[fic] "Autumn Wind" - Fruits Basket

[demeter918]

Title: "Autumn Wind"

Author: demeter918

Pairing: Akito/Shigure

Fandom: Fruits Basket

Theme: 9. dash

Disclaimer: All rights and privileges of Fruits Basket characters, objects and plots are property and trademarks of Takaya Natsuki and associated parties. The author claims no legal responsibility for problems associated with using this work. The original story, relationships, and characters found within the fic are property of the author Demeter.

~*~

It took a few rings for the shrill sound to make itself past Shigure's distracted thoughts. When he finally realized the phone had been ringing for what he gathered to be too long for a telephone salesman, he snatched it up with languid fervor. "Hello?"

"Akito wants you here."

There was a momentary pause, a bare skip of hesitation and then Shigure laughed. "Why, good afternoon to you too, Ha-to-ri!" He flexed his writing hand and dipped it into his stash of chocolates. Taking his sweet time, he undid the foil from a little nugget and popped it melting-soft into his mouth. "And how long did it take you to call me?"

"Not long."

Shigure smiled at the messy scribbles of his notepad. "Really? I imagine more than a few hours."

"..."

"Alright, alright. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

click

The phone dangled in his hand and then was dropped carelessly back into its cradle. He rocked in his chair for a few moments, contemplating necessities that he would need to take. His visit might end up being a long one, if things turned out right. In the least, a few changes of clothing, some of his books, and his writing utensils. He'd have to leave a list of things Tohru would need to watch for, not least Mii-chan who would most likely commit suicide on his front porch if he wasn't careful...

He stood up and took a fresh yukata from the closet. With quickness starting to gild his movements, he tied the thin obi around his waist. Shigure didn't hesitate as he swept a shelf full of his clothing into a suitcase and tucked a few odds and ends into the remaining corners. Tucking the notepad under one arm and his laptop under the other, he cast a look around the room. Anything else he might need could be bought by sending Kureno out.

Ten minutes later, he was finished with a note and list for Tohru. He set it down with a paperweight in the kitchen - always the first stop for her when she came home from school - and slid the shoji door open only to run into Yuki. The boy stopped in surprise. "Shigure? Where are you going?"

An unpleasant smile made its way lazily onto his face. "I'm off to Akito's, dear Yuki. Would you like to come?"

The answer, of course, was an almost unnoticeable shuffle backwards, a flinch that rang of frustration and fear and a furtive shadow of worry that chased the flinch like a hopeless pet after its abusive master. Yuki was nothing but predictable and Shigure savored the moment like a warm glass of spiced mead. He gave the boy a few more seconds before asking again. "Well?"

Yuki shook his head slowly and Shigure didn't waste any time in moving past him and into the garage where a car with a light film of dust sat in placid anticipation. He whistled and tossed his bag - and more gently - his laptop onto the passenger side as he slid into the driver's seat and wondered idly if he still remembered how to drive. He inserted the bright metal of the key and the good luck charm from kami-sama tip-tapped in an incoherent harmony. The engine sputtered and hummed to life as it rolled slowly out of the garage and onto the dirt-paved road.

Outside the tinted window, the greenery gradually faded into the familiar concrete and wood of suburbia. The streets snaked their way around corners and crossed intersections that were lined with shallow ditches carved into the stone bed. He passed a mother out walking with her two children in strollers and she stared with curiosity after the expensive foreign car with its single occupant.

The short drive brought Shigure past a temple, a small Buddhist shrine, several conbinis, restaurants, a flower shop, and of course, ah, there it was. That was what he was kind of looking for. He parked next to the curb, ignoring the traffic and honking that exploded upon his leaving the car.

Shigure pushed the door open, a bell jingled, and a three foot Hello Kitty doll greeted him with her placid black eyes.

The storeowner popped out of the back and asked, "Good afternoon!"

"I'd like the latest Mogeta merchandise."

Looking a little taken back at his curt tone, she nodded and pointed to a little corner in the back that was stocked with dolls, stickers, plates, and other Mogeta things that reminded Shigure of Akito’s fever-bright eyes. With a quick flick of his hand, he said, "As long as it's come out in the last three months, I want it."

"But..."

"I'm in a bit of a hurry."

"Ah... er... of course." She grabbed a shopping basket and started filling it up herself. He saw her pick a few things up, look at it, and then set them back down, frustration evident in her gestures. "Excuse me, sir, but Mogeta doesn't have too many new things... the latest movie was many months ago."

Irritated, he snapped, "Just wrap it all up then."

Her eyes bulged. "All of it?"

"Yes, all of it."

A smile spread across her face and she immediately complied. She swept as much as she could into her baskets, eventually filling three up to the brim. With a speed derived from years of limited edition sales, she rang through all the Mogeta merchandise and tucked them into four white shopping bags. When she stated the total, hesitating, he passed her several man bills and she smiled again. "Shall I help you with your bags to the car?"

Shigure waved her off and picked all four up with only the barest strain evident. His exit was as unremarkable as his arrival and when she peered out the front-store window to see him zip off and barely miss clipping a sedan with a little old lady, she clucked her tongue in disapproval. People these days!

~*~

Gravel crunched beneath theres as he pulled into the inner compound. Waiting on the porch was Kureno, his russet hair flipping in the breeze. Shigure rolled down his window and shouted, "Yoo hoo, Kureno! I bet you missed me!"

The rooster dipped his head in greeting. Shigure stopped his car in the middle of the path and brought out all four bags of toys. "Tsk, tsk, Kureno. You should be more glad to see me."

