Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Strawberries and Skinny-Dipping: Hatori's Remedy ❯ Heap of Thorns ( Chapter 22 )

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

Hatori looked at a happy couple a few tables down. They sat across from each other, but both leaned into the table and were whispering. The girl blushed when the boy said something, probably something suggestive. They paid their bill and walked out of the restaurant, the girl's hand in the boy's back pocket, and the boy's arm around the girl's neck, possessively.

Anime/Manga: Fruits Basket Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.08.2008 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.1K | Visits: 308 | Status: Work In Progress

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Pre-A/N: To my lovely editor/beta, Tsukiakage. You are an absolutely sweetheart. -Hugs.-

Hatori's Remedy presents:

The color from her face drained. The person she least expected.

The person was swathed in black.

One of his eyes was covered with a block of black hair.

“Can I come in?” was the only greeting.

Chapter 22 Heap of Thorns

Tohru stared blankly, and perhaps stupidly at the young man who oddly resembled Yuki in looks. They had only met face-to-face once, in high school, two years ago. "Of course you may come in, Akito-san."

Tohru moved to the side to allow Akito into Shigure's house. "Is anyone here besides you?" he questioned, spitting out the last word as though it stung his tongue.

"No, it's just me."

"I know where Shigure is, but where are the rat and cat?"

"Yuki is at a school leadership program, and Kyo is at the dojo. Kyo will be back tonight."

"Good. I wanted to speak to you. In private."

Tohru felt a shiver down her spine. She clenched and unclenched her fists, feeling very nervous. "Hai."

Tohru signaled for Akito to sit down on the couch, while Tohru sat on the loveseat next to him. "Oh, can I get you anything to eat or drink? I just bought some sweet red bean flower rolls."

"I don't like sweets."

"Okay. Would you like anything to drink, Akito-san?"

"No. I'm here to talk to you about Hatori."

Tohru nodded quickly, looking down at her shaking hands while Akito continued.

"Years ago, Hatori was hurt by someone outside the Sohma family. The female could not understand our situation. All she wanted was for Hatori to love her in return. She did not understand why Hatori changed into an animal when she hugged him. To say it simply, she lost her mind. Hatori had to wipe her mind clear of any thoughts dealing with him. Hatori is very delicate, as all the Sohmas are. They can not fully love someone without feeling guilt. They feel guilt due to knowing that they can't provide well as a spouse or parent. I want you to know this. You are just a girl. Do not go around thinking that you can change us. We have been cursed."

"But it isn't a curse."

"And why is that?" Akito said curtly.

"The Sohmas are human," Tohru said bashfully.

"So? A rose is a simple flower. Yet it is treacherous in its beauty."

"But when delicately handled, can be just as beautiful, if not more. The thorns can be removed, leaving a pure and beautiful flower."

"That is not the point! I want you to stay away from Hatori!"

Tohru's face turned white. It had come out so suddenly. Stay away from Hatori!

Akito fumed and continued, "He can not love you! Don't expect him to ever love anyone like you! Let me ask you a question: Has he said I love you to you?"

Tohru didn't say anything.

"Tell me!"

Tohru responded softly, "No."

"Exactly, No one from the Sohma family can love. People in the Sohma family are roses with thorns, or at least they used to be roses. But the world has mistreated them. No one understands us. We have been turned in to a heap of thorns. They pierce the ones that come into contact with them, whether it is emotionally, or physically."

As Akito got up, he said, "Stay away from him if you want to help him. Go on with your job of being a maid. You can also enjoy the food alone, you whore." Akito slammed the door on the way out.

Tohru was taken aback. How would Akito know she was in a relationship with Hatori? What did he mean that the Sohma family couldn't love? Hiro loved Kisa. Momiji loved Momo, even if it was in a brotherly way. Haru loved Rin. Kagura loved Kyo.

Tohru bit back a cry. Kyo would be here any minute now. And she didn't want to make him worry. The boy, when he opened up, was as gentle as his Juunishi form-- the cat. He was bitter and hard sometimes, however he cared and loved. He loved Shishou. Tohru had seen the way he animatedly and cheerfully conveyed his mood and thoughts to the older gentleman.

What was she supposed to make of his conversation with Akito?

Before she could dwell on the issue any longer, the bell rang once again. She opened the door and greeted Kyo. "Hello Kyo," she said, her lips twitching into a slight smile.

