Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Strawberries and Skinny-Dipping: Hatori's Remedy ❯ Seeds of Love ( Chapter 24 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: bugaboo107
Hatori reached for her hand under the table, and squeezed it gently. Kyo noticed nothing, for he was too engrossed in the noodles, sauce, and interesting ¡®cut¡¯ of the carrots. Hatori had hacked at the carrots like a woodsman severing a knotty piece of wood. The carrots came out like a beaver cut it with its big teeth¡ªquite unattractive.

Anime/Manga: Fruits Basket Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.08.2008 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.3K | Visits: 301 | Status: Completed

Standard Disclaimer applies.
Pre-A/N: A BIG thanks to my beta, Mii-chan, cheerleader, Kelly!
She has magical writing skills!
§§§
Hatori's Remedy presents:
Chapter 24 Seeds of Love
Hatori was the first to wake from the peaceful slumber. It was the first one in a week. He ran his long fingers tenderly through the girl's silken hair, combing its length. He peeked over the edge of her shoulder at her undisturbed features and noticed that there were worry lines around her eyes, just like him. He internally reprimanded himself for making her worry like that, was he not a man?
His sweet breath tickled against her sensitive shoulder, sending a shudder through her petite frame. “Hatori?”
Tohru lifted her head from his arm and turned to look at him. He responded huskily, “Hai?”
“What time is it?”
He looked at the wall on the other side and squinted at the clock, “11:14.”
“Yikes! I have to go to my grandpa's to make lunch, and mow the lawn, and-and--”
Hatori quirked an eyebrow, “You mow the lawn?”
“Oh, it's nothing. Ah, I have to get dressed.”
Hatori helped her to her feet, and she dragged the throw with her. He said, “Hey” in mock resentment, covering his chest unsuccessfully with his hands. She blushed as the realization hit that she was naked (well, almost). “I'm sorry, it's just-- I'm naked.” She whispered the last two words as though they were in the public and she didn't want anyone to hear.
He nodded and said to the ruddy-cheeked girl, “You can use the bathroom to change,” as he picked up her scattered clothing and tossed it to her gently. She caught them and scuttled to the bathroom, not knowing that her attractive backside was open—the dip of her spine flowing gracefully into a cute pair of black bikinis.
He looked at the outcome of their dandy little morning affair. The sofa cushions were a bit out of place. He fixed that before he put on his shirt as he yawned.
Tohru finished her business and came out. She said to him, “I have to go, but do you think you could come over for dinner tonight. It will just be the three of us.”
Hatori didn't even give it a second thought, “Definitely. I've missed you so much.”
“Good. If you can, you can come over early, at six to help me prepare.”
“Okay.”
Tohru gave him a finger-wave before putting on her sandals and turning the doorknob. Hatori interjected, “Wait a second.” He sauntered to her side and seized both of her hands, looking into her eyes. He then gave her an earth-shattering kiss.
Tohru broke away, her eyes wide with amazement. She grinned like the Cheshire Cat and said, “Thanks for taking me back,” before happily planting a chaste kiss on his cheek.
Taking you back? Thank you for accepting me, after I made an ass of myself! I'm the one at fault! Her innocence sometimes made him feel so bad (no, not naughty, awful/rotten/guilty!).
He rubbed the spot where she had blessed him with a kiss, remembering her expression of joy. That made him so happy. He returned to his computer. He was 100 percent recovered from the hangover and past few miserable days, thanks to a wonderful dose of Tohru!
---
Tohru hurried to her grandpa's house. Her feet were aching by the time she reached the front steps. She prepared herself for the hostile words of Matsu and Riyo.
None came when the door opened. “Hello Tohru.”
“Hey grandpa. You haven't started lunch yet, have you?”
“Nope, but I've prepped the veggies.”
Tohru said gleefully, “You shouldn't have. You need to rest.”
“I can't sit in bed all day!” came the reply.
Tohru moved into the house and removed her flip-flops before moving into the kitchen. She quickly assaulted the defenseless veggies and noodles with her masterful cooking skills.
Tohru and her grandfather ate in peace, talking about old times.
While her grandpa napped, Tohru went out to mow the lawn. She wore her father's old floppy straw sunhat as she worked.
---
Hatori finished his work at three. Removing his white office coat, he grabbed the car keys off of the desk and set off into the city to pick up some things.
He arrived in the parking lot of a big shopping center. He hated these places, seeing all the cheerful people hustling and bustling to and fro. He took the elevator downstairs and went into Tiffany's & Co. ©. A saleslady greeted him generously.
“How may I help you sir?”
“I'm here to pick up a bracelet.”
“Come with me sir.”
Hatori followed the young female to a counter, where she used the computer. “Could you please tell me your name and phone number.”
Hatori gave her all the information she asked, and she said, “Okay, it is finished being engraved. Please wait here for a moment and I will retrieve it for you.”
Hatori nodded and waited by the counter. Everything in the store was brightly lit. He peered into one of the brightly lit jewelry cases. Diamond rings.
