I.M.
A Fruits Basket Fanfic

Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Konnichiwa! Part Three is here! And yes, there will be at least two more parts after this one. ^^ No juice in this one. Just a bit of a surprise.

Part Three - SATURDAY_MEETINGS

~TOHRU~

The mirror wouldn't lie to me would it? My hair was straight and neatly brushed. My makeup was placed just as Hana-chan had taught me. The dark green dress I wore graced my body from shoulder to knee. It was a bit more conforming than I was used to, but I felt the need to look...how did I feel I needed to look?

Not like a child, that's for sure.

Meeting someone for the first time is always difficult, but meeting someone you've had -- how should I put this -- certain relations with for the first time is much more difficult.

It's bad enough I'm a major klutz. And shy. No, not really shy, just naïve. GAH! Why did I ask him?!

Maybe the dress and sandals were a bad idea. But I've tried on everything else in my closet. This was the most "grown up" thing I owned. To be honest, it wasn't even mine. It was a dress I'd borrowed from Hana-chan when I'd stayed over at her house last. I was happily surprised she had more than just black in her closet.

Sighing, I turn away from the mirror. I know I look all right. I'm not too overdressed, but I'm not underdressed either. I want to look nice but not -- what's the word -- desperate. Maybe it's just my nerves that are getting the better of me.

I descend the stairs, hoping that everyone else in the house is occupied. I'd told them that I was running errands and then meeting a friend for a late lunch in town. It's the truth, even if there is a little more to it than I let on.

Thankfully Shigure is busy with his work. His study door is closed with a tiny "Do Not Disturb" sign hanging from the door knob. It's odd that the sign would be hanging there. Normally he only put it out when his editor was come by. He must really be into his work today.

Kyo had left just after breakfast. His part-time job at the local dojo was certainly keeping him busy. Within a week he was promoted from assistant to teacher, which made him happy. He's really good with kids and martial arts. I think he truly enjoys it.

Yuki had left a note that he would be at his "secret base" for most of the afternoon. He'd bought a number of vegetables to plant, and a few flowers as well. I'd have to remind myself to stop out and check it out when he's finished.

Making sure the kitchen is cleaned up, I wash the few dishes left in the sink. Folding the towel neatly and placing it on the counter, I round up my keys and my purse. Grabbing my jacket as an afterthought I head out the door.

A look at my watch tells me I have an hour to get to the meeting place. Good. I can run an errand or two before I meet up with...with HIM.

~HATSUHARU~

"Where are you going?"

"Into town. I am allowed, you know."

"Yes, I know. Do you need my car?"

"Not this time. I can walk, thanks."

A sigh. "Don't stay out too late."

I wave. "Don't worry, I won't."

With a hand to his head, Hatori walks back into his office. All I can do is watch him go, blinking in surprise.

THAT was relatively easy. Wow.

Normally I get the tenth degree from my cousin, but not today, which is probably just as well. He's tired, much more tired than I'd seen him in a long time. Akito must be ill again.

Good. Maybe the bastard will roll over and die for once. It wasn't likely, but a guy can dream right?

The walk from the Sohma main house to town is a good half an hour. Considering I had the better part of an hour, it wouldn't take me long to reach the meeting place. I am prone to -- how should I say -- getting lost easily, so I tucked the directions into my coat pocket...just in case.

Walking through town, my nerves start to act up and I can't suppress a small shiver as it runs along my spine. I can't believe I'm doing this. I can't believe I agreed to meet 'lilflower99' in person. I told myself then that it wasn't all that bad of an idea.

NOW is a whole different story.

I have little clue as to what she looks like. We've never exchanged pictures, nor did we ever describe ourselves. Was she pretty? Was she ugly? Tall? Skinny? Blonde hair? Dark hair? It worries me, but it doesn't. I like pretty women, but beauty is only skin deep.

A sense of self. A sense of humor. Personality. Those are the most important things for me.

Great sex is a plus, but not required.

What do you say to someone you've had cybersex with? What do you do?

Taking it outside of the realm of the computer seems a bit...odd to me. Anonymity is part of what makes it great, at least in my opinion. But it's also kind of exciting. We've already shared a very intimate part of ourselves online. Imagine what we can do in person. I know I am.

And it's making my walk that much more difficult. Shit.

Thankfully, no one around me takes notice. I fidget with my jacket and walk at a slower pace. The meeting place is only another block away. I can see the sign from here, the store logo painted neatly on a large block of wood.

