Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Strawberries and Skinny-Dipping: Hatori's Remedy ❯ A Birthday to Remember, Part Three ( Chapter 32 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: bugaboo107
¡°Do you ever imagine the two of us on vacation in some tropical place?¡± Tohru asked him cheerily.

¡°As a matter of fact, I do. A few nights ago, I imagined us swimming in a cove, maybe in Italy. We would be isolated. We¡¯d be free. Happy.¡± You would look like a water goddess ¨C wet with crystal water drops shimmering across your smooth, creamy skin. I would touch you. You would melt in my arms. ¡°We would kiss on the beach and eat tea sandwiches.¡±

¡°How beautiful. I like the tea sandwiches part. We really have to make those at home.¡±
¡°I agree.¡±

Anime/Manga: Fruits Basket Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.08.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 6.4K | Visits: 299 | Status: Work In Progress

Standard Disclaimer applies.
§§§
Hatori's Remedy presents
Chapter 32 A Birthday to Remember, Part Three
“Itsays Ad vitam aeternam, which means: To life everlasting in Latin. I care so much about you Tohru. I want you to live forever, to share your passion and love for life with everyone. I also want you remember that our love and time is forever. That is the reason for the watch. The time we spend together is everlasting, eternal, ageless. We are immortal when we are together. If I am not by your side for some reason, you will have this to think of me. Please don't forget me and remember that I love you so much. So much. I will remember you forever - I have learned so much from you. The ability to care for life and for another person; you have breathed air into my lungs and my heart.”
It pained Tohru to see him say something so passionate; she knew it was difficult. Tohru was speechless. This went beyond simply love, this was a pact. This was a sealed promise that: Their love was for eternity.
Tohru and Hatori were immortal against the ravages of time.
---
Tohru sniffled loudly.
Hatori looked into her eyes concernedly. “Are you okay?”
“Hai. I'm just so happy. Thank you so much Hatori.”
Tohru raised her wrist. The sunlight hit the platinum, making the bracelet sparkle. It was the only thing that glistened brightly in the cornfield, except the eyes of the two lovers.
Tohru got out of the dirt, wiped her jeans free of loose dirt, and pulled Hatori to his feet.
“Can you walk, Tohru?”
“Yeah, I can.” She whispered through her clenched teeth (her leg was still hurt). Her legs were numb from sitting on the ground in the same position for too long.
“Good.” I'm still sorry I wasn't there to save you.
They slowly walked back to the indoor botanical garden. Tohru halted in front of the topiary garden. She looked at it longingly.
“Would you like to go in, birthday girl?”
“Yes please.”
He took her hand in his and brought her over to the entrance. The entrance was flanked by two topiary pieces - elephants with their trunks twisted together - affectionately. It was quite a beautiful scene.
Just then, an elderly couple passed by. Tohru graciously waved to them and asked politely, “Excuse me ma'am, do you think you could take a picture of us?”
“Sure darling.”
Tohru bowed before tucking her head beneath Hatori's shoulder for a shot. Hatori's smiled was more of a smirk, but it was getting closer every day, and Tohru applauded him for that. The picture turned out very well. Both of the subject's hairs were blowing in different directions, creating a natural, pleasant feel.
In the garden, each posed with different animals. Hatori held onto a dragon wing and offered a smile with teeth. Ooo. Tohru couldn't help but look at it; my what lovely pearly white teeth you have.
All the better to…
“You should delete that shot,” Hatori said seriously.
“Never.”
Hatori smiled at the conviction she had. The day was so perfect. The spark that had lit on the first day of the summer (when Tohru had tripped on the porch with her wicker basket full of strawberries) was still burning bright. Every small action was like a small breeze adding strength to the flame. No force was large enough to blow the flame out. Never.
Hatori savored each moment with her, like it was his last. Each kiss, each touch, each laugh, each word.
Hatori sat down on a bench. He patted his lap. “Sit down.”
Tohru asked, “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
She sat down on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her torso and put his chin on her shoulder. “You are so wonderful, Tohru.”
“Thank you Hatori. You are more wonderful-er.”
He laughed and nuzzled her neck, causing her to arch her head onto his shoulder. He licked at the pulse in her throat. Her hands fluttered to her bosom as she breathed hard. It was such a surprising feeling.
