The Clam and the Onigiri

By: Kisu

Disclaimer: Fruits Basket does not belong to me!

Chapter 14: Souma Jin

"Our family houses many secrets." Hatori said slowly as he raised his head from staring into the light green depths of his cup of tea. A lock of hair fell over one eye as he stared at his cousin, Shigure.

The man who usually had a playful expression on his face had exchanged it for one that was thoughtful. They stared at the rice crackers that lay untouched in the middle of the table and Shigure slowly reached for one.

He bit into it, chewing thoughtfully.

"What secrets?" Kyou spoke up, his back turned to them from the porch. After Tohru has left for the morning, everyone seemed to drift off into his or her destination. Only Shigure, Hatori, Hatsuharu, and Kyou remained at the house.

"Secrets like of the jyunishi and dark secrets; forgotten secrets." Shigure said, with an odd smile.

"And how do you know all this?" Kyou frowned.

"I make it my business." Shigure replied. "It's also good inspiration for my novels!" Hatori shook his head slightly and smiled in amusement.

"Rin also knows." Hatsuharu spoke up for the first time. "Rin knows everything."

"So, are you guys all talking about the same thing?" Kyou demanded. "Let me in!"

"The secret of Tohru's birth." Shigure said, as Hatori nodded slowly.

"Tohru?" Kyou turned around and stared at them in puzzlement. "She's the daughter of Kyoko and Honda-san."

"Tohru is actually a Souma by birth." Hatori told them, quietly. "Because her father wasn't Honda-san, but a Souma." Kyou eyes widened at this and he looked at Shigure and Hatsuharu.

"You two know about this?" Kyou gaped. "Tohru is a Souma?"

"Her father's name is Jin. Souma Jin." Hatori continued. He raised his cup of tea to his lips and took a sip. "And, he's learn of Tohru's residency with us. Now, he wants to meet her."

"Souma Jin." Kyou repeated, eyes narrowing. "There's something wrong with that name. I've heard it somewhere before."

"You have." Hatsuharu nodded. "Souma Jin was the black sheep in the family."

---

"Honda-san, what's wrong?" Yuki asked, as he looked around. They were getting stares from the passerby. "Let's go to a nearby placed and talk."

Tohru nodded, through her sobs and Yuki helped her up. He was careful about his distance from her, lest he be turned into a mouse. Finally, they found a bench in a secluded area in the park.

He drew a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed away Tohru's tears. Tohru feebly reached for it, and covered her face with the silk square.

"Tohru…" He said, slowly. He raised a hand and touched her head. "Tohru, I'm here."

"Okaasan." Tohru whispered, as her voice cracked. She tried again. "Okaasan and Otousan were killed by the Souma."

Yuki's eyes widened and he touched her hand.

"Are you sure?" He asked. His family killed Tohru's parents? Then a dark scowl crossed his face. "Akito."

"What?" Tohru looked up, her eyes a bit red and puffy from her tears. "What about Akito-san?"

"I think…" Yuki said, cautiously. "I think he arranged the car accident your mother was in." He bit his lip at the disbelief that flashed across Tohru's face. "I'm not sure, but I thought I heard something about it."

Tohru complexion turned grey and her eyes fluttered close. Then she fell forward and Yuki quickly wrapped his arms around her, but that close contact only made him turn into a mouse.

"Honda-san! Honda-san!" He squeaked, patting her face. "Wake up, Honda-san!"

---

"Black sheep?" Kyou murmured. "But in a way, we're all black sheep."

"No. Jin wasn't a jyunishi, he was a young man with many problems." Shigure said, as he leaned back. "His parents were always overseas and Jin was left on his own. So, Jin became a brash young man. One that was violent and uncontrollable."

Shigure tapped his chin lightly.

"He got in fights every day at school and he would have been kicked out of the private school he was in, if it wasn't for his last name and wealth." Shigure continued. "But all that changed when--."

