13Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket so do not sue me, I'm just addicted to the show, characters, the pandemonium. Gomen nasai.
Akito looked through the shadows at Tsuri who was kneeling before him. Her fist smashed into the floor next to her right knee. She hadn't said one word since she had arrived and he had explained what he wanted of her.
"Do you understand? You must not say a word to any of them." His emotionless voice rang through the dark room. The sun was rising and he wanted her to start on this mission for him as soon as possible. The Sohma males were becoming too comfortable with Tohru for his like. Tsuri turned her cold gray eyes to him. He had never seen such emptiness before, not even Yuki's eyes held that look so deeply.
"Don't forget that I only take your orders because my sister Mitu pledged herself to you. I can always leave, but," she raised her hand to stall him from saying anything, "since I have nothing better to do as of now, I will follow your orders." She stood and turned to the door a small grin graced her lips as she headed out the door. At least she'd be able to see Hatsuharu again. She walked through the woods toward Shigure's house. She looked down at her clothes. She had on her long black trench coat, which covered her sleeveless shirt and sleeved arms. She flannel skirt was short but the fishnets covered her shapely legs and ended in booted feet. She looked up at the house as she stopped at the gate. She could hear that Tohru was already up and going, most likely cooking for the other inhabitants in the house. She easily jumped the gate, walked to the pouch just outside the dinning room, and sat down finishing watching the sun come up over the forest. She smiled slightly as she felt Hatsuharu stir from sleep.
Tohru went about setting the table as Shigure, and Yuki came down the stairs. She smiled brightly at them and chirped a good morning. Before sitting down Shigure disappeared into the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee like every other morning. Tohru paused in passing Yuki the rice as sounds of yet another fight came from upstairs.
"It seems Kyo and Haru are at it again." Yuki sighed taking the bowl from Tohru. Tohru sighed and went about eating not noticing Yuki watching her. He noticed she seemed a bit depressed lately and wondered why. Shigure came back into the dinning room and sat down.
"Tohru you made quite a bit of food this morning, I wonder why." Shigure said eyeing all the delicious food. He dug in as Kyo came rolling down the stairs followed by a half dressed Hatsuharu. Hatsuharu reached down for Kyo when he suddenly went still. He lifted his face and stared hard at the door.
"What's wrong Haru?" Shigure asked looking at the door as well. Hatsuharu said nothing as he dropped Kyo, stepped over him and leapt to the door, throwing it open. There sitting peacefully on the porch was a girl. She turned her head to look back at them, her long, braided black hair, streaked with red swept the porch slightly.
"Tsuri?" Shigure said in surprise, not liking seeing her sitting there. "What are you doing here?" He cringed when she ignored him and turned to look out over the yard again. Hatsuharu smiled briefly at seeing her then grunted, put up his impassive face, sat down next to Yuki, picking up chopsticks, and started eating.
"Why don't you come in and join us, miss." Tohru suggested moving over slightly to make room for her. A loud scream came from the direction of the hall and a blur of blond flashed by those sitting at the table and out into the girl's arms. Blinking Tohru stared at the yellow rabbit in Tsuri's arms. Smiling Tsuri stood picked up Momiji's clothes and sat down next to Tohru.
"Thank you for your offer." She set Momiji down next to Shigure and took the bowl offered to her. After a few bites she commented on how wonderful the food tasted.
"Uh, am I invisible?" Shigure asked in his usual fashion, and waving a hand in front of Tsuri's face. She glanced at him then set down her bowl taking a sip of tea to clear her throat.
"I heard you Shigure-san. I was sent here by Akito." Shigure wasn't the only Sohma who frowned at that. "But I had a better idea, considering you all have a week for spring break, starting," She looked down at her watch, "today. I decided to ask a request, at the request of Akito." She looked around noticing that there wouldn't be enough room at her house for them all. *Poof* She looked over at the naked Momiji with a sad face. "I'm sorry Momiji but Akito made my orders very clear. I know Kisintu would love to see you again if you want to go. I talked to her earlier this morning and she said she'd love to see you again." For a split minute he was sad but then he smiled brightly and nodded. Tsuri was immensely glad she called her guardian earlier that morning. She had planned for everything so that she could do what needed to be done with out interruptions. Besides Kisintu was as close to a mother that Momiji would get. Tsuri went back to eating.
