IT BLOSSOMS, hatori sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Fifty Four

Hatori's eyes widened at the sight of Dragon's eyes, his surprise evident on his face. For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still as he grappled with the truth. His expression held a mixture of confusion, realization, and a hint of disbelief.

Shigure watched the unfolding scene, his gaze flickering between Hatori and Dragon. He remained silent, sensing that any attempt to interject would be futile.

Upon realizing Shigure's intentions, Dragon cast a menacing glare at him, grumbling, "I should have known better than to trust a damn mutt like you."

Hatori suppressed a flinch at the unfamiliar voice that came from Ryu's mouth and was astute enough to recognize that she was indeed the real Ryu. Nevertheless, he still sought an explanation for the situation at hand.

Shigure quickly averted his gaze and made a hasty retreat, leaving Hatori and Dragon to watch him flee.

Hatori observed Shigure's hurried departure, a sigh escaping him. He then turned back to Dragon, his expression holding a mix of disbelief and concern. The truth had been laid bare before him, and now he sought answers.

"Ryu," he began, his voice steady but tinged with a touch of hesitation. "What...what the hell is going on?"

Dragon let out a sigh and pressed her hand against her temple in an attempt to soothe her throbbing headache. She was perplexed as to why this situation was occurring, for it was unlike anything she had experienced before. Typically, when she took over Ryu's body, she didn't have to deal with any normal human ailments. Interestingly, as a spirit, she never experienced hunger either. Instead, she derived energy from being near or submerged in water due to her water affinity.

Hatori watched as Dragon's hand moved to her temple, a frown forming on his face. He could see her discomfort and confusion, her usual stoic facade replaced by something different.

"You're...feeling unwell?" he inquired, his voice laced with concern. He took a step closer to her, his gaze lingering on her weary expression.

Hatori's step towards her caused Dragon to flinch, and she took a step back. The reason for her reaction was that the spirit that had cursed Hatori was subject to God's directives, making her an adversary until he was liberated. Due to the headache intensifying, her voice had grown hoarse, and her eyes slowly opened, revealing a flicker of Ryu's eyes over her own. In that moment, Hatori could have sworn he saw Ryu's eyes peering through Dragon's orbs.

Dragon then proposed, "Let's move somewhere more private to talk."

Hatori observed the flicker in her eyes, a mixture of surprise and concern crossing his face at the sight of Ryu's gaze overlapping with Dragon's. He nodded in agreement to her suggestion, realizing the need for a quieter, secluded setting.

"Alright," he agreed, his voice still laced with a touch of seriousness. "Lead the way."

As Dragon led the way, she struggled to find the right words to say. Initially, she was reluctant to be the one to reveal the truth to Hatori. Deep down, Dragon believed it was best that Ryu learn the truth first. However, personally, she didn't mind if others discovered her identity; she still preferred if the revelation came directly from Ryu rather than her.

Hatori silently followed behind Dragon as they made their way to their destination. The air remained tense, the revelations shared earlier hanging heavily between them. He maintained a respectful distance, his gaze occasionally wandering to her slender figure, silently contemplating the circumstances that led them here.

They eventually reached a secluded spot, offering them some privacy for the discussion they were about to have.

Dragon came to a halt before a cliff, gazing out at the expansive sea below. Strangely, she was struck by an obnoxious odor that caused her to instinctively cover her mouth with her hand. Her eyes darkened as she realized that the noxious scent was emanating from the forsaken god. The odor was something only a spirit like herself could detect.

It took her a moment to form coherent words to address Hatori, as she grappled not only with the debilitating headache but also the overwhelming stench of the god she had passionately vowed to exact vengeance upon.

Hatori observed as Dragon covered her mouth, her eyes darkening with distaste. He knew there was more to her reaction than mere disgust at the sea breeze. Something else was at play, something he couldn't comprehend.

He waited patiently, his attention fully focused on Dragon, sensing her inner turmoil. He could tell she was struggling to speak, and he remained silent, allowing her to gather her words in her own time.

Dragon admitted, "Personally, I believe it would be preferable for Ryu to be the one to tell you, and honestly, you would likely feel the same way." She then turned to Hatori and paused for a moment, taking in the sight of the unexpected newcomer.

For a brief moment, Dragon felt a rush of excitement. It was as if she had sensed liberation emanating from this individual, a Sohma who had been cleansed of his curse.

Overwhelmed by the exhilarating feeling, Dragon continued to gaze in awe. Hatori turned to follow her gaze, recognizing Kureno's presence.

Hatori sighed, recognizing the reason behind Kureno's presence. "It appears we'll have to continue our conversation at a later time," he said, casting a glance at Dragon before departing to respond to Akito's summon.

As Hatori's figure faded into the distance, and Dragon was left alone with her thoughts, the tranquility of the setting enveloped her. The vast ocean stretched out before her, its endlessness mirrored in her eyes. The crisp breeze caressed her face, momentarily soothing the maelstrom in her mind.

Alone with her thoughts, she leaned against the railing, her mind swirling with a mix of anticipation and planning. This unexpected yet liberated Sohma presented a new piece to the puzzle, strengthening her resolves and fueling her determination.

The sun began its descent below the horizon, its warm glow painting the sky with hues of orange and gold. The night slowly crept forth, bringing with it a sense of serenity. A light, cool breeze occasionally blew by, bringing a refreshing touch to the evening.

Dragon's thoughts were still racing, but a sense of calm was slowly settling in. The revelations of the day, the unexpected encounters, the feeling of liberation...it all swirled within her mind. She let out a long sigh, closing her eyes and focusing on the sounds of the sea.

She immersed herself in her newfound revelation, and as the sky transformed with the changing colors, a smile slowly formed on her face, giving way to a mischievous grin.

"Ah, now I understand why the god has been throwing such a tantrum, and why her scent is saturating the air," she mused. "She's lost one of her prized banquet members..."

"Oh, this is indeed a delightful occurrence. How delightful it will be when you finally meet your downfall, oh mighty god," she declared, her voice dripping with a dark relish.

Her smile widened at the thought, her eyes fixated on the horizon. For the first time in a long time, she felt invigorated with purpose, a sense of destiny driving her forward. The once unbearable headache that had plagued her earlier slowly faded and a new sense of clarity took hold.

The night was young, and the god's imminent downfall loomed. She would have her revenge, and it would be oh so sweet.