"Kyoko came into the family." Hatori finished. Shigure gave him an amused look and Hatori closed his eyes. "He changed for Kyoko and they fell in love. But Jin was a very protective man and Kyoko felt she was suffocating. So then she met Honda Kenichiro, a businessman."

"After Kyoko had a messy breakup with Jin, she left the Souma Clan and learned she was pregnant with Tohru. After Tohru was born, Kyoko and Ken were thinking about getting married." Shigure nodded. "But Jin found out and Ken was killed."

"So Kyoko joined a gang and became the Crimson Butterfly." Hatsuharu finished. "The same gang that Rin and I were once in. We fought to protect Kyoko and Tohru from Jin."

"But, she might not be safe anymore." A new voice spoke up.

Dark tresses fluttered in a light breeze as the figure stood at the door. They turned and looked at the newcomer, Shigure instantly smiled. Clad in a black skirt and blouse, she walked in, never minding to take off her boots

"Rin." Hatsuharu blinked.

"Souma Jin has met with Akito." Rin told them. "He agreed for Jin to see Tohru."

---

"It is right for Tohru to see her father." Akito said, slowly. "But, if you harm her, I won't hesitate to take extreme measures."

"I understand, sir." The man bowed his head and Akito stared at him.

There was no mistake that this man was Tohru's dad. Tohru's features had definitely been inherited from him. The same honey brown hair and light green eyes, which seemed to know everything yet, hide everything at the same time.

"Tohru should be returning shortly." Akito nodded. "I plan on asking for her hand for marriage. You cannot come between us."

"Yes sir." Jin murmured. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the ground. He understood perfectly.

---

Yuki watched helplessly as Tohru's eyes fluttered open and he stared at the vacant look on her face. "Honda-san?" He asked, concerned as Tohru slowly sat up. Yuki's eyes widened. She couldn't be in that state, could she? "Honda-san!" He yelled, running up her arm and to her shoulder.

"Okaasan, I have to see Okaasan." Tohru whispered, as she stood up.

Shock. Tohru was in shock.

"Killed?" Tohru mumbled, as she continued to blindly walk in the direction of her mother's grave. "Akito-san, couldn't have."

"Tohru!" Yuki tried again, desperately wishing he was back in his human form.

"Otousan. No." She continued as she nearly bumped into someone.

Yuki had to admit, he had never been so happy to see this person in his entire life.

"It's my brother's lovely princess!"

"Shut up, Ayame!" Yuki yelled, waving his paws wildly. "We need to help Tohru! She's in shock!"

"Oh my! Shock!" Ayame flipped his long white braid over his shoulder and grasped Tohru's arm gently. "What horrid thing happened to put her in such misery?"

"It's sort of…my fault." Yuki mumbled, looking away.

"You didn't…did you?" Ayame gasped, dramatically as he leaned in to peer at Yuki.

"No!" Yuki yelled. "Get your mind out of the gutter!"

"Princess, what's wrong?" Ayame asked, gently turning Tohru to face him. "Tell your future brother-in-law everything." Yuki said something obscene and Ayame happily ignored him.

"Okaasan." Tohru mumbled. "Akito-san. Killed her."

All happiness faded away from Ayame's face in a flash and was replaced by the scariest look that Yuki had ever seen in his entire life.

"Let's take her back to my shop. It's nearby." Ayame said, holding onto Tohru's arm. "Then, I'll call Ha-san and Shigure."

Yuki nodded, mutely and stared in grim fascination at the serious side of his older brother.

This must be bad. Really bad.

---

They stared at Rin in surprise. The slender girl stared back at them in disinterest. Hatsuharu shifted a little and Rin glanced at him. Their eyes met for a brief second before they both quickly looked away.

"I'll protect Tohru!" Kyou declared, loudly. He was on his feet and waving his fist in the air. An aura of pure confidence rated from him and they turned to stare at him, lips quirking into smiles at the energetic boy.

"Jin has his ways. So we must be careful." Rin told them, solemnly. "I have already informed Arisa and Hana."

Hatsuharu sighed as he stood up

"Then this is serious." Hatsuharu commented.

