ALL FOR LOVE
A Fruits Basket Fanfic
Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
A sequel to "Patterns". Ayame and Mine have been dating for six months
and she now knows his biggest secret. Does this really ease Ayame's mind? And
now that she knows, he must tell someone else another secret. This part told
from Ayame's POV. Lemon-ish.
Part Two - Somewhere Inbetween
"Ayame...ah!"
There was no other way to apologize to her. Although I suppose I really didn't need to apologize for my transformation now. Still, there would be other things. Things that she still didn't know. Things I still have to tell her.
If she decides to leave me afterwards, then I guess I can't complain. But I want to give her something to remember me by. And who doesn't remember great sex, ne?
I start my thrusting at a leisurely, almost sluggish pace. She's already writhing underneath me. I know she's close and I allow her to explode around me. My body wants to follow hers but I don't allow it, keeping my steady pace as she opens her eyes, her body once again reacting to my movements.
It's mere moments before she's bucking underneath me and I increase my pace by a fraction. As she grips my arms, coming again, I watch her face. Watch it light up. Watch the drowsy smile that forms on her lips. Watch as her eyes flutter, trying to keep eye contact with me, but close as the final wave washes over her.
My pace increases again, this time my hips pound into hers almost relentlessly. So much for dragging it out. My body continues this tempo until I feel her coming around me again. I want to slow my movements, prolong the pleasure, but it's too late. As her muscles clench around me my body goes rigid and I feel myself let go. The joy that washes over me is indescribable. For a moment I feel light, weightless, then I feel gravity take over as I fall to the bed beside Mine.
I know it's later in the morning when I wake again. And this time, the world looks as it should. No transformation. I'm pleased, but also a little disappointed. Now that Mine knows about my snake form, I was hoping for a little cuddle, but perhaps it's best if I don't push it, ne?
Placing a light kiss to her cheek, I leave Mine in bed and head downstairs. It has been a delightful night, not to mention a busy morning. Good thing we don't have to open the shop today. Thank Kami for Sunday.
I look back once when I reach the bottom of the stairs. Six months. It really doesn't seem like all that long, but it has felt like an eternity. One that I don't want to have to give up. That's why I'd been waiting to tell Mine about the curse. The longer I waited, the longer I'd be able to keep her. She really is darling. I love her so much. So much, that I never realized how devastated I'd feel if she'd left.
I'd be crushed. Totally and absolutely.
It's how I felt when I realized I was a snake this morning. When she wouldn't come near the bed. I've never felt disgusted with my snake form before, but in that one instant, I was. And I hated it.
Hated myself.
Oh what would little Yuki say if he knew I felt this way? He has no idea how I truly feel about myself. In some ways our parents were not better to me than him. I was just able to hide it better.
But he does know what it's like to be hurt. I still feel badly for him. He was so in love with Tohru that he never realized she was in love with someone else. And Haru to boot. Or maybe he did, but he was able to hide it. Hmm, perhaps we are too much alike, and that's why we never got along.
But according to Gure-san, he's seeing someone. He doesn't know who, but at least Yuki is smiling once again. My little brother is happy and that's all that matters.
Well, there are a few other things that matter.
Like Akito.
I had promised myself from the beginning of my relationship with Mine that once she found out about the curse I would talk to Akito. Suddenly my stomach plummets to...well, I suppose it can't go any lower but it's trying.
I'm afraid.
Yet, I'm overjoyed.
Strange, isn't it?
And...I'm afraid. Afraid of what Akito will do to us. Mine and I. He forced Haru away from Tohru and now both of them are gone. Tohru's last letter said she was doing well, and so were Haru and their son, Kei. But I haven't seen them in so long, it feels like they don't really exist. Like they're nothing but a dream.
Then there's Gure and Rin. Akito wanted nothing of them when they were married. Actually I think it goes a little further back than that...when Rin was pregnant. They had a hard time adjusting to their new life at first, but I think Saya has been a great help. So darling, the little one.
So where will Mine and I end up? On one extreme or the other? Or somewhere in between?
Will we even end up together?
GAH! The suspense is killing me! Where's the phone? Where's...the...PHONE?!
"Moshi moshi, Dr. Souma's office."
It doesn't quite sound like Dani on the other end. Had Tori-san gotten a new assistant again? If only his love life were the same. "May I speak with Hatori, onegaishimasu?"
"Hai, chotto matte kudasai."
There's a pause on the other end, a brief spurt of melodic tunes, then another click. My cousin and friend's voice sounds a bit too gruff. Must've been a long morning.
"This is Hatori."
"Ah! Tori-san, it's Ayame. Ohayo."
"It's almost lunchtime," he replies stoically.
"Is it really? I haven't looked at a clock since this morning."
"Why are you calling Ayame?" Apparently he knew this wasn't a social call. Was I that obvious?
My voice turns serious, or rather, as serious as it can get. "I need you to do something for me."
There's a short pause. If I didn't know any better I'd say he was reaching for his cigarettes. "What is it?"
Taking a deep breath I force myself to say, "I'd like a meeting with Akito."
There's another pause, this one longer than the last. "Mine?"
I nod, more to myself than to him since he can't see me. "Hai."
"When?"
"This morning. It was accidental, but it was probably for the best."
"And she's okay with it?"
"So far," I reply with another sigh, remembering her reaction when I first awoke. "There are a few things to be discussed, but the worst is over."
Another short pause. "Are you sure about this, Ayame?"
"Hai. I'm sure."
"It can wait a little while, until you both become adjusted...."
"Iie," I say, shaking my head again. "It can't wait. I...I want to get it over with. It has to be done."
"Ayame--?"
"Don't try to talk me out of it Tori-san, onegai." GAH! I'm talking back to Tori now. And my serious tone would even shock Yuki!
"I'm not going to talk you out of it, Ayame. I'm...I'm proud of you actually."
There's a comment I wasn't expecting. It give me a little energy boost, not to mention some hope. I can't help but smile.
"I have to check on him just after lunch. I'll call you back then."
"Arigato."
"Just do me one favor in return."
"Ara?" A favor for Tori-san? "Nani?"
"Don't get hurt. Either of you."
I blink, my smile growing. "I'll do my best, Tori-san."
"I'll talk to you later then. Ja ne."
"Ja, Tori-san," I reply just before I hear a click on the other end of the phone line. Still smiling, I hang up the phone and turn to go back to my room.
"Who was on the phone?"
I halt myself just in time to keep from transforming. Mine's awake and standing at the foot of the stairs. She's still groggy, rubbing her eyes with her delicate fists. One of my old robes clings to her figure, the belt tied securely around her waist. Her hair looks so much better when let down, but I know she will braid it later. Perhaps I can help.
"Ah, it was Tori-san. It was nothing too important, really. He'll be calling back later."
"Oh."
My eyes widened as I got an idea. "Why don't I make you some breakfast, then we can talk, ne?"
She blinks at me, a small smile passing her pale pink lips. "Hai. Ano...do you want any help?"
"Of course, Mine, of course."
I lead her into the kitchen and we argue over what to make. It takes ten minutes to figure out what we're having and nearly four times as long to cook it. While we're working she's careful not to hug me, although she doesn't let a few casual caresses get away. I'm grateful that she is there. That she knows and that she isn't running away.
But after we meet with Akito, will I be able to keep her with me?
Will she still want to be with me?
Kami help me, but I think I finally know -- truly know -- what Tori-san went through.
And it frightens me.
~TO BE CONTINUED~