Would he and Tohru ever get that far?
His heart, soul, and body cried, Yes, yes, yes!
They had only been together for a little more than a month, but they had known each other for much longer. It sounded stupid, but he felt as though they were `destined' to be together. She was the spring to his winter.
The lady returned with the Tiffany & Co. © signature blue box tied with a pretty white ribbon. The lady pulled out a matching blue bag and put the box in. “Would you like anything printed on the card? Tiffany's can do that for you.”
Hatori nodded `no', and the female finished off, “You have already paid, so here is your receipt and a gift receipt. Thank you, Mr. Hatori Sohma.”
Hatori nodded curtly and left the store. He looked like a soon-to-be bridegroom, and perhaps, even a bit like an automaton as he rushed around the mall. Looking at the mall directory, he noted to himself that this mall did not have what he was looking for.
He went into the parking complex, found his car, and maneuvered out of the structure onto the busy city streets. It was the afternoon, for Kami's sake, why were they so many cars? He wondered.
He traveled down various streets until he found what he was looking for: Purple Plums Gardening Market.
He parking in the back-lot and walked into the small mom-and-pop store. “How may a help you?” asked a woman with a heavy foreign accent.
“I was looking for some vegetable seeds. I haven't been able to find them at the big department stores. I was hoping you had them.”
“You've come to the right place. Name what you're looking for.”
Hatori took a small scrap of paper out of his pants pocket and handed the list to the woman. He had listened carefully to Tohru when she had rambled on about what she planned to grow in the garden that lay the forest.
The lady smiled as she read off, “Sweet peas, zucchini, eggplants, spicy green peppers, and daikon. We've got all of them. Please follow me.”
She led Hatori to a large set of shelves full of small vegetable seed packets. “Thank you ma'am.”
Hatori's long finger trailed down the shelves. He found what he was looking for and made his purchase. “I take it these are for your mother, sonny?” questioned the woman.
Hatori blushed. “No. They're for my girlfriend. Her birthday is coming up soon, and she loves gardening.”
It was the woman's turn to blush a bright shade of pink. “Oh, I'm sorry. It's just so sweet. You don't see too many men concerning themselves with the basic seeds of love anymore to woo a girl. It's all about jewelry, clothing, and cars today.”
Hatori gave the older woman a kind smile as he handed the money to her.
“How about I throw in a free basket to go with those seed packets? Young love is so sweet. I just can't control myself!” The woman took a small wicker basket from beneath the counter and swiped the sachets into its womb.
Hatori was speechless. He couldn't believe how sweet the older woman was. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me! I hope your girlfriend has a marvelous birthday. But I don't think there's any need to wish for her to have a wonderful birthday. With a boyfriend like you, I'm sure she will.”
Hatori waved good-bye with his free hand as he left the store. The basket would be perfect for the matching gloves and heirloom tomatoes he bought earlier.
He put everything in the passenger seat and drove back to his office. Once there, he tucked everything safely in his desk drawer, except the empty card. Leaning it against the photo frame, he took out a piece of lined paper. After a few attempts later, with some scratching out and crossing out, Hatori came up with the perfect birthday card message. He read it over a few times before copying it onto the pristine card in his perfect penmanship.
He finished his day at the office with a quick shower.
---
It was five-forty-five when he left the office. His cell-phone buzzed on his way over to Shigure's house. “Hello Shigure.”
“Hello Ha-san. How are you doing?”
“Great,” which was the truth for once.
“I was hoping you could check up on Tohru for me. I know Kyo is back, and well-- that boy just can't be trusted with my little flower! Plus, I won't be back for another week or so. My, uh, business-trip is taking longer than expected, but don't tell Mii-chan.”
“Okay Shigure. Thanks for the call.”
“Take care, Ha-san. Tohru hasn't been a burden, has she?”
“No!” Hatori responded a bit too callously.
“Of course, I knew she wouldn't. Also, please tell her I miss her cooking very much.”
“Good-bye, Shigure.”
“Good-bye, Ha-san.”
Hatori parked in the drive-way and made his way to the door. Before he brought his hand to the wood to knock, the door was thrown open, by none other than Kyo.
“Hey, watch it Hatori!”
“Where are you going?” Hatori asked in a strict tone.
“It's none of your business. But if you must know, I'm going to the backyard to practice. Shishou just called me and said that there is going to be a tournament next month. He says I have to practice for at least six hours a day if I want to have a chance of making it into the semi-rounds. That man makes me so angry!”
As Hatori made his way into the house he could hear Tohru humming cheerfully before he saw her. She was unknowingly sashaying her hips provocatively, much to Hatori's pleasure and discontent. He was growing hard with every blink. Yikes.
He knocked on the wall outside the kitchen. Tohru jumped to the sound and turned. Her lips curved into a big smile when she saw him. “Hatori!”
She wiped her hands on her apron and came toward him. She planted a big wet kiss on his cheek. “Would you like to walk to the garden and pick a few things with me?”
