Heaven on Earth

Jo-chan

Disclaimers: Fruits Basket belongs to Takaya Natsuki. I am only borrowing the characters for a few pages or so because I love them so much. ^_~

Author's Notes: I dedicate this AU (alternate universe) Furuba fan fiction to Yuki and Tohru and to all my kind reviewers. They inspire me. Please read and review. To get in touch with me my email ad is [email protected]or if you want me to email you, please leave your email ad at the review box. I promise to keep in touch.

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Prologue- To Leave It All Behind

Tohru sat a bit rigidly, facing her mother's brother who lived in England all these years. His auburn hair was straight and elegantly styled and the same impish light in her mother's eyes shone in his dark green eyes. She couldn't stop staring at him, he looked so much like her mother and it was the first time she ever saw him.

"Tohru-chan..." he said, his voice sounding strange because of his English accent. "I'm sorry I only came now... I heard about Oneechan's death a week ago," he spoke sounding regretful, "I've been touring across Europe and the message was left only in my London penthouse."

Tohru shook her head. "No, it's all right... Uncle. I'm sure, you coming back to Japan has made my mother really happy," answered Tohru softly. She gasped when her uncle suddenly hugged her.

"Thank you... my sister was the only family I had left. Even if I had lost her, I feel like I have a daughter to gain, in you Tohru-chan," said Honda Tetsuya as he held his niece close.

"Daughter?" whispered Tohru, her own eyes filling with tears as she slowly relaxed in her uncle's arms. Tears began to fall, relief, pain and acceptance. // I have a family again... //

After a few minutes, they pulled apart, flushed at little at the emotional breakdown. "Will you come back with me to England then Tohru?" asked Tetsuya as he smiled at his niece.

"Eh? England? But what about school? Grandfather? My friends? My part-time job? -- and, and the Sohma family?" exclaimed Tohru, half-rising out of her chair. She took several deep breaths, trying to ease the sudden tightness in her chest. She lowered her eyes and whispered, "I don't think I can leave him-- them behind."

Tetsuya looked at the face of Tohru closely and sighed as he slowly said, "You have grown too attached to the Sohma family Tohru-- I really don't think that's good for you. You're living like a maid! In England, the people there clean their own mess."

Tohru flushed in embarrassment. When her uncle first saw her, she was on her knees, wiping the floor of the Shigure's house. "I have to work in exchange for food and board," explained Tohru.

"I can give you a better future Tohru. You can go to school and not have to hold a part-time job or be a maid in someone else's home. I can take you to England, where you'll be free to learn and grow and leave the bad memories behind in Japan," offered Tetsuya fervently as he faced his niece.

"-- you don't have to be alone anymore Tohru..." he whispered as he looked down at his wine glass.

Tohru exhaled deeply, her eyes shining with tears. // But I'm not alone Uncle... //

She was moved by her uncle's offer and yet... she didn't have the strength to say goodbye, to cut off the bonds that she had nurtured with everyone and to leave... to leave Yuki behind. Dear God, over the years she'd fallen in love with the mysterious and guarded young man who in so many ways can be so kind to her and yet still be keep her an arm's length away.

She trembled as she answered her uncle, "I-- I can't Uncle Tetsuya..." she wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. "I know I'm graduating this week and all, and it would be easy for me to just go with you to England and begin a new life but-- I can't."

She looked up and faced her uncle as she gave him a teary-smile. "I'm in love with Yuki-kun," she added softly, her blue eyes shining with such a radiant love.

// Heavenly // The word drifted in Tetsuya's mind as he stared at his niece. She looked like an angel, ready and able to love man's imperfections and still have enough compassion to watch over him. "You can be great you know..." murmured Tetsuya as he nodded his head in acquiescence, his mind overrun by so many possibilities.

Tohru blushed. "Thank you Uncle but no. I'm happy where I am, right here in Japan."

*********

"You are a fool Yuki-kun if you think that Honda-san will still stay with you after graduation," began Akito as he lounged lazily in his chair while Yuki and Shigure stood in front of him.

Shigure accompanied his cousin to be of support when Yuki tries to ask permission from Akito to study in Tokyo University where he passed the entrance exams with Tohru and Kyou.

Yuki's fists were clenched tightly as he faced the Sohma's leader. "I'm not asking for any advice Akito-san... just whether or not you'd allow me to study in Tokyo University," Yuki bit out angrily. He tried not to show any emotion, knowing that Akito would pounce on his weakness and try to use it against him. But the arrival of Tohru's uncle has unexpectedly cracked his confidence of spending his college years with Tohru. He can feel his control slipping tonight and his temper on a precarious hold.

