Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Strawberries and Skinny-Dipping: Hatori's Remedy ❯ Homecoming ( Chapter 27 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: bugaboo107
Hatori sighed. The poor girl. Overworked! He wanted to scold her and tell her that she made his heart ache that she was working more hours than him! That she needed to get more sleep. He wanted to tell her that he loved her. He wanted to show her that he loved her so much. He wanted to be by her side every waking second of the day (and night).

Anime/Manga: Fruits Basket Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.08.2008 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.4K | Visits: 289 | Status: Work In Progress

Standard Disclaimer applies.
§§§
Pre-A/N: Forgive me; sorry for the delay!
Hatori's Remedy presents:
Chapter 27 Homecoming
"Hatori? Please come to my room right now. I have a problem."
Hatori looked at his watch 11: 47. He needed to pick Tohru up, he couldn't be waiting at Akito's beck-and-call! He picked up his emergency tote bag and ran (no, rather marched, with his white coat-tails billowing after him) across the stone garden to Akito's stand-alone bungalow. Well, it wasn't exactly a bungalow; it had three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a small kitchen (to brew Akito's putrid medicine), and wraparound porch.
He knocked thrice on her bedroom door.
"It's open."
He opened the door and saw Akito lying on her bed, erect against the headboard--frail and with a sickly jaundice-yellow complexion, reading. It was very rare to see the young God doing anything other than giving disgusting, unsatisfied facial expressions.
"Yes," he said, trying not to sound impatient.
"I got a mosquito bite. Do you have anything for it?" she said calmly, peeling her sleeve back to show him a small red bump. Upon close inspection, he noticed it was scratched and bleeding pus. He sighed; did she know not to scratch a mosquito bite?! It would make the healing process long, and maybe even leave a scar. He didn't tell her though.
"Yes."
Hatori opened his bag and found some soothing cream. He dabbed a bit on his fingertip and wiped it on the affected area.
"Anything else?" he said after he capped the container, his eyes averted from Akito.
"No. Are you sleeping well, Hatori? I remember you had some insomnia at the beginning of the summer. It's okay now?"
"Yes." More than you'll ever know.
"Hmm." She sounded as though she was thinking, plotting, wondering if there was a slight crack in his voice that signified something-- a lie.
Hatori got up from his kneeling position and started for the door, but a hand gripped the hem of his lab-coat. "Tell me. Do you see that gritty girl anymore; the one that used to be your secretary? How is she?" Akito's tone was cold, detached, sinister.
"I haven't seen her in months. Kana is married now."
"Oh, is she? I'm glad. She deserved it. I hope she is in happy relationship. It's good that you two broke it off. It wasn't meant to be. She was too... naive. She doesn't know how to handle our delicate situation. Well then, good-bye." Akito acted so surprised, though she had asked him that questions before. Odd.
"Good night, Akito."
He packed up, but then heard Akito's voice again.
“How are the children at Shigure's house? I hope they aren't procreating. That cat was always hormonal and energy-driven. Have you checked up on them? I don't want that dirty girl thinking she owns the place. Her blood doesn't mix with ours. She's different. She should be grateful I let her stay there.”
Hatori made his way out of the stifling house before dropping his bag on the cement pathway and bending his torso over, his hands on his thighs. He coughed loudly. Bile was rising in his throat.
That dirty girl. Her blood doesn't mix with ours. Those words resonated in his mind. Tohru is not dirty! She's more pure and perfect than you'll ever be.
He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths of cold air before returning to the office. The cold air seemed to seep into his shirt, into his heart-- like shards of Arctic ice piercing his skin. He felt an unnerving chill run up his body. He dropped off his baggage and retrieved his car keys. He pulled out of the driveway and headed for the office building to pick Tohru up.
---
Tohru stood there speechless. She hadn't been hugged by a boy, man, male specimen (!) without some awkward consequence (beside her grandpa)—like a big `poof', a haze, screaming, and a naked guy (and no, it was not at a rave club). It felt good. It was warm. She needed that closeness.
Her body was blushing all over.
Tohru sat in the plush leather couch as she waited for Hatori. The streets outside were nearly empty. Hatori was right; it would be dangerous to walk home now. She looked at the clock: 12: 17. No worries, Hatori probably had sometime important to do. Be patient.
Ten minute later, the revolving doors began turning, and a Hatori appeared in the lobby. "Tohru!"
Tohru looked up from the armrest of the couch where she had been dozing. She got up and sauntered toward Hatori. She wanted to throw her arms around him. She hadn't seen him for more than twelve hours! Instead, she got on her tippy-toes to give him a big smooch on the cheek.
