Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with Fruits Basket.
What does it take to set the Sohmas free after Akito's death?
A/N: I've returned! Europe was stunning! The history… I haven't absorbed it all…yet. Escargot is good. Don't listen to all those rumors. My favorite place… Lucerne, Switzerland (Lion Monument… sniffles). While we were driving past the Alps, I couldn't stop looking at the greenness. Every so often, there would be a waterfall. OMG.
The only bad thing I can think of is the hordes of smoking people. My first impression of France, after getting out of the Eurostar train station: smoke. Tsk.
I will be spouting random things about the trip in the author's notes of Hatori's Remedy. Be patient though… updates will be infrequent.
Oh, as a refresher, you should go to Chapter 12 and read the last few paragraphs, when the 'dwarves' are telling the story of RRDG.
The Puppet Master's Last Testament
--
Chapter Fifty-Seven: Epilogue: Daikon Wars
Tohru and Shigure removed their matching black motorcycle helmets and hung them on the handlebars. Shigure took her hand in his as they confidently strode into the supermarket. Their love: it was no longer a secret or a coveted knowledge between two people. It wasn't a leech-sucking relationship or a predestined game. It was a full-fledged, reciprocated romance. Shigure loved her so deeply in his heart, that when he split hers in two, he fractured his own in one thousand ways. Even now, when she was out working late or studying at the library, his throat constricted and he felt unabashedly miserable; a lovesick puppy. (Though he did not admit it aloud when his friends asked.
But they knew. All the Sohmas did. They could see it in his glossy eyes.)
Also, he never failed to make her feel guilty when she left for school (by pouting and moaning), and she always returned to his outstretched arms and teasing smile as soon as she could. Love was a crazy thing.
Today was Friday. They were buying dinner's ingredients. A simmering stew, oden, was what they had decided on together. It was perfect for a cold winter evening. Shigure offered to get the daikon radish while she picked out carrots and winter melon. After her meticulous selection, she crept up behind him. Shigure jumped up exaggeratedly when she wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him from the back. He twisted around and hugged her back, tightly.
"Hello wifey," he said lightheartedly. (Though he hoped that one day he could ask her hand in marriage.) His hands wandered up her back to her hair. He combed his fingers through her pin-straight hair, but no matter how much mussing he did, it stayed straight. He smiled. No matter how harsh and aggressive he had been, she had finally returned to her spirited, optimistic self. A flower that could never wilt. He was grateful, because the repercussions of 'that night' had been dreadful and heartbreaking.
She laid her head on his chest, not saying anything. They basked in the solace and unity of the moment. He didn't think he could ever get used to touching her, pressing his chest against hers: warm, soft, intimate.
The anticipation of the next time they made love – touched each other's souls, melted his mind, and at night, soaked his boxers.
"'Gure?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
Without any hesitation he said, "I love you too." Completely and indefinitely, as he had said that night she returned with Hatori. He had thought that he had finally lost it, before her repetition that she forgave him.
After his heartbeat slowed down, he angled his head back and looked down at her. "I want to kiss you hard."
"At home." She said, smiling. She was less bashful about petting and kissing, though the times her cheeks reddened did make him soften like a romantic sap.
Home. He had never called it that, a place of security, love. Not when he was a boy, and not when he was a young man. His mouth moved over hers, and his tongue darted between her lips. She moaned his name from her damp lips but before their kiss could deepen and be called 'indecent' in a public place, he pulled away and whispered gruffly, "Prelude." She sighed softly, licking her lips. It gave him a hard-on. The things she did to him.
Tohru reached her hand into the crate for a big white daikon and whack him. She meant to smack him on the arm softly: her response to him leaving her hungry for his lips, payback for making her core warm with want, but the daikon was heavier than she expected. Instead, she thumped the root vegetable against his butt. He touched his butt lightly, truly shocked. He was about to mock her in his tight-lipped headmistress's voice, but seeing the playful sparkle in her eyes, he took a bigger daikon and hit her butt. She raised her daikon and they battle in light-saber fashion. Three blunt hits in the same spot split the vegetable. The sound was crisp, like a knock on a wooden door. "Oops." But they continued until there were eleven stumps in the vinyl floor.