"Hello, Shigure."

"Oh, how shall I cope, for I have been forsaken!"

A tiny bit of discomfort flushed Kureno's cheeks an attractive dusty rose. It made the blood in Shigure's throat boil over and as he handed over the keys to Kureno, his voice lowered into a soft purr. "Dear Kureno, don't scratch my," he paused, "car in any way, hmm? Be a sweetheart and get my bags."

"Yes, Shigure."

Shigure might have said something more if not for Hatori sliding the door open in irritation and barking, "Leave Kureno alone and get in here."

A slip, a slide, and Kureno disappeared from the wooden dais and into the car, driving it away to one of the garages scattered around the estate. The dog afforded one last look after him before turning to Hatori, his lips already curving into a pout of epic proportions. A whine slithered in and out of his voice. "That's so unfair Hatori."

"Come along, Akito's impatient." There was an unidentifiable note in the words, and Shigure's spine straightened like a puppet string. As they neared Akito's rooms, he could hear faint coughing. It sounded wet. It sounded painful.

It sounded like the falling of leaves, the ending summer, and strangely enough, sushi on a plate. Shigure looked thoughtfully at the back of Hatori's head. Those were pretty cliché lines, if he could say so himself. They'd be perfect for his next high school romance novel.

Hatori opened Akito's door. She was lying against the balustrade that opened to the outdoors, sprawled across a bed of pillows. A dark blue comforter draped over her legs and stomach. The yukata she had on was drawn tight as if for protection. It had been a long while since Shigure had seen Akito so vulnerable.

"What happened?"

"Akito came down with a fever the day before yesterday. I've set him on a course of antibiotics, but..."

"He won't take them."

The doctor nodded.

"I can hear you talk, fools." Akito's voice was irritated and vaguely violent. She blinked, her sleep-lazy eyes flickering as they tried to focus on the two older men. "Shigure?"

"I'm here."

"Took you long enough."

He smiled. "I'm sorry. I stopped to buy you something."

At that, she opened her dark eyes and tried to focus. The four bags were sitting careless and free behind him and something like curiosity shone in her expression. He hefted one bag and placed it before her. Thin fingers worked at the knotted ties and as it unraveled bit by bit, exhausted excitement bloomed on her face. When one ear of Mogeta was revealed, a look of pure astonishment and delight - Shigure savored the moment and etched it firmly into his memories - rose like a flock of birds. It was an awkward look for Akito, but it softened her sharp cheekbones and reddened pale lips.

The doll was taken out and held up to the dim light. Akito perused the soft cloth and huggable body and she must have deemed it satisfactory, because she laid it to the side without ripping it apart. As she went through all the Mogeta merchandise, piece by piece, Shigure began to regret giving it all at once to her. Imagine if he'd doled it out... he could have welcomed delighted looks all year round.

"Well... I suppose you think you've done a good thing." Akito sniffed with an imperious air. But it lacked somewhat in power due to the fact that she had to blow into a tissue only moments later.

"Maybe I did."

She made a face. And coughed. "The stuffed animal is nice." That was all she'd allow and Shigure knew it. "And we can use the plates for dinner."

"Dinner?"

"You're staying for dinner!" It was a hiss, but underneath the almost-fury, Shigure thought he could hear notes of panic.

"Well..."

"You are!"

Then again, he sometimes thought wrong. "Ah, of course. Dinner. I wouldn't miss a bite of fabulous Sohma cooking for anything."

Akito rolled her eyes weakly before looking out the window where the warm autumn air was brushing against her cheeks. The leaves of the yard had started their annual colorful fest and the brilliant reds and yellows made everything seem brighter than usual. There was an unfathomable dip in the hollow of her throat, but Shigure didn't acknowledge it. The three of them sat looking into the garden and with every moment that passed, it seemed like a longer day was unwrapping before their eyes.

Akito spoke, her voice groggy. "Where's Ayame?"

"Kureno already called him. He's on his way." Hatori sounded unconcerned, as if Ayame was rushing up to the door already.

"I want him here."

"He's coming."

"That's good." Akito’s arm slipped from where it was cushioning her cheek against the wooden railing. With a deft hand, Shigure caught her head and rearranged her gently on the pillows. He pulled the comforter up until it played peek-a-boo with her neck. Her extraordinarily long eyelashes fluttered. “Don’t leave… until…”

"We won't."

"Shigure?" Akito must have had a particularly bad encounter with Ren. It was rare to see her so openly in want of herself.

"I have my bags packed for a long stay."

Akito's head nodded in time to her erratic pulse. The muscles in Shigure's legs twitched, almost aching from his earlier hurry, but the door slid open again and Ayame and Kureno stepped into the room. The clouds were gathering on the distant horizon and the chilling sun was already fading away. Ayame had a heavy basket of goodies and Kureno was already setting up a kotatasu and arranging a blanket between the two tabletops. Hatori shuttered the windows and turned on the heater.

Slowly, Shigure gathered up the precious pieces of Mogeta and set them into the corner. Her moment of happiness was over. He doubted she'd be able to look at them without being reminded that there was no possible way she could take any delight if she didn't want people to think Akito was too girly.

But, he supposed one moment was better than none. Even if it did seem like it came and went with nothing more than the autumn wind.

Shigure pressed his hand into hers and waited.

~ fin ~

Crossposted to demeter918, altar_of_akito, and 30_kisses

My internet is still wonky (DIE) but I finally bit the bullet and formatted the fic for LJ. So here it is. My long-suffering next addition to 30_kisses. Hope it doesn't disappoint.