Hatori felt his body blush as he pulled her hand into his and they left the office building. He opened passenger-side door for her and Tohru got in; not without saying "Thank you" of course.
"How was your day, Hatori?"
"Fine. Yours?"
"Good. Did you eat dinner yet?"
Darn it, he forgot dinner! His old habits were returning. "I forgot."
"It's alright. I hope you're hungry for some noodles and beef stirfry. It might be a little cold though. We'll heat it up. I hope Kyo hasn't eaten it all. He was a rabid wolf at dinner."
Hatori pictured a rabid wolf, then shook his head. It was a scary little image, Kyo's head transposed on a wolf's body.
"It's fine." He wanted to ask Tohru about her day at the cemetery, but didn't know how to approach the subject. He knew it was uncomfortable. He decided he would rather be ignorant than hurtful. "I hope the job wasn't too tough on you."
"It wasn't. Someone else is working there, so there's company."
"Good."
"Is Haru better?"
"Yes, much better. He was sleeping in the nude again, as he told me. Got sick. I did not want to hear that."
Tohru chuckled.
Hatori found out that he loved her giggle. It wasn't superficial or really exaggerated, but short and sweet. The sound was low, from the belly.
It echoed in his ears.
They turned into Shigure's driveway and parked. They got out and went to the house. Kyo opened the door with his hands on his hips before Tohru could pull out her key. Hatori suddenly imagined the boy with an frilly pink apron and wiggling a cooking spatula at them like an angry mother who had caught her children coming home after curfew. He shook his head.
"I've been waiting for you Tohru! You are late! Thirty minutes! It's dangerous; I knew I should have come to pick you--" he trailed off, gaping at Hatori in his pristine white attire.
"What are you doing here Hatori?" He looked ready to pummel Hatori with his fists. The boy was as caring and concerned as they came. He appeared aloof and impassive, but in fact, he was a paternal figure to the younger Sohmas (whether they or he wanted to admit).
"I'm here for dinner."
"Dinner? Dinner is over! It's been over for hours!"
Tohru grabbed Kyo's arm, squeezed, and said softly, appeasingly. "Hatori didn't have dinner yet, so I invited him over. I hope its okay with you."
Kyo mumbled a few words and stepped aside to allow the couple to enter. Hatori nodded in appreciation as he removed his shoes. Tohru took is coat and set it in the closet on a hanger. Tohru went into the kitchen and took the food from the fridge. Hatori noticed her peel off a yellow sticky note. She was about to throw it in the garbage when he stopped her hand. He read the small neat print.
Dear Hatori,
I hope you enjoy your dinner. Sorry I'm not here to share it with you! I will call you tomorrow. Drink plenty of fluids a few hours before you go to sleep; it will keep your system clean and circulating!
Lots of love,
Tohru
Hatori brushed his thumb against the paper in small circles. His heart warmed. It pounded against his heart heavily. She was so... perfect.
He uttered, "Thank you."
"Ah, there's no need to thank me. It's my fault you didn't have dinner at the right time. I should have called you."
"No. It's perfect." He said, tucking the note into his breast-pocket.
"Hai."
Tohru heated the bowl piled with goodies, in the microwave and set the table. She boiled some water in a kettle for tea.
Hatori sat down and ate dinner in Tohru's company. Though it was silent, she radiated off warmth and comfort. She was like the sunlight, and he a plant needing to be in her presence.
He finished off dinner and helped her wash the dishes in the sink. Tohru scrubbed slowly, seemingly wanting to prolong the time. In fact, she was exhausted, but didn't want to go to sleep. An odd sensation. She wanted very moment spent with Hatori to be remembered.
After they finished, they moved into the living room. Tohru picked up Shakespeare's Macbeth. She said to Hatori, "I have summer reading for English class. The teacher wanted us to read Macbeth. I was wondering if we could act out the scene together. Or at least read it."
"This is a difficult read, especially as a second language. I read it in college. Of course. I haven't spoken any English in a while."
Tohru smiled and said, "I hope you don't laugh at my English. My pronunciation isn't too good."
"Wait 'til you here mine then."
They began reading the story. Hatori had never liked Lady Macbeth, she reminded him of someone. Hatori discovered that Tohru's English was quite good.
"Hatori, your English is very good,” Tohru said after a long sip of warm honey tea.
"Nah. Not as good at Ayame, you should hear him. An American."
They read and Hatori provided commentary. Tohru quite enjoyed it.
When Hatori finished Macbeth's monologue revealing his crime, Tohru had fallen asleep on her arm. Her legs were wrapped around a pillow Indian-style and she slept peacefully.
