Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Strawberries and Skinny-Dipping: Hatori's Remedy ❯ Dark Things ( Chapter 34 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: bugaboo107
She doesn¡¯t seem to hear him, because she continues to shake and tremble in his lap. He pulled her off his lap, into the sitting position and shakes her shoulders a bit. He felt her frail bones in his hands. In this state, she seems thinner, smaller than usual. ¡°You have having a bad dream! Wake up!¡± He was afraid for her, afraid for what is happening in her innocent mind. Is Akito harming her? Is Akito whispered stinging words to his little flower¡¯s pure, unsullied ears?

Anime/Manga: Fruits Basket Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.08.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 7.5K | Visits: 282 | Status: Work In Progress

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A/N: Enjoy!
Hatori's Remedy presents
Chapter 44 Dark Things
I don't love you as if you were the salt-rose, topaz
or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:
I love you as certain dark things are loved,
secretly, between the shadow and the soul.
:: Pablo Neruda (credits for the title!)
It was the middle of August. Tohru and Hatori spent most of their free time together: strolling through the enchanted forest - a melody of bright apple green leaves, coffee brown logs, and scarlet red berries, visiting museums and parks, gardening (mostly goofy around and kissing), and of course, swimming and picnicking at the watering hole.
Nothing could destroy the beautiful balance of their lives. Hatori had been released from the downward spiral of angst and hopelessness. Now, his body and soul were mended, overflowing with happiness, anticipation, and love. He had lost everything. But found everything and more. She had set him free.
But…
Everything was in the shadows.
Done in secrecy.
At midnight. Behind the shed. In the darkness. In alleys. In trees.
If that was what it took, so be it. Everything has a price.
“What's on your mind, Tohru?” Hatori asked, twirling a strand of silk around his index finger. His voice was soft. They were at the beach. The sun was just about to set.
“Not much. I was just thinking.”
“About what, if I may ask?”
“Us. I'm so glad.” She did not have to say anymore. Hatori felt the same way. This life was perfect.
She kissed Hatori on the forehead, tasting the sweet sweat that shimmered on his skin.
He took her hand away from his chin and kissed the center of her palm. “I never want you to leave me.”
She slapped his shoulder playfully. “Don't say that. You know it's never going to happen.” Her voice was slightly hoarse and broken. She was afraid too. This wasn't a normal boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. This was different, but just as fulfilling if not more. They cherished everything. Each spark between them was put into a little wooden box (known as their mind) and treasured. Sometimes when one was alone, he or she would conjure up an image and smile. That was not something that many couples did.
Hatori looked into her eyes. They sparkled with determination, hope, and self-esteem. It pained him to think that one day… they could be broken apart. He was always the person who thought of consequences - days before a project was due, months before a planned business trip, years before he went to college.
“Hear me out. I- I want you to promise that you will be safe no matter what.”
“What do you mean? We will be together.” Red intensity blossomed on her pale cheeks. She looked worried. Her eyes grew stormy. They reflected murky pond water.
“The curse or someone may interfere. I don't want you to do anything that might put your life in danger.”
“I don't understand what you are saying!” She said desperately. This talk of not being together worried her.
“Just be careful.”
He snuggled her close to him. Her arms were covered in goose pimples. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Hatori. Nothing will happen to us,” she said adamantly.
I hope so.
It would shatter my heart, my soul, my life if this relationship put you in any danger. Do you know every night I wish I could hold you in my arms until sunrise? Do you know that every night I also fear that I also have fears that something may happen to you? I have never been one to be positive and certain. That is just illogical. Do you know I want to promise you everything - a family, a house, vacations, love, and happiness? Do you know that I would to hand you my heart and tell you that I am utterly lost in you? Do you know that I want to be by your side when you have our child, when you are sick and covered in dry sweat, when you wake up with a bad dream, when you graduate high school, college, when you take our first-born to the first day of school? No, I am not crazy. I want to be with you for everything. Before, I dreaded the future. Now, I cherish it.
Just sometimes, I am illogical. Ever since you entered my life. This irrationality is good though.
He felt her arm quiver. “Are you cold?”
“A little.”
He unzipped the backpack beside him and pulled out a towel.
“You think of everything, don't you?” She said sweetly.
“Just like you.”
She smiled and whispered in his ears, “I love you so, so much.”
“Me too.”
---
“Look! Look!”