"Oh my... are you affected Yuki-kun? Will you be sad when Tohru-san leaves you and makes a life in England-- far, far away from a creature like you?" drawled Akito as he glanced briefly at the door behind Yuki that was left ajar. He noticed a strand of Tohru's long brown hair by the doorway just a few minutes ago. From the looks of it, she has unexpectedly dropped in the middle of their conversation. "Will you be sad Yuki-kun, if Tohru will not be around to smoother you with her annoying affection? She seems to like odd balls," said Akito before he laughed at his joke.

Pushed to his limits, Yuki exclaimed, "I don't care about her! She can go to China for all I care! She's nothing but a guest at Shigure's house!" In his anger, Yuki never noticed the muffled thump outside Akito's room. "Now, will you let me study at Tokyo University?" asked Yuki with gritted teeth.

Outside, Momiji passed by the doorway, holding onto Tohru whose pale face showed a silent flow of tears. Akito suddenly smiled widely. "Oh yes Yuki-kun. I give my whole-hearted approval to you going to Tokyo University," said Akito triumphantly. "You've just proven to me, your unconditional loyalty," added Akito with a smirk.

Shigure looked worried and he turned around to find the door half-open. He frowned, noticing an uncommon glee in Akito's carefully modulated words. Yuki looked surprised and yet pleased at Akito's sudden approval. There was a small smile playing around Akito's pale lips.

// This is not good // thought Shigure as he followed after Yuki, making sure he closed the door to Akito's room.

**********

"I've decided that I'm going to live with Uncle Tetsuya in England," announced Tohru flatly in the middle of a strained, silent dinner that evening.

Kyou dropped his bowl of rice in surprise. Yuki froze as he slowly raised his gaze on Tohru's pale, set face. All evening, she acted cold, not saying a word, not smiling, nothing. It was as if she was under s severe strain and all she wanted to do was get away from it-- from him specifically.

Shigure choked and took a quick sip from his glass of water. "Tohru-kun... that was quite a surprise," said Shigure carefully as he tried to gauge the entire situation. Tohru kept silent and seeing her resolve, Shigure asked quietly, "When?"

"Two days from now. Uncle has been anticipating my decision," answered Tohru with a bittersweet smile. She took a deep breath and continued, "I need to start all over again."

"Dammit! Tohru, you can't leave! You'll miss graduation!" yelled Kyou in frustration.

Tohru gave a small smile. "Arigato Kyou-kun but I have my year book so I guess it'll have to do... I-- I just want to--" began Tohru, her voice quavering, trying not to look at Yuki's features.

She was half-afraid of what she'd find in his face. Surprise definitely, perhaps even concern but would she find in his eyes what she needed to make her stay? Against her will, her eyes went up to his beloved face and she felt her heart sink. His face was an emotionless mask and his eyes showed nothing at all.

"-- I want to-- I just want to leave..." finished Tohru before she stood up from the dinner table, leaving her bowl of rice untouched, turning her back just in time to let her tears fall.

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Chapter 1- They Call Her Heaven

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"You were great in Singapore my dear," beamed Tetsuya as he watched his slender niece pore through a fashion magazine in their private jet.

She lifted the magazine and the cover revealed her own picture. It was a popular Japanese magazine and her name, Heaven was written in big, block letters. She gave a tired smile and tossed the magazine on the small coffee table. Her voice was soft and clear as she suddenly remarked, "It feels strange to be going back to Japan after so many years Uncle..."

Her blue eyes took on a far-away look as she turned her gaze out to the jet's windows. Tetsuya gave an understanding smile and sat down beside her. "Tohru-chan..."

She smiled suddenly, her blue eyes sparkling. "It's been quite some time since you called me that Uncle. Now I'm beginning to feel Japanese again," said Tohru as she stretched, feeling her tense muscles loosen.

With pride, Tetsuya watched the young woman he loved as a daughter blossom into a popular stage actress in England and then rising to become an international singer and artist. From the moment she set foot in England seven years ago, he made sure she wouldn't have time to pine for her old life by developing Tohru's innate passion for singing and acting. It was a very easy task, for Tohru threw all her heart into her craft. With his managing skills and connections, she honed her skills with the best and learned quickly. He was the one who named her Heaven, feeling his life blessed whenever she would smile at him or sing for him or even read out simple lines from her script.

In less than five years, she gained a huge following not only in England but in America, in Europe, in Japan and Southeast Asia because of her albums. She had a varied style, from Broadway songs to pop and now, she has recently released a Japanese album.

She was living a very successful life, loved by millions, adored, and taken as a role model... but Tetsuya has never again seen the expression of radiant love he saw once in Tohru back in Japan. Somehow, the old hurt has never completely healed. Sometimes, he found himself wondering, how deeply does an angel like Tohru really love?

"Uncle?" asked Tohru, startling Tetsuya out of his reverie. She was looking at him with the same tired expression she wore lately and he frowned, thinking that Tohru almost always worked too hard.

