IT BLOSSOMS, hatori sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Thirty Eight

A dark and oppressive feeling continued to cast a shadow over Ryu's mood. The heavy rainfall for the last few days only seemed to amplify the sensation, and she found herself plagued by a foreboding instinct that something terrible was waiting to happen. Unable to shake off the ominous atmosphere, Ryu made the decision to spend her day at Shigure's house.

Ryu and Himawari arrived at Shigure's house, but to their surprise, they found that Kyo was already gone. He had left earlier for a date with Kagura, as Shigure had explained.

While a puzzled Ryu couldn't quite understand the reference, her daughter explained that Yuki and Tohru had left together, likely heading for the "secret base." This left Ryu baffled, as she knew nothing about Yuki's hidden garden. Opting to just go with it, she agreed with her daughter's musings.

As time passed, hours went by, yet little changed in Shigure's home. In between the chit-chat between the two adults, Himawari was occupied watching television. Despite the seemingly tranquil atmosphere, an uneasy feeling nagged at Ryu's mind, like a relentless itch she couldn't quite scratch. She wrestled with her thoughts in silence, unable to shake the disquieting sensation coursing through her.

"Ryu, I can sense a significant shift on its way; there's a sense of impending transformation in the air. Use this information however you see fit." As Dragon's voice filled her mind, Ryu jerked her head, making Shigure look at her peculiarly.

He gave her an odd sideways glance. "Are you okay?" he asked, puzzled by her sudden reaction.

"I guess my legs are just getting numb," Ryu quipped, forcing a laugh to mask her true surprise. She stood up from the table, rubbing her leg for good measure. "I really need to stretch them out once in a while. Can't seem to shake the numbness, you know?"

Her answer seemed convincing enough, and Shigure's suspicion seemed to fade for the moment.

Despite her best efforts to keep her cool under the scrutiny, Ryu's nerves flared as Shigure stayed silent, his gaze fixed on her. She strained to maintain composure, masking her growing unease with a discreet smile. Her hand clung tighter to her leg, hoping that the gesture would add authenticity to her cover story.

A few more seconds of silence passed before Shigure finally spoke up, breaking the tense atmosphere. "Are you sure that's it?" he asked curiously, his gaze still fixated on her. His voice was a mere whisper, yet it resonated with a hint of skepticism.

Ryu's heart raced and her mind scrambled, searching for a believable response. She knew she couldn't falter in her ruse, not with Shigure's unwavering gaze fixed upon her.

Taking a deep breath, she replied, her voice steady and measured, "Yes, I'm absolutely sure. Just a bit of leg numbness, nothing more."

Suddenly, saving Ryu from the situation, there was a clamor outside pierced through the air, a loud, booming voice calling out, "Sensei!"

Ryu initially didn't react, assuming it was just another Sohma addressing Shigure with the respectful title of Sensei. But when her brother Kyo's deep voice echoed through the house, her eyes widened in realization. Knowing that Kyo would only call one person "Sensei" in such an intimate manner, panic flickered across her face.

Ryu shot up from where she was, and sprinted out of the living room, urgently racing towards the hallway leading to the front entrance.

As Ryu flung open the front door, the sight of Kazuma and Kyo standing there filled her with a mix of feelings. The unexpected reunion brought forth a swarm of questions, but one glance was enough for her to sense the palpable tension in the air.

The air between them was thick with an awkward silence, as if something was unsaid hanging heavily. Ryu grappled with conflicting emotions, torn between relief at seeing her adoptive father and confusion over the unexpected circumstances.

Kazuma's reaction was immediate, his eyes widening briefly when he spotted Ryu. But he quickly hid it behind a smile and responded, "Ah, Ryu, I wasn't aware you were here."

Ryu observed him for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Just visiting," she muttered, her voice tinged with mixed emotions. "I didn't know you were coming back today, otherwise I would've been at your home to prepare a feast or something."

Kazuma gave a reassuring shake of his head, dismissing Ryu's offer. "It's alright," he said, "I ate on the train on my way back, so I'm not hungry."

His gaze then shifted, briefly meeting Kyo's eyes. There was an obvious excitement in Kyo's expression, yet beneath it, there was a hint of pain that Ryu could see.

The silence seemed to stretch on, until Shigure's arrival broke the tension, welcoming Kazuma into the house. Kyo quickly followed behind, and Ryu stood frozen, watching the scene unfold. However, an uneasy sensation persisted in her stomach, and her attempts to ease her nerves proved futile.

Unconsciously, Ryu tightened her grip, her arms folding in front of her. Without realizing, her nails dug into her upper arm, the physical pain mirrored her inner turmoil.

The sound of Tohru and Yuki entering the home brought Ryu back to reality, if only momentarily. She watched as the teenagers walked ahead, but her own head slowly filled with a weighty fog as she followed them back into the house.

As Ryu's thoughts whirled in her mind, she quietly whispered within her own thoughts, "What is going to happen, Dragon?"

She knew there must be something significant that would unfold, something that the ominous aura and the unexpected return of Kazuma hinted at. She waited in the silence, hoping for some sort of guidance or insight.

The low hum of the Dragon's voice filled her mind as it spoke, its thoughts a mixture of insight and caution. The spirit noted the unusual nature of Kazuma's unannounced arrival, hinting that there was more to it than a casual visit.

"My suspicions are that he's here with a motive," the Dragon mused. "Whether it's good or bad, I cannot determine, but be wary," it advised. "Stay near Himawari. I have a bad feeling."

Ryu shut her eyes and exhaled forcefully. The situation was already complicated, and Dragon's warning only heightened her anxiety. She was aware that Kazuma's arrival was not without purpose, and now with the added caution from Dragon, she felt the weight of uncertainty on her shoulders.

The unpredictable rain outside added another layer of complication, preventing her from simply taking Himawari and leaving. Ryu didn't want to risk either of them falling ill due to the cold weather. With limited options, she resigned herself to remaining in the situation.