Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ The Cousin of Death... ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter 3:

 

Tohru looked up, giving the doctor a wide smile when he looked down to her. She saw the distress on his face and tilted her head to the side in wonder. “Ano…Hatori-san, what is it?”

 

He looked to the group of men who were gathered in the hall with pieces of equipment and nodded before turning to the chocolate haired girl. “He's dying…and he wants to speak to you…alone.” He said and watched as the young woman paled. He placed a hand on her shoulder to steady her. “Tohru?”

 

She shook herself and straightened her spine, looking up to him. Somewhere in her heart, she felt pain and sadness for the man whose life was about to end. No matter how bad he was, it was sad that he was going to die…but as she thought about it, she realized that he wouldn't be in pain anymore, nor would he have to deal with any more illnesses. Regardless of that thought, the heaviness still sat on her heart.

 

Taking a deep breath, she looked up into dusty eyes and took his hands in her smaller ones, giving them another encouraging squeeze. “I'm ready.”

 

The dragon gently freed one of his hands and brushed it against her cheek gently, only to feel her shiver slightly in response. It brought a slight smile to his lips. `She can always make me smile, no matter what the circumstance…whether it's visible or on the inside…it's always there when she's around…' He said to himself as he led her inside.

 

Before they reached the door leading to the bedroom, Hatori turned Tohru to face him looking deep into her eyes. “If you need me, do not hesitate for a moment to call me.” He whispered as the beep of the heart monitor reached his ears. Something deep down in his soul was causing worry and anxiety to build within him…no, he didn't like her alone with Akito one bit.

 

“I will, I promise.” She said and followed him to the sliding door of the bedroom.

 

*-*

 

Akito move his legs and arms, testing the mobility of his drugged and dying body. He could feel his heart sputter, missing a beat from time to time, but thanks to the muscle relaxers and painkillers, he experienced no major discomfort. Dark eyes traveled over to the door as it slid open and he felt his anger bubble a bit at the sight of the outsider that had infiltrated his family and made many of them defiant. She had taken his precious Yuki from him and had given that vile baka neko hope.

 

`She ruined my plans for him! He was supposed to break! She was supposed to reject him, run away in fear and never come back, but she accepted him! She accepted that foul smelling monster! Honda Tohru had destroyed all of the misery that he had helped create for his family.

 

He wanted them all to be as miserable as he was. For years he had tired to force them to feel the pain that he suffered every day and his favorite three of the juunishi that he loved to torment were Yuki, Kyo and Hatori. Yuki had suffered years of severe mental and physical abuse at his own hands. All the broken bones, bruises and scratches were caused by him and in his own twisted mind; he believed that he was doing it because he loved the nezumi.

 

Kyo and Hatori both suffered scorn but for different reasons. The cat was just an outsider…too stupid to know that he had been tricked by the rat. He was violent and rash, and like all others who had been contaminated by the vengeful spirit of the cat, he didn't deserve to even have the illustrious Souma name.

 

Hatori was different. Hatori had been his lapdog. He did everything he was told when he was told to do it with no question, that is, until Kana. The love that Hatori had for Kana had taken the dragon away. He was never around when he needed him and in his opinion, he was blinded by love…so when Hatori asked for permission to marry Kana, he just couldn't have it.

 

Ever since he destroyed the love between Kana and Hatori, he had become even more diligent in his duties. He worked non-stop and was always at the main house unless paying a house call to Shigure's home when Yuki, Kyo or the inu himself had become ill or injured. He never dated again and seemed to never want to fall in love again…it was then that he had his subservient doctor back.

 

But even when this girl came into the picture, even Hatori changed…and he despised her for that as well.

 

Narrowed eyes watched as the girl came into the bedroom and immediately got to her knees with her eyes downcast. Though she had taken the submissive pose, there was something about her that showed no fear and strength that mad him seethe in anger. He didn't miss Hatori's hesitation when it came to leaving the girl alone with him which caused a feral half smile to grace his lips for a moment.

 

“Akito-sama…you wished to see me?” Her voice reached his ears.

 

Akito didn't move as he began to speak, his voice quite and a bite raspy. He needed to save his strength.

 

*-*

 

Tohru listened as the dying man berated her. She knew that he was trying to get her to cry, to run from the family with his hurtful words and what he said the rest of the juunishi really thought of her, but with the strength she gained from the memories of her mothers words, she didn't let the words hurt her. She knew that he was angry and maybe deep down, he was feeling fear at knowing he was going to die, so she took the verbal abuse, all the while wishing that Kami would embrace his soul when he passed and give him the peace and health he didn't have in life. Maybe he would be forgiven for the evil and abuse that he rained upon his family.

 

“…I never should have allowed you to keep your memories…” He finally finished his rant, his voice barely above a whisper. She listened to the sound of the heart monitor increase in speed and irregularity. Concerned, she began to rise only to be stopped by what sounded to be an honest plea from the dying man.

 

“Tohru…please…come close…” He pleaded, patting the low bed with his left hand as his right snaked beneath the blanket and grasped something before slowly moving it across his stomach, within easy reach of his left.

 

The onigri moved to the man's bed and sat on it near his waist. “Akito…I should really get Hatori…” She said, her voice choked and tears beginning to gather in her eyes. “He should be in here with you to take care of you.”

 

A chill traced down her spine at the smile that graced his lips. She felt his hand moving beneath the blanket, but thought nothing of it as she willed herself not to move. There was something about the way he was looking at her that frankly scared her.

 

“Tohru…I'm dying. There's nothing he can do…but you know what? I'm not going to die alone like I always thought I would…”

 

He moved faster that she thought it was possible for him to in his condition. His hand closed around something and pain suddenly exploded in the lower left side of her stomach. Unable to speak, she looked down at the gleaming silver blade the dagger that had appeared from beneath the blanket and had pierced her abdomen. The two inch wide blade was now stained with her blood.

 

Red quickly began staining the fabric of her uniform shirt as she tried to call for help. “Hat…ori..” Her lips moved soundlessly as she looked down into the dark depths of Akito's glazed over eyes.

 

“You see…I won't die alone…” He whispered as his own life began to slip away. “You took away my control…and now…with you dying with me…they will suffer…even when I'm gone…they will feel pain…even when our bodies are cold…”

 

Tohru's hand moved to the blade as she slid from the bed to her knees, knocking over the oxygen tank in the process. As her vision began to blur, he ears picked up the sound of the heart monitor going crazy…the sound of Hatori's voice yelling to Hisoka and the men in the hall…and finally the sound of his pained cry of her name as it passed over his lips.

 

As her vision began to fade, she tried to be mad at Akito…but she just couldn't. `Akito…I forgive you…though you don't deserve it…' She said in her mind.

 

As Hatori leaned over her she could only think one thing.

 

`I'm sorry Hatori-san…I tried to call for you like I promised…I…I love you Ha...to…ri…'

 

AN: Okay my lovely readers, I know its been a couple days, but I've been a bit busy. -dodges various sharp objects that have been thrown at her for what she did to Tohru-

 

I do have to tell ya'll that I told a bit of a white lie. The last chapter of this story sorta blossomed. What was originally going to be a five chapter story, has already reached 9 and over 10,000 words. From where I am now in my writing, the end is in not yet sight. I hope you enjoyed this chapter update and are looking forward to more.

 

Please let me know what you think about the story so far. Your kind words encourage me to write more and give me inspiration.

 

TTFN!!!

Ezzy

 

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