"Hey Tohru. I'm glad to be back. Is anyone else back yet?"

"Nope."

"Hmm-mmm, it smells great. You're making fish, right?"

"Yep. Let me take your stuff." Tohru grabbed his small duffel bag and ran upstairs. She dropped it off on his bed and went to the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face to bring in some color. She felt weary after all the cooking, plus the fact that she hadn't seen Hatori for the whole day.

Kyo was already piling food onto his rice when she entered the dining room. "So, did you miss me?"

"Hai. It's been lonely around here. Did you have fun at the dojo?"

"Well, Shishou was pushing me a lot, but besides that, yes. We caught up on good times. I didn't see him a single time during the end-of-semester finals."

"I'm glad."

"Why aren't ya eatin' what ya made?" Kyo asked, with his mouth full of breaded pork cutlet and rice.

"I'm not too hungry."

Kyo gruntled, "I haven't eaten a good meal in weeks. Shishou can't cook. However, at least it's better than Yuki's cooking."

Tohru smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. She was still wondering about the heap of thorns. Tohru didn't think that, as no one had hurt her. Kyo finished dinner and said, "I'm kinda tired, I'm going to go take a shower and then go up to the roof, 'kay? If you'd like, you can come up later."

"Thank you, Kyo."

He nodded and smiled. The boy had come a long way. Without Yuki around, he really expressed a wonderful personality. He was charming, polite, and responsive. Shishou had raised a wonderful 'son'. She reminded herself that she needed to visit the older man and perhaps bring him some sweets.

---

Tohru washed the plates, then wiped the counter and table. She decided that she should head back to her grandpa's home before it got dark. She took out a pad of paper and scribbled:

Kyo-kun,

I'm staying at my grandpa's this week. I think you will have enough for breakfast and lunch tomorrow. I will be back to cook dinner at around five. Call me if you need me.

Love,

Tohru

Tohru gathered some plastic containers and filled them with extra food, as she had made more than enough. She knew that her grandpa, aunt, and cousins ate really late, so she could bring over some food. Tohru bundled everything up, and left the house. She walked through the breezy forest with thoughts of Hatori. She remembered the night walk a few weeks back, and how she had felt so nervous around him.

What was he doing now?

---

Hatori went to town to buy a bowl of noodles. He was antsy. He hadn't spoken to Tohru for a day now. He didn't have the guts to visit her at the house due to the fact that Kyo would be back by now.

"Would you like anything else, sir. Dessert, maybe?" said an attractive, long-raven haired girl. However, he had no appetite for food.

"Just the bill, please."

"Sure."

Hatori was jealous.

He wanted to be that open with Tohru in public. He wanted to be able to display his affection for the sable-haired girl. He wanted to wear a shirt that said: I'M IN LOVE WITH TOHRU HONDA!

Why was he so unwilling to commit? Tohru had definitely been willing to commit herself to him, as she had said upon many occasions. Why was it so hard for him?

He went into a tavern next door. He ordered a goblet of sake. Drinking had a nice calming effect on one's mind.

The female bartender winked at him and gave him a rather suggestive smile. "So, are you here alone tonight?"

Hatori nodded. "Do you have a girlfriend?" she asked blatantly.

He nodded, and she said, "What a stupid girl to leave such a fine man to his own devices."

Hatori responded, "She trusts me."

"What a sweetheart, but does she trust other women? I mean, if you're in a bar alone, it means you're fair game." With a slight buzz, Hatori replied simply, "I love her."

The female bartender, wearing nothing but a skimpy grey-suit vest and a tight black mini-skirt, rolled her eyes. She leaned onto the counter, squeezing her breasts tightly for Hatori to see, even though he looked away, "Hey, everyone's in love today, but that doesn't mean we have to avoid going upstairs and having a little romp in the bed."

Hatori shook his head. "No thanks, I'm sorry."

The bartender said, "If you ever need anyone, you know where to find me, honey." She turned away to help other customers.

Hatori felt disgusted. Not because of the attention the woman was lavishing on him, but because he felt he was betraying Tohru. He knew Tohru hated smoking, so he had stopped, for the time being, but now he was doing something that was just as despicable in her eyes. Plus he was wallowing in self-pity.

His father had been a binge drinker in his depression, and now, here was Hatori Sohma, the one who had vowed never to become that man.

At midnight, Hatori dragged himself away from the bar and stumbled into the parking lot. The streets were empty. He drove back home without any accidents. Lucky me.

