Under a Cherry Tree a Fruits Basket FF Book 2

Chapter 1

Previously:

I scooted over and patted the spot next to me awkwardly.

He smiled and laid next to me. He kissed my head. We fell asleep for a few hours longer.

---

A near sound of crying floods the room. The feeling of my ginger hair cascading across my face was more apparent than usual. And the sense of comfort overwhelmed my body...

Yet I was beyond PISSED. I mean how the HELL was I supposed to be completely at peace with all that crying! Hajime clearly got Tohru's sensitivi- he's a doll. Right. 

I rolled over to my side and noticed Tohru, my beautiful Tohru.

Mine... what a bizarre feeling. I mean, who am I to deserve her love as the year of the cat. 

I gently moved the covers to get out of her bed, knowing that if Shigure saw he would have words.

"Hope you gave her a good time you naughty feline!"

I shudder at the thought of that pervy freak. What we do and when we do it is none of his concern and honestly, it's probably the furthest thing from my mind. All I want to be able to do is hug her... even once. I can only hold back from transforming for a few seconds. [S1 EP24 2019 he doesn't transform right away.] That isn't enough and all too risky... and awkward at least once I transform back.

I walked over to the makeshift crib that Tohru made for Hajime, the doll baby and held... him? It? I know its a doll but it almost feels wrong to call the doll an 'it,' even with the lack of humanistic attributes. Tohru probably already has an emotional connection to him, even though she is fully aware that we don't get to keep him... I hope anyways. 

I rock him in my arms for a bit, become frantic because nothing seems to work to get him to stop crying. I notice Tohru starting to stir so I quickly grab all of his fake items for his needs and run into my room. 

"WHAT DO YOU NEED, HAJIME!"

I try placing a bottle in his mouth, rocking him, I check his diaper, burp him! Nothing!

"WHY IS NOTHING WORKING!"

My ears prick up to soft steps creeping up to my door. 

Damn you stupid cat! You woke up Tohru!

"I-is everything okay?"

"Yeah, just I'm no good with babies," I handed him over to Tohru, sat and sulked.

Within seconds of course, Tohru stops his crying. "I think it was just a bit of a malfunction! How silly is that, don't you think?"

"He hates me! Our-"

"Our what? Baby?" Her eyes dazzled.

"I-it's a doll, I know it is. I'm not stupid!"

"Y-yeah," the spark in her eyes dimmed and she sounded disappointed.

"I did it again!" I paused to process what I wanted to articulate to her. "See, all I meant was that this isn't the real Hajime yet. I-if you wanted- we- well we could- you know..." She gave me a blank stare. She has many quirks that I nothing but adore but, man... she's an airhead. "...have a real one... when we are older."

"Really!"

"We will have to adopt. Kind of hard to do considering I will transform."

"Why would you transform?" She seemed completely delusional.

"Tohru..."

"Y-yes?"

"Do you know how babies are made?"

"Mom always said when two people love each other a baby will come!"

"And this here is why we need better sex education in Japan."

"Whaaa...?"

"Tohru, do you know what sex is?" She gets all flustered.

"O-of course, wh- wha," I interrupt her. "Yes, you should have love but you need sex to conceive!"

And with that aghast look, I suppose I should get ready for my day. 

"I love you, no matter how adorably ignorant you are," I say, her face in my palm.

As I let go of her face and walked towards the doorway, I turned to face her. "Hey, don't worry about it so much, okay? I know this is hard for you but just focus on yourself or at the very least us in the moment," On that note I started my stride down the stairs stopped by the infamous Shigure. 

"Ah, what a passionate conversation for such a passionate topic! Our poor Tohru delusional as always!"

"You get on my nerves."

His face suddenly turns serious. "Kazuma has news for you. I would prepare yourself. I don't see it as good news," just as quickly as a puppy falls asleep after a long play session; Shigure brightens back up. "But he also said how wonderful my book 'In the Moonlight' was!

"Just, where is he?"

"Oh, right. Front door."

I finished walking down the stairs and entered the kitchen to grab a carton of milk. Then, headed outside to meet with Master. 

"Good evening, Kyon Kyon."

"WHERE DID YOU HEAR THAT FROM!"

"Shigure may have mentioned it when he greeted me this morning. Anyways, will you walk with me back to the Dojo?"

"Sure, Master. Why? Shigure said that it seemed bad."

"Yes, well... Let us talk at the Dojo. I rather you hear it alone than have the possibility of others hearing."

"K."

I'm frightened. I have something good going for me and what if Akito has decided to take it all away? Though maybe its a good thing... who am I to deserve her love as the year of the cat. If the thought doesn't go away, does that mean it is true? Do I really not deserve her love? Does she love me or does she pity me like I first thought when she saw my true form?

Poor Tohru, wary of what is about to happen as she looks at him from the window. With only Shigure's words that she overheard, the doll baby, and tears of woe.

Greetings my fellow Rice Balls! Long time no see. I missed you all! I enjoyed reading all your comments from the first book and THEY ARE STILL COMING IN 3 YEARS SINCE THE LAST CHAPTER Y'ALL INSANE!!! Ilysm! Each one of you inspired me to start writing the 2nd book (along with Fruits Basket 2019 ofc!) I really wish I read the manga before I wrote the first book because I'm in quite the pickle for the breaking of the curse but... I think I figured out what I am going to do. Maybe... just maybe, a slight foreshadowing in this chapter... Tell me what you guys thought!

Posted: 9/15/2020

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