As they giggled, a lanky teenager came from shelving to assess the damage. He said nonchalantly, "You will have to pay for those."
"Okay. We're very sorry." Shigure said, wrapping his arm around Tohru's waist possessively. They finished their shopping a half hour later – purchasing squid and more vegetables for the oden. In addition, they bought a loaf of white bread to feed the pigeons in the park. Outside, they bought dessert at a kiosk outside.
The park was a small square of grass four blocks away. They opted to walk to the oasis lined by four streets, a parcel of green amidst steel and smoke. Shigure set the brown paper supermarket bags down on a picnic table. Tohru gave Shigure a slice of bread. He attempted to fold it into an airplane, but failed. He tossed it into a bush. Soon pigeons hobbled into the shrub, assailing the bread. Tohru muffled a giggle with her hand.
"What's so funny?" Shigure said defensively, crossing his arms against his chest.
"People usually break it into small pieces." She demonstrated.
The pigeons came to their feet and pecked at the bread bits. Shigure followed Tohru's lead, but when he saw a smaller pigeon, he gave it a whole slice. Tohru noticed his humanitarian action and it melted her heart. She wrapped her arms around his arm and squeezed tightly. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Being so nice to the pigeons."
"I stand for the underprivileged," he mused, before planting a kiss on the shell of her ear. As much as he wanted to kiss her lips until they bruised, and touch her everywhere, he didn't. He couldn't. Not when the images of her broken body and the tears glittering in her brown eyes – liquid crystals, seared his mind. Pierced his heart.
Tohru felt his resistance. And she ached. With gratefulness. Love.
"Thank you for being so patient. I'm so sorry."
They did not talk about the night, except in subtle undertones, like today.
"It's my fault." He said. Accept that fact! Don't blame yourself! In addition to the knowledge that I, Shigure the sex fiend, will stay celibate until you are ready! Whatever it takes! It is definitely a difficult task that requires skillful hands at night and many cold showers, but I have managed, for you. The one I love. The one I am supposed to be with.
A really slobbery kiss on his face snapped him out of his daze. He looked down at a Labrador as black as the midnight sky. Shigure rubbed behind the dog's ear; it barked in appreciation. The dog happily put a paw on Shigure's knee. Tohru gave an 'awwwww' as she stroked the dog's full fur. A sweet-looking boy of five appeared in front of them. He was missing two of his front teeth, making it hard to understand him. But he was endearing and not afraid to speak to strangers.
"Kokoro weally likes you Mizter. He thususally don't like stwangers who pet 'im."
"I like Kodoko too. Who named him?"
"My mom, 'cuz my dad bought it fo' her b-day 'cuz she loves dogs, even thwough he is really awfraid of dem."
His heart. He sacrificed for his heart. His kokoro.
"Now he loves Kokoro."
Shigure looked at Tohru knowingly. His hand took hold of hers.
"Bye Mizter and Lady."
"He is adorable." Shigure said.
"Which one?"
"Both, but I was talking about the boy."
"I thought you told me one time that you didn't like children."
"I said that I didn't think I could be a good father, and that no child would ever like me. I love children, a little girl to pamper with all my happy-ending stories, or a boy to build a tree-house with. As a matter of fact, I might start writing children's books. A change of scenery. The characters will all be clever, big-hearted, daring elementary school kids who have mommies like my Tohru – smart, loving, caring, understanding, mature, rational, strict but persuadable –" Tohru stopped his list with a soft kiss that did not fail to extract a twitch in his cock. She murmured on his lips honestly, "You make me blush."
On the way home, Shigure said, "Hold on tighter." And she did.
--
As Tohru opened the front door, she noticed a manila envelope sticking out from under the door-mat. Tohru's heart dropped, she let the bags thud on the porch. Shigure ran to her when he saw her body go limp. "What's wrong?" He asked, wrapping his arms around her waist, peeking over her shoulder.
"No," he whimpered, stepping back. An envelope could break him down. "You can't take this – her away from me, not after all we've been through." Akito was dead, but her wrath, the curse was still almighty.