Hatori's skillful tongue ticked the hollow of her neck, and her eyes closed momentarily as she imprinted that delicious feeling in her mind - a snapshot. When she returned to her `normal' position, she felt his erection pressed into her derriere. She didn't pull away, though her complexion turned a shade redder.
There was nothing to be afraid of.
He swept her hair to one side and kissed her neck. Tohru cried aloud when he nibbled the pliable skin.
Hatori could not get close enough to her.
She turned in his lap to face him. She gazed into his eye, which were cloudless, the color of the sparkling ocean at dawn. He buried his hands in her long hair. It shone in the light.
He kissed her fervently. Her hair was like fine silk, slipping through his fingers like water. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him as close to her as possible (without the `evil spell' coming on). She could feel his blunt nails digging into her back, but it didn't stop her. Her fingers ran across the line of his jaw, up to his sculpted cheekbone. The coolness of the platinum charm grazed his cheek, making his shiver with sensation (one of those feelings when I person blindfolds you, and then drags a feather across the nude body, he thought).
He broke the kiss long enough to check if there was anyone around the garden. Behind them were a lion and giraffe.
He was willing to take the chance.
He covered her mouth and caught each sigh or whimper. Her lips were soft and moist, sensations against the rough pads of his fingers when he touched them.
Tohru could not think properly with these pleasurable feelings of abrasiveness and softness against her lips. Her stomach grumbled, because of hunger, but more so, because of the feeling he gave her when his lips were touching her. Her hips bucked. Hatori's hands dragged languidly down her body to still her hips.
“Don't do that, Tohru. Please,” Hatori stammered. It was rare to hear Hatori stumble over his words, or say please, because he rarely wanted anything with such passion or verve.
Tohru's eyes opened and stared into his. She understood the effect she had on him.
“I'm sorry Hatori, I didn't mean too. It just happened.”
Trust me, Tohru. If I didn't stop you, something we'd both regret would happen.
Hatori dropped a sloppy kiss on her forehead and whispered in her ear, “It's okay. We're both not ready for that.”
He looked down, at their compromising position.
Hip to hip.
Hand in hand.
Swollen lips.
Tousled hair.
Hitched breathes.
Flushed faces.
It was a beautiful sight.
Tohru laid her head on his shoulder and inhaled Hatori's sweet, musky scent - citrus and cedar. It reminded her of an evening walk in the woods during the spring.
“I think we should head back for lunch,” Hatori said.
“Hai.” And Tohru's stomach agreed, by chiming in with a grumble.
Tohru got off his lap and held his hand as they walked back to the terrace for lunch.
---
Tohru swirled the contents of her lemon tea before taking a small sip. “Are you sure you don't want some? It's not overly sweet. It's just the way you like it.”
Hatori accepted her offer and took a sip. “It's very good. But not as good as my smoked salmon and scallion tea sandwich,” he responded before taking a bite of half the sandwich.
Tohru giggled. It was amusing to see a grown man with a finger sandwich in front of A Sprig of Mint, a quaint café with frilly pink curtains and seat cushions, and hostesses dressed in Alice-in-Wonderland-esque outfits.
Tohru looked at the three-tiered tower of dainty finger sandwiches they had purchased, with two of each kind. “I'll try it.”
Tohru took a small bite. “Hmm-mmm, it's really good.”
“We should buy one of these bear cookie cutters and make them at home.”
“We” and “home” were used in the same sentence. It delighted Tohru to hear those words.
The mood turned serious. “Do you think we will ever buy a home together?”
“I hope so.”
“When?”
“After you graduate college, Miss. I want you to get a good education.”
“Like you,” Tohru added.
“Hai.”
Tohru smiled and stood up from her chair to kiss Hatori from across the circular table. “Thank you, Mr. Sohma.”
“No need to thank me, Miss Honda.” You deserve all of this, and more.
Tohru took a large bite out of the cucumber and shrimp sandwich and said eagerly with her mouth full, “This is even better.”
Hatori followed her lead. “Hmm-mmm, it is.”
“Would you like to try the cheese and orange marmalade sandwich?”
“Cheese. You know how I feel about cheese,” Hatori said, with a tilt in his voice, meant to sound snobbish and patronizing, but sounded happy and comfortable in Tohru's ears.
Tohru smiled and took the two rectangular sandwiches and put them above her lip to create a mustache. She made various faces.