“Of course.”
Tohru linked her arm in his (her other arm carrying the proverbial wicker basket… the thing that had brought them together on the first day) and they made their way through the forest. “So, how was your day? I hope I didn't stop you from finishing anything by calling you over…”
”Not at all. I find every chance I can to get away from there.”
They walked in silence. Tohru wondered if she should tell Hatori about her meeting with Akito, but finally decided against it. It would only worry him. After all, he was a little worrywart, just like her.
Hatori thought that Tohru looked like a little cartoon character—wearing a white eyelet peasant dress and apron, with her hair parted into two long pigtails. The dress fell to mid-thigh and the top was open just a sliver… leaving much to Hatori's imagination…
They reached the garden, and Tohru set down the basket. She kneeled on the grass, and began looking for ripe vegetables. She began explaining what to look for, and in no time, they were finished. They began walking home, with the warm sun shining on their backs. Hatori carried the basket. Tohru couldn't help but smile slightly. She thought he looked so domestic, and so absolutely cute, with his sleeves rolled up. He looked more approachable with a bit of a tan and his hair ruffled by the afternoon breeze. She looked at him reverently.
He gazed down at her, into the mesmerizing whirlpools of her eyes. She swung an arm behind his waist, and pulled him close to her, snuggling her head under his arms. “I'm so glad you're here.”
“Me too,” he said softly.
He felt so warm inside.
---
They removed their shoes when they returned home, and sat the basket on the counter. “That was fun.” Tohru said, “Now, let's get chopping.”
Tohru took out the knives and cutting board and doled out the jobs. Hatori was to dice the veggies, and Tohru was going to start boiling the noodles. Dinner was a simple affair—vegetables and grain. That was the way he liked it.
Hatori did not enjoy the night meals alone at some greasy fast-food place in the city. It was these home-cooked meals that satisfied him.
---
Kyo returned at exactly the time Tohru and Hatori arrived at the table. “Dinner's ready?”
“Hai,” Tohru said graciously.
Hatori was fuming at the boy's impertinent manner. Tohru cooked meals for him everyday and all he could say was `Dinner's ready'?!
“Thank you for this dinner, Tohru.”
“No need to thank me. You helped, Hatori,” she said, trying to not appear as though she was `in love' with the man sitting beside her. She didn't want Kyo to suspect anything.
Hatori reached for her hand under the table, and squeezed it gently. Kyo noticed nothing, for he was too engrossed in the noodles, sauce, and interesting `cut' of the carrots. Hatori had hacked at the carrots like a woodsman severing a knotty piece of wood. The carrots came out like a beaver cut it with its big teeth—quite unattractive. It was slightly scary to Tohru's eyes; it reminded her of that American horror film that she saw with Arisa a few months ago. It gave her nightmares for a month—all the blood, gore, and the flying hatchet! Ahhhhh!
Wow, that was a bloodcurdling digression from this lovely dinner, Tohru thought. Hatori noticed the change of expression that marked Tohru's face. Quite adorable, it cycled from giddy and smiley to pale and horrified. “Are you okay, Tohru?”
“Ah, yes.”
They finished dinner, and Kyo hurried upstairs. Hatori reminded himself to speak to Kazuma about his `son's' lack of manners and common etiquette.
He and Tohru washed the dishes, chatting about current news and such. Hatori realized that he had never been so open about his feelings before. In a matter of moments, he discovered that he was a covert environmentalist, a health nut, an addicted jogger (loved the natural adrenaline rush), and a lovesick seahorse. Plus, he shared lots in common with Tohru. She wasn't as dim-witted as she appeared. She knew a lot about the current events going on in the world. She, like him, hated war, and didn't understand why it couldn't be settled simply in an office.
They both hoped that one day they could both travel around the world and be immersed in different cultures.
---
The seeds of love had been planted deep in his heart.
---
A/N: Tohru mowing the lawn… hehe. What did Hatori get engraved on the bracelet…?
All the answers are coming up, my lovelies! Thanks so much for reviewing for Chapter 33: Tohru02, Rayn Lake, BlobBl0b, Lover-of-all-the-male-Sohma..., kiwadoi seiitsu, Through the Silence, devilgrl1, DecemberFox, RandomObsessivePsychoFangirl, TatianaSaphira, Nikki-4, (and taintedjewel, for reviewing for Chapter 1).
I also applaud Fox-Zodiac for her unwavering faith, dedication, and cute dialogue with her favorite Sohma character. You go girl!
I hope the smut wasn't too disturbing or unpleasant. And if you liked it, sorry their wasn't more... I can't have Hatori doing out-of-character things like forcing Tohru, 'having his way', and such (sniggers evilly... though I would allow him to do anything with moi... okay, not exactly anything). Hope everyone's week has been going well, and don't forget to thank Kelly (Tsukiakage!) for the smooth sentences, gifted grammer knowledge, pretty punctuation-- Thanks sweetheart, for your brilliant beta-ing.