"Seeing as I only have three rooms, you boys are going to have to share." She looked over the still frowning Sohma males. "And seeing as I like my house the way it is, Kyo and Shigure will share, while Yuki and Hatsuharu will share." She eyed the three most prone to fighting. She glanced down at the happily eating Momiji. She looked back down at her watch. "Momiji, the car will be here soon to pick you up, why don't you go get packed."
"YAY! Okay, Tsuri." He ran off up the stairs and things could be heard hitting the floor with a resounding thump. Both girls giggled at him.
Tsuri turned to Tohru. "I'm sorry, My names Tsuri." She head out her, palm up. Tohru looked from her face to her hand, then getting the idea she placed her hand over Tsuri's.
"I'm Honda Tohru." She chirped happily. Tsuri nodded with a slight smile on her face. She then looked at the others. All were staring at her with protectiveness in their eyes.
"Oh, leave off. Just go pack. It'll be fun this week. I'll take care of the dishes." She waved them off while she started to clear the table, when Tohru started to help Tsuri put her hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about. Let me take care of this, you need to pack." Tohru nodded and was lead upstairs by a rather talkative Shigure. Hatsuharu was the last to leave.
"You're not going to hurt Tohru, are you?" His face was unreadable.
"I have no intention in doing so." She looked toward the stairs. "She seems like she's really making good to this family. Something it has long needed. Now go pack." She gave him one of her rare and most beautiful smiles. With a sigh of relief he was up the stairs. A car horn sounded outside.
"Momiji!" Tsuri yelled up the stairs. "Car's here!" After the blond blur pasted by her and out the door she went back to cleaning up the breakfast. Half an hour later everyone was packed and ready to go.
"So were is the place?" Tohru asked as she helped load the luggage into the trunk of an old woody.
"Just off the coast." Tsuri said with a half smile. She slammed the trunk lid down. "Everyone ready to go?" She asked with a wicked grin.
"I think I should rid up front." Everyone stared at Shigure. "You know just in case." With a nod he pushed Hatsuharu in before him, muttering, "However, I'm sitting as far from her as possible." Hatsuharu had no problem with sitting next to the nutty driver, which left Tohru to sit between Yuki and Kyo. Something that neither man minded.
With a click of the seatbelt, Tsuri tore out of the drive way and onto the road, running off several cars and earning curses from the drivers. She just extended her hand out the window and flicked them off. Hatsuharu gave a lopsided grin in her direction. Laughing insanely she gave the car more gas, sending the other occupants (of course Hatsuharu was laughing) screaming.
Tsuri stood next to Tohru, leaning against the railing. She breathed in the sea air, and looking back down the length of the ferry at the men. "It's a beautiful day, ne?"
"Yes." Tohru answered with an air of sadness. Tsuri took note but said nothing. She looked at the girl from the corner of her eye.
"I live on the island, the far side. You guys came just in time for the spring festival. I'll take you to it; we can even dress up if you like. I have quite a few kimonos." Tsuri said hopefully. She really needed something to do between now and the full moon. When her curse would give her the most power and the most danger.
"Hai, that sounds like fun." She turned to the newly arrived Yuki. "Doesn't a festival sound like fun, Yuki-kun?" The girl's whole face seemed to lift and the air of sadness lessened with the arrive of Yuki, Tsuri observed to herself.
"But that means Shigure can't ogle at all the local high school girls!" Tsuri shouted in Shigure's general direction. She saw the other two boys step away from him and look in different directions. Shigure on the other hand was playing along.
"And maybe Tsuri won't grope all the men she sees!" He said good naturedly. Tsuri and Tohru giggled as his eyes turned to little hearts and stars floated around his head as he thought of high school girls. This made them both laugh harder. Tsuri turned her eyes to Hatsuharu and smiled at him before turning back to Tohru and Yuki.
"We should return to the car now. We're almost there!" She bounced off with Tohru behind her and Yuki and Hatsuharu bring up the rear.
"What's wrong Yuki falling for the unfallable?" Hatsuharu asked with a devilish smirk.
"I should be asking you the same thing." Yuki muttered with little emotion. Hatsuharu looked at him and made his decision.
"I've fallen long ago, my man, long ago." With a lingering grin he slid into the front seat. Kyo was already sitting, arms crossed muttering about the stupidities of boats.