The sun was a glowing red sphere low in the sky. It was the perfect sight, with a few seagull outlines in the sky.
There love and memories of their love was locked away. Only two people had the keys.
He kissed the stunned Tohru. She looked back at him with sparkling eyes.
Thank you for curing me, Tohru. I was afraid to get involved with you at first. I did not want to taint you with my pain and suffering. I felt guilty. But you unbound me. You opened the iron-wrought gates. You freed me from the cage. Now, I am guilty for being in love with you.
Tohru decided it was time to discuss something. She bit her lip before saying, “I have to go to school in a few weeks.”
“So?”
“Will we still be able to see each other?”
“Of course. What makes you doubt that?” Was she having doubts about their relationship? No, please, no.
“Umm - “
“There is nothing to afraid of. We will still meet each other.” I don't want our relationship to be a secret! But I am afraid if it is out in the open, we will be trampled. We will be crushed by society.
“It is your senior year. Have you thought about applying to any schools?”
“I don't know if I'm going. I would love to, but -”
Hatori did not want her to leave him, but he knew he was being selfish. She deserved to go to a good school and learn.
“Why not?”
She looked at the ocean. “I don't know.”
He was seeing some hesitation. Had she thought about school? Did he think about the future? He had been so caught up in crazy love, that he had not had a chance to think about where it was going. It would not always be like this. Untroubled. He could see her whenever he wanted.
“You should go to a university. You are smart, hardworking - a school would be proud to have you in its student body.”
“Thank you Hatori, it's just, maybe I will go to a junior college.” The thing is Hatori, I don't have enough money. I can not afford to go to a private, or even a public school. You seem to have so much faith in me. I'm sorry.
I guess that was an idea. That way she could stay close to home. Don't be selfish, Hatori. Suddenly, he came to a conclusion.
“It isn't because of money, is it?”
She bit her lip. “Yes.”
“Don' let that be a problem. I will pay for you.” I don't want any secrets between us. Tell me everything. I care for you so much. I never want anything trivial to stand between your success and happiness.
“I couldn't possibly.”
“I will help you pay.” I really want you to be free. I don't want money to bind you to a certain lifestyle. I want you to explore. To learn. To achieve. All the things I wasn't able to because of my curse.
“I will find a way to pay you back. I promise.”
Tohru dug her toes into the dry golden sand. It oozed between her toes.
---
Two weeks passed.
“Tohru, what are you thinking about?” Kaneshiro asked.
Tohru was moping the marble lobby floors of the third floor. She leaned on the mop, letting a puddle of dirty water pool at her feet.
“Oh nothing.”
“You look pretty distracted.”
“I'm fine.”
He nodded his head and returned to moping.
It was great to see Kaneshiro at the office three times a week. He worked full time. Tohru had seen him talk to his dad a few times. They looked very similar. Tall and gangly, with muted grey eyes. Both were well-mannered. Kaneshiro was at ease around her - he teased her, but around his dad, he was stiff and upfront. He answered everything with, “Sir.” Tohru found it strange that a son spoke to his dad that way.
“Have you designed anything lately?”
“I have designed this beautiful beach house. It's a bit ambitious though.” He blushed when he finished his sentence.
Tohru could tell he was very interested in architecture.
“Care to tell me about it, Kaneshiro?”
“Sure. It's about time for a break.”
Ring, ring, ring.
“Oops, it's my phone.” It was her friend Arisa.
“Go ahead,” Kaneshiro said.
Tohru picked up the phone. “Hey Arisa!”
“Hey girlie. School is starting soon, and we were wondering if you wanted to have a girl's night out later this week…”
“Sure!”
“Is Friday, at my house, okay?”
“Sure. Do you want me to bring anything?”
“You don't have to, but any of your cooking would be great.”
“Okay.”
Click off.
Tohru felt obligated to tell Kaneshiro what the phone call was about. He was sweet and thoughtful. “You have some wonderful friends.”
They went to the roof and sat down on the benches overlooking the city.
“My grandfather was a carpenter. When I was little, I lived with him in the countryside. We had so many projects. That was his way of teaching me math. He always told me to sketch out everything. I became really interested, a perfectionist in drawing lines and circles. We started with wood boxes, and then we built chairs, and then a tree house. My dad would never approve. He only likes things that deal with money.”
“That's so cool. My grandfather taught me how to cook,” Tohru said shyly.
“Cooking, eh?”