He gave a sheepish smile. "Tohru-- I took the liberty of booking two weeks of vacation in Hachijyo Island after your concert in Tokyo. You work too hard my dear," said Tetsuya as he watched Tohru's jaw drop.

"Please Uncle! A vacation! I don't need one and in Japan no less! It would make me a nervous wreck before a week is over! My self-esteem can't take a beating like that," said Tohru grimly as she quickly gulped down champagne from her glass.

Sternly, Tetsuya shook his finger at his niece. "Now Tohru, it's been over long ago, you can't still be hurting over it. Mind over matter my dear. You've gone a long way from Honda Tohru and became one of the stage's brightest stars-- you are now Heaven."

Tohru closed her eyes and took a deep breath. In her mind, she pictured her image seven years ago. The shy, awkward, passive, sweet and somewhat silly girl with long brown hair tied in ribbons now seem so far as she looked at the cover image she made at the magazine.

Her hair was shorter, still long but cut in soft, elegant layers. Her eyes were still large and blue but the naivete was definitely gone. She was wearing a designer outfit, white fitting slacks, a blue scalloped-necked sleeveless blouse, and a white linen blazer was draped over her chair. It was a far cry from her endlessly plain and boring clothes. Heaven's trademark look is her penchant for white clothes.

A smile grew on her pink lips. "You're right Uncle. I am Heaven..."

Her mobile phone suddenly rang and she picked it up. "Yeah?"

Daidouji Tomoyo or Madison in the international music industry spoke on the other line. "Heaven-san?" asked Tomoyo in a slightly mischievous tone. Tohru laughed and replied, "Yes Madison-san?" Both girls, having worked together in some productions and were together in a duet off Tohru's Japanese album had developed a running joke about their stage names and an even greater friendship.

"You know that Sohma Momiji is my mother's business associate right? He'll be at your concert because he wants to take me out to dinner afterward... is it all right?" asked Tomoyo cautiously, aware of Tohru's past as a part of the Sohma's household help.

"I-- it's fine," answered Tohru resolutely, wondering why even before she can reach the shores of Japan, the Sohma's are back in her life.

"It's absolutely no trouble at all..."

************

"Hey Yuki-kun?" said Momiji as he lounged in a leather-backed chair from across Yuki's huge desk inside the presidential office.

Irritated, Yuki glanced up from the report he was reading. Since Akito's death, he was named as the head of the Sohma family, having been qualified in terms of intelligence, skill and power. It was supposed to be Hatori but the doctor declined and instead wished to live a normal life with Kana, who was also recently widowed.

Yuki bore the responsibility seriously and he expanded their business from real estate to shipping and has even set up two hotels in Tokyo and a mall. He has worked constantly for the family, even sacrificing his love for horticulture and focusing on economics and business instead.

"What do you want Momiji?" he asked as he blew his bangs out of his face. His silver hair was cut a bit shorter in the back but otherwise, nothing has really changed. His delicate features matured and grew a little more rugged although he still looked a lot like Ayame. His purple eyes were narrower and more cynical and guarded.

Momiji looked gorgeous, looking as beautiful as Yuki and was quite tall, having undergone a sudden growth spurt. "You know that I like Daidouji-san right?" asked Momiji carefully as he held onto the latest issue of Japan's most popular magazine that had Heaven's smiling face on the front cover.

"So?" snapped Yuki, raising the sheaf of papers he was reading and began to immerse himself in his work again.

Momiji tossed the magazine on Yuki's desk. Yuki didn't even look up as he asked grouchily, "What do you want to talk about again Momiji? It's not money isn't it? Your dad is almost as rich as me."

"I was thinking that maybe you needed saving..." murmured Momiji but he then shook his head. "If you're ready for redemption, why don't you take a look at what I brought you?" Silence only met his suggestion and Momiji left, saddened at what his cousin had become over the years.

Like Akito, Yuki has become a man who has completely lost his emotions.

**********

The lights suddenly dimmed and anticipation shimmered in the audience. The opening notes of her single "Kirameku Toki ni Torawarete; Caught by the Glittering Moment" began to play and the crowd screamed. It was her duet with 'Madison' who had just walked onstage, her red dress contrasting with Heaven's long white silk wrap-around skirt with the slit up her thigh and a white, hanging halter-top.

Heaven sang the first part, her voice melancholic and yet still strikingly sweet.

sanzan na yume ni me wo samasu Awakening from an intense dream

hizashi no tsuyoi asa to the strongly sunlit morning.

Madison followed, her voice as melodious as Heaven's.

oki ni iri no kyoku kiki nagara While listening to my favorite tune

araitate no SHATSU ude wo toosu I toss the shirt I'm washing over my arm

Heaven sang the next parts, her voice, overflowing with emotion. It was one of the reasons why she had so many admirers, she made the song more real, it would come alive and everyone can relate to it.

yuube no aitsu tsukareta koe datta A guy last night said in a tired voice,

"shigeki ga hoshii" "I want some excitement"

"ima wa kowashitai" "I want to break up now."

