𝐀𝐙𝐔𝐑𝐄'𝐒 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄 | Fruits Basket FF

(21)

unrevised.
/ chapter 21 /

Hatori opened his eyes groggily as a pain shot through his head. He slowly sat up and pinched his nose bridge as the pounding of his head didn't seem to leave him.

His purple eyes scanned the room. A familiar room, but why—

Then his eyes landed on a blue-haired girl who slept uncomfortably beside him and his eyes widened. Memories from last nights events came flashing through his head all at once.

The confrontation with Akito, then to treating all of the Estate servants that had been injured in the process, to then escaping to his room and drinking a few sips of alcohol to wash away his bitter feelings, which he should had never done.

He didn't even know he was a light weight!

Now he'd found himself in Shigure's living room with the blue-haired beauty sleeping beside him.

Hatori wanted to slap his hand over his face. What was he thinking? He could smell Shigure's relentless teasing from miles away.

He glanced at the girl once again. To think she had stayed by him the whole night.

Sighing, the Doctor shrugged off the blankets and moved slowly from the couch in hopes not to wake her. He then stretched his muscles before carefully scooping her up into his arms to move her.

She was quite light considering she was an average height of 5'5. Almost too light.

A thought concerned him as he placed the girl down on the couch so that she could comfortably rest. Had she been eating alright? He hadn't seen her for a few months now. Being so occupied and trapped over at the Estate, he couldn't make a visit and he felt guilty for that.

He should have checked up on her regardless of whatever punishment that could have awaited him if he were to leave Akito's side the past three months.

He should have made sure she ate correctly and had all the nutritions she needed—

Why was he so worried?

He couldn't understand for himself.

Ichika had been living under Shigure's roof the entire time Hatori was gone. He left her in his care, after all.

Maybe it was the Doctor in him that made him concerned. He cared for her like how he would as a doctor should. She was just a patient to him... wasn't she..?

"You won't, Hatori-san. Not anymore. Starting from now, I'll make sure you fulfil your dream." She whispered.

But he heard her. He heard her voice echo through his nightmare. It was the only beacon of light that shone through the darkness of guilt that was eating at him. Guilt of his wrong doings.

He knew it was just a dream and that she probably didn't actually tell him that but..

It still made him feel safe. For the first time in so long, he actually felt safe.

He saw the way she looked at him last night when he was drunk, barely able to think for himself. Her eyes full of concern and worry and maybe a hint of delight to just see him. She made sure he was alright and lead him safely into Shigure's home.

Ichika didn't look at him like how Akito would.

She didn't have the leaching eyes that would scan his body up and down lustfully, or the touching hands that would leave him feeling disgusted with himself.

All she had done was make sure he was comfortable and warm.

And safe.

It meant a lot to him. More than she could ever think of. In turn, he had an urge to protect her even more. To protect the little light the fragile still had so that it wouldn't dim like the first time he met her.

Hatori tucked a lone strand of blue hair out of her sleeping face and behind her ear. His touch was light and gentle, scared he might break her if he used too much force.

Then he became startled when he heard a small chuckle coming from the doorway.

Hatori inwardly groaned as he could easily guess who it was. He was embarrassed as he felt like a little kid that was caught red handed.

"Haa-san you—" Shigure begun.

But before the bearer of the Dog spirit could even finish his sentence, Hatori had slapped a hand over his mouth with a deadly glare that could kill someone.

Shigure sweatdropped and raised his hands in defeat.

Hatori glanced over Ichika to make sure she wasn't awake from Shigure's almost-ruckus. Satisfied, he looked back to Shigure coldly before pushing the both of them out of the living room, with his hand still on Shigure's mouth, and slid the door shut behind him.

Shigure made a move to pucker his lips and kiss Hatori's palm. He knew he succeeded in making Hatori let go when the Doctor had immediately pulled his hand away and glowered down at his palm in disgust.

"What was that, Haa-sannnnn~? Hmmmmmmm~?" Shigure's teasing voice finally questioned.

"Shut up." Hatori cooly responded, nonchalantly wiping his hand down his trouser.

"This is a first. I didn't think I'd wake up at six in the morning to see that you're already in my home." Shigure smirked. "Did you miss me that much?"

Hatori fought back the urge to roll his eyes.

"I was here since one in morning—" He started, ending his sentence with a mumble. "—drunk."

Shigure's lips wobbled. "Y-You were drunk? You a-and alcohol?

Hatori looked away, ashamed.

Then Shigure couldn't hold back anymore.

"Puhahahaha!" He roared with laughter until he suddenly choked the moment Hatori stepped on his foot painfully. "Ow, ow, ow, okay! Okay! I'm sorry!"

Hatori sighed and removed his foot.

"Hatori?" A boyish voice came from down the hall.

The two men flickered the gazes over to see Yuki yawning as he made his way down the steps.

"What are you doing here?" The mouse had asked tiredly, having woken up by Shigure's laughter.

"That's what I wanna know too, Yuki-kun. What are you doing here?" Shigure added to taunt him even though he knew the answer already.

"It's a long story." Hatori sighed once again and rubbed his face. "I will have to return to the Estate soon."

Yuki frowned. "Will you be back? Last time I checked, you didn't move an inch from there for three months."

Hatori's purple orbs flickered to the door that divided them from the blue-haired Sohma and settled there for a moment.

"I will." He stated. For certain this time. "For now, I'd like to watch over Ichika until it's time for me to leave. Is that alright?"

Yuki and Shigure shared a look. Yuki's look was one of surprise and curiosity while the ladder was one of knowing. The Dog and Mouse spirit bearers nodded their heads before Hatori was quick on his heels to return to her side, leaving no room for questions.