Hatori quickly took out the camera and snapped two pictures to Tohru imitating an aristocratic gentleman, with his nose turned to the sky, and his lips firm and pout. Silly and adorable.
Tohru finished the mini-egg salad sandwich, just as Hatori returned with a smaller tower of dessert pastries; there were ten items, each different. Time to share.
Hatori had never shared anything so intimately with anyone. This was a step in their relationship; Tohru didn't seem to mind that fact. They shared a mini blueberry muffin, a butter scone, a cream puff pastry, a mini slice of pumpkin cheesecake, a raspberry tartlet, a sweet lemon bar, a lattice sandwich cookie with blackberry jam, a slice of lemon poppy-seed bread, a slice of banana walnut bread, and last but not least, a simple heart-shaped sugar cookie.
“It was delicious,” Tohru said when she was finished. “This has honestly been the best birthday ever.”
Best birthday ever. Those three words sent warmth throughout his body.
“Where to next, Miss Honda?”
“How about the jungle?” She said in a low, sexy voice.
“The jungle is dark but full of diamonds, my fair maiden. I will guide you there.”
He stood up from the table and offered his hand for her to hold. She smiled and followed him into the indoor garden, properly titled, “Eden.”
There were waterfalls, bamboo, large-leafed plants, jagged ferns, and exotic dark purple-colored plants - it was paradise. The couple studied the plants with fervor and concentration.
Both were giddy.
Lovers.
On cloud nine.
By five thirty, they had finished seeing all the exhibits at the Momento Botanical Gardens. They had kissed at every possible occasion, in every possible locale (without the guards or docents seeing).
Hatori hadn't done anything so lawless since… college (fraternity initiation).
They drove into the city for dinner. Hatori made reservations at the chic, modern Sakura 168.
“I'm no-not dressed for such a nice place Hatori.”
“Don't worry. You look beautiful. And plus, this isn't the restaurant I initially wanted, now that one was seriously prim and proper - one of those traditional places, where you have to bow to everyone. Now, thinking about it, it wasn't right.” That place had memories he didn't want to revisit… Kana…
“Oh, it's perfect. I love it.”
The valet drove Hatori's black BMW into the parking structure behind the contemporary restaurant.
The waiter offered them sake, but Hatori declined. Inappropriate!
Tohru's eyes became glassy when she looked down at the menu. Everything was so expensive. They even had the notorious fugu, AKA pufferfish, which could be poisonous if not handled properly. It cost a fortune.
“Eat anything you'd like, Tohru.”
“Hmm-mmm, do you want to have shabu-shabu? It's kind of cold in here, so that would be perfect.”
“Actually, that sounds perfect. Are you cold, I have extra shirt in the trunk, I can get it for you if you'd like - “
“That's fine,” Tohru said, “Thank you.”
“Are you sure, it's no trouble.”
Tohru gave him an evil eye, but it failed. She burst into a laugh, that warmed Hatori's heart.
For the boiling chicken stock, they had thin strips of raw beef, enoki mushrooms, fish balls, Chinese cabbage, tofu, bok choy, and daikon. (Tohru insisted on buying many plates of vegetables.)
After each person dipped the food item into the stock, they dipped it into sesame sauce or citrus soy sauce (or both!) and ate it. It was delicious.
At the end, they shared the tasty soup of various flavors.
After dinner, Hatori invited Tohru for a stroll on the city streets. Outside was warm and breezy. The streets were well-lit and the stores were open. Many people ambled down the concrete sidewalks in short and short-sleeved shirts. They sat down on a bench next to a fountain with bronze-cast dolphins and a mermaid in the center. Hatori took out the camera and asked a middle-aged man to take a photo of the two of them. The man gladly obliged. Hatori clutched Tohru close to his chest, as though the wind might blow her away, take her from him.
“Do you ever imagine the two of us on vacation in some tropical place?” Tohru asked him cheerily.
“As a matter of fact, I do. A few nights ago, I imagined us swimming in a cove, maybe in Italy. We would be isolated. We'd be free. Happy.” You would look like a water goddess - wet with crystal water drops shimmering across your smooth, creamy skin. I would touch you. You would melt in my arms. “We would kiss on the beach and eat tea sandwiches.”
“How beautiful. I like the tea sandwiches part. We really have to make those at home.”
“I agree.”
Tohru planted a kiss on Hatori's clean-shaven cheek. “I love you so much. This has been the most wonderful day ever.”