"Ah, the little kitty afraid of water?" Tsuri taunted as she slammed down on the accelerator and cut off more cars on her way off the ferry. They soon entered the small town and Tsuri explained, "Some of the residents think I'm the devil's work." She looked slightly unhappy and irritated. "However, most of the towns people are okay with me." She shrugged and leaned half way out the window barking at some skimpy dressed girls. The girls looked horrified at her and screamed. Laughing at them, Tsuri continued to lean out the window, using just one hand to drive with and the other to shade her eyes. Hatsuharu looked around at the stunned looks of his family and friend.
"Ano, Tsuri?" He spoke making sure not to startle the others. He tugged on her small skirt, which he noticed Shigure had now taken an interest in. Growling at Shigure, his attention was quickly turned back to her as her hand came away from the wheel to bat his hand away, sending them swerving toward the fence next to the road. Hatsuharu calmly took the wheel from her, while the rest broke down in screams (except Yuki of course, he only stared wide-eyed). Tohru unable to keep herself from falling landed against Yuki, with her arms clinging to his. In a poof of smoke he was a rat and all his clothes laid were he should have been sitting.
"I'm so sorry." She wailed. She picked up the nazumi-Yuki up as the car swerved again. She held nazumi-Yuki close to her chest.
"Go on." Hatsurharu said calmly as the rest of Tsuri disappeared out the window and he took over driving, none the better may I add. Tsuri sat on top of the car as Hatsuharu drove it to her house, which we won't mention how he knows where it is. When the car stopped at last everyone, but Hatsurharu of course, melted out of the car. Yuki at that moment decided to turn back into his rightful form with Tohru just inches away. Large sweatdrops appeared on her head and she quickly turned to look away.
"Gomen!" She wailed again as Yuki's clothes were thrown out the car at him.
"Stupid nazumi!" Kyo yelled down at Yuki as he calmly dressed. Tohru quickly made her way over to Tsuri in hopes of an almost embarrassing escape. The men followed with all the baggage a few moments later. Tsuri stepped into the main entrance hall spreading her arms out.
"It's so good to be home!" She said in a loud sing-song voice. She turned to Tohru and together they got their bags from the guys and Tsuri lead Tohru to their room. Kyo rolled his eyes at the ever mood changing Tsuri as he marched up the stairs to find the room he had to share with Shigure. He cursed mentally. Why did he have to be stuck with the pervert?
When they were all unpacked Tsuri showed them around the house, mostly for Tohru's sake. She then showed them the gardens, discussing with Yuki about some of the additions she had added since he had been there last, and that, like always, was free to work it as he please. She promised Hatsuharu a good ass beating and as usual Kyo grumbled about being left out.
"You know every well that I will teach you, but what I need to teach you and what you want to learn are in conflict." She sighed. She knew very well that he needed to learn patience before he could learn to fight well. She also knew that he didn't want to learn patience. It was like teaching the blind to see. She ended the tour at the old lighthouse on the cliff. Taking to the top she explained that the lighthouse gave the best view of sunset then any other place on the island. When they had eaten dinner Tohru gave an uncharacteristic yawn.
"I'm sorry, I'm just so tired." She smiled brightly at them all.
"Oh, that's perfectly okay. Why don't you rest up tonight, because you're going to need the energy for the beach tomorrow!" Tsuri chirped almost too innocently for the Sohma's liking. After biding everyone a good night, Tohru was up the stairs and off to bed.
"Why are we all here?" Shigure asked not wasting any time. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Tsuri. She just looked at him.
"What do you mean?" She asked carefully, not wanting to give up too much of her plan. She could hear Kyo growling across from her but she pointedly ignored him.
"I understand that sometimes Akito-san, and even yourself asks us to come and stay but it has been quite a while since the last time. Why now? What does Akito what with Tohru?" He folded his hands into the sleeves of his top. Tsuri looked from one male to another.
"I've been asked to search her mind, to see what makes her so special." Tsuri stopped suddenly and looked up as if hearing Tohru stir. She turned back to see four rather confused looking men. Sighing she explained further, "You all know how Akito is, although none of you will say so out loud. He hates it when anyone in this family is happy," she looked pointedly at Yuki, "especially those he wants for himself, that are next in line." They all knew what she meant by that but stayed silent. "Tohru has changed you, all of you. Even Akito is changed just after meeting her a few times. That scares him. However, if he can figure out what dark secrets she holds he can break her." Tsuri growled shaking her head. Damn you sister, she thought. "I can see it even without having the moon or touch. She's breaking as of now; in fact I think she has been for some time." They all fell silent.