Hatori sighed. The poor girl. Overworked! He wanted to scold her and tell her that she made his heart ache that she was working more hours than him! That she needed to get more sleep. He wanted to tell her that he loved her. He wanted to show her that he loved her so much. He wanted to be by her side every waking second of the day (and night).
---
Hatori laid the book down on the cocktail table and rose. He stretched his arms before he picked Tohru up in his arms, rather effortlessly. He carried her upstairs to her bedroom. When he crossed the threshold, he suppressed a grimace. The proverbial knight and damsel-in-distress.
He placed her softly in the center of the bed and tucked her in. He closed to the bay window and opened it slightly. He walked over to her bedside, casting a shadow over her petite frame.
He kneeled down my her bedside and swiped her hair away from her cheek to place a chaste kiss on her cheek.
He finally moved out of the room and returned to his car. He started up the car and waited.
“Tohru, I hope you are not angry with me for not telling you. I want to, but I can't. Understand. Please.”
---
The next morning, Tohru woke to the loud ruckus overhead. “Huh?”
She looked out the window and saw a leg dangling. She screamed.
She clamped her hands over her mouth to stifle a loud shriek. Kyo hopped onto her window ledge and peeked in.
“Sorry. I was just doing some morning exercises on the roof.”
Tohru nodded absentmindedly. “I-I'll go make breakfast.”
“No need to. The rat just got back from the train station and he brought some breakfast. Pastries.”
Yuki's back, Tohru thought, rather regretfully. Something very, very out of the ordinary. Where would that put her blossoming relationship with Hatori? How did last night end? Wasn't she on the couch?
Before she could think anymore, Kyo disappeared just as someone knocked on the door.
“Tohru? Are you awake?”
“Hai. Come in.”
Tohru rose from her bed, still in her clothing from the day before. Yuki entered. He was smiling.
“It's great to see you again.”
“You too Yuki-san. How was your trip?”
“Great. I have lots of things to tell you. I got souvenirs for you guys.”
“Thank you very much, you didn't have to.”
“I had to. For all the things everyone has done for me. Even Kyo.”
Tohru heard an extra loud thump from the roof. She also heard, “Damn sissy. Gifts. I don't need gifts.”
Tohru and Yuki proceeded downstairs to help him unpack. He indeed brought a hefty breakfast—meat buns, warm pancakes, sweet rolls, fresh soy milk.
Tohru set the table and the three companions sat down for breakfast.
Kyo turned away from Yuki and asked Tohru. “When did Hatori leave?”
“A little after we finished reading.”
“ Reading?”
“Hatori reads?” Yuki said nonchalantly.
“The doc has been hanging around here. Probably keeping an eye on us for Akito. Humpf.”
Tohru was shocked by the remark. Keeping an eye on us for Akito. Was Kyo serious?
Was that what he was doing?
He was always by Akito's side. Tohru knew the boy in black was quite ill, but she didn't think he was that focused on what his cousins were up to.
Tohru felt her cheeks burning.
Hatori.
A mere watch-guard.
No! Her heart told her.
He loves you! He has expressed in so many ways! Don't you see?
Tohru felt ashamed of herself for being so stupid. How could she even think that?!
I love you Hatori. Please forgive me for thinking such traitorous thoughts. We are in this together. Nothing can stop us. Not even Akito. He doesn't scare me.
They finished breakfast with bouts of small talk.
---
A/N: The first paragraph of this story-- Hatori crossing the stone garden—reminds me of HP's Smoldering!Sevvy Snape walking (no, floating) down the corridors of Hogwarts. Hmm.
Yuki returns.
Stars at screen blankly.
Yuki hasreturned.
What will ensue?
Ooo, just wondering… this is a random question that popped into my head: In Harry Potter, (1) if you could be in any `house', which one would you go to? (2) Which one do you think the sorting hat would put you in (based on personality and such factors)? (3) Which one do you think would be fascinating to be in for a week?(4) Who is the hottest male character, in your opinion? (5) Any thoughts about the last book, except depression that it's over?
I'm a BIG fan of Harry Potter, so I thought I'd throw those questions out there. As for my responses (not that you'd be interested…):
I would love to join Gryffindor! I actually just bought these really funky red/gold plaid shorts… I'd probably be accepted into Hufflepuff. I'm not exceptionally smart, or brave, or cunning. I do value loyalty, hard work, and fair play. I'd love to be in Slytherin for a week. I'd love to find the hidden underground labyrinth and be `evil'. Ah, Draco… he is… dashingly delectable; there's always something about a `bad boy' that attracts me. Of course, in fantasies only. See answer for 3. Sad. So sad that it's over. Boo-hoo. That's why I read fanfiction. To continue the legacy!
I love ya'll! Hugs and kisses for all!