving her.

---

After an hour passed, of sharing childhood experiences (that made Tohru blush), the matronly nurse arrived, and shooed Tohru and Hatori out. “Mr. Honda needs his rest if he wants to recover fully.”

Tohru kissed his cheek, and Hatori shook his hand. “Thank you, Mr. Honda.”

“Next time I see you, Hatori, I don't want you calling me Mr. Honda. Call me grandpa.”

Hatori smiled graciously and nodded before they left.

In the hallway, Tohru turned to Hatori and said, “Isn't he nice?”

“Yes, he is.”

Tohru smiled and said, “We should go home now. I've kept you out to long, doctor. I'll visit bright and early tomorrow.”

Hatori nodded, and they went to the elevator. The hallways had dimmed, and there were a couple overnighters lounging on the chairs and benches.

A female doctor was waiting at the elevator with them. She looked at Hatori meticulously.

“Is that you, Hatori Sohma?”

He looked back at the tall woman, her hair tied in a simple bun at the bottom of her neck. “Yes. Do I know you?”

“Yes. I'm Mina Nakamura, from graduate school. We dated, remember?”

Hatori thought for a while. It wasn't like him to forget a face, and it struck him. They had dated for two months before he broke it off. She wasn't the kind of woman he wanted, needed. She was beautiful, but they didn't share the same passions (except helping people), or have any of the same interests. She was most popular, sought after girl in class, and he, Hatori, the enigmatic, broke off the relationship.

“Yes, I remember you. How are you?” Hatori said, trying to make small talk. He didn't really want to engage in anything with her. It had been years, but he was too well-mannered.

“I'm great. I'm finally a doctor!”

“I see,” Hatori said, with a smile. He was happy that everything she had wanted had gone her way. He liked to see others successful and well-off.

The woman turned her attention to Tohru, who was looking down at her toes. Tohru felt uneasy. Here was this attractive, sophisticated woman (who seemed the female version of Hatori), and then there was her. She was a smidgen of debris compared to this blossoming flower.

“Who is this, Hatori-san? Your daughter? But she must be at least fourteen, and that isn't possible, unless--” the woman wasn't trying to be rude, she was just… speaking out her thoughts.

“She's not my daughter, Mina.” Hatori said coldly.

Tohru heart clenched as her legs wobbled. Hatori put a comforting hand at the small of her back, but she flinched away.

The woman was right.

Hatori was too good for her.

She didn't deserve someone like him.

---

The elevator door opened and Tohru fled. She ran blindly into the hallways and found the closest bathroom. She locked herself in the big stall, and slumped to the ground. Everything today had been going so well, and now…

She curled up in the fetus position against the cold tile wall and cried.

She didn't deserve him.

---

“She's my girlfriend, Mina.”

The woman stood there speechless. She finally said, “—but she's so… young.”

Hatori turned and strode down the hallway after Tohru. He peeked inside the open rooms and didn't see any sign of Tohru. He finally found the woman's bathroom, and knocked in the door firmly.

“Tohru, are you in there?”

No response, but he heard sniffling.

He looked around the hallway, realizing there was no one in the hallway, he opened the door and went inside.

“Tohru?”

“Please go away, Hatori.”

Those words turned Hatori's mind to mush. He could stand to hear those words from her mouth.

“I'm not going until you come out. I'm sorry. She misunderstood.”

Tohru lifted her head and said softly, “No she didn't. I don't belong with you. You deserve someone who's smart, attractive, sophisticated- just like you. I'm sorry, Hatori.”

“That person is you, Tohru.”

“Just go, Hatori. Get some sleep.”

“Not without you. Please open this door, Tohru.”

After five silent, stifling minutes, the stall door creaked open.

He ran to her side, and knelt down beside her.

She was in such a fragile state, and he didn't know how to handle the situation. His hands hovered over her before finally placing it softly behind her head, and bringing her head to his chest. She complied. “I'm so sorry Hatori. I've embarrassed you. I don't know how to—“

“No Tohru. You haven't done anything wrong. Some people don't understand love.”

He sat down beside her, and pulled her into his lap. The same position as on the stairs the day before. He held her and kissed the top of her head, and her forehead. He murmured soothing words and soon the tears subsided.

She looked up to him and said, “I'm sorry for being so childish.”

“No, it's not your fault. I should have told her right after she had that comment. You know how much I care about you. Don't let anything come between us. Okay?”

She nodded against his chest, and Hatori's heart seemed to skip a beat. “Thank you, Tohru.”

“No need to ever thank me.”

They finally got up from the tiles and left the bathroom.

They went into the parking complex. Hatori helped Tohru open the passenger-side door, before getting into the driver's seat and leaving.

On the ride back, Tohru drifted off the sleep again. At the red light, Hatori looked over at his young lover. Oh, how he wished he could just take her in his arms and hold her forever! He reached a long finger over to brush a strand of hair away from her eyes. He touched her warm, tear-stained cheeks and wished that she never cried. It made him feel so weak and hopeless. Her soft moist lips made Hatori feel uncomfortable `below'. Another cold shower tonight.

His cell-phone chirped and he picked it up, recognizing that someone from the estates was calling.

“Hatori,” said a shrill voice. His eye twitched.

Akito.

“Yes Akito, it's me.”

“Where are you? It's past midnight. I've been waiting in your office for hours. I have a nagging migraine.”

Hatori took a deep breath and said without emotion, “The pills are in the third shelf in the medicine cabinet in my bathroom. They are in a blue vial. I have to go now.”

He clicked off. He never did that, always waiting for her to hang up first, in an angry fit of some sort.

He knew he'd be punished when he returned. A big fat reprimanding.

A look over at Tohru, however, dispelled all angst and revulsion.

---

A/N: I couldn't think of a title for this installment, so I took a line from the story. I will always be open to title changes if a good one ever comes up. Thanks for reading (and thanks for the reviews, they make me sooooo happy. The more, the happier I am, the faster I update...)