Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ The Brief Diary of a Repressed Goddess ❯ Entry 3 ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

THE BRIEF DIARY OF A REPRESSED GODDESS
A Fruits Basket Fanfic

Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess


AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This story, told in several parts, is a lead in to a bigger story I'd like to do. No promises on the second story as of now until I see how this one goes over. SPOILER WARNING for chapters 97/98, 101 and other more recent chapters of the manga. Non-lemon chapter. Told from Akito's point of view. A Standard Disclaimer follows the chapter.



ENTRY #3




I now know what true pain feels like.

A solid kick woke me up. Right to the rib cage. A punch more solid than any I ever managed to dish out. It was a normal occurrence, three or four times a week. Always in the middle of sleep. The damn thing loves to hurt me, I swear. Payback, perhaps? It doesn't know any better, but still. It HURTS!

And I hate sleeping on my back. Have I mentioned that? Who cares if it's the only way I'll get out of bed?!

"Akito-san?"

Kureno had been sleeping against my side, one hand resting on my stomach as it normally did. "Did you feel that too?"

"Are you all right? Should I warm up some tea?"

"No, Kureno. I'm fine. I can get it myself."

"You're supposed to be resting."

"I'm TIRED of resting." Untrue as I had gotten NO sleep the night before, and a day of seeing various people was taxing. "I need to move. *oomph!* I'll call you if I need you."

I rolled out of bed and waddled into the kitchen. I say waddle because it's the best way to describe how I could walk. Tea had been prepared for dinner, so I turned on the stove and heated it in the kettle. I grabbed a glass from the sink - I had done the dishes since Kureno made dinner - and placed it on the counter next to the stove. Sounds domestic, doesn't it? Doing the dishes, I mean. You'd be amazed at what I've learned to do for myself since I moved into the summer beach house.

I know I am.

I have a slightly new respect for the servants at the main house.

Just slightly.

Hatori placed me on bed rest in my seventh month, but it became increasingly difficult to move. The constant illnesses I seemed to acquire didn't make it any easier. By the end of my seventh month, I looked like I was carrying an oversized exercise ball.

"Do you want to know the sex of the child," Hatori asked.

I shrugged. "What does it matter?"

"Some parents are curious. It helps to determine some things."

"Like?"

"Like the proper color for which to buy clothes."

"It really doesn't matter, Hatori. I don't care."

He didn't seem pleased by my response, as nonchalant as it was. But I really didn't care. It was healthy, that was all that mattered at the moment.

Tohru's pregnancy was going just as well, although she had not been placed on bed rest. All I could do was snicker as Hatori revealed the details to me. She had gained some weight, but not nearly as much. It looked to be a boy, but it was difficult to tell. Apparently a child knows when its picture is being taken...or something like that. Hiding was the word Hatori used. Things seemed to be going well for her and everyone was excited.

Even me.

All part of the plan.

"Bring her to me."

Hatori was beyond surprised. "Wha-? Akito-san, Tohru is only a little further along than you, but...traveling could be dangerous."

"Shigure is neglecting the dear now, isn't he? Traveling for his precious book?"

"Well, yes but--!"

"Then I insist she spends some time here. With me."

"She doesn't know you're pregnant. If she shows up--!"

"I will deal with that. Now, please, I wish to see Tohru."

The onigiri arrived two days later, with the intent of spending the weekend with me. She had been surprised by the invitation, and had done a lot of convincing on the part of Kyo and Yuki in order to arrive as I asked. Alone.

Hatori brought in her luggage before leading her to the sunroom where I was sitting, picking at my breakfast. I didn't look up as they entered. I wasn't sure I wanted to see the other girl's reaction to the round swelling of my own stomach. They were greeted with a brief sentence.

"Ohayo."

Tohru immediately bowed and replied, "Ohayo, Akito-san!"

Pregnancy runs my hormones rampant and she's cheerier than ever. Damn. "Will you join me for tea, Tohru-kun?"

"Of course."

"May I have another cup, please Hatori?"

"Certainly."

"Bring one for yourself as well."

There was no answer, but when he returned he was carrying two more cups. He ushered Tohru closer and I realized suddenly why she had not approached before. Firstly, she had never known that I was a woman. Many of the jyuunishi still do not know, nor do I plan on telling them. Let them figure it out or die not knowing.

Secondly, dressed in nothing but a simple yukata, it was easy to see that I was with child. Two shockers in one simple glance. I think she handled it well, considering. And after a few cups of tea, she was back to being her usual, annoying self.

"Tohru-kun, I have asked you here because I wish to discuss something with you."

She set her cup down and asked, "Discuss?"

"Hai."

That's when I laid it all out on the table. We were pregnant by the same man. I wanted him to suffer, but...I could not bring myself to harm the child. I also could not raise the child. My gender had to be kept a secret from the others at all costs. So I would sacrifice one thing for another...IF she agreed to help me.

"What would you have me do to help?"

I told her.

And she agreed.

Almost too readily. I thought she had been too eager, wanted to reconsider, but I could see she was sincere. Good ol' reliable Tohru.

With my plan in place, I thought nothing could go wrong.

Nothing.

Yeah, right.

Tohru had false labor pains as soon as she arrived back in town. I also took ill. Hatori was looking after two pregnant women. I know he was stretched thin from traveling, but that didn't stop me from giving him a hard time. Only Kureno saved him, doing what he could to appease me while Hatori either traveled or rested.

Then the news arrived that Tohru had gone into labor. A month ahead of schedule?! Since my child was nearly a month behind hers, Hatori wasn't certain inducing labor would be healthy. It mattered little what he thought though. The plan was in place and he had already agreed to be a part of it.

Kureno was instructed over the phone on how to give me the shot that would induce my labor. I watched as he worked, listening to Hatori on his cell phone. I'm not sure what I was injected with, but it worked.

I managed to give birth before the rice ball as well. That was some powerful stuff. I'd never seen a smile so joyous on Kureno's face then when he lifted up a small bundle and announced:

"It's a girl."

And then she screamed.

Tears flowed freely as he handed her to me. A bald, crying bundle. We were all crying. Kureno hugged us both. It was truly a miraculous moment.

I held her for only a moment, and then...she was gone. Taken away by an awaiting presence. I watched, tears clouding my vision as they disappeared into the night. On her way to another awaiting presence. A mother. A father. A little brother or sister.

My secret...is out in the world.

May you have a better life than I can offer.

I will see you again soon.


~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). They own furuba. THEM! Not me! *sigh* All characters are used here without permission. Please do not sue. I have no money, although I would be happy to give away my bills. ^_^