Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Wandering ❯ Part 1: Lost... ( Chapter 1 )
[ A - All Readers ]
By: Ina-chan 
Anime/Manga: Fruits Basket Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 07.27.2002 | Pages: 3 | Words: 1.6K | Visits: 1.1K | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Fruits Basket Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 07.27.2002 | Pages: 3 | Words: 1.6K | Visits: 1.1K | Status: Completed
Disclaimer: Fruits Basket belongs to Takaya Natsuki-sensei and Hana to Yume comics.
This fic is done only for the glorification of Furuba!
July 25, 2002
Wandering
Part 1: Lost…
By Ina-chan
The summer breeze ruffled gently through her hair. She always had affection for
summer. She used to enjoy the leisurely walk through these woods. If it were another
time, she would be walking side by side with him.
But that was another time… long, long ago. The truth is, now, she shouldn't be
here in the first place. She was supposed to stay away. That was the contract she agreed
on ten years ago.
Her freedom…
/"You can go anywhere… anyplace you want. Do anything you want. Study in
college. Won't your MOTHER be proud of that?"/
Her memories…
/"I even won't ask your memory to be erased. That will be my gift."/
Their happiness…
/"Do you think you're making things better by staying around them? You're
simply giving them false hope. The more they are attached to you, inevitably, at the end,
the more you will end up hurting them."/
In exchange…
/"So before that happens, why don't you take the initiative and…/
For just one simple thing…
/…go away."/
She closed her eyes and instinctively wrapped her arms around herself as she
braced against the chill that automatically ran down her spine when those memories
plagued her. Then silently scolded herself.
That was a long time ago, she was still a naïve child then. She's older now with a
ten years' worth of confident experience. She left that life behind the moment she agreed
to that contract with the devil. And now… specially now… it was useless. She was no
longer bound to him. With that, she let out a defeated sigh and smiled upon realizing the
irony.
She's definitely changed from when she was seventeen. Back then, she would
have been mortified to death at the idea of herself thinking disrespectfully of someone,
specially if that someone had already died. Her younger self would definitely not break
the promise she made. The truth is, she almost didn't. Even though some time had
already passed since that person had died. Despite of what she felt in her heart, she still
never mustered enough courage to defy that promise. It took ten years and of all the
reasons… a stupid business trip… to get her to set foot back in Japan.
Back then, her naïve younger self didn't believe that all the misfortunes felt by
those who came before her would actually happen to her. She innocently had complete
faith in the goodness of people around her, despite cruel appearances. She didn't realize,
until too late, that she wasn't immune. That she too was vulnerable to feel inexplicable
fear… and pain.
"Wondervoll! They seem to be growing very well!"
The cheerful voice followed by a hearty rumble of laughter nudged her out of her
reverie. Her eyes widened in horror as she realized exactly where she was. His voice had
changed now. It was much more deeper, definitely more adult. But deep in her heart, she
knew there was no mistaking it.
"Momiji-kun…" She whispered inaudibly, closing her eyes at the pleasant warm
rush of her memories.
Though she did venture into this territory out of the need to satisfy her nostalgic
hunger, she didn't intend to wander close enough to run into any of them. Of course,
Momiji-kun was the last person she expected here. Part of herself wanted to break
through the bushes and give the young man a surprising hug, just like the number of
times he himself had done to her when they were younger. But the stronger illogical part
of herself screamed in horror, begging her to turn tail and run before it was too late. Just
as she was about to follow the latter, she heard it… Though it too sounded deeper and
more adult, it still had that soft yet attention-grabbing quality to it… his voice.
"The strawberries would be ready soon… I think."
She felt her heart stop as she held her breath, afraid to make a sound… As if
hypnotized by the sound of that voice, she slowly took a few silent steps forward and
tried to peek through the shrubbery and bushes. Momiji was standing by him, his back to
her, admiring the fruits of his cousin's labour. He had grown so tall that he almost
covered everything from her sight. She dared to take a few more steps, inching to steal a
view of what she so desperately wanted to see. Then angrily wiped the river that started
to flood her eyes just as she finally caught sight of him.