"What can we do?" Yuki asked looking hopefully at her. He didn't want to loose Tohru, even to Akito's orders.
"I will have to wait." She looked out the window. "The moon is nearly full. Then my powers will be at its fullest and I can get deeper." There was a short pause as they all looked out at the nearly full moon. "There's something about her. Something that tells me she must be protected, even if it's from herself." Tsuri whispered. Shigure nodded, he had felt the same way when he first got to know Tohru. He looked at his younger cousins out of the corner of his eye. Both looked rather worried for Tohru. He then glanced at Hatsuharu who was sitting across the table next to Tsuri.
"Why don't the rest of us go upstairs and get some sleep." He looked directly at Tsuri. "What about our kimono's for the festival?"
Tsuri smirked. "There's two possibilities. Either I can call Ayame." She was interrupted by both Kyo and Yuki yelling no. She just looked at them and continued as if they hadn't yelled, "or I have some old ones in the lighthouse somewhere. We could look for those."
"I think that would be the better idea." Shigure nodded. Both Kyo and Yuki let out the breathe they were holding in relief. Neither one wanted to deal with Yuki's older brother or his assistant. Tsuri nodded and stood.
"Very well, I will see you men in the morning." With one last look around the table she was gone from the room.
"We can't let anything happen to Tohru." Kyo whispered before he too left the room. Shigure shrugged slightly with a worried frown creasing his brow. He left with no words said to the two remaining Sohma's. Hatsuharu looked across the table at Yuki.
"So cousin, what are you going to do?" He asked raising his eyebrow.
"What can I do?" Yuki sighed. "She cannot love me."
"What because you are cursed? Because you cannot hug?" Hatsuharu almost yelled at Yuki. He had never seen his cousin look so lost. He could understand why Yuki was afraid to admit his feeling, even to himself.
"I can at least save her from that pain." Yuki's emotionless eyes flickered with an emotion that Hatsuharu was rather familiar with himself.
"You are a stubborn nazumi. There are other ways to show your love." Hatsuharu said as parting words. Yuki stood there on the darkened stairs in thought. Slowly he made his way upstairs and to his room for the night.
Tsuri stood there in the light of the moon that was seeping through the window. She faced Tohru's side of the room, watching her sleep. She just couldn't move. She was having strange thoughts about the whole matter. What would she find once she was able to fully use her powers? And could she save the girl once she found out? Shake her head firmly, she climbed into her own bed and rolled over toward the wall, trying to find some sleep.
The next morning Tohru awoke to the smell of breakfast being made. Yawning widely she looked over to Tsuri's bed. It was empty and unmade. Sitting up Tohru wiped the sleep from her eyes. A light knock made her aware that someone was at the door.
"Come in!" She yelled and was surprised to find a half naked Hatsuharu standing there. At first she thought he was only half dressed but upon closer, yet blushing, examination she found he was wearing surf shorts.
"Tsuri told me to come up and remind you to wear your bathing suit." He turned muttering, "Although why she sent me and not Yuki is still beyond me."
Tohru made it downstairs a little while later wearing a light blue sun dress with dark purple trimming and her blue swimsuit under it. There was food already set out on the table and everyone was eating. However, she didn't see Tsuri. Still looking around for the other girl she sat down next to Yuki and started eating. Tohru stopped mid bite when she just noticed that Kyo was missing too.
"What the hell are you talking about woman?! I'm not wearing that!" Kyo's angry voice rose from the kitchen.
"Well, then you should have brought your own. They're the only men's swim wear I have." Tsuri's voice shot back.
"But there' where did you get them." There was a small pause followed by screaming. An orange cat came streaking out of the kitchen followed by a grinning Tsuri. Her own bathing suit a bright orange and dark orange swilled together; she had a long wrap around skirt to cover the bottom of her bikini and she left the top free for all to see. Everyone missed Hatsuharu's sly grin, however, no one missed what happened next.
"I told you not to piss me off." Her grin widen. She grabbed hold of his tail and held him up so that they could look each other in the eye. "I've hidden your clothes. This is the only option you have left unless you want to expose Tohru to such.." She made a face. She then promptly threw him back into the kitchen along with the swimsuit. They all just stared at her.
"So who's ready to go to the beach?!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Ah, the mystery of it all..please R+R.