Ochiburanaide Please don't be down.

kirameku toki ni toraware Caught by the glittering moment,

muchuu de itai I want to be enthralled

koukai suru suteki ja nai Repenting isn't wonderful,

hitori ja nai shi Woah but after all you're not alone.

Heaven and Madison, the two brightest Asian artists sang together, leaving everyone mesmerized. Both shared the same pain of an unrequited love and could bring on the full range of the song, their voices blending smoothly, taking the song to a higher plateau.

afuredasu namida ga The tears starting to overflow

utsukushi karaba are beautiful

hito wa mata owaranu tabi ni People will once again, be able to spend

toki wo tsuiyaseru kara time on an unending journey.

[Short Instrumental]

[Short Instrumental]

Madison and Heaven would alternate parts, picking up from their instinctive cues as the pace went faster.

kyou wa sukoshi dake Today, let's take

toomawari shite just a little detour,

eki made mo arukou Woah and walk to the station. Woah

minarenai keshiki ga Delighting in

ureshikute the unfamiliar scenery,

kado no furugiya e futo haitte miru on a whim, we entered the corner

thrift shop for a look.

itsumo to chigau Something's unusual...

kakudo de tatami wo Looking across the tatami mat

nozoite miru kitto soko ni at an angle, there's definitely

atarashii nanika ga... something new over there...

They sang together once again for the chorus, building to crowd to a fevered pitch. Their voices were higher, soaring above the notes.

kirameku toki ni toraware Caught by the glittering moment,

muchuu de itai I want to be enthralled

koukai suru suteki ja nai Repenting isn't wonderful,

hitori ja nai shi Woah but after all you're not alone.

afuredasu namida ga The tears starting to overflow

utsukushi karaba are beautiful

hito wa mata owaranu tabi ni People will once again be able to spend

toki wo tsuiyaseru kara time on an unending journey.

[Short Instrumental][Short Instrumental]

The guitar instrumental made people wild and the pace was faster now. It was now Heaven's solo and the spotlight was turned on her. The light from blinding white changed a silvery-blue and was focused on her. Her sparkling white dress and the darkness and the spotlight bathing her indeed made sure she looked like an angel. Tetsuya, who was watching backstage through a screen smiled in joy.

kirameku toki ni toraware Caught by the glittering moment,

muchuu de itai I want to be enthralled

koukai suru suteki ja nai Repenting isn't wonderful,

hitori ja nai shi Woah but after all you're not alone.

afuredasu namida ga The tears starting to overflow

utsukushi karaba are beautiful

hito wa mata owaranu tabi ni People will once again, be able to spend

toki wo tsuiyaseru kara on an unending journey time.

Heaven held the last note until her voice faded away. She bowed, still trembling from the impact of her song. The lights focused on her and Madison and they held hands and bowed in unison. People began chanting her name, 'Heaven!' 'Heaven!' and she smiled brightly, her face shown close-up in the stadium's giant screen.

"Arigato Tokyo!" exclaimed Tohru, her old exuberance resurfacing, finally feeling like she has come home.

"Tadaima..." she said as she bowed deeply once more. // I'm home //

**************

Yuki tilted his chair back, his eyes tired after a long night of analyzing financial reports. He glanced at the digital clock at his desk and realized it was eleven in the evening and he hasn't even eaten dinner.

He cursed softly as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He stood up and loosened his tie as he walked around his messy desk. His hand reached for the intercom buzzer to notify the security downstairs that he was coming home when he noticed the bright magazine Momiji left on his desk. "A magazine! Just great!" he sighed as he picked it up out of resignation.

The face on the magazine froze him and for what seems like an eternity, he stared at an achingly familiar face. It was a face he'd never forget even when few memories have been left behind. Memories in the form of their high school yearbook and the strawberry planted in his old garden.

He had thrown himself at his work with a single-minded intensity, leaving his dreams blank voids of exhaustion.

// Honda-san... //

But the girl from his past was gone... forever it seems. As now in the magazine, an elegant young woman with incomparable blue eyes smiled so perfectly. She was no longer the simple girl he had known as Honda Tohru. A new name was attached to her and now, it seemed so appropriate.

They call her Heaven.

TBC

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A/N: There! I finally fixed the format for Heaven on Earth's prologue and chapter 1! I just decided to combine the two because I've been having difficulty keeping track of my own chapters--- sheesh! ^_^' Anyway, with the clearer lyrics of the song Tohru sang (Caught in a Glittering Moment from the Slamdunk Movie), readers can appreciate how the songs I choose tries to reflects the story's progress. Anyway, REVIEW! REVIEW! If you're just starting to read this fic, brace yourself, you're in for one hell of a ride. ^_^

Revised last January 19, 2003