He pulled in front of his office and went in. He stripped off his clothes and took a quick shower before collapsing in his bed, his mouth still reeking of alcohol, even though he had brushed his teeth twice.

---

A week passed. Tohru and Hatori did not see each other. Even though Tohru ached to see Hatori, she was still confused as to why he had just left that morning. Hadn't he said he cared about her? I mean, she was being picky, but also, he hadn't bothered to call.

The visit from Akito had also made Tohru hesitate to see Hatori. Then there was Kyo's return, which didn't exactly favor any alone time with Hatori.

Tohru spent her mornings and afternoons at her grandpa's house and evenings at Shigure's. Kyo always walked her to her grandpa's in the evening.

One morning, late in the week, Tohru's grandpa came into the kitchen and asked, "When will Hatori be back?"

"I don't know."

"Don't you two keep in touch?"

"We do, but I-I've been busy these past few days."

"Okay," and she returned, more forcefully, to scrubbing the oven. Her heart felt like it had been torn to pieces. However, evenings with Kyo eased her mind a bit. He had been studying the constellations quite a bit lately, and was showing Tohru all the different American zodiacs in the sky. The night panorama was absolutely stunning; a navy canvas dotted with specks of twinkling stars. The two of them would lie down on the roof, look up at the sky, and talk. They talked about school, the future, and even politics. Kyo had become open and much more carefree. He was no longer bound and chained to what others thought of him.

"So, did anyone come visit you while I was gone?"

"Well, Hanajima and Arisa are busy, so I haven't seen them yet, but we did chat on the phone a few times. Hatori and Mii-chan came to visit as well."

"Mii-chan, Shigure's crazed editor? She is really scary. We had a chase around the house one time. Let me tell you, it was scary."

"Naw. Once you get to know her she's really sweet. We even went shopping together. It was great."

"Hmm, so Hatori?"

"What about him?" Tohru asked innocently, but her heart pounded furiously in her small chest.

"He's a nice guy and all, but really cold sometimes."

"Kyo Sohma! How dare you speak of others like that. Everyone's closed sometimes, even me."

"Oh really?" he said, with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes. I do have my secrets."

Kyo nodded as Tohru continued. "I mean, he's really nice. He saved me in the winter two years ago. I slipped off the porch, and he caught be, before changing. He's also really smart, talented, helpful, funny, sensitive,--" she trailed off, realizing that she was spilling an awful lot of information about a certain doctor.

Kyo arched his brow. "Since when did you become Hatori's confidante?"

Tohru tried to cover up what she said, "I mean- no…, we just talked for a bit."

"When?"

"When you were gone."

"Did he come here?" Kyo asked, suspiciously.

"Yes, Shigure told him to come here to keep me company." And that was all. Just company. Pity for a poor maid, like myself.

"Well then, now it's time for a... tickle-contest!" Kyo began tickling Tohru. She giggled and squirmed. "Kyo Sohma!"

She returned the touches, her thin spidery fingers sweeping across his clothed flat stomach. They played the childish game for a while, until both were tired and collapsed back on the roof. "Ah, that was fun." Tohru said.

"Yep."

Tohru saw a shooting star whiz across the sky. "Did you see that, Kyo?"

"What?"

"A shooting star."

"Sorry, I missed it."

Yeah, well, I missed making a wish, but if I could, I would wish for Hatori to forgive me. I miss him too much. Please forgive me, Hatori Sohma.

---

A/N: Everyone's hitting on Hatori! And he finally confessed his love, though not to Tohru. Aww. As for 'Akito'. Tohru doesn't know about the 'thing', ehm, spoiler.

Thanks for reading, my lovelies (AKA current dedicated readers)... Tohru02, Nikki-4, BlobBl0b, SinnersAngel, kiwadoi seiitsuLover-of-all-the-male-Sohma...TatianaSaphiraKaoru Sayuri Kamiya, Sabre-chan, Tohru DaihikashoushaMachiko-ChanDemonicChick888, Rayn Lake, Kerazian, Fk306 animeloverFLiPguRL219, ang.pie, Kyoluvr, Eatthemoon, Mrs.NarutoUzumakiAlex E. Tracerazuka knight, Princess Airya, Starlight - Wild Koneko...and The Laughing Libra.

Also, I can't wait to check out all the recommendations!

...And a round of applause for Kelly (Tsukiakage!).