-------------------------------

For: untitled Kyoto fic

Series: Fruits Basket

 

Last Modified: ...

-------------------------------

  

 

“That was your cousin, the doctor.  He said Tohru’ll have to go back for a check-up on Wednesday.”  Arisa padded into the kitchen, waving the sheet of paper she had scribbled on. 

 

Yuki, who was standing at the sink, hands dipped in dishwater, threw her a grateful look.  “Thank you for answering the phone for me, Uotani-san.”

 

“No problem, Ouji.”  Arisa had dropped by to check on her friend, and after Tohru had drifted off to sleep, decided to hang around the kitchen and make small talk.  She had been there for hours now, but she still had to get used to the sight of the Prince washing dishes.  She had a vague recollection of Tohru mentioning that Yuki was rather clumsy in the kitchen, but now, watching his hands deftly sponge and rinse the cups, Arisa thought he looked like he knew what he was doing.  Not only that, he seemed happy doing it.

 

            Soon she realized it wasn’t the dishwashing. 

 

            Sohma Yuki looked happy, just because.

 

            “Something good happened,” Arisa murmured.

 

He nearly dropped a plate.

 

“I hope I won’t have to kill you.”

 

“It’s not what you’re thinking, Uotani-san.”  Yuki was looking at her in alarm and --- Arisa noted with some degree of smugness --- trepidation.  After all these years her tough girl talk could still scare the boys.  It was very amusing.

 

“I’m kidding,” she told him.  “You know whatever happens between you and Tohru is none of my business.”  She reached for the pot and poured herself another cup of black tea.  “Unless, of course, I see her miserable or hurt or whatever, in which case you leave me no choice but to come over here and behead you.”

 

Yuki quickly turned back to the sink, looking even more nervous than before.

 

Arisa sipped her tea and eyed his tense back critically.  “You’re not just letting me say that, are you?”

 

            There was a beat, then he stopped, letting the dishes settle.  Outside, through the open window, came the faint sound of bicycles and laughter.  Children rushing home before dinnertime.  It will be dark soon.

 

            “Honda-san,” he hesitated, “deserves someone who can give her the best in everything.” 

 

            “And you’re that person.”

 

            “No.”  Yuki stated firmly, surprising her.  “No, I don’t think so.”

 

Arisa blinked.

 

 “I don’t think I’m good enough for her.  If I want to deserve her, I’ll have to work on so many things...change so many things about myself.  But even so…  Honda-san…she---”  He suddenly broke off, embarrassed.

 

 “She believes in you.”

 

Seemingly unable to think of a response to this, he resumed his task wordlessly.  Arisa watched him for a moment, then drained her cup and reached for the pot to pour a refill.  “I noticed something about Tohru this afternoon.”

 

He froze.

 

“When we were talking about stuff, I saw she was smiling --- well, you know she’s always smiling --- but for some reason it was…  I’ve known her practically all my life and I tell you, I never saw her smile that way before.”  Arisa set the pot down.  “I can’t describe it well, but if I had to, I’d say it was a very happy, contented smile.”

 

            He turned around to stare at her.

 

            “I think someone who makes Tohru smile like that can give her everything she wants.  And needs.  And more.”  She lifted her cup and gestured towards him, as if making a toast.  “So you’re all right, Ouji.”

 

            For a moment he was very still, then something flickered in his eyes, and for the very first time, Uotani Arisa saw Sohma Yuki smile for real.

 

 

[ snip (and no, Tohru is not pregnant. Yet. ]

 

http://www.geocities.com/naikouteki/