It was a sight that she has seen many times before in the past. He was kneeling
and lovingly tending to the patches of vegetation of their secret base. Had it not for the
sharper and older angles on his face, it would almost seem as if time had stopped for him.
He looked just as beautiful as he had been when they were seventeen. A frown of
concerned lined on her forehead at the realization that he looked somewhat thinner and
paler than she remembered. She craned her neck and took another step to get a better
view, when her foot slipped on a hidden rock, and the next thing she knew she tumbled
clumsily on the ground in an undignified heap. She silently swore under her breath as she
quickly got on her knees to brush the dirt and grass that clung to her clothes.
"Who's there?"
She froze and held her breath, willing that neither men would come to investigate
where she was… willing herself to magically disappear. But things in her life rarely went
the way anyway. Before she knew it, she found herself staring at a very surprised brown
pair of eyes.
"To…ru?" Momiji said aloud in surprise
What else could a person caught red-handed do other than say…
"I'm sorry!"
… and run like the wind.
She flew through the woods as fast as her feet could carry her, ignoring the twigs
and clumps of vegetation that scratched the exposed skin of her limbs and her face.
Silently praying that neither men would attempt to pursue her.
"To-ru!! TO-RU!!
However, it is instinct after all, to pursue persistently something that's beyond
your reach.
"TO-RU!! WAIT!! PLEASE!!"
And Souma Momiji was known for his damned persistence.
"TO-RU!" He called one last time as she felt his hand latch onto her wrist.
"Imsorryimsorryimsorryimsorryimsorryimsorryimsorry!!!!" She blurted out loud
uncontrollably.
If it were another time, both of them would have probably burst out laughing at
the absurdity of the situation.
"To-ru? What's wrong? It's just me!"
If it were another time, hysterical tears wouldn't be running down her face.
"I'm sorry Momiji-kun! Please let go. I have to go. I'm not supposed to be here!"
If it were another time, she wouldn't feel so afraid…
"TO-RU!" He sounded frightened as well. He sounded desperate to reach through
her hysteria as he grasped her by the shoulders and shook her firmly.
She stopped as she saw his own tears threatening to spill out from his eyes. She
bowed down her head in shame and lightly rested her forehead on his chest, "I'm sorry
Momiji-kun. I'm so sorry."
"Then please… please don't run away anymore," Momiji whispered over her
head, "Please don't go away again… at least for now."
"All right, I promise," She whispered back, a sense of relief washing over her as
she continued to let him loosely hold her as he did many times before, "I promise that I
won't."
"Momiji?" Another voice called out from the near distance
Momiji instantly straightened up, almost causing her to loose balance and fall into
him, "Verdammt, I almost forgot!"
She looked at him, a little confused at sudden change in demeanour. She turned
around and saw HIM. He was standing a short distance away, as if afraid to intrude. He
was just as she remembered him, standing shyly with that nervous pose of his, slightly
leaning to one side with one arm crossed over the other. He looked almost exactly the
same but…
"It's okay Yuki, it's only To-ru!" Momiji called out reassuringly
…but…
"I'm sorry…" she began nervously
…but somehow, she must have had a feeling then and there that there was
something different…
"I'm sorry I ran away," she continued, wiping the wet corners of her eyes with her
fingers
…something in the way that Momiji suddenly put a hand on her shoulder and
gave her a comforting squeeze as if to steady her…
"I'm… sorry… too," He echoed uncertainly as his expressive grey eyes seemed to
search hers
…something in the way that he looked at her.
"Momiji?" Yuki turned to his cousin as if to ask for assistance, "Is she someone
we know?"
If it were another time…
~To be continued on Part 2: Searching~
Author's squawk:
Waaaaa! I can't believe I actually finished this chapter in one sitting! ^_^. Anywayz,
inspiration has once again hit Ina-chan. I normally don't do continuation fics, but I've
been playing with this "what if scenario" since I wrote "Defying Heaven" but I just never
figured out what to do with it until the latest developments starting from chapter 58
inspired me! I don't think its very original, since I've read several fics playing with the
similar idea with Tooru in Yuki's position.
But this one's short and sweet. This is going to be another 3-parter like "Defying
Heaven". Don't worry, its already finished in my head. It's just a matter of getting
enough concentration to sit down and curb my poor attention span to type it out.