“Yep. I should bring you something.”
“That would be great. I love food.”
“I was wondering… I don't mean to sound intrusive, but… where to do live? Do you live with your dad?”
“Well, sort of. I live in the guest bedroom. I have just moved in with him. This is our first `real' time together. I grew up with my grandfather. I went to boarding school.”
Tohru was relieved. She took her hands off her collarbone. She was afraid he did not have anywhere to live.
His hand stretched and ruffled her hair. “Don't worry about me, Tohru. Do all the people who know you get lavished with this kind of attention?”
She smiled.
---
Tohru arrived home at twelve thirty. Hatori was at a business convention, and she did not want to burden any of the other Sohmas.
The house was silent. She took a quick shower and blow-dried her hair. She feel asleep.
The house was silent. Tohru made her way across the hardwood floor - barefoot. She could not fall asleep and came down for a snack. She stopped when she heard something creak. She stopped. The creaking continued.
No one else was at home.
“Is-is anyone there?”
“Pathetic.”
“Kyo? Are you back from Shishou's?”
The voice was cold. It cut through the air like a knife - crisp and clear. Every word stung. The lights in the room came on. It took time for Tohru's eyes to adjust. She noticed Akito on the couch, swathed in a black cloak.
The boy was remarkably attractive. His features were delicate. His nose was aristocratic and pointed at the tip. His lips were thin and masculine and sensuous. His skin was pale and smooth. His eyebrows were perfectly arched. Tohru stared at her feet, almost afraid to look at him.
“Come over here.”
She walked over slowly. She could see his shoes in her line of vision. His feet were small for a man's. “I'm sorry.”
“What are you apologizing for?” He asked in a smooth voice. She felt his eyes bore holes into her body. He chuckled to see her stammering, trying to find the right words. She shivered in his company.
“Don't you know to look the door at night? Didn't your mom read you stories of bad wolves when you were young? Especially when there is no one else in the house. An unlocked door begs to be opened.”
“I'm sorry.”
“Look at me!” Akito hissed.
Tohru lifted her eyes painfully slow, now staring at his neck. She was afraid to look into his eyes. He was not very tall, or very big, but in the sitting position, he was a formidable presence.
“What brings you here at this late hour?”
“I-I couldn't sleep, sir,” she murmured.
He placed a ling, spidery finger under her chin, forcing her to stare into his mesmerizing greenish-blue eyes. She gulped.
“Is there something wrong?” He asked softly.
“No.” She murmured.
“I'm here to warn you. Stay away from Hatori. He doesn't want your pity. We don't want your compassion.”
His beautiful brows furrowed.
She whispered stubbornly, “No.”
“You dare? What are you willing to sacrifice for him?”
Before Tohru could respond, ice touched her cheeks. The pain of a cold glass piercing her skin: Akito's hand. “You silly girl. He is not capable of love.” She wavered, but did not fall, her feet rooted to the cold hardwood.
`But I've seen it! I've felt it!' She screamed in her heart. Her voice however, was soft and weak when she said, “Yes he is.”
“I can barely hear you,” Akito cackled in a demonically high voice.
“Would you ever die for him?”
“Yes.”
“Pitiful. You don't know that he would do the same. You don't think of the consequences. Tsk, tsk, tsk. You've only known each other for a few years. You don't know what he's been through. You don't know where his loyalty lies. You don't know anything, you filthy rag.”
He hit again. In the same place. Her cheeks burned. Every nerve inside her was pulsing, alive. She stood firm, breathing heavily through her teeth. Her body seemed to be sensitized. Akito looked at her with disgust. “You don't deserve him.”
“Don't hurt him,” were her last words.
She woke up. Her room was dark, and she was sweating. She sat up against her headboard and hugged her legs close to her chest. “Don't worry Tohru. You are safe. You are in your own room. No one is here.” She said to herself.
It was a nightmare, she realized. Her first in a long time.
She heard something loud against the window. The sound startled her. She tiptoed to the window and peeked through the blinds.
She quickly raised the blinds and lifted the window. “Hatori!”
He put his index finger to his lip in a signal to be quiet. She nodded.
“Can you come down and open the door?”
She nodded again and went downstairs quietly. Everyone was home now, so they had to be extra careful.
She unlocked the door. “Hi Hatori. You are back.”
She was about the hug him, but then took his hand and shook it awkwardly. He smiled down at her. His angel.