He said to Tohru. "This doesn't change anything. I love you." Yet his palms, the back of his neck, were wet with fear and anticipation.
"Come on Tohru. We'll read it in the living room."
The envelope was heavier than just paper. Shigure's hand reached in swiftly, and instantly drew back like a tight spring. His fingertips were red with coppery-red blood.
Though her heart had seemed to stop, her mind acted logically. She ran to the kitchen and ripped away paper towel to stop the blood. When she returned, Shigure hadn't moved.
Unmoving.
Stoic, merely staring at the letter that was now bloody in his cut hand. Tohru took his arm, but he pulled away. She looked at him questioningly. "I'm reading this." He said, monotone.
The parchment was stiff; its edge yellowing. He held it close to his eyes, so only he could read. The warm blood flowing from his fingers were a sign that this was no lighthearted, friendly letter.
You no doubt got your hands cut: my intention, because I want to remind you of something. To me, you were a distraction. But you became an irresistible fire that captured every second of my attention. I wanted you to notice me as a woman. But you were slow to answer my deep, carnal desires. Like when a glass shard slices you finger, the cut is small and deep, but it lingers. You can't do anything, write a letter, turn on a switch, or stir your cup of black tea without being reminded or prevented. I guess you can figure out what you were – a sharp shard. You made me miserable, but I couldn't turn away.
It's my turn.
Are you miserable without her? That slow girl who entrances everyone, like a train wreck. She's not a goddam nymph, just a stupid, naïve girl! Has she run to Hatori or Yuki? Or has she cut all ties with the Sohmas? She didn't deserve whatever you did to her, which I'm sure was sick and twisted, coming from that sadistic mind. The will didn't say to do anything specific. It was all you. Is that knowledge making you vomit right now?
I hope you lie awake at night wishing you could turn back time. Because you will never get that kind of pure love from anyone. Anytime you try to get close to a girl, you'll think of Tohru Honda. I admit: her innocence is tempting. I wish I had it.
Everytime I was with Kureno, I thought of you. Your big hands, your whispers, your hard thighs pressing into me. You and I are the same, cut from the same rag.
I'm sure you've tried, but she can't forgive you.
I'm glad.
When he finished, he crumpled it with his hands. Tohru looked at him; his eyes were dark, inscrutable. The letter served as a harsh reminder of what he did, and the damage. He had toyed with her, and now, he just wanted her to know how much he hurt. He wrapped his arms around her upper back. "Forgive me for all the pain I've caused. I am in love with you." With the last line, his voice cracked. And so did his superior façade. The few times she saw into the apathetic shell.
She relaxed her head on his chest, and stretched her hands over his lower back, strumming soothingly. The heat from his body, and his intoxicating smell made her drowsy. They were in love with each other, and no matter how horrible, sick the letter was, it could not break them apart. He whispered in her soft hair, "To have even a thimble full of your love makes me happy."
"You have it all."
"Honestly?" He asked, surprised.
"You make my heart flutter with hope and dismay. With you, I have experienced all emotions and it has helped me understand love. Love is not demotion to someone; love is laughing together at mistakes, being impulsive, teaching each other, forgiving faults, and sharing souls."
You're unbelievable." He said after cupping her face. She looked at him, confused.
"In a superbly perfect way. You can turn any situation into a cheerful, hopeful one. I couldn't possibly ask for more." She looked bashfully away from his eyes.
Tohru felt the jitters of first seeing the letter recede.
"We have to clean the wounds."
They went into the kitchen where Tohru picked out a magnifying glass from the drawer. "Whoa, whoa; where are you going with that Sherlock?"
"Checking if there are any glass bits in your skin."
After awhile, she said, "Several. I'll go get the tweezers."
"Nah, nah," he said.
She washed the ends of the instrument before getting ready to extract the glass.
"Oh, I forgot. Bite of this." She handed him a wooden spoon.
"Yes ma'am."
Shigure squeezed his eyes shut, ready for pain. He felt four pricks of pain before Tohru's angelic voice whispered, "It's over, 'Gure."
She took the spoon out of his mouth.