Hopefully, you guys will find it just as interesting! ^_^. Well… its 1:30 AM and I gotta
go to work in the morning! ^_^.
Ja!
Ina-chan
This fic is done only for the glorification of Furuba!
July 25, 2002
Wandering
Part 1: Lost…
By Ina-chan
The summer breeze ruffled gently through her hair. She always had affection for
summer. She used to enjoy the leisurely walk through these woods. If it were another
time, she would be walking side by side with him.
But that was another time… long, long ago. The truth is, now, she shouldn't be
here in the first place. She was supposed to stay away. That was the contract she agreed
on ten years ago.
Her freedom…
/"You can go anywhere… anyplace you want. Do anything you want. Study in
college. Won't your MOTHER be proud of that?"/
Her memories…
/"I even won't ask your memory to be erased. That will be my gift."/
Their happiness…
/"Do you think you're making things better by staying around them? You're
simply giving them false hope. The more they are attached to you, inevitably, at the end,
the more you will end up hurting them."/
In exchange…
/"So before that happens, why don't you take the initiative and…/
For just one simple thing…
/…go away."/
She closed her eyes and instinctively wrapped her arms around herself as she
braced against the chill that automatically ran down her spine when those memories
plagued her. Then silently scolded herself.
That was a long time ago, she was still a naïve child then. She's older now with a
ten years' worth of confident experience. She left that life behind the moment she agreed
to that contract with the devil. And now… specially now… it was useless. She was no
longer bound to him. With that, she let out a defeated sigh and smiled upon realizing the
irony.
She's definitely changed from when she was seventeen. Back then, she would
have been mortified to death at the idea of herself thinking disrespectfully of someone,
specially if that someone had already died. Her younger self would definitely not break
the promise she made. The truth is, she almost didn't. Even though some time had
already passed since that person had died. Despite of what she felt in her heart, she still
never mustered enough courage to defy that promise. It took ten years and of all the
reasons… a stupid business trip… to get her to set foot back in Japan.
Back then, her naïve younger self didn't believe that all the misfortunes felt by
those who came before her would actually happen to her. She innocently had complete
faith in the goodness of people around her, despite cruel appearances. She didn't realize,
until too late, that she wasn't immune. That she too was vulnerable to feel inexplicable
fear… and pain.
"Wondervoll! They seem to be growing very well!"
The cheerful voice followed by a hearty rumble of laughter nudged her out of her
reverie. Her eyes widened in horror as she realized exactly where she was. His voice had
changed now. It was much more deeper, definitely more adult. But deep in her heart, she
knew there was no mistaking it.
"Momiji-kun…" She whispered inaudibly, closing her eyes at the pleasant warm
rush of her memories.
Though she did venture into this territory out of the need to satisfy her nostalgic
hunger, she didn't intend to wander close enough to run into any of them. Of course,
Momiji-kun was the last person she expected here. Part of herself wanted to break
through the bushes and give the young man a surprising hug, just like the number of
times he himself had done to her when they were younger. But the stronger illogical part
of herself screamed in horror, begging her to turn tail and run before it was too late. Just
as she was about to follow the latter, she heard it… Though it too sounded deeper and
more adult, it still had that soft yet attention-grabbing quality to it… his voice.
"The strawberries would be ready soon… I think."
She felt her heart stop as she held her breath, afraid to make a sound… As if
hypnotized by the sound of that voice, she slowly took a few silent steps forward and
tried to peek through the shrubbery and bushes. Momiji was standing by him, his back to
her, admiring the fruits of his cousin's labour. He had grown so tall that he almost
covered everything from her sight. She dared to take a few more steps, inching to steal a
view of what she so desperately wanted to see. Then angrily wiped the river that started
to flood her eyes just as she finally caught sight of him.
It was a sight that she has seen many times before in the past. He was kneeling
and lovingly tending to the patches of vegetation of their secret base. Had it not for the
sharper and older angles on his face, it would almost seem as if time had stopped for him.