“How was the trip?” She did not look into his eyes.
“Great. How have you been?”
“Okay.” Something was up. They had promised there would be no secrets between them. But something was holding her back. Reluctance in her voice.
“What happened?” Hatori asked concernedly. I am here for you.
She looked at him; her usually clear eyes were dark and pained. “I had a nightmare.”
She brought him down to the swinging bench. She told him everything. He was surprised that someone so optimistic could have such a painful nightmare. He winced in compassion for the girl he loved.
He looked at his little angel, huddled at the edge of the bench. “I'm sorry Hatori, I should not have made you worried, its nothing.”
“No, it is.” He pulled her close to him and whispered her name in her ear. “Don't be afraid of that. I am here to protect you. You are safe.” He stroked her goose-pimpled arms to warm her up. The expression of fear on her face only serves to worry Hatori. We will have to be cautious and secretive so that nothing like that will ever happen. If it did, I don't know what I would do with myself…
She was calm in his arms. He placed her hand in his lap, and patted her hair, smoothing out any bumps. Soon, she is asleep.
He looked down at her peaceful face, though there is a single wrinkle in her forehead.
Hatori took her hand, and rubbed soothing circles before placing a light kiss in the center. He held her for what seems like eternity. He liked the feeling a woman in his arms.
He removed his jacked and covered her legs. He did not want her to get sick. Ever the helpful doctor.
He closes his eyes. Relaxed.
---
Hatori woke to moaning. Tohru was shaking his lap. And it was not from the cold, because her hands were warm. “Tohru! Tohru!”
She doesn't seem to hear him, because she continues to shake and tremble in his lap. He pulled her off his lap, into the sitting position and shakes her shoulders a bit. He felt her frail bones in his hands. In this state, she seems thinner, smaller than usual. “You have having a bad dream! Wake up!” He was afraid for her, afraid for what is happening in her innocent mind. Is Akito harming her? Is Akito whispered stinging words to his little flower's pure, unsullied ears?
He was helpless. He felt broken. Useless. Hatori put her head on his shoulder blade, holding her as close to him as possible without initiating the curse. It was these moments he wished the curse would lift. He murmurs soft words into her ears. He has never done this before, but it seems to be working, because the shivers in her body lessen.
He rocked her in his arms. The tremors finally stopped.
“Tohru?”
Her eyes fluttered open.
“You just had a bad dream.”
“It was horrible.”
“Don't worry. I am here,” he said, moving her so that they were facing each other. At first, she does not look into his ears. Fear and guilt fill her. Fear because she does not know what is in their future. Guilt because she is having such negative feelings about such a beautiful relationship. He has done everything for me, and here I am, crying like a child.
He gently lifted her chin. She looks at him with soft bedroom brown eyes. They are clear and vibrant.
Hatori tried to think positively. It is good to let out these `locked away' dreams. He did not want her to be tortured. What can I do?
He brushed away a stray tear with the pad of his thumb. “Don't be sad.”
“I'm not sad,” she said pig-headedly.
“Then why are you crying?” He asked, pained. His eyes are alight with the need to cure her of her fears.
“I'm thinking about such had things when all you done is treat be wonderfully. You have always been there for me, and I'm just sitting here crying.”
“Don't say that.” Hatori gives her a smile. The one that he only shows her.
She sniffled. “You're smiled!”
“If you smile, I will smile again.”
A smile tugged at her lips. She wiped the last of her tears away and said, “Thank you.”
Hatori smiled at her. He felt complete. Whole. Fulfilled.
He held her in his arms. She loved the feeling of his arms around her. She felt safe. Loved.
He kissed her full on the lips. At first, it was soft and gentle and slow. It became primal and scorching and intense. Hatori placed kisses along her jaw line, down to her clavicle. Her fingers traveled aimlessly over his back. It seemed to trace the lines of a map. The warmth from her fingertips sensitized his skin.
“Don't be afraid.” Hatori said after they broke away, and watched the light in the sky grow.
If I could take you away, I would. We would run off to a foreign country, or live in the mountains; just the two of us. But I know you'd be too sad. You would miss your friends.
You, like me, are slow to change. You like balance and stability. I would never take it away from you.
---
A/N: Star-crossed lovers, eh? I hope everyone enjoyed this installment. Reviews are welcome. (I always enjoy reading them!) I really like the title of this chapter.
Thanks for the review, kierra sanders. Thank you for reading.