Once Upon a Time (Fruits Basket Fic)

By Destiny Flame

Chapter 1: Financial Crisis

The sun shone brilliantly against the blue sky, and animals made their merry way through a lush forest determined to survive another day. It was summer of 1180 and the day was bursting with life. The bird's sung sweet melodies, the creeks bubbled and trickled, cicadas chirped their summer songs, and a distraught wail ripped through the trees. Wait, what?

"Wahh! What am I going to doooo, Hatoriiii!?" The distress signal, seemingly male, emitted from the edge of the forest where a mighty castle stood proud and tall. The beautiful creamy stone structure complete with notched towers and a large portcullis gate seemed to house the noise. Parts of the fortress' walls were laden in ivy, which almost reached the third story of the building and a magnificently kept garden of white lilies and blushing tulips skirted the walls.

"Hatoorii!" Another yowl from the distressed man caused the very walls of the castle to tremble and quake. Funnily enough, the source of the noise seemed to be coming from the throne room where a very flustered Shigure was flailing his arms in a not-so-kingly manner. A stoic looking Hatori calmly waited for his king to settle down. Giving an audible sigh, Hatori finally broke his patient silence

"Shigure."

Said male, stopped his floundering long enough to turn his teary eyes towards his advisor and long-time friend. Although Shigure was the king, he had long ago ensured that Hatori would not address him with such a distant title- they were best friends after all. Just as Hatori began to open his mouth to speak again, Shigure hiccupped.

"What am I going to do, Hatori. We're flat broke! We've probably got enough funds to last the year, but what happens then? If I don't do something soon, the whole Kenshin Kingdom will go into turmoil!"

Before he could return to hysterics, Hatori spoke louder and in a firmer tone, "Shigure!" Flinching at the rare impatience evident in Hatori's voice, Shigure zipped his lips tight. " Are you finished?" A nod. "Good, now have you gone through all possible strategies?"

Shigure thought for a moment then gave another uncertain nod.

"That's not very convincing. Well have you considered that the kingdom's only hope may very well be your daughter?" Hatori braced himself for Shigure's rant.

"Tohru?! How does she come into this? This is my problem, not hers. I will not bring her into my mess. Absolutely not!" Shigure cried indignantly, folded his arms as if to enhance his point.

Hatori sighed and dragged his hand over his face, "Shigure, you're not being reasonable. How else are we going to gain enough funds to keep the kingdom running, if we don't join with a wealthier kingdom through wedlock?"

Shigure's eyes widened at what Hatori was hinting at, "Oh no! No, no, no! I am not giving my darling Tohru's hand to anyone; especially to some rotten prince she doesn't even know! You know that more than anyone!"

"And I also know that it's foolish to keep thinking you can prevent her from growing up," Hatori looked the king square in the eyes, "Shigure, deep down you know this is the only way."

Shigure flinched again. Damn it all! He HATED it when Hatori was right! "… I really hate you sometimes, you know that?"

Not yielding his firm gaze, Hatori continued, "I suggest you find a suitor for Tohru right away, preferably from a wealthy kingdom of course."

"…Fine! But I am NOT having my beautiful daughter marry someone she doesn't know!" The king yelled with conviction in his voice and a stubborn look in his dark eyes.

"Very well," Hatori turned on his heels to exit the lavish room then looked over his shoulder at the emotional king, "Then I suggest you invite the suitor to stay at the castle for a few months and let them get to know each other," with that, he gave a small bow and disappeared down the long corridor.

"Stupid Hatori! Stupid financial crisis! Stupid marriage!" Hands raked through Shigure's dark hair at the thought of what was to become of his precious daughter, "Oh my poor Tohru! Daddy's sorry, my darling! Please forgive me."