"This would be romantic if the spoon was a long-stemmed red rose."
She smiled. "Look at your teeth marks."
After he looked at the spoon, he shrugged his shoulders. "The man who loves you is afraid of the sight of blood and tweezers."
--
The next morning, Tohru woke up to the bright sun, a single long-stemmed rose by her bedside, along with breakfast on a tray. She turned in the bed to look at the other bed. It was empty and made.
Where was Shigure?
She sat upright in the bed and put the tray in her lap; a glass of warm milk, two slices of toast with a thin spread of peach jam, two poached eggs with very runny yolks (her favorite) greeted her.
He had been paying close attention to her; the small details. When she sipped the warm milk (with honey and stirred to homogeneous flawlessness), she noticed the small yellow index card. A ribbon through a hole punch tied the card to a key.
Good morning my lovely! I owe you for yesterday's unromantic evening (hence my attempt at a Western breakfast – did I pass?) Downstairs is a piece of paper with the directions to where I am. I promise a wonderful day! Sorry I could not accompany you. I need to set things up. Don't forget the key. –Love Gure
--
Tohru did as told and arrived at the 'gaming' warehouse in forty-five minutes. She used the key to unlock the side door. She took a deep breath. It was dark and silent in the hallway.
When she saw the candles around the center of the room. Shigure was not there, giving her a moment to gaze adoringly at the display. She heard bumbling in the corner of the room. Her eyes had adjusted to the dimness and saw Shigure's figure. He had several foil containers stacked.
"Shigure."
"You're early!"
He put down the foil containers and came to her. He ushered her into a sofa and blindfolded her with a soft cloth. "No peeking. I am not done."
--
Hatori pounded his fists into the sofa seats. "I can't believe this!"
He looked at the letter on the ground.
In case Shigure ever tries to return to her, it will only end in tragedy. 49 weeks after the next time they copulate, he will regain the Juunishi curse.
Hatori decided he would not tell them. They had happiness. Love. And he did not want to ruin it with the bad news. He covered his face with his hands as the pain of knowledge tormented his body.
Only one year...
Apocalypse.
Shattered.
Tragic.
--
It looked like a dream.
They were swathed in gossamer white and pale pink fabrics – a haven between Earth and heaven. It was a canopy tent from an African safari tour, minus the mosquitoes and moisture. Looking at her open-mouthed expression, Shigure said, "It is a risky setup, the candles so close to the fabric."
"I love it."
Shigure smiled before he ushered her to the table. "Dinner."
"Mmm, it smells delicious."
--
After a tasty meal, they cuddled on the sofa. "Do you remember the story about Hatsumi from Return of the Red Dragon Goddess?"
"Yeah, Hatsumi is the powerful keeper of the mountains, and she falls in love with a mortal man, but he goes into a coma after fighting the evilest demon. In order the revive him, she must find 13 treasures. She does everything thing she can to find them – putting her life in danger, but at the end… hmm, I don't really remember…"
Shigure whispered, "She visits the ice casket at the highest peak of the mountain, where he is. He was buried there after being defeated in Yomi. When she cries for him, her tears melt the ice. Her tears come as a waterfall. When it touches him, it awakes him. As a god, she does not age, and doesn't look a day over twenty. He recognizes her, and he touches her cheek. He says, 'I've looked everywhere for you.' She says 'Me Too.' They love each other. She decides to move to the faraway countryside with him. They live happily, though very simply, since they don't have any source of income."
"I like that story."
"I like you."
"Thank you."
Moments later, Tohru added, "Do you think we could live happily in a faraway countryside?"
"Of course."
"We have each other, plus a few cows and plants."
"I love this domestic side of you."
"You mean behind the all the mystery?"
"What mystery?"
"Aw, you slay me."
"It's true. You are no longer a mystery to me. I understand you inside and out."
"What am I thinking about right now?"
She lifted herself off his bicep and stared into his eyes critically.
"You look like a hungry wolf."
"And you are my tasty Red Riding Hood."
"I love you forever Shigure." Through thick and thin.
--
Real End.
--
It's over. TT.TT
Let me hear your thoughts!