Tohru wished the night could go on forever. The smallest actions made her sigh in happiness. This was true love, when you looked into the eyes of the man you loved and they were as clear as the water at the swimming hole. True love was having the man you loved offer to run to his car parked on the seven floor of a parking structure to get you a warm shirt. True love was when the man you loved held you hand and showed you that he loved you. True love was when the man you loved planned something so special, something that he knew you'd love, weeks in advanced.
True love wasn't diamonds.
True love wasn't eating at the most expensive restaurant in Japan - Kobe beef and truffles.
True love wasn't buying an expensive car.
True love wasn't renting a beach condo for a weekend.
True love was visiting loved ones, skipping across creeks, visiting gardens, kissing in cornfields, taking silly photographs in topiary gardens, trying tea sandwiches, and talking about the future.
Suddenly Hatori shot up from his seat, “A birthday isn't complete without cake! Let's get to the bakery before it closes!”
“My birthday has been perfect Hatori, you don't have to - “
Hatori looked into her eyes, “Tohru…”
“Fine,” she said with an amusing look on her face. Hatori wanted everything to be perfect. What a perfectionist. Just like her.
They caught a bus and arrived in front of the Momiji's dad's company, the one where Tohru worked. The bakery was still open.
“Thank Kami.”
“Sit here.”
Tohru sat down outside the bakery and listened to the muffled sound of Hatori talking to the lady behind the counter.
A few minutes Tohru heard footsteps behind her. “Close your eyes, Tohru. Don't open them until I say so.”
“Hai.”
Hatori placed a small two-person multi-layered cake in front of Tohru. He placed a candle on the side of the top of the cake (so he didn't ruin the words) and lit it with a match he got from the bakery lady.
“HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY TOHRU!! OPEN YOUR EYES!”
Tohru opened her eyes. In front of her was a pretty yellow cake with the words, “Happy Birthday Little Flower! From, all of us.”
“Shigure and the boys and Kisa insisted on buying the cake for you. They wanted to be a part of your special day.” They thought I was dropping you off at the botanical gardens alone. I didn't tell them I was spending your birthday with you.
“Thank you so much. I really have to thank them!”
She wrapped her arms around Hatori and said, “This has been perfect!” But she said suddenly (always lovingly concerned with others), “They don't know about us yet, right?”
“No.”
“I don't ever want Akito finding out. I love you so much and if anything bad ever happened to you, I would never forgive myself, Hatori.”
Her eyes brimmed with tears of joy and sadness. If something ever happened to Hatori, she would die.
It sounded impulsive for a girl who was seventeen. But she was mature.
Mature beyond her years.
“Don't be like this, Tohru. Nothing will ever happen to me.” Not with you by my side.
Tohru sniffled into his shoulder. Tears soaked his shirt. She twirled her fingers around the tendrils of his black hair at the nape of his neck.
“Try some of this cake, Tohru. It's has a mango cream and mango. I know how much you love fruit.”
“Hai. Thank you.”
Please don't let us ever notbe like this, in love, Hatori thought.
Tohru lifted the plastic spoon to Hatori's mouth. He took a bite. Fluffy goodness. Everything today seemed to be perfect. Wonderful. Enchanting.
When Tohru packaged the remains (saving the rest for the boys), Hatori said, “I have one more surprise for you at Shigure's house.”
Tohru looked back at him and nodded quietly. She was remembering the beauty of tonight; the relaxed look on Hatori's face as he ran his fingers through his hair.
The bus ride back to Sakura 168 was quiet. Tohru looked out the window wistfully, with her arms wrapped tightly around Hatori's bicep. Tohru looked at her watch once to check the time. She liked her gift very much.
---
A/N: I'm sorry, but I have a small part of the `Birthday' left, the last part of the gift and the goodnight kiss; Hatori can't stay, because Yuki and Shigure are back. Aw darn. 168 (the made-up restaurant Sakura 168) is a lucky number for superstitious people. “The jungle is dark but full of diamonds” is from Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. There was a tinge of angst at the end, with no one knowing about their secret love affair. Muwhaha.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! Has everyone made their resolutions for the New Year? I love you all! (Thanks so much for the fourteen reviews last chapter; I've never gotten so many so quickly. That made me so happy and I told myself I HAD to start writing!)
Anyone going/gone anywhere fun?