The phone rang and Shigure went to answer it.

A few moments later, Shigure came back. "Tohru is at Ayame's shop. It seems like she's found out the truth."

They all stared at him in shock and Hatori merely averted his gaze.

"What are we waiting for?" Kyou yelled as he shoved his feet in his sneakers and ran out the front door. Rin and Hatsuharu followed him, walking silently side by side.

"Ha-san." Shigure glanced at the doctor.

"Yeah." The man looked up and got to his feet. "We'll take the car."

---

Tohru had fallen asleep on the couch at Ayame's shop and the two brothers watched her silently from their seats. Ayame gave a sigh before refilling their cups of tea. Yuki nodded in thanks and looked around. The shop was tastefully decorated in that month's theme, pale purple and white. The clothes on the dressmaker dolls were dressed in cute maid outfits and stewardess uniforms trimmed with pale lilac lace.

"Uhm, purple." Yuki said, in an attempt to get a conversation going. Ayame lowered his cup to its saucer and his molten gold eyes widened.

"Is my baby brother trying to have a conversation with me?" He gasped, and with a cross between a laugh and a squeal, he glomped onto Yuki. Yuki growled and pushed Ayame away.

"Why can't you be serious for once?" Yuki asked, with a frown. He stared at the plate of cookies that Ayame had placed out and noticed they were sugar.

His favorite cookies had always been sugar. It was plain, sweet to the tongue, and lacked the entire heavy flavor that other cookies had. Like chocolate chip or peanut butter. He especially disliked peanut butter.

Ayame saw his gaze and picked up the plate, offering it to him.

"They're your favorite, aren't they?" Ayame asked. Yuki nodded wordlessly as he took one and bit into it. After a few moments of silence, Ayame leaned back against his white leather sofa and smiled kindly at him. "Do you love her?"

Yuki choked and glared at his brother as he placed his cookie down and drank some tea.

"What did you say?" Yuki asked, cautiously.

"I know you heard it the first time, Yuki." Ayame smiled. "Your hearing has always been perfect."

"Yeah." He grumbled before staring in fascination at his hands.

"Yuki." Ayame said, firmly.

"Why do you want to know?" Yuki asked, looking up with a glare. "It's not like you ever had an interest in my life."

"I want to know if you'll fight for her," Ayame told him with a slight smile. "Are you willing to die for her?"

"I-." Yuki's eyes widened. "Yes, I will fight for her." He looked away, the barest tint of pink crossing over his flawless skin. "Yes, I love her."

"Then, you have to be her support through this time." Ayame chided, softly. "She has to depend on someone who won't betray her."

The door of the shop opened with a chime of bells and Ayame stood up.

"I'm sorry we're closed—oh, you're here." He grinned. Hatori and Shigure stared at the man and to Yuki who stood up behind Ayame.

"How is she?" Hatori asked, walking over to the sleeping Tohru.

"Good. She's just waiting for her prince charming to give her a kiss." Ayame winked at Yuki. "The princess always needs a prince to wake her up."

"Shameless." Yuki muttered before moving toward the door.

"Yuki, where are you going?" Ayame asked, curiously.

"Out." He replied, coldly. His fingers grazed the handle of the door before it was abruptly pulled out of his reach. Off balance, a shadow fell over him and Yuki looked up to meet the eyes of the Souma head.

"Akito." Yuki whispered, throat constricting.

Ayame quickly moved toward the door to pull Yuki away from the clan head. "Akito-san, come in." He said, in false cheerfulness. Akito said nothing as he walked in, followed by a man with brown hair and green eyes.

Under Hatori's speculating gaze, Tohru stirred and opened her eyes. She sat up, and her gaze moved across the room slowly to land on the man by the door.

"Tohru!" The man gasped, walking over to her quickly. "Tohru." He took her hands in his and gazed into her vacant eyes. "Tohru, I'm your father."

They all held their breath as Tohru quietly took her hands away from the man and turned away.

"I don't want to see you." She whispered. "I don't want to see you ever."

---