Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ That Fated Day ❯ Longing ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

THAT FATED DAY
A Fruits Basket Fanfic

Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess


AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Oh look! ANOTHER SEQUEL! =P This story continues the interesting twist in Tohru and Hatsuharu's relationship...I.M. and Truth and Consequence...now five years into the future. No lemon in this part, and it's told from our hero's POV. Who's the hero? If I have to tell you, then you haven't been reading the story. =P Standard Disclaimer follows story.


Part Four - LONGING




I've never been so happy to see solid ground in my life!

The flight from Hartwick, England to Paris, France was short. No problem. But then I had a two hour layover. That was a problem. To make matters worse, my French sucks. I studied business law, not language, in college.

I made due with looking over a few of the shops. Stuffed animals. Sparkling jewelry. Lots of neat trinkets, but nothing that truly caught my eye. But at the last stand I caught sight of a gorgeous diamond ring. Two full karats set in 18 karat gold. And valued at five times my current salary!

Why was I looking at diamond rings anyway? I had not girlfriend to speak of. Plenty of opportunity, yes, but not a single one who could compare to my heart's desire. The one person I truly wanted most in this world.

And she's marrying someone else. My cousin no less.

Oh well, time to find something to eat.

The waitress at one restaurant actually spoke English. My English is only slightly better than my French however. She was a bit of a flirt too. Good, I needed a brief distraction from my own ineptitude.

I ordered a soda, no ice.

Between the restaurant and the gate, I tried to keep my thoughts on less trivial matters. I was going home for the first time in five years. I hadn't actually been placed into exile, but it had felt like it.

The family had written to me on a number of occasions. Kisa sent me pictures while Hiro would write brief, non-descript notes. Yuki sent me a few letters from Tokyo while I only received one letter from Kyo. The rest came from Kagura. Imagine that. Shigure sent me copies of his novels, all signed "Your Loving Cousin". I even received phone calls from Hatori and Rin. Oh yeah, and a one from Akito, but I don't want to think about that.

The biggest surprise was Momiji, who came to see me once a semester from Germany. I thought for certain he would never speak to me again after what Akito had done to him. It was all my fault. But he had nothing but smiles for me on his visits. I found myself getting closer to someone I had not considered close before. It was somewhat...comforting.

The only juunishi I didn't hear from were Kureno and Ayame. And since we'd never talked before, it was no surprise. Although, Ayame did send me the wedding invitation that was stuffed into my suitcase. It still didn't qualify as a letter, but that's okay.

Someone had to deliver the news. And her letter had arrived two days AFTER the invitation. What timing!

GAH! I thought I wasn't going to think about her!

Yet, she was the only thing on my mind from Paris to Tokyo.

Tohru, my love, how are you? Are you well?

She'd written me a number of letters but I only wrote one in return. One that wished her the best of luck in her marriage. She could be marrying someone much worse than Yuki, I admit. Like Kyo, for instance. Or even...I shudder to think...Shigure-sensei.

I know I should be angry. She fell in love with someone else and didn't tell me until it was almost too late. But I can't be angry. I left so that she could move on. I want her to be happy, even if it isn't with me.

Still, it doesn't stop my heart from breaking.

She's moved on and I can't. I'm still in love with her. I still want her for myself. Damn Akito and anyone else who wants to get in the way.

But I can't bring myself to hurt Yuki either. See, I love him too.

My relationship with him is complicated to say the least. Still, he deserves to be happy too. He's always had a thing for Tohru. So who am I to begrudge him the one thing he needs most in his life?

Something deep down just wishes it could've been someone else.

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain speaking. We're beginning our descent into Tokyo and we'll be landing in approximately fifteen minutes. The skies are beautiful and the temperature is a whoppin' 24 degrees Celsius. We hope you've enjoyed your flight. Flight attendants, please prepare the cabin for landing."

Tohru, I've missed you. I can't wait to see you again.

Finally on the ground I stand from my seat and stretch my arms over my head. I have only one bag with me, in the overhead compartment. I only planned on being here for a few days. College has helped me to learn to pack light for trips.

I have to shield my eyes as I enter through the gate and into the terminal. There's a crowd here and I frown. Someone's supposed to meet me and I know she hates crowds. I just hope she's managed to stay out of trouble.

A hand raises from the crowd and I know I've found her. Doing my best not to bump anyone in my haste to get out of the mass of people, I make my way over to her. She looks just as I remember her and barely a day older. Is that humanly possible?

"Rin," I greet her with a nod. Part of me wants to hug her, but I keep my distance. I'm just happy to see someone I know.

"Haru," she answers, a small smile forming on her lips. "It's good to see you."

Honesty or no, it's still good to hear. "Me, too."

"How was the flight?"

"Dreadful. The food sucked."

"I wouldn't know. I've never flown."

"You should try it some time."

She shakes her head slightly. "I'll pass, thanks." Her smile grows just a little bit more. "Do you have any luggage to collect?"

I raise the small suitcase in hand. "This is it."

"Good, then we can avoid the crowd getting out of here."

"Right."

Rin's quiet as we walk through the terminal. Once we're past the gate, the airport doesn't seem as crowded. As we step outside, I take a deep breath. It feels good surging through my system. Helps to clear my head.

"Where'd you park?" I ask Rin, shifting my suitcase to my opposite hand. It's heavier than I thought. I'll have to remind myself to buy one with wheels.

"In the short-term lot." She points to a large ten-story garage. "It's not that far to walk. I'll even let you take the elevator to the six floor."

I snicker. "Gee, thanks."

I have a few hours to check into the hotel and grab a bit to eat before the party tonight. Plenty of time to get settled before I talk to Tohru. And get my thought together too.

I had practiced what I wanted to say, yet, I keep forgetting and something new pops into my head.

What if I say the wrong thing?

Rin stops on the other side of the walk way, her eyes serious. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

I shrug, knowing exactly what she's talking about. Do I really want to talk to Tohru? "Hai." I find it odd that she's showing me some type of emotion...curiosity, maybe? Concern? No, that's just my imagination.

"All right then," she replies, continuing her walk to the parking lot. "Just don't come crying to me when it's all over."

I chuckle. She's obviously lying. I know she still cares about me. Otherwise she never would've come to see me off that five years ago. I do appreciate it, even if I don't verbal acknowledge it. A small part of my heart aches, but another is weeping mercilessly.

Tohru, do you still love me?

"HARU!"

I glance up at Rin, then around me at the traffic. For a moment I think that I'm going to get hit by a bus, or maybe a van. Another look at Rin -- her eyes wide in surprise -- tells me that the voice wasn't hers.

So then, who?

"Haru, wait!"

Dropping my bag, I turn to face the terminal once more. I'd know that voice in a sea of commotion, above any other noise being made in the world. My heartache disappears, replaced with a feeling of joy. Amazing what one voice can do to a person.

Then I see her, standing just outside the sliding doors of the baggage claim. Her hands are clutched to her chest, her breathing erratic. She's been running, her eyes look frantic. There are marks on her cheeks. Is she crying? Oh, no, no, no. She can't cry. Not now.

My little flower.

"Tohru?"

I'm home.


~TO BE CONTINUED~


DISCLAIMER:
Fruits Basket is owned by Natsuki Takaya/HAKUSENSHA - TV TOKYO - NAS - Fruba Project and licensed by FUNimation Productions, Ltd (for distribution in the USA). All copyrights go to them and not me. All characters are used here without permission. Some liberties have been taken...and not necessarily for myself.... ^_-