He looked just as beautiful as he had been when they were seventeen. A frown of
concerned lined on her forehead at the realization that he looked somewhat thinner and
paler than she remembered. She craned her neck and took another step to get a better
view, when her foot slipped on a hidden rock, and the next thing she knew she tumbled
clumsily on the ground in an undignified heap. She silently swore under her breath as she
quickly got on her knees to brush the dirt and grass that clung to her clothes.
"Who's there?"
She froze and held her breath, willing that neither men would come to investigate
where she was… willing herself to magically disappear. But things in her life rarely went
the way anyway. Before she knew it, she found herself staring at a very surprised brown
pair of eyes.
"To…ru?" Momiji said aloud in surprise
What else could a person caught red-handed do other than say…
"I'm sorry!"
… and run like the wind.
She flew through the woods as fast as her feet could carry her, ignoring the twigs
and clumps of vegetation that scratched the exposed skin of her limbs and her face.
Silently praying that neither men would attempt to pursue her.
"To-ru!! TO-RU!!
However, it is instinct after all, to pursue persistently something that's beyond
your reach.
"TO-RU!! WAIT!! PLEASE!!"
And Souma Momiji was known for his damned persistence.
"TO-RU!" He called one last time as she felt his hand latch onto her wrist.
"Imsorryimsorryimsorryimsorryimsorryimsorryimsorry!!!!" She blurted out loud
uncontrollably.
If it were another time, both of them would have probably burst out laughing at
the absurdity of the situation.
"To-ru? What's wrong? It's just me!"
If it were another time, hysterical tears wouldn't be running down her face.
"I'm sorry Momiji-kun! Please let go. I have to go. I'm not supposed to be here!"
If it were another time, she wouldn't feel so afraid…
"TO-RU!" He sounded frightened as well. He sounded desperate to reach through
her hysteria as he grasped her by the shoulders and shook her firmly.
She stopped as she saw his own tears threatening to spill out from his eyes. She
bowed down her head in shame and lightly rested her forehead on his chest, "I'm sorry
Momiji-kun. I'm so sorry."
"Then please… please don't run away anymore," Momiji whispered over her
head, "Please don't go away again… at least for now."
"All right, I promise," She whispered back, a sense of relief washing over her as
she continued to let him loosely hold her as he did many times before, "I promise that I
won't."
"Momiji?" Another voice called out from the near distance
Momiji instantly straightened up, almost causing her to loose balance and fall into
him, "Verdammt, I almost forgot!"
She looked at him, a little confused at sudden change in demeanour. She turned
around and saw HIM. He was standing a short distance away, as if afraid to intrude. He
was just as she remembered him, standing shyly with that nervous pose of his, slightly
leaning to one side with one arm crossed over the other. He looked almost exactly the
same but…
"It's okay Yuki, it's only To-ru!" Momiji called out reassuringly
…but…
"I'm sorry…" she began nervously
…but somehow, she must have had a feeling then and there that there was
something different…
"I'm sorry I ran away," she continued, wiping the wet corners of her eyes with her
fingers
…something in the way that Momiji suddenly put a hand on her shoulder and
gave her a comforting squeeze as if to steady her…
"I'm… sorry… too," He echoed uncertainly as his expressive grey eyes seemed to
search hers
…something in the way that he looked at her.
"Momiji?" Yuki turned to his cousin as if to ask for assistance, "Is she someone
we know?"
If it were another time…
~To be continued on Part 2: Searching~
Author's squawk:
Waaaaa! I can't believe I actually finished this chapter in one sitting! ^_^. Anywayz,
inspiration has once again hit Ina-chan. I normally don't do continuation fics, but I've
been playing with this "what if scenario" since I wrote "Defying Heaven" but I just never
figured out what to do with it until the latest developments starting from chapter 58
inspired me! I don't think its very original, since I've read several fics playing with the
similar idea with Tooru in Yuki's position.
But this one's short and sweet. This is going to be another 3-parter like "Defying
Heaven". Don't worry, its already finished in my head. It's just a matter of getting
enough concentration to sit down and curb my poor attention span to type it out.
Hopefully, you guys will find it just as interesting! ^_^. Well… its 1:30 AM and I gotta
go to work in the morning! ^_^.
Ja!
Ina-chan