IT BLOSSOMS, hatori sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Ten

Ryu received the message from Akito, summoning her to the Sohma Main Estate. It had been two months since she left the town, and although time had passed, she felt utterly unprepared for this sudden summons. With a heavy heart, she abandoned her lessons at the dojo and made her way to the main estate, her thoughts racing with trepidation.

Ryu approached the main estate, aware that the summons was both abrupt and sudden. She knew better than to ask for more time or to wait until she felt less overwhelmed. However, delaying the inevitable was not a feasible option, no matter how much she might have wanted to do so.

Reaching the imposing front gates of the main estate, Ryu felt her nerves rising to an unprecedented level. Her thoughts were chaotic, and her heart thudded loudly in her chest. She had never stepped foot on the main estate before, knowing full well that as an outsider and the adopted sister of Kyo, another unwelcome member, she would find no warmth here.

As Ryu pushed open the heavy front gate, her eyes were met with the sight of a few servants standing there, all of them bowing respectfully. She suppressed a slight wince, silently returning their gesture.

A servant spoke up, addressing Ryu respectfully, "Ms. Shimizu, Master Akito awaits. It would be best not to delay any longer."

Ryu nodded and obediently followed the servant, her steps measured and deliberate.

As they walked silently, Ryu finally found the courage to voice her question. "Is there...anything I need to know?" she inquired, her voice carrying a hint of trepidation. "With regard to meeting Master Akito, I mean..."

The old, stern-looking woman, her tone harsh, added, "Don't ask questions, but provide answers." She fixed Ryu with a hard stare, continuing, "Master Akito is already being generous by sparing his time for an outsider such as yourself. Heed this warning."

Ryu clenched her fists, fighting the urge to respond with a scoff. She refused to give the woman any reason to escalate the situation further.

Ryu's thoughts were conflicted; she desired nothing more than to finish the meeting with Akito and leave the main estate behind. The entire atmosphere made her uncomfortable, and every fiber in her being longed to escape. There was a strange, violent energy bubbling inside her, and no matter how much she tried, she couldn't suppress it. The unknown emotions swirling within her were leaving her on edge, causing her to become increasingly unsettled.

An unfamiliar sensation tugged at Ryu's being, as it if her soul was stretching out and attempting to break free of her own body. It was bewildering and primal, leaving her in a state of mental turmoil and animalistic compulsion.

The servants came to a halt, all of them kneeling down simultaneously. One of them then spoke up, addressing Ryu, "Ms. Shimizu, you will need to proceed on your own from here. Master Akito's room is just a couple more doors down."

Ryu nodded silently in acknowledgment, her throat suddenly dry. She swallowed hard and then continued her solitary walk down the hall, each step closer to Akito's room increasing her inner turmoil.