The Vanilla Garden.

It's a dessert shop that's been open since...well I've never been there so I don't remember. The place is practically empty, unusual for a Saturday. But then the street vendors probably take away some business, especially on nice days like today.

And the corner booth is still empty. She hasn't arrived yet. Good. That'll give me some time to cool off and get ready. The waitress on duty is a young woman, probably my age. As I slide into the booth she comes over to take my order.

"Can I get you something?"

"Vanilla shake."

She raises an eyebrow in question. "That all?"

I smile lightly, leaning back into the comfort of the seat cushions. "I'm waiting for someone."

"Okay then, I'll check back later." There's disappointment in her voice. Too bad. Normally I would be the flirt, but not today.

At least not with her.

~TOHRU~

There are butterflies in my stomach.

Not real butterflies, mind you, but...oh I don't know if I can go through with this.

As I stop in the middle of the sidewalk for the fifth time in ten minutes I want to start crying.

I have no idea what he looks like. What he's REALLY like. He seemed nice enough over the computer. Kind and caring. But...but...he could be some old hentai for all I know! Maybe I should just go home and forget all about this.

No, get a grip on yourself, Tohru! Everything will be fine. You can always get up and walk out. That's why we're meeting in public, right? And this IS one of your favorite places.

The Vanilla Garden is a spot that Momiji and I like very much. Two nights a week after school we come here to wait for Yuki and Kyo. The sodas are delicious and their ice cream even better. Right now, a chocolate parfait sounds dreamy, since I'd neglected lunch before leaving the house.

With another deep breath one hand reaches out for the door and pushes it open.

A bell sounds, indicating that I've entered the shop. The smell nearly overwhelms me. Vanilla, primarily. But there was also a touch of chocolate and a hint of cinnamon. The aroma makes me smile and gives me just the little bit of confidence I need as I turn towards the booths.

The first thing my eyes settle on is the corner booth. I picked it because it I knew it would be empty. No one sits there, at least during those times that I've been here. It's not well lit, but during the day, light from a nearby window illuminates the tabletop.

Taking a deep breath I realize that someone is sitting there today. My heart starts pounding and I fnid it hard to breath. Oh no! Am I late? I glance at my watch and hurry over to the booth. As I get closer I stop short of sitting down, realizing that it's no stranger sitting there. My heart completely stops.

"Hatsuharu-san, what are you doing here?"

~HATSUHARU~

"Here you go."

"Arigato."

The waitress delivers my shake just as the bell at the door rang. Someone else had come into the shop. Over my glass I casually glance up to see who it is. It takes a while for my eyes to find the small form a woman in a dark green dress. My heart skips a beat. Was that her?

I'm over here, I wanted to shout.

Then she turns around. My eyes grow wide and I nearly choke on my shake.

"Nani? Tohru-kun!"

I'm shocked into speechlessness. What was she doing there? I hadn't counted on running into her in town today. And she was alone. I'll have to give Yuki and Kyo a hard time about that. Was she running errands?

Her eyes are scanning the scene just before she glances at her watch.

Keep cool. Just keep calm and stay to the shadows. My eyes lower to my shake as I try to remain motionless in my seat. Maybe she won't even notice I'm here.

"Hatsuharu-san, what are you doing here?"

Shit. Well, it's not her fault. She is, after all, a friend. She wouldn't have ignored me even if I asked her to.

"I'm...just out for the day, you know," I tell her. There's no way I'm admitting the truth to her. That's just too embarrassing. "Ano, what are YOU doing here?"

"I'm...supposed to meet with someone."

I blink in surprise. "Yuki-kun?"

She shakes her head. "No."

"Kyo-kun?"

"No."

"Momiji?"

"No."

All right. Now this is really weird. I'll go out on a limb here.

"Shigure-sensei?"

She shakes her head again and sits down on the edge of the booth seat across from him. Her eyes seem focused on the doorway, then she turns back to me with a brilliant smile.

"No. He's at home working on his latest book."

"Anyone I know?" I ask somewhat breathlessly. If she wasn't meeting any of them, maybe she was meeting one of her other friends, Arisa of Hanajima.

"No, I don't think so."

Not Yuki. Not Kyo. Not another Sohma and definitely not one of her school friends. Then just who....No. NO WAY!

Kami! Tell me you're joking!

Tohru is 'lilflower99'!

Blow me!

~TO BE CONTINUED~